ERDOGAN HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF MAYORS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday highlighted the importance of the role of mayors in democracies. Speaking at a training seminar in Kizilcihamam, Ankara, organized by the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Istanbul Chairmanship, Erdogan said that his government was looking at ways to strengthen local administrations. He urged all AKP mayors to work hard to serve the people and the nation. “Even if you expect to lose the next round of elections, don’t hesitate to do what should be done,” added Erdogan. During his speech, the premier also expressed his grief over yesterday’s devastating earthquake and resulting tsunamis in south Asia, and pledged that Turkey would do its best via its missions in the region to help countries hit by the disaster. /Turkiye/

BAYKAL: “THE EU’S DECISION AT THE SUMMIT WASN’T A GOOD ONE”
Appearing on television yesterday, Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal claimed that the European Union’s recent decision on Turkey’s membership talks was not a good one, citing in particular possible restrictions on the free movement of Turkish workers in the EU. “Our citizens have yet to recognize this reality,” said Baykal, adding that Ankara had formally requested that the EU lift such permanent derogations. He warned that Greek Cypriots would try to delay the beginning of Turkey’s accession talks since Ankara is required to recognize Greek Cyprus before its negotiations can start. Baykal added that reaching a Cyprus resolution also depended upon help from the United States and Britain. /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS: “WE COULD TAKE UP ARMS TO DEFEND OUR HONOR”
Appearing on television yesterday, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that the independence of a country was its honor, adding that if Turkey should ever stop supporting the TRNC, then Turkish Cypriots could ever take up arms to defend this honor. “We must unite against those who want to destroy our country,” urged Denktas. He stressed that he doesn’t want to serve as negotiator during possible new Cyprus talks since he is viewed as being opposed to a resolution on the island. /Milliyet/

AUSTRIAN COALITION SIGNS ONTO REFERENDUM ON TURKEY’S EU BID
Austria’s coalition parties have agreed upon a referendum on Turkey’s European Union membership as proposed by Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and Vice Chancellor Hubert Gorbach. Austrian daily Kurier reported over the weekend that Schuessel, acting on behalf of the Austrian People’s Party (OVP), and Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) leader Ursula Haubner had signed an agreement to hold a referendum on Ankara’s EU membership. The proposal, rejected last week by Austria’s opposition parties, foresees holding a referendum on Turkey’s EU entry after it successfully completes its accession talks. /Turkish Daily News/

TURKISH RESCUE TEAM READY TO HELP TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS
Search and Rescue Team (AKUT) head Nasuh Mahruki said yesterday that a team is ready for immediate deployment to areas in southern and southeastern Asia hit by the worst earthquake in the last 40 years and resulting tsunamis. “We’ve prepared a team, and we’re ready to go to the region,” added Mahruki. “We’re awaiting a request from the Prime Ministry.” The Foreign Ministry stated that medical equipment, doctors and helicopters so far have been requested from Turkey, but that rescue efforts may already be too late. /Star/

TURKEY’S OIC HEAD FLIES TO SAUDI ARABIA
Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the newly appointed secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), yesterday flew to Saudi Arabia to assume his post. “In order to develop more productive solutions to the problems of the Islamic world, the OIC has to take a more active role in world politics,” said Ihsanoglu. /Star/

FORMER DEP DEPUTIES TO FORM NEW PARTY
A group of 14 activists, including four former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies Leyla Zana, Orhan Dogan, Selim Sadak and Hatip Dicle, held their first meeting in Diyarbakir this weekend to lay the groundwork to form a new political party. Dogan, reading from a 12-page manifesto outlining the new movement’s principles, said that they planned to found a new party called the Democratic Society Movement (DTH) that would campaign for policies based up on the will of the people. Dogan said, “For now, the DHT will limit itself to voicing its opinion on Turkey’s democratization and the Kurdish problem.” He added that the DTH fully supported Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union. /Turkish Daily News/

KOC TOUTS POSITIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, BUT WARNS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
Leading businessman and Koc Group Chairman Mustafa Koc yesterday praised Turkey’s positive economic developments over the last year, adding, however, that unemployment still remained one of the country’s most pressing problems. He predicted that positive trends would continue in the new year and that injections of foreign capital would help to create new jobs. Touching on Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Koc called Ankara getting a date for entry talks an important step. /Cumhuriyet/