www.todayszaman.com - August 19, 2008

Page 1

T01-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:45

Page 1

13

World-class musicians Fedotov, Biret, Martinucci to perform at D-Marin Classical Music Festival

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008 WWW.TODAYSZAMAN.COM YTL 1.50

19

17

Özgener will be sole candidate for the TFF's top post at the general meeting today

Turkish boxer Kýlýç guaranteed bronze medal

Yo u r Wa y o f U n d e r s t a n d ý n g T u r k e y

MEHMET KAMAN

page07 Non-EU countries target cooperation in aviation CAN HE SEEK EXILE IN TURKEY? OFFICIALS SAY AT THIS STAGE, THIS IS MERE SPECULATION

Hilmi Güler

Ankara hopes to conclude energy talks with Iran in a month

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who came to power in a coup nine years ago and was a key US ally in its campaign against terrorism, quit office on Monday to avoid impeachment charges. An emotional Musharraf said he wanted to spare Pakistan from a dangerous power struggle with opponents vowing to impeach him. He said he was satisfied that all he had done “was for the people and for the country.” In a televised address, much of which was devoted to defending his record, he said, “I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes.” It was unclear whether Musharraf would be able to stay in Pakistan, and speculation is rife in the Pakistani

media that he could go into exile in Turkey or Saudi Arabia. Some reports have even suggested that he could settle at Büyükada, a peaceful island off Ýstanbul. But Turkish Foreign Ministry officials dismissed prospects for Musharraf choosing Turkey as his destination. One official told Today’s Zaman this was just speculation in the Pakistani press, underlining that there has been no formal or informal contact between the Turkish and Pakistani sides, even to test the waters. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting in Ankara yesterday, government spokesman Cemil Çiçek also said there has been no formal request for Musharraf to come to Turkey. “There are just newspaper reports,” he said. “There are feelings of brotherhood between

the Turkish and Pakistani nations. We hope developments in Pakistan will help peace and stability there.” Whether Musharraf will stay in Pakistan depends on a government decision to prosecute him. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said leaders of the ruling coalition would discuss later Monday whether to prosecute Musharraf in court on the impeachment charges. Qureshi would not say whether Musharraf might be granted a “safe exit” so that he can go into exile in another country, or dragged through the courts. “That is a decision that has to be taken by the democratic leadership,” Qureshi, who is from the main ruling Pakistan People’s Party, told Dawn News television. The leaders

AA

PHOTO

End of an era: Musharraf resigns

PHOTO

Turkey will hold negotiations with neighboring Iran on an energy deal opposed by the United States and hopes the talks will yield results in one month, Energy Minister Hilmi Güler said yesterday. Expectations were high that the two countries would sign agreements to increase natural gas supplies from Iran during a key visit last week by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but the talks failed to produce a deal. Some news reports said the failure to sign the deal was due to pressure from the US, which reportedly gave its blessing to the Iranian leader's visit in return for a promise from Turkish leaders that the energy deals, for which a preliminary agreement was already signed last year, would not be concluded. But the Turkish and Iranian sides have both insisted that the deals were not completed because more negotiations on the issue are needed. "We are an independent country, and we have interests. What we do is to look after those interests," Güler told reporters when asked whether the US opposition had played a role in failure to sign the agreements. CONTINUED ON PAGE 04

Hundreds employed to spy for Ergenekon EMÝNE DOLMACI, ÝSTANBUL Ergenekon, an illegal organization dating back decades that is suspected of attacks and assassinations to trigger a coup d’état in Turkey, apparently employed ordinary people, from housewives to students, to work as intelligence-gatherers for the group. The extent of the intelligence network was such that Ergenekon had a spy “on every single street,” in the words of Ergenekon suspect Erkut Ersoy. Ersoy is the founder of an organization called the Special Bureau Intelligence Group. This group worked for Ergenekon suspect retired Col. Fikri Karadað, who is also the head of a shady civil society group called the Kuvvayi Milliye Derneði (National Forces Association). Ersoy, who faces charges of “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and “recording personal data illegally,” in his testimony to the police in January of this year following his detention said his intelligence bureau was only a mailing group, restricted to 1,100 people. CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

Russia claims pullback from Georgia has begun Moscow said it had begun a military pullback from Georgia on Monday and President Dmitry Medvedev promised a “crushing response” to any future attack on Russian citizens. A senior US official said there were no signs yet that the Russian pullout had begun. The United States has urged Russia to pull its troops swiftly out in the hope of a quick end to a conflict that has raised tensions between Moscow and Washington. In a show of defiance, Medvedev said: “If anyone thinks that they can kill our citizens and escape unpunished, we will never allow this. If anyone tries this again, we will come out with a crushing response. We have all the necessary resources, political, economic and military,” a stern-looking Medvedev told World War II veterans in the Russian city of Kursk. In Moscow, the Russian General Staff told a daily briefing that Russian troops had begun their pullout from the conflict zone, though there was no independent verification of this. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

would assess the speech and the political situation, he said. Musharraf spent seven years in Turkey, during his civil servant father’s posting to Ankara. Analysts say Turkey could be his choice because he knows the country and can speak the language. “Turkey is the most probable destination for Pervez Musharraf, as it is the only country where he won’t feel in exile,” Oya Akgönenç, a former parliamentarian, told Today’s Zaman. “His choice would be Turkey. He is always welcomed in Turkey, and he knows he will feel at home here.” She said he would prefer Turkey over Saudi Arabia because his personal lifestyle would make it difficult for him to feel comfortable in the latter. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

President Abdullah Gül received Zambian Minister Sylvia T. Masebo within the framework of the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit that started Monday in Ýstanbul.

Ýstanbul hosts Turkey-Afrýca summýt for ‘a common future ýn solýdarýty’ Senior officials from Turkey and African countries gathered yesterday in Ýstanbul on the first day of the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit in a bid to transform an already good relationship into sustainable cooperation. Ambassador Ertuðrul Apakan, the Foreign Ministry undersecretary, delivered an address for the opening of the meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel, where senior officials later dis-

cussed the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit Ýstanbul Declaration and a document concerning cooperation for an Africa-Turkey partnership. “Solidarity and partnership for a common future” was the theme chosen for the summit since it explains Turkey’s understanding of cooperation with African countries, as well as its expectations from this cooperation, Apakan said.

“I believe that a future-oriented perspective of cooperation in regards to TurkeyAfrica relations will come out of the Ýstanbul summit,” Apakan noted, underlining that Turkey has so far maintained cooperation with each African country in line with its Opening Up to Africa Policy, which was adopted in 1998, and that now it aims at sustaining and expanding this cooperation. CONTINUED ON PAGE 04

Featuring news and articles from

Gendarmerie clings on to Ergenekon port AHMET DÖNMEZ, ÝSTANBUL endarmerie forces refuse to cede their power to police forces as per a protocol in the Ýstanbul district of Beylikdüzü’s Ambarlý port area, which is allegedly controlled by a secret gendarmerie intelligence unit. The port of Ambarlý, where monthly exports approach $5 billion and imports $10 billion, is Turkey’s biggest port, and corruption there is rampant. Shady customs dealings at the port are said to be controlled by a secret and illegitimate gendarmerie intelligence unit called JÝTEM, whose existence has been officially denied. CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

T02-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:00

Page 1

’

! # % & *

+ + &

/ # & +

# & *

2 %3 * 4 6 7 ; * # < % % => +

% ? < ?@ + + % % 2 % 7 % L +

#

& % # % V * # X= ! % Y+

7

+ + * + =& + # % + + + & % % & # ++ & * ## L

# # % ## & % Y+

= # 6 7 ; %[ & % % % # =< % Y+ % + % % > < % % %\ ] + + \ > ] ^ % = _ ` ; { < | + + #

# } # + + ~ + L + <% €~L < + + + +

} # =& + # ^ % % % # ‚ L

L + L

+ 2

# ]

* + ]

=

` ; { } # Y %% #

6

ƒ „|3 7 } # … * % % + =L % # } # * % L

7 +

% + V # % _ + + _ L % # 6

„|3 7 = ` ; { # „|3 7 * } # % ^ # % =& % +

# } ; L # } # & % + # # Y ‚ =

Phone: +90 256 618 11 43 KuÞadasý / Aydýn www.adakule.com

GĂœNEĂž HOTEL

Phone: +90 212 483 30 30 Merter / Ă?stanbul www.guneshotel.com.tr

RAMADA PLAZA Ă?STANBUL

Phone: +90 212 315 44 44 www.ramadaplazaistanbul.com

ALP PAĂžA BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Phone: +90 242 247 56 76 Kaleiçi (OldTown) / Antalya www.alppasa.com

HYATT REGENCY Ă?STANBUL

Phone: +90 212 368 12 34 istanbul.regency.hyatt.com

RIXOS BELDĂ?BĂ?

Phone: +90 242 824 97 00 Beldibi / Kemer / Antalya www.rixos.com

"

] + Â… ><&V % Y =

= ><&V # =^ = % 7 Y % < + < %

+ % ^ # ><&V # ><&V Œ ~ + Š _ + + # # + V % 7 * & # + < % V % !

Œ % 4 + % =^ = & 4 • • ><&V #

# Π% 6

% # !

Π% & = !

* + + =

#

# !4Â…&4!

!"

’

!

6_V&V

ADAKULE HOTEL

’

! " < – ^ # # % & 7

+ # % # # # # L # [ ] # % # % \ & # & 7 [ & # % # L ‚

+ &

+# %

+ L &

L 2

*

<

€&„ }<Š #

+ > + # % 7 # &„ }<Š _

% # ++

—

# ! $ % $

L 4 _3 † *

+ # + % < % } # † *

= ‚ @ ? % # ‡ ˆ # %

% % = † } # ` & +# |

% ‚ +

ALTIN YUNUS HOTEL ÇEÞME

Phone: 444 35 00 ÇeÞme / �zmir www.altinyunus.com.tr

HOTEL KARBEL

Phone: +90 252 617 00 13 Ă–lĂźdeniz / Fethiye www.karbelhotel.com

RIXOS BODRUM

Phone: +90 252 337 11 22 Bodrum / MuĂ°la www.rixos.com

# % } # % =} #

6

% =

‡ L 2 | < ‡ 4 % > ! _ Œ3 ‡ 4 _3 † ‡ < ;

&

/ `3{3 % % 4 %

+ + 4 ^ �‡ + % `3{3 * =_

7 ‡

% _ # = `3{3

=V #

+ # = * + % Y+

% % % + # < % 6 ! + & + 4 ‰ #

+ V #

^ ~ Š + 6 €<` 6  ‹ Y+ # # > † # { + #

Phone: +90 212 511 74 54 ĂžehzadebaÞý / Ă?stanbul www.blackbirdhotel.com

Phone: +90 256 618 32 66 KuÞadasý / Aydýn www.charismahotel.com

L'ETOILE BEACH HOTEL

KORUMAR HOTEL DE LUXE

Phone: +90 252 455 35 70 �çmeler / Marmaris www.letoilehotel.com

Phone: 0 256 618 15 30 KuÞadasý / Aydýn www.korumar.com.tr

RIXOS KONYA

RIXOS PREMIUM BELEK

Phone: +90 332 221 50 00 �stanbul Yolu Selçuklu / Konya www.rixos.com

CM Y K

L + [ = _6 ‘! + # 6 + * 6 ’ + % = €< % ‚ “ # ] #  < % + + + % & + % + + # _6 Š + Œ < % _ ‰

# _6 Š 7 2 # # # 4Y 2 € ”` _ ‰

% + L # + + + +

& ”`

+

# _

+ + % + + % \ < Y + + # [ & Œ Š 6 € Š6 % + + % 2 Š # &

# # +

# Š6 _6

CHARISMA DE LUXE HOTEL

BLACK BIRD HOTEL

Phone: +90 242 710 20 00 Belek / Serik / Antalya www.rixos.com

EPHESIA HOLIDAY BEACH CLUB

Phone: 0 256 622 11 80 KuÞadasý / Aydýn www.ephesia.com

LUSH HOTEL

Phone: +90 212 243 95 95 Taksim / Ă?stanbul www.lushhotel.com

RIXOS TEKĂ?ROVA

Phone: +90 242 821 40 32 Kemer / Antalya www.rixos.com

HOTEL SEA GULL

Phone: +90 242 824 85 95 Kemer / Antalya www.seagullhotel.com

HOTEL MAR-BAS

Phone: +90 252 455 30 59 �çmeler / Marmaris www.marbashotel.com

HOTEL SEYHAN

Phone: +90 322 455 30 30 Seyhan / Adana www.otelseyhan.com.tr

GOLDCITY TOURISM COMPLEX

Phone: +90 242 510 02 00 Kargýcak / Alanya www.goldcity.com.tr

PIRIL HOTEL ÇEÞME

"Smiling Face of ÇeÞme" 444 0 232 www.pirilhotel.com

SHERATON HOTEL ANKARA

Phone: +90 312 457 60 00 www.sheraton.com/ankara

T03-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

16:42

Page 1

" % & &% & ' " &

! #$ $ # ( )

' " * & % " + - &. & /&0 " '1 &

# , # #) #$ (

6_V&V

<<

$ %

! 4 / ^ % < + % # ++ + %

+ & 7 % +

# +

V

+ + # =

++ = _ #

+ #

?@ # %

+ # %

# % + + =< # + = # >&/ >2 % &

+ + % # & +

+

% %

+ % % + 7 & 7

+

6_V&V

}_<>

< % + +

+ } # * & 7 % # <++ Y & } # +

< % % #

& 7 & % =] % = = + = =

%

# + = =

# #

= + + %

% % 2 + 2 % % =4

+ =

+ # # % L # # # & 7 *

+ + #

2 # ++ % # ++ #

% ! 7 4 %3 ! 7

= % = % + + # !

+ % 2 & + + #

^ % + + & % % + + 7 % ] + % % %

+ % + % < # ] # # % # % + % ] % & % + + ^ % + %

< ^ % % % ] % & % % # #^ > # % % % + & + +

# " $ $ %&''' $ ! < 2 7 } #

+ % + & + 2 7 & L % < <`V

Y %

=& 2 7

! % } # + + 4 %

%% & + =

CM Y K

% + + + +

] # + + # + %

& % %

= + = + # % # + + % # * # + % ] # # #^ # + ^ & + 2 + + # + ] % % # + # ^ & % % + # + # Y+

%

%

%

# & 4 % %

+ & % % % & + # + # + % % + +

#

= = = = < + % & + + >

# #

] # ] + + # % ` & < % + + % %

# =

= + V % # % # +

19:32

Page 1

'! # ( & # (

# % 4 + 2 + 7 & * % ++ = # % = 3 &

+ + L

+ L % % L

+ < %

" # $ % & < + & < ^ + % # % % &

# % L

+ % 3 %

+ + % <7 # ^ & *

+ Y+ + +

Y =L + + + = 3

# %% Y + 2 &# + + & ` ] * 6 6`` + # Y+

6_V&V

2<_<! <> <>

_ # # % % % % L % % & !

