LEADERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES CONTINUE TO TOUR PROVINCES
Leaders of political parties continued to tour provinces yesterday as part of their campaign ahead of next month's general elections. Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday visited eastern Anatolian provinces of Agri and Igdir. Speaking to crowds, Erdogan promoted his party's regional candidates, and asked citizen to vote for the AKP in the elections. Stressing that the upcoming elections had a great importance for a stronger Turkey, the premier said that coalitions couldn't serve the country properly. He also called on citizens not to waste their votes for independent candidates, adding that ballots should not be cast only for ideological purposes, but considering service to the country. Furthermore, Democratic Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar launched his election campaign in Aegean city of Aydin yesterday. Addressing the crowds, Agar said that the country needed his party's rule more than ever. Stressing that the DP would serve the whole country, especially farmers suffering under AKP's rule, Agar said that they would make efforts to end terrorism. In related news, Republican People's Party CHP) leader Deniz Baykal today is expected to issue his party's election declaration including CHP's promises to the public to realize if they come to power following next month's elections. /Turkiye-Milliyet/
GENDARMERIE PRIVATE KILLED IN GUMUSHANE
Gendarmerie private Basri Aslan was killed in Gumushane in a conflict against PKK terrorists. Another gendarmerie private Muhammet Karaman was wounded. Speaking yesterday after the event, Gumushane governor Enver Salihoglu said that all security forces were trying to capture the terrorists who escaped. /Aksam/
NSC TO DISCUSS TERROR
The National Security Council (NSC) is due to convene today under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The council is expected to discuss especially the escalating terrorist attacks and the latest evaluation reports prepared by the security forces on terrorist PKK. The support which the PKK receives from abroad, the support given by the Kurdish groups, and the measures to be taken by Ankara are also expected to be handled by the participants. /Cumhuriyet/
US ANKARA EMBASSY: "COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAQ IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY IN FIGHTING AGAINST TERRORIST PKK"
US Embassy Spokesperson Kathy Schallow said yesterday that she believed that the most efficient way in fighting against terrorist PKK was the cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, adding that the US was working to develop views about concrete steps which the US, Turkey, and Iraq would agree on. Schallow further stressed that it was important that the efforts were continuing. She added that US special envoy to counter terrorist PKK Joseph Ralston held contact with his Turkish counterpart Rafet Akgunay, who has been recently appointed. /Cumhuriyet/
YSK TO RELEASE DEFINITE CANDIDATE LISTS TODAY
The Supreme Board of Election (YSK) has completed its examination of candidates from political parties and independents who have applied to run in the next month's general elections. The board is expected to declare the definite candidate lists today. /Turkiye/
DUTCH ING BANK BUYS OYAKBANK FOR $2.7 BILLION
ING, the Netherlands's largest financial services company, has reached an agreement with OYAK, the Turkish Armed Forces Pension Fund to acquire its subsidiary Oyakbank for $2.67 billion in cash. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2007. The deal is yet another purchase in the Turkish banking sector, which in recent years has become increasingly popular among foreign investors. By the deal, ING joins Citigroup, Fortis and Dexia and the National Bank of Greece, in expanding in Turkey, where annual economic growth has averaged more than 7% since 2002. /All papers/
FENERBAHCE TRANSFERS CARLOS
Brazilian world famous football player Roberto Carlos yesterday signed a contract with Fenerbahce. Carlos was transferred from Spain's Real Madrid football team. Fenerbahce reportedly will pay Carlos 4 million Euro annually. Speaking to fans, Carlos said that Fenerbahce will get all cups this season. /Hurriyet/