IN GUMUSHANE AND BAYBURT, ERDOGAN MAKES CASE FOR SECOND AKP TERM
Addressing crowds in Bayburt and Gumushane yesterday in the countdown to this weekend's general elections, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that with the election of his party in the fall 2002 elections, a crisis-plagued Turkey had undergone a "silent revolution" and gained confidence in the future. The premier further stated that if his party gets a second term, it would try to further strengthen development. "July 22 will be our nation's day of decision," he said. Erdogan also criticized his ballot box rivals, including opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, and Young Party (GP) leader Cem Uzan. /Turkiye/
GUL CRITICIZES SEZER'S VETO OF GOVT NOMINEE FOR NSC SECRETARY-GENERAL
Speaking in Kayseri yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul criticized President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoing the government's nominee to succeed National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Yigit Alpogan, whose term in office has ended. Saying that he proposed Turkey's Ambassador to Athens Tahsin Burcuoglu for the post, Gul stated that at such a critical time, he wants him to take up his duties as soon as possible. "This isn't a problem of the government, but of Turkey itself," added Gul. /Sabah/
IN SAKARYA, BAYKAL CRITICIZES AKP PRIVATIZATION POLICIES
At a campaign rally in Sakarya, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday criticized the privatization policies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Baykal was accompanied by his party's Deputy Chairman Mehmet Sevigen and local candidates for deputy. After the rally, Baykal continued campaigning in Eskisehir. /Hurriyet-Cumhuriyet/
BAHCELI CAMPAIGNS DOWN TO THE WIRE IN TOKAT
Wooing voters in Tokat, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday blasted the government's handling of forest fires, which he called a national security problem. "The government should immediately deal with it," he said. "These fires have become a national disaster. Our forests in Antalya, Mugla, Mersin, Osmaniye, Balikesir and Izmir are burning. The reasons behind this should be investigated. We should see whether these were terrorist acts or the result of carelessness." Bahceli also criticized the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). /Hurriyet/
AGAR: "WITHIN A YEAR, I WILL END TERRORISM"
Addressing a campaign rally in Isparta yesterday, opposition Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar tried to up the ante on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's pledge to quit politics if the AKP fails to win a second single-party term. "If I don't end terrorism completely within one year, I will leave the Prime Ministry, not politics," he said. Then Agar proceeded to a rally in Konya. /Cumhuriyet/
WAR ACADEMIES GRADUATES GET DIPLOMAS
The War Academies in Ankara yesterday held their summer commencement. Present at the ceremony were President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit. Addressing the graduates, War Academies Commander Gen. Aydogan Babaoglu said that they would be the most important safeguards of the secular, democratic, and social Turkish Republic. /Turkiye/
TOBB HEAD: "TURKEY COULD MOVE UP TO JOIN THE TOP 10 RICHEST COUNTRIES"
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu yesterday attended a meeting of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO). Addressing the gathering, Hisarciklioglu said that Turkey could move up to join the ranks of the world's 10 richest countries, adding that its per capita income could also be raised to $10,000. Saying that the new post-election government would need time to do its work, Hisarciklioglu added that constitutional changes were needed to give the economy a boost. /Turkiye/