%

% % ++ %

2 L + % + + %

L + #

# +

% & < + + % ++ %

3 % < 2 # & L < % # % % =] + = % % # % + + + + ? # # % 4 + + % # + + & < & &

+ # % L 3 & % % + %

! " # $

) & '*! +

. # ( =< & % ]

& < + } # + V < & 6

+ + = <+ =L # +

V # + Y+

< + & # + # % = &

#

% * % <

% Y % + + % + # & < & < + } # + + = Y + } # = <+ % + % + +

% 7 + 4 % + V #

+ <+ % # % + # # < < # % + & < + & Y < +

+

# + Y #

% # + % + # % 7 # 7 +

% < + & ++ # % < % & * #

> & # % ]

4 + V + ]4V L % + L < & + # > # V # < & #

% < & % % < * % < >

+ + + % + < + %

% & + #

< # + + L <+ & # #

< #

< <# # + < < < <# # ~ & % + < % % #

$ * ! 6 V 2

% # # % * % % + +

} # & * +

< ~ ? L L 6 V +

2

% %

% % ++ + + # _ ! %

] &

% ^ # 2

+ L % L Y +

& 2

&

+ + % & * + 7 # #

2

< # ! % # +

# L # %

2

} # &

%

+ & =2

< L =

6_V&V

} < } 4`

# ! )

%

" &' '

&

# % # # % % # !

+ + # &# !

+ # % + % # %

V

!

# % % % % + % # + % < % # % % %% %

% #

# & % ++ < !

# Y + ^ & <

6

+

$. : ,

+ % % + # =L * * + # * % + + = % < Y ^

V < &

! `;7; % #

% V % &

% % `;7; % % 7 +

% % % !

# + % V

# % < % !

+ # % +

% % + + %% # % !

]

& & ' #

' & % % & * +

% + % + ^ + + + % % & ^ + 7 % % % & # # 2 &# 2& + + # % + % % # +

% !

!

% % % # 4 +

# # % 2 7 7 6 ~ + #

& % 7 * < %

< * % % + 6 + + #

* +

+ ^ !

!

#

7 & < 4 + 4 + >< &V % %% % # # + + % 2 * 4 + # +

+ ^ % % !

% L + + * 4 % & 4 % 6 > % # # < V % + % # 4 < % & % 4

# + + #^ % % + + # % % % & > 2 !

4 + % & * + Y + % < & * 6 % % & * + % + ^ + % &

#

%

+ 7 &

+ + ><&V # & % +

!

+ # # 2 & * !

L % +

& * + %

% + + < % 6 + < + < % # # + + # & + %

^ %%

( ! ) * " + , $

6 ! + & + 4 + <7 # ^ +

+ % # % % 6 L < + * % Y % %

# ^ +

% + # # L + 4 * # # % # + # % 4 + &# % % !

% % % ++ # & 2 &# Y+ < #

% # + + 4 & <7 # ^ + + + % + %

# _ % % % +

# < * + + = = % # %

& ! & 4> }>

18.08.2008

6_V&V

T04-19-08-08.qxd

T05-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:31

Page 1

<< 6_V&V

6_V&V

& & + % + + < | + Y % 7 % % 4 % % 7

# % #

% % % + % % 2 % +

% % & + + + Y % + # 2 % + ^ # % +

% + & &

+ #

+

+ # 4 %

% < ;

+ + +

# 6 # # # % % _ % + + < | + # 4 `

&< < `}!< L

- ' ' . # / + 0 *

2 ( 0

!/ )

< | + #

%

% # +

# 6 # & + + % + 6 23 4 % 7 # # ! 2 %3 + # % 4 & + + 2 % ! % + <% 2 ` 4 % < { + 6

; 7 4 ` | # + + 6 # + # 2 ` % + # # # & %

% # 6 # 7 % + + 4 % % & +

% + # < { ; 7 < + # + + + + # & +

# | # # # % + + % % < | ` Y + + + % & + + ` # % + # 7 7 # _3 %

+ # # % #

+ ] # # 4 % + + % % > L % V % 7 }& L

+ _3 V < |

+ # + % 4 % < | + 4 % % 7 2

; % +

] ^ % < % 4 % & < + @ % % + + % < < < }&

+ ! % 3

% + _ + }& Y+ 4 + / 7+; V 4 + 3 ] % 7 +

+ + + Y+

#

+ % +

# % #

< + ++ 3

+ % <# ; % V < | 7 # ! 7 V % 4 & | & 4 2 < | 7% # !; ; ; ; &3 V 7 2 ; }& % + % % ? & % + ++ 2 % 2 % 2 % `

# &>& # + Y + # & % + # # < % < 6 @? & + + # &

}& & % 4 % % # % + + }& Y+ % < < < 4 %

+ & # < ++ & + # < + 2

6_V&V

< 4 % > L % V % 7 }& + % % + 4 %

#

% # % %% + % % & # }&

# + % # ++ Y+ + # > 6 _6 Y % + ] # + & 4 % + % % % + + # #

% # % # + + + + @

% + + 4 <# }+ { # % % @ & % <# ; V + #

% Y ++ % #

% # < % 7 < < # < < < <

&

+ % # # % # &

% % + % ` ] 6 6`` <

}& + ; _ `; ; &

4 % % ] 6 }6

+ ^ % 4 % #

+ L

&V < < <>

' & *

,

! ! ! ( # ( _ Y+ + % # + > L % V % 7 }& _ % + % 4 + + # & # 4 *

++ % # + % 4 % + % = ## = % % L + + % %% + % % + % % +*

# * + + ! _ ++ + + L +

4 + + % % # 4 % 7

=] = + + &

< & ` + ] + 4 % +

+ + &

}& + % _ + + < % 4 * +

% + + + 2 L % + + # % # =]

% 7 &

+ % + } # = 2 %

% % 7 + ` ] * 6 6`` % < % % & % 4 * % =] ] ++ % * ] + + %

% + + ++ + ]

+ + + < % * % % & + ] * # # = 4 # + # % +

+ =] % + =

- ! $

( # (

+! . /

0/ /$/

1 .

CM Y K

& % ++ % + # # % % 4 %

# % # # % % %% + * % % # # 6 7 2 373 # % ^ + # * # + _ % % + 4 } # 3 + ++ L # + % % ^ 2 % Y+ + 23 3 { % + + + * + + # + + # 4 % + / `3{3 % < + + + # 2 % Y 4 %

+ ` + + + # % # ~}&4 % %% % < % 2 % [ =< + # ` * + % % % % ` % + + + 2 % < # % _ 7# # ++ # ^ 2 + | 6 <

# % % + & ^ + ^ # + = < # ; @ + & * % L *

# %% + & & Y+ ~ @ ? # + # & + # < | < L # + + ^ # % + + & + # ^ #

18.08.2008

19:52

Page 1

06 TODAY’S ZAMAN

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008

NATIONAL AA

T06-19-08-08.qxd

ERCAN YAVUZ ANKARA

Polish-made fully automatic Glauberyt submachine guns that were apparently purchased during the reign of Saddam Hussein are now in the hands of the PKK terrorist organization. Turkey and Poland are currently in a row over these weapons Iraq’s chaotic environment following the 2003 US invasion has allowed weapons from around the world to make it into the hands of the outlawed Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK). US-made weapons and guns purchased from Poland by Iraq during the Saddam Hussein era have been found in the hands of PKK militants. Having discovered that some weapons and mili-

tary equipment belonging to the US Army had later been taken over by the PKK, Turkey called on the US to investigate the issue. Turkish police traced the origin of 36 Polish-made fully automatic Glauberyt submachine guns seized from PKK militants and found that they had been sold legally to the Iraqi Republican Guard during Hussein’s rule. In an official inquiry sent to Polish authorities, Turkey asked for detailed information on when these weapons were sold to Iraq and how many had been purchased. The inquiry noted that Turkish authorities have also asked the Iraqi government to explain how the PKK came to possess these guns. The second most important issue in regard to lost weapons in Iraq is the seizure of 272 pistols

made by the Austrian company Glock GmbH. Turkey determined that these guns had been transported from Austria to Iraq. Turkey asked Austrian authorities for an explanation on the sale. The Austrian government, unwilling to risk its international reputation in the fight against terrorism, responded positively in February to a request by Turkey to suspend the sale of 100,000 Glock pistols ordered by the US for its troops in Iraq in the face of solid evidence that these guns indeed end up in the hands of terrorist groups in the region. In June of this year, Turkey appealed officially to the Bulgarian, German and US administrations to inquire about guns that have fallen into the hands of the PKK, after it was revealed that many guns the PKK

used originated from these countries; a fact that came to light earlier this year when Turkey staged an incursion into northern Iraq to crush PKK camps in the area. Turkey’s Anti-smuggling and Organized Crime Administration has discovered that illegal weapons are smuggled into Turkey at three different points and that heavy guns were transported into Turkey by the PKK through Iraq. The investigations further showed that most of these guns were manufactured in Eastern European countries. Hand-made guns -somewhat common in the Caucasus -- are smuggled into Turkey through the Black Sea region. Guns, land mines, heavy machine guns and hand grenades are also smuggled from Balkan countries. A vast majority of the mines used by the PKK are made in Italy.

CÝHAN

ticular, the deputies should focus their attention on regional female leaders of various occupations, including professors, doctors and NGO leaders. The AK Party has been organizing courses and seminars for local administrative bodies in many provinces of Anatolia on the upcoming elections in order to give potential candidates a “political certificate” and accept them as official members of the AK Party. While men will be charged YTL 500, women will have the chance to attend these courses free of charge as a way to encourage female participation. There are some criteria to be a candidate for the AK Party in the upcoming local elections. To be a mayoral candidate, the first condition is to have graduated from university. The AK Party also requires that a candidate “be a respected member of society” and that he/she “have a vision.” Research on women in local administrative bodies internationally, locally As a first step into including more women in local elections, the AK Party has conducted research on the number of elected women in the world, focusing particularly on Europe. The research indicated the respective percentages of women and men in municipalities and city councils. The research revealed that nearly 90 percent (90,613) of all mayors in the world are men while nearly 10 percent (9,013) of mayors are women. Nearly 20 percent of all city councilors in the world are women while nearly 80 percent are men.

PHOTO

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) aims to increase the number of women competing in local elections scheduled for March 29, 2009. Arguing that it is not right to actually put a quota on the number of women candidates -- as some countries do -- to ensure women’s participation in elections, the AK Party is nevertheless encouraging women to get involved in politics. Stating that more than half of the 38 million voters in Turkey are women, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan said he supports more female participation in local elections and thinks that the number of women in local administrative bodies should increase to the same level as in Europe -- where the number of women mayors is about 10 percent of the total. Dividing the country into 12 regions, the AK Party has appointed three deputies for each region. Ayþe Akbaþ, Azize Sibel Gönül, Cahit Baðcý, Çaðla A. Özyavuz, Emin Nedim Öztürk, Fatih Öztürk, Hasan Altan, Hüseyin Gülsün, Hüsnü Ordu, Ýlhan Evcin, M. Cemal Öztaylan, Mehmet Ceylan and Mehmet Halit Demir are among the deputies charged with urging women to participate in local elections; all have experience with local administration. These deputies are tasked with listing the people who are favored in local communities and issuing the lists to AK Party headquarters. In par-

Çaðla Aktemur is one of the Justice and Development Party deputies who will work to increase female participation in local governments.

drugs. In 2007, this figure rose to 23,177. The number of Turkish citizens who were involved in drug smuggling in foreign countries decreased by 0.8 percent in 2007 compared to the previous year. The number of Turks who were charged with drug trafficking was 279 in 2003, 309 in 2004, 353 in 2005, 392 in 2006 and 390 in 2007. According to the bureau’s report, when the countries in which these Turkish citizens were caught and the amounts of drugs they were handling are taken into consideration, it appears that they were working in cooperation with narcotics gangs not only in Turkey, but also in other countries. The fact that many Turkish citizens were caught carrying small amounts of drugs indicates that a significant number of them are addicts, the report states. Turkish drug smugglers were operating in 20 countries as of 2007; out of 390 Turkish drug smugglers, 166 were apprehended in Germany, 128 in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), 28 in France, 10 in Austria, seven in Bulgaria, six in Switzerland, six in Morocco, five in Belgium, five in Ukraine, four in Norway, four in the Netherlands, four in Azerbaijan, three in Macedonia, two in Spain, two in Albania, two in Slovenia, and one each in Afghanistan, Italy, Ghana, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, Poland and Thailand. Ercan Yavuz Ankara

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday ended his silence over recent corruption allegations against Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) deputy Þaban Diþli, voicing his support for the CHP deputy who initially leveled the charges. “The bribery issue has become an AK Party issue, rather than one related to just Þaban Diþli,” Baykal said in a written statement. “What needs to be done is to remove Diþli’s immunity and put him in the judiciary’s hands,” Baykal said. CHP deputy Kemal Kýlýçdaroðlu has claimed that Diþli made an illegal deal with the Akademi Ofset printing house, demanding $1 million in exchange for helping the company buy a piece of land. Kýlýçdaroðlu distributed a document bearing the signatures of Diþli and an official from Akademi Ofset, claiming it was proof of the deal. Diþli dismissed the claims in a written statement, calling them “ridiculous” and saying the document was part of normal procedures to ensure that he did not lose his savings. As Kýlýçdaroðlu kept insisting that Diþli had made financial gains from the deal and that his property declaration to Parliament should be disclosed, a statement from Parliament noted that Diþli’s property declaration could not be released. According to the parliamentary office, Article 71 of the Constitution requires deputies and other public workers to declare their property but, unless required by an official investigation, this information cannot be released publicly. The AK Party has chosen to ignore Kýlýçdaroðlu’s accusations of corruption against Diþli. Ýstanbul Today’s Zaman with wires

Project to manage precious Konya water resources

Turkey’s narcotics trade run by Iranians and Georgians The National Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Administration (KOM) has found that mostly Iranian nationals are involved in the narcotics trade in Turkey, followed by Georgians and Turkmen, and that of the Turkish citizens who have been caught by police in foreign countries in connection with drug trafficking, 42 percent were apprehended in Germany. According to the bureau’s report, of the foreigners caught in Turkey on charges of drug trafficking, 20 percent are Iranian, 9 percent Georgian, 8 percent Turkmen, 7 percent Bulgarian and 5 percent are Somalians and Nigerians. The number of foreigners apprehended in Turkey in connection with the narcotics trade is on the rise as this figure rose by 38.9 percent in 2007 over 2006. In 2006, 12,012 foreign nationals engaged in the trade of poppy seeds were caught, rising to 17,864 in 2007. Those apprehended on charges of heroin smuggling rose from 1,905 in 2006 to 2,579 in 2007. In connection with the illegal morphine base trade, 34 foreigners were caught in 2006 while this figure dropped to 3 people in 2007. There were 82 foreign opium smugglers caught in 2006 compared to 78 in 2007; for cocaine this figure was 518 and 886 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. In 2006, 16,681 foreigners were apprehended on charges of smuggling synthetic

Þaban Diþli

Baykal backs allegations against AK Party Deputy Diþli

AK Party works for more female partýcýpatýon ýn local electýons YUSUF BULUT ANKARA

