ERDOGAN: "2008 WAS A HARD YEAR FOR TURKEY, BUT NOT A LOST ONE"
In a televised address to the nation yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that 2008 had been a hard year for Turkey, but not a lost one. Stating that 2008 would be remembered for the global economic crisis that hit all countries all over the world, Erdogan said that the government had successfully steered Turkey's economy through this process, despite a number of difficulties. The impact of the crisis on Turkey will probably continue next year, but the government has taken all necessary measures to weather the crisis with minimal damage and will continue to do so, Erdogan said. Touching on the importance of preserving the country's atmosphere of stability and trust in the face of the crisis, Erdogan said, "We're aware that together with its adverse effects, the crisis also offers important economic opportunities for Turkey. We will work hand in hand to make 2009 a year of opportunities for Turkey. We will address the crisis' negative effects on our country as quickly as possible, and turn it into an impetus for a stronger initiative and more dynamic economy." Stating that everyone in Turkey has many reasons to look to the future with hope, Erdogan stressed, "This hope and self-confidence will see the country through the crisis. We should keep our faith in the future of Turkey and enthusiasm for progress." Erdogan also said the most effective way out of the crisis is to continue to produce, adding that no one should doubt that Turkey will score successes next year, as in the past six years under his party's rule. "Every new year means a new excitement and beginning," he said. /Turkiye/
NSC EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER THE DEATHS OF HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIANS IN ISRAELI OFFENSIVE
Meeting yesterday at the Cankaya Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of President Abdullah Gul, the National Security Council (NSC) expressed deep concern over the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza. The council said in a statement after the meeting that the military operation should be stopped immediately, the parties should give diplomacy a chance, humanitarian aid should be allowed to reach the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the Palestinians should reach a compromise as soon as possible. The NSC said during the meeting, its members had discussed recent developments at home and abroad affecting Turkey's security. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will continue to carry out cross-border operations into northern Iraq as long as necessary, said the statement, reaffirming the NSC's determination to maintain measures against the terrorist group and its supporters, and stressing the need to improve cooperation with Iraq within the framework of the Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The NSC also reviewed other foreign developments, including ones concerning Cyprus. /Aksam/
OIC, ARAB LEAGUE TO MEET TO DISCUSS ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON THE GAZA STRIP
Following up on Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's call for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Arab League to take immediate action to end Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, the two organizations are set to bring together member country foreign ministers this weekend in separate meetings in Qatar and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Turkish scholar Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the OIC's secretary general, yesterday telephoned President Abdullah Gul to tell him of his latest efforts to end Israel's attacks. In related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara with his visiting Qatari counterpart Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani. /Sabah-Hürriyet/
US' RICE TO PAY FINAL VISIT TO ANKARA
In possibly her last Turkish visit while in office, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will reportedly be in Ankara this Saturday and Sunday. During her visit, issues such as the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Palestine will be discussed, along with the fight against the terrorist PKK, the US-Iraqi Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Iran's nuclear program, tensions between India and Pakistan, Israeli-Syrian indirect talks, the tension in the Caucasus, the proposed Caucasus cooperation and stability platform, and dialogue with Armenia. /Cumhuriyet/
ISRAELI SECURITY CABINET MEMBER: "WE DON'T MEAN TO SHAME TURKEY"
Isaac Herzog, a member of Israel's Security Cabinet, yesterday participated in a teleconference at Israel's Ankara Embassy about the ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Asked about Turkey's disappointment with Israel over the attacks in the wake of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit to Ankara, and whether Israel would be able to regain Turkey's trust, Herzog said, "We see Turkey as Israel's strategic friend, and we trust in Turkey, which is an important and honest actor in the region." The Syria issue was discussed during Olmert's meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week, he added. "The Gaza issue was discussed outside the meeting," he said. "We don't intend to shame Premier Erdogan or the Turkish government. We just want to protect our citizens. Turkey, which has suffered greatly from terrorism, understands the fight against terrorism. We did the same as your government has done to protect its people from terrorism. We can understand Erdogan's anger. We'll regain Turkey's confidence. The trust and strategic understanding between our countries are very deep. I am confident that our relationship will improve." /Milliyet/
TURKISH AID TO ARRIVE IN GAZA TOMORROW
Ten trailers from Turkey carrying food are expected to arrive in the Gaza Strip tomorrow morning, according to the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay). "Even though there is an embargo in the area, we have been able to secure permission from the Israeli authorities, since the aid is purely for humanitarian purposes," said Mustafa Aydin, one of two special Kizilay team members currently in Jerusalem. Aydin added that over the last two years, Kizilay has provided the region with 10,000 tons of flour (half of it for the Gaza Strip and the other half for the West Bank), 100,000 backpacks, a prefabricated school, and $2.5 million worth of medicine. Meanwhile, five ambulances from Turkey and 100 trucks full of humanitarian aid reached Gaza yesterday. The provision of the ambulances was coordinated by the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TYKA) and will be used by various Gaza hospitals, including the al-Shifa Hospital. Turkey has given 10 more ambulances this month to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. TYKA also plans to ship five generators to Gaza. In related news, other Turkish volunteer and charity groups have been organizing campaigns to help the Palestinian people with food and medicine. /Today's Zaman/