CICEK VISITS PEOPLE WOUNDED IN KIRKUK, IRAQ BOMB ATTACK
At an Ankara hospital yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek yesterday visited 13 people wounded by a deadly suicide bombing last week in Kirkuk, Iraq. "Those who support terrorist groups are responsible for such incidents," Cicek said. "Those who fail to take concrete measures against terrorist groups and avoid necessary cooperation against them share this (responsibility)." Saying that Turks also feel the Iraqis' pain, he added that Turkey continues to work hard on the terrorist issue. At least 50 people were killed and over 100 wounded in the suicide bombing. /Star/

BABACAN ATTENDS WORKING DINNER ON AFGHANISTAN IN PARIS
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday attended a working dinner, held as part of an unofficial meeting on Afghanistan at the Foreign Ministry residence at La Celle-St.-Cloud, near Paris. The meeting focused on the situation in the country, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking there, and regional cooperation. Also attending the meeting were EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, and representatives of India, Germany, incoming G-8 Term President Italy, and permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as the foreign ministers of countries neighboring Afghanistan. Despite being invited to the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki did not come. /Sabah/

DTP'S TURK MEETS WITH BARZANI IN IRAQ
A delegation from the Democratic Society Party (DTP), lead by party leader Ahmet Turk, yesterday met with Massoud Barzani, the head of the regional administration in northern Iraq. The two reportedly stressed efforts to improve dialogue between Kurds, saying that both parties support dialogue as a solution to the Kurdish issue. The DTP delegation is expected to meet today with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in Sulaimaniyah. /Star/

TURKISH DIPLOMAT IHSANOGLU HONORED IN PARIS
The Paris-based International Academy of the History of Science last week honored Turkish diplomat and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu with the Alexandre Koyre Medal. Ihsanoglu received the medal, named after a prominent French science historian and philosopher, for his research into the history of Ottoman era science. He is the author of a 15-volume work on the subject, which took 25 years to put together with a team of researchers under his direction. /Hurriyet Daily News/

INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP SET TO RELEASE TURKEY REPORT
2009 will be a critical year for Turkey, in which the country must decide whether to continue its European Union membership bid or not, according to a new report by the International Crisis Group set for release today. The report by the Brussels-based think-tank calls on both Turkey and the EU to save the country's EU process. It claims that despite claims by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that it would return to the reform process, little has been done in this area, adding, "As a result, the AKP has lost credibility both domestically and internationally." /Milliyet/

TUZMEN: "TURKEY SHOULD CONTINUE ITS PRODUCTION WITHOUT ANY LAG"
State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen said yesterday that Turkey should continue its production without any reduction at a time of global economic crisis. "Turkey will find great success if it manages to keep up its production during today's difficult conditions," he added. On the automotive, textile, ready-wear and construction sectors, he urged measures to boost domestic consumption. Saying that the government is listening carefully to the needs of industrialists, he added that all necessary measures are being taken to counter the global crisis. Reviving domestic demand will also have a positive impact on the country's exports, Tuzmen added. "In the midst of today's world economic situation, we must take proper steps, and act cautiously and calmly," he said. "Over the next two years, all sectors, industrialists, exporters, the banking sector and the government should act in solidarity to overcome our difficulties. If we weather these temporary difficulties, we will see great success." In related news, Turkey's exports to Gulf countries rose 24 percent from January to September, partially offsetting the decline in its exports to European countries due to the crisis. /Turkiye/