PRESIDENT GUL ADDRESSES UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
President Abdullah Gul yesterday delivered a speech at the 63rd term UN General Assembly meeting in New York, US. Underlining Turkey's role on regional issues, Gul asked support from the General Assembly for Turkey's candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council. Gul said that Turkey extended full support to the efforts to find a political solution on Cyprus, adding that any solution should be based on a new state with two founding states of the equal status. Stating that that the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform proposed by Turkey would make a contribution to peace in the region, Gul said that Turkey also took part in reconstruction of Afghanistan. In related news, Gul met with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan also attended the meeting. During the meeting Gul and Zardari agreed on Turkey hosting a trilateral meeting including Pakistan and Afghanistan in Istanbul within one or two months. Afghan President Hamid Karzai had reportedly accepted Turkey's proposal. /Cumhuriyet-Milliyet/

ERDOGAN VISITS HAKKARI
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday went to eastern province of Hakkari to attend a series of openings. Speaking at Harran University 2008-2009 academic year opening ceremony, Erdogan said that universities are the basic elements for democracy, and that 53 new universities had been founded so far during his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Stating that the university, as known the first one in the history had been established in Harran, he said that these soils have been accepted a bridge between civilizations, and also a cradle of science and universal values. "That's why, we have to be high position in science," he added. Touching on recent global crisis in the economy, he said that the most powerful companies and banks have bankrupted. Erdogan stated that Turkey can transform the crisis into an advantage, saying, "Turkey stands at the 17th rank in the world and 6th rank in Europe the basis of Purchase Power Parities (PPP), GDP (gross domestic product)." Pointing to the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP), he thanked those who started the GAP initiative, Erdogan added that bringing to an end is important as starting. Erdogan also attended a hospital inaugurating ceremony, and an iftar dinner at his party's provincial branch. /Star/

POLICE DETAIN 14 MORE IN ERGENEKON PROBE
As part of the ongoing Ergenekon probe, police have detained 14 more suspects yesterday during raids in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. Tuncay Ozkan, a journalist known for his strong opposition to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and a leading name in the anti-government protests of last year was detained by police at his home in Istanbul early yesterday. As Ozkan's house was being searched, a group of demonstrators protested the arrest with waving Turkish flags and chanting slogans. A retired member of judiciary, as well as a retired police chief was also among the suspects taken into custody. /Hurriyet/

IZMIR HOSTS COMMERCE SYMPOSIUM
A symposium highlighting the historical significance of the Mediterranean region will kick off today in Izmir. Seventy participants from 16 countries will attend the first International Mediterranean Coastal Commerce: Past and Future symposium, organized by the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (ITO) which will be held today and tomorrow. "Scholars will discuss centuries of cultural interaction and history in the Mediterranean, which is known as the cradle of civilization," said ITO President Ekrem Demirtas. /Turkish Daily News/

TOP BUSINESSWOMAN BELIEVES TURKEY CAN CONTAIN ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC TURMOIL
Sabanci Holding Chairwoman Guler Sabanci yesterday hosted a reception in Ankara's Hilton Hotel with the attendance of many high-level government officials, economy bureaucrats, businessmen and foreign diplomats. Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, Central Bank (TCMB) head Durmus Yilmaz, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu were also in attendance. During the reception, conversations focused on the recent US-oriented global economic crisis and its impacts on Turkey. Commenting on the crisis, Sabanci said, "Nothing will ever be the same again in the financial markets and investment banking sector," and stressed the gravity of the crisis. Pointing to the shrinking European markets, Sabanci said, "If European economic growth faces a considerable slowdown due to the current crisis, this will also affect Turkey's real economy. Turkey should seek new markets in this period to export with an eye to turn the crisis into an opportunity." She also stressed the importance of budget discipline and fiscal restraint to minimize the adverse impacts of the crisis on Turkey. Stating that Turkey cannot remain unaffected by a global economic crisis, she said, "However Turkey has now a stronger financial system thanks to its economic reforms in recent years. This is an important advantage for Turkey. We must preserve Turkey's atmosphere of stability and trust at a time of global economic crisis." Yilmaz also made evaluations on the crisis and its impacts on Turkey, and said, "Turkey has achieved a sound macro economic foundation through its economic reform efforts for the last six years, and now has a stronger banking sector and fiscal structure. In addition to these advantages, Turkey's strict monetary policy will also contribute to minimize the impacts of the crisis." He also said, "Turkey could be negatively affected by the crisis due to the economic slowdown in its foreign trade partners. But this kind of effect is currently at the lowest level." /Sabah/