ERDOGAN: "ARTICLE 301 COULD BE CHANGED"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday traveled to Ethiopia to attend an African Union Summit set to discuss climate change. Erdogan is expected to brief the gathering on Turkey's efforts to fight global warming. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Erdogan responded to a recent declaration by Bogazici University professors calling for the abolition of Article 301 after the murder earlier this month of Hrant Dink, a Turkish journalist of Armenian descent, saying that the government wasn't thinking of doing away with the article altogether. "Many countries have similar laws," said Erdogan. "You need to look at all sections of the law carefully and not ignore them." Erdogan further stressed that he had urged the academics to rethink their proposal and that they would understand that it is not coherent. The premier added, however, that the government was open to suggestions for changes to the article and that he had discussed the issue with non-governmental organizations. "But the NGOs couldn't reach agreement among themselves," added Erdogan. /Sabah/

CICEK: "ARTICLE 301 COULD BE CHANGED IF NECESSARY, BUT IT'S NOT A PRIORITY"
Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) yesterday, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301 could be changed if necessary, but that the issue wasn't a priority for Ankara. "This law went into effect in 2005," said Cicek. "We didn't say that it couldn't be changed." Cicek further stressed that while some people want Article 301 to remain, others want to abolish or change it, adding that people should clearly share their views on the issue with the government. /Milliyet/

WB HEAD WOLFOWITZ VISITS TURKEY
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, a sometime defender of Turkey and former deputy defense secretary now paying his first visit as head of the WB, yesterday had talks with top Turkish officials in Istanbul. After meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Dolmabahce Palace, Wolfowitz exchanged views on the Turkish economy and the WB's relations to it with State Economy Minister Ali Babacan during a luncheon. Afterwards, Wolfowitz told reporters that he had had very fruitful talks both with Erdogan and Babacan, adding that the Turkish economy was doing well and the WB was happy to work together with Ankara as a partner. Concerning Turkey's European Union membership bid, Wolfowitz said that Turkey's membership would serve the interests of both the country and the bloc. For his part, Babacan said that Turkey would continue its efforts for privatization and structural reforms, adding that the country's stability and reliability had made Turkey attractive to global capital. /Turkiye/

ANKARA REBUFFS NOTICE TO RENEW OIL CONTRACTS WITH N.IRAQ RATHER THAN BAGHDAD
The Iraqi National Oil Company (SOMO) has sent notices to Turkish companies who export oil products to neighboring Iraq, saying they should contact northern Iraqi officials if they want to continue to do business with the Iraqi company. Confirming the incident, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that those who wanted to "test Turkey" would pay a price. Stressing that he had sent a letter to the Iraqi government, Tuzmen conveyed Ankara's concern over the matter, saying that the move could negatively affect the oil trade between the two countries. In related news, commenting on the matter, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also told reporters that Ankara's counterpart in such issues was certainly the central government in Baghdad. /Hurriyet/

SWEDISH MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS DUE IN ANKARA
Swedish Minister of European Affairs Cecila Malmstrom will arrive in Ankara today to hold talks on Turkey's European Union accession talks. Malstrom will have meetings with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Turkey's European Union chief negotiator Ali Babacan, and Turkey's State Minister responsible for women asd family matters Nimet Cubukcu. The Swedish official will also visit Istanbul and meet with representatives of various non-governmental groups. /The New Anatolia/