ARINC, ERDOGAN RECEIVE NATO DELEGATION
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the NATO Parliamentary Delegation headed by Claude Lellouche yesterday in Ankara. Stating that the PKK was a racist organization, Erdogan said that there had never been any racist atmosphere in Anatolia’s history as Kurds and Turks had historically been intermingled. He underscored the importance of international cooperation in fighting against terrorism. Erdogan also said that NATO`s decisions on Iraq and Afghanistan were very important to Turkey, as a country neighboring to Iraq. “Turkey has decided to take over ISAF`s command in February 2005,” he added. “We believe that our mission will not only strengthen peace and stability in the region but also contribute to the creation of a secure atmosphere.” In related news, Arinc stressed that since NATO and the European Union aimed to strengthen the transatlantic alliance, Turkey is determined to exert efforts to contribute to the common NATO-EU aspirations. /All Papers/
ERDOGAN MEETS WITH TUSIAD DELEGATION, DISCUSSES PRIVATIZATION AND STRUCTURAL REFORMS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) delegation headed by TUSIAD Chairman Omer Sabanci to discuss a number of issues, including privatization, structural reforms on tax and social security, and Turkey’s European Union membership bid. During the meeting, Sabanci said that Ankara should prove to the EU that it was preparing to begin its accession talks with the Union. Later, the delegation met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan to discuss the EU’s progress report on Turkey which is due to be released next month. /Cumhuriyet/
ERDOGAN: “OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO PROTECT THE FAMILY UNIT”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was a conservative party, and aiming at protecting the family establishment. Speaking to reporters about recent controversial arrangement on adultery in the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), Erdogan said adultery would be considered a crime only if a complaint was made. “We are protecting the rights of the cheated wives,” said Erdogan. “Public polls showed that 80 percent of the people supported the government’s initiative on the matter.” Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday called on an extra ordinary parliamentary session on Sept. 14 to debate the new TCK on an application submitted by the AKP. /Turkiye/
GUL BRIEFS IPUK’S BARZANI ON ANKARA’S SENSITIVITIES ON KIRKUK, TURKMENS, AND THE PKK
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with Nechirvan Barzani, a senior official from the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP). During their meeting, Gul briefed Barzani on Ankara’s sensitivities concerning the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Turkmens, and the terrorist organization PKK/KADEK. Barzani stressed that Iraqi-Turkish relations were very important, adding that his confidence in Ankara continued. “Turkey is a sample country for us,” he said. Barzani added that the Iraqi government would never allow PKK’s terrorist attacks and reiterated that it was an enemy of both Turkey and Iraq. In related news, Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) leader Jalal Talabani who also arrived in Ankara for an official visit yesterday is expected today to meet with Gul. /Aksam/
VERHEUGEN MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF NGOs IN DIYARBAKIR
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey, yesterday met with representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Diyarbakir. Speaking afterwards, Verheugen touted the government’s recent steps for the nation’s EU membership bid. The EU commissioner returned to Ankara late yesterday and later proceeded to Izmir along with Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan. He is expected today to meet with Izmir Governor Yusuf Ziya Goksu and Izmir Mayor Aziz Kocaoglu. /Turkiye/
PARLIAMENTARIANS TO VISIT EU COUNTRIES TO SEEK SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU BID
In the runup to the European Union’s Progressive Report on Turkey, Parliamentarians is launching a breakthrough to seek support for Turkey’s EU membership bid. In addition to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s scheduled visits to EU countries this month, a delegation of deputies is set to travel to France, Germany, Greece and Latvia in the beginning of next month. /Turkiye/
UNAKITAN DISCUSSES POSSIBLE PRIVATIZATION OF TURKISH CYPRIOT AIRLINES WITH TRNC FINANCE MINISTER
Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan yesterday met with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Finance Minister Ahmet Uzun to discuss a possible privatization of the Turkish Cypriot Airlines. Speaking afterwards, Unakitan said that Turkey owned 50% share of Turkish Cypriot Airlines, adding that privatization of the company would soon be open to discussion. “It is out of question to grant this share to the TRNC,” he said. Unakitan added that the experts would soon discuss the issue and that a decision would soon be made on the issue. /Aksam/
TERRORIST ATTACK TAKES LIVES OF TWO IN DIYARBAKIR
During a terrorist attack in Diyarbakir, two people including one policeman were killed on Sunday night. After the incident, a crackdown was begun by security forces in the region to seize the attackers. The two bodies laid to rest yesterday while European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen was visiting the city. /Turkiye/
ENVIRONMENT MINISTER SUSPECTS OF SABOTAGE IN MV ULLA INCIDENT
A ship filled with toxic power station waste has sunk off in southeastern Turkey. The Environment Ministry said that the ship called “the MV Ulla” had sunk in Iskenderun bay on Monday with 2200 tones of ash from power stations in Spain. The MV Ulla had been moored in Iskenderun bay for four years. Environment Minister Osman Pepe yesterday said that the ship might have been scuttled to prevent it returning to Spain. “In my soul and my conscience I wonder whether this incident could have been the result of sabotage,” he told the reporters. “Why should a ship that had been waiting for four years suddenly sink just at the moment it was about to depart for Spain?” Pepe said that negotiations between Turkey and the Spanish government were about to be concluded when the accident occurred. “A seizure notice was pending on the ship, which complicated its departure from the region,” he said. “The order had just been lifted following an agreement with the Spanish government.” He also said that inquiry would be launched into the causes of the accident and that the Spanish government would have to assume responsibility for all damage caused to the environment. It is currently forbidden to dive, fish or eat dead fish from the area. /Turkiye/
THE NETHERLANDS AGREES TO EXTRADITE KURDISH TERRORIST TO TURKEY
The Dutch Ministry of Justice has agreed to extradite Nuriye Kesbir, a member of the terrorist organization PKK, who is wanted for attacks on military targets in Turkey. “The decision was taken after obtaining the express guarantee from the Turkish authorities that Kesbir will get a fair trial according to the relevant international treaties,” the ministry said in a written statement. “She will be allowed to remain in the Netherlands to await the outcome of an appeal if she decides to challenge the minister’s decision in court.” In May, the Hague Supreme Court ruled that Kesbir could be extradited to Turkey adding that the final decision rested with the justice minister. Turkey accuses Kesbir of being behind at least 25 attacks carried out between 1993 and 1995 on military targets in eastern Anatolia. /Star/