SEZER, ARINC, ERDOGAN ISSUE MESSAGES MARKING CHRISTMAS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday issued messages to mark the Christmas holiday set to be celebrated this Thursday by millions of Catholics and Protestants worldwide. “For centuries, our society has stood as a sterling model,” said Sezer, “a cradle for the peaceful co-existence in unity and tolerance of Muslim, Christian and Jewish citizens.” For his part, Arinc wished a merry Christmas to all Turkey’s Christian citizens as well as Christians worldwide. Meanwhile, Erdogan extended his wishes for joyful love, solidarity and tolerance as the common values of humanity on this special day marking the birth of Jesus. In their messages, the three leaders also wished peace and happiness for all of humanity. /Hurriyet/

SEZER APPROVES PUBLIC FINANCE ADMINISTRATION LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday approved a new Public Finance Administration and Supervision Law. The law, which now goes to the Prime Ministry to be issued officially, mandates transparency for public revenues and expenditures. /Turkiye/

GUL TO CONFER ON CYPRUS ISSUE WITH TURKISH AMBASSADORS TO EU COUNTRIES
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is set to meet today in Ankara with the Turkish ambassadors serving in the 15 European Union member states. The meeting will focus on recent developments in Turkish-EU relations and the Cyprus issue. Gul is expected to exchange views with the ambassadors concerning work to establish a new Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) government in the wake of recent elections there as well as efforts to find a settlement on the island. Gul will reportedly argue that Cyprus talks can be resumed within the framework of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan. Pointing to the importance of a settlement in the runup to the Greek Cypriots’ EU accession set for next May, Gul will ask the ambassadors to make sure the governments of the EU countries are well aware of Ankara’s efforts to help reach a settlement. /Turkiye/

TURKEY TO SELL NATURAL GAS TO GREECE
Energy Minister Hilmi Guler and Greek Development Minister Athanasios Tsohatcopulos yesterday signed an agreement paving the way for the sale of natural gas through Turkey to Greece beginning in 2006. Under the agreement, natural gas from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Syria and Iraq will be transported via Turkey to Greece, and then to Italy and other southern European countries. Guler said that some 11 billion cubic meters of gas would be delivered each year. /Sabah/

AKP'S CELIK: "THE US KNOWS ABOUT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTHERN IRAQ"
Faruk Celik, parliamentary group deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said yesterday that he couldn't believe that the US was unaware of the recent developments in northern Iraq. "This situation is most disturbing," said Celik. "It's quite likely that northern Iraqi Kurdish groups got certain concessions from the US administration following developments in the region over the last year." He added that Ankara was determined to take all measures to protect the nation's future and unity. In related news, yesterday the Cabinet also took up the Kurdish groups' recent initiatives to establish a "Kurdish federation" in northern Iraq. During his official visit to Washington set for next month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reportedly expected to convey to US officials Turkey’s concern over the developments. /Turkiye/

TALAT: “WE’RE READY TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL HELP THE TRNC JOIN THE EU ALONGSIDE GREEK CYPRUS”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas yesterday met with the leaders of the four parties represented in the TRNC Parliament. He first met with Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat. Speaking afterwards, Talat said that his party was ready to form a coalition government which would help the TRNC to join the European Union alongside Greek Cyprus. “We can form a coalition government with any party in order to begin negotiations on the island within the framework of the United Nations plan and reach a resolution,” added Talat. /Aksam/

EROGLU: “THE NEW TRNC GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK FOR PERMANENT PEACE ON THE ISLAND”
Dervis Eroglu, leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) National Unity Party (UBP), yesterday met with TRNC President Rauf Denktas to discuss the formation of a new post-election government. Speaking afterwards, Eroglu said that they were working to form a government which would defend the rights of both the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish nation, adding that he hoped the new government would work for permanent peace on the island. “Disagreement between the parties over the United Nations Cyprus plan can be overcome through negotiations,” he said, pointing out that the UN plan was still on the table. Eroglu is expected to soon visit Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat to discuss recent developments on the island. “We need to talk about the UN plan,” he said, but added that he still had some reservations about it. /Aksam/

DP LEADER DENKTAS: “IF THE UBP AND CTP FORM A TRNC GOVERNMENT, WE WILL SUPPORT IT”
Serdar Denktas, leader of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) Democratic Party (DP), was received yesterday by TRNC President Rauf Denktas to discuss the formation of a new post-election government. Speaking afterwards, the DP leader said that if the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) were to form a coalition government, then his party would support this unconditionally. “But if Republican Turkish Party [CTP] leader Mehmet Ali Talat becomes prime minister, then I would prefer that my party be in the opposition,” said the DP leader. /Aksam/

US’ WESTON TO MEET WITH ANNAN
According to Greek media reports, US Special Cyprus Envoy Thomas Weston is set soon to meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss possible ways to resume Cyprus peace talks in line with the UN plan for the island. Weston is reportedly planning to brief Annan on his recent visits to Athens, Lefkosa and Ankara. /Star/

IBDA-C REPORTEDLY ADDED TO EU TERROR LIST
Fundamentalist terrorist group the IBDA-C (Islamist Great Eastern Raiders-Front) has been added to the European Union’s official list of terrorist organizations, diplomatic sources stated yesterday. The move was reportedly approved by EU terrorism analysts who periodically revise the list. The sources added that the EU, which had previously refused to include the IBDA/C on its list despite Ankara’s urgings, changed its mind after the group claimed responsibility for Istanbul attacks last month which claimed the lives of 62 people. The revised list is due to be released today. /Cumhuriyet/