TURKEY SEEKS CLEAR UN MANDATE FOR LEBANON
The conditions of Turkish soldiers' participation in the planned UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon were discussed at a meeting yesterday chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Also in attendance were Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and other top-level diplomats and military officials. The government took a cautious approach towards sending Turkish soldiers to Lebanon. "We're expecting a new UN Security Council decision in the coming days that would clarify the details (of the force's mandate and activities)," said a statement released after the meeting. "Turkey will continue to evaluate its possible contributions to bring a lasting solution to the problem, in line with developments." In related news, the Cabinet yesterday signed an order to award a state honor medal to outgoing Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who is set to retire at the end of the month. /Star/

ERDOGAN: "NO NEIGHBORING COUNTRY SHOULD SUPPORT THE PKK"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday marking the fifth anniversary of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Prime Minister and AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the recently rise in terrorist attacks of the PKK, saying that no neighboring country should support the terror group. "Countries which act slowly or don't cooperate against terrorism should know that if everyone isn't safe they won't be safe either," said Erdogan. "No one should try to test the Turkish nation's patience. We see what price other countries have paid in fighting terrorism, so we need to be honest and sincere." Erdogan also evaluated the five years of work of his party, three of them in rule, in the fight against terrorism, saying that he believed that countries should cooperate against this threat. The premier stated that Turkey was doing its utmost on the issue and that it had the right to expect the same determination from other countries. Also commenting on recent conflicts in the Mideast, Erdogan said that these conflicts should be brought to an end before they become a global conflagration. "International institutions, especially the United Nations, put forward a determined stance for peace," he added. "The world's leading countries have serious responsibilities. No attack can be a reason for killing innocent people." /Milliyet/

OLMERT'S VISIT TO TURKEY POSTPONED
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit to Turkey previously set for Aug. 24-26 has been postponed due to the war in Lebanon. Israeli officials said that the visit was postponed due to the conflict in Lebanon and that Olmert could visit Turkey after the situation in the region becomes normal. /Milliyet/

GUL TO BRIEF BAYKAL ON GOVT'S CONDITIONS FOR SENDING SOLDIERS TO LEBANON
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is due to meet this week with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal to brief him on recent developments in Lebanon under Israeli bombings. During their meeting, Gul will brief Baykal on the conditions for the government sending soldiers to Lebanon. /Aksam/

SECURITY FORCES TAKES TIGHT SECURITY MEASURES IN SOUTHEAST
Gearing up for the anniversary of the terrorist PKK's first armed attack, which took place on Aug. 15, 1984, security forces have taken tight security measures today in the southeast. Reports say police have obtained search warrants from the courts in advance, enabling them to respond quickly and search suspicious vehicles and premises that may belong to members of the terrorist PKK. Meanwhile, noncommissioned officer Hayati Guclu, who stepped on a land mine in Sivas' Imranli district, was injured, and three persons were taken into custody in Syrnak's Beytussebap district over the killing of Gendarmerie Sgt. Levent Celik. /Cumhuriyet/

BAYKAL MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE HEAD
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday visited Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu. "Your recent religious edicts are guiding Turkey and other Islamic countries as well," said Baykal. "We support your work and welcome it." Baykal and Bardakoglu discussed Israel's attack on Lebanon and the Middle East problem. /Hurriyet/

SENER: "THE GOVT WILL SET UP A COMMITTEE TO UNITE FINANCIAL SECTOR INSTRUMENTS UNDER ONE ROOF"
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said yesterday that a committee was being established in order to unite Turkey's financial sector instruments under a single roof. Saying that discussions about the issue weren't new, Sener added that he remembered these from the past. "The issue about uniting such institutions as the Capital Markets Board (SPK) and the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) under a single roof was also discussed in the past," he said. "The government took these arguments into consideration and decided to establish a committee." /Aksam/