GROUND FORCES CONTINUE CROSS-BORDER OP IN N.IRAQ
The General Staff yesterday stated that 33 PKK terrorists had been killed on the third day of the current cross-border operation including land forces into northern Iraq. The latest numbers put the number of terrorists killed from the beginning of the operation at 112. Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug on Saturday went to the border region for inspections, and is commanding the operation from there. In related news, a delegation headed by Turkey's Special Representative to Iraq Oguz Celikkol will travel to Iraq this Wednesday. The trip follows President Abdullah Gul's invitation to his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani to visit Ankara, and is set to discuss details of the invitation and the current operation. /Turkiye-Aksam/
SOLDIERS FALLEN IN CROSS-BORDER OP LAID TO REST
Five soldiers killed during the current cross-border operation against the terrorist PKK were laid to rest in their hometowns yesterday. The funeral of Pvt. Erkan Aslan was held in Diyarbakir, and the funeral of Commando Pvt. Ibrahim Gedik was held in Trabzon. Petty Officer Emre Bolat, who lost his life in a land mine explosion in Bingol, was laid to rest in Eskisehir. Finally Pvt. Gokhan Ozkan was laid to rest in Canakkale, and Commando Pvt. Ibrahim Ulger was laid to rest in Kirikkale. /Cumhuriyet/
GUL'S FOUR-DAY AFRICAN TOUR AIMS AT STRONGER TIES
President Abdullah Gul tomorrow will begin a three-nation African tour aimed at stronger ties in the continent. In Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Gul will hold talks in preparation for the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit, set to be held in Istanbul this August. /Today's Zaman/
ERDOGAN: "CIVILIANS IN IRAQ CAN REST EASY, AS OUR TARGET IS THE TERRORIST CAMPS"
Addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Youth Branches Congress yesterday in Istanbul, Prime Minister Erdogan spoke about the current anti-terrorist operation including land forces in northern Iraq. "Our armed forces are displaying heroism in spite of the harsh winter conditions and difficult geographical circumstances." he said. Stating that the army's targets are terrorist PKK camps in northern Iraq, he added, "We are continuing our efforts to isolate the terrorist organization from society. Everyone should be aware that our only aim is to protect our people, our borders, integrity and unity, and preserve the safety of our people. This is just a cleansing operation against terrorists. Our brothers in Iraq can be relieved, as they are not the target of our armed forces. Our target is the terrorist camps." /Sabah/
CHP SET TO CHALLENGE END TO UNIVERSITY HEADSCARF BAN
President Abdullah Gul on Friday signed constitutional amendments to lift the headscarf ban at universities. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has prepared a legal petition to challenge the changes, arguing that they would violate the Constitution's unalterable principle of secularism. CHP deputy group leader Hakki Suha Okay said yesterday that the amendments should be ignored and that the party would apply to the Constitutional Court on Wednesday to have them overturned. /Hurriyet/
US DEFENSE SEC'Y URGES QUICK END TO N.IRAQ OPS AFTER MISSION COMPLETION
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates over the weekend urged a quick end to the current Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) cross-border operation into northern Iraq, once they accomplish their mission, as well as non-military methods to help end terrorism. "I would hope that it (the operation) would be short, that it would be precise and avoid the loss of innocent life, and that they leave as quickly as they can accomplish their mission," Gates said during an official visit to Australia. "I think that all of our experience in Iraq and Afghanistan shows us that, while dealing with a terrorist problem does require security operations, it also requires economic and political initiatives." He added, "This is a difficult, long-term problem, and . it needs to be addressed in a comprehensive way. Just using the military techniques are not going to be sufficient to solve the problem for the Turks. I think Turkish concern will only be allayed when there is a significant diminution in PKK activity in Turkey." /Cumhuriyet/
ANKARA TO RECEIVE YEMENI PRESIDENT TODAY
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is scheduled to arrive in Ankara today for an official two-day stay, marking the first presidential-level visit between the two countries. Saleh will meet with President Abdullah Gul and also Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today. The visiting leader will also attend a business forum of Turkish and Yemeni business representatives tomorrow. /Today's Zaman/
COMMUNIST CANDIDATE WINS SOUTHERN CYPRIOT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Communist Akel Party leader Dimitris Hristofyas' unofficial win in yesterday's presidential election in Southern Cyprus is expected to strengthen hopes for a solution to the Cyprus issue. During his campaign, Hristofyas, known to have a softer stance on the issue than his predecessor Tassos Papadopoulos, pledged to meet with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat with an eye to restarting talks. Talat telephoned Hristofyas to congratulate him, and both reiterated their willingness to meet as soon as possible. Hristofyas is set to be the first communist president in European Union history. /Sabah/
EXPORTERS SOUND WARNING ON INFORMAL ECONOMY
Exporters yesterday warned the government that its current measures to combat the informal economy are ineffective and others are needed. During a meeting of top Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) officials, TIM head Oguz Satici told government officials present, including State Minister for foreign trade Kursad Tuzmen and Deputy Prime Minister Nazim Erken, that jail sentences for violators don't work. Encouraging businesses to regularly pay their taxes would be better, he suggested. The exporters also urged a 5% cut in employers' social security premiums, new investment tax credits, incentives for key sectors (rather than regions), and changes to Eximbank loans. /Milliyet/.