CAMPAIGNING IN ZONGULDAK, ERDOGAN TOUTS HIS GOVT'S RECORD
Addressing a campaign rally in Zonguldak yesterday, Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan touted the record of his government, saying that it had worked for the good of the nation. Saying that things will improve if the AKP wins reelection on July 22, Erdogan stated that his government hadn't forgotten the nation after coming to power in fall 2002. Erdogan further stated that during the AKP's tenure Turkey's gross national product (GNP) had risen and no bank had been turned over to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). In related news, Erdogan met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. During their meeting, Sezer and Erdogan reportedly discussed an escalation in terrorist attacks and a possible cross-border operation into northern Iraq. /Turkiye/
BAYKAL: "WE COULD SUPPORT A CROSS-BORDER MOTION, BUT THE GOVT LACKS THE POLITICAL WILL"
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday said that if the government were to seek authorization from Parliament for a cross-border operation, CHP deputies would be there in force to show their support. Speaking to news channel NTV, Baykal said, "If Turkey convenes Parliament and it makes a decision, Turkey has to use it. If it didn't use it, Turkey would lose its power to persuade and deterrent force. The government should be more careful." In related news, opposition Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar yesterday said that the fight against terrorism requires courage. Speaking at the opening ceremony of his party's office in Polatli, Ankara, Agar said that the DP would first of all bring peace and safety to Turkey. /Cumhuriyet-Hurriyet/
BUYUKANIT: "LACK OF INTERNATIONAL UNITY CRIPPLES ANTI-TERROR EFFORTS"
Addressing a seminar in Antalya yesterday, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit lamented that in fighting the terrorist PKK, Turkey hasn't gotten the support it needed from the international community. Stressing that the biggest obstacle to international cooperation in fighting terror is the lack of a common definition of terrorism, Buyukanit added that this created an atmosphere ripe for terrorist attacks. "No country can achieve peace and security at home by disregarding the terrorist threat in other countries," added Buyukanit. /Milliyet/
US CONSUL IN ISTANBUL: "I HAVE NO DOUBTS ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF TURKISH-US RELATIONS"
July 4, the US Independence Day, was celebrated at a reception in Istanbul yesterday. State Minister Nimet Cubukcu, former Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler, and Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas were among the attendees. Addressing the gathering, US Consul General in Istanbul Deborah Jones said that she had no doubts about the strength of Turkish-American relations. /Turkiye/
WILSON: "THE US ISN'T SUPPLYING WEAPONS TO THE PKK"
Rebuffing recent allegations that the US is supplying weapons to the terrorist PKK, US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson yesterday posted a statement on the embassy's official website, "The United States is not supplying weapons to the PKK," said Wilson. "It is United States policy that we will have no contacts with the PKK. The United States was the first country, after Turkey, to designate the PKK a terrorist organization. We continue to classify it as such, and on the basis of that, we do not and will not negotiate with the PKK or its leaders, supply weapons to the organization or its personnel, or assist them in anyway. The United States strongly supports and cooperates with Turkey in combating the PKK, PKK terrorism, and other terrorist groups that threaten our interests." /Aksam/
EU MILITARY COMMITTEE HEAD: "TURKEY'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE ESDP IS REGRETTABLE"
Gen. Ray Henault, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, yesterday said, "NATO condemns every kind of terrorism. Turkey participates actively in the fight against terrorism as a NATO country. Certainly Turkey faces difficulties fighting terrorist activities along its borders." Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Henault, Gen. Henri Bentegeat, chairman of the European Union Military Committee, said that Turkey's decision to withdraw its brigade from the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) mechanism was regrettable. "I find deeply regrettable Turkey withdrawing its soldiers from our organization, but Turkey still participates actively in EU operations," he told reporters in Antalya for the Silk Road-2007 Flag Officers Seminar. "These are military and civilian operations and they are very important to us." He added, "Whatever political difficulties there are, Turkey is very important for the European armed forces. It is very important for EU operations." /Cumhuriyet/
JUNE INFLATION FIGURES RELEASED
The Turkish Institute of Statistics (TUIK) yesterday released monthly inflation figures for June. The consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.24%, while the producer price index (PPI) fell by 0.11%. These figures pushed yearly CPI to 8.6% and PPI to 2.89%. /Sabah/