PRIME MINISTER GUL VISITS EGYPT
As part of his tour of Middle Eastern countries in a final attempt to seek a peaceful solution to the Iraq issue, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday arrived in Cairo, Egypt. Following meetings with his Egyptian counterpart Atef Abeid and President Hosni Mubarak, Gul told reporters that in addition to the Iraq issue, bilateral relations had been discussed. Stressing that a war would harm all countries in the region, Gul stated, “We agreed to struggle to the very end in order to prevent war.” He also remarked that Iraq’s territorial integrity should be preserved. The Turkish prime minister then met with Amr Musa, secretary-general of the Arab League. During the meeting, both the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Iraq issue were taken up. Stating that the Arab world had recognized Turkey’s vital role in the region, Musa said that he would pay a visit to Turkey in the coming days in order to contribute to developing Turkish-Arab relations. In related news, in an interview with CNN International, Gul said, “We live in this region and I have visited regional countries to find a solution other than violence.” The Turkish prime minister also stated that Iraq should fully comply with the relevant UN resolutions and that regarding weapons of mass destruction, it should work to convince all parties that it posed no threat to the region. Previously, on the first stop of his tour of the region, Gul visited Syria on Saturday. /Hurriyet/

BAHCELI: “THE MHP WILL GO ITS WAY”
The Nationalist Action Party (MHP) yesterday held a meeting in Afyon of its Central Executive Board (MYK) and former parliamentary deputies. Following the gathering, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli told journalists that the participants had discussed the results of the Nov. 3 elections, in which the MHP lost its coalition partner status as well as all its seats in Parliament. Bahceli pledged after the polls not to seek another term as MHP leader. “The MHP will continue to go on its own way,” Bahceli said yesterday. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN: “THE AKP IS OPPOSED TO AN OPERATION AGAINST IRAQ, BUT OUR COUNTRY STANDS READY”
Speaking to the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Central Executive Board over the weekend, AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he regarded negotiating on the basis of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus plan as doable. “Some circles claim that the plan isn’t acceptable as a basis for talks, but we think that it should be discussed, albeit with some changes,” said Erdogan. “What we are saying is that we should proceed rationally on the Cyprus plan and consider the future of both Cyprus’ Turks and the Turkish nation. We should negotiate on the plan.” He reiterated his view that the Cyprus policies pursued over 40 years hadn’t helped to reach a solution for the island. Also speaking on a possible United States operation against Iraq, he stated that the AKP government was opposed to such an operation. “The United Nations’ resolutions are binding for us,” said Erdogan. “We believe that international relations shouldn’t be based on power. However, in case of an operation the AKP government would take the necessary measures.” Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Erdogan said that the executive board hadn’t made any decision on his candidacy in the upcoming Siirt by-elections. “We will wait until Jan. 20, and decide what to do after that,” he added. Erdogan’s standing for a Parliament seat representing Siirt is designed to pave his way for the prime ministry. /Aksam/

SIMITIS: “IF NO AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED ON CYPRUS, THIS WILL HURT TURKEY’S EU BID”
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday that Greece would use its six-month term as European Union president to urge Turkey to help reach an agreement on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus plan. Simitis, whose country holds the EU helm through June 30, said that if the two sides weren’t able to solve the Cyprus issue soon, this would adversely affect Turkey’s EU membership bid. “Solving the Cyprus issue should be considered alongside Turkey’s EU bid,” said Simitis. /Milliyet/

PEARSON TO CONVEY TURKEY’S TAKE ON IRAQ IN WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT MEETINGS
US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson has travelled to US State Department headquarters in Washington to attend a gathering of US ambassadors stationed abroad. While in the US capitol, Pearson is expected to meet with his superiors to discuss Turkey’s stance on the Iraq issue, and to suggest possible ways to ease its concerns about a war there. /Hurriyet/

TURKEY SIGNS EDUCATION AGREEMENTS WITH EUROPEAN UNION
The State Planning Organization (DTP) recently signed agreements with the European Union Commission laying the groundwork for Turkey’s participation in several EU education programs. The objectives of these programs, among them “Leonardo da Vinci,” and “Socrates,” include promoting lifelong learning, encouraging universal access to education, and helping people acquire recognized qualifications and skills. The agreements aim to help Turkey get ready for full participation in these programs, towards which another agreement is expected in 2004. /Cumhuriyet/

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION