ERDOGAN MAKES CAMPAIGN VISITS TO ISTANBUL, KOCAELI
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, over the weekend, held campaign rallies in Kocaeli and Istanbul in the runup to the general elections set for next Sunday, July 22. Addressing the crowds, Erdogan said that in visiting about 40 cities across the country, he had been heartened to see people's support for his Justice and Development Party (AKP). He stressed that if it can get more than 40 percent of the vote in Sunday's elections, the AKP will continue to serve the country through one-party rule. Touting his government's record during the past four-and-a-half year, the premier predicted that people will vote for his party to promote stability, confidence, justice and development in Turkey. /Turkiye/
MHP'S BAHCELI: "THE COUNTRY HAS SUFFERED UNDER AKP RULE"
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said yesterday that the nation has suffered under more than four-and-a-half years of Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule. Addressing a campaign rally in Antalya, Bahceli said that contrary to the AKP's claims, Turkey now lacks stability. "Turkey has lost valuable time in conflict and polarization," said the MHP leader. He charged that people who want the AKP to come to power again are separatists, plunderers, and heads of tribes, as well as people seeking to reap improper personal gains. /Milliyet/
FELICITY, LABOR PARTIES WOO VOTERS IN ISTANBUL
Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan yesterday addressed crowds in Istanbul's Cadlayan Square to try to win their votes in the weekend general elections. Also in Istanbul, at a Labor Party (IP) rally in Kadikoy, IP leader Dogu Perincek charged that other political parties toe the line to US policies. He said that the IP would make efforts to move Turkey in the direction of the principles laid by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. /Turkiye-Sabah/
US' WILSON REITERATES DENIAL OF PKK WEAPONS ALLEGATIONS
Again rebuffing allegations that the US has provided weapons to the terrorist PKK, US Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson over the weekend said, "It's not logical for the US to provide weapons to an organization which we consider terrorist." Speaking at a reception at the French Embassy in Ankara, Wilson said US officials took the false reports of the US supplying arms seriously and was working to definitively disprove them. /Aksam/
GREEK CYPRIOT PARLIAMENT SPEAKER: "TURKEY'S ELECTIONS WILL INFLUENCE THE CYPRUS ISSUE"
Greek Cypriot Parliament Speaker Dimitris Hristofyas over the weekend said that the results of next Sunday's general elections in Turkey would have an influence on the Cyprus issue. "If Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins the elections, it is possible that he could make an attempt on the Cyprus issue," said Hristofyas. "If we don't get prepared, the Turkish side may get ahead. We should take measures. But if Erdogan loses, there will be backtracking on the Cyprus issue." /Aksam/
ISTANBUL TO HOST SEPTEMBER BLACK SEA GAS AND OIL SUMMIT
Turkey is set to host an important summit on energy this September. The International Black Sea Oil and Gas Summit, scheduled for Sept. 6-7 in Istanbul, will bring together a number of important international companies, oil and gas ministers of Black Sea coastal countries, and investment and finance companies. The participants are expected to discuss regional cooperation, energy security, relations with the European Union, environmental problems, the security of the Turkish Straits, pipelines, and regional opportunities. /Turkish Daily News/