ERDOGAN: "WE'LL ASSEMBLE A MUCH BETTER CABINET"
Speaking yesterday after being assigned by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to form a new government, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he would put together a better government than the last one. "We'll avoid shortcomings by taking advantage of our five years of accumulated experience and form a much more better government," said Erdogan. Stressing that the new Cabinet would be formed through consultations with the organs of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan stated that AKP goals for 2008 include raising per capita income to $10,000, improving democracy, strengthening peace and solidarity, and ensuring a structure guided by the pillars of a single nation, single flag, single country, and single state. Asked if he would present the new Cabinet list to Sezer or to his successor, set to be elected soon, Erdogan said that he would consider the constitutional calendar in deciding on this. /Sabah-Turkiye/

ON EVE OF MALIKI'S VISIT, IRAQ SIGNALS COOPERATION AGAINST PKK
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is due to arrive in Ankara today to pay an official visit. Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, who arrived in Ankara before Maliki, said that the PKK is a terrorist group and that the Iraqi government is ready to cooperate with Turkey to eliminate terrorism. Maliki, who will be accompanied by a 30-member delegation, is expected to meet with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following their meeting, Erdogan and Maliki are expected to release a declaration on the fight against terrorism. /Milliyet/

WASHINGTON POST: "TURKEY TO GIVE IRAQ FINAL WARNING ON PKK"
Turkish leaders are expected during Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Ankara today to give Iraq a final warning to act against the terrorist PKK, reported The Washington Post yesterday. The paper said that if Iraq fails to take action against the terrorist PKK, Turkey might conduct a cross-border operation. "It's time for the Kurds to act," former US Ambassador to Ankara Morton Abramowitz told The Post. "If they don't, I hope the Americans will act. And if there's another serious incident, I think the Turks will act. I think you have a very dangerous situation." /Star/

AKP BOARD DISCUSSES CANDIDATES FOR PARLIAMENT SPEAKER, PRESIDENT
The ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Central Executive Board (MYK) yesterday convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During its five-hour meeting, five possible candidates for Parliament speaker were discussed, including Vecdi Gonul, Cemil Cicek, Koksal Toptan, Murat Basesgioglu, and Ertugrul Gunay. The AKP's choice for presidential candidate was also discussed at the meeting, and reportedly the only name brought up was that of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, whose candidacy earlier this year triggered opposition protests and early elections. After an opening meeting of the party's Central Decision and Executive Board (MKYK), the AKP is expected to announce its Parliament speaker candidate. /Turkiye/

FIRST CANDIDATE FOR PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ENTERS RACE
Kamer Genc, a former Parliament speaker now serving as an independent deputy from the southeastern city of Tunceli, yesterday filed an application to run for the position of speaker in the current Parliament. Voting procedures to select a new speaker are set to begin this Thursday. /Today's Zaman/

GERMAN GREENS' ROTH: "TURKEY IS SECULAR"
Turkey is a secular country, not a Muslim one, said Claudia Roth, co-chair of the German Greens, yesterday. Roth also stated that she wants Turkey to unconditionally join the European Union. Speaking to German ZDF TV, Roth said, "Turkey's democracy isn't perfect but despite everything, it works. Turkey isn't a Muslim country, it's secular. But most Turkish people are Muslim." Stating that she understands concerns in Europe about Turkey, Roth added, however, "It's wrong to use these concerns against Turkey's EU membership." /Cumhuriyet/