ERDOGAN PROMISES NEUTRALITY TOWARDS TRNC ELECTIONS
Speaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his party would be neutral towards this weekend’s general elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). “There may be some circles who want to cast a shadow over the elections,” he warned. The premier stressed that Turkey was determined to help reach a resolution on the island, but added that Greece and the Greek Cypriots should show the same resolve. /Cumhuriyet/

CICEK: “INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IS THE ANTIDOTE TO TERRORISM”
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek and his French counterpart Dominique Perben, in the midst of a one-day visit to Turkey, yesterday attended a panel in Ankara. In his opening speech, Cicek said that terrorism was like a puzzle with many pieces scattered over various countries. “In order to solve it, all the pieces need to be put together,” said Cicek. Underlining the importance of coordinated anti-terror efforts, Cicek said that the antidote to terrorism was international cooperation. In his address to the gathering, Perben expressed sympathy on behalf of the French people over the recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul, adding that his visit to Turkey was itself a statement against terrorism. /Turkiye/

DENKTAS: “THOUGH IT WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO, TURKEY ISN’T INTERVENING IN OUR ELECTIONS,”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas yesterday received visiting Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener to discuss this Sunday’s general elections. The United Nations’ Cyprus plan aims to separate the TRNC from Turkey, warned Denktas, adding, “[UN Secretary-General Kofi] Annan’s plan is aimed at destroying our state.” Reacting to opposition criticisms that Ankara was trying to interfere in the polls, Denktas said that this was not the case, but added that in its role under international agreements as a guarantor state for the island, “Turkey has every right to intervene.” In related news, US Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston is expected to visit the island soon and meet with both Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, who has called for new negotiations within the framework of Annan’s plan. /Cumhuriyet/

GROSSMAN: “THE US WILL STAND BY TURKEY IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND WE WILL WIN THIS WAR TOGETHER”
Marc Grossman, US undersecretary of state for political affairs and a former US ambassador to Ankara, yesterday met with Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler to discuss a number of issues, including last month’s terrorist attacks in the city. During their talks, Grossman said that both Turkey and the US had lived under the shadow of terrorism. “We will stand by Turkey in its fight against terrorism and we will win this war together,” he said, adding that last month’s terrorist attacks were an offense against not only Turkish citizens, but all of humanity. Touching on the Cyprus issue, Grossman said that the US administration supported the United Nation’s Cyprus plan. “I hope this Sunday’s general elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC] will pave the way for negotiations on the island,” stated Grossman, adding that he hoped the polls would be conducted democratically. /Cumhuriyet/

GEN. OZKOK VISITS ALBANIA
On his current tour of Balkan countries, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday arrived in Tirana, Albania to pay a two-day official visit. As part of his contacts in this country, Ozkok met with his Albanian counterpart Lt. Gen. Pellumb Qazimi, Defense Minister Pandeli Mayko and then Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano. Today, the top Turkish commander is expected to be received by President Alfred Moisiu. /Turkiye/

PARLIAMENT GREENLIGHTS INQUIRY INTO FOUR FORMER MINISTERS
Parliamentary deputies decided yesterday to set up commissions into former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and five other former ministers to investigate allegations of corruptions during their terms in office. Following the completion of the inquiries, the deputies will decide whether or not to bring the judgement of the former ministers, including Gunes Taner, Cumhur Ersumer, Zeki Cakan, Husamettin Ozkan and Recep Onal, to the Supreme Court. /Hurriyet/