ERDOGAN: “WE ARE LEAVING THE CRISIS ERA BEHIND US”

Speaking at the opening of Istanbul’s Lighthouse Anatolia Logistics Center yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was leaving its days of economic crisis behind. Stressing that three kinds of support were critical for Turkey’s advancement, Erdogan said, “These are, namely, the government, the private sector and associations as well as foundations.” In addition, pointing to yesterday’s start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Erdogan urged everyone to aid the poor to the best of their ability. Then, speaking to a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Istanbul Provincial Chairmanship, Erdogan stated that his government advocated freedom in all realms, including the freedoms of thought and belief. /All Papers/

EDUCATION MINISTER, UNIVERSITY RECTORS DISCUSS NEW HIGHER EDUCATION LAW
Education Minister Huseyin Celik and a delegation of university rectors led by Professor Ayhan Alkis yesterday convened to discuss proposed reforms to the higher education system. Following their three-and-a-half-hour meeting, Celik told reporters that the group had had fruitful talks. Stressing that everybody was agreed on the need for radical changes to the system, the minister stated that both sides would continue their work on the topic. /Turkiye/

BABACAN TRAVELS TO G-20 MEETINGS IN MEXICO
State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan yesterday flew to Mexico to attend meetings of the G-20 countries. Speaking at a press conference before his departure, Babacan said that the government was considering enacting a number of banking sector reforms. “We hope to reduce mediation costs,” he said. Also touching on next year’s budget, Babacan stated that the economic blueprint was being carefully prepared. “The new budget is one of the most realistic budgets in recent years,” he added. /Milliyet/

TOBB HEAD: “NO COUNTRY INVESTS MORE IN TURKEY THAN DOES GERMANY”
Speaking at an Ankara press conference marking the establishment of the Turkish-German Chamber of Trade and Industry, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that Germany invested more in Turkey than any other country, adding that the countries’ annual bilateral trade volume totalled $12 billion. Hisarciklioglu said that the first seven months of this year had seen $261 million in foreign direct investment in Turkey, but called for further efforts to boost this sum. “The government should try harder,” he said. For his part, Turkish-German Chamber of Trade and Industry head Kemal Sahin said that there was a need to create 10 million jobs in Turkey and that foreign investment could help make this a reality. /Cumhuriyet/

WOLFOWITZ: “TURKISH TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN IRAQ IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE”
Turkish troop deployment to Iraq is a sensitive issue, said US Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz yesterday. Wolfowitz stated that Ankara’s assent to send its troops to Iraq was an important development that the US welcomed, but that such a deployment would be risky. In Baghdad yesterday, the US occupation authority was attacked by rockets with Wolfowitz inside. He was unharmed, but one US colonel was killed and 15 people were wounded. /Milliyet/

TUZMEN: “THERE IS NO IRAQ CURRENCY TRANSFER CEILING”
A reported measure to limit currency transactions into and out of Iraq to $10,000 is not in effect, said State Minister Kursat Tuzmen yesterday. “The policy was wrong-headed in any case, since Iraq lacks a banking system to make money transfers,” he added. “We negotiated this issue with the United States, the United Nations and the Iraqi interim government.” Last week Tuzmen warned that such a policy could cripple Turkey’s trade with Iraq. /Hurriyet/

PARLIAMENT TO CONSIDER 2004 BUDGET THIS WEEK
Discussions and debates over the 2004 budget are set to dominate Parliament this week. Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan is scheduled to deliver an address on the government’s plans and goals, and the budgets for Parliament itself, the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK), the judiciary and the Presidency will be in the spotlight. /Star/

PRESIDENTIAL, REPUBLIC CUP HORSE RACES HELD
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and other ministers as well as deputies yesterday attended horse races in Ankara. The horse Ultramar was victorious in the 65th Presidential Cup Race, while Ozgunhan won the Republic Run. Sezer presented the prizes and cups to the horses’ proud owners. /Turkiye/

WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS ANTICIPATE REPUBLIC’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY
Over the weekend, various activities were held throughout the country to mark the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, which officially begins this Wednesday, Oct. 29, Republic Day. A performance by orchestras and folklore groups at Ankara’s Ataturk Sport Hall hosted by Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu was attended by government ministers, high-level officials and throngs of citizens who enthusiastically celebrated the anniversary. /Turkiye/