PHOTO

Saddam’s weapons now in use by PKK

Your Way of Understanding Turkey

CM Y K

A project to encourage the development of modern irrigation methods has been launched to promote smart water usage in the water-scarce Konya closed drainage basin and its neighboring Lake Tuz basin. The project aims to improve the distribution of water resources to the Konya and Lake Tuz basins. The province of Konya receives low levels of rainfall but is home to some of Turkey’s most fertile land. The project is sponsored by the Turkish Forestry and Environment Ministry’s Environmental Protection Agency for Special Areas (ÖÇKK), the governorship of Konya’s Altýnekin district and World Water ForumTurkey (WWF-Turkey). An area of nearly 500 hectares in Altýnekin will be irrigated by modern methods by 100 farmers as part of the project, which also envisions addressing the issues of protecting the Tuz basin’s water table; energy saving; protecting soil from pollution caused by chemical fertilizers; and finding a model for sustainable water usage. The project includes provisions for water and soil analysis, technical support for farmers and experimentation with growing alternative crops such as vegetables, melon, tomato, pepper and fruit in the region, which is currently cultivated for the most part with sugar beet, sweet corn, melon, sunflower, beans and pumpkin. A database has been created to record the studies and analysis results. After harvest, the farmers’ profit, data on increases in production and savings in water and energy will be compiled in a report to be released to the public. Ýstanbul Today’s Zaman

T07-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:04

Page 1

&V < < <>

Turkýsh banks: ýncreasýng actývýtýes lower profýtabýlýty

6_V&V

& + <% ! <

~ + 6 <` 6 < + / ` |{

# # 6 % # &

<% 4 + &} 4 + + % < % ` |{ &} 4

+ # % % + & < +

+ 7 &} 4 *

# % % %[ =& + + + # % % &} 4 # + #

+ # + +

% + % # % + 6 * % + 7 % &} 4 *

< 6 % V # % # % # % &} 4 * + + + ` |{ # + + # + % # # + =

% < *

& ? ] # + = ` |{ + # + + # + % # # + + % + % =V # + +

+ &} 4 * =

! $ & $ 3 & Y & # # + ~ % + Y+ %

% * + % % + L & ^ # &

L & 2 & Y ~ @ # + & Y + *

% + % + + % + %

Y

^ # ++ %

Y

=# % = # % + + ] Y # + + # +

L

+ #

# % % Y+ & #

%

# + + # + % + + + # + % Y % # # + % + % + % + ? @ @ + & % # % % % % + + % @ +

% + ? + + +

+ + &

# + + +

% 2 * +

+ + # &

# % <& % + % Y +

2 3 ' ' * &V < < <>

! $ ! $

> 4 + # 4 + < 4 < # ~ < < ~<< 4 + < <% 4< <

4 + + % %

% 7 % & 2 % Y+

% + #

&

<7 # ^ % + ~<< 4< < # ~ 4 & % < Y+

++ % % + + % # # % 4 < % # < + < % @ & 4

7 4< < %

4 4 < # % # #

4< < # V # & + + % 4< < + + % % + + % 4 4 < # < % + + % + % % # ! % V# V % 7 ! VV 2 ! % + # < & + % #

% 7 &

6_V&V

!%()" * + ) ,

# % + # % # + # L @ # %

% # + + + Y + & # % # + + # + # % # @ + + + & % % # % % # + & * % % % + % # *

# % + # # ++

# + % ? + + % % + # % &

@ + >

% + +

+ 4 + Y +

_ % + # V + # L # % + # + @ & & % % + Y+ + + % + & + % #

# [ + # % % <% %

+ 6 % +

% % + & + # # + + 6 % # %% % + #

+ + % + # # # % # + % % # % % + Y+ L + Y+ + + % Y+ % _ # % + Y+ L + Y+ # # > # % # # + < ^ + +

% % + &

% # % % Y #

+ #

% + % 2 4 @ % + %

# & % + % +

& * + ^ # % % ?? # 4 < % % 7 % + # 4 + +

7 + +

% # + % + # # + & ~<<

# 4 < + % % #

4 + % + + % + % % + &

+ + % = + % = + 4 + & 4< < + #

4 %

% 4

&

< &_ 4< < 6<!& #

+ &_ & %

+ + + %

# V + < & &_ + # &

% &_ + &

+ # %

3

% 2 % &_ Y+

% +

4 + ~<< @ # % & #

+ 4< < 4 # +

# 4 % 7 L > & # Y % % 4

+ > # + + 4< < # 4< < + # 7 % + % % & +

4< < + #

+

" ' ' # . &

L % %

! < + & * @ + & ! <

7 % % ! + + # ! % #

+ #

% % # % & +

+ Y %

+ V + %

%

+ + + V # + + % # % =]

+ < # L + + + + # # + = 6 ! # + # % + < !

+ % + # # & % + % % + + ^ + Y

+ 6 { =&

% = _ % # %

+ + + !

T08-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:32

Page 1

4 . ! . ' & & !, & < % * <

€<ÂŒ ŠÂ

!

+ % +

& # ++ % + <Œ Š + ` | !

+ &

+ =+ = % + &

% # #

# L ` | !

++ &

% _ % !

Œ3 + % % % & * # + !

&

4Y+ <

# €&}  6 V‰ 7 ; ; # & !

# % % Y+ + =& + # # % # # &

Y+ = ; ; !

+ + + # + &

Y ‚ – + + % + % = % =&

% !

+ % & % + = _ % #

# % !

+ % & * ™ + &

!

2

& % Œ3 + + Y & # !

% ~ ˆ ++ < % ˆ _

Y < % Y + ‡ & # % %

!

% &

%

# &

% %% % _ Y + !

&

% % + + % =] % % + + Y Y + # + ] % !

+ Y+ & % % ] ++ % % # % = =< Y+ !

$!&

' ' % > < & V % 7 *

% 2 % % % # + % ?– 6 ‹ # ? – ˆ ><&V Œ ~ + _ + + %

><&V

% L – ˆ

% % ++ ^ # % % +* =<

% L ><&V + = 4 + + 4 % + ><&V ! % % > # – ˆ V … ! • % … ‹ % ! % %

><&V* % # % # [ =& # # # % # # % # % # # < % %

4 67 8

1 79 : 2 4 + * % %

< ‚ = L % [ =L 4 + % % # % + = €& ^ ><&V # < ‚ > < ‚ ><&V #

><&V #  < ?‚ ! % Š

# % + + % % > < ! % > – – ˆ [ =< ><&V* % + <

# # + ] ++

% + % ]

%

& – @ ><&V*

% … Œ % *

#

+ ++ ] # # !

Π% !

% % 2& + + _ 6 7 2 ++ Œ % ><&V # 2& # # + + \ … % ++ % % ^ # ><&V % # % [ ] Y + % + V % 7

\ ] + _ 7\ < + % Â… 4Â… > / 6 % = # % Â… > < # ><&V 4Â… Â…> = & % 7 * % % +

% % + + % %

Â… + % 6 % ><&V % 4 % + % # +

# + ! # L < –‚ % \ =] * * # % % # & # * + % %X < * % =

6

% ><&V %

< +

= + ><&V + # % Y ‚ & % % # +

# % % % %

% +

& ^ %

+ [ 4 > ] < + 2 % + + # + % % % & % + + % ><&V ! # ><&V % * + + < – @ % * % + % + & % +

` 7

<7 # ^ & % 7 % ><&V % +

# + % 2 &# €2&  + + ] * + !

… Œ % & +

6_V&V

<6

2 *

! ! 4 + $$ $ $ 6

++ + + > # + ^ + + + ^ + % 4 + % &

% – �

L + + + +

> # Π6 + L Π#_ % +

++

# % # &

% + % %

< 4 L

! % % > # Œ

6 + L % + % 4 + %

+

++ > # > # Π6 + L Π#_ % +

++ & œ& + +

% > # Y + +

% % #

& + + + ^ � & > # + ^ 4 + š + % + ^ % 4 + š % ++ #

# % Y % ++ & � � % + + % % + + % 4 4% + 4 + L ++ Y # ] + + + š + # � #

V / V• & % 7 2 % % 7 _ % &

6 + + €2V&<ƒ !]4 2

# " 5

+ - ! 26 6 Y+ <7 # Π% ++

% Π% !

+

# % + # % &

26* +

++ % + % 2 2 &# €2&  & + & * % =! Y+

++ <7 # ^ Π% = 26

+ ! # ] =& * # % % Œ % = & + <7 ++ + + # ˜ ‚ # % ˜ ? –

% % Π% !

+ # % + # % + &#

% # & &# % Π% Π# + % % 2 + 6 2

^

&

# Œ % Y+ + # % < + <7 # ^ * # % # % + + & # ‚ # + #+ <7 2 ] V +

++ # <7 % V <! 4YY # + <

++ % % 2 # ++

% % Π% # % + 4

* $ Yearly Change (%)

YTD Change (%)

MCAP (million YTL)

1-Y Av.Volum

Ä°MKB-100

#)8,#(

D$56?

)$5 ?

D,5,?

D #5 ?

8 (

)8 ##

0 7 7

Ä°MKB-30

)8, ,

D$5(?

))5#?

D))5$?

D 65 ?

)6 8 (

,(

MM

Ä°MKB-IND

8)(

D$5 ?

5)?

D#5#?

D) 5 ?

($8 )6

)

1 = #$

Daily Monthly Change (%) Change (%)

Close

' ( )

* ('

BOZ 11* PG (FSN (FSNBOZ PG ;&8 JOEFY T PG UIF 64 )PNF TUBSU 4 11* PG UIF 6

Ä°MKB-BANK

! 8!#

D)5)?

) 5)?

D)#5)?

D $5,?

,#8$ (

6!!

% O

DJIMT

)$5,

$5$?

#5!?

$5 ?

D(56?

))$

$5

B & )$$

TurkDEX US$/JPÂĽ EUâ‚Ź/JPÂĽ

8) $ )5)!

Country

Change (%)

Level

08 7

D)5$,

$8, $5(

N :

)5)

) 8)6 5

B =

D$5 6

#8##)5,

-

D$5#!

68#) 5 8## 5#

D$5 )

%

$5$$

% P

D$5#)

D$5#!

)8 , 5$

9

$5

#8 ((5(

Q.

D$56(? D$5# ?

'C& .

$5$

)8,#,5

0CVKXG

0CVKXG

(QTGKIP

(QTGKIP

4 ; < 8= : 4 ; < 8= :

&CKN[ %NQUG %JCPIG >?@

/QPVJN[ %JCPIG >?@

;GCTN[ %JCPIG >?@

Daily Change (%)

Ticker

Volumes

))$5)

5#$

)$5 ,?

0" '

65 $

D 5$!?

-

),65,

5!

D (5,)

:5- `

)5(

D$5 ?

D(5,?

D(5)?

)6)5!

$5(

(5 ?

'

) 5$$

D)5,6?

+ 1

!$5!

5(

D)!5,

:5-

)5)((

D$5 ?

D$5,?

D) 5 ?

)5#6,#

+ B+

$5!6

65)(?

+0&C

5!$

D)5 ?

"

(5#

5(

D 5 ,

C

5,

#5!!?

&1+ 1

)5 (

D)5##?

C

#!56

5

D !56#

%'0'

)5!)

#5$ ?

& '

$5()

D)5 ,?

#!5)

65

D 5))

Ticker

Price (YTL) Daily Change (%)

0"

Â&#x;/-$

Ticker

Price

Price (YTL) Yearly Change (%)

Â&#x;/-$

Â&#x;/-$ +0&

2 %*'/

67245

261(5

2'6-/

#;)#<

DD

DD

) 8##$56

68!( 5

8,$)5

,#(5

( (5

) 5!F

)#5 F

))5 F

!5$F

,5(F

)#56F

)!5,F

5 F

P/E 2007/06t

,56F

) 5!F

)$5(F

56F

(5 F

)$5(F

,5,F

)5 F

P/E 2007/09t EV/EBITDA 2006/12

,5$F !5)F

,56F !5!F

!5 F (56F

65$F 656F

(5 F (56F

)$5)F 65)F

,5,F #5,F

)5 F #5 F

EV/EBITDA 2007/03t

(56F

!5$F

65(F

65)F

65#F

5!F

5(F

#5,F

EV/EBITDA 2007/06t

!56F

(5 F

65!F

65 F

656F

5,F

5,F

5 F

Mcap YTL

DD

P/E 2006/12

$. : ,

2TKEG 7 18 ' 9 - 9 1 ::

))#56 (, 5)$ 5

9C[

%JCPIG >?@ $5(( $5(! D$5$

*KIJ )) 5 (, 5)$ 5 6

.QY )) 5)! (, 5$$ 5 $

: = E ; 7 : 4 < : = : < 9 E = : < ; < : 8 & : E 94 E ; 7 ; < 5 F G H I J < 9 E 9 < 4 K4 8 !" " =9 7 !!" : 6 :8 8 ; - L # $ #%& < : ; : : ; %5 G =4 < 4 = ; 9 E ; 9 ;9 8 99 < 5 : = = E

9 7 E = = : < E = 49 = 8 < D E = ; 9 < = E ; 7 F: = 49 8

& * % Œ + & % 6 �Œ % +

% <++ L &

% % 6 �Œ % + # # % €�Œ L + 7 6 �Œ L +

# Y # + # # < & 6 �Œ % 6 % % # 6 =] Œ6

6 �Œ + Y+ # # ++ 6 – +

# + ++ # # 4Y % < <++ = % + + % <++ & * % V • Š ‰ +

+ & * �‚ #

% 6 Â?ÂŒ + % % % # Š ‰ [ =L % ^ & ÂŞ % % ÂŒ + =

T09-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

18:55

Page 1

" .FEJUFSSBOFBO HFN

& & 3 7 + # & ~ % L # ` # / ^ 2 /

% # ` # / + &

< % | % + % # + & + + L

# # % % +

+ % # _ % + #

# 7 % ] # # % L # # %% % # L % # & 7 % % % # 7 % + % # %

# # # &

# + &

# # + + + & # # # 7 ] + + %

# % % % % & % + # & # &

#

# &

% % +

< 2 =>> >

=>> >

=>> > 4 6 =>> > = $ =>> > =>> >

+ 7 ^ & % + % # % < + + # % % % # # & % ^

&

% ]

< % %%+

% + % + ] # V # % # +

% ] +

% & ]

.

5

= >(6 8 ;

& /

* # +

/ / & / 0 1 2

0 1 + 2

$$ ! ; &

3 "

4 5 67 8# ) 9 4 5 :7 8; 5 9

+ 2 " / / & <

)

%

& & + % % + # & % + 4 +

6

% % L % + + } # % ++ % +

% % L & + Y+ + % +

+ % + # 4 + #

# % %

+

+ % + & ! + + + % + # + # + V # ^ %% + % 7 #

# 6 2 6 _ L # L

% # # > + # % + % % ]

# + &

L Y %

%

+ # + % # Y+ % + #

+ # & + % %

<++ + ^ # L

% % %%

#

< % %

+ # % ] % + L %

# < +

L > + # % +

& + # % & %

L & + + # 77 % % &

+ # % % & # &

# # % Y % V + % # % + ++ + ] % # % X >

% + # # # & +

6_V&V

V>L < !L&

*

!

