ANKARA HOSTS BSEC MEETING
A top-level gathering of the 12-member Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) was hosted in Ankara yesterday by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. The meeting, including countries from the oil-rich Black Sea region and 14 observer countries, as well as representatives from international organizations, took place amid debates over a possible military incursion by Turkey into northern Iraq. Addressing the gathering, President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey's patience was wearing thin and it would not tolerate the use of Iraqi soil for the purpose of launching terrorist attacks. Pointing to the importance of Iraq's stability, Gul said that establishing stability there would have positive effects on its neighbors and the region, as well as the international community. The president added that Turkey was determined to take all necessary steps to end the PKK threat and that Iraq should not be a source of danger to its neighbors. Also addressing the gathering, Babacan said that terrorism threatens the whole world and called on all countries to cooperate to help defeat it. Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis also spoke at the meeting, expressing her condolences for the victims of terrorism and condemning the terrorist threat. /Hurriyet-Turkiye/

ERDOGAN: "TURKEY, NOT THE US, WILL DECIDE ON ANY MOVE AGAINST THE PKK"
The Bush administration might not favor Turkey carrying out a cross-border operation, but the decision on what should be done belongs to Turkey, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. "The US should understand and support Turkey as an ally," Erdogan told a press conference in Romania, which he is visiting. "Right now, as a strategic ally, the US is in a position to support us. We have to take steps and will do so." Reiterating that the situation is near the breaking point, Erdogan stated that the military's target is the terrorist PKK, not Iraq's integrity or its civilians. Also at the press conference, Romanian Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu also stated that he supports Turkey's right to self-defense. /Sabah/

IRAQI DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ANKARA TO TALK PKK
A nine-person Iraqi delegation yesterday arrived in Ankara. The delegation will begin his official contacts today and is expected to hold talks with officials from the General Staff, Interior and Foreign Ministries, and the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) to discuss how to end the terrorist PKK's presence in northern Iraq. Members of the delegation told reporters that they would offer concrete proposals to Turkish officials on the issue. /Turkiye/

RECTORS VOICE SUPPORT FOR FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
The Rectors Committee yesterday had a meeting in Ankara under the auspices of Supreme Board of Education (YOK) head Erdogan Tezic to discuss recent terrorist attacks. After the meeting, the group released a statement expressing full confidence and faith in the fight of the Turkish Republic and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) against the terrorist PKK. It added that everyone in Turkey should work to maintain this fight with determination, and that the PKK will never achieve its aims by trying to sow hatred and hostility among people who have lived on this soil for centuries. /Aksam/

WHITE HOUSE: "TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO PURSUE PKK TERRORISTS TO GET BACK ITS MISSING SOLDIERS"
Speaking to reporters yesterday, White House spokesman Dana Perino said that Turkey has the right to take action to get back eight soldiers missing since last Sunday's deadly terrorist attack. "We are trying to encourage the Iraqis and the Turks to work cooperatively with one another," she said. "Obviously Turkey has a right to defend itself. They have eight soldiers that are missing right now. They have a right to look for them. And what we would urge is that when they go after the PKK that they . make that targeted and limited just to that action." In related news, ahead of an Iraq summit in Istanbul set to start next Friday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will arrive in Ankara next Thursday and meet with President Abdullah Gul, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan to discuss the PKK issue. /Milliyet/

MASSIVE ANTI-PKK RALLIES CONTINUE
Continuing a series of protests following the terrorist PKK killing of 12 soldiers last Sunday, thousands of Turks took part in demonstrations throughout the country yesterday. People took to the streets chanting slogans and carrying banners condemning the terrorist attacks. /All Papers/