CABINET DISCUSSES TERRORIST ATTACKS
The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan convened yesterday. Following its four-and-a-half-hour meeting, State Minister Abdullatif Sener told reporters that the ministers’ discussions had focused on the recent deadly terrorist attacks in Istanbul. In addition, bills slated for debate in Parliament were taken up, he said. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN MEETS WITH UKRAINIAN PM, DISCUSSES ISTANBUL ATTACKS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received his Ukrainian counterpart Victor Yanukovich to discuss bilateral relations and last month’s terrorist attacks in Istanbul. Speaking afterwards, Erdogan said that Yanukovic had given the world an important message by coming to Turkey despite the recent deadly attacks. “I want to especially thank him for that,” added Erdogan. For his part, Yanukovich said that his country was ready to cooperate with Turkey in the fight against terrorism. /Aksam/

OZKOK: “THE ATTACKS HAD A RELIGIOUS MOTIVE”
Last month’s deadly terrorist attacks in Istanbul had a religious motive, said Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday. Speaking at a reception for Romania’s national day, in his first extensive remarks about the attacks, Ozkok said, “It is clear that the attacks were carried out by Muslims, but history tells us of similar incidents in Christianity. We all know that the Protestants and Catholics also did likewise.” Added Ozkok, “I think religion and politics should be treated like two volatile chemical substances. When they are mixed together and religion is used for political ends, the beauty of faith disappears, only to be displaced by violence. The recent incidents have demonstrated once again the virtue and value of a secular state.” /Hurriyet/

SENER: “AL QAEDA IS LINKED TO THE ISTANBUL ATTACKS”
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, which discussed last month’s terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener told reporters that the deadly attacks had links with the al Qaeda terrorist network. Sener stated that 21 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks with 16 remaining in custody, adding that international cooperation was vital in the fight against terrorism. In related news, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said yesterday that he condemned all terrorist attacks, whoever was behind them. “We will do our utmost to snuff out terrorism,” pledged Arinc. /Aksam/

NATO SUMMIT SLATED FOR ISTANBUL NEXT JUNE
During NATO’s current fall meetings in Brussels, member countries’ defense ministers yesterday took up preparations for their Istanbul summit set for next June. Addressing the meeting, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that the fight against terrorism would continue. “Holding the NATO summit in Istanbul will be the best answer to the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey,” said Rumsfeld. Turning to Turkish-European Union relations, Rumsfeld stated that he expected the summit would contribute to Turkey’s EU membership bid. During the summit next year, seven NATO candidates’ memberships are due to be approved. /Turkiye/

BRITISH DEPUTY FM ARRIVES IN ISTANBUL
British Deputy Foreign Minister Liz Symons was received by UK Ambassador Peter Westmacott upon her arrival in Istanbul yesterday. Symons is reportedly in Turkey to investigate last month’s terrorist attack on the British Consulate in Istanbul, which took 15 lives, including that of British Consul Roger Short. Following her investigation, Symons is expected to issue a report. /Star/

TURKISH ENGINEER ONAL BACK ON HOME SOIL
Turkish engineer Hasan Onal, who was kidnapped by Taliban forces in Afghanistan one month ago before being released over the weekend, was returned yesterday to Turkey via private plane. After arriving at his home in Izmir, Onal said that he had not been mistreated by his kidnappers. /Turkiye/

TERRORIST MINE IN MARDIN KILLS FIVE SOLDIERS
A military team traveling on the Nusaybin-Midyat road in the southeastern province of Mardin yesterday was attacked by terrorists who detonated a mine planted on the road. The blast killed five soldiers and injured four others. The team was responsible for the security of Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) facilities in the region. /Sabah/

ECEVIT TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS
In a statement yesterday, Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader and former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit (78) announced that he would retire from politics. Stressing that he and his wife Rahsan Ecevit had laid the foundation for his party under very difficult circumstances, Ecevit said that during the DSP’s convention slated for after next March’s local elections, he would step down from the party helm, adding that he would continue to promote the DSP’s causes. Ecevit led the longest coalition government in Turkey’s history until last fall, when the DSP was shut out of Parliament in general elections. Two-time Premier Ecevit’s career in Turkish politics spans nearly a half century. /Sabah/

TURKISH-GREEK DOUBLE TAXATION PREVENTION PACT SET FOR SIGNING
A new era will begin with the new Double Taxation Prevention Pact between Turkey and Greece, predicted Greek Economy and Finance Minister Nikolaos Christodoulakis yesterday after meeting in Istanbul with members of the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD). Also at the meeting was Greek Industrialists’ Federation Chairman Ulysses Kyriakopoulos. Christodoulakis and Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan are set today to sign the taxation pact. /Hurriyet/

TIM HEAD HAILS SOARING EXPORTS
Turkish Exporters Union (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici yesterday hailed export figures for this November of $4 billion, which he said represented an increase of 9.9 percent as compared to the same period last year. Turkey’s annual export goal is $45.9 billion. However, Satici also warned that the current account deficit was also increasing and that this could pose a threat to the economy down the road. “We must bring down this deficit,” he urged. /Aksam/

NEW BDDK HEAD BILGIN TAKES THE HELM
Newly appointed Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) Chairman Tevfik Bilgin yesterday began his duties after taking the oath of office. Bilgin vowed to do his utmost to win back the respect the BDDK deserves. Former BDDK head Engin Akcakoca resigned from his post last month. /All papers/