GUL SET TO CHAIR HEADS OF STATE-LEVEL UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING
Turkey is set to host key meetings at the UN in September as part of its one-month tenure at the helm of the Security Council. Led by President Abdullah Gul, a high-profile Turkish delegation, including Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and many diplomats, is scheduled to represent Turkey during those meetings. Sept. 23, when Gul presides over a Security Council meeting at the heads of state and government level, will likely be an important milestone for Turkish diplomacy. Most of the leaders of the Security Council member countries, including US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Russian President Dimity Medvedev, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are expected to be present during the meeting. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN CRITICIZES MUSLIM COUNTRIES FOR RELUCTANCE TO HELP PAKISTAN
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized oil-rich Muslim countries for their slowness and reluctance to send humanitarian aid to flood-stricken Pakistan. According to the prime minister, member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) have pledged to send only $1 billion to Pakistan. "What is the Muslim world, who say they own oil resources, doing? How much of their oil have they sent to Pakistan? I do not want them to get offended. But it was not they who discovered the oil resources. The resources are a blessing," he stated during a symposium in Istanbul on Sunday. Pakistan was hit by torrential monsoon rains last month that triggered the country's worst natural disaster on record. Floods destroyed villages, bridges and roads and killed up to 1,600 people. More than 4 million have been displaced by flooding, and there is widespread concern about the country's recovery. Erdogan said the suffering in Pakistan cannot be described in words. "It is not possible to comprehend the suffering there while sitting here. Monetary aid of $100, 200, 500 million or $1 billion will not settle the problems in Pakistan. More than 17 million people have been adversely affected and thousands of people have been killed," he noted. He urged Muslim countries to increase their efforts in sending more humanitarian aid for people in need in Pakistan, pledging that Turkey will continue its aid efforts in that country. "As the Turkish state we are doing what we should. Beyond sending a significant sum of money to Pakistan, we are helping the country to rebuild itself," the prime minister added. /Today's Zaman/
BABACAN WARNS OF ECONOMIC FALLOUT IF REFORM PACKAGE IS REJECTED IN REFERENDUM
Reforms in the constitutional reform package set to face a referendum next Sunday will strengthen democracy by closing loopholes in Turkey's judicial system which allowed anti-democratic interventions, Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said over the weekend. Speaking in a televised interview, Babacan said that if approved, the package would make Turkey a country truly under the rule of law. It will also lay the groundwork for a major overhaul of the country's judicial system in line with the principles of democracy, he added, and make Turkey a more stable, predictable country. If the package is approved, "it will have a good impact on the country's economy in the mid-term," he predicted. But, he warned, "if the package fails to pass the referendum, Turkey will have lost an important opportunity. While Turkey is emerging as an island of stability and success amid the global economic downturn, rejection of the referendum would make Turkey seem like a country moving backwards, one distant from reform efforts. This would certainly have short-, mid-, and long-term effects on the economy as well. Turkey would pay a price for this." Asked about exchange rates, Babacan ruled out the government backtracking from the current free exchange rate system, saying they would determinedly maintain it. Warning that shifting to a fixed exchange rate system would drag Turkey into an economic disaster much like 2001, Babacan said, "The free exchange rate system functions as an important mechanism that protects Turkey from outside shocks by cushioning us like an airbag." The best thing thing for the rate system is to leave it to the free market, Babacan said. Stressing that the government prioritizes stability, not the rate system itself, Babacan added, "As Turkey grows stronger economically, it is inevitable that the Turkish currency becomes stronger." In related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that most polls indicate the constitutional amendment package will pass in next week's referendum; however, he added that his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) would not treat the "yes" as a vote for the AK Party. Speaking to journalists onboard his private jet as he made his way back to Ankara from a campaign rally in Diyarbakir, Erdogan assured journalists that his party would not interpret support for the package as support for his party. He said, "You won't hear us saying we now have a vote of confidence." /Star/
MULLEN SEEKS TURKEY'S HELP ON IRAN, URGES EXTENSION OF AFGHAN TROOP COMMAND
