ERDOGAN DECLARES GUL AS AKP'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Addressing his party's group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate was Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. "We have found a name for presidential candidacy as a result of latest evaluations and research and that is Gul, with whom we have walked and founded this movement together," he said. Erdogan noted that the government would continue to work with the nation until reaching bright futures. "We'll work day and night," said Erdogan. "We have a long way ahead and we gave promises to our nation." Stressing that there was much to do, Erdogan stated that being at certain posts didn't have significance for him. "The most important thing is to serve our nation," said Erdogan, adding that Turkey achieved great progress in last 4.5 years. Erdogan further criticized the stance of the opposition parties before the presidential election, saying that they became "crazy" during the process. "They didn't like our candidate," he added. "They didn't respect a person who was shown as a candidate through the nation's will." Later, Erdogan and Gul received celebrations of deputies at the group meeting. /Turkiye/

GUL: "I WILL TRY TO ACT WITH THE NATION AND DO MY UTMOST TO REPRESENT TURKEY IN THE BEST WAY ABROAD"
Speaking at a press conference after being declared as the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that he appreciated both Erdogan and AKP deputies for showing him as the presidential candidate of the AKP, adding that Erdogan kept himself away from the post with his own will. "He preferred to stay in his current post," said Gul. "Everyone will see that democracy will function." Upon a question what kind of a policy he would pursue during his post, Gul said that everyone had a style, adding that he would try to act together with the nation and do his utmost to represent Turkey in the best way abroad. "It's also inevitable to cooperate with foreign countries," added Gul. /Turkiye/

GUL MEETS BAYKAL, MUMCU
Foreign Minister Adbullah Gul, who was chosen as the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate yesterday, met with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. After the meeting, Baykal said, "We don't have the chance to support as the AKP didn't seek a rapprochement in the society." Also speaking at his party's group meeting, Baykal said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision not to put his name forward for presidential candidacy was the victory of democracy. After meeting with Baykal, Gul met with opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu. After the meeting, Mumcu said that Gul's candidacy was an expected probability and that he would discuss the issue with the authorized boards of his party. In related news, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli stated that Turkey didn't deserve such a presidential election. Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer said, "Abdullah Gul's appointment as a presidential candidate is a complete democracy scandal." /Star-Hurriyet/

REACTIONS TO GUL'S CANDIDACY
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) yesterday picked Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as its presidential candidate. According to the European Union countries ambassadors to Ankara, Gul, who has talents of a statesman, is an esteemed, moderate person. European Parliament Socialist Group said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a good choice, adding, Gul had proved himself by his successful work during his term in office as foreign minister. US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson said that Gul was a person whom they respect. Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said that it wasn't possible for Greece to comment on Turkey's domestic affairs and that Gul was a person who had an important role in Turkey. We have cooperated with him to date. Co-Chairman of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Commission, Joost Lagendijk said, "A logical and wise decision. Gul is a reformist and has many international links and this will be very important in a presidential post." Krisztina Nagy, Spokesperson of EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, said that they respected Turkey's democratic constitution and the decision was in the appreciation of the Turkish Parliament. German Green's Party Co-Chair Claudia Roth said that Gul's candidacy was a very wise tactic, adding, "Although Gul is a conservative politician, he always demonstrated that Turkey was a moderate and liberal country open to the world." /Aksam/

BUSH ISSUES MESSAGE DUE TO SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITHOUT USING THE WORD "GENOCIDE"
US President George W. Bush yesterday issued a message due to the anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide without using the word "genocide." Bush stated that every year on April 24, 1.5 million Armenian victims were being commemorated, adding that the world should never forget this. "We commemorate the past today and look at a brighter future," said Bush. He further stated that he appreciated individuals who were trying to normalize ties between Turkey and Armenia. /Sabah/

BUSINESS WORLD WELCOMES GUL'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY
The representatives of the business world yesterday welcomed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan declaring Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as presidential candidate of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), stressing that Gul would contribute to Turkey's peace and political and economic stability since Gul also had prestige abroad. In related news, Sabanci Holding Board of Directors Chairwoman Guler Sabanci said that he appreciated Erdogan for his democratic stance in line with Turkey's stability. "I hope Gul's candidacy will be in favor of Turkey," added Sabanci. /Turkiye-Milliyet/