GUL: "TERROR WILL BE DEFEATED THROUGH A LONG-TERM RATIONAL STRATEGY"
The National Security Council (MGK), bringing together the president, prime minister and several Cabinet members with top military brass, convened yesterday to discuss new measures to take in the face of rising PKK terrorist attacks. President Abdullah Gul presided over the meeting, which took place at the War Academies Command in Istanbul. Addressing military staff before the MGK meeting, Gul said terrorism is Turkey's foremost issue. "There have been deep-rooted changes in our country, from politics and the economy, and from commerce to the legal system," he said. "The real goal of this transformation is to keep up with the times and not fall behind the necessities of the age." In his speech at the War Academy, he said he was happy to be visiting the 162-year-old institution. He expressed his condolences to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and said he hoped the victims of recent terrorist attacks would rest in peace. He also stressed in that Turkey needs to pursue long-term rational policies to end terrorism. "Turkey has to overcome the obstacle of terrorism and rid itself of this problem," he said. "The type of terror Turkey faces is the worst kind, as it has ethnic and separatist roots, which is why Turkey's job might be more difficult than that of others." Gul said that after the end of the Cold War, past mindsets lost their validity. He also stated that the military's service abroad strengthens Turkey. He highlighted recent transformations in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, and called Palestine a festering wound. He also touched on Central Asia, saying the countries there have a bright future ahead despite some difficulties. He stated that Latin America is also growing, but Africa remains a great wound for humanity. He also addressed technological advances in such areas of communications that have helped reshape the way people think. He said all these transformations influence governments and amount to a silent revolution. "After the end of the bipolar world and the Cold War era, we're left with a world more difficult to analyze. Now it's hard to even tell friend from foe," he said, "In today's world you might encounter enmity or friendship, sometimes from your neighbors, sometimes from your allies, sometimes from one you know as your brother, and sometimes from the unions that you struggle to be accepted in." We have to reevaluate these changing parameters and understand that we're in the midst of a very dynamic process, he added. /Today's Zaman, Sabah/
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL REITERATES DETERMINATION TO FIGHT TERRORISM
The National Security Council, meeting yesterday in Istanbul under the chairmanship of President Abdullah Gul to discuss recent developments concerning Turkey's security, reiterated the country's will and determination to continue its fight against terrorism. "The meeting confirmed the certainty that the deplorable attacks of the terrorist organization (PKK) and its supporters, meant to harm Turkey's unity and integrity, will never achieve their goals thanks to the determination of our state and nation," said a statement released after the meeting. "It also reiterated the will to continue the fight against terrorism until this threat is totally eliminated." The statement said the council discussed measures to address conditions exploited by terrorism, as well as security, diplomatic, economic, social and psychological aspects of the fight against terrorism. "Our nation's ongoing confidence in the state and its patience, calm and common sense despite all provocations, as well as the media's role and responsibility in informing people, were also underscored during the council meeting," said the statement. The meeting also stressed the importance of international cooperation for an effective fight against terrorism, calling on Turkey's neighbors and allies to do their part, said the statement. /Turkiye/
PM ERDOGAN SET TO ATTEND G-2O MEETING IN CANADA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will fly to Canada today to attend the G-20 summit in Toronto. Erdogan will reportedly meet with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the gathering. During the meeting, which Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also attend, Erdogan and Obama will discuss issues such as Iran, Israel and the terrorist PKK. /Star/
CHP LEADER SPEAKS WITH EU ENVOYS ABOUT TERRORISM
The leader of the main opposition party yesterday warned Turkey's European friends to examine whether forces in their countries are lending support to terrorist organizations. Speaking about his address to a luncheon meeting of European Union ambassadors to Ankara, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu told reporters, "I told my European friends to question themselves about outside financing for terrorism." In his address to the ambassadors, Kilicdaroglu reportedly criticized the government for not consulting with a wider swathe of society regarding its recent initiative to resolve the Kurdish problem. He said that the main challenge facing southeastern Turkey is poverty and unemployment, adding that providing more jobs, businesses and security in the region would help solve the problem. He also stressed human rights, social rights and freedom of religion, which were interpreted as broader rights for Turkey's Kurdish-origin citizens, sources said. /Hurriyet Daily News/
JOURNALIST SELCUK LAID TO REST IN NEVSEHIR, NEXT TO HIS BROTHER
Cumhuriyet daily columnist Ilhan Selcuk, who died last weekend in Istanbul, yesterday was laid to rest next to his older brother in the central province of Nevsehir. Selcuk requested in his will to be buried in the town of Hacibektas. The Haci Bektas Dergahi (dervish lodge), where he was buried, is one of the Turkish Alevi community's most revered sites. Selcuk's brother, Turhan Selcuk, was buried there in March. /Today's Zaman/
CAGLAYAN, SIMSEK CALL FOR STRONGER REGIONAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The Middle Eastern and Neighboring Countries Fair began yesterday in Gaziantep with the aim of strengthening cooperation and commercial ties in the region. The fair, which runs through Sunday, was attended by Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, as well as Sinan Celebi, the industry and trade minister of northern Iraqi regional administration, and Iraq's Deputy Minister of the National Investment Commission Salar M. Ameen, along with representatives from hundreds of firms from Turkey, Syria, China, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Romania, Italy and Brazil. The officials, speaking at the opening of the fair, called on participants to further economic cooperation, saying that doing so would eventually boost prosperity in the region. Caglayan said Turkey is eager to increase its trade with neighboring countries in the region. "We're hoping to reach $1 trillion in foreign trade by 2023. Let's do this together," he said. Stating that Turkey's share of the trade with 57 Islamic countries amounts to only 15 percent of its overall trade, he called on participants to raise this to around 40-50 percent. "Let's make use of our mutual advantages and improve trade. Let's carry out joint operations in third countries. This is what this fair is for," he said. Simsek, also speaking at the event, said that with their predominantly young populations and huge economic potential, Turkey and its neighbors may achieve greater prosperity. "We all have what's needed for greater prosperity and more investment and trade." He called on Middle Eastern countries to unite and realize their potential. /Today's Zaman/