BUSH PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMY
United States President George W. Bush yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Ali Babacan and Kursad Tuzmen as well as Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul at a luncheon held in honor of the Turkish visitors at the White House. Among the American participants were Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. “We were much more concerned about the Turkish economy before, however, we’re now satisfied with the recent achievements that the Turkish government reached,” said Bush. “Our concerns are over now. The Turkish economy has overcome the problems. Now, we believe that it’s on the right track.” Bush’s words have satisfied the Turkish delegation, and Erdogan requested the US president to continue supporting the Turkish economy. Meanwhile, Premier Erdogan also met with Secretary of Treasury John Snow, and State Minister Babacan accompanied him at this gathering. /Hurriyet/

GUL MEETS WITH POWELL
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with his US counterpart Colin Powell in Washington. Following their meeting, Powell told reporters that he had thanked Gul for Ankara’s support to the US in Iraq and its role in the region as well as Turkish government’s recent initiatives on the Cyprus issue. Stressing that they discussed recent developments on the Cyprus issue, Powell said that the US administration was ready to give support to the sides for a settlement. On the Iraq issue, Powel stated that Iraq’s natural resources should belong to central government and that he shared Turkey’s concern regarding the presence of the PKK in northern Iraq. Meanwhile, diplomatic circles stated that the US expects Cyprus talks to begin on Feb. 9. /Turkiye/

US DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY: “PKK WILL BE EXPELLED FROM NORTHERN IRAQ”
US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said yesterday that terrorist organization PKK would be expelled from northern Iraq, adding that it was only a matter of time. Speaking to CNN Turk, Wolfowitz stated that the PKK would be accepted as a terrorist organization by the US administration even if it changes its name. Stressing that Turkish-US relations enjoying a new period, Wolfowitz said, “Previously, our strategic partnership based on military cooperation only, but now it will be based on democracy.” He said that a democratic Turkey had a very important role in US’ Middle East policy. Commenting on the Cyprus issue, the deputy secretary said that Ankara had made great initiatives on the matter and thanks to them; a settlement seemed to be possible in a short time. On the Iraq issue, he said, “There will be no any ethnical or religious federation in Iraq, but rather a geographical one.” Wolfowitz added that his administration was in a full compromise with Turkish officials on this topic. /Turkiye/

US SENATOR: “ERDOGAN REPRESENTS A COUNTRY WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US”
United States Oregon Senator Gordon Smith said yesterday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in the US for an official visit, represented a country which was very important for the US. Smith emphasized cooperation between the two countries in their fight against terrorism. “Turkey supported the US in Afghanistan and conducted the peace keeping force for seven months,” said Smith, adding that Turkey also supported the US in Iraq and provided humanitarian aid to the Iraqis. Touching on Erdogan’s visit, Smith added he hoped that Erdogan’s visit would contribute to the Turkish-US relations. /Turkiye/

BABACAN: “WE HAD VERY FRUITFUL MEETINGS WITH US OFFICIALS”
Commenting on the current visit of the Turkish delegation headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the US, State Minister Ali Babacan said that they had very fruitful meetings. Pointing to their meetings with President George W. Bush, Treasury Secretary John Snow, World Bank President James Wolfenson and IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler, Babacan said that they had all expressed their pleasure regarding developments in Turkish economy. He stressed that he asked US officials to carry out more investment in Turkey, further develop the trade relations and especially hold economic cooperation in Iraq. /Turkiye/

IMF’S KOHLER: “TURKEY WILL BENEFIT FROM ERDOGAN’S COMPETENT LEADERSHIP”
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Kohler yesterday said that he congratulated Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Turkish economy's successful performance. Stating that Erdogan was a very good leader, Kohler said the Turkish people would benefit from his competent leadership. “"I had a very positive meeting with the prime minister,” added the IMF director. “We touched on many issues. I congratulated him on Turkey’s good economic performance in 2003. Significant growth, low inflation and interest rate targets were achieved and that was the result of the Turkish economy team's hard work.” He also requested Ankara to continue pursuing its successful policies, remaining committed to the economic program. Kohler and World Bank President James Wolfenshon are scheduled to visit Istanbul to attend the “Investor’ Council” on March 15, during which Ankara is expected to tell its latest efforts exerted to regulate foreign investments. Many foreign investors are invited to the gathering where the Turkish economy is to be promoted. /Hurriyet/

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S DUTCH DEPUTY PRESENTS TURKEY REPORT TO THE PARLIAMENT
European Parliament’s Dutch Deputy Arie Oostlander yesterday presented a report to the Parliament on Turkey, which stated that Turkey had taken courageous steps to fulfill the European Union’s Copenhagen criteria for its EU bid, but added that further steps needed to be taken. The report also stated that implementation of reforms were also very important. Touching on the Cyprus issue, the report stated that a resolution on the island was very important for Turkish-EU relations. The report further criticized the EU for not supporting Turkey in its fight against terrorism. /Sabah/

PAPADOPOULOS: “NEGOTIATIONS ON THE ISLAND SHOULD BEGIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”
Greek Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday met with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss the Cyprus issue. Speaking afterwards, Papadopoulos said that negotiations should begin as soon as possible. “We aren’t against holding a referendum, but its timing is important for us,” he said. The EU officials called Papadopoulos’s statements “positive,” adding that both sides on the island were expected to take concrete steps for a resolution. In related news, the United States administration praised Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue, adding that it was pleasant. /Milliyet/

KAZAKH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SEZER
Kazakh Ambassador to Turkey Amanzhol Kazbekuly Zhankuliev yesterday met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and presented credentials to him. Sezer later received Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. /Milliyet/

FIRST LADIES MEET AT THE WHITE HOUSE
First Ladies Laura Bush and Emine Erdogan yesterday met in a tea gathering at the White House. The wives of the ministers accompanying Erdogan also attended the meeting, where the ladies discussed the values of family, the education of children and the role of religion on family. Meanwhile, President Bush also participated into the gathering for 15 minutes. /Sabah/

LEFT-WING PARTIES JOIN FORCES FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS
Socialist People Party (SHP) Chairman Murat Karayalcin yesterday told a press conference that members of the left-wing parties, including Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP), Labor Party (EMEP), SHP, Freedom and Democracy Party (ODP), Socialist Democracy Party (DP) and Free Turkey Party (OTP) decided to form an alliance for the upcoming local elections, which are to take place on March 28. Karayalcin said that the left-wing parties had reached an alliance deal by preserving their identities as well as their differences. /Turkish Daily News/