YOK'S TEZIC FACES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
President of Turkey's Higher Education Board (YOK), Erdogan Tezic faced a potential assassination yesterday afternoon. The assailant tried to enter the YOK building in Ankara, but was stopped by security guards. He managed to run away, but also fired three shots into the air. He was seized by security forces late in the afternoon at the rail station. Officials said that investigation was underway. In related news, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Tezic to express their sorrow. In addition, rectors of many universities issued messages condemning the attack. /Turkiye/

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY
The Constitutional Court yesterday celebrated its 45th anniversary. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer issued a written message marking the anniversary. He said that the Constitution, through its binding principles, does not allow any arbitrary practices by the administration and paves the way for the proper functioning and the sustainability of the secular and democratic regime. He also called on all institutions and authorities to bear responsibility to protect the constitutional order and let the rule of law reign in the country more than ever. In addition, the court's President Tulay Tugcu speaking at an international gathering in Ankara pointed to the importance of expression of different views in democracies adding that democracy would get stronger when it allows representation of views as much as possible. Also speaking to reporters how they would decide on a possible case if at least 367 deputies were not present in Parliament during the first round of presidential election voting, the top judge said that they would follow the same procedures as in other cases, adding that they would try to decide before the second round. /Hurriyet-Turkish Daily News/

GUL: "I PROVED MY RESPECT FOR DEMOCRACY BY MEETING WITH OPPOSITION LEADERS"
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who was declared as ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate earlier this week, yesterday attended a reception marking the foundation anniversary of the Constitutional Court. Speaking to reporters at the reception, Gul said that he had proved his respect for democracy by meeting with opposition party leaders. "These are first signs how I will act if I am elected as president," said Gul, adding that he would always be in contact with parties which were not represented in Parliament. "This will be a part of my post. I'll embrace the whole nation." In related news, Gul met with True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar, Social Democratic People's Party (SHP) leader Murat Karayalcin, and independent deputies yesterday to seek their support prior to presidential election. Speaking after his contacts, Gul said that he had told Agar and Karayalcin that he would be the president of the whole nation. /Milliyet/

AGAR, MUMCU CALL FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu yesterday came together following assassination attempt against the President of the Higher Education Board (YOK). Speaking at a press conference afterwards, Agar said that the government should give up presidential election and immediately make a decision to hold early elections. Stressing that there was still an opportunity for Turkey, Agar added that this opportunity would be the government's decision to hold early elections. For his part, Mumcu said that the attempt of assassination caused concerns, adding that Turkey became open to such provocations. Mumcu further stated that the government should act in a responsible way and hold early elections. "Otherwise, the presidential election, no matter what its result is, will lead to discomfort in the country," added Mumcu. The two leaders further stressed that they would act together in elections, adding that they would declare their final decision today. /Sabah/

ANKARA NOT IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH BUSH
The Turkish Foreign Ministry yesterday said it did not share in some of the expressions used by US President George W. Bush in his statement of remembrance for the Armenians killed at the end of the Ottoman Empire, reiterating that history should be left to historians. But the ministry welcomed in a statement Bush's reference to a 2005 proposal by the Turkish government to set up a joint committee to study genocide allegations. "We agree with President Bush's view and expect the US president and the administration to continue to encourage Armenia to respond positively to our historic proposal," it said. /Turkish Daily News/

SOLANA, LARIJANI MEET IN ANKARA
European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana and Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani yesterday met in Ankara to find a peaceful solution to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Larijari told reporters that his country fulfils the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rules and their talks with Solana were a good opportunity to exchange views on the issue. Larijani and Solana are expected to meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul today and then to hold a press conference. The two are also scheduled to meet with the Yigit Alpogan, secretary general of the National Security Council (NSC). Larijani and Solana held several rounds of talks last year but failed to find a solution to the crisis. /Star/

ANZACS COME TO CANAKKALE TO COMMEMORATE THEIR ANCESTORS
Some 10,000 Anzacs yesterday came to Canakkale to commemorate their ancestors, who lost their lives during the Canakkale Battle which was held in Gallipoli Peninsula. The New Zealander and Australian tourists later attended a ceremony to commemorate those who died in the battle. /Aksam/