ERDOGAN: “TURKEY WILL TAKE ITS OWN MEASURES AGAINST PKK TERRORISM”
In an interview with Wall Street Journal issued yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the US for failing to stop Kurdish attempts to get control of the strategically important northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk and to act against the PKK terrorists in northern Iraq although he had warned the US officials including President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney several times on the matters. Expressing Turkey’s concern over a massive Kurdish migration to Kirkuk a head of elections, Erdogan said that the situation in Kirkuk could lead to trouble in the future. The interview was held during last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, before the Iraqi elections on Sunday. The premier also complained about the US’ failing to crack down on the terrorist PKK militants based in northern Iraq. Stressing that Turkish nation was very sensitive on the matter, as the PKK was responsible for 40,000 deaths in Turkey during the clashes for decades, Erdogan underlined that Turkey would take its own measures to save itself against threats. /Cumhuriyet/
GUL SLAMS US FAILURE TO HALT KURDISH DESIGNS ON KIRKUK
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday received US Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith in Ankara to discuss the latest developments in Iraq. Gul criticized the US for failing to halt Kurdish efforts to dominate the city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, and warned Turkey could take action if attempts to take control plunges the city into ethnic chaos. Gul received reassurance from Feith that Kirkuk is a matter for all Iraqis to decide. Feith told Gul that Washington was committed to preserving Iraq's territorial integrity, stressing that the issue of Kirkuk is not a matter for one group to decide. Feith tried to reassure Turkey, making clear Washington still opposed Kurdish separatism. "The issue of Kirkuk is an important one,” he said. “It is going to be worked on by the Iraqis from the point of view that this is not a matter for one group or another but for the Iraqi people in general. We support that view.” Gul added that If the Turkmen groups were not treated well, if they are subjected to oppression, Ankara cannot remain indifferent, or merely spectators, to such developments. Gul also requested the US to take immediate measures to crack down on the terrorist group PKK in northern Iraq. Feith also called on Ankara to cooperate with Washington in its efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. /Hurriyet/
CICEK: “TURKEY WILL CLARIFY ITS IRAQ POLICY AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS ARE OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED”
Council of Ministers yesterday convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to discuss a busy agenda including the issues of Iraq and European Union. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek stated that Turkey would clarify its Iraq policy after the results of the elections were officially announced. “Iraq has entered into a new era with the elections,” he said. “Ankara is closely following the developments in the region, and will decide what to do after the results of the elections are announced. All groups must participate into a democratic Iraqi administration to promote peace and stability in the region.” Cicek also commented on the issue of Turkey’s EU membership bid, signaling that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is expected to be the chief negotiator. “Turkey will start its negotiations with a inter-governmental conference, “ Cicek added. “Counseling councils which will include non-governmental organizations, scholars and members of the private sector will be established to deal with each and every issue that Turkey will negotiate with the EU.” /Turkiye/
BAYKAL SIGNALS THAT SARIGUL MIGHT BE EXPELLED FROM THE PARTY
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Deniz Baykal yesterday signalled that Mustafa Sarigul might be expelled from the party. Baykal said that the CHP would recover itself as soon as possible to make further progress on its path. In related news, the opposition group supporting Sarigul decided to apply for the cancellation of the General Council meeting which was held over the weekend. A team of jurists has already started to work on legal procedures for the annulment of the meeting. /Sabah/
FOREIGN MINISTRY WELCOMES IRAQ POLLS
A statement issued by Foreign Ministry yesterday stated that Turkey welcomed Iraqi polls which were carried out under difficult conditions, as a step towards establishment of a democratic regime. Stressing that a new period had begun in Iraq, Foreign Ministry said that the elections would be evaluated once again after the votes are counted. It added that Ankara wanted measures to be taken to ensure all segments of the Iraqi people have a say during constitutional process and the new government. /Turkiye/
IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: “I DON’T THINK KIRKUK WILL PLUNGE INTO ETHNIC CHAOS”
Iraqi Ambassador to Ankara, Sabah Omran, yesterday said that Iraq’s territorial integrity would be protected after the elections. Referring to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s recent statement on the possibility of a civil war in Kirkuk, Omran said, “I understand Turkey’s concerns very well, but the developments are exaggerated. I don’t believe that Kirkuk will plunge into a chaos.” In related news, Shiite Iraqi Islamic Revolution Higher Council’s Turkey representative Abdullah Tutuncu said that they would oppose any efforts to divide Iraq and any attempts of establishing independent structures. Meanwhile, Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) head Jalal Talabani yesterday stated that the Iraqi Kurdish groups wanted to hold a post of presidency or prime minister in the new government. “The National Assembly will decide about this issue,” he added. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKISH TROOPS TAKES OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KABUL AIRPORT
Turkish military troops yesterday took over the responsibility for operating the international airport in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Turkish Air Force Colonel Kazim Ondul was given the command of the facility. The transfer was a preliminary for Turkey’s taking overall command of the International Security Assistance Force, made up of contingents from NATO member countries scheduled for February 13. Colonel Ondul said that he would continue pursuing the policy of gradually transferring the operation of the airport to Afghan civilian control. /Hurriyet/
FRENCH FM BARNIER: “MAKE PEACE WITH YOUR OWN HISTORY”
Responding the questions of NTV on Turkey’s EU membership bid and the allegations on the so-called Armenian genocide, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier stated that the negotiations between Turkey and the European Union were set to begin on Oct. 3, 2005. “The results of the negotiations will completely depend upon Turkey’s performance,” he said. Upon a question on the so-called Armenian genocide, Barnier said that when a country joined the ranks of the EU, it was obliged to accept the principle of making peace with other countries. “You will have to make peace with other countries as a EU member,” he added. “This is what we exactly did with the Germans to develop a complete European project. Moreover, you will have to make peace with your own history too. I guess Turkey should work on its historical memory to deal with the Armenian issue.” /Milliyet/
PALESTINE’S LEADER TO VISIT TURKEY
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is expected to arrive in Ankara today to pay an official visit. On his first trip abroad following his election as Palestinian President, Abbas is expected to meet with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, as well as Rifat Hisarciklioglu, head of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB). Bilateral relations and Israeli-Palestinian conflict are to be taken during the two-day contacts. /Star/
BARROSO: “ACCESSION TALKS WILL BEGIN ON TIME”
European Union Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso said yesterday that Turkey would begin European Union accession talks on Oct. 3, as scheduled during EU summit last December. Barroso, who has been elected to chair the EU Commission for five years, said that Turkey deserved to get a specific date to begin talks. He added that negotiation process depends on Turkey’s success in the harmonization process and urged Ankara to continue its efforts on the road to membership. /Turkiye/
TURKMEN, ARABS ASK IRAQ’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
The Iraqi Kurds are trying to get the control of the strategically important oil-rich northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, US daily The Washington Post said. The daily over the weekend reported from Kirkuk that Kurds, Arabs and the Turkmen have all been claiming the right to govern the city which had %7 of world’s oil reserves. “Many Kurds came from Turkey and Iran to participate in the elections, the daily quoted from Yawoz Omar Adel, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front in Kirkuk. “However, we will not give up our status in the city and we as the Turkmen and Arabs will work until the last drop of our blood to unify Iraq and keep Kirkuk part of Iraq.” /Turkiye/
ISRAELI MILITARY CHIEF VISITS ANKARA
Israeli Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya’alon is set to meet with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. During his two-day visit, a problem concerning a tank modernization project that was undertaken by Israel is expected to be taken up. /Turkish Daily News/