SEZER VISITS HUNGARY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, currently in Budapest for an official visit, met yesterday with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom to discuss a number of issues, including bilateral relations. Speaking afterwards, Sezer said that he was pleased to visit Hungary and that he appreciated the hospitality of the country. Saying that there were strong, historic ties between the two countries, Sezer added these flawless relations helped to boost bilateral cooperation in all areas. For his part, Solyom stated that Hungary supported Turkey's European Union membership bid. Saying that Sezer had briefed him on the Cyprus issue, Solyom stressed that Hungary supported reunification efforts on the island. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN URGES ISRAEL TO STOP USING DISPROPORTIONATE FORCE, CALLS ON NATO TO INTERVENE IN N.IRAQ AGAINST TERRORIST ATTACKS
Speaking to reporters while vacationing on Ekinlik Island, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that the recent conflict in the Mideast had started after Israel killed seven Palestinian children, adding that Israel should sit at the negotiating table with Palestine and Lebanon. Erdogan said that Israel was using disproportionate force, adding that it should stop doing so. Commenting on recent terrorist attacks, Erdogan said that NATO should intervene in northern Iraq against these attacks. /Milliyet/
GUL ATTENDS ROME SUMMIT ON MIDEAST CRISIS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will today attend an international conference in Rome on the Middle East crisis. Gul is expected to underline the urgent need for an Israel-Lebanon cease-fire to prevent a more serious and widespread problem, and he will stress that international intervention should not be discussed until after the cease-fire. Gul will also have bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Condolezza Rice and other foreign counterparts attending the summit. During his talk with Rice, Gul will reiterate Turkey's requests from the US to step up the fight against the PKK. /Hurriyet/
BARZANI: "IF TURKEY INTERVENES IN NORTHERN IRAQ, WE'LL CONSIDER THIS AN ATTACK"
Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani said yesterday that they wouldn't let the terrorist group PKK take shelter in Iraq, adding, however, that if Turkey intervenes in northern Iraq, he would consider this an attack. Holding contacts in Sulaimaniyah, Barzani said that he had expressed time and again that he didn't want northern Iraq to be used for terrorist attacks against neighboring countries, and added, "But if a country intervenes in the region, we'll defend ourselves." Iraqi Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani said on Monday that they wouldn't let Turkey conduct a cross-border operation in northern Iraq. /Cumhuriyet/
MUMCU CONDEMNS ISRAEL'S "BARBAROUS" BOMBINGS OF LEBANON
Speaking in Samsun yesterday, opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu condemned Israel's bombings of Lebanon, branding them "barbarous." Mumcu further stated that a strong country was needed to ensure peace in the region, and this country could be Turkey. He added that due to the government's "clumsy policies," Turkey is currently unable to help Lebanon. "We`re just watching these bombings," said Mumcu. /Star/
ISRAELI SHIP FIRES WARNING SHOT AT TURKISH EVACUATION FERRY
An Israeli naval vessel fired a warning shot Monday night at a Turkish ferry en route to Beirut to pick up Australian nationals trying to flee Lebanon, said Turkish Transportation Minister Binyali Yildirim yesterday. "Last night the Akcakoca ferry was sailing from Gazimagosa (in Northern Cyprus) to Beirut when it was stopped by an Israeli naval vessel," said Yildirim. "It waited until morning, and after efforts by the Australian Embassy, the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Transportation Ministry, the problem was overcome and the ferry returned to Gazimagosa." The incident was confirmed by Australian Ambassador to Ankara Jean Dunn, who said none of the 13 crew was hurt. "This was a communications issue, and the Israeli naval vessel fired a warning shot." said Dunn. /Sabah/