NEW IRAQI INTERIM CONSTITUTION ALLOWS LIMITED KURDISH SELF-RULE, LEAVES TURKMEN DISSATISFIED
Iraq’s Governing Council yesterday approved an interim constitution which reportedly says that Islam will be “a source” for legislation, provides equal rights for men and women, and recognizes Kurdish regional authority in northern Iraq unless it challenges the nation’s interests. The interim constitution, an important landmark for a democratic regime in a nation which lived for decades under dictatorship, is due to be formally unveiled on Wednesday after the Shiite holiday of Ashoura. Under the agreement, the council reportedly named Islam the official state religion and enshrined its status as “a source” for legislation. After a furious debate over federalism, the regional authority of the Kurds, who have had self-rule in northern provinces of Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War, was also reportedly recognized, but the agreement added that they must cede to the federal government any national ambitions. The Kurdish language was named an official language along with Arabic. The council agreed that Iraq would have a president along with two deputies, a prime minister and a cabinet. The interim document also reportedly advances women's rights, another touchy issue among conservative Muslims, by giving women a guaranteed membership quota in the national assembly of 25 percent. According to sources, Iraqi Turkmen groups are dissatisfied with the interim document and in particular are criticizing the Governing Council for allowing the continued existence of armed Kurdish peshmerga units. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated that Ankara was closely following the latest developments in Iraq, reiterating that the council must be very careful to protect the rights of each and every ethnic group. /Sabah-Turkiye/

ERDOGAN CAMPAIGNS IN BOLU, ZONGULDAK
Stumping for his party ahead of March 28 local elections, Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday sought voters’ support in rallies in the northern cities of Bolu and Zonguldak. Erdogan said that in 1994, when he was elected mayor of Istanbul, the city had faced a host of problems such as water shortages, but that he had solved these while in office. Later, appearing on television, Erdogan charged that the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was “exploiting” the republic. /Milliyet/

BAYKAL CRITICIZES AKP’S CYPRUS POLICY
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Baykal criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) policy on Cyprus, adding that the nation was facing negative economic developments. Touching on the political immunity issue, Baykal charged that the AKP had failed to keep its promise to end the practice. “The CHP is the only party which is protecting the republic,” said Baykal. In related news, CHP Secretary-General Onder Sav yesterday denied that there was any tension regarding the party’s mayoral candidates for the March 28 local elections, adding that small differences of opinion within the party were normal. /Milliyet/

IRAQI TURKMEN LEADERS CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL HELP IN KEEPING THE PEACE
Iraq’s Turkmen leaders yesterday called for international help in keeping the peace in Kirkuk, a key northern Iraqi city where ethnic tensions between Kurds and Turkmens have lately been on the rise. According to sources, the Kirkuk branch of the Iraqi Turkmen Front was recently attacked by scores of Kurds. Witnesses said the attackers ripped apart Turkmen and Iraqi flags and vandalized Turkmen-owned shops, injuring two people in the process. “We demand that the United Nations, the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference send peacekeeping forces to maintain security in Kirkuk and prevent incidents which may lead to civil war,” said Saad al-Din Arkij, a Kirkuk Turkmen leader. Meanwhile, Arif Qurbani, a Kurdish official from the Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK), said that no political parties were involved in the violence. “We condemn any acts that seek to undermine the security situation in Kirkuk,” he added. /Star/

COX: “TURKEY SHOULD CONTINUE ITS REFORMS”
Pat Cox, the first ever president of the European Parliament to visit Turkey, yesterday met with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. Following their meeting, Cox praised Turkey’s recent reforms, saying, “I want to encourage the parliamentarians on the reforms, as they are good for both Turkey and its European Union membership bid.” Commenting on the new Cyprus negotiations, Cox said the talks represented a “unique and unparalleled” opportunity for both sides on the island to find a settlement. “My strong appeal is to both leaderships: please have the courage and wisdom to succeed," said the EU head. He added that the EU wanted the island to enter the Union united. Today, Cox is expected to address the Parliament. /Turkiye/

CYPRUS TALKS CONTINUE AMID US ENVOY’S VISIT
As part of the ongoing talks over Cyprus, Turkish and Greek Cypriot delegations headed by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cyprus leader Tassos Papadopulos respectively, met yesterday on the island. After their meeting, Denktas told reporters that he had presented the Turkish side’s requested changes to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus plan. “They rejected all of our demands on sovereignty and biozonality,” said Denktas. The talks are set to continue today. Meanwhile, US State Department Special Cyprus Envoy Thomas Weston yesterday held a series of meetings on the island with both Greek Cypriot and TRNC leaders. Weston said that he expected the talks would bear fruit by May 1, when Greek Cyprus is set to join the European Union. /Turkiye/

TUZMEN: “A BETTER SITUATION WILL PUSH UP OUR EXPORTS”
In a press conference yesterday to promote exports from all of Turkey’s 81 provinces, State Minister for the Economy Kursat Tuzmen said that an improved global economic situation promised to improve the nation’s trade balance this year. He stated that state officials were trying to reduce energy and other input costs for exporters, adding that in 2003 Turkey’s exports had exceeded $50 billion and that year-to-date exports were already nearing the $4 billion mark. /Aksam/

BRITISH MUSEUM PUTS WEEKLONG “FOCUS ON TURKEY”
Starting next Thursday, London's famed British Museum is set to sponsor a week of special exhibits and events to put the "Focus on Turkey." Among the events, scheduled for March 11-18 and organized in association with London's Turkish Embassy, will be a screening of Tolga Ornek's acclaimed 2003 documentary "The Hittites.” "To mark its long-running and continuing interest in Turkey, the British Museum is organizing a series of special events focusing on Turkish history and culture," says the museum’s website. "Artists, museum curators and British and Turkish experts will all be contributing to an exciting programme that is set to include gallery talks, a film screening, a creative workshop and a study day." For more information, visit http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/. /Turkiye/