TURKEY CELEBRATES 83RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC
Turkey celebrated the 83rd anniversary of the Republic of Turkey yesterday with ceremonies held throughout the country and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as well as Turkey's foreign missions abroad. The ceremonies started in Ankara at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum, with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer leading top state officials to honor the founder of the country. Ceremonies were also held at Parliament and the Ataturk Culture Center parade ground. In the evening, Sezer hosted a reception marking Republic Day at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Furthermore, statements issued by Sezer and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit warned the nation against threats posed to secularism, adding that making concessions to the principles of the Republic of Turkey was unthinkable. /All Papers/

ERDOGAN: "WE SET THE REPUBLIC'S BASIC VALUES ABOVE POLITICAL DISPUTES"
Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony of a new building for the Constitutional Court over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government sets the basic values of the republic above all kinds of social and political arguments, adding that secularism was a guarantee for various lifestyles. "In our Constitution the Turkish Republic is defined as a democratic, secular, welfare state under the rule of law," said Erdogan. "We can't separate these four qualities from each other. We must protect our republic and democracy. " The premier stated that thanks to recent political and economic stability, Turkey has become a country which exports stability and welfare. Also speaking at the ceremony, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Tulay Tugcu said that the court's old building no longer met its needs. /Milliyet/

GONUL VISITING THE US THIS WEEK, AND NEXT WEEK BUYUKANIT IN GREECE
Turkey's top two defense officials are set to pay key visits to two important countries, Greece and the United States, this week. Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul left over the weekend for an official visit to the United States, where he will be until the end of the week. Gonul is scheduled to meet today with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England. He will also visit defense industry giant Lockheed Martin and Forth Worth, Texas tomorrow. Meanwhile, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit will pay a visit to Greece next week upon the invitation of Greek Chief of General Staff Adm. Panagiotis Chinofotis. /The New Anatolian/

NSC TO DISCUSS REACTIONARY MOVEMENTS
The National Security Council is due to convene this week with new members, including Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit. The members are expected to discuss a number of issues such as reactionary movements. The meeting will be chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Cumhuriyet/

PAPADOPOULOS: "WITHOUT CERTAIN PROVISIONS, FINLAND'S PROPOSALS WON'T BE BALANCED"
Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said yesterday that the proposals of Finland, the European Union term president, wouldn't be "balanced" if they don't include such provisions as handing over Maras (Varosa) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Greek Cyprus. "The Turkish Cypriots should give Maras to the Greek Cypriots for negotiations to resume between the two sides," said Papadopoulos, adding that he had briefed the Finnish government on their proposals to open the Gazimagusa Port to direct trade. /Cumhuriyet/

EU'S REHN: "WE'RE SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT"
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said yesterday that divisive debates in Europe over Turkey's EU membership were weakening both the Union's image and reform efforts in Turkey. Speaking to Finnish state TV, Rehn said that although the EU had offered Turkey full membership when it fulfills the EU's commitments, some were continuing to question whether the country is suitable for membership. "We're shooting ourselves in the foot," said Rehn, adding that the EU should be fair in meeting its commitments to Turkey, as well as urging it to implement harmonization reforms. Furthermore, Rehn said that after implementing the EU criteria, Turkey would be in better position in 10-20 years, which would make a decision on its membership easier. /Turkiye/

BELGIAN FM TO VISIT TURKEY
Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht is expected to arrive in Ankara today for an official two-day visit at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul. Relations between Ankara and the European Union as well as the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations and issues related to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will be up for discussion. The two ministers will also meet in December in Brussels when Gul participates in the 14th Ministerial Council of the OSCE, hosted by Belgium. /Turkish Daily News/