ERDOGAN: "DEMOCRACY SUFFERED GREAT HARM IN THE ABORTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION"
Speaking at a campaign rally in Trabzon yesterday, Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that democracy had suffered great harm in the aborted presidential election earlier this year, adding that on July 22 the nation would give the best response to this at the ballot box. Erdogan stated that the nation believed that a brighter future lies ahead. "The reason for good developments in Turkey is that the nation is in power," said the premier. "Turkey is a large country. In the past the nation has faced difficulties due to poor leadership." The premier added that Turkey would be in a much better situation today if in years past it had been ruled according to AKP principles. /Hurriyet/
BAYKAL PLEDGES TO END PARLIAMENTARY IMMUNITY
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday made a campaign trip to the central Anatolian city of Nevsehir. Speaking at a rally organized by his party, Baykal criticized the policies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and decried a recent escalation in terrorist attacks. Pointing to the death of 37 intellectuals in the Sivas incident 14 years ago, Baykal said that the nation never wanted to see such a tragedy again. He also pledged to lift the immunity of lawmakers to fight corruption. /Star/
GUL TOUTS GOVT'S RECORD IN BARTIN
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül yesterday made a campaign visit to the Black Sea coastal city of Bartin. Gul said that his Justice and Development Party (AKP) had scored great successes during its four-and-a-half years in power. Also touching on his aborted presidential bid this May, Gul said that developments during the presidential election period had ill-suited Turkey. /Turkiye/
DP'S AGAR: "OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO ENSURE PEACE"
Promoting his party's election program at a press conference yesterday, Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar Agar said that his party would work to eliminate social and political unrest in Turkey. Pointing to the fueling of domestic conflicts, the DP leader pledged to protect the nation's indivisible integrity and unity. Later Agar continued campaigning for the July 22 general elections with a visit to the Black Sea coastal city of Zonguldak. /Turkiye/
FIRST HEARING IN DINK MURDER TRIAL HELD
The first hearing was held yesterday for four defendants accused of planning and carrying out the murder of Armenian-origin journalist Hrant Dink this January. At the hearing, the court ordered the release of defendants Irfan Ozkan, Osman Altay, Veysel Toprak, and Salih Hacisalihoglu during the trial. Dink's family attended the hearing, which was closed to the press. The next hearing is set for Oct. 1. /Milliyet/
14TH ANNIVERSARY OF SIVAS INCIDENT COMMEMORATED
The 14th anniversary of the Sivas incident, in which 37 Alevi and leftist intellectuals, poets and musicians were killed in a hotel firebombed by rioting religious fundamentalists, was commemorated yesterday. During memorial services held in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, mourners demanded a full investigation into the deaths. /Aksam/
TOBB HEAD MEETS WITH FORMER US SEC'Y OF STATE ALBRIGHT
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu yesterday met in Istanbul with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. During their meeting, Albright said that US business circles were making plans concerning Turkey. "Our businesspeople love Turkey," she said. Albright added that Washington would continue to support Turkey's European Union membership bid. /Hurriyet/
BABACAN: "WE WON'T RAISE ELECTRICITY OR NATURAL GAS PRICES"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Economy Minister Ali Babacan denied claims by Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal that the government had signed an agreement with Washington not to enter northern Iraq, saying that Ankara had never made any such commitment. Touching on economic developments, Babacan said that the government wouldn't raise the prices of electricity or natural gas. /Sabah/
FIRST BLACK SEA GAMES BEGIN
The First Black Sea Games began yesterday with a ceremony in the coastal city of Trabzon. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accompanied by a number of Cabinet ministers attended the opening of the games, which are set to continue in Giresun and Rize along with Trabzon. Turkey, Russia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, Ukraine, Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia and Moldova are participating in the games. /Cumhuriyet/