SUICIDE ATTACK ON TURKEY’S BAGHDAD EMBASSY INJURES THREE; ERDOGAN SAYS NO LINK TO DEPLOYMENT PLANS
A car bomb exploded near the entrance to the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad yesterday, killing the suicide bomber and injuring three innocent people, including a Turkish official. Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan denied any relation between the attack and Parliament’s recent decision greenlighting troop deployment in Iraq. He charged that certain circles wanted to stifle positive developments in the country. “Terrorism doesn’t lead to peace and happiness,” added Erdogan. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said it would be premature to comment on the attack as investigation of it had only just begun. “Our government will look over all the details before sending troops to Iraq,” stated the president. “Parliament’s permission doesn’t mean sending troops under any circumstances.” In related news, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Group Chairman Haluk Koc said that the attack was aimed at the Republic of Turkey itself, warning that any Turkish soldiers sent to the country would face similar attacks. “Ankara shouldn’t send its troops under fire, but rather wait,” urged Koc. Furthermore, condemning the attack, White House spokesman Scott McClellan called it a “desperate” attempt by terrorists and forces loyal to Saddam Hussein to derail continuing progress in Iraq. Iraqi Governing Council President Iyad Allavi also branded the incident a terrorist attack, vowing that everything would be done to find those responsible. /All Papers/

ERDOGAN, GEN. OZKOK DISCUSS IRAQ ISSUE
Prime Minisetr Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. During their meeting, the topic of Turkey’s sending troops to Iraq was discussed. Ozkok reportedly briefed Erdogan on recent developments in bilateral meetings with US officials concerning the matter. /Turkiye/

GUL: “KURDISH OPPOSITION TO TROOP DEPLOYMENT IS INAPPROPRIATE”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Malaysia to attend an Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) gathering, yesterday held separate meetings with his Malaysian, Pakistani, Tunisian and Syrian counterparts to discuss the Iraq issue. During their talks, Gul briefed the top diplomats on Parliament’s recent greenlight for the government to send troops to Iraq. The Tunisian foreign minister said that Tunis itself was continuing to negotiate on a US request for it to send troops, while the Pakistani foreign minister said that they would reconsider doing so. The Syrian foreign minister said that Damascus appreciated Turkey’s stance on the issue. Speaking to reporters before the second day of the meetings, Gul called it “inappropriate” for Kurdish groups to oppose Turkey sending troops. Gul further urged the other OIC members to take an active role in Iraq. /All papers/

SHIITE LEADER: “THERE’S NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN TROOPS AND TURKISH ONES”
Iraqi Shiite leader Mukteda Essard said yesterday that he was opposed to Turkey’s plans to send troops to Iraq. “Though they are Muslims, Turkish troops will also be seen as occupiers,” warned the Shiite leader. “As we object to all foreign forces, we also oppose Turkish troops.” He also called on occupation forces in Iraq to draw up a timetable for leaving the country. /Turkiye/

EDELMAN: “WE WANT TURKISH TROOPS TO BE DEPLOYED IN A SECURE AREA OF IRAQ”
US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman yesterday met with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal to discuss plans to send Turkish troops to Iraq. During their talks, Edelman reportedly said that the US administration very much wanted Turkish troops to be deployed in a secure area of the country. “One day US forces will leave Iraq, but Turkish troops will stay there for a long time, and we want them to be safe,” said Edelman. /Sabah/

INDEPENDENT JOINS LDP, GIVING PARTY ONE PARLIAMENT SEAT
Independent Deputy from Istanbul Emin Sirin yesterday joined the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). With his action, the number of parties represented in Parliament rose to four, though two in negligible numbers. The current picture of the 550-seat Parliament is as follows: the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has 368 deputies, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) 175, the True Path Party (DYP) three, and the LDP one, with three independent deputies. /Turkiye/

TUSIAD CHAIRMAN: “RECENT REFORMS HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR TURKEY’S ACCESSION TALKS”

Speaking at the 12th National Quality Congress yesterday, Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan said that Ankara’s recent passage of European Union reforms could ease it getting a date from the EU to begin accession talks. The Union is to decide at its December 2004 summit whether or not to begin accession negotiations with Turkey. “Now these reforms should begin to be implemented,” Ozilhan told the gathering. He added that resolution of the Cyprus issue was also important for Turkey’s EU bid. /Aksam/