ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 26th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HUNT FOR 367 QUORUM
In order to prevent the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) from appealing to the Constitutional Court to cancel the presidential vote, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and other high ranking figures from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have taken on a hunt for 14 votes of which they fell short to complete a quorum of 367 lawmakers to proceed with the first round of the presidential vote.
GUNMAN ATTEMPTS TO ATTACK ON HIGH EDUCATION CHIEF
A gunman tried to force his way into the offices of Turkey's higher education authority or YOK to see its head Erdogan Tezic and fired three shots at security guards when he was prevented from entering the compound. The suspected attacker Nurullah Ilgun (26), who was said to have been working for a private security company, was arrested at Ankara's intercity bus station.
ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE BREAKS HISTORIC RECORD
The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) climbed 699.28 points to 48,033 at Wednesday's afternoon session, breaking yet another record in more than a year. With international quarters supporting Abdullah Gul's candidacy for president and general positive outlook from international markets, interest rates went down to 18.28 while 1 USD fell to 1.33 YTL.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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"I AM LOYAL NOT JUST IN WORDS, BUT IN ESSENCE"
In an interview with the Milliyet daily, Abdullah Gul, candidate of the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) for president, said, "I am loyal to the principles of the republic not just in words but in essence."
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON YOK CHAIRMAN
A gunman attempted to attack on Turkish Higher Education Board (YOK) Chairman Prof. Dr. Erdogan Tezic. The gunman tried to forcibly enter the YOK headquarters. When he was prevented from entering, the gunman opened fire in the air for three times. He was subsequently caught at intercity bus station.
CALL FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu called on the government to give up presidential election process, and hold early elections. They said that government's response would affect their decision whether to attend tomorrow's voting at the parliament or not.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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"I HAVE THREE TARGETS"
In an interview with the Sabah daily, Justice & Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate Abdullah Gul said, "I have three targets. These are a strong democracy, a sound economy and a powerful army."
DIRTY HANDS
A gunman entered the Higher Education Board (YOK) building and demanded to talk to YOK Chairman Prof. Dr. Erdogan Tezic. When he was not allowed to see Prof. Dr. Tezic, the gunman began to escape. He also fired three shots on security forces. The gunman, who was identified as Nurullah Ilgun, was captured at Ankara's intercity bus station.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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GUL OR GENERAL ELECTIONS
Two small center-right opposition parties, Motherland and True Path are expected no show at a first round of the presidential vote scheduled for Friday. Odds seem pretty slim for presidential hopeful Abdullah Gul to have a quorum of 367 lawmakers at the General Assembly to avert the main opposition party to appeal to the Constitutional Court to cancel the elections. If the court opts for the cancellation of the vote, Turkey would need to hold general elections within three months at the latest.
SEZER WARNS ON 367 QUORUM
Releasing a statement on 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said the Court had a role to act as a balancing force in the face of the political power, adding that the Court's responsibilities were much more heavier than ever. Sezer also underlined that it was among the Constitutional Court's tasks to review if the procedures of the parliament were in conformity with the Constitution.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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"NEW PARLIAMENT SHOULD ELECT PRESIDENT"
Two opposition parties, the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), called for early elections. DYP leader Mehmet Agar and ANAVATAN leader Erkan Mumcu said that the new parliament should elect the president.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey did not need early elections, adding that parliamentary elections might be held in August after presidential election.
IT'S YOUR TURN ISTANBUL
Efforts are under way to hold a republican rally in Istanbul this weekend. Organization Committee Chairperson Prof. Dr. Necla Arat said that a number of people would come to Istanbul to attend the rally. Earlier, a similar rally took place in Ankara with the participation of tens of thousands of people to protest the government and Prime Minister Erdogan's likely candidacy.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ASSASINATION ATTEMPT ON HIGHER EDUCATION CHIEF
A suspected assassin tried to forcibly enter the offices of Turkey's higher education board or YOK and fired three bullets when he was stopped by security guards at the entrance of the compound. The attacker escaped in a tax cab but was arrested at Ankara's inter-city bus station.
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAYS PRESEIDENT SHOULD EMBRACE NATION
Issuing a statement on Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's candidacy for president, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said that president should embrace all segments of the nation and uphold basic principles of the republic, compromise and democratic legitimacy. The statement also said that the parliament's decision in the presidential vote should be respected.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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"WE SHOULD RESPECT PARLIAMENT"
Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said about Abdullah Gul's presidential candidacy, "Mr. Gul was received appreciation with his compromising attitude and his experience in foreign politics. We believe that if he is elected, he will fulfil his duty under the frame drawn by the Constitution."
TUSIAD added that the respect to parliament's decision was an indispensable requirement of democracy.
FRIENDSHIP
Nearly ten thousand people from Australia, New Zealand Britain and Turkey commemorated their ancestors who fell at the Battle of Canakkale 92 years ago, at a "Dawn Ceremony" held in Gelibolu peninsula of Canakkale. They all indicated that their joint grief turned into a sound friendship now.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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"I AM AWARE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES"
In an interview with the Zaman daily, Justice & Development Party's (AKP) candidate for president Abdullah Gul said that he was aware of his future responsibilities as a president. "I will be a unifying and embracing president. I display the importance I attach to dialogue and compromise by paying visits to all political parties and to independent lawmakers," he said.
ATTEMPTED ATTACK ON YOK BUILDING
A gunman attempted to stage a provocative attack on the Higher Education Board (YOK) office in Ankara. The gunman, who was identified as Nurullah Ilgin, fired three shots in the air after security forces did not allow him to see YOK Chairman Prof. Dr. Erdogan Tezic.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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GUL ASSURES
Abdullah Gul, who was named by the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) as candidate for president, stressed during his meetings with leaders of all political parties that he would be the president of whole Turkey.
Meanwhile, both people and markets gave positive response to Gul's candidacy.
NO NEED FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan described a request of True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu for early elections as "levity". He said that Turkey did not need early elections, and gave signals that general elections could be held in August the earliest.