ERDOGAN: “THE GME CAN’T SUCCEED WITHOUT FIRST RESOLVING THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday flew to the G-8 meeting hosted by the US in Sea Island, Georgia, a gathering expected to focus on the US’ Greater Middle East Initiative (GME). Speaking at a press conference before leaving, Erdogan said that the GME couldn’t succeed without first resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The premier stated that Ankara supported the GME, but that this support was based on various principles. He added, however, that change should not be imposed from the outside. “For us, the important thing is the soundness, health and stability of nations in the region,” said Erdogan. “No project which fails to take into account internal dynamics can succeed.” He warned that approaches seen as impositions could backfire. Erdogan further criticized Israel’s recent violence against Palestine, calling it “unacceptable.” Touching on the Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that a customs union agreement with Greek Cyprus could be signed after the European Union moves to end the international isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). /Aksam/

GUL: “LET’S WORK FOR GREEK CYPRUS’ INCLUSION IN THE CUSTOMS UNION”
In the wake of rumors that new European Union member Greek Cyprus might try to block Turkey’s EU bid in retaliation for Ankara’s rejecting its joining the Customs Union, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has reportedly ordered his staff to begin work to include Greek Cyprus in the Union. “Then Greek Cyprus will have no excuse to veto us,” Gul reportedly stated. “We want to sit at the table without any problem.” Speaking to reporters seeing off for his US visit Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gul said that Ankara expected the EU to take concrete steps to end the international isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and that he was continuing his contacts with European officials on the matter. /Turkiye/

DENKTAS: “WASHINGTON IS URGING ISLAMIC COUNTRIES NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE TRNC”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas yesterday charged that US officials were urging Islamic countries not to recognize the TRNC, adding that this was unacceptable. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Denktas threw back criticisms that he had been “uncompromising” in efforts to reach a resolution on the island. “Being compromising would mean accepting Greek Cyprus as the legal government,” he said. “I did not and will not accept this.” Denktas added that Turkish Cypriots weren’t a minority on the island and further urged the recognition of the TRNC and Turkey’s remaining a guarantor state. /Cumhuriyet/

SEVEN TURKS HELD HOSTAGE IN IRAQ; THREE OTHERS FREED
While three Turks kidnapped on Sunday in Iraq were released yesterday, seven others are reportedly still in the hands of Iraqi rebels. A videocassette sent to the Associated Press demanded that firms working with coalition forces end their operations and withdraw their personnel from Iraq in return for freeing the hostages. /Sabah/

ANKARA RECALLS TOP DIPLOMATS FROM ISRAEL FOR CONSULTATIONS
The Foreign Ministry this week recalled Turkey’s Ambassador to Israel Feridun Sinirlioglu and Jerusalem Consul General Huseyin Avni Bicakli to Ankara for “a few days” to confer on issues facing the Middle East, sources said. One anonymous Ankara official stated that the top diplomats had been summoned not to protest Israel but rather for “routine consultations.” Sinirlioglu and Bicakli are also expected to meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Following Israel’s recent attacks on the Refah refugee camp, Ankara harshly criticized Israeli government policies. After Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan branded the attacks “inhumane” and “state terrorism,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry called his statements “regrettable.” /Star/

OIC TO TAKE UP CYPRUS ISSUE
Foreign ministers of Organization of the Islamic Conference member states will comprehensively discuss the Cyprus issue when they met in Istanbul next week, said (OIC) Term President Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar yesterday. Hamid Albar said the OIC wanted a settlement to the issue through dialogue and the establishment of an administration serving the interests of both sides. /Turkiye/

IMF DELEGATION MEETS WITH BABACAN, SENER TO DISCUSS COMPLETION OF EIGHTH REVIEW
An International Monetary Fund delegation led by Turkey Desk Chief Riza Moghadam yesterday met separately with State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener to discuss recent economic developments and completion of the eighth review of the Turkey’s IMF-supported economic program. Also present at the meeting was Odd Per Brekk, the Fund’s Turkey representative. Later, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. In related news, analysts said that the best successor to the IMF program could be a cautionary or a normal standby agreement, which requires more flexible control mechanisms. /Star/