PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES CHANGES TO PENAL CODE
Parliament continued debate yesterday on proposed sweeping revisions to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). A total of 218 articles were passed yesterday. Articles on punishments for offenses such as genocide and crimes against humanity were amended by a joint proposal of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). Article 312 was altered to expand freedom of thought. Also under the articles passed yesterday, perpetrators of genocide or homicide will be sentenced to life in prison. Conducting scientific trials on humans without the subject’s consent will carry a penalty of one to three years in prison, and stealing human organs will net five to nine years. Three to 12 years will be the penalty for torture by a public official. /Hurriyet/

ERDOGAN: “EVERYONE MUST CONDEMN TERRORISM”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated yesterday that terrorism was not particular to any religion, nationality or race. Speaking at the Eighth International Labor Forum in Istanbul, Erdogan said that everyone must condemn terrorism, no matter its origin. Lamenting that Iraq was currently one of the centers of terrorism, the premier pointed out that 30 Turkish citizens had been killed in this country since last year’s Iraq war. Commenting on the recent school terrorist siege in North Ossetia, Erdogan branded it an act of fundamentalist terrorism. /Sabah/

GUL, POWELL TO MEET DURING UN MEETING IN NEW YORK
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is set to travel to New York on Friday to attend the opening of the United Nations General Assembly meeting. During his 10-day visit, Gul will meet with his US counterpart Colin Powell. Their talks are expected to focus on US forces’ recent crackdown in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar as well as insufficient efforts to fight the terrorist group PKK/Kongra-Gel in northern Iraq. The embargo on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be another topic of discussion with US officials. /Turkiye/

POWELL PRAISES TURKEY’S RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE
In a statement yesterday marking the release of the US State Department’s annual report on religious freedom, US Secretary of State Colin Powell singled out Turkey for praise of its tolerant environment. "We are always eager to commend nations that have made progress over the past year," said Powell, "and the report ... acknowledges countries, such as ... Turkey, that have adopted good practices or have taken steps to promote greater tolerance for all religious faiths." The report itself noted that Turkey's Constitution "provides for freedom of religion." /Turkiye/

FOREIGN MINISTRY: “TAL AFAR’S SECURITY AND ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE TURNED OVER TO ITS TURKMEN”
Foreign Ministry spokesmen Namik Tan said yesterday that the security and administration of the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar, the scene of fierce fighting before its recent capitulation to US forces, should be turned over to its ethnic Turkmen. Speaking at a weekly briefing, Tan said that the administration of the city had belonged to the Turkmen before the US operation in the city and now should be turned over to them again. Touching on a recent telephone conversation between US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Tan said that Gul had spoken of Turkey’s sensitivities concerning the Turkmen’s situation and that in response, Powell had given assurances that the US would keep these considerations in mind. Tan added that tomorrow Ankara would send its first delivery of humanitarian aid to Tal Afar. “We decided to deliver urgent humanitarian aid there through the Turkish Red Crescent [Kizilay] via the Habur border crossing,” he added. /Aksam/

BOUCHER: “TURKEY WANTS TO CONTINUE ITS COOPERATION WITH THE US IN IRAQ”
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said that the recent US military operation in the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar was aimed against domestic and foreign terrorist elements in the region. Asked about Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s recent remarks warning Turkey could cease cooperation with the US in Iraq if the Tal Afar operation continues, Boucher said, “We’re working very closely with Turkey on all issues concerning Iraq, and the Turkish government has reiterated that it wanted to continue its cooperation with us in Iraq.” He further added that Ankara attached great importance to its cooperation with Washington. /Aksam/

GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SERVANTS BEGIN COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
At a meeting yesterday chaired by State Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, representatives of civil servants’ unions and government officials began to discuss wage increases and fringe benefits for next year. During the five-hour talks, union representatives proposed a 17% wage hike and a base salary of TL 870 million. The next meeting is set to be held next Thursday. If no agreement is made after 15 days of talks, then an arbitration board will step in. Otherwise, the Cabinet will have the last word. /Turkiye/

TRNC’S TALAT: “ANNAN WILL LAUNCH A NEW CYPRUS INITIATIVE WHEN PAPADOPOULOS BECOMES MORE COOPERATIVE”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said yesterday that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would launch a new initiative on Cyprus when Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos ceases to “avoid meetings.” Speaking before yesterday’s TRNC Cabinet meeting, Talat said that Annan had requested that the Greek Cypriot side make clear their views on the Annan plan for the island. “When the Greek Cypriot side clarifies its views, then Annan will launch a new mission concerning Cyprus,” added Talat. /Cumhuriyet/

RAILWAYS HEAD TO LEAVE POST
Following a spate of recent deadly railway mishaps, Turkish State Railways Director General Suleyman Karaman and his deputy Ali Kemal Ergulec are being removed from their posts. Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim has reportedly signed a decree to that effect and sent it to the Prime Ministry for approval. /Turkiye/

IMF DELEGATION TO MEET WITH TUSIAD, TIM OFFICIALS IN ISTANBUL
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund headed by IMF Turkey Desk Chief Riza Moghadam yesterday arrived in Istanbul. The delegation is expected to meet today with representatives of private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The delegation is also expected to meet with officials from the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) and the Turkish Exporters’ Union (TIM). /Turkiye/

FENERBAHCE DEFEATS SPARTA PRAGUE
In Fenerbahce’s football match against Czech side Sparta Prague in Istanbul yesterday. Pierre van Hooijdonk’s goal delivered the Yellow Canaries a 1-0 win. /Star/

TURKEY BEATS THE NETHERLANDS AT BASKETBALL
In the 34th European Championship yesterday, the Turkish National Basketball team defeated the Netherlands, 83-59. /Hurriyet/