GUL: “MY WARNINGS TO THE US WENT UNHEEDED”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in New York to attend meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, said yesterday that he had warned the US of the inherent dangers of its Iraq occupation, but to no avail. Speaking to reporters at a reception in his honor at New York’s Turkish House, Gul said, “I told US officials that we could deal with taking care of the Iraqis’ basic needs while they try to establish security in the country. However, I received no timely reply and today’s chaos is what ensued.” Concerning a possible Turkish troop deployment in Iraq, Gul stated that Turkish officials had made comprehensive observations and evaluations and had contacts with regional leaders. Regarding the fight against the terrorist group PKK/KADEK in northern Iraq, Gul said, “As the US included the PKK on its list of terrorist groups, they are obliged to fight against it. Otherwise they cast their pledge to fight terrorism into doubt.” He added that this issue wasn’t related to Turkey’s possibly sending troops to Iraq, saying, “Whether or not we send troops, I’m sure the US will deal seriously with this problem.” In an interview with Reuters, Gul also stated that "so far, [Turkish] public opinion is not satisfied" with Washington's handling of the PKK presence, adding that it "should be handled more seriously" by the US. "We expect concrete action from the Americans," Gul said. /All Papers/

CHIRAC: “TURKEY WILL JOIN THE EU AFTER FULFILLING THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”
French President Jacques Chirac said yesterday that Turkey would join the ranks of the European Union after fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria. “These criteria include in particular political conditions concerning human rights, and also economic conditions,” said Chirac. “Turkey hasn’t yet completed the criteria, but Turkish officials are determined to. If they can do so, then Turkey will join the Union.” Chirac added that the pricetag to the EU of Turkey’s membership would total 14 billion euros. /Aksam/

BRITISH AMBASSADOR WESTMACOTT: “I HOPE TURKEY DECIDES TO SEND TROOPS TO IRAQ”
Peter Westmacott, Britain’s ambassador to Turkey, said yesterday that he hoped Turkey would decide to send its soldiers to Iraq. Speaking to reporters, Westmacott said that it would be appropriate to deploy Turkish soldiers in the country, except in Kurdish areas, and that it was natural that talks between Turkey and the US over the deployment issue were proceeding deliberately, adding that he saw no delay. Westmacott added that British Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Michael Walker and Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram would arrive in Ankara on Sunday to discuss the issue with Turkish officials. Britain, an original coalition partner in the Iraq war, still has one of the largest military presences in the country. /Aksam/

AMERICAN-TURKISH COUNCIL DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY
A delegation from the American-Turkish Council (ATC) is set to visit Turkey for a week beginning this Thursday. As part of its contacts, the delegation headed by former US National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft will hold a panel in Istanbul entitled, “Turkey and the US in the New Middle East.” In addition, another US delegation headed by Cofer Black, the anti-terrorism chief at the US State Department, is scheduled to arrive in Ankara next week to take up a second round of discussions with Turkish officials regarding eliminating the terrorist group PKK/KADEK from northern Iraq. /Turkiye/

TURKISH COORDINATION TEAM ARRIVES IN BAGHDAD
A statement issued yesterday by the Turkish General Staff said that a coordination team consisting of two officers and two noncommissioned officers had arrived in Baghdad to work at the US headquarters there. The Turkish officials are charged with ensuring coordination when necessary between Turkish special forces and US officials currently serving in northern Iraq. /Turkiye/

IKDP LEADER BARZANI CALLS ON ARABS TO LEAVE NORTHERN IRAQ
Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) leader Massoud Barzani said yesterday that he had begun an initiative in the United Nations and the US administration to urge Arabs currently living in northern Iraq to leave the region. He stated that Paul Bremer, the US civilian administrator in Iraq, had pledged to establish a commission to resolve the issue. Speaking to German daily Frankfurter Rundschau, Barzani said that the Arabs living in Kurdish-majority areas in northern Iraq were brought there during Saddam Hussein’s rule in order to “Arabize” the region, or boost its Arab population. “These Arabs should leave now,” said Barzani. In addition, Barzani reiterated his view that he was opposed to any troops being sent to northern Iraq from other countries in the region, including Turkey. /Turkiye/

TURKEY, US SIGN $8.5 BILLION LOAN AGREEMENT
State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan and US Treasury Secretary John Snow yesterday signed a long-awaited $8.5 billion US loan agreement. Speaking afterwards, Snow said that the loan was not related to the question of Turkey possibly sending troops to Iraq. “This assistance package and Turkey sending troops to Iraq are two distinct and separate issues,” said Snow. “The agreement does, however, require Turkey to cooperate with the US in Iraq.” Snow further stated that Turkey was a valuable regional ally of the US, a partner in the global war on terrorism and a “strong and economically stable democracy in the Islamic world.” Snow said the package would help to mend Turkish-US ties, adding, “It is in the US’ interests that Turkey maintain its economic stability and continue its ambitious economic and political process.” Babacan called the loan deal a “concrete symbol of Turkish-American relations.” The loan has a 10-year maturity period and is to be paid out in four equal disbursements over an approximately one-year period. /All papers/

IMF HEAD KOEHLER PRAISES ANKARA’S ADHERENCE TO ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with International Monetary Fund Head Horst Koehler to discuss recent domestic economic developments on the sidelines of the current Dubai economic meetings. During their talks, Koehler praised Ankara’s full implementation of the IMF-supported economic program, adding that he hoped this would continue. Speaking afterwards, Erdogan said that the government would continue to implement the program without any deviation. “There are local elections ahead of us [next spring],” he said. “But our government will never pursue populist policies and will instead continue the nation’s program with the same determination.” Erdogan added that his meetings in Dubai had been very fruitful. /All papers/

TURKISH VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS DEFEAT RUSSIAN TEAM
During its fourth match last night in Ankara in the European Women’s Voleyball Championships, the Turkish volleyball team defeated the Russian team by 3-0. The Russian team had four Olympic wins, five world and 14 European championships under its belt. Turkey’s team, which also won its three previous matches, is set to face Slovakia tomorrow. /All Papers/