ERDOGAN TO VISIT SYRIA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to travel to Syria today to attend the opening ceremony of Aleppo Stadium. Before the ceremony, Erdogan will meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad at a luncheon in his honor. Then Erdogan, Assad and Premier Naji Otri are expected to watch a friendly soccer match between Turkey's Fenerbahce and Syria's Al Ittihat at the new stadium. /Turkiye/
TURKISH POLICE CELEBRATES 162ND ANNIVERSARY
Marking the 162nd anniversary of the police organization, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received a delegation including Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Security Director General Oguz Kagan Koksal and other top security officials. Pointing to the police organization's prestigious and very special importance among the public, Erdogan expressed the nation's gratitude for the members of the organization, who put their lives at risk every day to keep the public safe. The premier also called on members of the security forces not to damage their positive image by acting improperly. /Cumhuriyet/
FM GUL TO VISIT GERMANY
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will go to Germany today and hold a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier. After the meeting, Gul will attend a dinner given by Steinmeier in his honor and tomorrow will proceed to Cologne to hold a press conference for the promotion of a new Turkish e-consulate. Gul will return to Turkey after meeting with representatives of Turkish non-governmental organizations. /Star/
KUWAITI PREMIER DUE IN ANKARA TODAY
Kuwaiti Prime Minister Nasir al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah will arrive in Ankara today at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After a meeting between the two premiers, al-Sabah is also expected to be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN TO MEET WITH PARTY MEMBERS TO SOUND THEM OUT ON PRESIDENTIAL RUN
In the runup to next month's presidential election, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to meet with his Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies in groups and convene the party's Central Executive Board (MGK) next week to exchange views on his possible run for Turkey's top post. The premier is also expected to meet with AKP's provincial leaders and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) before announcing his decision on the matter latter this month. /Sabah/
ANAVATAN'S DEPUTY ABUSOGLU DIES
Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) Deputy Group Chairman and Gaziantep Deputy Omer Abusoglu died yesterday at the age of 56 due to a car accident. Abusoglu will be laid to rest in Gaziantep today. ANAVATAN leader Erkan Mumcu and fellow deputies are expected to attend the funeral. In related news, ANAVATAN has lost its group in Parliament, as it has only 19 seats now due to the death of Abusoglu. Parliament thereby returned its two-party structure, as following the Nov. 3, 2002 elections. /Turkiye/
TURKEY TO ASSUME COMMAND IN KABUL
This Saturday Turkey will assume the regional command mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, which rotates between Turkey, France and Italy. A handover ceremony will take place on Friday in Kabul. Gen. Kasim Erden will undertake the regional command for eight months. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will hand over the mission to Italy on Dec. 6. /Star/
GERMAN GREENS SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU BID
German Greens Party deputies yesterday criticized Turkey not being invited to last month's celebrations in Berlin marking the 50th anniversary of the European Union. Greens Party spokesperson on European Affairs Rainder Steenblock, along with Deputies Ekin Deligoz, Silke Stokar and Silvia Uplegger met with, from Turkey's Parliament, European Union Harmonization Commission head Yasar Yakis, Foreign Affairs Commission Head Mehmet Dulger and Internal Affairs Commission Head Ziyaettin Akbulut. Stating that they support Turkey's EU membership, Steenblock said, "We approach Turkey's EU bid with sympathy and are making efforts for its integration with the EU. We're here to learn how the integration process will continue and what kind of new steps have been taken recently for the EU." Yakis, for his part said, "We don't want to discriminate by saying that those who are against Turkey's EU entry are our enemies, and those who support us are our friends. We consider all Germans friends." /Milliyet/