PARLIAMENT PASSES CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE FOR SECOND TIME
In its second round of voting on a constitutional amendment package, Parliament yesterday passed a host of changes, including popular election of the president, by 370 votes. The package was vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer last month before being sent back to Parliament. Other changes in the package include holding general elections at least every four years, not five, and reducing the term of presidents from seven years to five while allowing two terms. The amendments would also set a parliamentary quorum of one-third of the deputies. In related news, Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy group leader Ali Topuz said that the CHP could appeal to the Constitutional Court to annul the vote, which he called unconstitutional. /Sabah/

ERDOGAN ADDRESSES THE NATION FOR FINAL TIME BEFORE ELECTIONS
Addressing the nation on television for the last time before general elections set for July 22, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pointed to the importance of the polls and called on everyone to cast their ballots. Erdogan stressed that it shouldn't be forgotten that political parties were competing with one another and that the final decision belonged to the people. "Governments are temporary, but the nation, flag and homeland last forever," said Erdogan. The premier further stressed that there are global power struggles taking place near Turkey, adding, "These conditions of our region make our country important." /Aksam/

MUMCU: "ERDOGAN DOES HIS BEST TO DISTURB TURKEY'S PEACE"
Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erka Mumcu yesterday charged that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been doing his utmost to disturb Turkey's domestic peace. Saying that the Erdogan had insulted the Constitutional Court, Mumcu told his party's group meeting that Erdogan didn't give his deputies any say in choosing the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate. /The New Anatolian/

BUYUKANIT HINTS AT MILITARY ACTION AGAINST BOTH PKK, BARZANI IN N.IRAQ
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit yesterday hinted that should the government request a cross-border operation into northern Iraq, both Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and the terrorist PKK would be targeted by the military. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an international symposium organized in Istanbul by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), Buyukanit asked, "Once we enter northern Iraq, are we going to fight only the PKK, or will something happen with Barzani?" Pointing to the presence of US troops in the region, the top commander said that considering the gravity of these matters the government should clarify its political goals in writing to him. /Hurriyet/

KISSINGER: "IF ITS EU BID FAILS, TURKEY AND THE US SHOULD DEVELOP A CLOSER PARTNERSHIP"
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said yesterday that Turkey should continue its European Union accession process and reforms, adding that if it doesn't get into the club, it should develop a closer partnership with the US. Kissinger, in Istanbul this week for the annual Bilderberg meeting, made the remarks at a conference on global developments and Turkey sponsored by Akbank. He said that Turkey's being part of the European system carries great strategic importance. An immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq would spread the crisis to neighboring countries, warned Kissinger. He added that the US would not welcome a cross-border operation by Turkey into northern Iraq. /Milliyet/

BILDERBERG MEETING BEGINS IN ISTANBUL
The super-secretive Bilderberg meeting started yesterday in Istanbul under tight security measures. Thirteen Turkish and 122 other international figures came together at the Ritz Carlton Hotel for the group's 55th gathering. The changing world order, Turkey, the Mideast, Europe, the US, democracy and populism as well as climate change are among the topics to be discussed during the four-day meeting. /Milliyet/

CGREENPEACE "NOAH'S ARK" TO HIGHLIGHT GLOBAL WARMING THREAT
Greenpeace yesterday unveiled a replica of the legendary Noah's Ark built by volunteers to highlight the threat posed by global warming. The unveiling of the ship, whose construction by the environmental group began on Mt. Agri (Ararat) four weeks ago, was attended by Igdir Governor Saim Saffet Karahisarli, TV star Okan Bayulgen, more than 40 Greenpeace members and other guests. /Cumhuriyet/