CHIEF OF STAFF BUYUKANIT: "ANY CROSS-BORDER OPERATION WOULD NEED A POLITICAL DIRECTIVE"
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit stated yesterday that any cross-border operations would need a political directive to proceed. Asked by reporters about the possibility of a cross-border operation, Buyukanit said, "We need political directives," adding, "Turkish soldiers aren't bullies. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has principles. The country has interests. We are people who know what to do to." Responding to an Associated Press story claiming the Turkish army had entered northern Iraq, Buyukanit said that he believed such false reports were intentional. /Hurriyet/
BAYKAL: "WE DON'T WANT A WAR IN IRAQ, WE'RE PURSUING OUR RIGHTS"
In an interview with Aksam daily, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday addressed reports of military activity in the region bordering northern Iraq as well as domestic policy, the economy, foreign policy and the presidential election to be held after next month's general elections. "The Turkish Armed Forces making the border area of a `Temporary Military Security Region' by (TSK) isn't a state of emergency, it's related to the geography," said Baykal. "We want it to be understood that we're determined. International law doesn't accept support for terrorism. Its Turkey's right to demand this [ends]. In the past, we pursued our just cause against Syria with determination [in 1998, when it was harboring terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan]. It is understood that the military has such a need, made a claim and the demand was met. The military says `Allow us, we're making preparations here'." /Aksam/
CASEY: "THE US WILL DO ITS BEST TO COUNTER THE PKK"
US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said yesterday that the US wanted to do its best to help Turkey and Iraq in the fight against the terrorist PKK. Speaking at a press conference, Casey denied claims that Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani said that he wouldn't fight the PKK in northern Iraq. Casey statd that Barzani and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani had promised to work with the US and the Turkish government in the fight against terrorist PKK. /Sabah/
PENTAGON: "THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A CROSS-BORDER OPERATION"
There is no indication that Turkey has conducted or is preparing to conduct a cross-border operation into northern Iraq, said a senior Pentagon official yesterday. Brig. Gen. Perry Wiggins, deputy director for regional operations, added that Turkey was a US partner in the global war against terrorism. /Turkiye/
ITALIAN FM TO VISIT TURKEY
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema will visit Turkey next Tuesday and Wednesday. During his visit, D'Alema will meet with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and hold contacts with other high-level officials. The two top diplomats are expected to discuss issues such as bilateral political, economic and cultural relations as well as Turkey's European Union bid, Cyprus, and other regional and international issues. /Cumhuriyet/
SCORES OF WORLD CEOS TO ATTEND INVESTMENT COUNCIL MEETING
The fourth meeting of the Turkish Investment Consultancy Council will be held in Istanbul on Monday as chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Expected at the meeting are International Monetary Fund First Deputy Chairman John Lipsky, World Bank Regional Deputy Director Shiegeo Katsu, top officials of international institutions, and the heads of the Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) and the International Investors Association (YASED). Over 20 multinational companies will represent 11 countries and 12 different sectors during the meting. /Turkiye/