PARLIAMENT TO RESUME LEGISLATIVE YEAR ON WEDNESDAY
Following two months of summer recess, Parliament is scheduled this Wednesday to begin the second half of its 22nd Legislative Year. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is expected to deliver an opening speech and later, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc is to host an evening reception to mark the occasion. Parliament is set to debate some 300 bills in this period. The government is also expected to soon present a motion regarding the possible deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq. /All Papers/
ERDOGAN REBUFFS CRITICS, SAYS “BAD DAYS ARE BEHIND US”
Speaking in the province of Gumushane yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said when the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power 10 months ago, it was common knowledge how bad Turkey’s situation was. “But now we’ve left those bad days behind us,” said Erdogan. “We will do our best to lift obstacles blocking our investors.” Erdogan stated that nearly 50 dams would be completed by the end of this year. He also criticized the opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) stance on a possible troop deployment to Iraq, saying that being an opposition party didn’t mean opposing all the government’s policies. “Turkey can’t be a mere bystander to developments in the Middle East,” said Erdogan. Touching on a recent $8.5 billion US loan agreement, Erdogan stated that repayment would begin in four years’ time, adding that the entire sum would be repaid within a decade. He charged that when the AKP government began its anti-corruption drive, those involved had started to condemn the government. Erdogan further stated that natural gas prices would fall by 8% beginning in October, adding that there has been no natural gas prices hikes for nine months, which he called a sign of economic stability. /All papers/
GUL TO MEET WITH VERHEUGEN; EU APPROVES AID FOR TRNC
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is scheduled today to meet with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen in Brussels. The main topic of the meeting will be the EU’s Progress Report on Turkey set to be released in early November. Meanwhile, the EU yesterday approved an economic aid package to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The package proposes financial aid to be used to upgrade the infrastructures of the TRNC’s three largest cities – Lefkosa (Nicosia), Magosa (Famagusta), and Girne (Kyrenia) – as well as making reforms in line with EU norms. /Turkiye/
FORMER GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER CLERIDES CLAIMS HAND IN SHAPING ANNAN PLAN
The Greek side on Cyprus had prior knowledge of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan for the island and also a hand in shaping it, said former Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides over the weekend. “We had forewarning of what Annan’s plan would say, and we were able to head off the terms we opposed,” Clerides told Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros. “We said, ‘If the plan isn’t to our liking, we’ll reject it’.” Clerides added that only parts of the plan ruining the balance between the island’s two nations were not subject to change. The elder Greek Cypriot leader also claimed that at one time four Islamic nations had threatened to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) if the island’s issue were not solved in six months. Clerides said that he and Annan prevented this action by saying that negotiations for a settlement were “ongoing” /Hurriyet/
ECONOMY OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS FOREIGN CURRENCY ISSUE
During a meeting today, government officials including State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and Industry Minister Ali Coskun along with other bureaucrats are set to discuss recent developments in Turkey’s foreign currency rates and markets. Representatives of the business world will also attend the meeting. Exporters’ financial issues and export legislation will also be taken up at the gathering. /Sabah/
BAYKAL CRITICIZES AKP OVER $8.5 BILLION US LOAN
Speaking at a regional congress of his party yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal criticized the government over the terms it accepted for a recent $8.5 billion US loan, adding that the government should submit the issue for Parliament’s approval. “The ruling Justice and Development Party [AKP] has a two-thirds majority in Parliament, yet it’s hesitating to bring the issue us,” said Baykal. “This is incomprehensible.” Also touching on a recent dispute between university rectors and the AKP government, Baykal called Prime Minister and AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s stance on the issue unacceptable. /Cumhuriyet/
ANAP LEADER OZDEMIR: “THE AKP SHOULD OPENLY DECLARE TERMS OF $8.5 BILLION US LOAN”
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Ali Talip Ozdemir yesterday criticized the government over its recent $8.5 billion US loan package, charging that a public disclosure of the loan’s terms would show a secret “tit-for-tat” deal over Turkish troop deployment in Iraq. “The AKP government has created nothing but artificial solutions to the nation’s problems during its 10 months in office,” stated Ozdemir. He further predicted that his party would be successful in next year’s local elections. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKISH WOMEN TAKE SILVER IN EUROPEAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
In yesterday’s close of the European Women’s Volleyball Championships in Ankara, the Turkish team lost out to Poland 3-0, but still took home the silver crown. Last week it beat perennial champion Russia. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and his wife congratulated the team and coach Resat Yaziciogullari called the team’s success a turning point for Turkish volleyball. In overall results, Poland came in first and Germany third. /All Papers/