IN SOGUT, PRESIDENT GUL CALLS FOR UNITY
A ceremony was held in Sogut, Bilecik yesterday marking the 727th anniversary of the founding of the Ottoman Empire. Among those attending the ceremony were President Abdullah Gul, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer. During the ceremony, Gul said that Turkey should direct its energy and dynamism to reach the level of contemporary civilization, as Ataturk urged. He also called on politicians to maintain unity in the country. For his part, Baykal said, "The requirements for sustaining Turkey's unity are before us." He added, "We're trying to do our part. We'll definitely find a way to take our country forward." /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN CONTINUES TO CRITICIZE DOGAN MEDIA GROUP AND MAIN OPPOSITION CHP
Addressing an Istanbul congress of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued to accuse the Dogan media group and its boss Aydin Dogan of waging a smear campaign against the government. He also slammed the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) for its claims that the government had put pressure on the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to investigate the group for alleged illegal trading. "You say I gave an order to the SPK head," said Erdogan. "Anyone who fails to prove this (allegation) has no honor, no dignity. I'm saying this very clearly and openly." He added, "The SPK is an autonomous institution. I have issued no directive on this issue. Before falsely accusing the government, the CHP and its leader should first look at themselves." Stressing that the government welcomes constructive criticism, he said, "But we will continue to respond to campaigns trying to tar the government and the AKP with corruption and to defame our dignity and honor." He also said that under previous governments, the Dogan group got whatever it wanted from politicians, but that era is now over. Erdogan also said Aydin Dogan had written him two letters seeking favoritism on business matters. "I'd like to stress, sir, that you will get the same treatment as all of our other citizens," Erdogan said. He also accused the group's newspapers of failing to cover allegations about CHP leader Deniz Baykal's assets. "Just by looking at Istanbul's general outlook, one can see the great changes made by the government over the last six years," he said, citing the city's situation under CHP rule in years past. Over the weekend, Erdogan also attended an iftar fast-breaking dinner with a group of workers in the Tuzla shipyard. /Turkiye/
TOP US GEN. MULLEN MEETS WITH ERDOGAN
US Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman Gen. Michael Mullen yesterday arrived in Istanbul at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Gen. Ilker Basbug. Mullen was also received by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a meeting which lasted about one hour. Also at the meeting were ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Chairman Egemen Bagis and US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson. The meeting focused on the fight against terrorism and intelligence-sharing with the US. Mullen today is expected to meet with Basbug and President Abdullah Gul. In related news, Alliances of Civilizations co-sponsors Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will meet today in Istanbul for an iftar fast-breaking dinner. /Sabah/
TURKEY-EU TROIKA TO MEET IN BRUSSELS TODAY
A semi-annual Turkey-European Union Troika meeting will take place today in Brussels. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will head the Turkish delegation, and will meet with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, EU Term President France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, and Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the next EU presidency. At the meeting, Turkey's EU reform process, membership negotiations, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal for a Caucasus platform, and regional and global issues will be discussed. /Star/