RULING PARTY TO FACE CLOSURE TRIAL
Following nearly five hours of deliberations, Osman Paksut, deputy chief justice of the 11-member Constitutional Court, said yesterday that the court had decided to examine an indictment seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the political ban of the prime minister and dozens of lawmakers. The indictment was accepted unanimously, except the section seeking the political ban of President Abdullah Gul, which was passed by a vote of 7-4. /Hurriyet/
PM ERDOGAN ADDRESSES THE NATION
This government has always worked to be a uniter, not a divider, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. "We have strived to protect the rights of our people, always staying within democratic rules," he said in a televised address to the nation. "We have never strayed from our people and never ignored the troubles facing our country." Stating that the republic has made significant progress in line with its founding philosophy and ideals of modernization, Erdogan said that people may differ in terms of their lifestyle, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs, but they all enrich the Turkish nation. Touching on the Nevruz festivities of March 21, Erdogan said, "Some unpleasant incidents occurred (on that date). But take a close look at those who tried to turn a day of celebrations into one of conflict. Isn't it deeply ironic that those who called for peace laid the groundwork for vandalism that targeted the lives and properties of innocents?" /Milliyet/
KUWAITI EMIR MEETS WITH ERDOGAN
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and an accompanying delegation yesterday held talks with Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Before the talks, they paid a visit to Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. /Aksam/
EU, US OFFICIALS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER AKP CLOSURE CASE GOING FORWARD
Speaking about yesterday's top court decision to hear a case seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said he found the case without merit. "This decision shows that there is a structural and undemocratic error in Turkey's constitution, a candidate country for the EU," Rehn added. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Tom Casey also commented on the decision, saying, "We understand that this is going to be a rather lengthy process. And what we would expect and hope from this process is that those involved would proceed in a way that was apolitical and that reflected the commitment to representative democracy that's been expressed by the Turkish voters in recent election." /Sabah-Turkiye/
TURKEY TO ATTEND NATO SUMMIT THIS WEEK
Heads of state and government from NATO nations and partners along with representatives from other international institutions will meet in Bucharest, Romania starting tomorrow to discuss NATO enlargement and the bloc's operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. President Abdullah Gul, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul are all set to attend the three-day summit. /Aksam/
LAND FORCES COMMANDER BASBUG VISITS INDIA
Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug yesterday arrived in New Delhi, India to pay an official visit. During his five-day stay, Basbug is set to meet with his Indian counterpart Deepak Kapoor as well as India's defense minister and other top military officials to develop bilateral military cooperation between the two countries. /Hurriyet/
CUMHURIYET COLUMNIST HOSPITALIZED
Ilhan Selcuk, 83, chief columnist of daily Cumhuriyet, was hospitalized yesterday for angina pectoris and pneumonia. Selcuk is set to receive medical treatment at a hospital in Istanbul for one week. He was released 10 days ago after being questioned by security officials as part of the Ergenekon probe into a criminal gang. /Hurriyet/
TRNC'S TALAT MEETS WITH US DIPLOMAT
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday met with Lynn Pascoe, the US undersecretary general for political affairs. Speaking after the meeting, TRNC presidential spokesperson Hasan Ercakica said, "President Talat conveyed the Turkish Cypriots' expectations and position on the new negotiation process and reiterated the TRNC's determination to reach a solution at the end of this process. It was very fruitful meeting." Ercakica also stressed that TRNC expects the UN to actively engage in new talks towards a settlement on the island. Pascoe also described the meeting as fruitful. Asked when the Lokmaci gate between the TRNC and Greek Cyprus might be opened, Ercakica said, "An exact date for opening the gate hasn't been set yet but TRNC wants it opened as soon as possible." /Turkiye/
IZMIR LOSES EXPO 2015 CONTEST TO MILAN
After years of work on its bid to host the world's premier business event, Expo 2015, Izmir failed to convince the majority of members of the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE) yesterday and lost to Milan by 21 votes. The BIE convened in Paris yesterday to make its final decision on which city would host the fair. Milan won 86 of the votes, versus 65 for Izmir. /Today's Zaman/