ERDOGAN SENDS LETTER TO SYRIA'S ASSAD
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday sent a letter to Syrian President Bashar Assad. According to Syria's official news agency Sana, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, currently in Damascus for an official visit, delivered the letter to the president. The letter reportedly focused on joint investment projects and bilateral relations. /Milliyet/

ANKARA URGES N.IRAQI ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE CONCRETE MEASURES AGAINST TERRORIST PKK
Turkey wants to see concrete steps, not more statements, from the northern Iraqi regional administration against the terrorist PKK, said Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek yesterday. "The terrorist group has been launching its attacks against Turkey mostly from northern Iraq, and Turkey wants the administration (there) to keep its word to engage in close cooperation against the terrorist group," he told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. Cicek added that for the time being the Cabinet would meet every other week to discuss terror and the economy. Touching on the global economic crisis and its impact on Turkey, Cicek spoke about the crisis' psychological aspect, stressing that everyone should avoid undermining Turkey's atmosphere of trust and stability. /Aksam/

TURKEY TO HOLD TALKS WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS TO STOP PKK TERRORISM
A Foreign Ministry delegation led by Murat Ozcelik, Ankara's special envoy to Iraq, will go to Baghdad today to speak with Iraqi Kurdish officials about the importance of cooperation against the terrorist PKK in northern Iraq. Ozcelik's delegation, including diplomats and military officials, will meet with Massoud Barzani, the leader of the northern Iraqi regional administration, and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. The meeting reportedly will be the first step in a long-term dialogue. /Aksam/

ANTI-TERROR BOARD TO CONVENE TODAY
The second meeting in as many weeks of the Supreme Anti-Terrorism Board, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will be held today. During the meeting, Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) requests and measures in the fight against terrorism will be discussed. /Cumhuriyet/

TRNC'S TALAT, GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER DISCUSS PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias yesterday held their fourth meeting under new comprehensive Cyprus negotiations to find a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. The meeting, held with the attendance of Special UN Envoy Alexander Downer, lasted over three hours. Talat and Christofias spoke about the presidency in a possible united Cyprus and power-sharing. Talat reportedly proposed a model used in Bosnia and Switzerland, whereas Christofias supported a presidential system rotating between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot Cabinet had cancelled plans for the National Guard to hold military exercises. Praising the cancellation, Talat's spokesperson Hasan Ercakica said the TRNC was canceling its Taurus military exercises as well. Downer said that the two leaders would continue to talk about the presidential system next week, adding, "Ozdil Nami, the Turkish Cypriot representative for European Union and UN talks, this week will meet with George Iacovou, the Greek Cypriot leader's chief adviser for negotiations with the Turkish Cypriots." /Star/

ERDOGAN: "OUR ECONOMY'S FIRM FOUNDATIONS WILL CUSHION IT FROM THE GLOBAL CRISIS"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a meeting in Ankara held as part of the 11th Foreign Trade Week. Addressing the gathering, Erdogan said, "Given recent developments in international stock exchanges, triggered by the US global financial crisis, Turkey, which is a developing country, will surely be affected by these global fluctuations, but their effect will be minimal." Stating that Turkey had learned a great deal from previous financial crises, he said, "Over the last six years we restructured our financial and banking systems in light of these experiences, and now they're in a solid position. Today, Turkey is better positioned financially than many developed countries." About the impact on exports, he said, "I believe our foreign trade won't be greatly affected by the crisis, but will turn it into an opportunity." Erdogan also criticized what he called fear mongering by some, saying that the government was taking all necessary measures to protect the country from the crisis. /Turkiye/

SIMSEK: "NO ONE IS IMMUNE FROM THE GLOBAL CRISIS, BUT TURKEY SHOULD FEEL MINIMAL EFFECTS"
The ongoing global financial crisis will inevitably affect everyone, but Turkey less so, said State Minister for the Economy Mehmet Simsek yesterday. "The world is going through a difficult period," he told reporters after his meetings in Washington with World Bank and International Monetary Fund officials. "No country, no company, and no individual is immune to the crisis. This crisis will influence Turkey like other countries. But we think this effect will be limited, as the foundations of Turkey's banking sector are firm." Simsek added that technical work on a standby agreement with the IMF was continuing and that a delegation will come to Turkey as part of this. /Cumhuriyet/

TURKEY GUEST OF HONOR AT FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR
Turkey is the guest of honor country at the 60th Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's most prestigious book fair, starting today. President Abdullah Gul and Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk will deliver speeches at the fair. Over 600 guests from Turkey, including writers and poets, will attend the fair, which runs until Sunday. In addition, more than 200 TV and newspaper reporters from Turkey will cover the event. /Turkish Daily News/