ERDOGAN TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT BUSH
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to Washington on Oct. 2 in order to meet with the US President George W. Bush. White House spokesperson Tony Snow said that Bush's meeting with Erdogan will be an opportunity to further develop the strategic partnership between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism including efforts against the terrorist PKK, and to develop freedom in Lebanon, Iraq and the greater Middle East. "The president looks forward to discussing with the prime minister these and other important issues, including Turkey's pursuit of political and economic reforms and US support for Turkey's accession to the European Union," said Snow. /Aksam/
GUL: "DON'T BE AFRAID OF OUR DIFFERENCES"
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently paying a visit to Paris, yesterday attended a conference on dialogue between nations and cultures. Addressing the gathering, Gul said that Turkey was making intense efforts to establish a real dialogue between cultures. Stressing that nobody should be afraid of differences, but rather embrace them as cultural richness, Gul pointed to the importance of tolerance to prevent conflict between civilizations. As part of the three-day conference, Gul met with French President Jacques Chirac and his French counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy. Following his meeting with Blazy, Gul told reporters that Ankara was resolved to continue reforms on the road to European Union membership. Emphasizing that the Cyprus issue should not affect Turkey's EU membership process, Gul stated that Ankara would continue its efforts to resolve the issue. For his part, France's top diplomat said that the EU was expecting Turkey to fulfill its commitments made in the additional protocol, adding that there would be consequences if Ankara fails to implement them. Furthermore, Blazy said that France was in full cooperation with Turkey regarding the fight against terrorism. /Star-Sabah/
TRNC'S SOYER ASSIGNED TO ESTABLISH GOVT
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday assigned Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer the task of establishing a new government. Pointing to the current tense public atmosphere, Talat said that steps should be taken soon to defuse that situation, adding that the country needed a strong government to ensure stability and confidence, as well as boost the TRNC's international profile. Soyer told reporters that he would try to form a coalition government in light of his experiences. Soyer is supposed to complete his work on a new government within 15 days, and if he fails, he will hand back the assignment. /Turkiye/
PARLIAMENT DELEGATION PUSHES FOR CHANGES TO EP REPORT
A delegation of Turkish lawmakers is making efforts in Brussels to push through changes to the European Parliament's recent report on Turkey before its debate in the full EP. Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the delegation members, led by Murat Mercan, said that they were seeking support for changes in the report in favor of Turkey, and they were holding talks with EP members including EP Turkey Rapporteur Camiel Eurlings and EP Foreign Affairs Commission head Elmar Brok. The delegation will continue its contacts next week in Strasbourg. /Turkiye/
US SPECIAL ENVOY RALSTON: "A MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST THE PKK SHOULD BE THE LAST OPTION"
Retired US Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, the US' special envoy for countering the terrorist PKK, yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Turkish counterpart retired Gen. Edip Baser. The message that Turkey has no patience left in combating PKK terrorism was conveyed to Ralston. Ralston said that a military operation against the terrorist PKK should be the option of last resort, adding, "Meeting with the PKK is out of the question." He also said that the PKK's financial resources should be cut off. /Cumhuriyet/
TUSIAD SPONSORS TURKISH WEEK IN EUROPEAN CAPITALS
Within the context of its foreign promotional activities, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) will organize Turkish Week in European capitals on Oct. 3, the first anniversary of Turkey beginning negotiations with the European Union. A TUSIAD statement yesterday said that activities will be held in Brussels, Paris and Berlin on Oct. 3-5 in order to dispel public prejudices in Brussels, France and Germany, which all have an big say in Turkey's EU membership hopes. /Aksam/
MUSEUM OF TV & RADIO INTL BOARD TO GATHER IN ISTANBUL
The International Counseling Board of the Museum of Television & Radio, which is based in New York and brings together prominent representatives of the biggest broadcasting firms of the US and Europe, will hold its three-day annual meeting in Istanbul starting tomorrow. During panels to be held as part of the meeting, the problems and future of world media will be discussed. The Turkish economy and situation of the Turkish media will also be discussed. /Milliyet/