ERDOGAN: "TURKEY WON'T GO BACK TO THE OLD DAYS"
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday visited the central Anatolian province of Sivas to attend a series of openings. Addressing crowds, the premier said that Turkey was on a good level in democratization, human rights and the road to join the European Union, adding that no one would be able to send Turkey back to days of conflict. Calling on people to preserve the country's atmosphere of trust and stability, Erdogan said everyone should act together to further develop Turkey. The premier also attended his Justice and Development Party (AKP) Sivas Provincial Congress. Stressing that the AKP was a party focused on the people, not religion, Erdogan expressed his hope for overwhelming success in the general elections set to be held in the fall of next year. Furthermore, appearing on TV yesterday Erdogan addressed the nation, saying that the Turkish economy was strong enough to overcome possible crises. Pointing to improving economic figures, Erdogan said that volatility in the markets was normal in a functioning market economy. Commenting on last month's attack on Council of State judges, the premier stated that the attack targeted Turkey's peace and stability as well as the bodies and principles of the republic. /Turkiye/
JUSTICE COMMISSION DISCUSSES NEW ANTI-TERROR LAW
Parliament's Justice Subcommission yesterday discussed the controversial Article 6 of the proposed new Anti-Terror Law. During the three-hour meeting, without representatives from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies decided to amend the article. It reportedly will be given its final form today after an exchange of views with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. There are claims Article 6 could allow jailed head of terrorist group PKK Abdullah Ocalan to be freed. /Aksam/
RUSSIAN FM LAVROV: "TURKEY AND RUSSIA STAND SIDE BY SIDE"
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday came to Turkey as the guest of his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. In a joint press conference after the meeting, Gul said, "The Russian Federation is a neighbor which has strategic importance, and we attach great importance to its friendship and cooperation." He added, "We're happy to discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments within this framework. It was a very beneficial meeting. We have common views on many issues. We will continue to discuss our bilateral relations." Lavrov said he shares Gul's views and, when asked about the Iranian nuclear crisis, further said that both countries "stand side by side" and share the same ideas on Iran. /Star-Cumhuriyet/
IRAQI FM, ECONOMY MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan yesterday said that Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Economy Minister Behram Salih are expected to visit Turkey in the near future. During his weekly press conference, Tan spoke about Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq Oguz Celikkol's contacts in Iraq. Tan said that Celikkol had invited Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Economy Minister Behram Salih to Turkey. Zebari and Salih are expected to visit Ankara this month. /Cumhuriyet/
CHP LEADER BAYKAL: "A PRESIDENT IN THE AKP'S POLITICAL CAMP WOULD POSE A THREAT TO SECULARISM"
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday said, "The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) choosing the next president along its political line would threaten secularism in Turkey," and that they were trying to prevent this. In a media interview, Baykal also called on the AKP to work together with the opposition parties in Parliament to choose a presidential candidate. /Hurriyet/
GERMAN FM TO DISCUSS IRANIAN NUKE ISSUE IN ANKARA
Germany's foreign minister is paying an official visit to Turkey starting tomorrow mainly to discuss the Iranian nuclear dispute following today's crucial meeting in Vienna where major world powers are expected to approve an incentive package for Iran. Following the crucial EU debate on Iran and his bilateral talks with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Mohammed ElBaradei, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to give a joint message with Turkish officials to divert Iran from its nuclear ambitions. The German foreign minister will meet with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erogan to search for a solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff. /The New Anatolian/
2 SOLDIERS, 3 VILLAGE GUARDS KILLED IN SIRNAK
Two soldiers and three village guards were killed yesterday during conflicts with PKK terrorists in Sirnak. According to initial reports, Gendarmerie Cpl. Mustafa Nane, Gendarmerie soldier Muzaffer Ardic, and village guards Yunus, Nurettin, and Faysal Yildirim were killed, while five village guards were wounded. In related news, two soldiers who stepped on a mine in Bingol were wounded. /Milliyet/
IMF'S TURKEY REPRESENTATIVE: "INFLATION IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW DUE TO HIGH APRIL INFLATION AND THE WEAK LIRA"
International Monetary Fund Turkey Representative Hugh Bredenkamp yesterday said that inflation had taken on more importance due to April's high inflation and recent weakness in the lira. "We agree with predictions that inflation will exceed the 2006 target of 5%," said Bredenkamp. Saying that they expected very strong growth in the gross national product (GNP) of 6%, Bredenkamp added, "Adjustments to the exchange rate and interest will have an effect on the real economy, but this will be compensated by increases in exports and a slowdown in domestic demand. These adjustments are beneficial." Saying that difficulties in financial markets would continue, Bredenkamp added that this would pose problem for countries with high current account deficits such as Turkey. /Sabah/
SATICI: "RECENT EXCHANGE RATE IS A PLUS FOR TURKISH INDUSTRY"
Turkish Exporters' Union (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici said yesterday that recent increases in the exchange rate were positive for Turkish industry, adding that he thought that there could be a further slight increase by the end of the year. /Sabah/