ERDOGAN: "THE AKP IS A PARTY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE"
On a campaign stop ahead of next month's elections, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday spoke to crowds in the southeastern Anatolian city of Sanliurfa. Erdogan said that his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was the voice of all Turkey's people, not just certain groups. Stressing that the AKP is a centrist, conservative and democratic party, he said that its principle of one flag, state, nation and motherland would never change. Touting his government's policies, Erdogan stated that they had founded new universities in nearly half the nation's 81 provinces and were on the way to at least one in every province. After attending a number of opening ceremonies in Sanliurfa, Erdogan returned to Ankara in the late afternoon. /Turkiye/

TOP COURT TO RULE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PACKAGE
The Constitutional Court will rule tomorrow an appeal against a package of constitutional changes that includes popular election of the president. In its application to the court, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) argued that the 366 votes for the first article of the package is one less than required. On Friday the court rapporteur submitted its report to the judges, saying, "The whole package should be annulled since the approval of 367 deputies was necessary for each of its amendments." /Turkish Daily News/

BAYKAL: "WE SHOULD STOP THE THREAT IN NORTHERN IRAQ"
Speaking to news channel Haberturk, main opposition leader Deniz Baykal said over the weekend that he and former President Suleyman Demirel had recently had a very beneficial meeting at Demirel's house, adding, "We confirmed that we were looking at Turkey's future from the same perspective." Also touching on recent developments in northern Iraq, Baykal said that region was harboring a threat to Turkey. "We have to stop this threat," he said. "This is our right. We have to realize this. Turkey has to make its power felt. If Turkey shows its determination with all of its power, it will stop northern Iraq from continuing its illegitimate attitude." /Sabah/

US GENERAL: "WE CAN'T HAVE FRICTION WITH OUR ALLY TURKEY"
US Brig. Gen. J.H. Pittard, who works with Iraqi security forces in the country's north, told reporters the US doesn't want to be at odds with Turkey in the region, stressing, "We can't have it to where we have friction with a NATO ally." Quoted in Sunday's Washington Post, Pittard said that Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq should stop supporting PKK terrorists or else "suffer the consequences." Referring to Turkish troops along the Iraqi border, the US commander downplayed the prospect of a cross-border operation, saying, "It may just be brinksmanship." /Hurriyet/

RUSSIA MOVES TOWARDS OPENING CONSULATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ
A Russian delegation visited Erbil over the weekend to hold talks with Kurdish officials towards opening a consulate in the region. During their talks, officials from both sides stated that a Russian consulate would help to develop bilateral relations. In addition, France and Greece are also expected to open consulates in the region. /Turkiye/

1.7 MLN TAKE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM
Some 1.7 million students yesterday took the nationwide University Entrance Examination (OSS). The three-hour test, which determines whether students go on to university or not, is viewed as the biggest factor for the students' future path. Results of the exam are expected to be announced late next month. /Milliyet/

CHINESE OFFICIAL CALLS ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN CHINA
Bo Xilai, minister of commerce of the People's Republic of China, yesterday said that he wanted more economic cooperation between Turkey and China. Addressing the Turkish-Chinese Business Forum in Istanbul, Bo called on Turkish businessmen to invest in China and said that the trade volume between the two countries had increased 50% in 2006 and doubled in the first four months of 2007. Stating that he would try to promote cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas, Bo said, "We can buy more goods from Turkey. Make a list of goods you can sell." /Cumhuriyet/