ERDOGAN: "WITH HIS PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS, GUL MAKES FOR AN IDEAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE"
Speaking at a press conference following his party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan said that the board had evaluated recent developments ahead of the presidential election set to start next week. "We'll see through the presidential election with maturity, just as we did the July 22 general elections," said Erdogan. "We believe in our presidential candidate (Foreign Minister) Abdullah Gul. He deserves this high post with his knowledge, experience, record and good will, and with his personal qualifications he makes for an ideal presidential candidate." In related news, Erdogan is expected to present his new Cabinet list to outgoing President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today. /Turkiye/
CANDIDATE GUL MEETS WITH TOBB HEAD
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) candidate for president, yesterday met with Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchange (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu to seek support for his presidential bid. After the meeting, Hisarciklioglu told a press conference that Gul had the necessary qualifications for the office. "I believe that Gul, with his qualifications, will impartially fulfill the duties the presidency requires and will sincerely embrace the country," said Hisarciklioglu. Stating that democracy is a regime of principles and institutions with no place for policy favoritism, Hisarciklioglu added that democracy offers equal opportunities. Gul also visited other non-governmental organizations, including the Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions (Turk-Is), Turkish Confederation of Trade Unions (Hak-Is), Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK) and Turkish Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DISK). /Star/
MHP NOMINATES BOLUKBASI FOR PRESIDENT
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has nominated its Ankara Deputy Deniz Bolukbasi to be its presidential candidate. On the eve of the Iraq war, Bolukbasi represented Turkey during negotiations between Ankara and Washington over the March 1, 2003 motion. He is the son of veteran politician Osman Bolukbasi. /Turkiye/
AGAR TO REMAIN DP HEAD UNTIL GENERAL CONGRESS
Democrat Party (DP) leader Mehmet Agar, who announced his resignation following the party's poor showing in last month's general elections, yesterday said he would remain at the helm until the party's general congress, where his successor will be elected. That congress is set to be held on Nov. 17-18. /Milliyet/
US GEN. GEORGE CASEY: "TURKEY WOULD CONSULT WITH THE PENTAGON BEFORE AN OPERATION IN N.IRAQ"
Speaking to reporters at the National Press Club in Washington on Tuesday, Gen. George Casey, the Army chief of staff, said that he believed that Turkey would consult with the Pentagon before conducting any operation in northern Iraq. Asked about a possible operation in northern Iraq, Casey said, "I believe that our Turkish ally would hold comprehensive consultations before such an operation." /Hurriyet/
CIVIL SERVICE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BEGINS
Representatives from civil servants' unions and the government yesterday held their first meeting to discuss next year's pay raises for some 2.5 million civil servants. At the meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, it was decided to form a commission. Speaking afterwards, Sahin said that they had determined the subjects they would discuss two weeks from now, but have yet to discuss the pay raises. "We're at the beginning of the process," added Sahin. /Sabah/