ERDOGAN: “THE MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH A DECENT LIVING”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a Flyinn shopping center in Istanbul yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan touted recent positive economic developments, including drops in interest rates from 69% to 26% and inflation from 30% to 20%, both of which he said had made it easier for Ankara to borrow. “We no longer have any difficulty getting lines of credit,” said Erdogan. Touching on the country’s minimum wage, which is due to be re-adjusted soon, Erdogan stated that the wage should provide people with a decent living, adding that such a requirement was not unfair to employers. Erdogan further pledged that the government would continue its fight against corruption. /Hurriyet/

GUL RETURNS FROM JAPANESE VISIT
After completing his contacts during an official visit to Japan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul returned last night to Turkey. Speaking to reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, Gul expressed his satisfaction over the areas of agreement between Turkey and Japan on various international issues. Stressing that economic and trade cooperation had been the main topics discussed, Gul stated that he had briefed Japanese businessmen on recent economic developments in Turkey. Concerning ongoing work towards establishing a new Turkish Cypriot government following recent elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Gul urged the TRNC political parties to avoid deputies switching sides for the sake of a new government. Recalling that Turkey had seen the same thing done in past years, the foreign minister commented that this trend had done harm to politics and cost the country dearly. “A broad-based government , one including all parties, would be the best solution for the TRNC,” added Gul. /Turkiye/

AMID PUSH FOR “FEDERAL” IRAQ, ANKARA KEEPING CLOSE WATCH ON IRAQI KURDISH GROUPS
Ankara is preparing to increase its diplomatic pressure on Washington after Kurdish representatives recently submitted a proposal to Iraq’s Governing Council in an attempt to establish a federal Iraq. The Foreign Ministry is soon to reiterate strongly to Washington that Ankara wants Iraq’s territorial integrity protected. The proposal from the council’s five Kurdish members – including the heads of the two main Kurdish groups, Jalal Talabani and Massoud Barzani – is said to foresee the expansion of Kurdish autonomy from three northern provinces to include the oil-rich province of Tamim around Kirkuk. Barzani, head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP), said over the weekend that the Kurds want Kirkuk back for its historical significance, not its oil riches. Meanwhile, US diplomatic sources reportedly said that the Bush administration shares Ankara’s desire to protect Iraq’s territorial integrity. /Cumhuriyet/

TOBB CHAIRMAN: “THE NEW MINIMUM WAGE SHOULDN’T UPSET OUR ECONOMIC BALANCES”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu urged that the government not allow its upcoming revised minimum wage to upset Turkey’s economic balances. Touching on this year’s economic accomplishments, Hisarciklioglu said that annual inflation would end up at 19%, thus bettering the official target. He further stated that the “burden of high taxes” should be reduced, as it was holding back investment. /Hurriyet/

OTTOMAN EXHIBIT OPENS AT ATLI KOSK
An exhibition spotlighting historical Ottoman works opened at the Sabanci Family’s Atli Kosk in Istanbul yesterday with the attendance of many prominent figures. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the European Union should be a venue for different cultures to encounter each other in peace, not come into conflict. He added that the exhibit served to once again demonstrate the glory of the Ottomans. The show is set to run for three months. /Turkiye/