ERDOGAN OPENS ZEUGMA MUSEUM
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday planted a ceremonial excavation spade in the ancient city of Zeugma. Erdogan landed at Gaziantep and then went to Gaziantep’s district of Nizip by helicopter. He said that he was happy to put the ancient city of Zeugma into the service of humanity and that this process would be continued by the government in cooperation with mayors, scholars, and archeologists. Then Erdogan opened the new Zeugma Mosaic and Archeology Museum. “What makes me most excited is that these lands have regained their magnificence,” he said. “This is my most important dream.” /Aksam/

BAYKAL URGES MORE VIGILANCE AGAINST TERRORISM
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday sent a letter of condolences to Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok for this week’s deaths of three soldiers and the injury of eight more in terrorist attacks in Agri, Sirnak and Siirt. “Everybody should well understand that the fight against terrorism favors territorial integrity, independence, democracy, freedom, brotherhood and peace,” wrote Baykal. “Therefore, I implore those, most importantly the government, who bear common responsibility in the fight against terrorism but fail to fulfill this responsibility, to be more vigilant and take better action against these attacks.” /Cumhuriyet/

FOREIGN MINISTRY: “OUR OCT. 3 START TO EU TALKS IS NOT OPEN FOR DEBATE”
Speaking at a weekly press conference yesterday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan said that the European Union’s decision last December to start Turkey’s EU talks was not open for debate. Stressing that various points about Turkey’s membership bid could be discussed in the EU, Tan added, however, that Turkey would begin accession talks on Oct. 3 as scheduled. Pointing to recent crises in the Union, Tan said that similar problems had arisen in the past, but that the EU was a large group and strong enough to overcome such issues. He added that Turkey would continue determinedly to fulfill its commitments and responsibilities to the EU. /Turkiye/

CICEK FAULTS BELGIUM’S FAILURE TO EXTRADITE ERDAL
Following a Belgian court ruling on Wednesday that charges filed in Turkey against terrorist Fehriye Erdal were outside its jurisdiction, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said yesterday that years ago Ankara had asked Belgium to extradite Erdal but it had refused, citing Turkey’s death penalty. But, he added, after Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2002, Brussels still didn’t extradite her, saying that she would be tried in Belgium. “We had hoped she would be tried in Belgium, but after yesterday’s ruling that seems impossible,” said Cicek. He stated that they would again seek her extradition because under international law, this is Turkey’s right. “Many countries are quick to send messages of condolences, but fail to take measures against terrorism with the same speed,” said Cicek. He also added that countries fail to act cooperatively against terrorism. /Turkiye/

VETOED LAW ON RELIGIOUS COURSES PASSED BY COMMISSION
Parliament’s Justice Commission yesterday passed a law that would reduce penalties for unlicensed Koran courses, as well as other unlicensed religious courses. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had vetoed the law, which states that sentences of six months to three years in jail for those who teach unlicensed Koran courses would be reduced to three months to one year. And according to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), sentences below one year can be converted into fines. Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Adiyaman Deputy Husrev Kutlu said that nobody should be penalized for learning the Koran. Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Nigde Deputy Orhan Eraslan also said that those who want to learn about religion should not face any legal hurdles. /Hurriyet/

BLAIR CALLS FOR EU ENLARGEMENT TO CONTINUE
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday that the European Union should continue its enlargement plans. Speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels, Blair said that if the EU closes its doors to new members, including Turkey and Balkan countries, a wave of nationalism and xenophobia would ensue. The process of enlargement should continue, said the British premier. Stressing that he believed in political and economic unity, Blair called on immediate economic reforms to ensure continued growth of the Union. Britain is set to take up the six-month EU term presidency next week, a period that will include the October start to Turkey’s EU talks. /Sabah/

GEN. BUYUKANIT MEETS WITH GREEK OFFICIALS
Land Forces Commander Gen.Yasar Buyukanit, who is currently paying a visit to Athens at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Lt. Gen. Nikolaos Dukas, yesterday began his official contacts. After meeting with Dukas, Buyukanit held talks with Chief of General Staff Adm. Panayotis Hinofotis and Defense Minister Spilyos Spilyotopulos. During their talks, ways to improve military cooperation between the two countries were taken up. The Turkish commander also visited Athens’ ancient Acropolis and is set to visit Ataturk’s birthplace in Thessalonica today before returning to Turkey. /Turkiye/

AGAR URGES EARLY ELECTIONS
Speaking at a celebration held at party headquarters in Ankara to mark the party’s 22nd anniversary, True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar yesterday said that the Turkish people were suffering under unemployment and poverty regardless of continued “colorful speeches” from government officials. Stressing that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was disconnected from the real problems of the country and unwilling to resolve them, Agar stated that early elections were inevitable. “No one can resist the people’s will,” said the DYP leader. /Turkiye/

ARMENIAN WRITER, A FRIEND OF TURKEY, DIES
Armenian writer Edward Taschi, who has defended Turkey throughout his life against the so-called genocide allegations, died yesterday in New York, where he had been undergoing medical treatment since March. Although a lifelong US resident, he learned Turkish and will be buried tomorrow in a cemetery belonging to Karachay Turks in New Jersey. Tashci was known for his love for Turkey, which he called his motherland. /Milliyet/

CHRISTIDES TO OPEN PHOTO EXHIBIT
Outgoing Greek Ambassador to Ankara Michael Christides on Monday will open a photograph exhibit consisting of pictures he has taken during his tour of duty in Turkey. Christides’ posting in Ankara will end soon, and he will show the photos during a tour of Turkey in an exhibit called “Panoramic Views From My Turkey.” The exhibit will be open on June 27-July 2 at the Contemporary Arts Center in Ankara. /Cumhuriyet/