< 2

%

# + % L # %

# 7 ++ % % #

% # 7 ++ ^ # + %

+ % + + & + } # 2 7 6 6

# % 2 + < % 4 %

} # ]

% < # %

%

% % ]

# & + Y ] L # ` # % # # 7 % % %

% %

+ # + + % 7 L ] + + %

+ % #

> Y L + %

* 0 + *

CM Y K

T10-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:48

Page 1

10 TODAY’S ZAMAN

Support for a missile defense pact with the US has soared in ex-communist Poland in the wake of Russia's military campaign in Georgia, a poll showed on Monday. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed support a pact that the two nations are to sign this week -- up from 30 percent in March 2007, according to a poll published in the Rzeczpospolita daily. It is the first time a majority of Poles surveyed have backed the US missile defense plan, said lead researcher Maciej Siejewicz from the Gfk Polonia polling agency. Negotiations between Washington and Warsaw on placing 10 missile defense interceptors in Poland began about a year and a half ago. They finally struck a deal last week, and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected in Poland this week to sign it. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Washington agreed to help augment Poland's defenses in exchange for placing 10 missile defense interceptors in the country -- a move Russia strenuously opposes. A day after the deal was struck, a leading Russia general warned that Poland was exposing itself to attack -- even a nuclear one -- by accepting the US missile interceptor base.The signing ceremony with Rice will take place Wednesday, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said in an interview published Monday in the Dziennik daily. Warsaw AP

A Taliban suicide bomber rammed an explosives-packed car into the gate of the main US military base in southeastern Afghanistan on Monday, killing 10 civilians and wounding 13, Afghan and US officials said. The bombing comes at a time of heightened security as military and diplomatic officials issued warnings that intelligence reports indicated the al Qaeda-backed Taliban were planning a large attack to coincide with Independence Day celebrations on Monday. Two more suicide bombers in another car approached the base near the southeastern town of Khost as security forces dealt with the aftermath of the first attack, but were shot dead by police before they were able to detonate their explosives, Khost's governor, Arsala Jamal, told Reuters. "The victims were all poor laborers and civilians. This was a barbaric act carried out by the enemies of Afghanistan at a time of celebration of independence," he said. Violence has surged in Afghanistan this year as the Taliban step up their campaign of guerrilla attacks, backed by roadside and suicide bombs to oust the pro-Western Afghan government and drive out foreign troops.

An Afghan soldier stands near the damaged vehicle after an explosion in the outskirts of Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast. The explosion did not penetrate the perimeter of the base, the US military said, and US forces evacuated the wounded

to a hospital at the camp, the main hub for operations in southeastern Afghanistan. President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack. "The terrorists showed that they are vigor-

Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora to visit Iraq

REUTERS

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora will visit Iraq this week to promote diplomatic and trade ties, a government source said on Monday, in another sign of improving ties between Baghdad and the Arab world. The trip will be the first by a Lebanese prime minister since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. It underlines the increasing willingness of Arab countries to re-engage with the government in Baghdad. King Abdullah of Jordan visited Iraq on Aug. 11, becoming the first Arab head of state to do so since the invasion toppled former President Saddam Hussein. "Iraq is an Arab country and it is very necessary to open up to it at this moment," Siniora told Lebanon's al-Mustaqbal newspaper. Washington has urged Iraq's Arab neighbors to do more to embrace Baghdad, whose Shiite-led government complains it gets the cold shoulder in an overwhelmingly Sunni-led Arab world. Siniora, a Sunni politician who has Saudi support, heads a new Lebanese national unity government which includes Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite group backed by Iran. He said his talks would cover energy and trade cooperation. Last month, senior Lebanese politician Saad al-Hariri met Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad. Beirut Reuters

PHOTO

PLANNED TRIP

KILLER STORM

At least 30 feared dead in Haiti from Fay A bus trying to cross a river flooded by Tropical Storm Fay foundered in the water and at least 30 people were swept to their deaths, a Haitian lawmaker said on Monday. The bus carrying 43 people was trying to cross the Riviere Glace on Haiti's southern peninsula on Sunday, Deputy Arcluche Louis-Juene told Radio Vision 2000. "Only 13 people have been found," said Louis-Juene, who represents the Grand Anse department where the accident happened. UN peacekeepers could not immediately confirm the accident and Haitian civil protection officials could not be reached early on Monday. At 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT), the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located over the northern coast of western Cuba just northeast of Varadero, or about 80 miles (125 km) east of Havana and about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Key West, Florida. Fay, the sixth storm of the 2008 Atlantic season, had maximum winds of 60 mph (100 kmh) and was moving northwest near 12 mph (19 kmh). It was expected to continue in that direction for the next 24 hours, with a turn to the north on Tuesday. Fay's center was expected to emerge into the Florida Straits in the next few hours and could be «very near» the Keys by Monday night, the Hurricane Center said. Tropical Storm Fay spared Cuba as it sped across the island's Bay of Pigs and took aim at Florida on Monday. Forecasters said it could likely reach hurricane strength before hitting the US mainland. Port-au-Prince AP

POLLS

Canadian PM calls another special election Canada's Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper is calling a special election to fill a vacant parliamentary seat this fall. The special election is set for Sept. 22. Three other special elections to fill parliamentary seats are slated to be held Sept. 8. The special elections have raised questions about whether Harper is testing the waters for a general election later in the fall. The Conservatives have held power since 2006 -- the longest a minority government has ever been in office. Harper unseated the opposition Liberals after nearly 13 years in power, but as a minority government the Tories have a tenuous hold on power, with Harper forced to rely on opposition lawmakers to pass legislation. Ottawa AP

WORLD

Taliban suicide bomber kills 10 Afghan civilians, wounds 13 AP

Polish support for missile defense pact soars

PHOTO

SECURITY

T U E S D AY, AUGUST 1 9 , 2 0 0 8

The Safir (ambassador) satellite-carrier rocket, which will carry Iran's Omid (hope) satellite, is seen before launch at Iran's space center in Tehran. Iran said on Sunday it had launched its first domestically made satellite into space.

Iran ready to put Muslým countrýes’ satellýtes ýn orbýt Iran said on Monday it was ready to help fellow Muslim states launch satellites into orbit after it successfully put a dummy satellite into orbit -- a move that may increase Western suspicions over its atomic ambitions. Iran said on Sunday it had put the home-grown dummy satellite into orbit on a domestically made rocket for the first time. The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons. Iran says has no intention to do so. Head of Iran's Aerospace Organization, Reza Taghipour, said Iran wanted to help Muslim countries to launch satellites. "I am announcing now that Iran is ready to launch satellites of friendly Islamic countries into space," Taghipour told state television. Embroiled in a standoff with the West over its nuclear ambitions, Iran in February tested another domestically made

rocket as part of its satellite program. Washington, accusing Iran of aiming to equip missiles with nuclear warheads, called the February test 'unfortunate'. It cites Iran's missile potential, among others, as the reason why it needs to install an anti-missile defense system in eastern Europe. France and Russia both said the February test raised the suspicion that Iran was seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The United States and its European allies fear Iran is trying to obtain nuclear arms under cover of a civilian program. Iran, the world's fourth largest oil producer, insists it needs nuclear technology to generate electricity. The UN nuclear watchdog body in a report in May expressed "serious concern" over alleged Iranian research into nuclear warheads and said Iran should provide more explanation of questionable missile-related activities. Iran has so far said it was not

the agency's business "to delve into those allegations." Iran says it has home-grown missiles with a range of 2,000 km (1,250 miles), meaning it could hit Israel or US military bases in the Gulf. Western experts say Iran rarely provides enough details for them to determine the extent of its technological advances, but that much Iranian technology consists of modifications of equipment supplied by China, North Korea and other countries. Iran has been hit by three rounds of UN sanctions for defying demands that it suspend its uranium enrichment program. Six major powers are working on another one. Taghipour said Iran was planning to build and launch more satellites by 2010. "We are working on these satellites and gradually they will be put into orbit," he told the semi-official Mehr news agency. Tehran Reuters

ously against the freedom of the Afghan people and cannot bear to see the celebration of independence and the happiness of the Afghan people," the president's office quoted him as saying. The commander of US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan issued a warning after the Khost blast, saying credible intelligence indicated a possible attack on Independence Day. "These reports indicate that the enemies of the people of Afghanistan intend to attack civilian, military and government targets during Afghan Independence celebrations," the US military said in a statement. "We recommend to all Afghans to be vigilant at large public events and other locations where crowds gather and report suspicious behavior to security forces, Afghan or coalition, and government representatives," it said. The Interior Ministry said more than 7,000 police had been deployed in Kabul for the Independence Day celebrations which will be held in a secret location after Karzai survived a Taliban assassination bid during a military parade in April. UN staff in the capital were ordered to work from home, a spokesman said. Khost Reuters and AP

Barack Obama takes off gloves to attack Republican rival John McCain After a handshake and the briefest of embraces in a church full of evangelical Christians, Democrat Barack Obama quickly took off the gloves and was again battering John McCain as little different from President George W. Bush. The first-term Illinois senator also laid into the campaign team of his four-term Senate colleague from Arizona on Sunday for using "the same old folks that brought you George W. Bush" to paint Obama as unpatriotic and weak. Obama, who has been put on the defensive by a series of attacks on his character, experience and readiness for the presidency, has been responding to the McCain accusations blow for blow. McCain has sought to make the 2008 presidential contest a referendum on Obama, while trying to duck his associations with Bush, who has become deeply unpopular with voters disenchanted with 5 1/2 years of war in Iraq and a badly stumbling economy. Before a crowd of several hundred union members in Reno, Nevada, Obama said the American economy was a disaster and blamed "John McCain's president, George W. Bush." And Obama lashed out at McCain's recent conversion on lifting a quarter-century ban on offshore oil and natural gas exploration, calling it poll-driven. McCain says drilling for energy supplies in American coastal waters is now necessary as a step in bringing down energy prices and as part of a larger plan to reduce US oil imports. Obama and most energy experts say supplies from offshore drilling will be years in coming to market and would have little, if any, effect on the price of gasoline or home heating oil. "McCain says ‘Here's my plan, I'm going to drill here, drill now,' which is something he only came up with two months ago when he started looking at polling," Obama said. McCain did not make any campaign appearances Sunday. He was in Florida for a fundraising event which was canceled as Tropical Storm Fay moved toward the state. The Republican candidate was briefed on the storm. On Monday, McCain was to go to Orlando to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, which should provide a warm reception to the former fighter pilot who spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner in North Vietnam. Obama was scheduled to speak today, followed by Bush on Wednesday. Obama defended his opponent on that front Sunday when a voter at the Reno town hall session criticized McCain's Vietnam era record. "Respectfully I'm going to disagree with you on McCain and his service," Obama said. "I think his service was honorable. He deserves respect." While trying to link McCain policies to those of the unpopular Bush, Obama also said his opponent had resorted to campaign tactics the current president used in defeating former Vice President Al Gore in 2000 and Sen. John Kerry four years later. Washington AP

Barack Obama

T11-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:11

Page 1

!4Â…&4!

6_V&V

+ $ ! $ $ L % + # # %

+ + & +

? – % % V 2 ] % + +

# # 2 %

% + & < < L % 2 % + #

++ % # # !<‹ # % & +

Y+

+ Š + < Œ ]

6 +

++ # % & + # [Â? # <## % # %

% Š #

?

% + + %

4

4E 0

!

` Â… # % > `

+ Y + + + + & … ‹ Œ ‹

% > * + %

6 % % # + % + =<# ‚ˆ

` + … + ^ Y + = ` … ` 6 • % # % > # # + + + =L

+ > Y +

# 7

= + • % > ` * +

% + > & .

! J4 $ 0 & + Â… > L `

+ % % > Š * + _ % Š

% =V ++

`

= + # …> V# Œ + L 6 €…> VŒL6 % + L `

& % 7 `

* + < 6

_ €‹  + % L < _ + % %

`

# L + % + % `

+ + % –– % + % +

# %% + + % L # @ Â…> VÂŒL6 Â…>

? % `

# L 6 # + 4

2 * + $

# 6 ++ # % % + + # % % / % % % ++ 6 + % Π< +

%

& % + % L • # ‹ € L•‹ # + % + =L

# L•‹ % • > = <

=]

+ # + + = % % %

+ =

= , # 4

$ '

F

/ % % ) F

% # + % ; / % )

& . & ) ' . ' # ( =L > ” # L % Y + = Œ < > % =L

# % = & Â… 2

=• * +

% % + *

!

# % + # & *

* # * = + % Π% ` * # % +

+ + 7 ><&V =& % % + % + = L Â…

=L + L % = < ! ^

Y+ # _ !

% % # Y+ 4Y+ ΠΠ% %

+ % % !

# %% + # + … Œ % < % @ + # # + V

& ] % % + +

Π% + % # # +

!

& 4 + Â… Â… # +

%

+ & % #

% !

Π% % + + Y % % + # % + =] Π%

+

% +

= > % =] * % + +

!

+ # % = & … > % Œ # % ++ # # % = %

& :;< _ % %

< ? + + # + +

+ %

+ %% #

L 2 %

& #

% L L Â… 6

# % + % Â? + + + =& + + + % + # % = % 2 ` = +

# + + @ = Y ?@

ˆ + + % L *

< 6

+ L % # % 2 %

? + + 7 ^ ++ ## +

+ % % Y* 2 7 4

< # % % % + + L _ > + % # % + + ? + + % # > + * `

# # + ” ` =& % % % = ` => # # # % + % = > + * + # – € –‚  ` $ 1 4

%= & L !

+ + ~ # ` # % # %

V

%

L

% % Π% 6

% !

=

% ## % % % # % % += # *

+

# =L ++ Π% %

# % €  # % =

# !

% = =

%% + + # + + ++ # % & V

Π% # Π% % * + ]

*

% 0 * # 4

2 + + #

ˆ # + + ˆ & + % # % # # Y & & L – ˆ # # & > Š

% < €>Š< + # + # # % + + # & >Š< % +

# +

#

+

% # # + 2 % + Y Y € VŽ # ‹ Œ ~ + 2 % < % # % 2 # > L L + # VŽ % V VŽ + + # % # # > • % % * VŽ + [ =&

+

#

2 L #

+ + % %

= VŽ # # + # # Œ # VŽ + & # # + – # + # % > > • # + 2

> ‹ %% % + – # + + 2 % ‚ # # Y U .& #%& /

Private School English Teachers Needed A private school on �stanbul’s Asian side is seeking qualified English-teaching professionals to filll full-time positions for the new school year. Applicants should be native speakers of English in posssession of a bachelor’s degree, teaching certification and at least 3 years teaching experience. Send your full CV to: mehmedin70@hotmail.com merth2004@yahoo.com Please call +90 537 8302958 or send an sms.

T12-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:42

Page 1

/ # 012 €  % % # # # + L ++

+ +

+ + + + < % 4 % % L * # Y % V ++ # % + % + L + 2 + L L # + + & Y L

% + # > | & # +

#

ÂŻÂŻ

3 4! $ 4 !&

%#8' .+(' # L # 7 % ++ + + # & % % *

] ++ Y * + + ## & * + + ++ # #

+ # % < ^ + +

< +

% # # % %

% # ## < + L + + +

+ Y # _ %

Y Â… Y L* %

L * Y L* # % ! "# $ %

ÂŻÂŻ

&VŠ<”š ™< <>

L * • # L + # Y % % + + + & # +

# & # ” L * + + ] ++ # + + + Y + * # % + % & + % + % ” * + < * # %

2 % % < L % * # + + + Œ + & +

& '. #

7 0/ /R

#N * Q

V••<Œ4

>…!4&&}> < •<>&<ƒ

( * +

= $ .

