ERDOGAN: "IF WE CAN'T OVERCOME VISA PROBLEM, WE CAN'T REALIZE OUR TARGETS"
Speaking at a meeting organized jointly by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that the Turkish-Saudi Business Council, established in 2003, was conducting beneficial work and that they desired the third meeting of the council to take place before the end of the year. Erdogan pointed to the different legal structures of the two countries and added that there were ongoing problems in this field. Erdogan said that through the steps taken by both countries some of these problems were surmounted and also touched on the agreements signed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia. "If we can't overcome visa problem, we can't realize our targets precisely. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian King Abdullah called on Turkish and Saudi businessmen to make joint investments. King Abdullah said that there were developments between Turkey and Saudi Arabia not only in the political field but also in economy, commerce, social communications and other fields. In related news, Turkish-Saudi Business Council Chairman Ali Bayramoglu said that there were issues under dispute between the two countries and they had started to establish an arbitration unit in order to solve these issues. /Hurriyet/
SAUDI ARABIA: "WE'RE ESTABLISHING A HEALTH CITY WORTH ABOUT $1.3 BILLION"
The CEO of Saudi German Hospital, Makarem S. Batterjee yesterday noted that they were planning to establish a health city in Istanbul, worth about $1.3 billion. Speaking to reporters after the working dinner organized by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), Batterjee said the health city to be constructed will be a mega-city that will bring Europe and Middle East together, and added, "It will have a very competitive understanding of service and will be very comfortable. We believe that this health city will be a great success around the world." /Hurriyet/
GUL DISCUSSES PKK WITH FINNISH FM
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with his Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja, who is currently in Ankara to pay an official visit. During their meeting, Gul said that the European Union should be more active against the terrorist PKK. "We're pleased that PKK is included in the terrorist list of the EU," said Gul. "However, we want the EU to give more concrete reaction to the recent attacks of the PKK. Fight against terrorism is gaining importance all over the world." Commenting on Turkey's European Union membership bid, Gul stated that Turkey was determined to complete EU harmonization reforms. The foreign minister further stressed that Turkey's EU bid and Cyprus were separate issues. /Milliyet/
GUL MEETS WITH TURKMEN DEPUTIES AT CIRAGAN PALACE
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with seven Turkmen deputies, who are currently in Turkey, at Ciragan Palace. The delegation is headed by Saadettin Ergec, the leader of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF). Speaking afterwards, Gul said that the meeting was very important since Shiite and Sunni Muslims were coming together for the first time, adding that this should be an example to end Shiite-Sunni conflict. Gul stated that conflicts in Iraq weakened the country and innocent people died. "People from different religions should cooperate to reconstruct Iraq," said Gul, adding that bilateral consensus was more important than holding a referendum. /Turkiye/
VECDI GONUL: "THE ARMY CAN SHRINK WITH A LAW"
Speaking to reporters in Erzincan yesterday, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul commented on Land Forces Commander Yasar Buyukanit's remarks that the army could shrink by 30% within the context of modernization, saying that a law was needed to shrink the army. "The General Staff is carrying out a work on the issue within NATO principles," said Gonul. "The government will make whatever necessary, when the work is presented by the General Staff." /Aksam/
US SEEKS RIGHT PERSON AS ANTI-PKK COORDINATOR
The United States on Wednesday formally confirmed reports that it was planning to appoint a State Department coordinator on efforts to fight against the terrorist PKK, saying it was trying to find the "right person" for the job. "What we want to do is make that trilateral mechanism involving the US, Turkey, and Iraq an effective mechanism," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters here. /Turkish Daily News/
IRANIAN FM MOTTAKI TO VISIT TURKEY
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki will pay a surprising visit to Turkey today. Mottaki and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul are expected to discuss recent developments in the Middle East and its influence on Turkey and Iran's nuclear dispute. /Sabah/
GEN. SARIISIK: "WEST SUPPORTS THE TERRORIST PKK"
Second Army Commander Gen. Sukru Sariisik yesterday stated that the terrorist PKK was Turkey's biggest problem and added, "Some Western countries and internal segments support this under the guise of democracy." Gen. Sariisik said that there was a structure based on religious groundwork which wants to take Turkey to the totalitarian darkness of middle age and added that problems can be surmounted by sticking to Ataturk's principles and reforms with guidance of wisdom and science." /Cumhuriyet/
PROSECUTOR SEEKS LIFE SENTENCE FOR HIGH COURT SHOOTER
The case of May's high court shooting, which put the government in the hot seat, will begin today at Ankara's High Criminal Court. Reports say the prime suspect of the attack, Alparslan Arslan, and the other suspects are accused of attempting to eradicate the constitutional order of the regime through force. In his indictment, Ankara Public Prosecutor Semsettin Ozcan seeks a life sentence for Arslan on the grounds of attempting to eradicate the state's constitutional order, first degree murder and injuring four people. /The New Anatolian/