GUL: "WE WILL BE AFRICA'S VOICE ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL"
An influential country like Turkey cannot concern itself only with its own problems, said President Abdullah Gul yesterday. Speaking to reporters on the last day of his African tour including Tanzania and Kenya, he said that influential countries should have relations with neighboring and other countries. Stating that Turkey promotes stability wherever it goes, he added, "African countries supported Turkey's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2009-10. Turkey has been the voice of Africa, and it will continue to do so." Gul also met with his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete, followed by a meeting between Turkish and Tanzanian delegations. /Sabah/

CAMPAIGNING IN MARDIN, ERDOGAN PLEDGES CONTINUED DEMOCRATIC REFORMS
Addressing a campaign rally in the southeastern Anatolia province of Mardin yesterday, ahead of local elections late next month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said no one should confuse the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) with other parties, adding that the people no longer support a purely Ankara-centric mode of governance and politics. Stating that the AK Party has changed this during its six years in office, Erdogan said the government has taken great strides to bring an equal level of public services to every part of Turkey. Touting government efforts to expand the cultural rights of people living in the region, Erdogan said the TRT 6 channel, Turkey's first Kurdish-language state TV station, started broadcasting early this year towards this end. Criticizing opposition parties for opposing government reform efforts, Erdogan said, "Turkey is becoming more democratic and growing into a major power by thinking big. We will determinedly continue to develop Turkey and realize those reforms." Slamming claims by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader of government corruption, Erdogan said that since the CHP lacks any positive public program, it is campaigning on the basis of smears. If anyone has any evidence of corruption among AK Party mayors they should seek justice in the courts rather than spreading smears, Erdogan said, adding that the CHP should clean its own house over a Constitutional Court conviction of misusing Treasury financial support. Erdogan also said the government kept its word to establish a university in Mardin, adding that the university would soon open Kurdish and Syriac language and literature departments. /Turkiye/

MGK TO CONVENE THIS WEEK
The National Security Council (MGK), chaired by President Abdullah Gul, is set to convene this week at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Issues on the MGK's plate include the fight against the terrorist PKK, Turkish-European Union relations, a new Interior Ministry unit to coordinate anti-terrorist efforts, measures to be taken ahead of Nevruz celebrations, and Turkish-Israeli relations in the wake of tension over the Gaza offensive. /Sabah/

US ENVOY MITCHELL TO VISIT ANKARA
US Special Middle East Envoy George Mitchell will be in Turkey this Thursday as part of a four-nation regional tour also including Israel, Egypt and Jordan. Mitchell is expected to be received by President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and also to meet with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. /Milliyet/

CHP'S KILICDAROGLU: "LOCAL GOVERNORS ARE SERVING THE AK PARTY"
In a written statement yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In related news, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the CHP's candidate for Istanbul Municipality mayor, told reporters that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has become a "state party" and that Turkey's governors and district officials are serving the party's ends. Kilicdaroglu also criticized current Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas. /Hurriyet/

GOVT TO LEND SMALL EXPORTERS TL 1.7 BLN
Industry and Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan said yesterday that the government is set to extend TL 1.7 billion in loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) doing exports as part of its measures to fight the global economic crisis. "These loans will be interest-free or low cost," he said. Caglayan said that the SMEs will be responsible for paying back the loans six months after taking them out, adding that the loans would have a limit, as they want to give them to as many firms as possible. He explained that SMEs that have debts to social security will be eligible for the loans so long as they first settle their debts. He also said the government plans to extend another TL 3 billion to SMEs, shopkeepers and small manufacturers. /Turkiye/