PARLIAMENT TO VOTE ON MOTION FOR SENDING SOLDIERS TO LEBANON
Parliament is due today 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, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy leader Ali Topuz said yesterday that all CHP deputies would be present at today's vote. "The right decision for Turkey is not to send soldiers to Lebanon," said Topuz. Democratic Leftist Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer said yesterday that deputies should use their common sense when voting. /Turkiye-Milliyet/
IN BALIKESIR, ERDOGAN SAYS TURKEY SHOULD GO TO LEBANON TO SHOW ITS PRESENCE IN THE MIDEAST
Attending opening ceremonies in Balikesir yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government wouldn't accept any duty besides keeping the peace in Lebanon. "We have to be there in order to show the presence of Turkey in the Mideast," said Erdogan, adding that the government believes Turkey should participate in the peacekeeping force. "Sending soldiers to the country is a historic responsibility," said Erdogan. The premier stressed that the government would continue to work hard for the nation, adding that Turkey's future was bright. Commenting on recent terrorist attacks, Erdogan said that the fight against the terrorist PKK was continuing. "The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is taking comprehensive measures against the terrorist PKK," added Erdogan. /Turkiye/
GUL: "WE'LL DEPLOY TROOPS IN LEBANON FOR PEACE AND STABILITY"
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday said that Turkey's avoiding dealing with an issue in its region wouldn't be strategically sound, adding, "We want peace and stability in Lebanon. Moreover, we told everyone our requirements about the task before going there." Speaking to news channel NTV, Gul said, "Sending forces and attaining peace and stability in the region is in Turkey's interest. If this promotes stability, we shouldn't have reservations about sending troops." Gul stated that the defeated March 1, 2003 motion before the Iraq war was very different from the motion for Lebanon which will face a Parliament vote today. "The motion for Lebanon paves the way for sending Turkish forces to a mission which is expected by the international community," he explained. "Therefore, in the name of my party, I don't see any resistance to approving the motion." Stressing that Turkish forces will be sent to Lebanon as parts of efforts to find a lasting peace in the region, Gul also assured that these soldiers won't take in part in any operation to disarm Hezbollah. Meanwhile Gul yesterday received Indian Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Uban Tripathi and the Indian section of the Turkish-Indian Business Council./Turkiye/
UN'S ANNAN TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY TODAY
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is due to arrive in Ankara late today, possibly after a motion for sending Turkish peacekeeping soldiers to Lebanon is voted on in Parliament. Annan is expected to meet tomorrow with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to discuss a number of issues, including Turkey sending soldiers to Lebanon. /Turkiye/
TALAT MEETS WITH PAKISTANI PRESIDENT
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday traveled to Pakistan for an official visit. This is Talat's first visit to a country with his title of "TRNC president." Talat yesterday met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to discuss ways to boost bilateral ties between Ankara and Islamabad. During their meeting, Talat said that he was pleased with Musharraf's invitation and briefed him on recent developments on the island. For his part, Musharraf expressed full support for the TRNC's policy of ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. /Milliyet/
EP REPORT: "ANKARA'S NEGOTIATIONS MAY COME TO A HALT"
A new report prepared by European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings harshly criticizes Turkey, claiming that it isn't ready for the European Union membership. A warning that Ankara's negotiations could slow down or even stop if Turkey doesn't open its ports and harbors to Greek Cyprus is the most important part of the report. The report also states that improvements in freedom of expression have not been satisfactory, and it adds that neighborly diplomatic relations should be opened with Armenia without any preconditions. Meanwhile, EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chair Joost Lagendijk criticized the report's language and that the EU should fulfill its commitments to the Turkish Cypriots. /Sabah-Turkiye/
TURKEY REPRESENTED IN CHINA BY THREE WOMEN UNIVERSITY RECTORS
Three Turkish women university rectors recently attended the World Women University Presidents Forum held in Beijing by the Communication University of China. The Fourth Asia Communication and Media Forum was held at the same time as the forum, and the common topic of the two meetings was "Harmonious World and Diversified Culture: The Responsibility of Universities and the Media." Bogazici University Rector Ayse Soysal, Izmir Institute of Advanced Technology Rector Semra Ulku and Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University Rector Zehra Seyfikli were among the more than 100 women university presidents from 34 countries participating. /Cumhuriyet/
AUGUST INFLATION FIGURES RELEASED
The Turkish Statistics Institution (TUIK) yesterday released inflation figures for August. Last month the consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.44%, while the producer price index (PPI) fell by 0.75%, pushing the yearly CPI to 10.26% and PPI to 12.32%. /Star/