ERDOGAN VISITS TAJIKISTAN
After completing his contacts in Kyrgyzstan, Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan yesterday proceeded to Tajikistan to pay a two-day visit. Following a meeting with his Tajik counterpart Akil Akilov, the two leaders pledged to work to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Pointing to a current bilateral trade volume worth some $50 million, Erdogan predicted that by the end of next year that sum would rise to $250 million. The Afghanistan and Iraq issues were also be taken up during the meetings, said Erdogan. In the evening, Tajik President Imamali Rahmanov hosted a banquet in Erdogan’s honor. Rahmanov expressed his pleasure at improved relations with Turkey, calling it “our friend,” adding that on Erdogan’s invitation, he would soon pay an official visit to Ankara. /All Papers/

DEPUTY PM SAHIN: “EVEN WITHOUT TROOP DEPLOYMENT, WE WON’T IGNORE DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ”
Even if Turkey ends up not sending troops to Iraq, Ankara will not be indifferent to developments there, said Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin yesterday. “We would never allow any developments in Iraq which could jeopardize Turkey’s security,” stated Sahin, adding that Iraq’s territorial integrity was very important for Ankara. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY REPORTEDLY PROTESTS ALLEGED ISRAELI OIL PURCHASES IN N.IRAQ
Ankara has reportedly delivered a protest to Israel over alleged purchases of oil fields from Kurds in northern Iraq. The Foreign Ministry is said to have yesterday summoned Israeli Ambassador to Ankara Pini Avivi to convey its concern over the matter and to call on Israel to bring such purchases to an end. /Turkiye/

NATO’S ROBERTSON: “WE WILL SUPPORT ANKARA IF IT DECIDES TO SEND SOLDIERS TO IRAQ”
NATO Secretary-General George Robertson, who is in Ankara for a farewell visit before leaving his post in December, yesterday met separately with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. Speaking afterwards, Robertson said that Turkey was an important member of NATO. “Turkey plays a key role, especially in the fight against terrorism and other challenges of the 21st century,” he said. Touching on a possible Turkish troop deployment in Iraq, Robertson said that NATO would support Ankara if it sends troops there. /All papers/

SPURNING TURKISH TROOPS, TALABANI CALLS FOR EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS
Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) leader and Governing Council member Jalal Talabani, who has repeatedly expressed his opposition to any neighboring countries – including Turkey – sending soldiers to Iraq, yesterday called on Egypt to send soldiers to his country. Talabani, who said only Wednesday that not foreigners but Iraqis themselves should protect Iraq’s security, yesterday reversed himself by saying that an Eygptian presence – political, economic and military – could contribute to the nation’s security and stability. /Aksam/

DOCUMENT DETAILS PKK/KADEK PLANS FOR NEW ATTACKS
Turkish security units have reportedly obtained a three-stage plan of the terrorist group PKK/KADEK, a so-called “road map.” The document is said to detail plans for terrorist bomb attacks on security units and state institutions in particular. The Security Directorate General yesterday issued a circular warning security units to take precautions against such attacks. /Star/

BABACAN: “THERE’S NO IMMEDIATE NEED TO MAKE USE OF THE $8.5 BILLION LOAN”
Turkey can make use of an $8.5 billion US loan of its own initiative whenever it deems appropriate, said State Minister for Economy Ali Babacan yesterday. “There’s no immediate need for the loan’s funds,” said Babacan. “We will use it when we see fit.” The first tranche of the loan is reportedly due to be disbursed later this month. Stating that the loan’s timeframe was flexible, Babacan added, “Our Treasury finances are in good shape, so we don’t deem it appropriate to use the loan or incur interest changes now.” /Sabah/

BAYKAL REELECTED TO CHP HELM
Deniz Baykal yesterday was reelected leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). At its 30th General Congress in Ankara, certain party regulations were also amended. Addressing the congress, Baykal rejected criticisms that the CHP’s opposition was a weak one, citing as evidence of this the party deputies’ March vote against US troop deployment in Turkey. /Hurriyet/