ERDOGAN: "TURKEY SHOULD CONDUCT A CROSS-BORDER OPERATION TO PROTECT THE PEACE"
Stating that Turkey should conduct a military operation in northern Iraq to protect the peace, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said, "We cannot think differently about this issue than the Turkish military." Erdogan also stated that if the military seeks authorization for an operation, he would definitely give it legal support. Speaking to ATV, Erdogan said, "We do whatever is necessary for the peace and well-being of our country. Whatever should be done, either across the border or within our country, will be done. We have already made preliminary preparations. The steps will be taken whenever they are necessary." Also speaking about Tuesday's deadly bomb attack in Ankara, Erdogan said, "Precautions are now being taken throughout Turkey." /Cumhuriyet/
SECURITY SUMMIT GATHERS IN ANKARA
A security summit chaired by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was held yesterday at the Prime Ministry. Also attending were Deputy Prime Ministers Abdullatif Sener and Mehmet Ali Sahin, Interior Minister Osman Gunes, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ergin Saygun, Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner, National Intelligence Agency (MIT) Undersecretary Emre Taner, Security Directorate General head Oguz Kagan and Ankara Governor Kemal Onal. /Hurriyet/
BOMB ATTACK CONDEMNED BY TOP LEADERS
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday condemned the explosion in Ankara's Ulus district, saying "Now is the time for unity, not for pointing fingers with political arguments." Asked by reporters whether he had been a target of the bombing, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said that he had no such knowledge. In related news, Buyukanit discussed the attack with Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug and Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner. Opposition Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer said that no one could ever damage the nation's unity. /Aksam/
ERDOGAN MEETS WITH TUSIAD
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with representatives of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD). Erdogan began by condemning Tuesday's bomb attack in Ankara. Erdogan also criticized a recent top court ruling annulling the first round of the presidential election, saying, "The Constitutional Court made a decision. We have to respect it, but we can discuss it. It's a decision that has already been made, and its authors will be judged by history." He also criticized President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's handling of a recent constitutional amendment package. TUSIAD Chairwoman Arzuhan Yalcindag also condemned the deadly bomb attack, saying, "The best answer to terrorist attacks would be a quick return to normal daily life." Addressing proposals to change the presidential election system, she said, "Preparations for popular election of the president are being rushed. We believe that the issue should have a wider political discussion." /Star/
INTL LEADERS CONDEMN TERRORIST ATTACK
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack yesterday spoke on the deadly bomb attack in Ankara's Ulus district, saying, "We reach out in sympathy and solidarity to the victims of this heinous crime and stand ready to provide every possible assistance." He added that the United States commiserates with people who lost their loved ones in the explosion. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Scheffer also released a statement condemning the attack, adding that the world stood in solidarity with the Turkish nation. European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said that the EU would stand by Turkey in its efforts to combat terrorism. Council of Europe (CoE) Secretary-General Terry Davis branded the bombing's perpetrators "murderers" no matter their aim. British Prime Minister Tony Blair called the attack "mean and fearful." /Cumhuriyet/
PUTIN SENDS CONDOLENCES TO ERDOGAN
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday sent a message of condolences to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over Tuesday's deadly bomb attack in Ankara. In his message, Putin said that the incident again demonstrated that international efforts against terrorism need to be strengthened. /Aksam/
TURKISH DELEGATION TO VISIT IRAQ THIS WEEKEND
In the wake of Turkey's bomb attack in Ankara, which bore the hallmarks of a PKK attack, there is renewed focus on the continued terrorist PKK presence in northern Iraq. A delegation from the Foreign Ministry led by Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq Oguz Celikkol will travel to Baghdad this weekend and urge the Iraqi government to end the PKK presence in the country. The delegation is expected to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. /Milliyet/