ERDOGAN: "HISTORY WILL BE THE JUDGE OF SEZER'S VETO"
Speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's recent veto of a constitutional amendment package, saying that history will be the judge of this action. Erdogan also presented nine new additions to the AKP ranks from left-wing social democrats and the center right. In related news, speaking to news channel NTV, Erdogan weighed in on various issues facing Turkey such as headscarves, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's presidential bid, and his meeting early this month with Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit in Istanbul. /Star-Aksam/
ERDOGAN TOUTS ECONOMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HIS GOVT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a ceremony marking the 145th anniversary of the Court of Accounts. Addressing the gathering, Erdogan touted the economic accomplishments of his government, saying that Turkey's debt to the International Monetary Fund fell from $23.5 billion to just $9 billion. "When we came to power, the Central Bank's reserves totaled $26 billion, but now this figure has grown to $65 billion," he added. The premier further stated that economic balances prevented last year's fluctuations from flaring into a crisis. Also addressing the gathering, Court of Accounts Chief of Justice Mehmet Damar said that the opinions of the court, which safeguards the state's Treasury and protects the nation's interests, should be valued. /Sabah/
BAYKAL: "OUR GOVT WILL MAKE THE ELECTION SYSTEM MORE REPRESENTATIVE"
Speaking at his party's group meeting yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that the CHP would change the electoral system if it comes to power in the July 22 elections, adding that it would also give the people more power to choose their deputies. "Under our rule, electoral districts will be smaller and there will be districts with four or five deputies," said Baykal. "First, people will vote for a party and then mark six out of 12 who they want elected." /Turkiye/
AGAR, MUMCU MEET WITH TUSIAD
Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu yesterday appeared before the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) as part of its series of meetings with political leaders ahead of July's general elections. Opening the meeting, TUSIAD Chairwoman Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag said that preparations for popular election of the president are being rushed and that the issue should be given greater consideration. Taking questions from TUSIAD members, Agar said that an extensive debate about the presidential election process is needed to reach a consensus, adding that the Constitution would be changed to allow election by popular vote. Mumcu spoke about economic issues and criticized the floating exchange rate policy. TUSIAD had its first meeting in the series with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week. /Milliyet/
ANKARA DELIVERS DIPLOMATIC NOTE TO US OVER AIRSPACE VIOLATION
The Foreign Ministry yesterday delivered a diplomatic note to the US concerning a violation of Turkish airspace last week by US jets, an incident already described by the US side as "apparently accidental." The note was delivered to a US Embassy official at a working-level meeting, contrary to media expectations that it would be handed to the ambassador himself so as to highlight Turkey's anger over the incident. /Today's Zaman/
LE FIGARO: "SARKOZY WON'T BLOCK TURKEY BEGINNING EU TALKS ON NEW THREE CHAPTERS"
French daily Le Figaro yesterday predicted that new French President Nicholas Sarkozy wouldn't veto Turkey beginning European Union accession talks on new three chapters. According to the newspaper, Sarkozy sent his top advisor Jean David-Levitte to Ankara this week in order to find a way to head off damage to relations between the two countries. /Turkiye/
GERMAN FM: "EUROPE NEEDS TURKEY"
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier yesterday declared that Europe needs Turkey. Stating that Turkey has assumed the role of a bridge between Europe and the Middle East, the German foreign minister dismissed as "baseless" allegations that Turkey's negotiations with the European Union would end in failure. Speaking before the opening ceremony of the Europe-Asia Meeting (ASEM) attended by foreign ministers from 26 EU and 16 Asian countries, Steinmeier stated that Europe needs Turkey. He added that the Turkish reform process must continue. /The New Anatolian/