PRESIDENT SEZER PLEDGES TO SERVE UNTIL SUCCESSOR IS ELECTED
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday received a delegation led Arif Ali Atay, head of the Divrigi Culture Foundation. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Atay said that the president had told them he would step down when his successor is elected by the new post-election Parliament. May's aborted presidential elections led to Sezer staying in office past his seven-year term, and also triggered Sunday's general elections. Furthermore, Atay stated that Sezer favored a single five-year presidential term rather than a five-year term with a chance at reelection, as the former would be more effective. He also said Sezer told them the next president could equally well come from Parliament or outside, adding that what's most important is a candidate's loyalty to Ataturk's principles and the republic. /Sabah/
IN GAZIANTEP AND KAHRAMANMARAS, ERDOGAN TARGETS OPPOSITION RIVALS
Addressing campaign rallies in Gaziantep and Kahramanmaras, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday criticized his leading rivals, opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli. Stating that he wants a more powerful Justice and Development Party (AKP) to emerge from Sunday's general elections, Erdogan said, "We'll make all our nation's dreams come true. We'll strengthen justice and development in all areas." /Star/
BAHCELI, AGAR AIM CAMPAIGN BARBS AT AKP
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday visited Giresun and Antalya to woo voters' support for his party. Meanwhile, speaking at a campaign rally in Sivas, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli targeted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying that the rule of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) would be brought to an end by this Sunday's elections. In related news, at a campaign rally in Balikesir, opposition Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar criticized the premier's recent remarks that he would leave politics if the AKP fails to win a second term of single-party rule. /Hurriyet/
TURKEY PROTESTS AUSTRIA OVER WANTED TERRORIST FINANCIER
The Turkish Foreign Ministry yesterday lodged a protest of Austria doing nothing to stop Riza Altun, known as "the European cashbox" of the terrorist PKK, from traveling from Vienna to northern Iraq. Christian Steiner, the chargé d'affaires of the Austrian Embassy in Ankara, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry, and Turkey's protest was conveyed orally, as well as in Vienna. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also said that he condemned Austria harboring Altun, who is wanted by Interpol. Underlining the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, Gul said that when Altun was recognized, he should have been immediately arrested and delivered to Turkey. He added that Ankara was closely watching developments, and would make necessary initiatives for Altun's extradition to Turkey. /Turkiye-/Hurriyet/
TALIBAN ATTACKS TURKISH CONVOY
A three-vehicle Turkish convoy carrying a reconstruction assistance team working in Kabul, Afghanistan, was attacked yesterday morning. During the attack, a Turkish policeman was injured. Speaking to reporters, former NATO Representative in Afghanistan Hikmet Cetin blamed former Afghan rulers the Taliban for the attack, saying that they don't like how Turkey is helping the country. "Terrorist groups don't want education and development," Cetin said. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also condemned the attack. Stressing that Turkey was giving great aid to the Afghan people, Gul said Ankara would not be deterred by terrorist attacks. /Milliyet/
PKK MINES KILL MORE TWO SOLDIERS
A road mine planted by PKK terrorists took two soldiers' lives in Cukurca, Hakkari on Tuesday. Six other soldiers wounded in the attack were taken for treatment at Hakkari Military Hospital. Security forces started a broad crackdown in the region. /Milliyet/