ERDOGAN: “THE PEOPLE TRUST OUR GOVERNMENT”
Addressing the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he appreciated offers put forward by many citizens to support the government’s efforts at easing Turkey’s domestic and foreign debt burden. Erdogan stated that State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan had begun to work on a “National Mobilization” program. “Our citizens have shown their willingness to make such sacrifices during AKP rule,” stated Erdogan. “This is a clear indication that they trust our government.” Remarking that Turkey would overcome its difficulties, Erdogan predicted, “After a three-year period, you will see a more productive Turkey.” /Turkiye/
POWELL VISITS TURKEY
US Secretary of State Colin Powell last night arrived in Ankara to pay an official visit. En route to Ankara, Powell told reporters that the US administration would ask Turkey for its support in the war in Iraq, but did not specify exactly what kind of support this might entail. “But we’re not looking at any requests … we were looking at a month or so ago,” added Powell, apparently referring to a rejected US troop deployment request. “These would be requests having to do with just sustaining the operation, our operations in northern Iraq, and should be not difficult for the Turks to accommodate.” Stressing that the White House and US Congress had been disappointed by Parliament’s rejection of the US troop deployment proposal, Powell said, “I think if we see full cooperation in the days ahead, and especially … full support for humanitarian efforts as well as to support our troops that are now in northern Iraq, then I think this would help” in passing $1 billion in aid proposed for Turkey. The secretary of state is scheduled to meet with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul this morning, after which he will be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following a luncheon at the Foreign Ministry residence with Gul, Powell is expected to speak with the press. Powell is also set to visit Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok in the afternoon. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US presidential envoy to the Iraqi opposition, will accompany Powell during his visit. After completing his contacts in Ankara, Powell will proceed to Brussels, Belgium, to meet with the Russian foreign minister and officials from several European countries. /All Papers/
GUL: “TURKISH-US RELATIONS WILL BE STRENGTHENED”
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s visit to Turkey today would serve to help eliminate recent tensions between the two countries. Stressing that the current government places great importance on its relationship with the US, Gul said that these ties were based not only on economics matters but also had political aspects. Gul underlined that Turkey’s ties with the US would continue and would in fact be strengthened. /Turkiye/
GREEK FM PAPANDREOU: “IF TURKISH TROOPS ENTER NORTHERN IRAQ, NATO WILL WITHDRAW ITS MILITARY SUPPORT”
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou warned yesterday that if Turkish troops were to enter northern Iraq, then NATO would withdraw its military support from Turkey. “Up to now Turkey hasn’t entered the region, but it may do so in the future,” said Papandreou. “If Turkish troops enter northern Iraq, then NATO won’t support Turkey anymore. Such an action would damage Turkish-EU relations and also jeopardize Turkey’s EU membership bid.” It was unclear whether Papandreou was referring to withdrawing support for Turkey’s defenses against possible Iraqi attack, something previously threatened, or a broader withdrawal, which would be more difficult as both the US and Turkey are members of the alliance. /Hurriyet/
GREEK AMBASSADOR: “THE IRAQ WAR HAS BOOSTED THE IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY’S EU BID, AND IT SHOULD JOIN THE UNION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”
Michael Christides, Greece’s ambassador to Ankara, yesterday met with True Path Party (DYP) leader and parliamentarian Mehmet Agar to discuss a number of issues, including the Iraq war and Turkey’s European Union membership bid. Greece currently holds the EU term presidency. During their talks, Christides said that the ongoing war in Iraq had increased the importance of Turkey’s EU membership bid. “We now support Turkey’s joining the Union more so than in the past,” he stated. “Turkey is very important both for the region and the EU, and it should become an EU member as soon as possible.” Christides added that Turkey’s opposition to the war against Iraq proved its status as a European country. While the Turkish public overwhelmingly opposes the Iraq war and Parliament rejected US troop deployments for the conflict, Ankara has consented to being counted among the US’ “coalition of the willing” supporting the war. In addition, it has granted US and British warplanes overflight rights to pursue the conflict. /Milliyet/
IRAQI AMBASSADOR SALIH: “THE TURKISH NATION IS OPPOSED TO THE AKP GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORTING THE US”
Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey Talib Abid Salih yesterday said that Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) government should act “in line with the with the will of the Turkish nation” during its talks today with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who arrived in Turkey late yesterday to discuss recent developments on the Iraq war. “The people don’t want the AKP government to support the US, and it should keep this in mind during fact during the talks with Powell,” said Salih. “However, Turkey’s authorizing overflights through its airspace amounts to its supporting the US.” /Hurriyet/
US CONGRESS TO DEBATE $1 BILLION IN AID TO TURKEY
Following yesterday’s approval by the US House and Senate Appropriations committees, both houses of the US Congress are set this week to debate in full session a $75 billion wartime spending bill proposed by President George W. Bush, including $1 billion in direct aid to Turkey. Bush wants the aid as part of an effort to mend damaged relations with the longtime US ally. Yesterday before passing the bill in altered form, the House panel voted down an amendment to eliminate the aid to Turkey. Two leading members of the House committee, Henry Hyde, an Illinois Republican who chairs the committee, and Rep. Tom Lantos of California, the committee's top Democrat, recommended that the full Congress “modestly reduce” the aid package and include "performance standards" to ensure the Turkish government cooperates with the US as an ally. The two representatives sent a letter to committee Chairman Bill Young expressing their views. /Star/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION