DENKTAS GIVES CTP LEADER TALAT MANDATE TO ESTABLISH TRNC GOVERNMENT
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas yesterday gave Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, whose party won 25 seats in the 50-seat Parliament, the mandate to establish a new TRNC government. Speaking after meeting with the president, Talat said that Denktas wanted him to form a broad-based government, adding that he would negotiate with Ankara try to do so as soon as possible. Talat is set to meet with other TRNC party leaders in a few days to discuss the new government’s composition. Touching on the future of the island, Talat stated that his party wanted a resolution to be reached within the framework of the United Nations’ plan. “We won’t wait for 15 days [the duration of the mandate] to establish a government,” he said. “If we can’t reach an agreement with the other party leaders, then I would return the mandate to Denktas, so as not to lose any time.” /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN, OZKOK DISCUSS CYPRUS ISSUE, NEW TRNC GOVERNMENT
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During their one-and-a-half-hour meeting, recent developments in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were taken up. Commenting on TRNC Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat’s being given the mandate to establish a new Turkish Cypriot government, Erdogan said, “There’s no time to lose to form a new government. I wish him all success.” /Turkiye/
CABINET DISCUSSES NEW TRNC GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN MINISTRY CYPRUS PLAN
The Cabinet yesterday discussed a number of issues, including the formation of a new government in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and a new Cyprus plan prepared by the Foreign Ministry within the framework of the UN plan. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul briefed Cabinet members on the new plan, under which the number of Turkish soldiers on the island would be reduced to 6,000. Speaking after the meeting, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that Ankara hoped a new era would soon begin on the island, as the Cyprus issue was a sensitive national issue. /Cumhuriyet/
DENKTAS: “I WANT A BROAD-BASED TRNC GOVERNMENT INCLUDING ALL PARTIES”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, who yesterday gave Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat the mandate to form a new TRNC government, said that Talat should accomplish this task within 15 days or return the assignment. Denktas said that he wanted a broad-based government to be formed by all four parties in Parliament, adding that he believed Ankara shared the same goal. /Turkiye/
GOVERNMENT, MILITARY SUMMIT ON CYPRUS TO BE HELD THIS WEEK
A government-military summit on Cyprus is expected to be held this week. Under the President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s chairmanship, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok are expected to discuss the formation of a new government in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and a new Cyprus plan prepared by the Foreign Ministry. /Turkiye/
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM BILL SENT TO PARLIAMENT
The government yesterday sent a bill to Parliament proposing sweeping reforms to the nation’s public administration. At a press conference, State Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said that the 51-article bill proposed greater participation and transparency as well as improved focus on human rights and freedom. “Both central and local administrations’ duties and responsibilities have been redefined in order to deliver services more fairly, rapidly, effectively and efficiently, as well as with high quality,” said Sahin. He added that the number of state ministers would be cut from 20 to eight and that a maximum of three would be made deputy prime ministers. /Turkiye/
DIE WELT: “MUSHARRAF TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THE TURKISH MODEL”
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is drawing inspiration for developing his nation from Turkey’s example, wrote German daily Die Welt this week. “Musharraf wants to develop his country by using Turkey as a model,” said a Die Welt editorial. “For this reason, he is investing in education and infrastructure.” Stressing that Musharraf modeled himself after the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the newspaper said that in the aftermath of World War I, the military was an important component of the administration of both Turkey and Pakistan. /Turkiye/
NEW NATO EXCELLENCE CENTER TO BE ESTABLISHED IN TURKEY
NATO yesterday decided that one of its key “Centers of Excellence” designed to play a major role in the alliance’s war on global terrorism is to be established in Turkey. Diplomatic sources evaluated this decision as a historic one, proving the importance of longtime member Turkey as a “frontline country” in the international community. /Hurriyet/
REJECTING “FEDERAL” PLAN, ARAB LEAGUE HEAD BACKS IRAQ’S UNITY
Recently disclosed Iraqi Kurdish plans to establish a federal-type administration in Iraq have drawn negative reactions in the Arab world as well as Ankara. After meeting yesterday with Iraqi Turkmen Front leader Faruk Abdullah Abdurrahman, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa said, “We reject any view that fails to embrace Iraq’s political unity and territorial integrity.” Stressing that all members of Iraqi society should jointly set the course of the nation’s future, Musa pointed to the continuation of Iraq’s Arab League membership. /Turkiye/
AKBANK: “WE’LL LINK TURKISH FIRMS TO THE IRAQI MARKET”
Akbank will form a bridge between Turkish firms and the Iraqi market, the bank’s Deputy Director General Eyup Engin announced yesterday. Akbank is the only Turkish bank in the international consortium currently operating the Trade Bank of Iraq, which was created in July by the US-led authorities in Baghdad. Engin yesterday told the press about Akbank’s plans for Iraq. “Akbank will inform Turkish firms about bids for Iraq’s reconstruction,” said Engin. “It will also provide these firms with loans and all other necessary banking services.” /Hurriyet/