ERDOGAN: “IF BOTH SIDES WANT IT, WE COULD MEDIATE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA”

On the eve of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s historic visit to Ankara, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was briefed yesterday by Foreign Ministry officials on recent developments in the tension between Russia and Georgia. Speaking to reporters before the briefing, Erdogan said that Ankara would do its utmost to ensure peace in neighboring countries. Asked whether Turkey would serve as a mediator between Moscow and Tbilisi, Erdogan said that Ankara could do so provided both sides want it. “We can’t just sit and watch negative developments in the Caucasus,” added Erdogan. Later, Erdogan met with National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun. Following his meeting with Atasagun, the premier met with a group of businessmen doing business in Russia and listened to their problems. /Aksam/
 

EDELMAN PLEDGES COOPERATION TO PROTECT TURKISH WORKERS IN IRAQ

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday received US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman. After the meeting, Edelman told reporters that in the leadup to this month’s United Nations General Assembly meeting, which Gul is set to attend, he had had comprehensive and fruitful talks with the foreign minister. Concerning security issues in Iraq, Edelman said that his administration regretted the murder of hostages who were only trying to help in the country’s reconstruction. He added that US forces and the Turkish Foreign Ministry would cooperate on the matter, saying that certain Turkish drivers and engineers in Iraq would be escorted by US soldiers. /Turkiye/

PUTIN DUE IN ANKARA TODAY

VERHEUGEN TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY ON SUNDAY AND MEET WITH ERDOGAN, GUL

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, who is soon due to leave his post, is expected to arrive in Turkey on Sunday for a three-day visit. During his short stay, Verheugen is expected to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to discuss recent developments on Turkey’s EU membership bid. After completing his contacts in Ankara, Verheugen will also meet with Nusret Miroglu, the governor of the Diyarbakir province, as well as Diyarbakir city Mayor Osman Baydemir. He will also hold contacts in Istanbul and Izmir. /Cumhuriyet/
 

TWO TURKISH HOSTAGES FREED IN IRAQ

After the company employing him gave into Iraqi kidnappers’ demand to stop its activities in Iraq, Tahsin Top, a Turkish driver who was kidnapped in Iraq early last month, was released yesterday. In addition, Iraqi security officials stated that another Turkish driver, Suleyman Hamit, had been rescued last night. /Turkiye/
 

UNDER NEW SYSTEM, HIGH SCHOOL TO LAST FOUR YEARS

The Education Ministry announced yesterday that beginning this educational year, the duration of high school would be four years rather than three. Under the new arrangement, the first year will be identical for both normal and vocational high schools. In the second year, students will be expected to choose between the normal and occupational tracks. A total of 145 schools in 30 provinces have been selected as pilots for the new system. /Sabah/

GOVERNMENT SET TO TRANSFER GOVERNORS OF 19 PROVINCES

Under a decree set to be signed soon by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the governorships of 19 Turkish provinces are due to change hands. Some of the changes are as follows: Van Governor Hikmet Tan will be transferred to Adiyaman, Adana Governor Kemal Onal to Ankara, Skarya Governor Cahit Kirac to Adana, Diyarbakir Governor Nusret Miroglu to Edirne and Batman Governor Efkan Ala to Diyarbakir. /Star/
 

REPORT FINDS STATE RAILWAYS AT FAULT IN DERAILMENT

The State Railways Authority (TCDD) was at fault in July’s train derailment in Sakarya which killed 38, says a new expert report on the deadly accident. In addition, chief machine operator Fikret Karabulut and his deputy Recep Sonmez were also found at fault. Conductor Koksal Coskun, however, was found blameless. /Huriyet/
 

TIM CHAIRMAN: “TURKEY’S EXPORTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CUT THE CURRENT ACCOUNTS DEFICIT”

Speaking at a press conference in Sivas yesterday, Turkish Exporters’ Union (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici said that in the first half of this year Turkey’s exports rose 33.6% to reach $40 billion. Touching on the high current accounts deficit, Satici said that Turkey’s exports sector had the potential to bring down this deficit. /Aksam/
 

FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…

CRITICAL MEETINGS WITH RUSSIA
BY ERDAL SAGLAM (HURRIYET)

Columnist Erdal Saglam comments on Turkey’s foreign policy. A summary of his column is as follows:

“The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has entered a critical, sensitive phase in its foreign policy, one in which the government’s attitude and stance will shape Turkey’s future, especially the economy.

Turkey will have to make important choices in the near future in line with its economic interests. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s current visit must be evaluated in this context. We already know that both Iran and Russia want to open their energy markets to Europe via Turkey.

Putin’s visit is expected to focus on significant energy matters. I believe that the Blue Stream Project will be the number one issue. Moreover, there are two new pipeline projects on our agenda. Turkish firms have already found US and Russian partners to develop them. However, Ankara wants to wait for the completion of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project before greenlighting a new one.

Putin’s visit will likely focus on oil and natural gas projects, how much Turkey will purchase from Russia, and his country’s aspirations to open its markets to Europe via Turkey. In the energy arena, Ankara has to play the game very carefully while making sure not to damage its own sensitive strategic interests. If the AKP government manages to win the game, it will have the chance to help Turkey improve its economy and boost the nation’s welfare. However, if it fails, our jittery economy will probably suffer new crises, which would inevitably mean a considerable fall in the national welfare.

The AKP government must put aside its Islamic tendencies when shaping its foreign policy and see the whole picture from the viewpoint of the nation’s interests. Therefore, our government must cease its anti-Israeli statements and policies, which are aimed only at placating the AKP’s Islamic roots. Let’s remember that if the government loses in the international arena, then the entire nation will pay the price.”
 

WELCOMING PUTIN
BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)

Columnist Taha Akyol comments on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Turkey set to begin today. A summary of his column is as follows:

“The most important event of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Turkey will be the signing of a ‘Declaration on the Deepening of Friendship and the Multidimensional Partnership between Turkey and the Russian Federation.’ This means that only one step remains before reaching the level of ‘strategic partnership.’ In addition, a ‘Cooperative Pact between the Turkish Foreign Ministry Strategic Research Center and the Russian Diplomatic Academy’ is among five other documents to be signed. We will hold joint panels, share information and discuss opinions on strategic issues. Turkey is a NATO member, a strategic partner of the US, a future member of the European Union, and an active member of the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC). The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project is proceeding successfully with Western support, despite Russia’s objections. At the same time, Ankara is developing a multidimensional partnership with Moscow. Since the Karlofca Agreement of 1669, Russia has played an often-destructive role in our history. With brief exceptions, Turkish-Russian history is a history of wars. But times have changed. Now a nation’s fate hinges not on conflicts, but cooperation.

When Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went to Moscow as leader of the winning party, before becoming prime minister, he was welcomed by Putin. Putin also welcomed Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul this February. The new generation of leaders of the two countries can understand each other better. For the first time in history, a czar, that is, a Russian president, is visiting Turkey and we are welcoming to him.”