ERDOGAN ADDRESSES THE NATION ON PLANS FOR LEBANON TROOP DEPLOYMENT
Backing away from our responsibilities would be a betrayal of our history, our future and the higher interests of our nation, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a televised address to the nation yesterday. "We shouldn't forget that we cannot escape the fire by shutting our doors." Erdogan said. "Nor can we avoid dangers by shutting our eyes." Erdogan stressed that the only way to protect Turkish interests is through not being a bystander to incidents occurring in the region, but by stepping in as an active player. "If you keep yourself out of the matter, you become a bystander when innocent people are getting killed and you risk your own future," Erdogan said. Erdogan noted that just as Turkey was not a bystander to what was happening in Kosovo and Bosnia, it cannot and should not be a bystander to what is happening in Lebanon either. "The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) should be part of the United Nations peacekeeping force to protect innocent women, children and the elderly," said Erdogan. According to Erdogan, humanitarian and historical responsibilities coupled with real political conditions make it important for Turkey to send troops to Lebanon. Prime Minister Erdogan reiterated that those who don't think big actually underestimate the power of the country and the TSK. "The force we will send to Lebanon will be involved in peacekeeping and it won't get involved in military clashes," he said, underlining that disarming Hezbollah is a matter to be handled by the Lebanese government as it does not fall under the UN force's responsibilities. Erdogan also stressed that serving in a peacekeeping force will not make the TSK weak against terror, just as past missions did not weaken it. He remarked that Turkey will take all measures essential for its own security on a timely basis. "We ask all friendly countries and our neighbors not to provide safe haven for the terrorist PKK on their territory," said Erdogan. /All papers/
TAN: "TURKISH TROOPS WILL BE SENT FOR PEACE"
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said that Turkish troops in Lebanon would not have a mission to disarm any group in the region. Stating that if the government sends troops they would serve humanitarian concerns only, he added the soldiers would help the people in Lebanon to return to their normal daily lives. Commenting on the PKK issue, Tan said that Ankara welcomed US Gen. Joseph Ralston's appointment as a PKK coordinator, and they were carrying out work on the matter to appoint a counterpart to Ralston. Asked about reports that Turkey was lagging on its road to full European Union membership, Tan said that the efforts towards that goal and Turkey's determination to be a full member were continuing as much as before. /Turkiye/
WILSON: "WE'RE WAITING FOR TURKEY'S DECISION ON DEPLOYMENT IN LEBANON"
US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said yesterday that the US is watching Turkey for its decision on sending troops to a planned UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. "We encouraged Turkey to play such a role," said Wilson and stressed that Turkey is a democracy and so its elected representatives will decide. "We are waiting for Turkey's decision," Wilson said. /Milliyet/
BAHCELI: "FOCUS ON KANDIL AND KIRKUK, NOT PALESTINE"
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said yesterday that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has a great wish and rush to send Turkish troops to Lebanon. "Leave aside Palestine, the primary interest is in Mt. Kandil and Kirkuk," both in Iraq, said Bahceli. Addressing people in Mersin, the MHP leader criticized the government's foreign policy and called for early elections. /Star/
AGAR: "THE DYP CAN'T SUPPORT OUR TROOPS GOING TO LEBANON WITHOUT CLEAR CONDITIONS"
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar said yesterday that his party would not lend support to the government's plans to send troops to Lebanon unless all conditions are made clear. Not opposing sending troops in principle, Agar stated that the mission of the Turkish troops should be clarified, and that the government should inform the public on the matter. He added that Parliament should debate the issue, including all details. /Turkiye/
UN SENDS ANKARA DETAILS ON ROLE OF PEACEKEEPING FORCE
The UN has sent Ankara details of the working conditions of the expanded UNIFIL in Lebanon. According to the rules set by the UN, the peacekeeping force's troops will have the right to open fire if the other side does so or if they see a threat from the other side. /Cumhuriyet/
ANTI-PKK COORDINATOR RALSTON TO VISIT ANKARA
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said yesterday that Joseph Ralston, a retired general newly appointed as special representative for the fight against the terrorist PKK, would visit Turkey in the coming weeks. During a daily press conference, denying recent speculations that the PKK was serving US interests in northern Iraq by preventing other terrorists' activities, the spokesman stated that the PKK was a terrorist group. /Star/
AIR FORCE SCHOOL, NAVAL ACADEMY HOLD GRADUATION CEREMONIES
The Air Force School and the Naval Academy yesterday held ceremonies in Istanbul to celebrate this year's graduates. Present at the gatherings were President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Education Minister Huseyin Celik and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit as well as other top commanders. /Aksam/