& + & * ++ % + 2 ^ % + + % L % % # ^ # + + ^ # # # ^ % & *

+ + %% + # L

% % % + + = % = = = =# = & + + # & * = + = &

2 + + & % % % + % < + % *

% + V + ΠL

+ & * +

& + # +

+ % % + + L * % % #

# # &

– – 2 = + = L #

+ + % % % + + Y = = + % = + = + % 7 + # % + ‹ % ^ + % % # # + % # = + = L 7 #

%

# Y + # + = + = L # = = + + 2 + % + + % * + # +

+ # # + % % + L + # L *

+ L & % + % + + % % + % # # # # < = + + =

% + + # % % + + 7 + < % +

+ % Y РРΠY % # + < % + + & * +

+ [ Y +

% = + [ # = – & %

% % + + [ # % � 4 % + /L6 € # + #

+ Â

% +

% + ? Š #

% % € %  ‚ • # + + + % _ 4 Œ Š ” + ^ + #

+ # % #

& + # + Y Y + %

+ + + Š + %

+ % + % ^ % % & # + _ & * + + +

+ + Y % + + %

+ + % % ++ &

% – – V + Œ • ]

+ # + & *

+ +

Y & + % + + % % + L # + + + % < + & # % % ^ ^ !

*

ˆ@ ! V + + … +

– @ 2 ^ % V + % ++ &

#

+ % % % & * +

L + % 6 ! + & + 4 ‰ & % ' (

6_V&V

H ) &

% ! ! ' ` + % %

` + % ++ +

+ + # ` # % –ˆ

% + _ Y # #

< _ #

% % + % # % % –‚ ` * ` { +; `

_ # + % # + % _ + % + % % ` % ` # }+ # Œ ] }+ # ` ` * ‹ ` # % % # ++ = }+ # ++ % <

= Y+ + % # % ++ ` + + # _

+ Š + % + ` % 4

Â… * + +

% V Œ3

% # ` Œ3

# # # # % ` # % # + ‚ & + # ? % L # + < 4 + % % + + # + # + # # % # # # # % + < + & + Y+ %

% 0 3 & #

( 2 : E 9 E 9 < 4 < F: 9 E 7 4 M 8 V = 4 7 4 = = 4 E = W G 8 = 4 F: = 5 K4 : ;9 99 9 M < 9 < < : 4 ; 9 = 8

$. : ,

T13-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

16:18

Page 1

! "

* $ (

$ ' ! $ ) $

_ & * 2 # #

% & %

L

+

+ ]

+ % =!

6 % = Y &

+ } 2 L > % # + _

6

%

* % < % & * +

* = V * = 3 *

% 7 = + + = + + % + =] + % # + + + Y + % > + ^ 77

+

= & + % =_ & = % 2

* + + = = # + # 2 + V # L|; % + % # =!

< 6 + = % & / + V % + V + 2 + + ` 2

# & * % 47% < ; V V % % # ~3 {; % 4 & ; ; | * + V # ! % + % # & > 2 L > V % % # & 4+ # + # _ 6

& % V # + > + % 2 % # &

+ }

4 # V & + 47% ; ; ; < { / ; & # + # }7 + V # 4 4 { 2 % # % ^ Y+ % % + + & % + # = 6 = & % # ` `

# 2 + # 2 % # V 3 V + # 2 + V + 6 & 6 + < Y % *

% 7 + & * % # # %

# L 4 <

L 4< <+ + % # % % [ + [ + % * ] # %

V2 ! 9 & $ (

$ + $ ! $ $

= _ = @ # 6 ] # 4 V+ 3 { + + Y } # * } % & % 6 + %

++ 6 &

% [ + & [ &

%

* } # # + & % # # % % + 6 # & & # + % # =_ _ = + % % ] & & + [ & 2 Y

- 6 $ T

& < } # *

2 # % Y # # % < % & *

#

% # % Y # &

% & Y # + & [

6 * + *

$ 1 U $

~ + < % + # % + ##

_ 7 ! + } # * < ^ # V % %

+ # 2 + % < % + #

+ %

~ # %

$. : ,

# _ 6

# % + % #

% ] 2 % _ % # + %

Y Y 2 4 ]

* + + & ] L

% =6 = ! < % +

& % 7

Y + % + + %% =_ 6 _ 2 6 = ] 2 & > ~ & # % % =# * % # = ] 2

# 4 ] * = # % # % = & % 7 * + # % =_ 6 = L % # # & ] =L # %% # % % % 4]* +

= % 7 * _ L # % =4] ] 2

+ + #

+ = & # % % ^ % 4 ] = +

* 2 & * # = L 2

% 7 4 + _ 6 %

+ % # % +& & .

< & VJ # T 62 !

&

= % 2 = < + @ < < < % 7 # _ + & <2

% # + # # ?

4 2 7 = % 2 = % % + + % + +

# % % 7 % % _ < < % 2 2 ] ] ~ + # ! & # 7 < # < & 2 4 6 % % + # 4 % 6 6 < V % 4 ~ V ! 7 ~ ! & > ! 7 * % _ + % 7 < < <

_ + + + + % _ + < < < <

= = +

& .

V $ ! T +

# + 5 $ 2 % L ! # ~

> _ + =& + & = % % =& ` % = + > < # Y =& + & = # 2 ~ 2 %

% # % % ] * + % ++ # + % + % # * ++ % =L = & + %

+ % L =& + & = 2

# # _ % + # % < &

+ # & # # 2 =& ` % = ++ > @ # # # % # # % % %

% % # Y % 2 > # =& ` % =

% 2 2 _ % ~ +

? & %

# + =& = +& & 4

T14-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:51

Page 1

14 TODAY’S ZAMAN

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008

E X P E RTS A NA LYZ E C AU C A S U S P L AT F O R M

PHOTO

REUTERS

{{

OPINION

{{

Turkey's 'Caucasus Alliance' proposal: How likely is its success? (1) GÜNER ÖZKAN*

Amid desperate EU attempts and increasingly tough words from the US to Moscow for an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of Russian forces in the war between Russia and Georgia, Turkey has suggested the establishment of the "Caucasus Alliance." Turkey is surely acting in good faith, as it has, with some reservations, good economic, political and social relationships with both Moscow and Tbilisi; it seeks a durable peace on its doorstep. So what does the Turkish proposal include? How likely is its success in a region as complex as the Caucasus, and why? PM Tayyip Erdoðan made public his proposal for the establishment of a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform on Aug. 13 in Moscow and on Aug. 14 in Tbilisi.

What ýs Caucasýan stabýlýty and cooperatýon? What can Turkey do ýn the Caucasus? Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan on Aug. 11 said that Ankara may launch an initiative for the formation of a "Caucasus Alliance," following the Balkan model, adding that the Russian Federation should be part of it. President Abdullah Gül said on Aug. 12 he supports the "Caucasus Stability Forum" idea voiced by Erdoðan. "I believe the idea of establishing a Caucasus Stability Forum is important. If there is stability in the region and if problems can be solved before they grow in magnitude and if there is a secure environment, then this will bring economic development and welfare to the people in the region," Gül said. Prime Minister Erdoðan made public his proposal for the establishment of a Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform on Aug. 13 in Moscow and on Aug. 14 in Tbilisi. The various titles given by Erdoðan and Gül to this proposal concerning the Caucasus -- the Caucasus Alliance, the Caucasus Stability Forum and the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform -- imply that Turkey's policy on this issue is still ripe. What is the Caucasus Stability Pact? What is Turkey trying to do now by giving a green light to the Caucasus Stability Pact (CSP) which it disapproved of in 2000? Moreover, the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (SPSEE), which is advertised as a model for the Caucasus Stability Pact, was terminated in 2008 on the grounds that it was a clumsy and dysfunctional organization. Apparently, Turkey has made up its mind on the name, choosing "Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform" in order to make a fresh proposal by securing the involvement of the Russian Federation.

Toward two similar pacts in southeastern Europe: SPSEE and CSP Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the SPSEE was established on July 30, 1999 in Sarajevo as the most important non-Kremlin-centered pact within the former Eastern bloc. It had been thought that this pact, established as a brain child of the European Union and under the supervision of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), might serve as a model for similar packs, particular in the Caucasus -- outside the OSCE borders -and that this would trigger the establishment of several other pacts in the former Eastern bloc territories. Indeed, on Jan. 15, 2000, about six months after the establishment of

HASAN KANBOLAT h.kanbolat@todayszaman.com

the SPSEE, the establishment of the CSP was proposed with inspiration from the SPSEE. Given the fact that the two sides of the Black Sea -- the Balkans and the Caucasus -- are two parts of Southeastern Europe, the urge to establish the CSP following the formation of the SPSEE and the similarities between the two pacts is to be expected. The two pacts, addressing a region which was in search of security, stability and development, would be merged or cooperate under a single umbrella organization at a further stage. After the abolition of the SPSEE in 2008, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) was established in its place and Turkey became a member. Other than the RCC, there is also the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), of which Turkey is a member, in the Balkans.

The CSP model On Jan. 15, 2000 former President Süleyman Demirel held a joint press conference with former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze and suggested that the CSP should be established under the aegis of the OSCE. Given the fact that Iran is not a member of the OSCE, this proposal by Ankara, which was supported by Tbilisi as well, meant that Iran would not be part of this pact. Before the meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), held on Jan. 24-25, Demirel sent letters to the leaders of Western European countries and countries in the region, requesting their support for the CSP proposal and explaining the necessity of such a pact. The US, France, Germany, the UK, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Armenia and the EU responded positively to this initiative. In his letter, Demirel stated that the SPSEE served as a good model and that the international community's interest in issues in the Middle East and Southeastern Europe was growing. He stressed that the pact plan was supported by Georgia and Azerbaijan. Demirel also pointed out that disputes and hot conflicts in the Caucasus, which, like the

Balkans, was in need of stability, served as a threat to regional peace. He noted that certain unresolved issues of the Caucasus were not only blocking the establishment of stability in the region, but also pushing the opportunities for developing multilateral and strong cooperation to second place. Thus, the firs t stage of the CSP proposal was completed by bringing the issue to the agenda of the international community in an effective manner. The second stage called for negotiation between parties concerned to commence. However, the south Caucasian republics are unlikely to adopt the resolution that came out of the CIS meeting held in Moscow on Jan. 24-25, 2000, only 10 days after Demirel's proposal that stressed a CSP plan which exceeds the borders of the CIS and which does not include the Russian Federation. Indeed, the biggest difference between the SPSEE and the CSP was that while the countries which are part of the SPSEE were former Warsaw Pact members, the south Caucasian countries that would become part of the CSP were former Soviet republics and the north Caucasus were located within the borders of the Russian Federation with seven federal republics. And the Russian Federation made its inclusion obligatory in the search for cooperation "outside" the family while it did not require its inclusion in any similar search "within" the family -- the CIS. Given the conditions prevalent at the time, the Turkish Foreign Ministry, too, was not warm to the idea of setting up a pact that did not embrace the Russian Federation.

Future of search for cooperation in Caucasus With the statements made by Prime Minister Erdoðan on Aug. 11 and President Gül on Aug. 12, Turkey launched an active foreign policy initiative. Indeed, Erdoðan went to Moscow on Aug. 13 and to Tbilisi on Aug. 14, one day after French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit. Since Sarkozy was representing the EU as the term president, but not France, Erdoðan was the first prime minister to visit Tbilisi since the conflict in Georgia began. Turkey's official presence in Tbilisi was a correct foreign policy move. Erdoðan's delegation included Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister Ahmet Davudoðlu, signaling that Turkey will treat the Caucasus as one of its foreign policy priorities. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Interdependence as security solution In fact, the proposal Turkey is now presenting is a method that has been discussed in international relations security

*Assistant Professor Güner Özkan is a Caucasus expert at the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO-USAK) and a lecturer at Muðla University.

dagistancetinkaya@todayszaman.com.tr

Owner on Behalf of Feza Gazetecilik A.Þ

ALÝ AKBULUT Chief Executive Officer

EKREM DUMANLI Editor-in-Chief

BÜLENT KENEÞ

Ankara Representative Diplomatic News Editor Business News Editor Culture & Arts Editor Features Editor Chief Copy Editor General Manager Chief Marketing Officer Deputy Chief Marketing Officer Brand Marketing Responsible Manager and Representative of the Owner

Though still in the process of creation, after prompt visits to Moscow and Tbilisi Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan outlined the purpose and content of the Caucasus Alliance. Its main objective is to establish permanent peace and security in the region by bringing all regional states together in a joint formation. To this end, it envisages a structure in which regional states are expected once again to reassure each other of respect of state sovereignty, restraint from the use and threat of force, the inviolability of state borders and non-harmful economic and energy security in their common space of the Caucasus. Principles such as state sovereignty, inviolability of borders and so on in the formation will take their main references from the charter of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), of which Russia, Turkey and all other Caucasian states are members. Erdoðan is seeing that the establishment of lasting peace and security is the principal aim here, and he believes that this goal can be achieved through the increase of economic cooperation among regional states. In order to better present this idea, he gave the examples of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC), Baku-TbilisiErzurum (BTE) and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) projects as economic ventures contributing significantly to regional peace and security. He pointed out the necessity to develop more such projects and to expand them in such a way that would connect all peoples in the Caucasus. Russia and Georgia appear to have accepted the new formation in principle, and the foreign ministries of the three states are going to work on the details, as Turkey gets ready to offer the plan first to Azerbaijan and Armenia and then to the EU for their participation. The Turkish side is particularly hopeful that the Caucasus Alliance in the offing will resolve the other most important regional security issue, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Baku and Yerevan, once and for all.

Daðýstan Çetinkaya

Thýnk tank cafe´ Established on January 16, 2007 NO: 0546 Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Executive Editor Managing Editors

Goals and means of the ‘alliance’

studies for years, mainly between liberal and realist security thinkers. Turkey's suggestion of an "alliance" for the Caucasus takes its logical base from liberal views on security solutions that have developed primarily as responses to those of the state-centric realist perspectives in interstate relations. Of others, neo-liberal institutionalists principally suggest that there are various diverse and important actors in domestic and international levels, which function outside the strict control of governments. Intergovernmental organizations as well as private ones, with their diverse agendas, can and do influence governments' decisions, pushing them to cooperate among themselves further and thereby allowing states to get over a number of inter and intrastate disputes. Basically, the liberal school suggests that the presence of complex interdependence among societies and states allows multiple channels to open between those actors in their trans-governmental and transnational relations. This "complex web of linkages" between formal and informal actors deals with a myriad of issues in which the military security and/or survival of the state prioritized by the realists is not supposed to take top priority. Rather, it is assumed that if or when states manage to construct a complex interdependence among themselves, such as improved trade relations and joint economic projects in a particular region, the risk of the use of military force will be, to a large extent, avoided. Realist perspectives on security, on the other hand, do not share much of those liberal views on security. For them, though complex interdependence is a source of cooperation and an important method for problem solving, or at least decreasing the tension among states, the same sources are the scarce commodities for which individuals and states often strive for control, paving the way for inter and intrastate military conflicts. Indeed, realists argue that states always seek to maximize their power in line with their national interests in economic, military and security issues and minimize the risks in the same matters. Realists see that complex interdependence can only work so long as all parties are satisfied, and yet this is often impossible to succeed in and hard to sustain. So interdependence resembles no more than a fierce competition for power and domination over scarce resources. As continuous rivalry over scarce resources is a never-ending phenomenon, conflict cannot always be avoided. In this never-ending state of rivalry, intergovernmental organizations, for the realists, are no more than instruments in the hands of states to promote their national/security interests.

