GUL MEETS WITH KAZAKH LEADER
President Abdullah Gul met yesterday with his Azeri and Kazakh counterparts in Kazakhstan, where he attended official ceremonies last week marking the 10th anniversary of Astana becoming the Kazakh capital. Gul met with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and then Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Before leaving Astana to return to Turkey, asked by reporters about recent developments in the Ergenekon probe, Gul said that the matter will be handled in line with the Constitution, the law, and tradition. /Turkiye/

BABACAN: "THE D-8 SECRETARIAT WILL BE PERMANENTLY BASED IN ISTANBUL"
Attending a foreign ministers meeting of the Developing Eight Countries (D-8) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia over the weekend, a precursor to next week's D-8 summit, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told reporters afterwards, "Turkey spearheaded the establishment of the D-8, which includes very dynamic developing countries with large populations. We had a temporary D-8 secretariat in Istanbul, and now we've decided that Turkey will permanently host the secretariat." The D-8 summit will be attended by the heads of state or government from Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Nigeria. The D-8 is made up of eight developing countries that formed an economic development alliance in 1997. /Turkiye/

TRNC'S TALAT SIGNALS AGREEMENT WITH GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER OVER FEDERATION
In an interview with Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said yesterday that he and Greek Cypriot administration leader Dimitris Christofias have nearly agreed on a timetable for direct negotiations. Stating that they had also agreed on the principles of a federation that has two founding states, two societies and two sections, Talat said, "We didn't say that it will be like it is in the US, because as you know, the system on the island is unique." He added, "This comes up during meetings with Greek Cypriot politicians. I know it's a taboo for them. But for me, it's abundantly clear that this federation will be made up of the Greek Cypriot Republic and the TRNC." /Milliyet/

TALBANI CALLS ON PKK TO LAY DOWN ITS ARMS OR LEAVE IRAQ
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said yesterday that the terrorist PKK should lay down its arms or leave Iraq. "No country can tolerate an armed group deploying within its borders and attacking another country," said Talabani. He said the terrorist PKK has to respect the decisions of the local government and legislature elected by the people in northern Iraq and the unanimous urging of Kurdish political parties to end the incursions, warning that otherwise the terrorist group will be responsible for what happens in the area. Stressing that a genuine, comprehensive dialogue between Turkey and Iraq developed after his landmark visit to Ankara this March, Talabani said the Iraqi government wants to continue its good neighborly relations with Turkey. /Sabah/

TWO GENERALS ARRESTED, JOURNALIST BALBAY RELEASED IN ERGENEKON PROBE
Retired Gen. Sener Eruygur, chairman of the Kemalist Thought Association (ADD), and retired Gen. Hursit Tolon were arrested in Istanbul yesterday under the Ergenekon investigation. Eruygur and Tolon, who were first detained last week, were sent to Metris Prison in Istanbul. Retired Adm. Ilker Guven, Cumhuriyet daily Ankara representative Mustafa Balbay, and Neriman Aydin, all of whom were also earlier detained under the investigation, were released. Osman Gurbuz, Kemal Aydin and Durmus Ali Ozoglu were also arrested. The alleged criminal network known as Ergenekon came to light last summer after police seized hand grenades, TNT, and detonators in a shanty house in Istanbul. So far 58 people, including a number of prominent figures, have been detained and sent to prison under the investigation. An indictment in the case is expected to be filed soon. /All Papers/

COUNCIL OF STATE PROSECUTOR: "THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES MUST COMPLY WITH DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS"
At an international symposium held by the Judges and Prosecutors Association (YARSAV), Council of State Chief Prosecutor Tansel Colasan yesterday said, "Under the rule of law, the legislative and executive branches don't have the right to do anything they want just because they came to power through elections." She added, "They have to act in accordance with modern democratic standards and international law. Only this way can they be legal. Otherwise we can have nothing but a police state." /Cumhuriyet/

FORMER ENERGY MINISTER PASSES AWAY
Former Energy and Natural Resources Minister Ersin Faralyali passed away yesterday in Istanbul. Faralyali, 69, who held high positions in the worlds of both politics and business, will be laid to rest in Izmir following a ceremony in Istanbul. /Hurriyet/

FOOTBALL FEDERATION HEAD DIES
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Hasan Dogan, 52, died of a heart attack on Saturday in the resort town of Bodrum, Mugla, where he was spending his holiday. Dogan was elected TFF head this February. Born in Kastamonu in 1956, Dogan was a mechanical engineering graduate of Yildiz Technical University. He studied English in Britain. He worked in marketing before founding his own menswear company, Ramsey, in 1988. Dogan was married and had two children. His funeral will be held today in Istanbul. /All Papers/