SEZER: “ISLAMIC COUNTRIES CANNOT STAY SILENT ON IRAQ”

Speaking at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) heads of state summit in Malaysia yesterday, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer urged Islamic countries not to remain silent on the Iraq issue. Remarking that the priorities in Iraq should be establishing public order, peace and security and supplying basic needs, Sezer added that the Iraqi people should have their sovereignty restored soon. “The Islamic world is now faced with two options,” said the president. “Either we’ll shirk our duties and stay as we are now, or we’ll boldly decide to raise the bar for the entire Islamic world.” /All Papers/

ERDOGAN MEETS GREEK, ITALIAN, BRITISH LEADERS IN BRUSSELS

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Brussels to attend a European Union gathering, yesterday met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, British Foreign Minister Tony Blair, and Greek Premier Costas Simitis. Italy currently holds the EU’s six-month term presidency. During his meeting with Simitis, the Greek premier told Erdogan that next week he would discuss the Cyprus issue with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Athens. Speaking afterwards, Erdogan said that he had expressed his support for institutional reforms designed to make the EU work more efficiently, adding that responsibilities should be laid out clearly during this process. /All papers/

US REPORTEDLY WAVERS ON TURKISH TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN IRAQ

Following Parliament’s greenlight earlier this month for Turkish troop deployment in Iraq, there has reportedly been hesitation and ambivalence on the US side. Diplomatic sources state that while the Turkish side is ready for talks to iron out details, the US is still exploring whether Turkish troops would help or hinder Iraq’s security situation. US Secretary of State Colin Powell stated yesterday that while Ankara was willing to send troops to Iraq, officials from Turkey and the US were working on “certain challenges associated with that.” Furthermore, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday that the US welcomed Ankara’s decision to send troops to Iraq and talks with Turkish officials were continuing, adding that Iraqi’s Governing Council should also accept the final decision. “No one should expect a quick decision on such a complex matter,” said the secretary. /Turkiye/

BARZANI VOWS TO QUIT COUNCIL IF TURKISH TROOPS COME

Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) leader Massoud Barzani said yesterday that if Iraqi’s Governing Council gives a go-ahead for Turkish troop deployment, then he would resign from the body. Speaking to a London-based Arabic newspaper, Barzani claimed that Turkish troop deployment would carry serious consequences. “We Kurds aren’t the only ones opposed to Turkish troops,” said Barzani. “This is our country, and we have certain rights.” Barzani added that his stance was very clear, and that if troops come to Iraq Turkey would bear the consequences and responsibility for this. /Turkiye/

GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER: “ONCE WE’RE IN THE EU, WE WON’T STAND IN TURKEY’S WAY”

Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said yesterday that after it joins the European Union next May, Greek Cyprus would not veto Turkey’s own EU membership bid. “We will welcome Turkey joining the EU,” Papadopoulos told a Brussels press conference. “We will evaluate the issue when the time comes, but I think a veto would be unwise.” Greek citizens will benefit from Turkey’s membership, added Papadopoulos. Addressing prospects for a settlement on the island, the Greek Cypriot leader said he hoped Turkey would play an active role in efforts for this, adding that he held Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas responsible for a recent lack of progress. In related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Turkey had not completely rejected the United Nations’ Cyprus plan. “We can still negotiate on the plan and come to an agreement,” he added. /All papers/

EU’S KRETSCHMER URGES DECREASED MILITARY ROLE, RESOLUTION ON CYPRUS

Hansjoerg Kretschmer, the European Union Commission’s Representative in Ankara, yesterday urged the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to withdraw from involvement in the nation’s politics, saying that recently passed reforms in Turkey required this. “The government has a vote of confidence and no institution, including the TSK, should try to bypass this,” said Kretschmer. Also touching on the Cyprus issue, Kretschmer said that reaching a resolution on the island carried great importance for Turkey’s EU membership bid. /Milliyet/

ILHAM ALIYEV VICTORIOUS IN AZERI PRESIDENTIAL POLLS

Ilham Aliyev, the son of ailing Azeri President Haydar Aliyev, emerged victorious in yesterday’s presidential election in Azerbaijan. The Azeri Election Commission declared Aliyev the clear winner with 79.5% of votes cast. Prominent Turkish leaders, including President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, called the younger Aliyev to congratulate him. /Cumhuriyet/

2004 BUDGET DUE IN PARLIAMENT

The government is scheduled to submit the 2004 fiscal budget to Parliament today. Some key figures expected in the document are a total consolidated budget of about 160 quadrillion Turkish liras, total revenues of 114 quadrillion TL and tax revenues of about 99 quadrillion TL. The deficit is projected to remain the same as last year’s, at 46 quadrillion TL. /Cumhuriyet/