ABDULLAH BOZKURT OKAN UDO BASSEY FATMA DEMÝRELLÝ EMRAH ÜLKER KERÝM BALCI YONCA POYRAZ DOÐAN ÝBRAHÝM TÜRKMEN YASEMÝN GÜRKAN PINAR VURUCU HELEN P. BETTS FARUK KARDIÇ YAKUP ÞÝMÞEK BEYTULLAH DEMÝR HAYDAR DURUSOY ALÝ ODABAÞI

Public Relations Contact Information: Publication Type: Periodical, Daily Headquarters: Today’s Zaman, 34194 Yenibosna, ISTANBUL. Phone Number: +90 212 454 1 444 Fax: 0212 454 14 97, Web Address: http://www.todayszaman.com, Printed at: Feza Gazetecilik A.Þ. Tesisleri. Advertisement Phone: +90 212 454 82 47, Fax: +90 212 454 86 33. Today's Zaman abides by the rules of press ethics.

CM Y K

T15-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:43

Page 1

!

## ! * 6 <# 3 + + _ ;# | 4 % > + % + + + * + L %

% + # & Y # _ ; 2 | ; / *

% \ L #

L < # +

L + + + _ ;# | + % + Y + & % % % % + < ++ % % + % # % % + + 6 + #

+ % + +

6 3 % < & + # % < # 3 + # +

` 2 % L +

Y + + \ Y # + # + \ + + < + & # ! 6 + * # 6 _`6 % 7 ` |

# % & < % 7 + % + < L # # # # + < +

+ & < #

# #^ ` |* # # % 7 % # } # + & # L # ++ ` | < + + & + ]

++ \ _ +

% + + & % + + ` |* ++ L % % 7 < ] % # % # + + + ] + + < ` & \ 6 + # % + + _ % % %

$

& _3 + #

Y + + % < 4# 7 ; 2 ;

% < % _

Y+ # = < / % L = 2 ; ++ % 7% + # + ^ _ + + + + % # &

% # > ++ # % % 6

# ` | & + + % + + % & +

# + + % & ^

< # % L % & + + = % = _

^ Y &

% # +

56$7"! 8 3&

%

# %

& # # # &

+

2 ^ %

% % & # % % + # % ++ + % + % + +

% ++ +

& \ L # L / + + # % # + % % # | + % % ~ + 6 <` 6 & + + + % % % 7 % % + } # & + &

+ % & & % % # %

++ %

* =& `* # %% % % & % + + % % % = % & & + + + & = + = # % + + % + + & % 7 + # + ++ ` `; ;{ +

% | # % % + + % % # #

+ _ % % +

+ % + =+ = = = = % = & * `; ;{ | + % # % % % + L % / % % # ` + & # & > / L % + * % +

% + < ++ + + % # # % & *

2 % ! % + <% 2 ` 6 # < # 4 ` # % +

# % + # # % + + & % +

% % % % # &

# % + % < | + + ` % +

% % % + % # + + + 4 % + % ^ _3 %

+ % ` #

+ & # & + + #

7 6 # # & * + + + % + &

+ + % % 4 % # + & % + + % % # 2 ` % 6 * #

#

+ # % + # + ] 2 ` ++ % # +; ` & # L + # # +; ` % # Y+ # *

& % #

% % 2 ` % % % * % 6 # % # &

# % % | * % + + % + #

# # % % + \

& !

+ + % + + + Y +

# #

+ +

#

% Y

# + # % > % # L % 6

% # Y+ Y % + % % + # V

%

++ Y + + _

% # % ++ + # %

% # + 4 % # < ] + +

+ # # #

& % # % +

% & 7

++

+

# + 6 % # + % % ><&V #

+ + !

# %

!

< 4 + % 6 +

% L < % L *

% %

% % 4 + # % L & # L !

!

% + # L L + # #

# =V * } 3 ;* = = 4 L ] = % + + # + % % 6

+ + % =2 % L + % < % % + % # = 6 + + # # +

# * L + % # % % % 7 % L + % # # % + + ] + \ &

!

*

+ L &

% !

& +

% &

6 <# 3

+ % + %

# _ + %

3

%

+ % # + #

+ =L * % & # % # + + & # +

%

# # ^

< % % =

4

#

} # * + % + ^ + # # + ] } # % % # % +

4 L % % %

+ + % + # # + # % % & < % + } # * 4 + + } # <% % 7 % + & 2 + + # % ^ 77 % ` { + # # ;

# & % % # # + % %

# +

%

% + % &

^ 77 2 < % + + +

% } # L } # Y+ L +

+ } # % 7 %

# # + # L % # # % % % 7 # 2 | | + + 4 % 6 + % & * %

+ % + + + % # % } # * _ % < } # % % + # & % % + + Y # % & # ; Y % Y # # + + + + % + + * ^ & + ~ Y # 6

+ & % + *

% % + + 2 + + % + & % %

% 4 + # # + & * % % +

++ % + % + + % + #

% + % % L } # # 7 + # + ++ % } # } # Y # # + + % + + +

$. : ,

T16-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

15:51

Page 1

#

"VHVTU $ & 4IBCBO " ) "W DBMFOEBS!UPEBZT[BNBO DPN

#1+ 8 -9 2 ' 3" $ " 'SJ 4BU & ? 3" $ 8 " 'SJ 4BU 8& 4 A + / 'SJ 4BU #<)#4 & ) * 8= + 9> 3" $ )" 'SJ 4BU

:06 %0/ 5 .&44 8*5) 5)& ;0)"/ #1+ 8 -9 : ) " ( 'SJ 4BU 9 3" $ & 'SJ 4BU 3 $ ) 'SJ 4BU 8& 4 3" $ * 'SJ 4BU #<)#4 & 3" $ & *" 'SJ 4BU 8= + 9> 3" $ )" 'SJ 4BU

5"Ă :"45*, #1+ 8 -9 : %

%

<6

7 : 6_V&V

] 4 < 2

# = = % / > ## < Y # 2 + % 6 > ~ + 4< 2 = = % % # % * + * # <

4< + + % = = [ % % + % 4< # * % % % % 7

% % + % V + #

# % = = % + % & % % +

% % +

^

% * %

4 + % ^ % + L * +

"VUIPS "VUIPS )PX 4UFMMB (PU )FS (SPPWF #BDL 3JTJOH 4VO 5PZT 4IFSSZ#BCZ -B )BJOF 5IF 8BZ 0G 5IF (VO 0OF )PVS 1IPUP 'FSSJT #VFMMFS T %BZ 0GG 4JOHMFT #SFBLGBTU 0O 1MVUP

: ,JTTFE CZ BO "OHFM $PXCPZT BOE "OHFMT

&YUSFNF )POPS 4PVOEFS 4PVUIFSO #FMMFT %VUZ %BUJOH $IJMM 0VU 4DPPCZ %PP -JWJOH %ZJOH 4VNNFS $BUDI *OTJEF UIF "DUPST 4UVEJP 5PN $SVJTF 1BSU /JHIU BU UIF .VTFVN 0DFBO T 5IJSUFFO 8FFLT -BUFS

7 % / & # +

< % L % 7 + ! # + % V 2 %

% # + = = % ^ #

+ + % + % &

% +% L ! % % +

+ % # % + + + + 2 V

% + % 7 % + # @ > = =

(SFBU #BMMT 0G 'JSF $BOPO $JUZ 'PMMPX 5IBU %SFBN 3FUVSO 5P .BDPO $PVOUZ " ,JTT #FGPSF %ZJOH 'PSFJHO *OUSJHVF 1MBZ %JSUZ 4JCMJOH 3JWBMSZ 5IF /JHIU 0G 5IF )VOUFS 3VO 'PS UIF 4VO 'PSFJHO *OUSJHVF #VDLUPXO 6 4 " 5IF 3FUVSO 0G 4BCBUB

# % #

] + + % + * < + # +

_ % +

% < * Y+ = = # % % + # & 5 .# + .

' :

< = >

; " # !&@

, "%" 7 % ,

.: .0. 4 /&8 #0:'3*&/%

$4 * "DDPSEJOH 5P +JN 5IF ,JOH 0G 2VFFOT .Z /BNF *T &BSM 4NBMMWJMMF $PME $BTF 1JDUVSF #SJEF 8JUIPVU " 5SBDF $PME $BTF 1JDUVSF #SJEF 5IF ,JOH 0G 2VFFOT .Z /BNF *T &BSM 4NBMMWJMMF

+ $B/.

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

& & &

& "

0 %

B

B

B B B

B B B B B

B

B B B B B

B

B

B

0 %

#1+ 8 -9 2 ' 3" $ " 'SJ 4BU # " ) * 'SJ 4BU & % : * " 3" ," + " 'SJ 4BU 8& 4 3" $ " 'SJ 4BU & % ; ; ; #<)#4 ) 'SJ 4BU 3" $ & *" 'SJ 4BU 8= + 9> 3" $ )" 5S 'SJ 4BU

9 5IF 3BDIBFM 3BZ 4IPX 5IF .BSUIB 4UFXBSU 4IPX 5IF &MMFO %F(FOFSFT 4IPX %FTQFSBUF )PVTFXJWFT 5IF 3BDIBFM 3BZ 4IPX 5IF .BSUIB 4UFXBSU 4IPX 5IF &MMFO %F(FOFSFT 4IPX 5IF 0 $ 5IF 3BDIBFM 3BZ 4IPX 5IF .BSUIB 4UFXBSU 4IPX 5IF &MMFO %F(FOFSFT 4IPX 5IF 0 $ %FTQFSBUF )PVTFXJWFT 5IF 4PQSBOPT -BUF /JHIU XJUI $POBO 0 #SJFO 4PVUI 1BSL 5IF 4PQSBOPT 1PLFS 3PZBMF 4PVUI 1BSL 5IF 4PQSBOPT

6 = + = = < %

6 # + # % % % + + + & > < > < # # V ] % + + % & + # 6 ! # & # 6

> 2 &^

_ # 6

% ^ V _ # &^

Y & +

# 3 0& #% $4

& "

V2 2 9 4 # !9

45"3 8"34 5)& $-0/& 8"34

+ # ] & # * %+ # % & L + < % < % % + 2

% & ! + & # ^ # # % # # + # & & # + ` # & < % + !

& % + # % % & + < % =< % + = =< %

& ~

> 7 %

> 7 > 7 &

> * # % % 6 2 * < ` & & < L > 7

Y # % % + % + L # # # % % + % # < %

& # < / * + ^

B B B

*EFOUJGJDBUJPO BOE 1SPHSBNNJOH

.VTJD

*EFOUJGJDBUJPO BOE 1SPHSBNNJOH

.VTJD

/FXT &OHMJTI 'SFODI (FSNBO

-JWF #SPBEDBTU &OHMJTI (FSNBO 3VTTJBO /FXT &OHMJTI 'SFODI (FSNBO (SFFL 3VTTJBO -JWF #SPBEDBTU &OHMJTI (FSNBO 3VTTJBO /FXT &OHMJTI 'SFODI (FSNBO (SFFL 3VTTJBO -JWF #SPBEDBTU &OHMJTI (FSNBO 3VTTJBO

/FXT &OHMJTI 'SFODI (FSNBO (SFFL 3VTTJBO -JWF #SPBEDBTU &OHMJTI (FSNBO 3VTTJBO /FXT &OHMJTI 'SFODI (FSNBO (SFFL 3VTTJBO -JWF #SPBEDBTU &OHMJTI 'SFODI

/FXT &OHMJTI 'SFODI (FSNBO (SFFL 3VTTJBO

-JWF #SPBEDBTU &OHMJTI (SFFL

*EFOUJGJDBUJPO

4 !

0'V ' . "X Y & #^ % # % # & + L # % [

. ; ;

4 # % % 4 # % % 4 # # # % %

$ , " * ", ) " " - / $ + " ! " " 0 - 1 2 $ - 1 3 4 " 2 $ 4 " 3 " " ! 2 $ " " ! 3 5 2 $ 5 3 ,! 2 $ ,! 3 6 " 2 $ * " " 2 $ " 2 $ " 3 " 2 $ " 3 2 ' " 2 $ 2 ' " 3 6 " 2 $

$. : ,

'. '. '. '. '. !" '. # $ '. #% " '. & '. & ' '. & ( '. ) " '. * '. + $% '.

18.08.2008

19:49

Page 1

CONTINUATION

TODAY’S ZAMAN 17

T U E S D AY, A U G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 0 8

AA

T17-19-08-08.qxd

American and European sanctions on Iran haven't stopped Hasan Safdari from exporting electronic equipment to his homeland across the Persian Gulf from this small US ally. But they have forced the Iranian trader to change the way he does business. Most banks here won't financially back his exports or transfer money to Iran, which is only a short flight away. So Safdari turns to more expensive money dealers and exchange shops. "I've found loopholes but still I have to go through third channels to get it done," he said. And that increases business costs. "Banking restrictions have obviously harmed

our business, but they have never halted outside trade with Iran," he said. "I wonder how it's possible to impose unilateral sanctions against a country that has land and sea borders with 15 countries." The European Union adopted new sanctions against Iran in June, slapping financial restrictions on a string of Iranian companies it says are connected to the country's nuclear program. In the strongest move, it froze the assets of Iran's largest bank, Bank Melli, and barred dealings with it. But the EU's actions, along with similar US sanctions in place since last year, are unlikely to end the role the United Arab Emirates -- and

particularly, its financial boomtown Dubai -plays as a key gateway for business with Iran. Business ties between the UAE and Iran run deep. The UAE re-exports about $8 billion worth of goods to Iran annually, accounting for nearly a fifth of Iran's total imports last year. About half a million Iranians live in the Emirates, with assets estimated at US$300 billion, and about 300 weekly flights connect the two countires. Some 9,500 companies in the Emirates have an Iranian partner owning up to a 49 percent stake, said Nasser Hashempour, vice president of the Dubai-based Iranian Business Council.

