SEZER: “IRAQIS SHOULD HAVE THEIR SOVEREIGNTY RETURNED SOON”
Speaking in Istanbul at the opening of the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC) Economic and Trade Cooperation Standing Committee's 19th meeting, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer spoke on recent developments in Iraq. He stated that Turkey placed great importance on Iraq’s territorial integrity and unity. Stressing that the Iraqi people should have their sovereignty returned soon, Sezer remarked that a unified, democratic Iraq living in peace and prosperity would greatly contribute to both regional and international stability. /Aksam/
ERDOGAN MEETS WITH KRYGYZ PRESIDENT AKAYEV
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Kyrgyzstan for an official visit, was received by Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev yesterday. During their talks, Akayev proposed bolstered cooperation between the two countries in anti-terrorism efforts. /Aksam/
GUL DISCUSSES TURKEY’S EU BID WITH GREEK PM SIMITIS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Athens for an official visit, yesterday met with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss Turkey’s European Union membership bid. During their talks, Simitis said that next year would be pivotal for Ankara’s bid. ”We shouldn’t wait until the last moment to resolve the Cyprus and Aegean disputes,” urged Simitis. For his part, Gul said that he hoped a resolution would be reached on the island before Greek Cyprus is set to join the EU next May, adding that the Union should also help to reach a settlement. Also present at the meeting were Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou. Later, asked by reporters about an $8.5 billion US loan, Gul said that there was no problem concerning the loan and that Turkey would use it whenever it chooses. /Milliyet/
OZKOK RECEIVES SPANISH CHIEF OF STAFF BARBERA
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday received his visiting Spanish counterpart Gen. Antonio Moreno Barbera. During their talks, the two discussed bilateral military cooperation as well as recent developments in Iraq. /Cumhuriyet/
GUL HEADS DELEGATION FOR IZETBEGOVIC’S FUNERAL
Former Bosnia-Herzegovinian President Alija Izzetbegovic was buried yesterday in a funeral ceremony in Sarajevo. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul led a Turkish delegation to the ceremony, including Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, State Minister Ali Babacan, Agriculture Minister Sami Guclu and many deputies and other politicians. /Sabah/
NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL ROBERTSON BIDS FAREWELL TO TURKEY
NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, whose tenure in office is set to end this December, is scheduled to arrive in Ankara today as part of his farewell tour of NATO member countries. During his visit, Robertson will meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. /Hurriyet/
DENKTAS: “THE UPCOMING TRNC ELECTIONS WILL BE PIVOTAL FOR THE ISLAND”
Cypriot Turks face a critical decision in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) general elections set for December, said TRNC President Rauf Denktas yesterday. Speaking in the Black Sea city of Zonguldak, Denktas called the Cyprus issue a cause for all Turks. “There is no need to fear,” said Denktas. “Cypriot Turks know well how important these elections will be for our future.” A wrong choice could mean the loss of Cyprus, warned Denktas. Though Denktas does not face reelection in December, the coalition government led by his National Unity Party (NUP) does. /Turkiye/
US TREASURY’S TAYLOR: “THERE’S NO PROBLEM WITH THE $8.5 BILLION LOAN TO TURKEY”
US Deputy Treasury Secretary John Taylor said yesterday that there was no problem regarding an $8.5 billion US loan to Turkey, adding that its first tranche was set to be disbursed whenever Turkish officials request. Speaking in Washington, Taylor said, “There is absolutely no problem with the loan. Turkish Economy Minister Ali Babacan and US Treasury Secretary John Snow signed an agreement on it in Dubai last month.” Asked about a reported new policy under which businessmen can only conduct cross-border transactions with Iraq of $10,000 or less, Taylor said that he had no detailed information on the matter. /Turkiye/
TALABANI CLAIMS UNANIMOUS GOVERNING COUNCIL OPPOSITION TO TURKISH DEPLOYMENT
Iraq’s Governing Council unanimously opposes the deployment of any troops from neighboring countries, including Turkey, claimed Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) leader and council member Jalal Talabani yesterday. “Iraq doesn’t need any foreign troops,” said Talabani. “We believe that not foreigners but Iraqis themselves can protect Iraq’s security. We have a close friendship with Turkey, but we don’t believe that its troops would contribute to Iraq’s stability and security.” To date, though several Governing Council members have expressed opposition to Turkish troops, the body as a whole has not taken an official position. In related news, Talabani is expected to visit Ankara on Nov. 19 to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. /Aksam/
TURKISH HUMANITARIAN AID ARRIVES IN BAGHDAD
Six trucks sent by the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) to aid the Iraqi people arrived in Baghdad yesterday. Some 500 families from the al-Rashid district received the humanitarian aid. The Red Crescent’s Halil Altinkale said that over a two-day period his team would distribute 76 tons of aid worth nearly $300,000. Iraqis receiving the aid expressed gratitude for Turkey’s help during a difficult time. /Turkiye/
CHP TO HOLD 30TH GENERAL CONGRESS
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is set to hold its 30th General Congress today. During the two-day gathering, elections will be held for the new party administration. In addition to current leader Deniz Baykal, Erol Tuncer, Cemal Ozdemir and Bedri Baykam will also compete for the CHP helm. /Star/