EU AGREES TO OPEN SINGLE CHAPTER IN ACCESSION TALKS
The Committee of Permanent Representatives to the European Union (COREPER) agreed yesterday in Brussels to send an invitation letter to Turkey to open talks in only one chapter of the accession talks, the enterprise and industry chapter. Ankara is expected to respond in three weeks' time at the latest, and talks on this chapter are expected to begin de facto at the beginning of February. In related news, Greek Cypriot administration Foreign Minister George Lillikas said that the administration would continue to veto the opening of chapters with Turkey in its EU accession talks, in response to Ankara's veto of Greek Cypriot membership in international organizations such as NATO. /Hurriyet/
ERDOGAN: "THE US SHOULD SET A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that Iraq was in a state of civil war and the US should set a timetable to withdraw its forces. Erdogan made statements about Palestine and Iraq during the Alliance of Civilizations meeting in New York, leading some observers to say that his remarks opposed the US and British approaches. Before leaving New York, Erdogan told a press conference, "Iraq is in a state of civil war," and he spoke out against proposals to deploy US troops in northern Iraq. Also speaking to PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Erdogan said, "The number of people who have died in sectarian violence exceeds, according to some figures, 650,000 ... When you have that many people who have died as a result of a conflict that is taking place, that could only be explained as a civil war." /Cumhuriyet/
GUL: "WE VIEW FINLAND'S PROPOSALS ON CYPRUS POSITIVELY"
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday that both Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have a positive, constructive stance on the proposals of European Union Term President Finland, adding that the EU shouldn't expect unilateral steps from Turkey without it ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. "Turkey and the TRNC are always constructive about proposals which would enable ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots," added Gul. /Turkiye/
ARINC MEETS WITH GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES TURKEY'S EU BID
Georgian President Mihail Saakashvili, in Ankara for an official visit, yesterday met with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. During their meeting, Arinc said that he was pleased with the visit of the Georgian president, adding that relations between the two countries were superb. For his part, Saakashvili stated that Turkey was an ally of Georgia with deep historical ties and also a window for Georgia to open to the world. Saying that the EU needed Turkey, Saakashvili stated that Turkey's membership wouldn't only contribute to the EU's economy, but also help to improve the Union's identity. "We wish Turkey the best of luck during its EU process," he added. /Turkiye/
MUMCU: "THE PEOPLE SHOULD ELECT THE PRESIDENT"
Speaking to reporters before attending the Agricultural Congress yesterday, opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu commented on debates over the presidential election to be held next May, saying that the people should elect the president. Mumcu stressed that the Constitution should be amended so the people, not Parliament, elect the president. "If the people can elect parliaments and prime ministers, they can also elect the president," said Mumcu. "We should find a solution instead of creating crises." /Sabah/
BAYKAL OPPOSES MUMCU'S PROPOSAL FOR POPULAR ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday came out against the proposal of Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu that the people should elect the president, saying that this was seeking a solution outside the system. "In fact, there is no need for this," he said. "The solution within the system is clear, and this is to renew the Parliament by holding early elections. We can overcome this tension and concern by holding early elections." The presidential election is currently set for May, and general elections for November. /Aksam/
SPECIAL COUNTER-TERRORISM ENVOY BASER: "TURKEY COULD DECIDE TO LAUNCH A CROSS-BORDER OPERATION"
Turkey's special counter-terrorism envoy, retired Gen. Edip Baser, yesterday said, "If my state considers a cross-border operation necessary, and takes this decision as an independent state, its armed forces will implement that decision very easily. Nobody should doubt this." Speaking to a regional TV station in Sivas, Baser said that terrorism was a fact which endangers the lives of innocent people without cause and threatens their rights to live peacefully and in safety. He also added that he gets the support he needs from politicians and the prime minister. /Turkiye/