TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS TO OBSERVE US ELECTIONS
After a long history of itself sending observers to elections in third world countries, this year the United States has accepted foreign observers for today’s hotly contended presidential elections. Under the umbrella of the Organization for Security and Cooperation for Europe (OSCE), a delegation of some 60 parliamentarians from various countries will act as observers at polling places across the US. Representing Turkey in the delegation are Nevzat Yalcintas and Alaaddin Buyukkaya from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Haluk Kepenek from the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). The AKP deputies are expected to serve in Washington, DC, with Kepenek observing in Florida, the scene of legal disputes and balloting chaos four years ago. Yalcintas told reporters that the US administration had not been willing, but that the OSCE had urged them to accept the observers. /Turkiye/

CONTROVERSY MARS RELEASE OF REPORT
A press conference yesterday marking the release of a new report on minority and cultural rights was interrupted when members of the commission that produced the document objected to its release. Human Rights Advisory Board (IHDK) leader Ibrahim Kaboglu threatened to end the press conference if the dissident members failed to be orderly and show respect. The IHDK administration had planned the conference to respond to weeks-long criticism from its own members, media and top state officials concerning the controversial report, which was prepared by a sub-committee headed by Professor Baskin Oran. /All papers/

HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL SENT TO PARLIAMENT
The government yesterday sent a healthcare reform bill to Parliament. The 11-article bill proposes giving the Health Ministry jurisdiction over all state-owned health facilities and services. The bill is expected to be debated in Parliament in the coming days. /Turkiye/

FORMER MINISTERS’ TRIAL AT SUPREME STATE COUNCIL TO BEGIN TODAY
The trial of former Energy and Natural Resources Ministers Cumhur Ersumer and Zeki Cakan is scheduled to begin today at the Supreme State Court. The members of the Constitutional Court will try the ministers for allegations of corruption during their terms in office. The court is due today to hear the ministers’ defense. Prosecutors are reportedly seeking prison terms for the former ministers of 1-10 years. /Cumhuriyet/

PRODI: “TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP BID AND REFERENDUMS ON THE EU CONSTITUTION ARE SEPARATE MATTERS”
There is no connection between Turkey’s prospective membership and referendums on the European Union Constitution, European Union Commission President Romano Prodi yesterday told Italian daily La Repubblica. In an interview, Prodi said that Turkey’s accession had its own process, one which would take years. “However, the situation of the Constitution, which will have to be approved by referendums, is different from Turkey’s membership process,” he added. /Sabah/

MAVRONIKOLAS: “ANKARA SHOULDN’T EXPECT EU ACCESSION TALKS BEFORE RECOGNIZING GREEK CYPRUS”
Echoing recent comments by other Nicosia officials, Greek Cypriot Defense Minister Kiriakos Mavronikolas said yesterday that Ankara shouldn’t expect to begin its accession talks before recognizing Greek Cyprus. Also speaking yesterday, Greek Cypriot government spokesman Kipros Hrisostomidis stated that the government didn’t want to block Turkey’s EU bid, but added that there were certain conditions it should fulfill. In related news, US Special Coordinator for Cyprus Tom Weston warned that if Greek Cyprus vetoes the beginning of Ankara’s accession talks, this would have serious repercussions. /Milliyet/

TRNC’S EROGLU RETURNS MANDATE TO DENKTAS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) National Unity Party (UBP) leader Dervis Eroglu yesterday returned to President Rauf Denktas his mandate to form a new government after failing to piece together a new coalition. After their meeting, Denktas said that he would do his constitutional duty and hand over the mandate to someone else after considering the matter. Eroglu said that if Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat was selected for the mandate, then he should turn it down in order to open the way for elections, adding, “We can’t continue under the current government.” /Turkiye/

TRNC PREMIER TALAT: “I’M READY TO DISCUSS CHANGES TO ANNAN’S PLAN”
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said yesterday that Turkish Cypriots were ready to discuss certain changes and additions to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus reunification plan, which failed in spring referendums due to Greek Cypriot opposition. In an interview with Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros, Talat said, “Greek Cyprus should decide what it wants.” Asked whether he was ready to discuss revisions to the plan, Talat said, “Of course. If [Greek Cypriot leader Tassos] Papadopoulos has proposals for changes, we will discuss them and naturally we will bring our own proposals.” He added that negotiations over Cyprus should be under the auspices of the United Nations, not the European Union. /Turkiye/

THREE FAITHS GATHER FOR FAST-BREAKING DINNER
Bringing together leaders from three different faiths, religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu yesterday hosted an fast-breaking dinner in Istanbul. Fener Greek Patriarch Bartolomeos, Rabbi Ishak (Yitzhak) Haleva, and Istanbul Mufti Mustafa Cagrici attended the Iftar dinner, a traditional evening meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (Ramazan). Bardakoglu praised the fellowship of the spiritual leaders, calling it an example for the entire nation. Bardakoglu also called for mutual respect for the sacred objects of different religions. Rabbi Haleva read aloud a passage from the Tanakh. “How good, how nice it is for all brothers to come together,” he quoted, adding, “This picture has great importance for God’s presence.” /Hurriyet/

TIM CHAIRMAN: “OCTOBER EXPORTS WERE A RECORD-BREAKING $5.9 BILLION”
Exports in October rose 20.4% to reach a record-breaking $5.92 billion, announced Turkish Exporters Union (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici yesterday. The banner month pushed year-to-date exports to $60.41 billion, Satici told a press conference. Touching on Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Satici stressed that the coming 15 years would be difficult both economically and socially, adding that he believed Ankara would get a date at this December’s EU summit to begin its accession talks. He further stated that Turkey was growing faster than the other EU candidates and predicted further rises in this growth. /Aksam/

UNAKITAN: “TURKEY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK”
Turkey is on the right track, said Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan yesterday. Unakitan stated that next year’s budget is being seen as the most trustworthy budget in recent years. In related news, Parliament’s Budget Commission has completed work on the 2005 budget plan. Today the commission will discuss the budgets for the presidency, Parliament and court of accounts. /Turkiye/