GUL: "MY SOLE AIM WILL BE TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN THE CONSTITUTION'S BASIC PRINCIPLES"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday after officially applying to run for president as the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul described how he would act as a president, saying that if he is elected his basic mission would be to ensure harmonization among institutions. Stressing that he was aware of his responsibilities in taking this supreme post, Gul added that if Parliament elects him, his priority would be to follow the Constitution of the Turkish Republic, which would be his guide. "I know our Constitution well," said Gul. "Its basic principles are contained in its first four articles. My sole aim will be to protect and strengthen these principles. Impartiality will certainly be my principle." Gul further added that he would act as the president of everyone, including those having personal views at odds with his own. "The president will stand outside politics," said Gul, adding that he would also listen to non-governmental organizations. /Sabah/
GUL VISITS POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) just-announced presidential candidate, yesterday visited political party leaders in Parliament as well as independent deputies to seek support for his candidacy. Gul first visited Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli. He then met with Great Union Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu and Sanliurfa Independent Deputy Seyit Eyyüpoglu. Gul also visited Democratic Leftist Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer. However the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which is again opposed to Gul's candidacy after his run in this May, refused to meet with him. After a Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting yesterday, CHP officials released a statement charging that electing Gul president would destroy the basic principles of the Republic of Turkey. The opposition party has also decided not to be in Parliament next week when the body votes for president. When it did the same this spring, it effectively blocked Gul's candidacy, but as the AKP can get the necessary quorum in the new Parliament, the CHP boycott cannot do the same this time. In related news, Gul is also expected to have talks with representatives from unions and non-governmental organizations today. /Aksam/
BUSINESS WORLD WELCOMES GUL'S PRESIDENTIAL RUN
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's renewed presidential candidacy yesterday got support from top Turkish business figures. Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) head Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag said that TUSIAD would watch Gul's commitments closely, adding that she hoped his stance would continue in his new post. Turkish Exporters' Union (TIM) head Oguz Satici said that Gul would continue his statesmanship if he is elected president. In related news, the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) will hold a meeting today to declare TOBB's expectations of the new government. /Sabah/
NEW CABINET LIST TO BE PRESENTED TO SEZER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to present his new Cabinet list to outgoing President Ahmet Necdet Sezer tomorrow. There will be meetings at the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters today to give the list its final shape. Erdogan will reportedly make significant changes in the new Cabinet compared to his last one. /Milliyet/
US STATE DEPT: "WE HAVE FULL FAITH IN TURKEY'S SECULAR DEMOCRACY"
Asked about the re-nomination of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to run for president, US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said yesterday that this was an internal domestic matter, adding that the Turkish Parliament would decide who will be the next president. "We have full faith in Turkey's secular democracy," said McCormack. /Turkiye/
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO BEGIN TODAY
Representatives from civil servants' unions and the government will begin a series of talks this afternoon to discuss pay raises for some 2.5 million civil servants next year. Turkish Kamu-Sen union head Bircan Akyildiz said yesterday that some 400,000 civil servants are suffering by earning wages below the hunger line, adding that they will especially work to ensure a pay hike for those workers next year. /Cumhuriyet/