SEZER, ARINC ISSUE MESSAGES MARKING NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday issued a message marking Nevruz, saying that people should act with common sense during this week's celebrations, which should be held in accordance with the occasion's true meaning. Stressing that people harboring bad intentions should be resisted, Sezer stated that he called on everyone to act with common sense without being swayed by provocations, and to contribute to social peace by holding back those who seek to sow discrimination. Also marking the day in a written message, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that Nevruz, which marks the first day of spring, is celebrated as the spring advent across a wide region. "Nevruz should be celebrated with maturity," added Arinc. "It should promote the unity of our nation, not discrimination and conflict." /Milliyet-Turkiye/

PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES CULTURAL GROUP DELEGATION
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday met with Fermani Altun, head of cultural group the World Ehl-i Beyt Foundation, and an accompanying delegation. During the meeting, the foundation members gave an award to Sezer in recognition of his contributions to Turkey, saying that they want the next president to protect secularism and social values, just like Sezer. For his part, Sezer said that there was no need for worry, adding that he believes a person who deserves the post will be elected president in May. He further stressed that there was no need for pessimism about Turkey's future. /Sabah/

ERDOGAN: "THE FIRE OF NEVRUZ SYMBOLIZES THE CANDLE OF FRIENDSHIP"
Speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday called on everybody to act with common sense during this week's Nevruz celebrations. "The fire of Nevruz doesn't symbolize hatred or rage in people's hearts, but rather the candle of friendship, brotherhood and love," he said. "We share the pride of having a nation, flag and republic together. We 73 million Turkish people are proud to be citizens of this state. Those who try to darken our cheerful day are unable to do harm to this spirit of fellowship." In related news, Erdogan delivered a speech at a meeting of the Marmara Group and gave warnings about the European Union. /Star/

EGYPT'S MUBARAK TO VISIT ANKARA
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will visit Ankara tomorrow as the guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Turkish-Egyptian relations, recent developments in Iraq and Palestine, and an oil exploration agreement between the Greek Cypriots and Egypt will be discussed during Mubarak's visit. /Cumhuriyet/

BAYKAL URGES COMMON SENSE DURING NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONS
Speaking at his party's group meeting yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that people should act with common sense during this week's Nevruz celebrations. Stressing that in recent years some have tried to fill Nevruz with tension and fear, Baykal stated that everyone should try to eliminate this mentality. "No one has the right to sow conflict among us," added Baykal. "The nation will foil these plots." /Turkiye/

AGAR: "SOME PEOPLE ARE SEEKING TO BENEFIT FROM TENSION BEFORE MAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION"
Speaking at a union meeting yesterday, opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar commented on this year's general elections, saying that the nation would change the ruling party through democratic means. "No one should try to force democracy or act against it," said Agar, adding that the nation's difficulties would be overcome through unity. Agar further stated that there were some who would like to benefit from tension before the presidential election set for May. /Milliyet/

TALAT SAYS PAPADOPOULOS BLOCKING PROGRESS ON DIRECT TRADE BETWEEN TURKISH CYPRUS, THE EU
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said that through using "manipulations," Greek Cypriot administration leader Tassos Papadopoulos was blocking any possible progress on direct trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the European Union. Talat stated that a deadline given by former UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari to Cypriot leaders for holding a "stock-taking meeting" is about to expire. He further called for an immediate start to preliminary talks aimed at paving the way for negotiations on reuniting Cyprus under a UN-brokered agreement that has been delayed for months. /Turkiye/

TURKEY LAYS GROUNDWORK TO HOST WORLD WATER FORUM
Delegates from 50 countries met in Istanbul yesterday to work on the agenda of the next World Water Forum on how to best manage the Earth's water resources. Turkey, which will host the next forum in March 2009, is taking over the chairmanship of the conference from Mexico, which hosted the forum last year. /The New Anatolian/