GUL: "DEMOCRACY STRENGTHENS THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM"
Prioritizing democracy strengthens the fight against terrorism, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday. "The more importance we attach to democracy, the greater our successes will be," he added. "Democracy serves to isolate both terrorism and terrorists." At an Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) awards ceremony, Gul said, "All citizens living in this country are equal. We cannot ignore problems. Democracy isolates the ground where terrorists seek to win over sympathizers." In related news, before leaving for a visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, Gul said that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway would offer new possibilities for passenger and freight travel between Asia and Europe. Gul said that in bilateral and trilateral meetings with his Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts Mikheil Saakashvili and Ilham Aliyev, they would discuss recent regional and international developments as well as issues concerning Turkey. Gul is being accompanied by State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim. /Aksam-Turkiye/
ERDOGAN: "THOSE WHO IGNORE THE CONSTITUTION CAN'T PRACTICE POLITICS WITHIN A CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday criticized recent statements by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli about a possible cross-border operation into northern Iraq. Speaking at his Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting, Erdogan said that those who fail to make the proper choice between terrorism and democracy can't look to democracy for help, adding, "Those who don't pay heed to constitutional provisions cannot practice politics within the constitutional order." He said, "The objective of the AKP is to make everyone who acts in line with democracy and the constitutional order part of the democratic system. Democracy is a system that tolerates all kinds of differences." In related news, chairing a Higher Board of Science and Technology meeting, Erdogan said, "In international competition, countries lacking strength will always lag behind." /Star/
BABACAN MEETS WITH EU'S REHN AND PORTUGUESE FM AMADA
A foreign ministers' meeting of the Turkish-European Union Troika started yesterday in Brussels with the participation of Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. Afterwards, Babacan held a joint press conference with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and Term President Portugal's Foreign Minister Luis Amada. Babacan said that they had had a fruitful and beneficial meeting. Stating that he had stressed Turkey's determination in its EU reform process, Babacan said, "What we expect from the EU is that it not use the negotiation process for political purposes, not discriminate between chapters in the negotiations, and that it open the chapters which are technically ready for talks without delay." Babacan said that he also spoke about Turkey's expectations on the fight against the terrorist PKK and the Cyprus issue. /Turkiye/
IRAN, TURKEY SIGN ENERGY PACT
Energy Minister Hilmi Guler and his Iranian counterpart Parviz Fatah signed yesterday an energy cooperation agreement. Under the pact, three thermal power plants, one in Turkey and two in Iran, each with a 2,000 megawatt capacity, are set to be built. In addition, a hydroelectric power which will generate 10,000 megawatts of electricity will be constructed in Iran. Guler said that the two countries will continue to sign similar agreements. /Sabah/
TOP US COMMANDERS VISIT GENERAL STAFF TO DISCUSS PKK
Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, yesterday arrived in Ankara. The generals visited General Staff headquarters to discuss the fight against terrorism with Gen. Ergin Saygun, deputy chief of General Staff. In statements after the meeting, the PKK was described as a common enemy of Turkey and the US. In related news, US Chief of General Staff Adm. Mike Mullen yesterday said that Turkish-US relations carry a vital importance, adding that the two countries' armies have always enjoyed strong relations. Stressing that the PKK is a terrorist group, he denied that the US had in any way supported the PKK or its actions. In another related story, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit today at the Prime Ministry. A possible cross-border operation into northern Iraq and counter-terror measures are expected to dominate the talks. /Milliyet- Cumhuriyet/