SEZER, ERDOGAN ISSUE MESSAGES COMMEMORATING REPUBLIC FOUNDER MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATURK
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, will be commemorated today in scores of ceremonies which will be held at his Ankara mausoleum Anitkabir and throughout the country to mark the 65th anniversary of his death. In a message to the nation yesterday, Presdient Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that Ataturk would forever live in the hearts of the Turkish people and that his principles would continue to guide the country into the future. He called the declaration of the republic one of history’s most important turning points, adding that it was the mission of all citizens to work for the secular, democratic and modern republic that is Ataturk’s gift. In his own message to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ataturk was famed worldwide as a leader with a clear vision of the future. Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc underlined that the republic was founded by Ataturk from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire and that it was given as a gift to the nation. /All papers/

ERDOGAN: “WE’LL NOT ALLOW ANYBODY TO DISTURB THE SOCIAL PEACE”
“We have to work to further positive developments without letting any initiatives disturb the social peace,” said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Speaking to a gathering of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) provincial chairmen, Erdogan said that during the AKP’s first year of rule, it had not allowed itself to be distracted by political disputes, but rather had taken important steps to brighten Turkey’s future. Underlining that next year’s local elections had great importance for his party, the premier stated that he believed the AKP would prove victorious in these elections. He added that his government was working on a new radical reforms package for local administrations which should pass Parliament very soon. In addition, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also addressed the meeting. Stressing that troop deployment to Iraq was no longer on the agenda, Gul added however, “If any development which threatens Turkey’s security takes place in northern Iraq, we’ll not remain silent about it.” He also reiterated that Turkey wanted a permanent resolution for the Cyprus issue and that Ankara would review its policy on Cyprus. /Turkiye/

GUL TRAVELS TO ROME TO ATTEND EU TROIKA MEETING
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is set to travel to Rome today to attend a European Union troika meeting, or a gathering of the current EU term president Italy, the next term president Ireland and the EU commission. During the meeting, both Turkey’s EU membership bid and the Cyprus issue are expected to be discussed. /Cumhuriyet/

OZKOK: “WITHOUT A PRESENCE, WE HAVE NO SAY IN IRAQ”
Speaking to daily Radikal yesterday, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok said that as Turkey had no presence in Iraq it also had no say there. Pointing to the current turmoil in Iraq, just two days after Turkey and the US confirmed that there were no plans to deploy Turkish troops there, Ozkok said that he had no idea about future developments in the country. Stressing that besides Turkmen, Turkey had also a relationship with Iraq’s Kurds, Ozkok added however, “Kurds are openly declaring that they want a free Kurdistan, and that this is against Turkey’s interests.” Pointing to the strategic importance of Cyprus for Turkey, Ozkok said that any negative development there would box Turkey in. Regarding a recent cut in the duration of obligatory military service, Ozkok said that this measure had help achieve 17% in savings. /Sabah/

UN INVITES TURKISH POLICE TO LIBERIA
The United Nations has invited Turkey to participate in an international police force to be established in Liberia, and Ankara reportedly has replied positively and begun its preparations. Furthermore, a delegation of four was sent to this country to conduct observations. Turkey is expected to contribute 50 policemen to the force. Last month the UN decided to establish an international peacekeeping police force in the country, which has suffered under a civil war leaving thousands dead and injured. /Turkiye/

TURKISH BUSINESSMEN KILLED IN BAGHDAD
The body of Turkish businessman Osman Peltek was found yesterday in Baghdad. Petek, 53, had been missing for two days. His body will be brought to Samsun to be laid to rest. An investigation into his death is underway. /Cumhuriyet/

PKK ATTACKS US TROOPS
PKK/KADEK terrorist group militants yesterday opened fire on a group of peshmerga from the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) and US soldiers who were patrolling in the north of the Amedin region near the Turkish border. During the clash, one peshmarga was reportedly killed, while 10 others were wounded. No information on whether any suffered injuries was available. /Turkiye/

WORLD BANK CONSIDERS $4.5 BILLION IN LOANS FOR EU ACCESSION
Andrew N. Vorkink, World Bank country director for Turkey, said Friday that the WB had discussed a new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Turkey proposing loans of up to $4.5 billion over the next three years in order to support its European Union membership bid. Vorkink said that the government was continuing to implement the nation’s economic program successfully and that as a result, the economy would likely grow further, and inflation and interest rates would fall even more. “While Turkey faces many challenges, one cannot be but bullish on Turkey’s future,” said Vorkink. “It has a vibrant private sector, it stands at the door of Europe, it has nearly 70 million energetic people and the economy is on the move.” He added that the WB was focusing on areas for which the EU acquis commaunitaire did not apply, such as education, health care and social assistance, adding that progress in these areas was extremely important. “If the reform program isn’t balanced, then Turkey will be ready for the acquis, but it won’t be ready to function within a competitive market like the EU,” he said. “This way, Turkey will be ready to function within the EU, when the EU is ready for Turkey.” /Milliyet/

BABACAN: “$8.5 BILLION US LOAN WAS NOT FIGURED INTO NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET, BUT WILL CONTRIBUTE IF IT COMES”
Appearing on television yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said that the government had not considered an $8.5 million US loan while preparing next year’s budget, adding that there was no problem with the budget. “But if the credit comes, it will make a contribution,” he said. “Both the US treasury secretary and the Federal Reserve head said that Turkey could use the credit whenever it wants.” On Saturday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the loan was still in the pipeline notwithstanding Ankara’s decision not to send troops to Iraq for now. /Aksam/