IN IZMIR, ERDOGAN REJECTS OPPOSITION PARTIES' CRITICISMS OVER END TO CROSS-BORDER OP
Addressing the women's branch of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Izmir yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected opposition parties' criticisms that Turkey's recent cross-border operation into northern Iraq had ended prematurely. In related news, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis delivered a speech at a meeting arranged by the ruling AKP to mark International Women's Day on Saturday. The AKP's fourth Women in Local Administration Meeting brought together a group of women politicians in Ankara. /Aksam-Today's Zaman/
CICEK: "TURKEY AND THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS BOTH WANT A SOLUTION ON CYPRUS"
Both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots favor a resolution on Cyprus, often in the face of longstanding Greek Cypriot intransigence, said State Minister Cemil Cicek yesterday. Speaking at the groundbreaking for a new medical school and hospital in Lefkosha, the capital of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Cicek criticized countries that have yet to recognize the TRNC. Underlining that Turkey and Turkish Cypriots both favor a just settlement on the decades-long divided island, Cicek pointed to the Greek Cypriots as being responsible for the deadlock on the island. He also urged the Turkish Cypriots to act in unity to work to further develop their country. Cicek was accompanied on his visit by Board of Higher Education (YOK) head Yusuf Ziya Ozcan and fellow parliamentarians./Turkiye/
TOPTAN TO RECEIVE DEMOCRATIC TURKEY PARTY DEPUTIES
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan today will meet with the deputies from the pro-Kurdish Democratic Turkey Party (DTP). DTP Deputy Sirri Sakik said that the meeting would focus on finding a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue, stressing that Parliament should deal with this as soon as possible. /Cumhuriyet/
BABACAN TO VISIT SENEGAL
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan is scheduled to arrive in Senegal today to attend a meeting of his counterparts from Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) countries. Babacan will also attend the 11th Session of the Islamic Summit Conference on Thursday and Friday. Before traveling to Senegal, Babacan yesterday visited Mauritania and held talks with his counterpart there, Mohammed Saleh Ould Lemine. /Turkish Daily News/
OZCELIK NAMED SPECIAL ENVOY TO IRAQ
The Foreign Ministry's Murat Ozcelik has been named Turkey's new special envoy to Iraq. Under the appointment, made official in yesterday's Official Gazette, Ozcelik will be responsible for coordinating activities concerning Turkey's contributions to improving Turkish-Iraqi relations and also efforts for Iraq's reconstruction. Along these lines, Ozcelik will carry out necessary contacts with foreign countries and international organizations. /Star/
IN WAKE OF VISIT, TALABANI SENDS MESSAGE OF THANKS TO GUL
In the wake of his visit last week to Turkey, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani reportedly sent a telegraph thanking his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul for both his invitation and hospitality. The message said that the visit turned a new page in the two countries' relations and showed the importance of developing bilateral ties. /Sabah/
ANKARA HOSTING INTL SYMPOSIUM ON TERRORISM
The second international symposium on Global Terrorism and International Cooperation, organized by the Ankara-based Centre of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism (TMMM), will begin today in the capital. Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit will deliver the opening speech at the symposium. Experts from China, Egypt, Pakistan, Spain, Mexico and Russia are expected to present papers at the two-day gathering. /Cumhuriyet/