BUSH: “AMERICA IS HONORED TO CALL TURKEY AN ALLY AND FRIEND”
On the last day of Istanbul’s NATO summit, US President George W. Bush yesterday addressed a gathering at Galatasaray University. Bush stated that Turkey’s European Union membership would prove that the EU was not a religious club. Citing Turkey as an example of an Islamic country with a secular government that has found a place in the community of democracies, Bush said, “In some parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, there is wariness towards democracy, often based on misunderstanding.” He added that states attending the NATO summit have agreed to work together with nations of the greater Middle East to fight terrorism, control their borders and aid victims of disaster. But he said more action was needed. “We must strengthen the ties of trust and goodwill between ourselves and the peoples of the Middle East,” said Bush. He also cited the resurgent violence of the terrorist PKK as an example of the “struggle between political extremism and civilized values.” Praising Turkey, Bush added, "Your country, with 150 years of democratic and social reform, stands as a model to others, and as Europe's bridge to the wider world. Your success is vital to a future of progress and peace in Europe and in the broader Middle East – and the Republic of Turkey can depend on the support and friendship of the United States." In addition, the US president expressed his gratitude to Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan for hosting the gathering. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN: “THE SUMMIT HAS ENHANCED OUR PRESTIGE”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Turkey’s hosting this week’s historic NATO summit had been a great success. Speaking at a post-summit press conference, Erdogan pointed out this was the first time Turkey had hosted an alliance summit since joining NATO 52 years ago, adding that the difficult job had passed with flying colors and that this had enhanced Turkey’s international prestige. He stated that the gathering had been very fruitful both for the important decisions made there and for Turkey’s promotion. Erdogan also thanked Istanbulites for their understanding during the summit. Commenting on the decisions made at the meeting, the premier said that they would be a historic turning point for the world’s future peace and stability. Speaking on NATO’s declaration on Iraq, Erdogan highlighted an important point for Turkey, namely that terrorist activities issuing from this country were a threat to neighboring states. Asked about the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Erdogan said that Turkey would take over its command in February 2005 for a six-month period. /Turkiye/

GUL, POWELL LEND SUPPORT TO ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday attended a signing ceremony between the Istanbul Municipality and the Foundation for Developing Human Resources paving the way for a future shelter for victims of human trafficking at Istanbul’s Hilton Hotel. Stating that both the Turkish and US governments supported the shelter project, Gul thanked Powell for attending the ceremony. Gul added that Turkey appreciated NATO’s anti-trafficking measures as important international steps. Powell also emphasized that the US placed great importance on the fight against human trafficking and that it was encouraging all countries do all they can to tackle this problem. /Cumhuriyet/

SCHROEDER: “THE EU SHOULD KEEP ITS PROMISE TO TURKEY”
Following the end of Istanbul’s NATO summit yesterday, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder held a press conference. Schroeder began by praising Turkey’s success in hosting and organizing the summit. He said that if the European Union Commission’s fall progress report on Turkey was positive, during its December meeting the EU should set a date for Ankara to begin its accession talks. Stressing that Turkey had made great progress in recent years, Schroeder said that during the summit, leaders of the NATO member countries had the opportunity to see these developments up close. Reiterating Germany’s support for Ankara’s EU membership, Schoeder said, “The EU should keep its word given to Turkey 41 years ago.” /Star/

TURKEY, GREECE CONFER ON REDUCING TENSION AND MILITARY SPENDING
Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and his Greek counterpart Spilios Spiliotopoulos met yesterday and gave each other important signals about cutting their armed forces and defense expenditures. Both ministers also discussed the issues of dogfights over purported airspace violations between Turkish and Greek fighter jets. /Milliyet/

SEZER APPROVES ABOLITION OF STATE SECURITY COURTS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has signed into law legislation abolishing State Security Courts (DGMs), the president’s press office announced yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/

EUROPEAN COURT BACKS TURKEY’S HEADSCARF BAN
The European Court of Human Rights ruled yesterday that the Turkish state had the right to ban the wearing of headscarves in state schools to secure the principle of the separation of religion and state. The Strasbourg-based court rejected appeals by two Turkish students, Zeynep Tekin and Leyla Sahin, who argued that the ban and their subsequent exclusion from class violated their freedom of religion under Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Turkey had argued in its defense before the court that the headscarves violated the secular nature of the Turkish state. On the other hand, a report issued yesterday by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Human Rights Watch (HRW) tried to argue the opposite of the court’s decision, saying that the Turkish government’s strict ban on headscarves for students and teachers inhibits academic freedom. /Aksam/

TURKISH HOSTAGES IN IRAQ RELEASED
Three Turkish workers kidnapped in Iraq four days ago by a group led by terrorist Abu Musab al-Zargawi were released yesterday. The group had threatened to behead the hostages if Turkish firms in Iraq didn’t leave the country within 72 hours. It also called for protests against US President George W. Bush during his visit to Turkey this week for the NATO summit. In related news, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated that calls made by the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had greatly helped the release and thanked them for their efforts. /Turkiye/

AFGHANISTAN’S KARZAI WELCOMES NATO DECISION TO BOOST TROOP LEVELS
Among the decisions made during the NATO summit, sending additional troops to Afghanistan was the most concrete. NATO approved boosting the number of its troops serving in Afghanistan from 6,500 to 10,000 within six to eight weeks. The forces will be deployed in the country before nationwide elections set for September to help to ensure peace during this period. At a press conference, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said that he was very pleased by the decision, adding that the Afghan people needed a more secure life and a higher standard of living. /Star/

BAYKAL SPEAKS ON IRAQ, INTERNATIONAL ORDER
Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said yesterday that the way to ensure stability in Iraq was not sending more soldiers or security forces, but establishing an order embraced by the Iraqi people. Speaking at his party’s group meeting, Baykal stated that the US wasn’t alone in working to provide the world order but that the European Union also had a determining role in this. /Milliyet/

EMINE ERDOGAN HOSTS LEADERS’ WIVES ON BOSPHORUS TOUR
Wives of leaders attending the NATO summit, including Laura Bush and Cherie Blair, the wives of the US president and British premier respectively, yesterday toured the Bosphorus on a boat with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s wife Emine Erdogan. In addition, the group attended a luncheon hosted by Sabanci Holding Chairman Guler Sabanci at the Sakip Sabanci Museum. /Milliyet/