PHOTO

Sanctions have slows Iran’s trade, but have not stopped The close business relations force the UAE to walk a fine line. "We don't want to antagonize our neighbor Iran or upset our friend the United States. We don't want to get very close to America and at the same time distance outselves from Iran," said Abdullah Abdul Khaleq, a prominent political analyst at the Emirates University. "UN collective sanctions are binding upon all countries and the UAE has a duty to obey them. But sanctions by the US or Europe are not binding," he said. "We are not party to it and won't pay attention." Dubai AP Yakup Kýlýç

End of an era: Musharraf resigns contýnued from page 1 The new administration in Pakistan, which wanted Musharraf's impeachment, would also feel comfortable if Musharraf settles in Turkey because they will know that Musharraf's presence in Turkey will not affect Turkey's close ties with Pakistan. "And I don't think that Musharraf will try to use Turkey as a platform to prepare his return. It is true that both [slain leader Benazir] Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif left their country with the intention of returning. But both knew that there was a political future for them back in Pakistan. I don't think Musharraf has such a future," Akgönenç said. But others are reluctant to welcome Musharraf, fearing this would harm Turkey's credibility as a democratic country. "Turkey is not the old Turkey that welcomes dictators. I don't think there is any politician in Turkey today who would hug a dictator," said Burhan Kayatürk of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), who is also president of the Pakistan-Turkey Friendship Association. "Turkey is trying to improve its democracy to the point of being able to judge former coup makers. In such a stage, I don't think that we should have any place for a former dictator. … Musharraf is familiar with the Turkish language, but I don't think that alone should be an incentive to host him in Turkey." The United States has ruled out granting asylum to Musharraf, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying on Sunday "that is not an issue on the table." "I just want to keep our focus on what we must do with the democratic government of Pakistan," Rice told a news channel. Musharraf's political exit robs the West of a stalwart ally who echoed its concern about how Islamic militancy is destabilizing Afghanistan and

Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf Pakistan, where al-Qaeda and the Taliban have regained strength. However his influence has faded since he stepped down as army chief last year. In his hour-long address, Musharraf said he would submit his resignation to the speaker of the National Assembly on Monday. It was not immediately clear whether it would take effect the same day. Mohammedmian Soomro, the chairman of the upper house of parliament, was poised to take over in the interim. It remains an open question whom Parliament will elect to succeed Musharraf, largely because the ruling coalition has vowed to strip the presidency of much of its power. There is speculation that both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, the leaders of the two main parties, are interested in the role. However neither has openly said so. Most of his political foes put those issues on the back burner and got on with celebrating. "It is a victory of democratic forces," Information Minister Sherry Rehman said. "Today the shadow of dictatorship that has

prevailed for long over this country, that chapter has been closed." Television footage showed groups of people celebrating in the streets in several towns across Pakistan, some of them firing automatic weapons into the air. "It is very pleasing to know that Musharraf is no more," said Mohammed Saeed, a shopkeeper among a crowd of people jigging to drum beats and hugging each other at an intersection in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Musharraf dominated Pakistan for years after seizing power in a 1999 military coup, making the country a key strategic ally of the US by supporting the war on terror. But his popularity at home sank over the years. Many Pakistanis blame the rising militant violence in their country on Musharraf's use of the army against militants sheltering in the northwest. His reputation suffered fatal blows in 2007 when he ousted dozens of judges and imposed emergency rule. His rivals won February parliamentary elections and have since sought his ouster, announcing impeachment plans earlier this month. Musharraf, who has been largely sidelined since his rivals came to power, finally yielded after the coalition finalized impeachment charges against him and threatened to send a motion to Parliament later this week. The charges were expected to include violating the Constitution and gross misconduct, likely in connection with the ouster of the judges and the declaration of emergency rule. Allies and rivals of the president said talks had been under way to get him to step down by possibly granting him legal immunity from future prosecution. The second biggest party in the government has said he should be tried for treason, which carries a maximum punishment of death.

Facts about Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf resigned on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the nucleararmed nation's ruling coalition government. Here are some facts about Musharraf: EARLY LIFE: The second of three brothers, Musharraf was born into a middle class Muslim family in India in August 1943. His family moved to the newly created majority-Muslim state of Pakistan following India's independence and partition in 1947. He spent seven years in Turkey, during his civil servant father's posting to Ankara. In 1956 the family settled in Karachi. MILITARY CAREER: Entering the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961, the keen sportsman first saw action in the 1965 war against India and was decorated for gallantry. He had to endure the army's humiliating defeat by India in the 1971 war and served for seven years in Pakistan's special service commando group. BLOODLESS COUP: Promoted to the rank of general and named army chief in October 1998, Musharraf overthrew then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999 in a bloodless coup. He first led the country as chief executive and then won a five-year presidential term in a 2002 referendum critics say was rigged. Musharraf was one of President George W. Bush's most important non-NATO allies in the U.S. war on terrorism. Supporters painted him as a strong leader who could save Pakistan's moderate Muslim majority from militant, religious extremism. However, a bloody army assault on Islamabad's Red Mosque in July 2007, during which at least 105 people were killed, led to a rise in attacks by Islamist militants that in the past year have killed at least 800 people.

PHOTOS

REUTERS

NEW ELECTIONS, STATE OF EMERGENCY, RESIGNATION: Musharraf won most votes in presidential elections on Oct. 6, 2007, and then had to wait for the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of his re-election while still army chief. The court met on Nov. 2 and the next day Musharraf imposed emergency rule. Musharraf said he had acted in response to rising Islamist militancy and what he called a paralysis of government by judicial interference. Most Pakistanis and foreign diplomats however believed his main motive was to prevent the Supreme Court invalidating his re-election. He quit as military chief in late November and finally lifted the state of emergency on Dec. 15. In parliamentary elections in February 2008, delayed for 40 days following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, parties led by Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari (Pakistan People's Party) and Sharif (Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)) won a resounding victory over the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League. Analysts said then that Musharraf might be driven out. On Aug. 7 the ruling coalition said it would launch an impeachment process. Musharraf resigned on Monday. Reuters

What can Turkey do in the Caucasus? contýnued from page 14 Turkey is seeking the establishment of a pact primarily focused on security, stability and development with the participation of the south Caucasus, the Russian Federation and Western countries. The main areas of concern for this pact will be the restructuring of the Caucasian republics' economies, ensuring development and cooperation, boosting economic cooperation with the world, fostering free trade, supporting the private sector, ensuring environmental protection, putting to use existing and future energy and transportation lines extending from the east to the west, regulating the administrative structure, ensuring administrative transparency, tackling refugee issues and ensuring their integration as well as similar issues.

Parallel to the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, the Caucasus House initiative, which serves as a platform among Caucasian intellectuals and nongovernmental organizations, should be supported and the inclusion of Turkish intellectuals and nongovernmental organizations should be ensured. A Caucasus Club may be established along the lines of the Balkan Political Club, formed with the participation of former heads of state in the Balkans. By keeping the doors of dialogue open at a high level, this may serve to put an end to emerging conflicts. The Eurasian Cooperation Action Plan, signed by and between Turkey and the Russian Federation on Nov. 6, 2001, may be revitalized with a view to boost cooperation in economic, cultural and educational issues with

the Russian Federation in the Eurasian region, including the Caucasus. Turkey may invest labor and hard work in the reorganization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which was established in 1992 under the leadership of Turkey, so as to prevent the emergence of problems and conflicts in the region and to discuss political issues. The biggest problem haunting the search for cooperation in the Caucasus is the lack of sufficient social, political and economic institutions in the Caucasian republics. It is considerably important to secure the territorial integrity of these republics and implement successful democratic and economic reforms. For this reason, the assistance provided to these countries particularly aims at restructuring democratic institutions, strengthening the eco-

CM Y K

nomic structure and fostering the development of civil society and law. The success of the south Caucasian countries is dependent on the development of democracy and civil society and making their economies part of the global economy, including the marketing of oil resources. Ensuring security, stability and development in the region -including the Caucasus and Central Asia and ranging from the Mediterranean to China -- will ease efforts in carrying Caucasian and Central Asian oil and natural gas to international markets. It would be a beneficial and realistic move to launch a regional development program and a regional peace program with the participation of the Russian Federation and within the framework of the Caucasian Stability and Cooperation Platform.

Turkish boxer Kýlýç guaranteed bronze Turkey’s Yakup Kýlýç drubbed Abdelkader Chadi of Algeria 13-6 in the quarterfinals of their men's featherweight boxing bout at the Olympic Games in Beijing on Monday. Kýlýç’s victory means he is assured an Olympic bronze medal no matter the outcome of the semis because two bronze medals are awarded in this sport. The Turkish team now has four medals -- one silver in weightlifting, one silver in athletics, one bronze wrestling and this one in boxing. Youth and Sports Director Mehmet Atalay praised Kýlýç for his success; his performance has lifted the Turkish team’s spirit. In other featherweight bouts on Monday, Shanin Imranov (Azerbaijan) beat Idel Torriente (Cuba) 16-14, Khedafi Djelkhir (France) beat Arturo Santos Reyes (Mexico) 14-9 and Vasyl Lomachenkov (Ukraine) beat Li Yang (China) 12-3. Ýstanbul/Beijing Today’s Zaman

PKK land mine injures 8 soldiers, kills 1 in Þýrnak Eight soldiers were injured and one died Monday in a blast from a land mine planted by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The explosion occurred as a military convoy was traveling down a road linking towns in the southeastern province of Þýrnak with the district of Cizre, close to the border with Iraq. The injured soldiers were taken to a nearby military hospital in Þýrnak, following which the military began operations to capture the terrorists involved in the incident. Another land mine planted by the PKK had exploded on Saturday in a rural area near the town of Þemdinli in the southeastern province of Hakkari, leaving three soldiers wounded. The injured soldiers in Hakkari were rushed to a nearby hospital by helicopter. In another area near Þemdinli, terrorists set fire to a bulldozer used in road construction, according to statement posted on the Web site of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Turkish fighter jets bombed a PKK target in northern Iraq late on Saturday, the TSK also said. The General Staff said in a statement posted in its Web site on Sunday that warplanes hit a cave in the Avasin-Basyan region of northern Iraq in which a group of PKK terrorists had taken shelter. The terrorists were believed to have been preparing to attack Turkey, the statement said. Turkey has conducted frequent air raids on PKK terrorists in northern Iraq. The United States and the European Union consider the PKK a terrorist group and Washington has been sharing intelligence to help Turkey fight the terrorist group. Land mine attacks against the security forces have recently become a hallmark of PKK violence in the mainly Kurdish Southeast. The PKK has been fighting for Kurdish self-rule in the region since 1984. The conflict has claimed more than 37,000 lives. Ýstanbul Today's Zaman

European Jewish students gathering in Ýstanbul An 11-year-old boy who on Sunday had tried to board a suburban train in Ýstanbul's Yenikapý area without a token was hit and killed by the train while trying to run away from a security officer. Ebubekir Cankýr and his brother, Mücahit, had tried to board a train without tokens. A security officer who saw the boys began shouting at them and chased them for a while. While trying to escape, the boys jumped onto the railway tracks. Ebubekir stumbled on the rails and fell. He was struck and killed by a train en route from Halkalý to Sirkeci. He died at the scene of accident. Mücahit, distraught at his brother's death, said they were trying to take the train to go to a swimming pool in Ýstanbul's Yeþilköy district. "We didn't have tokens. We panicked when the security officers shouted at us. Ebubekir fell on the tracks and the train hit him," he said. Relatives buried Ebubekir yesterday following noon prayers at the Mehmet Akif Mosque in Baðcýlar. Ýstanbul Today's Zaman

T18-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

15:27

Page 1

$ 2605& 0' 5)& %":

& (

' V <> & !_<>

3&"%*/(

5IF BSU PG EBODF

L &!<&LV>

L Y+

% # &

Y+

% % + + + + + & +

+ +

+ % + & + +

)& # + '# $ & .& $ &$ 1& ;

$ #7# 3

&& * & * #

* L* Y # L # # % # * * * L* L L 4 + =] % = =L * V` L* L * +# # =

<# \

] % \ % Y # Y #

L + % # \ %

#

+ ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸ +

% +

3&"%*/(

4PNF UJQT PO IPX UP HFU BMPOH XFMM XJUI UIF MFBEFS _ % # # + L # + < % + # # #

+ # L + # L

++ _ L + #

L L % + # % ^ # 2 % #

< # + _ +

% % &

% # V #

# #

< % #

L #

% % +

< + < %

& + + L # #

4 % % # + + % # + & #

+

# L

+ #

Y+ 6 +

#

Y + & + + ] #

% + + +

# #

++ %

3&"%*/(

5IF JOUFSOBUJPOBM NBOBHFS @ # % + % # [ + % % %

% < + + % ] %

+ \ < % + %

# + #

# % & %

# + ^ % + < +

%

[ %

% # # L %

= = + #

+ + # % < % #

% Y +

# % % < 4 +

+ + + % Y+ % # ¹ ` + @ ¹

+ L ¹ %

Y+ + # % % % 7 %

% + + & + # % Y+ + + Y % + L %

% + + # +

* % # #

$ #7# 3

.& +3? # 5 < 2 5 5 5 2 5 5 5 5 6 " " & 4% + % % ªªª V # ?¹ 4% + # ªªªª + * 4% +

ªªª & ] ªªª & 6 7 & 6 7 ªªªª + @ % 7 & # ªªªªª + # # V 8 < % # ªªª 9 6 ªªª # %

# : & 4% + L 4% + * ªªª ; & 4% + 4 >

ªª

4% + \

2

+ +

# + & # # 6 # # + # < + % & % % ^ # + + % % % % 6

# +

% # + # +

# # & % + %

< % % # % + %

# + #

) < $ 3 @& $# & 4 2 " ¸¸¸¸¸ % + + % #

¸¸¸¸¸ + % ¸¸¸¸¸ % + < ¸¸¸¸¸ % + % + # % + % + + + # ¸¸¸¸¸ ++ # 7 7 % ¸¸¸¸¸ % 7 % 8 + + ¸¸¸¸¸ ## 9 + + ¸¸¸¸¸¸ + + # + : # ¸¸¸¸¸ + % % # + ; ¸¸¸¸¸ # %

# % #

) < )& # + = %& # +

$ #7# 3 # 0 1 8#

% ' "

5 5 5

2 " 3 4 " 3 " " % + ++ + + ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸

5 5 5 5 5 6 " " L _ 2 # ªªªª 2 @ L ªªªª ªªªª 2 # + + <

% %

L ªªªª #

+ ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸

L * # + ªªªª

+

+ +

7 & # # ªªª L # ? %

+ ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸

8 L # ªªª #

% %¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸ 4 + + % ¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸¸

70$"#6-"3: , 8 7& 2 9 5 7 # ,#+ # ^ > % # # + % > ^ # # % 2 L # # + # % + + +

& Y + + % # % # % % ^ ^ ! # #

_ + + % + + \ & % Y + # + + % + # % % # Y+ + + + *

% % Y + % + * % % Y # % + % % Y+ + % % + ^ # \ V

Y+ # % + % # # + \ + % Y+ \ # ^ \ L + = = #

# + + + % %

% % % %

% % % % #

+ + +

! " # $ % & % % %

> %

V ] & '

% + ( ' + Y

) & + + L # % + % ^

] # # % # * + ,) · L [ < L % L % ,) ,- L % [ L %

&

% ,-/ ,&0! L 2 > # [ & ^ + + # # ,&0! # # $ # % , *

! # % % # # = = <> # = = 1 & % Y # % + Y # #

$. : ,

9 L ªªªª : + ªª _ ; & & ^ ªªªª # \

:&45&3%":m4 "/48&3 ,&:

, ( )> )& # +" & & $ #7# 3" ]

\ ] ~ \ ] \ _ % \ ]

~ \ ( ), )& # +" $ #7# 3" ^ 7 8 9 # : ; % (' )& # +" # & & & $ #7# 3" # # 7 8 9 : # ;

