ERDOGAN TO VISIT LEBANON NEXT WEEK
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to pay an official visit to Lebanon next Wednesday. During his short stay, Erdogan will meet with the Lebanese president, prime minister, and Parliament speaker to promote bilateral relations and discuss the problems of the region. The premier is also expected to visit Turkish peacekeeping troops serving in the country. /Aksam/
GUL: "TURKEY AND THE US HAVEN'T SIGNED ANY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE PKK"
Answering a question motion of a main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy in Parliament yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that no memorandum of understanding about the terrorist PKK had been signed between Turkey and the US, adding that there was no expression in any document signed between the two countries saying that Turkey wouldn't launch an operation against PKK strongholds in northern Iraq's Kandil mountains. "Turkey considers the fight against terrorism a priority, so we could never make any such pledge," added Gul. /Milliyet/
NSC TO HOLD LAST MEETING OF YEAR
The National Security Council (NSC) is due to convene today under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. During the meeting, both domestic and foreign developments will be discussed. /Cumhuriyet/
TAN: "ANKARA EXPECTS MORE CONCRETE STEPS FROM THE EU"
Speaking to reporters at his final press conference before taking his post as Turkey's ambassador to Israel, Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan evaluated the recent state of Turkish-European Union relations. Stressing the EU's letter of invitation to begin accession talks on the chapter on industry and organizations, Tan said that Ankara had expected to begin talks on four chapters and so the current situation falls short of meeting its expectations. "We hope that the bloc will take more concrete steps in the coming days," the spokesman said. Commenting on the Iraq issue, Tan said that Turkey has never intended to interfere in Iraq's domestic affairs. In addition, concerning the revival of Armenian efforts in the US to pass a so-called genocide resolution, Tan said that Turkey expected the US to act with common sense. Tan will begin his tenure in Tel Aviv after presenting his letter of credentials to Israeli President Moshe Katsav on Jan. 22. /Turkiye/
MUMCU CRITICIZES CHP'S STANCE ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) Party leader Erkan Mumcu criticized the main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) stance on next May's presidential election. "The CHP is opposing the possible candidacy of [Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan], but it's doing its best for Erdogan to be a candidate," said Mumcu. "Telling a politician like Erdogan, who is eligible to run, that he can't be a candidate means that being president is the only way for you. Baykal is an experienced politician and he should know this." /Cumhuriyet/
AGAR: "THE PRESIDENCY IS A POST REQUIRING TRUST"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday after meeting with the Iran's Ambassador to Ankara Gholamreza Bagheri, opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar commented on next May's presidential election, saying that the presidency is a post requiring confidence. Agar added that the nation should trust the person to be elected president. /Cumhuriyet/
POET MEHMET AKIF ERSOY COMMEMORATED
Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the prominent Turkish poet who wrote the lyrics to the Turkish national anthem, was commemorated yesterday on the 70th anniversary of his death. Attending a ceremony held in Ankara, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that Ersoy was an ideal model for Turkish intellectuals. /Sabah/
ANKARA CELEBRATES ATATURK'S ARRIVAL IN ANKARA
A ceremony was held yesterday in Ankara's Dikmen Keklik Pinari district to mark Republic of Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's first arrival in Ankara on Dec. 26, 1919 as part of his efforts to launch the War of Independence. /Sabah/