TERRORISM, IRAN DOMINATE NSC MEETING
Separatist and reactionary activities were discussed during yesterday's National Security Council (NSC) meeting, chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Gen. Yasar Buyukanit attended the meeting at the Presidential Palace for the first time as chief of General Staff. Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug and Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner attended the meeting as members for the first time. "A comprehensive evaluation of domestic and foreign developments affecting Turkey was made during the meeting," said a statement released afterwards. "Contacts and negotiations over Iran's nuclear program since the July 31 UN Security Council Resolution 1696 were discussed, and the importance of solving this problem through negotiations was emphasized. Also, recent developments in the Southern Caucasus were discussed." /Milliyet/

ERDOGAN: "SECULARISM FREES SOCIETIES"
Speaking on television yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Turkish nation is loyal to the constitutional regime, democratic and secular republic, adding that certain marginal extreme examples don't alter that fact. "The principle of secularism is a guarantee enabling freedom for various types of living," said Erdogan. Pointing to the great enthusiasm nationwide in celebrations last Sunday for Republic Day, the premier said that Republic of Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and all martyrs had been commemorated with respect and gratitude. Adding that the eligible age to be elected a deputy was recently lowered from 30 to 25, Erdogan called on young people to get involved in politics so as to make Turkish political life more dynamic. /Aksam/

TURKEY EYES LOCAL WORK SHARE IN US' F-35 PROGRAM
Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, on a visit to the US, said yesterday that Turkey was looking for a local work share worth of up to $6 billion in the US-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-35 program. Following talks with his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld and Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England in Washington, Gonul told reporters that his visit especially focused on determining the details on Turkey's rights in production, usage, maintenance and training during F-35 production. He stated that Turkey had planned to purchase about 100 F-35s, and the first delivery to Turkey was expected to be made in 2014, adding that $175 million has been already paid for the project. Gonul then traveled to the state of Texas, where F-35s are being produced. /Turkiye/

EUROPEAN COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER DUE IN TURKEY
European Council Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg will come to Turkey today. A statement by the European Council said that Hammarberg would stay in Turkey for four days and hold contacts with many top government officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations as well as Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu and State Minister for women and children Nimet Cubukcu. /Star/

TRNC'S TALAT: "WE WON'T GIVE UP MARAS"
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday said that Finland's making efforts as European Union term president was natural, but its asking concessions from the Turkish side so the embargo is lifted wasn't right. "If a step including only exports is taken, this doesn't mean lifting the embargo," he added. "For us, the most important thing is to open Ercan Airport. Our athletes and performers can't take part in international events. We want this inhuman treatment ended. Besides, Europe's promises involved lifting the embargo. We also require full representation in the European Parliament. A setup where the Turkish side isn't represented is illegal and undemocratic. Asking us to give up Maras was unfair. Maras is a part of a comprehensive solution, and its restitution will be in that context." /Cumhuiyet/

FINLAND LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE FOR CYPRUS
In the runup to the release of the European Union Commission's Turkey report on next Wednesday, Nov. 8, EU Term President Finland invited Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriot administration to Helsinki to break the deadlock over Cyprus. The TRNC is expected to be represented by Foreign Minister Turgay Avci during the talks. Furthermore, Finland also invited TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat to come to Brussels on Friday to meet with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots are reportedly keeping silent on these developments. /Turkiye/

CHIEF OF STAFF BUYUKANIT TO VISIT GREECE
Chief of General Staff Gen.Yasar Buyukanit will travel to Greece today. During his four-day trip, Buyukanit is expected to have talks with his Greek counterpart Adm. Panayottis Hinofotis and Defense Minister Vangelis Meymarakis. The top Turkish commander visited Athens and Thessalonica last year when he was still land forces commander. Furthermore, Buyukanit is set to visit Washington in February at the invitation of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter Pace. /Sabah/

HISTORIC GESTURE BY GREEK FM BAKOYANNIS
Responding to Gen. Yasar Buyukanit's first visit to Greece as chief of General Staff with a historic gesture, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis attended the celebration of the 83rd anniversary of the Republic of Turkey at the Turkish Embassy in Athens. Bakoyannis is the first Greek foreign minister to attend the Republic Day ceremonies in nearly a quarter-century. /Milliyet/