Mr Yalç1nta made these statements during contacts he held in Brussels with Mr Michael Leigh, Director General of European Commission DG and Mr Françoise Le Bail, Deputy Director General, DG Enterprise.

Mr Yalç1nta who said that they worry that the shadow of the Cyprus problem will fall upon Turkey s EU progress, said that they said that Turkey must keep its promises and open the ports. As businessmen of course we want trade. However, TRNC must be given permission to conduct trade as well, he stated.

He also said that putting into practice the financial aid that the European Commission prepared for the TRNC is important. However the obstacles put as regards the trade are far more important. They talked about the opening of the Famagusta port as regards this issue. Our desire is the opening of this port under Turkish control. The EU is acting apprehensively as regards this issue.

(C/S)

[07] The Foreign Press Union will protest against the Republic of Cyprus

The paper notes that the members of the above-mentioned Association are representatives of international media in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

The chairman of FPA, Mesut Gunsev, who is in Brussels in order to support the protest acts against the so-called embargoes allegedly applied on the Turkish Cypriots, will discuss the issue with Mr Georg Zigrer, representative of the EU Commission. He will also meet with the chairman and members of the administrative council of the European Journalists Union and the International Journalists Federation.

In a statement he issued, Mr Gunsev describes as unacceptable the embargo applied on the Turkish journalists and calls on the international organizations to undertake the necessary initiatives so that it is lifted.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Tan on the reported hot pursuit in Iraq by Turkish armed forces

Turkey's Special Representative to Iraq Oguz Celikkol had a meeting with Iraqi Ambassador to Turkey Sabah al Umran today in which they discussed border security, Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) spokesman Namik Tan said.

Speaking to reporters, Tan said: ''In this meeting, the Iraqi ambassador has been told that the (military) deployment and measures taken near Turkish-Iraqi border aim to ensure the border security. The Iraqi ambassador is also said [was also told] that these measures are taken every spring, and the presence of PKK in Iraq has urged Turkey to take these measures.''

Tan noted that Turkey also told Umran that the presence and acts of the terrorist organization PKK in Iraq should be eradicated, and added that Turkey wants to discuss this topic with the new Iraqi government in a detailed way.

On the same issue NTV television (26.04.06) broadcast the following: "Foreign Ministry officials, who said that Iraq handed the note to obtain information, rejected the allegations about the Turkish special forces conducting hot pursuit in northern Iraq. Celikkol briefed the Iraqi ambassador about measures Turkey has taken near the Iraqi border, telling him that routine measures have been taken to ensure border security. The Iraqi ambassador was once more told that the PKK presence in northern Iraq should be eradicated."

[09] Turkey´s constitutional court chief judge speaks of interference in judicial decisions

Constitutional Court Chief Judge Tülay Tugcu said on Tuesday that interference in judicial decisions under the guise of protecting freedom of expression could not be tolerated.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 44th anniversary of the establishment of the court, Tugcu said the level of criticism had gone beyond acceptable norms and had turned into outright attacks on court members.

She said pressure from the legislative and executive branches of the state and claims of politicization were weakening the judiciary.

She also called for fair salaries for members of the judiciary, noting that the recently passed Social Security Law would decrease the real wages of judges and prosecutors by almost 22 percent.

[10] Bulent Arinc calls for a re-interpretation of the meaning of secularism

However, speaking on the 44th anniversary of the foundation of the Constitutional Court, Parliamentary Speaker Bulent Arinc said that he was only expressing his own views, rather than flagging any change in official policy.

Is it a secularism understanding that would turn social life into a prison or one that people freely practice their beliefs, Mr Arinc said.

[11] Collecting signatures for Ocalan´s release sends three to prison

In Diyarbakir, three persons who were collecting signatures for the release of terrorist Abdullah Ocalan have been sentenced to 7.5 years.

The three were collecting signatures for Ocalan's release and for his recognition as a political leader when they were detained. Two of them are university students.

Appearing before a judge for the last time at the 4th Criminal Court, the three suspects asked to be acquitted. The court sentenced them, however, to seven years and five months. The court then commuted the sentences to six years and three months.

[12] TRTs explanation for Eurovision

TRT states that Turkeys representative to Eurovision, Sibel Tuzun, during her visit to the free areas of Cyprus, invited Cyprus representative to Turkey independently of the TRT. Ms Artani therefore, is not going to appear in any of the TRTs programs. Based on the announcement, this stands for the rest of the representatives of the countries participating in the contest - none of the artist has been invited to TRT program.

The artist who will take part to the entertainment programs to be broadcast during Ms Artanis visit to Turkey have discussed in prior.

(M/L)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Turkish Diplomats on the results of Rice´s visit

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul signaled to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the current cooperation between the two countries must be improved further within a framework of mutual trust.

