ERDOGAN: "FORCES WHO WANT TO BLOCK THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WILL BE FOILED"
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) new headquarters yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced rumors that the July 22 general elections would be postponed, adding that his party takes its power from the people. "The circles which want to hamper the democratic process will not achieve their goal," said Erdogan. Stressing that the government was strong enough to overcome all kinds of provocations, Erdogan added that no one could cast a shadow over democracy or darken Turkey's peaceful atmosphere. Erdogan further criticized the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), saying that it was acting undemocratically. /Turkiye/

ITALIAN FM MEETS WITH GUL
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema yesterday met with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. Afterwards, D'Alema told a press conference that he was personally against a possible operation into northern Iraq by Turkey, and added, "But if anyone invades Turkey's borders, I am also against this. This issue should be solved on international platforms through cooperation." The Italian foreign minister also expressed deep sorrow over recent terrorist attacks on Turkish civilians and security forces while mentioning that Italy and the European Union want to see improvements in human rights and fundamental freedoms. "But these demands never justify the attempts of some circles to gain their rights through terrorism," he added. D'Alema also met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. /Aksam/

OPPOSITION LEADERS LASH OUT AT PREMIER'S REMARKS ON TERRORISM
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent remarks downplaying the need for a cross-border operation into northern Iraq, saying, "As long as the premier's comprehension and rapprochement continues, there's no possibility of Turkey showing a backbone in the fight against terrorism." Speaking to reporters after the visit of Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, Baykal said, "Unfortunately, the necessary will to fight terrorism hasn't been mobilized under Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule." Touching on anti-government protests at the recent funerals of fallen soldiers, Baykal said that holy places shouldn't be the site of such displays. In related news, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli also criticized Erdogan's remarks on terrorism, charging that the premier had so lost his senses that he sees the cries of mourners at funerals as crimes. Blasting the statement released after Tuesday's security summit chaired by Erdogan, Bahceli added, "Erdogan's statements regarding terrorism show delirium and irresponsibility." He continued, "The premier's confession that he lacks the courage, determination and will to fight terrorism will lead to grave consequences. Erdogan claiming that Turkey couldn't fight 5,000 terrorists at home not only proved his cowardice and weakness, but also showed his weakness in not sending troops to northern Iraq. In this way, Erdogan encouraged the murderous terrorists holed up in northern Iraq." /Hurriyet/

BUYUKANIT RECEIVES SOUTH KOREAN MILITARY'S NO. 2
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit yesterday received Adm. Park In-Yong, South Korea's deputy chief of General Staff, who was paying an official visit to Ankara. Top officials attended the ceremony organized at General Staff headquarters, where Buyukanit gave a medal of merit to In-Yong. /Turkiye/

POLISH PM: "TO BECOME A SUPERPOWER, THE EU NEEDS TURKEY"
Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski yesterday stated that he supported Turkey's European Union bid. In an interview with French daily Le Monde, prior to the visit to Poland of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposes Turkey's EU bid, Kaczynski said that the EU should become a real superpower. "Look at the amazing development of China," he added. "If Europe wants to get a handle on the world, it should have a population of at least 600 million. This means the integration of Ukraine, Turkey and the Balkans." /Cumhuriyet/

TUSIAD'S YALCINDAG TO VISIT GERMANY
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) head Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag is due to travel to Berlin today to attend the Presidents Council Meeting of European Business World Confederation Businesseurope. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to address the two-day gathering, where such issues as energy, climate change and the G8 Business Summit will be discussed. Yalcindag will be accompanied by TUSIAD Secretary-General Haluk Tukel and TUSIAD's representative in Brussels Bahadir Kaleagasi. /Milliyet/

IMF PRAISES ECONOMIC PROGRESS WHILE WARNING ABOUT INFLATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMS
An International Monetary Fund statement yesterday praised recent developments in Turkey's economy, calling its progress "impressive." But the statement also included warnings about such issues as inflation, reforms, and privatization. It emphasized that inflation was much higher than this year's target of 4%. It further stressed that the social security reforms should be carried out as soon as possible. The IMF also warned that banks should be controlled better to help insulate them from damage from a growing numbers of loans. /Sabah/