GUL RECEIVES BUSINESS LEADERS
President Abdullah Gul yesterday received a Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) delegation led by Arzuhan Yalcindag and then Guler Sabanci, the chairwoman of Sabanci Holding, along with other top executives of the group. /Turkiye/
PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN TRNC FOR OFFICIAL VISIT
President Abdullah Gul, accompanied by his wife and State Minister Cemil Cicek, yesterday arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for his first foreign trip in his new office. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Gul said that during his two-day stay, he would exchange views on the Cyprus issue. Stressing that the Turkish side has made efforts to promote a settlement on the island, Gul urged the international community to end the unjust embargo on the TRNC. Following his arrival, Gul met with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat and then held a joint press conference. Gul said that efforts for a settlement should be based on the reality that there are two nations, two states, two languages and two religions on the island. Asked about the presence of Turkish forces in the TRNC, Gul said that the soldiers were a symbol of peace, adding that Turkey has no other motive. The president also paid a visit to Turkey's Embassy in Lefkosha. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN TO FLY TO THE US TOMORROW
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to the US tomorrow to attend United Nations General Assembly meetings on next Monday and Tuesday. Erdogan is expected to address the meeting and to hold bilateral talks with fellow international leaders. /Turkiye/
AKP DISCUSSES NEW DRAFT CONSTITUTION
The ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Central Executive Board (MYK), chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, convened yesterday. During the nearly seven-hour meeting, party members discussed the new draft constitution, but reportedly failed to reach a consensus on a formula on certain controversial issues, including dress codes for students in institutions of higher education. The MYK is expected to continue discussing the issue today, and if no resolution is reached, the talks will continue following Erdogan's return next week from a visit to the US. /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN: "TURKEY HAS THE STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION TO ERADICATE TERRORISM"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a ceremony marking the start of the new school year at the National Police Academy in Ankara. Addressing the ceremony, Erdogan said that global terrorism threatens every country in the world. "Today, every country in the world is prone to the threat of global terrorism," he stressed. "For example, the Pentagon, whose security they (Americans) were very confident about, couldn't hold up against terrorism." He added, "Some countries are reluctant to adopt necessary measures to combat global terror. We always said that nations should take a united stance against terrorism." Noting that the Turkish police have important responsibilities for keeping security in the country, Erdogan stressed, "Turkey has sufficient strength and determination to eradicate terrorism." /Aksam/
BABACAN ARRIVES FOR US VISIT
Ahead of Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday arrived in the US for a visit extending into next week. First, in the state of Illinois, Babacan will visit Chicago and Northwestern Universities and meet with representatives of Turkish associations in Chicago. On Friday Babacan will proceed to New York to attend UN General Assembly meetings. /Cumhuriyet/
RECTORS MEETING SET TO DISCUSS DRAFT CONSTITUTION
The Council of Higher Education (YOK) will convene its Committee of Rectors today. Earlier this week YOK made urgent calls to the rectors of both state and private universities, saying that they should meet to discuss the new draft constitution. During the meeting, which will be chaired by YOK head Erdogan Tezic, the issue of headscarves will be discussed. Afterwards, a statement is expected to be released referring to Council of State and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions saying that headscarves are a political symbol. /Sabah/
US STATE DEPT'S BURNS VISITS TURKEY
US State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns arrived in Istanbul Monday night and spent Tuesday in Istanbul. Burns visited the Fener Greek patriarch and then Suleymaniye Mosque. Speaking to reporters, Burns said that he would discuss strategic issues with the new Turkish government and reaffirm the great importance the US places on its alliance with Turkey. He added that the PKK is a terrorist group which his country in no way supports. Burns later flew to Ankara, where he is expected to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and senior members of the Foreign Ministry and Parliament. /Milliyet/
ERDAL TO BE TRIED IN ABSENTIA IN BELGIUM
The Belgian Supreme Court yesterday upheld a lower court decision to try fugitive terrorist Fehriye Erdal for the crimes she committed in Turkey. In October 2005, a Ghent Court ruled that Erdal could not be tried in Belgium for the crimes she committed in Turkey, but this decision was overturned last year by the Supreme Court. The Ghent Court than reviewed the decision, and ruled against the suspect's lawyers, saying that Erdal could be tried in absentia in Belgium. Erdal, wanted for her role in the 1996 assassination of top Turkish businessmen Ozdemir Sabanci, escaped house arrest in Belgium early last year. /Sabah/
TOP COURT BEGINS TO SELECT NEW HEAD
The Constitutional Court yesterday began the process of electing its new chief justice following the June retirement of Tulay Tugcu. The court's new head needs at least six votes of the 11 members of the top court. The voting will continue today. /Milliyet/