ERDOGAN: “THE FIRST TRANCHE OF $8.5 BILLION LOAN IS IN THE PIPELINE”

Speaking at a press conference before flying to Kyrgyzstan for an official visit yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan denied rumors that a recent $8.5 billion US loan had been suspended, adding that the conditions of the loan were appropriate. “The first tranche of this loan may come at the end of the month,” said Erdogan. Later, Erdogan met with his Kyrgz counterpart Nokolai Tanayev to discuss a number of issues. Speaking afterwards, Tanayev said that they had discussed enhanced,” he stated. “This military cooperation will aid the cause of world peace.” For his part, Erdogan said that the two countries enjoyed close relations, adding that their ties should be strengthened. He added that trade volume between the two is expected to leap this year from $40 million to $200 million. /Turkiye/

GUL BEGINS ATHENS VISIT

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul accompanied by Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan and a number of businessmen yesterday left for Athens, Greece, to pay a two-day official visit. First Gul met with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou and was then received by President Costis Stefanopoulos. Following their meeting, Gul and Papandreou told a press conference that they were determined to further develop bilateral relations and take necessary steps to peacefully resolve issues dividing their countries. Gul is scheduled to meet with Premier Costas Simitis today and then after completing his contacts in Greece, he will then proceed to Sarajevo to attend the funeral of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s former President Alija Izetbegovic, who passed away on Sunday. /Turkiye/

RUMSFELD: “TURKEY WILL SEND TROOPS TO IRAQ IF WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION WHICH SATISFIES ALL SIDES”

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld yesterday cast some doubt on whether Turkish troops would ultimately be deployed in Iraq, adding however that talks would continue to find a formula that would leave no party unsatisfied. Ankara has “said that under certain circumstances they would be willing to offer forces, subject to finding a method, an approach that was satisfactory to them, satisfactory to the Iraqis, and satisfactory to the coalition," Rusfeld told a press conference. "And that process is underway. Whether or not they will ultimately find a method of satisfying everybody, I don't know. I hope so." Expressing thanks to Ankara for agreeing to send soldiers in the first place, Rusmfeld stated, "We certainly appreciate their coming forward as they have ... I suspect there'll be meetings in the weeks ahead [on the issue]." /Aksam/

US ADMINISTRATOR BREMER, IRAQI COUNCIL REPORTEDLY TO MAKE DECISION ON TURKISH TROOP DEPLOYMENT

Iraqi Governing Council Turkmen representative Songul Cabuk told reporters yesterday that nine members of the body would convene next week under the chairmanship of US Iraq administrator Paul Bremer to make a final decision for or against Turkish troop deployment. Stressing that work on a new Iraqi constitution had begun, Cabuk stated that certain members of the council, in particular its Kurds, were arguing for a federal structure for the nation. /Turkiye/

MOODY’S RAISES OUTLOOK ON TURKEY DEBT CEILING

Moody’s Investors Services yesterday revised its outlook on Turkey’s debt ratings. Citing recent improved financial and economic conditions, Moody’s raised Turkey’s exchange rate credit rating to stable from negative. It also boosted the outlook on the nation’s foreign currency-denominated bonds. Last week Standard and Poor’s raised Turkey’s credit rating to B+. /All papers/

GALATASARAY BESTS OLYMPIAKOS, 1-0; BESIKTAS TO FACE SPARTA PRAGUE

In UEFA Champions League action last night in Istanbul, Galatasaray defeated Greece’s Olympiakos by a score of 1-0. The match’s only goal was made by Galatasaray’s Cihan in the ninth minute. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Greece on Nov. 5. In related news, Besiktas is set to play its third match in the Champions League against Sparta Prague tonight in the Czech capital. /All Papers/