BABACAN: "TURKEY WON'T TAKE UNILATERAL STEPS ON CYPRUS"
Turkey's chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan, as part of his visits to European capitals to voice Turkey's views, yesterday completed his contacts in Athens. Speaking to reporters at the Turkish Embassy in Athens, Babacan said, "Turkey's determined stance will continue against the EU's pressure on Cyprus." Babacan, who met with economic, political and diplomatic officials including Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, said that the details of the Cyprus plan prepared by the EU Term President Finland were not yet clear. "But communication between Greece, Greek Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey continues through various channels," said Babacan. "It should be known that Turkey won't take any unilateral steps on Cyprus at any cost," he added. "Our determined stance forced [EU Term President] Finland to find a new proposal. But I also think that we shouldn't expect any positive developments towards a solution before year's-end." /Cumhuriyet/

UNAKITAN TOUTS 18 STRAIGHT QUARTERS OF GROWTH
Speaking at a housing summit yesterday, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan commented on developments in the economy and the housing sector, saying that the economy had shown continuous growth over the last 18 quarters. "This stability is a result of fiscal discipline and the Central Bank's independent policies," said Unakitan. Pointing to the importance of continued fiscal discipline, Unakitan stated that the floating exchange rate policy will remain in force. Speaking to reporters after the summit, Unakitan said that work on a value-added tax cut for the tourism sector was continuing. "The tax burden on employment will also be reduced," added Unakitan. /Milliyet/

TAN URGES IRAQ TO FIGHT THE PKK
In response to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari's recent remarks that Iraq would not fight the terrorist group PKK, Foreign Minister Spokesman Namik Tan said yesterday that fight against the PKK was among the Iraqi government's obligations and that ducking this responsibility was out of the question. During a regular weekly press conference, Tan said that as a country bordering Turkey and a member of the international community, Iraq had certain obligations, while noting that Turkey has been closely following security problems in its neighbor. He also remarked that the fight against terrorism was one of the top priorities of both Iraq and the international community, adding that Ankara was expecting the Iraqi government to take concrete steps to end the presence of the terrorist group in northern Iraq. /Turkiye/

US' SPECIAL ENVOY RALSTON ASKS TURKISH NATION TO BE PATIENT ON PKK ISSUE
At a meeting held by the Eurasian Strategic Research Center (ASAM) in Istanbul yesterday, the US' special envoy for countering the terrorist PKK, retired Gen. Joseph Ralston, said, "We don't have the option to sit at the table with the terrorist PKK. We have a military option, but it should be the last resort. Iraq, the US and Turkish government will overcome the terrorism problem by cooperating. I am asking the Turkish nation to be patient." Taking the floor at the same meeting, Turkey's Special Envoy against the PKK retired Gen. Edip Baser said, "We see ending the terrorist PKK's presence in northern Iraq in the shortest time possible as a necessity which can't be delayed." /Star/

BAYKAL: "TURKEY FACES A SERIOUS TERROR PROBLEM"
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday met with labor leaders to discuss a number of issues. During the meeting, Baykal said that Turkey faced a serious terrorism problem, adding that it wouldn't be right to ignore it. Criticizing Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir, who recently said that oil and hydroelectric resources in southeastern Anatolia should belong to the local administration, Baykal stated that this was expressed by a politician, not a terrorist. "We see again see terrorists in the mountains and politicians in the provinces working on the same political project," said Baykal. Also commenting on the recent dispute between Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar, Baykal said that it was irresponsible to create such arguments between soldiers and politicians. "The fight against terror should continue with determination," added Baykal. /Aksam/

Writing in British daily The Guardian yesterday, historian ad columnist Timothy Garton Ash lambasted the Armenian bill passed by the French Parliament last week. His column said that the bill showed double standards and inconsistencies on France's part, adding that the French Parliament didn't have the right to "correct" history through such laws. His column stressed that the bill was a misstep. /Sabah/

TURKISH SOLDIERS LEAVE FOR LEBANON
Turkish soldiers and engineering company employees who will serve under the international peace force in Lebanon, as part of the expanded UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL II, yesterday left for Lebanon following a send-off ceremony in the southern port of Mersin. Some 95 out of a total convoy of 261 personnel, including both soldiers and civilians, left from Mersin on two ships, while the others are expected to arrive at Beirut Airport today. In addition, the construction equipment to be used by civilian personnel will arrive in the region via Syria. Addressing the ceremony, where civilian officials and soldiers' relatives were also present, Turkish commander Rear Adm. Veysel Kosele said the Turkish troops representing the country would vigorously fulfill this honorable responsibility and duty. /Sabah/

RTUK URGES BOYCOTT OF FRENCH PROGRAMS
After the passage of a bill criminalizing denial of the so-called Armenian genocide by the French Parliament last week, the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) yesterday recommended that Turkish radio and TV stations boycott French programs and productions, including French songs. RTUK member Saban Sevinc said that the decision was made in light of the Turkish nation's opposition to the bill. He added that banning commercials was out of the question since this is an economic matter. /Sabah/

TOP TURKISH OFFICIALS TO VISIT THE US
Four top Turkish military and defense officials will be visiting the US over the next three months for key talks on bilateral defense and military relations. Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun, Air Force Commander Gen. Faruk Comert and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul are the officials set to travel to the US between now and next February to meet with their US counterparts. /Turkish Daily News/

BRITAIN'S MACSHAME: "THE EU COULD COLLAPSE UNDER THE WEIGHT OF HISTORICAL APOLOGIES"
Britain's former European Minister Denis MacShane warned yesterday that if the European Union begins to ask member countries for formal apologizes for certain events in their histories, the bloc could face a danger of collapse. In a guest op-ed in French daily Liberation, commenting on French President Jacques Chirac's remarks during his recent visit to Yerevan, MacShane said that then British Premier Tony Blair should visit Madagascar and Algeria to urge France to formally apologize to these nations for its massacres during World War II. Stressing that the EU was putting new obstacles in front of Turkey almost each month, MacShane said that Turkey's friends should make diplomatic efforts to urge the EU to fulfill its commitments to this country. /Turkiye/