GUL BRIEFS AKP ADMINISTRATION ON IRAQ, CYPRUS
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul last night briefed the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Executive Board on his recent tour of Mideast countries aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Iraq issue as well as on developments in Cyprus. Following the gathering, AKP Deputy Chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat told reporters that his party and the government would continue to the very end their efforts to promote peace in Iraq. Regarding developments in Cyprus, Firat said that the government believed that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas would continue his efforts for a just settlement. Stressing that certain points of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus plan, especially those concerning land and migration, were unacceptable, Firat reiterated Turkey’s objection to these proposals. Meanwhile, in light of the prime minister’s recent Mideast tour, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials have started work aimed at finding a peaceful resolution in Iraq. Following completion of this work, ministry officials are to present alternatives to the government for consideration. /Turkiye/

US OFFICIALS BEGIN INSPECTIONS ON TURKEY’S AIRBASES AND HARBORS
Following its getting the greenlight last week from Turkey’s government to carry out inspections of Turkish airbases and harbors in the leadup to a possible Iraq operation, a US military delegation of 150 officials began carrying out its duties this week. The delegation is expected to complete the inspections by Jan. 23. After the delegation releases a report on its findings, upgrades of the facilities in question are expected. /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN CONTINUES CONTACTS IN CHINA
On the second day of a three-day visit to the People’s Republic of China, Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Vice President and Chinese Communist Party Secretary-General Hu Jintao and National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Chairman Dai Bingguo. Following these meetings, Erdogan told reporters that he had discussed the Iraq issue with the Chinese officials. He stressed that China also favored finding a peaceful resolution. After completing his contacts in Beijing, Erdogan proceeded to Shanghai. /Turkiye/

SENER: “AN IRAQ WAR WON’T DETER TURKEY FROM REACHING ITS ECONOMIC TARGETS”
Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said yesterday that a possible US-led operation against Iraq wouldn’t prevent Turkey from reaching its economic targets for this year. Sener also predicted that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) would reduce inflation to 20% by the end of the year. “All the economic data point to Turkey achieving its economic targets,” he added. “The government is determined on this.” /Aksam/

DENKTAS: “THERE’S NOT ENOUGH TIME BEFORE FEB. 28 TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE UN CYPRUS PLAN”
Speaking yesterday after meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides and Alvaro de Soto, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s special Cyprus envoy, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that there wasn’t enough time to reach an agreement on the United Nations’ Cyprus plan before a Feb. 28 deadline. “I’m quite disappointed to say that if the deadline isn’t extended, it will be very difficult to reach an agreement,” said Denktas. “It isn’t easy to overcome the plan’s shortcomings.” Denktas added that he had little faith in Annan’s plan in general, but that he would continue negotiations with good will. /Milliyet/

US CYPRUS REPRESENTATIVE WESTON: “THERE’S ROOM FOR CHANGE IN ANNAN’S PLAN”
US Special Representative for Cyprus Thomas Weston yesterday stated that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Cyprus plan might be altered after the completion of negotiations between the two parties on the island. Remarking that he believed the Turkish government was committed to solving the Cyprus problem, Weston argued that the security of both nations on the island was guaranteed under Annan’s plan. “Turkey’s official stance on the Cyprus issue is changing,” he stated. “The new Turkish government seems more determined to solve the island’s problems, regardless of whether or nor a settlement is reached on the basis of the UN plan. I believe that this is a very positive development.” /Cumhuriyet/

MUBARAK: “TURKEY AND ARAB COUNTRIES ARE SEEKING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE IRAQ PROBLEM”
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak yesterday remarked that Turkey and the Arab world were working together to seek a peaceful solution to the Iraq problem, one which would also be acceptable to the US. “During Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul’s recent tour of the Mideast, many proposals and perspectives were discussed,” said Mubarak. “We’re in close contact with the United States. In order to evaluate these proposals for peace, we need to learn what the US and Iraq think about them.” /Cumhuriyet/

WOLFOWITZ VISITS ISAF COMMANDER IN AFGANISTAN
US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz yesterday met with Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu, the Turkish commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Wolfowitz remarked that by leading the ISAF and in many other ways, Turkey was doing its utmost to protect peace and stability in the region. Wolfowitz and Gen. Zorlu reportedly discussed a number of security issues such as the establishment of an Afghan national army and police organization. /Cumhuriyet/

PEARSON VISITS RED CRESCENT, DISCUSSES POSSIBLE WAVE OF REFUGEES
US Ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson yesterday met with Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) Chairman Ertan Onen. After the meeting, where the two officials discussed measures to prepare for a possible exodus of refugees from Iraq to Turkey’s borders, Pearson stated that the US Red Cross and Turkish Red Crescent had always enjoyed strong cooperation. Pearson added that he had exchanged views with Onen on improving ties between the two organizations, which are devoted to peace. /Sabah/

US EMBASSY TO BRIEF TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS ON POSSIBLE IRAQ WAR
The US Embassy in Ankara is scheduled tomorrow to brief a group of Turkish parliamentarians on a possible war in Iraq. US officials invited members of the National Defense Commission and the Planning and Budget Commission as well as the acting group chairmen of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to the embassy for the briefing. /Star/

IMF’S KRUEGER MEETS WITH OZILHAN
Anne Krueger, first managing director of the International Monetary Fund, yesterday met with Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan to discuss a number of issues, including a possible US operation against Iraq. Speaking after their talks, Krueger said that the meeting had been useful, and that they had discussed ways to boost Turkey’s growth. Ozilhan said that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) had been unlucky in facing such issues as Cyprus, Turkey’s European Union membership bid, and Iraq in the first months of its term. Ozilhan stated that their meeting had been positive, and that he had told Krueger that an Iraq operation would have a huge impact on Turkey’s economy. “She said that the US would consider Turkey’s losses incurred in such an operation,” he added. Krueger also met with officials from the Turkish Banks’ Association (TBB) yesterday. Today she is expected to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and officials from the Treasury Undersecretary and the Central Bank. /Milliyet/

SERDENGECTI: “THE AKP GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK TO BOOST PUBLIC REVENUES”
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti said yesterday that problems carrying over from last year’s state budget entailed a great risk for this year’s inflation target of 20%. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) should take measures to increase its revenue stream and bring down public expenses, he added. /Aksam/

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