GOVT TO FACE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TODAY
Turkey's 60th government led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face a vote of confidence today in Parliament. Opposition parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have announced that they will not give the government their vote of confidence. In addition, the Democratic Society Party (DTP) is also expected to vote against the government. But a vote of confidence victory with and absolute majority of 276 votes is assured, as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has 339 seats in Parliament, not including Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan. /Milliyet/
GUL TO HOST RECEPTION IN CANKAYA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE TODAY
President Abdullah Gul is set to host a reception this morning at the Cankaya Presidential Palace for top government officials. While the main Opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) is boycotting the reception, both the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Democratic Society Party (DTP) will attend. Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Cabinet ministers and other top government officials will also be present at the gathering. Meanwhile, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and other force commanders announced that they would be unable to attend, as they had a prior commitment to be out of Ankara for inspections. The commanders will be represented by assigned generals. In addition, Gul will host a second reception on Friday for representatives from the worlds of the media, business and art. /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN: "THE MUNICIPALITIES SHOULD PRODUCE DEEDS, NOT WORDS"
Speaking at his party's group meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday rebuffed Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir's recent claims that his city had been shortchanged. "No one should try to exploit the people of any city," he said. "The municipalities should produce projects instead of words." Rejecting Baydemir's charge that Diyarbakir faces discrimination, Erdogan said that they are opposed to politics based on ethnic or religious lines. /Aksam/
ERDOGAN TO VISIT THE US IN LATE SEPTEMBER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to New York on Sept. 24 to attend the United Nations' annual General Assembly meeting. Erdogan is also set to attend a meeting of the Clinton Foundation and to hold talk with New York Senator and leading presidential contender Hillary Clinton. Then the premier is expected to proceed to Washington to visit his new grandson. /Turkiye/
BABACAN FACES BUSY DIPLOMATIC SLATE
Newly appointed Foreign Minister and chief negotiator for European Union talks Ali Babacan will face a busy diplomatic schedule this month. Babacan is first hosting his British counterpart David Miliband in Ankara. Later this week, Babacan will travel to EU Term President Portugal to attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers. In mid-month, Babacan is scheduled to fly to Bulgaria for one day-visit to attend a southeastern European countries' foreign ministers meeting. Finally, the top diplomat is expected to accompany Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to the US for the UN General Assembly meeting. /Turkiye/
TRNC PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH PAPADOPOULOS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat will meet today with Greek administration leader Tassos Papadopoulos. The two leaders will discuss forming technical committees to start comprehensive meetings towards finding solutions. Talat and Papadopoulos will meet at the residence of Michael Moller, the UN secretary-general's special representative on Cyprus. During the meeting, which will have an open agenda, the two sides will seek ways to get past the current stalemate on the Cyprus issue. /Hurriyet/
BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY VISITS ANKARA
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday arrived in Ankara for a two-day official visit. Miliband will today meet with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan, and then he will be received by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul. The Cyprus issue, Turkish-European Union relations, and recent regional developments are expected to top the meetings. /Cumhuriyet/
TMSF SETS ATV-SABAH GROUP SALE IN MOTION
The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) and Park Group have signed a protocol to solve disputes arising from the confiscation of ATV-Sabah, with the TMSF putting the media group up for sale for the second time in eight years, an announcement in the government's Official Gazette said yesterday. The value of the company is estimated at $1.1 billion and to compete in the bid, interested companies must submit applications before Oct. 15. The tender is set to be held on Nov. 6 at Istanbul's Ahmet Pasa mansion. /Today's Zaman/