+P EQQRGTCVKQP YKVJ 'PINKUJ 6KOG

T19-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:41

Page 1

SPORTS

Ivanovic replaces Jankovic as world No. 1 Serbia's Jelena Jankovic was ousted as world number one by compatriot Ana Ivanovic on Monday after holding the position for just one week. Ivanovic, who was number one for nine weeks before Jankovic's brief reign, will retain top spot for at least three weeks, according to the WTA website www.sonyericssonwtatour.com. Beijing, Reuters

PHOTO

AA

REUTERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008

PHOTOS

Mahmut Özgener, who announced his candidacy for president of the Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) on Aug. 15, will be the only candidate for the TFF's top post at the extraordinary general meeting today. Özgener has been the acting president of the TFF since his predecessor, Hasan Doðan, died of a heart attack in the Aegean resort town of Muðla early last month. Since the acting president has been performing his duties impeccably for over five weeks now, his election today is a foregone conclusion. Turkey was a losing semifinalist at the UEFA Euro 2008 championship in June and so the new TFF boss is expected to set higher targets for the national team at the upcoming 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. Ýstanbul Today's Zaman

Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin won their Bundesliga openers on the road, with Stuttgart beating promoted Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 and Hertha winning 2-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt. They joined five other teams that started the new season with victories. Schalke and newcomer Hoffenheim lead on goal difference, having won their games 3-0 each on Saturday. Stuttgart, the champion two seasons ago, had an impressive three-goal first half at Moenchengladbach. Thomas Hitzlsperger opened the scoring after 15 minutes from the edge of the area, after Moenchengladbach lost possession at midfield. Ciprian Marica made it 2-0 and Mario Gomez finished off another Stuttgart counterattack shortly before halftime. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had a successful return to the Bundesliga and made some big saves in the first half. Frankfurt AP

Steaua coach: We are not afraid of Galatasaray Romanian Steaua Bucharest coach Marius Lacatus has said they were not afraid of Galatasaray and that they will beat the Lions in Bucharest on Aug. 27 to qualify. "Of course the return match will not be easy for us because it is an important match for both teams. We respect Galatasaray, but we are not afraid of them." Galatasaray's rival at the Champions League qualifying match, Steaua Bucharest, won against its rival Arget Pitett 2-0 on Saturday in the Romanian League match. Speaking after the match, Lacatus said that they dominated the match for the majority of the time. “My players were already tired from our previous match in Ýstanbul against Galatasaray, but they played well and won the match." Lacatus said that they admired the Galatasaray fans at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Ýstanbul and added: "Galatasaray fans support their teams very well during all of their team's matches. I hope our fans will also support us like this during our next match against Galatasaray." Ýstanbul Today's Zaman with wires

Richard, Jones bid to improve US performance

In the 2006-07 season Beþiktaþ beat Galatasaray to take home the inaugural Turkish Super Cup. Last season Fener defeated Beþiktaþ to clinch the trophy and on Sunday Galatasaray won it. The name of the competition might as well be changed to the Ýstanbul Super Cup

Özgener sole candidate for TFF top post

Stuttgart, Berlin win Bundesliga openers

Lolo Jones

M.BURAK BÜRKÜK

Mahmut Özgener

PHOTO

Another Turkish Super Cup victory for Ýstanbul

Sanya Richards and Lolo Jones are expected to improve on what has been a disappointing Olympics for the American track and field team. Richards will go up against world champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain today in the 400-meter final. US teammates Mary Wineberg and Dee Dee Trotter failed to qualify. Jones ran the fastest time in the world this year in the 100 hurdles as she qualified for her first Olympics, following a season in which she placed in the top three in every race. But she insists that she's not the only favorite. Augustine Choge and Asbel Kiprop of Kenya will go head-to-head in the 1,500, which will be missing Bernard Lagat after he failed to qualify by .02 seconds. Lagat became a naturalized American after winning silver for Kenya in Athens four years ago. US team flag-bearer Lopez Lomong also missed out on the 1,500 final. In cycling, British rider Bradley Wiggins will pair with Mark Cavendish in the madison. Wiggins won the individual pursuit and was part of the four-rider team that set a world record in Monday's qualifying for the 4,000 before picking up another medal in the final. Beijing AP

The Galatasaray team and officials celebrate with the Turkish Super Cup trophy after beating Kayserispor 2-1 in the German city of Duisburg on Sunday. OKAN UDO BASSEY ÝSTANBUL

Turkish champion Galatasaray beat Fortis Turkish Cup holder Kayserispor 2-1 in a Turkish Super Cup match played in the German city of Duisburg on Sunday night. The Turkish Super Cup is the traditional curtain-raiser to the new soccer season between the current Turkish champion and cup holder and is played in Germany to whet the appetite of Turkish soccer lovers in that country. That pre-match favorite Galatasaray would win on Sunday was a foregone conclusion. It would have been more newsworthy if odds-on underdog Kayserispor had sprung an upset, but that didn't happen. Nevertheless, the game itself was a classic example of the fact that soccer is a game of two halves. Kayserispor totally dominated the first half, pinned the Galatasaray Lions to their half of the field and hit the woodwork once but just couldn't find the back of the net. Though the score was 0-0 at the interval, the Lions emerged from their locker room after half-time with a great job to do as they had been comprehensively outplayed and outclassed by Kayseri in the first 45 minutes. Then 21 minutes into the second half, or more precisely in the 66th, injury-prone Australian striker Harry Kewell was brought in by German coach Michael Skibbe as a substitute for Barýþ Özbek. And Kewell's first contact with the ball came a few seconds later when he headed in a perfect cross from Hasan Þaþ, the man of the match, to put the Lions 1-0 up. Only minutes later (73rd) Kewell provided the pass for co-striker Shabani Christophe Nonda to double the score and further throw

Kayserispor into disarray. "One sparrow does not a summer make." Similarly, one Super Cup goal does not a good scorer make. Galatasaray fans undoubtedly expect Kewell to play more often and score to deserve his "super" new-signing tag. Kayserispor fought back in the dying minutes of the game and captain Mehmet Topuz scored in the 90th to reduce the tally to 2-1 but it was indeed too little too late. However, such a thrilling second half it was that Kayserispor coach Tolunay Kafkas, a former Galatasaray mid-fielder, refused to criticize or blame his players. Quite the contrary he heaped praise on his young lads, saying: "These young players will grow. Time will prove us right, you will all see." For his part Skibbe said the Super Cup game for his team was a good dress rehearsal for the Turkish Super League season that kicks off this weekend and the upcoming second leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round encounter at Steaua Bucharest. The first leg in Ýstanbul last Wednesday ended in a two-all draw.

Medal table at Olympic Games Country G 1. China 39 2. US 20 3. Britain 12 4. Australia 11 5. Germany 9 6. South Korea 8 7. Japan 8 8. Russia 7 9. Italy 6 10. Ukraine 5 11. France 4 12. Romania 4 13. Netherlands 3 14. Spain 3 15. Poland 3 16. Slovakia 3 17. Czech Republic 2 18. Canada 2 19. Jamaica 2 20. Denmark 2 20. New Zealand 2 20. North Korea 2 23. Ethiopia 2 24. Switzerland 2 25. Georgia 2 26. Cuba 1 27. Belarus 1 28. Kazakhstan 1 29. Zimbabwe 1 30. Azerbaijan 1 30. Kenya 1 32. Norway 1 33. Indonesia 1 34. Slovenia 1 35. Bulgaria 1 35. Finland 1 37. Mongolia 1 38. Brazil 1 39. Tunisia 1 39. Cameroon 1 39. India 1 39. Thailand 1 43. Hungary 0 44. Sweden 0 45. Turkey 0 46. Austria 0 46. Uzbekistan 0 46. Greece 0 49. Colombia 0 49. Kyrgyzstan 0 49. Serbia 0 49. Croatia 0 49. Algeria 0 54. Vietnam 0 54. Ecuador 0 54. Chile 0 54. Singapore 0 54. Malaysia 0 54. Estonia 0 54. Trinidad and Tobago 0 54. Portugal 0 62. Armenia 0 63. Taiwan 0 64. Argentina 0 64. Togo 0 64. Mexico 0 64. Tajikistan 0 64. Egypt 0 64. Lithuania 0 Total 180

Ýstanbul hegemony Just like the Turkish league, Ýstanbul soccer aristocrats Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beþiktaþ have monopolized the Turkish Super Cup. This competition was inaugurated in the 2006-07 season and Beþiktaþ beat Galatasaray to take home the inaugural trophy. The following season Fenerbahçe defeated Beþiktaþ to clinch the cup and on Sunday Galatasaray won it by beating Kayserispor. So the name of the competition may as well be changed to the Ýstanbul Super Cup. Now this is the big question: Is there any Anatolian side capable of stopping the Ýstanbul hegemony? None, I think, exists.

Good news for the maligned men in black Soccer referees -- the much-maligned men in black who players, fans and club administrators love to hate -- will no longer be obliged to wear black uniforms in Turkey, starting from the 2008-09 season that kicks off this weekend. Furthermore, like players, they will have their names written on the back of their shirts. Selçuk Dereli, the Super Cup ref on Sunday, wore a turquoise uniform, not black. Hopefully this new move will help reduce or eradicate the hatred directed at referees.

S 14 22 7 10 7 9 5 13 6 3 11 1 5 3 3 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 5 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 181

B 14 25 8 12 7 6 7 14 6 8 13 3 4 2 1 0 0 4 0 3 3 3 0 3 1 4 7 4 0 2 2 1 3 2 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 205

ON TRT 3 TODAY 04: 00 Studio Beijing 04:30 Wrestling 08:00 Women’s volleyball quarterfinal 09:30 Women’s volleyball quarterfinal 11:00 Wrestling 13:25 Studio Beijing 14:00 Athletics 18:00 Trampolining, men’s final 18:30 Studio Beijing 19:00 Men’s soccer, men’s semifinals 20:45 Men’s soccer, men’s semifinals 22:30 Artistic gymnastics, men’s parallel bars final 00:30 Diving, men’s finals 02:20 Track cycling 03:00 Olympic summaries

Note: All times Turkish

CM Y K

Total 67 67 27 33 23 23 20 34 18 16 28 8 12 8 7 4 5 8 4 6 6 6 3 5 3 10 11 8 4 5 5 4 5 4 3 3 2 6 1 1 1 1 5 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 566

T20-19-08-08.qxd

18.08.2008

19:40

Page 1

Snowsill runs away with women's triathlon With the finish line a few meters away, Australian Emma Snowsill had time to grab a flag, slow down and wave as she won gold in the Olympic triathlon on Monday. “We came so close in Sydney and Athens,” Snowsill said. Snowsill finished over a minute ahead of the field in the swim-cycle-run event on Monday. Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal won the silver, and Emma Moffatt of Australia took the bronze. Beijing, AP WWW.TODAYSZAMAN.COM TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008

compete. "Elvan is fit and ready to compete in the 5,000 meters and we wish her all the best," he stated. On Friday the Ethiopian-born runner made double Turkish history by becoming the first-ever Turk to win an Olympic silver medal in athletics, with the medal in the women's 10,000-meter final also making her the first-ever Turkish woman to win an Olympic medal in this event. Elvan, who had led for much of the latter part of the race, ran home in second with a time of

29:56:34. American Shalane Flanagan took bronze in 30:22:22, while Ethiopia's world champion Tirunesh Dibaba won the gold in 29:54:66 -- an Olympic record. If Abeylegesse eventually wins a medal in the 5,000 meters, she will again make history as the first-ever Turkish athlete to win two athletics medals at one Olympic Games. The women's 5,000-meter heats start today at 2:35 p.m. Turkish time and will be broadcast live on TRT 3. Ýstanbul Today’s Zaman

Yelena Isinbayeva

REUTERS

Turkey's Olympic silver medalist in the women's 10,000 meters embarks on her bid for a second medal when she competes in the women's 5,000-meter heats this afternoon. The final will take place on Friday. There were doubts that Elvan Abeylegesse, who is nursing a tendon injury, would be able to take part in today's heats. But Turkish Athletics Federation President Mehmet Terzi, a former marathon runner, confirmed on Sunday that Abeylegesse would

PHOTO

Turkey’s Elvan embarks on býd for second medal

Liu Xiang out, Isinbayeva sets new world record With Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang gone, it came down to Yelena Isinbayeva to produce the magic on Monday at the Beijing Olympics. The Russian pole vault great won the gold medal with barely two jumps and then added a world record for good measure. Always compared to Sergei Bubka as the female version of the greatest vaulter in history, the Isinbayeva outdid him on the Olympic stage, winning her second gold compared to his lone win. Isinbayeva continued to jump after winning the title at 4.85 meters, first setting an Olympic record of 4.95 before breaking her own mark with a vault of 5.05. Silver went to Jenn Stuczynski, the American who brazenly challenged her but fell short at 4.80. Svetlana Feofanova took bronze. Once the title assured and challengers batted away like pesky flies, Isinbayeva retreated under a white blanket with only her sky blue spikes emerging. As so often, she found that zone that is seemingly reserved for her only. With the whole Bird's Nest cheering her on, she missed twice -- only a tease. Talking to her pole, she lined up one final time. Speed, skills and amazing grace conspired in one explosive move and she was the greatest again. Along with the sensational world record of Usain Bolt in the 100 on Saturday, it was what the sport needed to reclaim the Olympic stage from Michael Phelps and swimming. In one jump, Isinbayeva again reduced the rest of the athletes to a sideshow. In the 800, 18-year-old Pamela Jelimo ran away from Janeth Jepkosgei in a duel of Kenyan front-runners to take gold with a world junior record in one of the most anticipated races of the games. US hurdlers went one better than a double, sweeping the 400 hurdles with Angelo Taylor leading the way ahead of Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson. On a busy night, Irving Saladino won Panama's first ever gold in the Olympics, taking the long jump. Offsetting the joyous scenes, Liu pulled out of the Olympics before clearing his first hurdle Monday, suffering "intolerable"pain in his right leg in front of a stunned crowd. Liu barely got out of the blocks in his opening 110 hurdles heat and immediately started hobbling. It didn't matter it was a false start. Something snapped in his physical resistance after months of uncertainty about an inflamed hamstring compounded by a foot injury. Bolt kept on track for a golden triple, easily qualifying for the 200-meter semifinals in his search for a golden triple. In muggy conditions at the Bird's Nest, the 100 champion and world record holder never pushed himself to win his quarterfinal heat ahead of Olympic gold medalist Shawn Crawford, mock-wiping pearls of sweat off his brow after the race. The semifinals are scheduled today, with Crawford among the few believed to have a chance at stopping Bolt's quest for a 100-200 double, a feat last achieved by Carl Lewis at the 1988 Seoul Games. As predictable as was Isinbayeva's victory, Kenya won the steeplechase -- for the seventh time in row. Brimin Kipruto, the Athens silver medalist and reigning world champion, came from behind to beat Maheidine Mekhissi-Benabbad, a Frenchman who split up an expected Kenyan sweep by taking silver ahead of Richard Mateelong. Athens champion Ezekiel Kemboi faded to finish in seventh place. After a horrible start to the track competition, the United States got two golds and four overall, the first gold an unexpected one from Stephanie Brown Trafton in the discus. Beijing AP

CM Y K

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.