TURKISH HOSTAGE SHOT DEAD IN IRAQ
According to a video posted on the Internet, masked gunmen killed a Turkish hostage with three gunshots to the head in Iraq. Turkey yesterday identified the victim as Murat Yuce, a cleaner working for the Bilintur catering company. In the video, Yuce reads a statement saying, “I have a word of advice for any Turk who wants to come to Iraq to work. You don't have to be holding a gun to be aiding the occupationist United States. Turkish companies should withdraw from Iraq,” and then is shot in the head by a masked militant. Diplomatic sources said that Yuce had been kidnapped by the Tawhid wa al-Jihad affiliated with the Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi linked to Al-Qaeda. Bilintur, which provides laundry service for a Jordanian company in Iraq, issued a statement saying it had heard of Yuce’s killing and he was one of two employees missing in Iraq for three or four days. “Our grief is huge,” the statement said. Two Turkish drivers are still missing in Iraq and the same militant group threatens to decapitate the drivers unless their company stops doing business in Iraq. In related news, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated that the diplomatic works about Turkish hostages in Iraq was continuing. “I can’t give you a definite number of the Turkish hostages in Iraq,” said Gul. “I hope we’ll be able to save other Turkish hostages there. That’s what we’re currently striving for.” /All Papers/
TURKISH TRUCKERS ANNOUNCE THEY WILL STOP BRING SUPPLIES TO US FORCES IN IRAQ
The Turkish truckers association yesterday said that it would stop delivering goods to US forces in Iraq, in a direct response to videotaped killing of a Turkish hostage. “As of today, those trucks won't be crossing into Iraq,” said Cahit Soysal, head of the International Transporters' Association (UND) in Istanbul. Soysal said that Turkish truckers hoped that kidnappers would release the two other recently captured Turkish as a result of the organization's decision. He also added that 200-300 Turkish trucks bring supplies to US forces in Iraq every day. Meanwhile, the Turkish trucking company for which the two captives worked said it was unilaterally halting business in Iraq, adding that it was now waiting anxiously for its employees to be freed. The Turkish trucking companies are important to the fragile Iraqi economy as the Turkish supply route is regarded as more secure by the US military. /All Papers/
ERDOGAN TO VISIT EU MEMBER STATES AFTER THE PROGRESS REPORT IS RELEASED IN OCTOBER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to visit European Union member states after the European Commission releases Ankara’s progress report in October. First, Erdogan is expected to visit Germany and then France where he would address the Organization of the Economic Cooperation and Development. In related news, the EU would decide at its December summit whether or not to begin its accession talks with Ankara. /Turkiye/
YAS DECISIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED TOMMORROW
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) yesterday convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss promotions and dismissals in the military. Also present at the three-day meeting were Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, Land Foreces Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman, Air Forces Commander Halil Ibrahim Firtina, and Sea Forces Commander Adm. Ozden Ornek. The decisions of the Council would be announced tomorrow. /Turkiye/
EC TO CONSULT WITH THE EU CAPITALS ON ITS TURKEY PROGRESS REPORT
It was reported that the European Commission was planning to consult with the European Union capitals on its Turkey progress report before it is officially issued. The Commission will exchange views with the EU capitals on the report which is critical for Turkey’s EU membership bid. The EC will not end the report procedure before ensuring the approvals of the EU member states. Such an implementation is expected to bring about new political results for Turkey, as all member countries will offer their views on the recent reforms in the country. It was reported that the progress report has been completed as a framework but will be modified in the following weeks in line with the developments to be observed in Turkey. /Star/
TOBB HEAD MEETS WITH IMF’S BREKK, DISCUSSES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
International Monetary Fund Turkey Representative Odd Per Brekk yesterday paid a farewell visit to Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu. During their meeting, they discussed recent economic developments. Speaking afterwards, Hisarciklioglu cautioned that the current accounts deficit was too high, adding that necessary measures should be taken as soon as possible. He also urged the government to continue its reforms in order to reach this year’s targets, adding that it had the stance to do this. Hisarciklioglu added that a new economic program should be supported by the IMF. For his part, Brekk touted IMF’s positive relations with TOBB. /Aksam/
BABACAN: “FINAL DECISION ON A NEW STANDBY WITH THE IMF WILL BE MADE IN SEPTEMBER”
Speaking at a meeting of the Afyon Chamber of Industry and Trade yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said that a final decision on a new standby with the International Monetary Fund could be made in September and then the details of the program could be announced. Babacan stated that the new program would protect the economy against internal and external shocks. Babacan also stressed that current accounts deficit posed no threat for the economy. “We’re watching the current accounts deficit carefully,” he said, adding that certain measures would be taken if necessary. “Interest rates are still too high and we hope to reduce them in the future.” Babacan further stated that private investment should be boosted in order to reduce unemployment. In related news, IMF Turkey Desk Chief Riza Moghadam yesterday arrived in Ankara to discuss recent economic developments and framework of the new standby with Babacan. /Milliyet/