GUL SENDS MESSAGE TO TRNC'S TALAT MARKING 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF CYPRUS PEACE AND FREEDOM OPERATION
President Abdullah Gul yesterday sent a message to Mehmet Ali Talat, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), to mark the 34th anniversary of the 1974 Peace and Freedom Operation as conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). "There are two politically equal nations, democracies and states on Cyprus," Gul said in his message, adding that peace and stability on the island can only be ensured through a solution based on the facts on the ground. He said that Turkey, as a guarantor state, backs the establishment of a new partnership on Cyprus. Gul also reaffirmed Turkey's determination to support the development of the TRNC. /Turkiye/

PRESIDENT GUL TO VISIT IRAQ
President Abdullah Gul is getting ready to visit Iraq. He is expected to visit Baghdad in September or October. During his stay in Baghdad, Gul will be the guest of his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani. /Sabah/

ERDOGAN: "NEITHER TURKEY NOR THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS WILL MAKE ANY CONCESSION ON EQUAL STATUS OR PARTNERSHIP"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the weekend attended ceremonies in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) marking the 34th anniversary of the 1974 Peace and Freedom Operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Speaking at one ceremony, Erdogan said that a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue is possible only on the basis of the facts on the island. "Nobody should expect the Turkish Cypriots to retreat from the idea of self-administration, equal status and equal partnership, or to agree to a minority status," he explained. Erdogan said a solution is possible only with a new partnership in which the Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC participate equally as founding elements. "Such a new partnership will be established on the principles of a two-sided structure, political equality, and Turkey's status as a guarantor state," he said. Erdogan also said that the 1974 operation prevented a massacre of Turkish Cypriots. "It was a humanitarian operation which had no intention other than bringing peace to the island," he said. "Everybody should acknowledge this reality and evaluate history from this perspective." He added, "The Peace and Freedom Operation, which was waged by the Turkish Armed Forces in line with the international law and agreements, brought freedom, confidence and prosperity to Turkish Cypriots," and urged the EU to keep its promises to the TRNC. /Turkiye/

BABACAN: "TURKEY OPPOSES NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN ITS REGION"
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday met with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, proceeding to Istanbul after a weekend visit to Geneva. Afterwards, Babacan said, "Turkey is holding consultations on Iran's nuclear program with six countries, as well as Iran itself." He added, "We believe every sovereign country has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful aims and to possess that technology. But Turkey is opposed to nuclear weapons in its region." For his part, Jalili said that they spoke about his meetings in Geneva. /Star/

BABACAN TO LOBBY FOR TURKEY'S UNSC BID IN NEW YORK

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan is set to visit New York tomorrow to drum up support for Turkey's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2009-2010. Babacan will spend his three-day visit holding meetings at United Nations headquarters and will also host a reception for international ambassadors serving there. /Turkish Daily News/

GERMAN CLIMBERS FREE AND SAFE
Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin announced yesterday that a group of German mountaineers who were kidnapped by the terrorist PKK earlier this month near Mt. Agri (Ararat) are now safe in the hands of Turkish security forces. He said that Foreign Minister Ali Babacan spoke to his German counterpart Fran-Walter Steinmeier by phone and told him that the German climbers were in good health. Agri Governor Mehmet Cetin told reporters that the terrorists released the hostages under the pressure of a wide-scale Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) search and rescue operation. /All Papers/