GOVERNMENT, GENERALS DISCUSS MEASURES AGAINST ISRAEL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, force commanders and state ministers who are members of the National Security Council (MGK) yesterday held an emergency summit on Monday's Israeli attack on a Turkish-led humanitarian aid flotilla. A brief written statement was issued after the four-hour meeting. The statement said that the Cabinet members and generals discussed possible political, diplomatic, economic, military measures to be taken against Israel. /Today's Zaman/
PARLIAMENT ISSUES DECLARATION CONDEMNING ISRAEL
The Turkish Parliament yesterday passed a declaration condemning Monday's Israeli attack on a civilian Turkish-led humanitarian aid flotilla that killed nine individuals, including several Turkish citizens. The declaration, issued with the support of all parties represented in Parliament, called for UN sanctions against Israel and the establishment of an impartial international commission to investigate the attack, which occurred in international waters. Deputy Parliament Speaker Guldal Mumcu read out the text of the declaration in Parliament. The declaration condemned Israel's action in strong terms and called on the international community to take a stance against Israel. /Today's Zaman/
PM ERDOGAN SPEAKS WITH US PRESIDENT OBAMA ON THE PHONE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with US Barack Obama on the phone on Tuesday after the Israeli attack on a Turkish-led humanitarian aid flotilla. During the conversation, Erdogan conveyed his regret over the incident. Stating that Israel's attack was unacceptable and an activity against international law and customs, Erdogan demanded that those taken under custody to be released and the embargo imposed on Gaza should be lifted immediately. Erdogan said, "Israel faces losing its sole friend in the region, Turkey, a country that contributed significantly to peace in the region. The steps which will be taken-n by Israel in the coming days will be decisive about its situation in the region. /Turkiye/
IRAQ'S BARZANI ARRIVES IN ANKARA
Massoud Barzani, head of the regional administration in northern Iraq, yesterday arrived in Turkey as a guest of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Barzani will be received by President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the meetings, issues such as election results and works conducted to establish a government in Iraq and cooperation on the fight against terrorism will be discussed. /Turkiye/
TUSIAD: ISRAEL MUST GIVE FULL ACCOUNT OF AID SHIP TRAGEDY
Stating that statements of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after Israel's attack on aid convoy to Gazza in the sea were totally right, Chairwoman of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association Umit Boyner said : "Israel must give full account to the international law." Boyner said: "For the coming process, it is very important for the United Nationas (UN) to stay behind its decision.This event should be followed to the end through the international law." /Milliyet