PM ERDOGAN SET TO VISIT FLOOD-STRICKEN PAKISTAN NEXT MONTH
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has decided to pay a visit to flood-stricken Pakistan next month, after Turkey's Sept. 12 referendum on a constitutional amendment package. In the meantime, Erdogan is appealing for more international aid to the country, devastated by floods which have killed over 2,000 Pakistanis and forced more than 4 million people from their homes. The Pakistani government says more than 20 million people need shelter, food and clean water. Erdogan also plans to attend the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in October and call on the world to do their share to end the misery in Pakistan. In a speech to the UN, the prime minister will ask world leaders to speed up efforts to send humanitarian aid to Pakistan. Thus far Turkey has donated more than $10 million to the country and sent humanitarian aid worth over $2 million. In a nationwide aid campaign launched last week, Erdogan stressed that no country can overcome such a devastating disaster on its own. In related news, Erdogan's wife Emine Erdogan is planning to visit the deluge-stricken country before her husband. She will be accompanied by State Minister for Family and Women's Affairs Selma Aliye Kavaf. The two will reportedly work with Pakistani officials to take some Pakistani children orphaned by the floods to Turkey, where they will be placed in Social Services and Child Protection Agency (SHCEK) orphanages. Emine Erdogan is also planning to hold a charity iftar (fast-breaking dinner) at the Surmeli Istanbul Hotel benefitting the aid efforts. Many Turkish celebrities are expected to attend. /Today's Zaman/
ANKARA SEEKS WASHINGTON'S HELP IN DISPELLING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY
All issues of common concern were discussed in detail during talks this week in Washington between a high-profile Turkish delegation led by Foreign Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu and US foreign affairs, defense and trade officials, according to diplomatic sources. Bilateral ties, the Iranian nuclear issue, Iraq, Turkey's strained relations with Israel, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Afghanistan were all up for discussion. The talks, which focused on finding new areas of cooperation between the two countries, as well as ways to address shortcomings in bilateral ties, took place as part of regular political consultations between the two countries, the same sources said. Stating that Turkish-US cooperation covers a wide variety of areas, the Turkish side reportedly highlighted a recent rash of misconceptions among some US commentators and officials about Turkish foreign policy, especially after Ankara voted against new sanctions on Iran at the UN Security Council as well as Turkey's denunciation of Israel's May 31 aid flotilla raid, which left eight Turks and one American of Turkish descent dead. Misinterpretation and misrepresentation of Turkey and its foreign policy decision mostly stem from certain US congressmen and media outlets, Turkish officials told their US counterparts, and asked for their help in defusing baseless misgivings about Turkey and its foreign policy. Saying that Turkey currently enjoys close, intense cooperation with the US, the Turkish delegation assured US officials that Ankara wants to strengthen this cooperation. The Turkish side stressed that Turkey's foreign policy goals largely overlap with those of the US, and that they differa only in terms of timing and tactics. The delegation also made clear that Turkey isn't taking sides in the Iranian nuclear issue but rather pursuing its own interests in line with its own policies. Noting the surprise and concern among some over Turkey's foreign policy decisions in recent years, Turkish officials also told their US counterparts that similar surprise was shown during the Cold War, whenever Turkey acted independently. The US side responded positively to the Turkish side's request for help in keeping Congress better informed about Turkey and its foreign policy, so as to dispel any prejudices and misperceptions. In related news, when asked in a televised interview whether any foreign power was playing a role in Turkey's constitutional reform process, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey is not a country that a foreign actor can direct. /Sabah, Aksam/
LEGENDARY POLISH LABOR LEADER WALESA BACKS TURKEY'S EU BID
Former Polish President and legendary labor leader Lech Walesa said yesterday he has no doubts that Turkey will one day join the European Union. "My personal view is that there cannot be a Europe without Turkey, and I will go on working for Turkey's membership," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said, adding that Turkey's EU membership is a necessity for the development of European civilization. Speaking to journalists in Istanbul at the end of a weeklong vacation in Turkey, Walesa said the real question is how and when this membership will happen, adding that the process should be completed using all available means. He called Turkey a country of great untapped potential, adding that its people are important for Europe's diversity. He urged both the EU and Turkey to work on how to achieve Turkey's integration, saying he believes Turkey-skeptics will change their mind once they visit the country. Walesa led Poland's Solidarity trade union during the 1980s against the country's then-communist rulers. Widely credited with helping to end authoritarian rule in the country, Walesa later became Poland's president. /Hurriyet Daily News/
ANNA KOURNIKOVA HELPS OPEN ISTANBUL FASHION WEEK
Istanbul Fashion Week (IFW) began yesterday with a ceremony honoring the winners of the Istanbul Textile and Confection Exporters' Union's (ITKIB) Koza Young Fashion Designers' Contest. State Minister for Foreign Trade Zafer Caglayan and former Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova, now a model, also attended the ceremony. Istanbul, already known as a center of finance and information technology, should also become also a fashion hub, Caglayan told the ceremony. The ready-wear and textile sector is one of the most important factors in promoting Turkey worldwide, he said. Running through Saturday, the IFW will feature fashion shows spotlighting famous brands as well as solo and group fashion shows from specific designers. Among the designers whose works will be on the catwalk are Bahar Korcan, Arzu Kaprol, Ozlem Suer, Hatice Gokce, Mehtap Elaidi, Gamze Saracoglu, Deniz Mercan, Atil Kutoglu, Ozgur Masur, Simay Bulbul, Ozlem Kaya, Gunseli Turkay, and Bora Aksu. The IFW is organized by the Fashion Designers Association, United Brands Association, Istanbul Fashion Academy and Collection Premiere Istanbul as part of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture events. /Hurriyet Daily News, Star/