BERLIN (AP) - A group representing Germany’s Turkish community responded sharply yesterday to an effort by the country’s opposition leader, Angela Merkel, to swing European conservatives against Turkish membership in the European Union, accusing her of stirring fears among voters. Merkel’s Christian Democrats “don’t shy away from stirring fears” in an effort to win votes with the issue, the group said in statement. “Turkey, as well as Turks in Germany, consider this open policy of discrimination against Turkey a great affront.”

BELGRADE (AP) - An ethnic Hungarian family targeted in two apparent ethnic attacks, moved to neighboring Hungary yesterday, saying they no longer felt safe in northern Serbia, media reported. Laszlo and Slavica Sepet and their two children left their home in the northern Serbian city of Subotica and crossed into Hungary, where they intend to seek asylum, the independent B92 radio reported. Tensions between Serbs and minority ethnic Hungarians in Serbia’s northern Vojvodina province have increased in recent weeks, though the area stayed peaceful throughout the conflicts of the 1990s.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday said he would launch a campaign to get Turkey elected to the UN Security Council in 2008 when he attends the body’s General Assembly meeting in New York. Gul, speaking to reporters at Ankara Airport before leaving for a US visit that will include talks with Secretary of State Colin Powell, said Turkey’s first-ever candidacy to the Security Council reflected its growing weight on the world scene. (AFP)

The World Bank said yesterday it would provide up to $180 million to postwar Bosnia over the next three years to support economic and social reforms. The program was based on Bosnia’s recently approved medium-term development strategy and has been prepared in consultation with local authorities, a World Bank statement said. The bank said it would pledge new projects worth between $100 and $180 million, sending a “strong signal of support to Bosnia-Herzegovina.” (AFP)

EU newcomer Slovenia will open a center to help other countries that hope to join the bloc, the country’s minister in charge of European integration said yesterday. Speaking at the opening of an international conference of representatives from EU countries and prospective members, Milan Cvikl said Slovenia plans to invest 1 million euros in the center, but also hopes to get foreign donations. (AP)