GUL TRAVELS TO STRASBOURG FOR COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENTARIANS MEETING
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday flew to Strasbourg to attend a meeting of the Parliamentarians Assembly of the Council of Europe. Speaking there with representatives from European Turkish associations, Gul said that Turks who lived in European Union countries should try to integrate there. “But I won’t tell them to assimilate. Assimilation and integration are different,” added Gul. He is expected to make a speech to the council today. /Aksam/
POWELL URGES TURKEY TO DECIDE ON IRAQ AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell at a “Turkish Night” organized during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. During the meeting, Powell said that Turkey should make a decision on its support for a prospective US-led operation against Iraq as soon as possible. He added that the US would need Turkey’s help in such an operation, calling its support “very important.” Gul replied that the decision on such an operation rested with the nation’s Parliament. “The Gulf War did great harm to our economy, so it would be difficult for Parliament to make its decision on this delicate issue in a short time,” added Gul. /Milliyet/
PAPANDREOU: “WE WILL SUPPORT TURKEY’S PEACE EFFORTS ON IRAQ”
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou during the Davos, Switzerland World Economic Forum to discuss a possible US-led operation against Iraq. During the meeting, Papandreou said that Greece supported Turkey’s efforts to promote peace in the region. He added that Greece would support Turkey’s further efforts at the European Union foreign ministers’ meeting later this week. /Turkiye/
PEARSON CANCELS BRIEFING ON IRAQ ISSUE
US Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson over the weekend cancelled a briefing to a group of Turkish parliamentarians which had been scheduled for today. Citing the release later today of a report on Iraq’s cooperation with UN weapons inspectors, Pearson said that any briefing before the report is issued would be premature. There was no immediate word on whether the briefing would be rescheduled. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKISH-IRAQ FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION: “IRAQ SHOULD FULLY COOPERATE WITH THE UN”
Iraq should fully cooperate with the UN weapons inspectors currently working within the country, said the final declaration issued yesterday after an international meeting hosted by the Turkish-Iraqi Friendship Association. The weekend meeting entitled “The Importance of Iraq’s Territorial Integrity for World Peace” was held in Istanbul with the attendance of representatives of Iraqi friendship groups from 12 European countries. “The US should cease putting pressure on Turkey,” added the statement. /Cumhuriyet/
THOUSANDS STAGE ANTIWAR RALLY IN ISTANBUL
A host of Turkish nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) yesterday staged a rally in Istanbul to voice their opposition to Turkey’s participation in a possible war in Iraq. Around 10,000 took part in the demonstration to voice their wish for a peaceful solution to the Iraq problem. Waving signs reading "Peace Now," the protestors filled Beyazit Square on the European side of the city, urging the government to refuse both participation in a US-led military strike and Washington’s requests to use Turkish bases during its military deployments. /Hurriyet/
DENKTAS MEETS DE SOTO, DISCUSSES UN CYPRUS PLAN
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas yesterday met with UN Special Cyprus Envoy Alvaro de Soto to complete his work and possible revisions on the UN Cyprus plan. “We have completed our meetings with UN officials,” said Denktas. “From now on, we will discuss our views on the UN plan and prepare a number of proposals to be presented to Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides.” /Star/
CLERIDES: “ERDOGAN CAN SOLVE THE CYPRUS ISSUE”
Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides said yesterday that the Cyprus issue would be solved when ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan becomes Turkey’s prime minister. Clerides stated that he hoped Erdogan would handle the issue within the framework of European Union policies after taking the post, adding that he thought the AKP leader would also formulate a new stance on Cyprus. Erdogan is widely expected to assume the nation’s top political post after a special election in March. /Aksam/
YAKIS: “TURKEY WILL NEVER ACCEPT A SOLUTION WHICH FAILS TO SATISFY THE TRNC”
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis over the weekend declared that Turkey would never accept a solution which failed to satisfy the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Stating that Turkey supported UN-backed peace talks between the two leaders of the island, Yakis said, “Turkey will always support the Turkish Cypriots and never forsake them.” /Hurriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION