SEZER, ERDOGAN, AND ARINC ATTEND WAR ACADEMY GRADUATION CEREMONY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday attended the graduation ceremony at the War Academies in Istanbul and handed out diplomas to the graduates. Addressing the gathering, War Academies Commander Gen. Aydogan Babaoglu stated that Turkey must have up-to-date military technology in order to maintain its place in the world. Babaoglu added that the technical capacity to protect the country against threats wasn't enough. In related news, Erdogan, Ozkok, and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul yesterday met at Istanbul's Dolmabahce Palace to discuss recent terrorist attacks. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN TO ATTEND EXTRAORDINARY OIC MEETING NEXT WEEK
The Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC) is due to hold an extraordinary meeting next Wednesday to discuss recent developments in the Mideast and likely condemn Israel's bombings of Lebanon. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to travel to Malaysia to attend the meeting. The premier is expected to tell the gathering that all countries should cooperate in assisting Lebanon. /Aksam/
ARINC URGES EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO HALT ISRAEL'S BOMBINGS OF LEBANON
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday sent a letter to the European Parliament calling for it to intensify efforts to stop Israel's bombings of Lebanon and to ensure peace. He stressed that Europe shouldn't be a mere bystander to the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Lebanon. In his letter, Arinc said that Israel had the right to protect itself, but using disproportionate force against Lebanese civilians couldn't be excused. /Milliyet/
CHP'S ALI TOPUZ: "WE SHOULDN'T GET CAUGHT IN THE MIDEAST QUAGMIRE"
We shouldn't get caught in the Mideast quagmire, said main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Ali Topuz yesterday. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated earlier in the week that Turkey was ready to join a peacekeeping force after a cease-fire is established in Lebanon. Commenting on Gul's statements, Topuz said, "The Parliament should convene and discuss this issue. Gul is acting imprudently." /Cumhuriyet/
LEBANESE AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: "TURKEY SHOULD PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN A POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPING FORCE"
Lebanese Ambassador to Ankara George Siam yesterday visited Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan to discuss a number of issues, including Israel's bombings of Beirut. During their meeting, Siam said that Turkey should play a leading role in a possible peacekeeping force to be formed in the Mideast. He added that Lebanon's financial losses due to the recent Israeli bombings total more than $3 billion. /Star/
LOS ANGELES TIMES: "TURKEY TO CONSIDER ROLE IN PEACEKEEPING IN LEBANON"
Turkey is considering a role in a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, wrote the Los Angeles Times yesterday. The paper quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying Turkey would first want to see a strong UN mandate for the force that would define its role, where it would serve and its rules of engagement. /Aksam/
SAUDI KING TO VISIT TURKEY
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah is due to pay an official visit to Turkey on Aug. 8-9 at the invitation of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. During his short stay in Ankara, Abdullah is expected to be accompanied by several ministers and businessmen. The Saudi businessmen are interested in energy distribution tenders in Turkey and the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP). Abdullah will meet with Sezer to discuss a number of issues, including recent developments in the Mideast. /Sabah/
MILITARY PLANE CRASHES IN KONYA
A military plane yesterday crashed in Konya. In the accident, pilot Lt. Akgun Sezginer died. From 2001 to 2005 Sezginer had been a member of the Turkish Stars flight exhibition team. /All papers/
PKK MINE KILLS MAJOR, INJURES TWO OFFICERS
Gendarmerie Maj. Adil Karagoz was killed yesterday and two other security officers were injured in an explosion triggered by a landmine laid by the terrorist group PKK. The mine exploded in a rural area near Bingol's Genc district. /Hurriyet/