GMP20050824017004 Istanbul CNN TURK Online WWW-Text in Turkish 1346 GMT 24 Aug 05

[Report by Ozlem Sogukdere: "Cards on Table Ahead of 3 October"]

Prior to 3 October, Turkey has taken a step not only regarding the struggle against terrorism and the Kurdish issue, but also regarding the controversial Armenian conference, at which allegations of an Armenian genocide were to be taken up.

The conference, entitled "The Ottoman Armenians During the Decline of the Empire" had been planned to be held at Bozazici University [Istanbul] on 24 May, but had then been postponed due to harsh reactions from both the government and the opposition.

But Bogazici University, issuing a statement yesterday, announced that the conference, with the same content, will be held between 23 and 25 September. But with one difference this time...

It was announced that the conference, which a few months ago had been denounced by Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, who had said "This amounts to stabbing the Turkish nation in the back", will be opened by Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister in the same government.

As for Minister Gul himself, he has said that he responded "yes" in principle to the invitation sent to him, and that he will determine whether or not he will take part in the conference depending on his schedule.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan has said that, during the dates when the conference is to be held, Minister Gul will be in New York for the session of the United Nations.