ERDOGAN: "AFTER CRYING FOR THE LEBANESE, IT WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE NOT TO THE HELP THEM"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a festival in Kutahya over the weekend. Addressing the gathering, Erdogan said that a nations cut off from its past would have no future. "We should own our values," said Erdogan. Later, the premier attended a dinner given at the Dolmabahce Palace marking the opening of the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC) Forum Headquarters. Addressing the participants, Erdogan commented on Turkey's plan to send soldiers to a Lebanon peacekeeping force, saying that it would not make sense to fail to help the Lebanese nation after crying for the women, children, and old people dying there. "We can't forget our historic responsibility as an OIC member," said Erdogan. Stressing that there were various approaches about sending soldiers to Lebanon, Erdogan added that it would be possible to ensure peace if people get rid of their prejudices. Also addressing the gathering, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that there was a need to explain that Islam is a religion of peace which has nothing to do with terror. /Aksam/
PARLIAMENT SET TO VOTE ON MOTION FOR SENDING SOLDIERS TO LEBANON
Parliament is due tomorrow to debate a motion for sending soldiers to a peacekeeping force in Lebanon. The vote will be chaired by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. In related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul are due to address the group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to brief deputies on the issue. /Star/
EP TO VOTE ON TURKISH REPORT TODAY
The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission is expected to vote on a report on Turkey this evening. The report prepared by Dutch Christian Democrat Camiel Eurlings will be re-debated and voted in September by the full EP. The draft report calls on Turkey to speed up its reform process, especially on the issues of freedom of speech, religious and minority rights, civilian-military relations, women's rights, unions, and cultural rights. Condemning the terrorist PKK attacks, the report also urges Turkey to begin good neighborly relations with Armenia and to open its ports and harbors to Greek Cypriot ships, adding that including the Greek Cypriot administration, recognition of all EU countries during the negotiation period is compulsory. /Turkiye/
GONUL: "WE OWE OUR MARTYRS DEARLY SINCE THEY LOST THEIR LIVES SERVING TURKEY"
Speaking at a meeting of his party in Kocaeli over the weekend, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul commented on recent PKK attacks and Turkey sending peacekeeping soldiers to Lebanon, saying that Turkey owed its martyrs a huge debt since they lost their lives while serving their country. Commenting on arguments over sending soldiers to Lebanon before Turkey's terror problem hasn't been ended, Gonul stated that the PKK was an issue of public security. "But the Lebanese conflict is an international issue," he said. "These issues aren't related to each other." /Milliyet/
BAYKAL: "TURKEY SHOULDN'T BE PART OF A WAR IN LEBANON"
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said yesterday that there was a war of religions in Lebanon, adding, "We think that it would be disadvantageous for Turkey to be part of this war." Baykal stressed that all CHP deputies would be present at Parliament tomorrow when a motion on sending Turkish peacekeeping troops to Lebanon will be debated. Commenting on the fight against terrorism, Baykal said that there was no need for a coordinator to be appointed in this fight. "Fighting terrorism is Turkey's business," he said. "We want the US to keep its promise concerning northern Iraq." The US last week appointed a special envoy to coordinate efforts against the PKK, and Ankara is expected to soon do the same. /Aksam/
TERRORISM CLAIMS EIGHT SOLDIERS
Following the murder of eight soldiers during terrorist PKK attacks on Friday and Saturday in the southeastern region of the country, the fallen soldiers were laid to rest in funerals around the country. Attending funerals in Ankara, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek and other Cabinet ministers and top-level commanders reiterated Turkey's determination to fight terrorists to the very end. The mourners condemned the PKK, and some called on the government not to send troops overseas before totally destroying the PKK. /Sabah/
TRNC'S PRESIDENT PAYS LANDMARK VISIT TO PAKISTAN
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday left for Islamabad at the invitation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. This is Talat's first visit to a country with his title of "TRNC president." During his contacts, in addition to Musharraf, Talat will have talks with Premier Shaukat Aziz as well as the Parliament speaker and other top officials. Ankara and the TRNC see the invitation as a historic step towards recognition of the TRNC in the international community and ending its international isolation. Talat, accompanied by his wife, is expected to return to the Turkish Cyprus on Wednesday. /Turkiye/