SEZER, GUL SEND CONGRATULATIONS TO ABBAS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul early this week issued congratulatory messages to Mahmoud Abbas, the winner of Sunday’s Palestinian presidential elections, expressing hope that his administration will lead to a new era of peace and stability in the region. “I believe in the near future you’ll play a vital role in steps towards establishing an independent Palestine,” Sezer added. /Turkish Daily News/

ERDOGAN, PUTIN CELEBRATE BOOMING ECONOMIC TIES
Visiting Prime Minister Recep Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday celebrated booming trade relations between their two countries during talks in Moscow focusing on new energy and military agreements. "I agree with the forecast that bilateral trade volume could reach $15 billion in 2005 and $25 billion in 2007," Putin told a press conference with Erdogan. "Our most optimistic forecasts about economic cooperation have come true.” Accompanied by a delegation of 600 businessmen, Erdogan was paying a return visit to Moscow after Putin late last year became the first Russian leader to visit Turkey in 32 years. Putin said that Russia would back efforts by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to find a solution to the Cyprus problem. Stating that he would press the international community to speed up its efforts to lift the international blockade on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Russian leader said, "We do not think that the political isolation of Northern Cypriots is fair.” He said he had spoken to Annan yesterday morning about plans for developing economic cooperation with the TRNC and lifting the blockade. The Russian president also stressed that his country was ready to help Turkey overcome its problems with Armenia, and lends its full support to Turkey’s European Union membership bid. For his part, Erdogan also said that they would discuss the expansion of military-technological cooperation as Putin also confirmed that the two countries had previous plans on the issue. He is expected to attend a meeting of Russian and Turkish businessmen today and inaugurate a Turkish Trade Center in central Moscow. Erdogan also announced that he would pay a visit to Moscow on May 9 to mark the anniversary of Russia’s fight against fascism in World War II, and also the beginning of modern Turkish-Russian relations. /Hurriyet/

GUL: “OUR EU BID ISN’T OUR SOLE PRIORITY THIS YEAR”
Addressing the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) group meeting yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey’s European Union membership bid wouldn’t be its only priority this year and that other issues were also on the agenda. “Turkey can’t focus solely on its EU bid,” he said, adding that the nation had been transformed in the wake of the historic Dec. 17 EU summit, which greenlit Turkey’s EU negotiations. He further predicted that these talks with the Union would be difficult, stressing that Ankara would pursue an active policy this year to promote peace, stability and tranquility in its region. “We place great importance on relations with our close neighboring countries,” said Gul. Touching on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, Gul stressed that Turkey would play an important role in the process to end the conflict. “Since both countries trust us, Turkey will contribute to a resolution,” he added. /Aksam/

BAYKAL: “THE CHP’S TOP GOAL IS FIGHTING CORRUPTION”
Speaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal claimed that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was being “timid” in fighting corruption, which he called one of Turkey’s most pressing problems. Baykal stressed that the CHP’s top goal was reducing corruption and that the nation appreciated this. /Cumhuriyet/

DENKTAS: “TURKISH CYPRIOTS WON’T FORSAKE THEIR INDEPENDENCE”
Addressing a conference on Turkey, Cyprus and European Union relations organized by Uludag University, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas reiterated yesterday that he wouldn’t stand in the TRNC’s next elections, but added that he would continue his struggle for the nation. He said that no nation would willingly forsake its independence and the Turkish Cypriots were no exception. Denktas added that it was unfair for the EU to stipulate a Cyprus resolution as a precondition for Turkey’s membership. /Cumhuriyet/

US IRAQ CMDR GEN. ABIZAID MEETS GUL
As part of his contacts in a two-day visit to Ankara, Gen. John Abizaid, commander of US troops in Iraq, yesterday met with Yigit Alpagon, the first civilian secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), and then with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. During their meetings, upcoming Iraqi elections and Turkey’s repeated calls for US forces to move against the terrorist PKK in northern Iraq were taken up. Abizaid told reporters that there were things that US forces in Iraq could do on the PKK issue and pledged to take more action against the group in future. Concerning the elections, scheduled for the end of this month, the US commander stated that participation of all groups in the upcoming polls was essential and called on all Sunni groups, in particular, to take part. In addition, Abizaid reportedly asked Gul for the use of Incirlik Airbase in Adana by US forces when needed. He is scheduled to talk with Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug today. /All Papers/

ANKARA HOSTS TRIPARTITE MEETING ON IRAQ
Civilian and military officials from Turkey, the US and Iraq yesterday met in Ankara to discuss measures to end the terrorist PKK threat in northern Iraq. During the four-hour meeting, the Turkish delegation headed by Ambassador Osman Koruturk urged all sides to cut off the PKK’s financial and logistical resources, and to prevent two political parties supported by the terrorist group from participating in the country’s upcoming elections. The sides agreed to hold further talks on the issue, but said little on what specific measures would be taken to end the PKK’s presence in the region. /Sabah/

TURKISH TROOPS SENT TO AFGHANISTAN
Following a farewell ceremony held in Istanbul, a contingent of 1,600 Turkish soldiers from the Third Army Corps left yesterday for Kabul. In mid-February, Turkey is set to take over the command of the NATO-led International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan for a period of six months. Speaking to the ceremony, Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said that in recent years terrorism had become a serious threat to global peace. “NATO has no option in Afghanistan besides success,” added Buyukanit. /Turkiye/

GOVT LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO AID STREET CHILDREN
In a press conference yesterday in Ankara, five Cabinet ministers headed by State Minister Guldal Aksit said that the government is set to launch a new program to help Turkey’s street children. Stressing that the project will be initially carried out in Istanbul, and later in other big cities, Aksit said that centers would be established to offer the children medical and sociological help. She added that efforts would also be made to prevent crimes, including muggings, perpetrated by the children in question. /Turkiye/

QUAKE SHAKES SOUTHWEST TURKEY, NO SERIOUS DAMAGE
An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook the province of Mugla in southwestern Turkey yesterday. There were no reports of serious injuries or damage to property, officials said. The quake triggered a series of smaller aftershocks. "The governor has been in touch with district officials but has received no reports of destruction or loss of life and property," a local official said. /All Papers/

IRAN, SYRIA TIGHTEN SECURITY AT MISSIONS IN TURKEY
Acting on intelligence from United States security forces, Iran and Syria have reportedly tightened security at their diplomatic missions in Turkey. US forces last week sent an encrypted message to the Interior Ministry warning Turkish authorities that the PKK terrorist group is planning attacks on the Iranian and Syrian embassies and consulates in Turkey. Therefore additional security measures have been taken near and around the said buildings. /Sabah/