POLITICIANS STUMP IN TEKIRDAG, KOCAELI, ISTANBUL FOR VOTER SUPPORT
Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday campaigned in Tekirdag and Balikesir ahead of the March 28 local polls. Addressing campaign rallies, Erdogan touted his success as Istanbul mayor in the mid-‘90s in tackling the city’s various problems. In addition, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader sought voter support in Kocaeli yesterday, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli campaigned in Zonguldak and Bartin, while True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar did the same in Istanbul. Great Union (BBP) Party leader Muhsin Yazicioglu sought voter support in Kahramanmaras. /Turkiye/
GUL CALLS FOR HALT TO VIOLENCE IN SYRIA
Those committing violence in Syria should cease for their own self-interest, said Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday. “People living in the region shouldn’t destroy their will to co-exist, they should instead consider their common future,” Gul told a press conference in Konya. “We’ve lived together in peace in the region for centuries. We all have an interest in these territories.” The foreign minister added that he didn’t believe the violence would escalate, saying, “I believe that Damascus will show this matter the necessary attention.” /Cumhuriyet/
89TH ANNIVERSARY OF GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN COMMEMORATED TODAY
The 89th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, a victory by Turkish troops defending the Dardanelles during World War I, is being commemorated today. Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul yesterday issued messages marking the momentous anniversary. Students from eight universities in the Aegean region also arrived yesterday in Canakkale to attend this morning’s commemorative ceremony. /Cumhuriyet/
DENKTAS DECLINES TO ATTEND SWISS MEETINGS; OTHER TRNC OFFICIALS TO ATTEND INSTEAD
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said yesterday that he personally would not attend four-way meetings set to be held next week in Switzerland, though other TRNC government officials would. Denktas has been the TRNC’s chief negotiator in the current round of talks over Cyprus. Speaking to reporters, the president stated that the ongoing talks had been characterized by a lack of progress on fundamental issues. “In such circumstances, there is no need to go to Switzerland, as I don’t want to mislead the public,” said Denktas. Stressing that the Turkish side had done its duty with good will and cooperation, Denktas complained, “But the Greek side has had no intention of creating new openings. We’ve put forward our sine qua nons, putting them in the most appropriate way, and other proposals which were also quite reasonable.” Pointing out that other TRNC officials would attend the Swiss meetings, the TRNC leader stressed that a failure to achieve results there would not be the end of the world. “The TRNC will continue to go forward together with Turkey,” said Denktas. In related news, meetings between delegations from Ankara and Athens on security and guarantee issues began in the Greek capital yesterday. Meanwhile, commenting on recent developments on the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that Turkey would not go down any path which threatened the country with disaster. /All Papers/
TRNC APPROVES PRELIMINARY UNITED CYPRUS FLAG DESIGN
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Cabinet yesterday approved a preliminary flag design for a united Cypriot state. Within the framework of the Cyprus talks, the flag was proposed by the United Nations and is expected to become the flag of a new state after agreement is reached between the island’s Turkish and Greek sides. /Turkiye/
JORDAN’S KING ATTENDS TURKISH-JORDANIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETING IN ISTANBUL
Jordan’s King Abdullah, who arrived in Ankara on Monday for an official visit, yesterday attended a meeting of the Turkish-Jordanian Business Council in Istanbul. State Minister for the Economy Kursat Tuzmen and leading businessmen were also present at the gathering. Addressing the group, Abdullah said that in order to combat terrorism effectively, the world would have to deal with its roots in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “If we want to end terrorism, first we must solve this conflict,” added the monarch. Asked whether he favored the establishment of a free trade agreement between Ankara and Amman, Abdullah replied that he did. /Aksam/
EP COMMISSION APPROVES REPORT ON TURKEY
The European Parliament’s Foreign Relations Commission yesterday approved a new report on Turkey drafted by commission member Arie Oostlander. The report calls on Turkey to make fundamental changes to its Constitution, calling it improper to continue using one drafted 20 years ago when Turkey had an “authoritarian regime.” The report also contends that Turkey’s understanding of secularism is not in line with European standards and furthermore urges Ankara to lower its 10 percent election representation threshold. “Despite strong opposition, the government has taken important strides towards European Union membership, but more reforms should be enacted and implemented,” it added. The report is set to be debated by the EP General assembly on March 31 and to face a vote the next day. /Sabah/