ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 24th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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PM ERDOGAN NOT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided that he would not be the candidate for the presidential election. Sources close to PM Erdogan said, "we think that Erdogan will not probably be a candidate for the presidential election." Stating that the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) MPs wanted Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to be the presidential candidate. On the other hand, Erdogan focuses on the two names for the election, State Minister Besir Atalay and National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul.

HIGH-SPEED TRAIN TEST DRIVES START BETWEEN ANKARA AND ESKISEHIR
Test drives of a high-speed train started between Ankara and central city of Eskisehir. The test journeys are made by four cars, hired from Italy. The trials will first be carried out at lower speeds, but the speed of the train will be raised in time. Tests will continue until the train reaches 250 km/h speed. The train will travel between the two cities in one hour and 15 minutes.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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"THE CANDIDATE IS A MEMBER OF AKP AND THE PARLIAMENT"
Participating in the reception held on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of the opening of Turkish parliament and April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not again reveal the name of the candidate for presidency.
However, Erdogan made a description this time: The candidate will be a member of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the parliament, besides, he/she will possess the qualifications required by the constitution.

GONUL'S NAME PRONOUNCED IN LOBBIES
Two days prior to the deadline regarding the announcement of candidates for the presidential election, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul's name is being pronounced again in lobbies.
According to Milliyet daily, Minister Gonul's name is again on the agenda as he has a background in bureaucracy, moreover, he has been working close to the General Staff and his wife does not wear a headscarf.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SUMMIT ON CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul made a decision on the name of presidential candidate in a summit held in Prime Ministry on Monday. Industry & Trade Minister Ali Coskun and State Ministers Nimet Cubukcu and Kursad Tuzmen also attended the summit. On the other hand, Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said, "I was informed on the presidential candidate and I feel relieved."
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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NATIONAL WILLPOWER HERE
The presidential candidate is not yet known neither by the public nor by the deputies. Everybody is waiting for the name to be revealed by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey has been experiencing a presidential election process that has never been witnessed by a western country. Although the deadline for the announcement of candidates will end tomorrow midnight, no candidates have been revealed yet. It looks like PM Erdogan will keep the name on his mind a secret, until minutes are left for the deadline.

"THERE WILL BE NO RETURNING BACK," ERDOGAN
Delivering a speech at the parliament, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured that the republic would be preserved.
"The gainings of the republic have become permanent. There will not and cannot be a return from such values," Erdogan underscored.
Replying to Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal's criticisms as well, Erdogan said, "he does not have a compromising nature. Are we going to make an announcement according to the date set by him? We have our own strategy and technique. If he wants to be candidate, he can".

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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JOY OF SOVEREIGNTY
April 23rd National Sovereignty & Children's Day was celebrated across the country and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Monday. Many Turkish people visited Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Founder of Turkish Republic. State executives, headed by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, also visited Anitkabir. PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, FM Abdullah Gul, State Minister Abdullatif Sener, some ministers, deputy parliament speakers, MPs were among the delegation that visited Anitkabir. Arinc laid a wreath on the Mausoleum, and the delegation observed a minute of silence.

TALKS ON PREDIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had meetings with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc as well as Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Monday in regard to candidate for the presidential election. Erdogan also met State Minister Nimet Cubukcu and Industry & Trade Minister Ali Coskun. Sources said that Erdogan proposed that National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul could be the candidate, stating that but Arinc did not approve Erdogan's proposal.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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LAST 48 HOURS FOR ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Turkish public opinion could not still learn the candidate for the presidential election. There was tension in a special session held in the parliament on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of its establishment and April 23rd National Sovereignty & Children's Day. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that just he knew the presidential candidate.

APRIL 23RD JOY
April 23rd National Sovereignty & Children's Day was celebrated across the country with a great joy. Thousands attended the celebrations held in 19 Mayis Stadium in Ankara and Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. On the other hand, celebrations attended by children all over the world held in southern city of Antalya were colorful.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HISTORICAL INVITATION FROM ANKARA
Turkey has stepped in for the solution of the "nuclear crisis" with Iran, following its mediation efforts regarding the problems between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
While the "nuclear crisis" is mounting, the Turkish government invited representatives of the European Union (EU) and Iran to Ankara. The two parties are expected to meet in the Turkish capital on Wednesday.

ERDOGAN DID NOT REVEAL THE SECRET
"Presidential election" was the main issue discussed at the reception held by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc on the occasion of the 87th anniversary of the opening of Turkish parliament and April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children's Day.
During the reception, upon questions on when the presidential candidate would be announced, PM Erdogan said, "Probably tomorrow, maybe even sooner than that".
While Arinc stated that they agreed with PM Erdogan on the issue, Turkish General Staff Chief Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said, "when the time comes, we will learn".

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ARMENIAN DIASPORA TRANSFERS MONEY TO OCCUPIED NAGORNO-KARABAKH
As the allegations on the so-called Armenian genocide are getting intense prior to April 24th, Zaman daily managed to enter the Nagorno-Karabakh region which is under Armenian occupation.
Zaman writes that Armenians brought from different places are located in the region where thousands of Azerbaijani people were massacred and 800,000 people became refugees. The expenses of the Armenians residing in the region are covered by the Armenian diaspora.

"I WAS INFORMED ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, I FEEL RELIEVED," ARINC
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan has completed his talks regarding the presidential candidate yesterday, holding his last meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc.
Erdogan and Arinc reached a compromise on the issue during the talks held at Arinc's office at the parliament. "I was informed on the presidential candidate and I feel quite relieved," Arinc said after the meeting.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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EVERYONE TO LEARN TODAY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has decided that he would announce the candidate for the presidential election on Tuesday. After his meeting with Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said, "there is a full compromise (on the name for presidential candidate). I know the candidate. He will make public the name."

SURVEY ON GENERAL ELECTION
According to a survey conducted by Odak Research in 26 cities of the country, the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) is ahead of other political parties. The survey said that if the general election is held today, AKP gains 38.7 percent of votes, on the other hand, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) gets 20 percent of votes.