ERDOGAN RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM WORLD TURKISH BUSINESSMEN’S CONVENTION

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received a delegation from the World Turkish Businessmen’s Convention led by Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu. Speaking afterwards, Hisarciklioglu said that nearly 2,000 Turkish businessmen from over 50 countries would participate in the fifth meeting of the business group, which is scheduled to begin on Sept. 30, adding that the two-day gathering would focus on Turkey’s European Union membership bid. He further expressed hope for the success of the meeting, which is to be held in Ankara. In related news, Erdogan is due to travel to Strasbourg to address the Parliamentarian Assembly of the European Council on Oct. 6, when the European Union is scheduled to release its pivotal progress report on Ankara. /Star/
 

GUL: “TURKEY CAN MAKE SOCIAL INVESTMENTS WITH ITS IMF-BACKED PROGRAM”

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday said that Turkey could make social investments with its International Monetary Fund-backed economic program, which the government just announced it would extend. “If the government plans wisely, it can pave the way for social investments under the IMF-backed program,” said Gul. “Our government has forged healthy relations with the Fund because we had already prepared our own economic program before dealing with it for a stand-by agreement.” Gul also added that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government’s priority was to establish financial discipline in the markets. “Our main target is to bring down inflation and interest rates so as to ensure sustainable development,” he noted. /Sabah/
 

CABINET DISCUSSES RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ON TURKEY’S EU BID IN RUNUP TO VERHEUGEN’S VISIT

Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that the meeting had focused on recent developments concerning Turkey’s European Union membership bid in the runup to EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen’s visit next month. “We’ve fulfilled all the conditions and the political criteria for our EU bid,” said Cicek, adding that any additional legal arrangement for the EU to set a date at its December summit to begin accession talks was out of the question. Touching on the Iraq issue, Cicek said that efforts had been made for Iraq’s reconstruction and stability, adding that the country still faced some security challenges due to a political power vacuum. Cicek stated that the Cabinet had also discussed measures to ensure the safety of Turkish citizens working in Iraq and stressed that the government was continuing to work with officials responsible for Iraq’s security. Cicek added that Iraqi President Ayad Allawi, accompanied by four government ministers, would visit Ankara next week. /Aksam/
 

TWO SOLDIERS KILLED IN LANDMINE BLAST IN HAKKARI

Two soldiers were killed and a third wounded yesterday in a landmine blast in the Cukurca township of Hakkari. The blast occurred when a military vehicle hit a landmine planted by the terrorist group PKK/KADEK. /All papers/
 

THREE TURKISH OFFICERS INCLUDED IN NATO DELEGATION TO IRAQ

A NATO delegation set to visit Iraq to evaluate the needs of the country’s security forces will include three Turkish officers. The delegation is to conduct reconnaissance and planning work in the country to determine the basic needs of Iraqi security forces. “This is a reconnaissance delegation,” said one high-level diplomat. “After the delegation’s report is approved by NATO, Turkey will decide how it can contribute to the training of Iraq’s security forces.” /Sabah/
 

TURKISH HOSTAGE FREED

Turkish truck driver Abdullah Baber, who was recently taken hostage in Iraq, was freed yesterday after his employers paid his captors ransom of $9,250. According to reports, the Iraqi insurgents holding Baber made direct contact with representatives of his employers and released him after agreeing on a ransom amount. In related news, the family of another captive, Tahsin Top, is still waiting for good news from Iraq. /Sabah – Star/
 

VAN GOVERNOR: “I DON’T TAKE THE CHP REPORT SERIOUSLY”

Van Governor Hikmet Tan yesterday belittled a new report prepared by the four opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies on last month’s so-called Van incident in which Mustafa Bayram, a tribal leader and former deputy, is said to have raided a police station to free his son, who had been in custody for dealing in heroin. “There were no negotiations between security forces and Bayram,” said Tan. “The state exercised its authority, and Bayram and his son surrendered the day after the incident. Then the courts initiated the necessary procedure for a proper trial. I don’t take the CHP report seriously.” /Star/
 

ALPOGAN SET TO BE NEW NSC CIVILIAN SECRETARY-GENERAL

The government has submitted the name of Yigit Alpogan, Turkey’s current ambassador to Greece, to the Presidential Office as its candidate for the new civilian secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC). The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is now awaiting President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s approval of the candidate. /Hurriyet/
 

BELGIAN DEPUTY PM EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR BEGINNING TURKEY’S EU ACCESSION TALKS

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Didier Reyndes, who is currently visiting Turkey, said yesterday that the European Union had promised to Turkey that it would join the EU and now it should keep its promise. Reynders expressed his country’s support for Ankara to get a date from the Union at the December EU summit to begin its accession talks. However, he added that negotiations with Ankara could last five years before full membership. /Turkiye/
 

FROM THE COLUMNS … FROM THE COLUMNS … FROM THE COLUMNS

WHILE THEY’RE ON HOLIDAY
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

Columnist Sami Kohen comments on Turkey’s European Union membership bid. A summary of his column is as follows:

“Even as the organs of the European Union are closed down for summer holidays, the question of whether Ankara will receive a date for accession talks still dominates Turkey’s agenda. There is a general optimism on this issue. The statements of some EU member countries have lent hope. Recent declarations of Turkish leaders also reflect this optimism. Of course the greatest test of this will be the progress report prepared by the EU Commission for release in October. The decision at the December EU summit on giving Turkey a date for accession talks will hinge on this report.

Signals from EU diplomatic sources are encouraging. There is no doubt that Turkey won’t get a perfect grade. Some shortcomings will be mentioned. However, it is expected that the report’s overall evaluation will be positive, considering Turkey’s extraordinary efforts and success. If the report is generally positive, then there is a high probability of Turkey getting a date for its talks. Although doubts remain about Austria, Denmark and even France (along with, sometimes, Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration), expectations that these countries won’t block a positive EU decision outweigh these doubts.

There will be intensive activity next month, and Turkey’s membership will be one of the top items on the EU’s agenda. Ankara is already preparing for an all-out diplomatic push. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit some countries, and EU Commission officials will be invited to Turkey. Besides the state, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will also be active, with groups ready to visit EU countries in support of the bid.

One way to promote a positive outcome is a ‘good impression campaign’ abroad and ‘doing our homework drive’ inside the country. Turkey has been very successful in its reforms, so our remaining tasks are few. Ankara must also display its determination in practicing these reforms, not only governmentally but also nationally. Nobody will be opposed to Turkey unless there is an ‘accident.’ We should accelerate developments inside Turkey and get ready for our big diplomatic push.”