The United States' top military officer on Saturday urged Turkey to extend the period of its peacekeeping command in Afghanistan and also to help enforce United Nations sanctions against Iran, meant to deter it from developing a nuclear bomb. Turkey voted against US-backed sanctions on Iran in June, insisting that its neighbor's nuclear program is peaceful, despite fears that Tehran might be seeking to develop nuclear arms, but Ankara has pledged to abide by the sanctions. On a visit to Ankara, Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that he didn't plan to question Turkey over the vote and praised Turkey's intention to abide by the sanctions. "I did not come here to question or in any way rebut Turkey's decision not to support United Nations sanctions against Iran," Mullen said. "I note with gratitude your government's stated intent to enforce those sanctions." He added, "The mutual goal of Iran not achieving a nuclear-weapons capability, that we completely agree on, we just need to reinforce." Both countries need to "do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen." Mullen arrived in Ankara on Friday to meet with his new Turkish counterpart, Chief of General Staff Gen. Isik Kosaner, who took office a week earlier. He also met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul. No statements were released after those meetings. Mullen praised Turkey for its role in Afghanistan and said the US would welcome any additional help it can provide. Turkey currently holds the rotating command of the international peacekeeping force guarding the Afghan capital Kabul, while Turkish instructors are training the Afghan army and police force. Turkey's command will expire in early November. The US military chief also made clear that Washington has no plans to withdraw its weapons from Iraq through Turkey, though the US military has sought Turkish permission to transport some noncombat equipment from Iraq through its territory. Mullen said the US doesn't expect to use Turkish land routes to remove weapons when the last American forces leave Iraq by the end of next year. Turkey has said it looks favorably on the passage of such equipment and technical material, but not arms, which would require Parliament's approval. Mullen also told how NATO is discussing locations for a potential missile defense system of radar and interceptors, though he said he didn't specifically address the plan with Kosaner. "The membership of NATO believes that having a missile defense architecture is a very important capability that needs to be put in place and evolve over time," Mullen said. "There have been discussions with several members of NATO - to include Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania - in terms of parts of this." /Today's Zaman/
FEDERAL RESERVE ECONOMIST: "TURKEY EMERGED STRONGER FROM THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS"
Turkey has emerged from the global economic recession with a strong recovery, a senior economist with the US Federal Reserve said over the weekend. Seth Carpenter, an expert on US fund markets and liquidity, said Turkey's economy is currently enjoying a strong growth trend. Turning to the US economy, Carpenter said that while growth is slow now, it will pick up next year. All projections point to this, he added. Carpenter also said the Fed could provide liquidity support depending on the state of the US economy. During its August meeting, the Fed decided to consider introducing additional incentive measures if the general economic outlook worsens. /Sabah/
AHEAD OF CONCERT, U2'S BONO MEETS WITH PM ERDOGAN
Ahead of today's U2 concert - one of the most hotly anticipated events in Istanbul's cultural life this year - band frontman Bono took time out from rehearsals by meeting yesterday with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting at the premier's office at Dolmabahce Palace included Erdogan and his daughter, Sumeyye Erdogan, as well as Turkey's chief European Union negotiator, Egemen Bagis, and State Minister Hayati Yazici. Bono gave the premier a red iPod Nano, which he said would benefit the Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS. The singer and activist also told Erdogan he knew the prime minister was a great fan of Turkish classical music. Erdogan then posed with the band for press photos, although the rest of their meeting was behind closed doors. Bono's program for the rest of the day included a walk on the Bosporus Bridge with Yazici and Bagis. U2 is set to perform in Istanbul for the very first time this evening as part of its 360º Tour. The band will be on stage at the Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, contributing to Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture festivities. The concert is being organized by LiveNation, in collaboration with the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and the Arts (IKSV) and Pozitif. /Hurriyet Daily News/
DEFEATING FRANCE, TURKEY MOVING TOWARDS FINAL GAME IN WORLD BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
After roundly beating China last week, Turkey won yet another key victory, trouncing France 95-77, in the World Basketball Championship over the weekend, qualifying for the quarter-finals. This was the Turkish National Basketball Team's sixth victory in a row in the championship, which is being hosted by Turkey. Hidayet Turkoglu was the game's top scorer with 20 goals. The game got extensive coverage from the French press, with many stories admitting the Turkish team's power and impressive performance. Members of the Turkish National Football team and Gus Hiddink, its technical director, were also present during the match, and they enthusiastically supported their colleagues at the hoops. Turkey will take on Slovenia in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. /Aksam/