ERDOGAN: “THE TURKISH SIDE SHOULDN’T LEAVE THE CYPRUS NEGOTIATING TABLE”
Speaking at a breakfast meeting yesterday with media and newspaper representatives, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he wanted a resolution for Cyprus reached by May, when its Greek Cypriot side is scheduled to join the European Union. “Reaching a resolution by May is very important, since it would mean international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC],” said the premier. Erdogan further stressed the importance of such issues as accepting the existence of two equal states on the island and Turkey’s continued status as a guarantor state for Cyprus. “If we come to terms on these, then we can easily reach agreements on other issues,” said Erdogan, adding that it would be better if Cyprus’ two sides reached a resolution alone without the need for intervention from Ankara or Athens. “The Turkish side shouldn’t be the side which leaves the negotiating table,” he said. Erdogan also reiterated his call for media restraint in reporting on the Cyprus negotiating process in order not to damage it. /Aksam/

GUL, RUSSIA’S IVANOV VOW TO COOPERATE IN ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently paying an official visit to Moscow, said yesterday that terrorist acts which target innocents could only be tackled through broad-based international cooperation. At a joint press conference alongside Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Gul stated that the fight against terrorism was the most important item on the international community’s agenda. For his part, Ivanov said, “Both of our countries know very well what the international fight against terrorism means.” The two ministers also signed a number of bilateral agreements. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN BEGINS AKP’S LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN ANATOLIA
In the kickoff to his party’s campaign for March local elections, Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday touted his government’s success in the central Anatolian city of Nigde. Stressing that his administration had reduced inflation from 29% to 19%, Erdogan told a crowd of citizens that the eventual goal was12 %. The prime minister also vowed not to increase the prices of basic needs or electricity, adding that the fight against corruption would continue. “We won’t allow some to reap illicit rewards,” said Erdogan. /Turkiye/

EMINE ERDOGAN CALLS ON WOMEN TO ENTER POLITICS
Speaking yesterday at a conference in Istanbul entitled “Woman and Politics,” Emine Erdogan, the wife of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that women are inevitable participants in politics as in life. “Our women have to undertake responsibilities in politics just as they have at home,” said Erdogan. Commenting on the number of candidates fielded by her husband’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for upcoming local elections, Erdogan called the number regrettably inadequate, adding that the prime minister felt the same way. /Cumhuriyet/

DE SOTO: “THERE’S STILL TIME FOR A RESOLUTION”
UN Special Cyprus Envoy Alvaro de Soto said yesterday that he was working harmoniously with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas during the current negotiating process. He declined to give any details about the fresh round of talks ahead of May’s scheduled Greek Cypriot EU accession, but added that there was still time to reach a resolution. In related news, Denktas is expected to meet with Greek Cyprus leader Tassos Papadopoulos today. /Aksam/

TALAT BLAMES GREEK CYPRIOTS FOR DELAY IN TALKS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday complained that the Greek Cypriot side was purposefully delaying talks for a resolution on the island. “The Greek side is blocking a solution and trying to slow down the talks,” said Talat. TRNC President Rauf Denktas said yesterday that Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos had delayed the talks in order to study TRNC-proposed changes to the UN plan. Denktas met with UN Cyprus Envoy Alvaro de Soto after the break in the talks began. /Hurriyet/

EU’S GREEK CYPRUS REP: “IF NO RESOLUTION IS REACHED BY MAY, THE EU WON’T SUPPORT TURKEY’S EU BID”
Leopold Maurer, the European Union’s representative in Greek Cyprus, warned yesterday that the EU wouldn’t support Turkey’s membership bid if the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cyprus fail to reach a resolution for the island by May. “The negotiations’ outcome will determine Turkey’s EU bid,” he said. Maurer further claimed that in the absence of a resolution, the European Commission would not give a positive report on Turkey this fall ahead of December’s pivotal EU summit for Ankara’s candidacy. Greek Cyprus is due to join the Union on May 1. A resolution on Cyprus is not among the EU’s official Copenhagen criteria for accession. /Cumhuriyet/

PRESS GROUPS REJECT CALL FOR “SELF-CENSORSHIP” IN CYPRUS COVERAGE
Two prominent press groups yesterday rejected Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call for media “self-censorship” in their coverage of the current Cyprus talks. “We would like to stress that Erdogan’s call for restraint in the Cyprus talks is contradictory,” said Dogan Heper, deputy chairman of the Press Council. The Turkish Journalists’ Association voiced a similar reaction, saying, in the words of Chairman Orhan Erinc, “We think that Erdogan’s statements went too far.” The premier had said that the media should exercise restraint and “censor itself” so as not to damage the negotiation process. /Hurriyet/

IMF DELEGATION DUE IN TURKEY TODAY
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund led by Turkey Desk Chief Riza Moghadam is set to arrive in Turkey today to complete the seventh review of Ankara’s IMF-supported economic program. The delegation is expected to hold a series of contacts with representatives from finance and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Istanbul and then proceed to the capital. During the meetings, minimum wage and pensions increases and how to ensure sufficient additional resources will be discussed. If a Letter of Intent prepared by the delegation is approved by the IMF Executive Board, then a tranche of $500 million will be extended to Turkey. /Turkiye/

CB HEAD: “INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION REMAIN TOO HIGH”
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti cautioned yesterday that interest rates needed to be reduced further, since they remain too high. “Our International Monetary Fund-supported economic program should continue to be fully implemented,” added Serdengecti. Touching on inflation, the CB head stated that inflation too was also overly high but that single-digit inflation would be achievable next year. The 2004 inflation target is 12%. Serdengecti also urged the government not to pursue populist policies in a bid to attract votes in local elections scheduled for March 28. /Milliyet/