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Turkish PM Erdogan continues to be vague and undecided on who AKP candidate for president will be, adding to the tensions and divisions in public opinion.

The mainstream media says that Erdogan is hesitant on Gul's controversial candidacy, to avoid political crises and tensions with other institutions, mainly the military.

The Islamist media on the other hand demands Gul's presidency, that would bring his wife's headscarf - as an Islamist symbol - to the highest place in the country, in confrontation with the military.
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It is said that Erdogan - supported by other members at AKP - wants to make a fresh start, keep his promises to reach a consensus on a mild name with other political parties , and begin a crisis-free second term in government.
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The only gracious exit for Erdogan from his current dilemma would be for Gul to withdraw his candidacy at his own will.
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So far Abdullah Gul has shown a keen interest to remain candidate, and if that happens Erdogan and all AKP MPs are expected to stand behind Gul.
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At a joint press conference after their meeting, Erdogan and Maliki announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Turkey and Iraq to cooperate in the fight against terrorism with the purpose of eliminating the existence in northern Iraq of the PKK (aka CongraGel) terrorist organization.The agreement will later be signed by the interior ministers of the two countries.
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Answering journalists' questions after the meeting, Erdogan said that drawing from their experience of four years and eight months in government, he would form a stronger and improved government.He added that he would follow the constitutional calendar and deadlines in forming his government, which signaled to some analysts that he might choose not to present his new cabinet to the staunchly secular president Sezer and would rather wait for the new president to be elected first.
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Erdogan will most likely announce his new cabinet by the end of next week.
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Turkish Supreme Election Board announced that a referendum on constitutional changes, including the election of Turkish presidents by popular vote, will take place on October 21.
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ANKA News Agency reported that during the AKP summit yesterday PM Erdogan asked FM Gul to give up his candidacy, which would enable Erdogan to keep his pre-election promise that he would seek consensus with other parties on a name for president.The story was denied by AKP officials.

Top selling, mainstream Hurriyet also reported that according to political sources there is an increasing uneasiness among AKP MPs regarding Gul's refusal to withdraw his presidential bid.
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Last week the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a message to Turkish PM Erdogan requesting a brief visit to Ankara, on his way to Moscow.
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Erdogan rejected the request due to his tight schedule.

The name of the Kurdish people, cities, streets etc were changed into Turkish and a lot of assimilation schools were founded for Kurdish children.The use of the Kurdish language was banned.All these ideological measures were to create an "Imagined Community" in other words to create a nationalistic Turkish state and the Turkish state defined its "imagined enemy": The Kurds.

For 85 years, the Kurds have been denounced as "state enemy".The Kurdish ‘question' has been defined in different ways over the decades.Recently the Turkish Prime Minister Mr. Erdogan (from Islamic party) emphasized in Norway (In April 2005) "If you don't think of the Kurdish question it doesn't become a Kurdish question.
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Turkish PM Erdogan, 2004

[01] Erdogan wants a new process on Cyprus which to lead to two separate states or a United Republic as in the Annan plan. [02] Erdogan asked for a meeting with the UN Secretary-General. [03] Erdogan: "Had Papadopoulos used his veto right we would not get the date".
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[01] Erdogan wants a new process on Cyprus which to lead to two separate states or a United Republic as in the Annan plan

Turkish TV channel CNN Turk (20.12.04) broadcast an interview with the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan by the Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand at his programme "Manset" (Headline).

Mr Erdogan said during the programme that "a new process would start in Cyprus.This process will either be for two separate states or a United Cyprus Republic as stated in the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan plan".

Replying to a question with whom Turkey would negotiate the extension of the protocol so that "it would include Cyprus" till October 3rd, 2005, Erdogan said: "There is nothing like an extension.
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Asked if the "TRNC" would make use of the Customs Union as the Greek Cypriot side, Erdogan said: "The situation of the north is different than that of the south regarding Customs Union.
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Asked if Annan plan was still on the agenda, Erdogan said: "No, it is not.The south opposes the Annan plan.But, neither the north nor the south, nor Greece, Turkey nor Britain can say 'it's over' to the Annan plan.The plan said that it would be excluded from the agenda if both parties did not vote 'yes' in April 24th simultaneous referenda.So, it has been dropped from the agenda."

Answering a question if the plan could be brought forward again, Erdogan said: "We think such a thing will be beneficial for resumption of the peace process."

Erdogan said that Turkey would be pleased if the UN was involved in the process.

Asked if non-solution of the Cyprus issue was a "disadvantage", Erdogan said: "It is politically wrong to comment.I can neither say 'yes' nor 'no'.
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In replying to a question on when the solution process would begin, Mr Erdogan said: "Within 2005.There will be elections in the 'TRNC', and then the south will hold elections.The result of these elections is important.But, we don't need to wait for the results of the elections."

Asked if Turkey wanted to solve the issue before beginning of its accession negotiations, Erdogan said: "Of course, there will be a road map.And, we will work in line with this road map."

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to the EU summit of December 17th and stated that if excitement is managed successfully, it is be possible to achieve positive results."However, if you cannot manage your excitement, you cannot achieve anything," said Erdogan.

When asked how long the entry talks would continue, Erdogan replied that the EU would not ask for anything else other than the fulfilment of the Copenhagen Criteria."How long the entry talks will go on depends on our mutual performance.We want to conclude these talks successfully as soon as possible," stated Erdogan.

In reference to the upcoming French and Austrian referenda on Turkey's membership, Erdogan said that he was not afraid of the referenda."Many things will change till the referenda.We hope to create an atmosphere of harmony with the EU.No, the referenda do not scare us."

[02] Erdogan asked for a meeting with the UN Secretary-General

Local Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (21.12.04) reports under the banner headlines "Rendezvous with Annan" and says that Turkish Prime Minister (PM) Erdogan has asked for an appointment with the UN Secretary-General.The paper, quoting diplomatic sources in Ankara, reports that when Turkish PM Erdogan had met with UN Secretary-General Annan in Brussels he had asked him to arrange an appointment in order to start a new process regarding Cyprus.

The same diplomatic sources further added that if a negotiation process starts, then the Greek Cypriots should submit their amended proposals.

He had asked the Secretary-General, to submit his Cyprus report to the UN Security Council.
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[03] Erdogan: "Had Papadopoulos used his veto right we would not get the date"

Turkish PM Erdogan pledged one million blankets, tents and food.

Erdogan said "Turkey will not leave Pakistan alone in this hour of crisis and extend full support to people of Pakistan."
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Later, addressing the press conference along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said Pakistan and Turkey are bound in close friendly, historical and religious bonds.
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People of Pakistan extended enormous support to Turkey when it was hit by earth quake and we can not forget it", Mr. Erdogan underlined. People of Turkey are taking unprecedented steps to help their Pakistani brethren today, he said adding government units have been mobilized across the country.Several medical and rescue teams are working here.Twelve Turkish planes have landed in Pakistan carrying relief goods, he informed.Not on short term basis but on long term basis, assistance will be provided to Pakistan, he assured.Tents and ten Lakh blankets will be provided to Pakistan. "Our teams will conduct inspection for the construction of infrastructure.Pakistan woes are our woes", he indicated.All the school children in Turkey are collecting donations for Pakistani brethren.People of Turkey are selling their rings and depositing funds for quake victims. "I have met traders and exporters and so that maximum aid could be provided to Pakistan", he said. Turkey will provide to Pakistan 30 thousand tons wheat, 25 thousand tons sugar and cooking oil in massive quantity, he informed.Activities have already been started for reconstruction of buildings.Turkey is setting up hospitals in the affected areas.Elementary education schools will also be established by Turkey.