ERDOGAN: "WASHINGTON AND BAGHDAD SHOULD TAKE STEPS AGAINST THE TERRORIST PKK IN NORTHERN IRAQ"
Speaking yesterday to Reuters, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Washington and Baghdad need to take steps against the terrorist PKK in northern Iraq, adding that Ankara would take steps if necessary. "We are continuing discussions with the (Turkish) Armed Forces (TSK)," he said during a campaign visit to Agri ahead of next month's elections. "If needed we will take the necessary steps (for a cross-border operation into northern Iraq) because we cannot allow the PKK to carry out attacks any longer." Asked whether he believed Iraqi and US officials would honor promises to combat the PKK, Erdogan said, "I wish to remain positive." /Turkiye/
NSC: "WE WILL FIGHT TERRORISM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES"
The National Security Council (NSC) convened yesterday under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Cabinet ministers and other military commanders also attended. During the three-plus hour meeting, a possible cross-border operation against terrorist PKK camps in northern Iraq and buffer zone options were discussed. "Attacks against our unity were evaluated in detail, and we resolved to continue counter-terrorism measures with the nation's support," said an official statement after the meeting. "All measures against terrorism will continue to be implemented under any circumstances." The statement also said that recent developments concerning Cyprus had been discussed, adding, "The isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is unacceptable, and Turkey will continue its support for the TRNC." /Star/
ERDOGAN, GUL TO VISIT GENERAL STAFF
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will visit the General Staff office today. There they will be briefed on terrorism, and especially the recent state of domestic security operations and claims that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) lacks equipment effective in countering terrorist PKK mines. Erdogan and Gul will also be told about anti-PKK operations since the beginning of spring. /Sabah/
BAYKAL TOUTS CHP ELECTION PROGRAM
Alongside fellow party officials, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday released "CHP Compass '07," his party's election program. Stating that they consider themselves a "national team" and the July 22 general elections a "national match," Baykal said that they would like to serve the country with a "national team spirit." Pledging better education and healthcare and more prosperity throughout Turkey, Baykal said, "This is a program to restore Turkey and propel it forward." /Cumhuriyet/
REHN: "THE EU SHOULDN'T LET TURKEY SLIP AWAY"
Speaking yesterday at France's National Administrative College (ENA), which produces many of the nation's top leaders, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said that the EU shouldn't let Turkey's full membership perspective slip away. Stressing that Turkey's full membership perspective has a firm strategic and historical basis, Rehn said that the membership goal had been determined together in talks with Ankara. /Milliyet/
DP'S AGAR CRITICIZES RULING, OPPOSITION PARTIES
Speaking in Antalya yesterday, Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Stressing that terrorism was Turkey's most pressing problem, Agar added that if it comes to power, his party would end this problem within a year. /Turkiye/
TUSIAD HEAD, GERMAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSS TURKEY'S EU BID
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) head Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag yesterday met with German Ambassador to Ankara Eckart Cuntz. Speaking afterwards, Cuntz said that Turkey's European Union membership had headlined the meeting, adding that next month's elections, the economy, and the terrorist PKK had also been discussed. Cuntz stressed that the EU condemned the terrorist PKK. For her part, Yalcindag emphasized Turkey's determination on its EU bid, adding that nothing besides full membership was acceptable. /Hurriyet/
US OFFICIAL SEEKS TURKISH HELP AGAINST IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM
Gregory L. Schulte, the US' ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), yesterday told reporters that Iran's nuclear program would affect not only Turkey's region but Turkey itself, and asked for Ankara's cooperation on the issue. Scuhlte stressed that the program was a source of concern to Russia, China, and the European Union member states in addition to the US, adding that it was time to work together against it. /Turkiye/
BAGHDAD: "WE BLOCKED ACTIVITIES OF THE TERRORIST PKK IN IRAQ"
In the runup to a visit by Iraq's prime minister to discuss the extradition of PKK terrorists and establishing a common buffer zone, Iraqi government spokesperson Ali Debbag yesterday extended a message of cooperation. "We cannot let any organization working against Turkey stay on our territory," he said. "We have prevented activities of the terrorist PKK in Iraq." Underlining that it is an illegal group, Debbag added, "The PKK is harming our neighbor." /Star/