Rice, who was on a working visit to Ankara, met with Gul privately, during talks between delegations, and later at dinner.

Commenting on the talks, diplomats said that "Rice's visit has added further depth to the current close and warm relations between the two countries."

The diplomats noted that Rice used Gul's official car throughout her visit, that the two ministers had a chance to chat in the car, and that no other US secretary of state has used another nation's official car in the past.

The diplomats said that Gul told his American counterpart that the two countries already have a cooperation with a strategic basis, that reciprocal contacts and consultations must be increased to improve this cooperation within a framework of mutual trust, and that these efforts must be shown to the whole world.

The sources quoted Rice as saying that the two countries' need for each other has increased rather than decrease since the end of the Cold War. She reportedly added: "We trust each other. We need to have more dialog."

Subtitle: Iraq, Kirkuk

The diplomats said that Iraq was also discussed at these meetings. Gul reportedly said that the Kirkuk issue must be given special importance, that attempts to change the demographics of Kirkuk are very dangerous, and these should not be allowed to make the situation worse.

According to the diplomats Rice responded that the United States is also concerned about the demographic changes occurring around Kirkuk, that various efforts are under way on this issue, and that she believes that the UN can also be helpful in this matter.

Subtitle: Terrorist organization PKK

The diplomats quoted Gul as saying that Turkey is pleased that the United States has treated the PKK has a terrorist organization from the outset, but that this gives Turkey the right to expect more from the United States on this issue. Gul reportedly asked the United States to be more proactive on this issue at a time when the terrorist organization has stepped up its activities and pointed out that the PKK now has weapons that mostly come from Iraq.

According to the diplomats Rice said that she had very useful talks with Gul and that she did not know how the time passed. They added that the Secretary of State expressed her gratitude to the Turkish government for its considerable help to the United States in making the political process work in Iraq.

The diplomats said that Rice agreed with Turkey's concerns with regard to the battle against the PKK and quoted her as saying that the United States "will redouble its efforts on this issue as soon as a government is formed in Iraq." They also cited Rice as saying that the tripartite mechanism among Iraq, the United States, and Turkey will work effectively.

Subtitle: Iran

The diplomats said that Gul also commented on Iran and quoted him as saying that Turkey is opposed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and that it has sent very clear messages [to Iran] to this effect. He reportedly said that these messages will be reiterated when Ali Larijani, Secretary General of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, visits Turkey next week.

Rice reportedly noted the importance of a stronger stand by the international community with regard to Iran and said that the United States has never mentioned the use of military force but that it has declared that all options will be considered.

According to the diplomats Gul underscored the need for encouraging the parties to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to find a peaceful solution to the problem. Noting the dangers of the existence of so many problems in the Middle East, Gul reportedly said that the purpose of the [Turkish government's] talks with HAMAS was to warn this group against "going in the wrong direction."

Subtitle: Cyprus

The diplomats said that the Cyprus problem was also discussed during the talks and quoted Rice as saying that the United States was very disappointed with the results of the referendum on the Annan plan.

According to the diplomats Rice expressed her appreciation of Turkey's efforts on this issue and said that the United States is discussing steps that can be taken to end the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Subtitle: Vision document

The diplomats also said that agreement was reached during the talks on drafting a vision document which will prepare the strategic cooperation between Turkey and the United States for the future.

The diplomats explained that the document will be shaped through talks between the officials of the countries who will get together in the near future. They added that, as part of this work, first the values to which the two countries are committed will be identified and that they will then determine the major political issues that need to be discussed within the framework of these values.

[14] Turkish Cypriot columnist accuses the Greek Cypriot political leaders of not being sincere

Under the title Beware, do not believe them, Mr Ozcanhan writes, inter alia, the following:

Beware, do not believe the statements of the leaders of AKEL, DISI, DIKO and the other Greek Cypriot political parties that they want peace, solution, the reunification of Cyprus and a bi-communal and bi-zonal federal Cyprus. Christofias, Papadopoulos and Anastasiades are pseudo-supporters of a reconciliation and agreement with the Turkish Cypriots. If you follow closely their actions and policies, you will understand that they are not sincere at all.

What they want is neither some changes in the Annan Plan nor a new solution plan. They are after predominating over the whole of Cyprus under the wings of the EU and the shadow of the UN. Their greatest desire is removing away from Cyprus the Turkish and the refugees who came from Turkey and get completely rid of the guarantees of Turkey and the partnership rights of the Turkish Cypriots. And they desire to become the sole dominant of the island. Having a look at their campaign before the elections which they will conduct in May and at what they say, you will clearly see what their target is.

(I/Ts.)

/SK

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