SEZER LEAVES APPROVAL OF NEW CABINET LIST TO HIS SUCCESSOR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to present his new list of Cabinet ministers. During their 20-minute meeting, Sezer reportedly said, "It would be more appropriate to present the list to the new president." In so doing he left the approval of the list to his successor, who is likely to be Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. After the meeting, Erdogan told a press conference, "The president didn't even look at the Cabinet list. In my view, it was an act of courtesy to the next president." Erdogan further praised Sezer's act as a "very important gesture" showing "a positive approach." /Star/
TOP LEADERS ATTEND CEREMONY AT PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
In a ceremony at the Presidential Palace yesterday, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer honored businessman Jak Kamhi with a State Medal of Merit for his invaluable services both at home and abroad. Among the dignitaries at the ceremony were Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan. Asked by reporters following the ceremony if he would resign, Buyukanit turned the question on its head, asking why he would do this, though adding that "some" could be pleased if he stepped down. "I will hand over my post to someone when my term in office ends," added Buyukanit. /Sabah/
GUL VISITS DTP, MEMUR-SEN TO SEEK SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENTIAL BID
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate, yesterday met with Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk to seek support ahead of next week's presidential election. Speaking afterwards, Gul said that he had told Turk about how he would act if he is elected. "I told him that I would embrace everyone, stand at the same distance from everyone, and represent the whole nation," said Gul. For his part, Turk said that his party expects Turkey's next president to stand for the entire nation, adding that they would decide how to vote in next week's election after discussions in the party's decision-making organs. Later, Gul visited Memur-Sen head Ahmet Aksu to seek support for his presidential bid. Aksu said that the nation's will was reflected in the new Parliament emerging from last month's elections, adding that Memur-Sen fully supports Gul. "We believe that he will protect the republic and its basic principles," he added. /Turkiye/
REHN: "GUL IS APPRECIATED IN EUROPE"
Speaking to Finnish reporters, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said yesterday that the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) presidential candidate Abdullah Gul is appreciated in Europe, saying that he is known for taking steps to advance Turkey's EU bid. Stressing that it was important for Turkey to hold its presidential election next week within the framework of democracy and the rule of law, Rehn stated that he hoped the election would be held without any hitches, like last month's general elections. /Milliyet/
US STATE DEPT'S MCCORMACK: "AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK'S ELECTION, WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN TURKEY'S SECULAR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM"
Asked by reporters about Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's presidential bid, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Sean McCormack on Wednesday said the decision about who will be Turkey's next president belongs to the Turkish Parliament and people. "We have confidence in Turkey's secular democracy," he added. "And there are . going to be a variety of different points of view within Turkey. That is the nature of democracy. But . these questions need to resolved within the confines of Turkey's law and Turkey's Constitution. And we have full confidence that the Turkish system will come to terms with whatever differences there are within that system to produce a result that is democratic, that is consistent with Turkey's history, and consistent with Turkey's laws and Constitution." /Star/