GUL MEETS WITH ERDOGAN, BUYUKANIT, AND SYRIAN FM
President Abdullah Gul yesterday separately received Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who congratulated Gul for his new post. Buyukanit said that he hoped Gul would be successful in his new post. Press members showed great interest in the meeting, which lasted about half an hour. In related news, Gul later received Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem. Gul and Moallem reportedly discussed Middle Eastern conflict. Moallem left for his country yesterday after completing his contacts. Gul is expected today to start a four-day tour, including Van, Hakkari, Sirnak, and Diyarbakir. This will be Gul's first domestic tour as president. /Turkiye/

PARLIAMENT SPEAKER VISITS TRNC
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan yesterday paid his first official visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in accordance with the state's customs. Toptan, who is the official guest of TRNC Parliament Speaker Fatma Ekenoglu, met with Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. Ekenoglu and Soyer thanked Toptan for paying his first official visit to the TRNC. /Hurriyet/

ERDOGAN ADDRESSES 38TH INTERNATIONAL ASIA AND NORTH AFRICA WORKS CONGRESS
Speaking at the International Asia and North Africa Works Congress yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for cooperation in fighting terrorism. Saying that the Turkish Republic adopted peace and tranquility as basis for the whole humanity and all countries, Erdogan added that the government was doing its best to make Turkey a country of peace and justice. The premier stressed that the violence in neighboring Iraq and Middle East was very grievous. "Turkey's fight against terror is also painful," he added. "Under such circumstances, the roles of scientists and artists are very important." During the opening of the congress, 12 scientists were awarded with Medal of Honor. /Sabah-Turkiye/

SYRIAN FM VISITS TURKEY
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, who paid a visit to Ankara yesterday, met with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan and the two top diplomats discussed mainly the flights of the Israeli warplanes. They reportedly said that Israeli warplanes violated both Turkish and Syrian airspace and dropped fuel tanks into Turkish territory while flying over Hatay, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep. After the meeting, Babacan told a press conference, "For us, the violation of airspace by Israeli planes is an unacceptable development," adding, "We launched the necessary initiatives and a full investigation into the event is underway." He said, "All countries in the region must show respect to all countries' sovereignty and avoid acts that may lead to tensions. Otherwise, tensions further escalate and efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the region are hampered. A multilateral investigation is underway. We demanded a quick explanation from Israel." He also said that Istanbul will host the meeting of representatives of the neighboring countries with Iraq on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. "All regional countries should cooperate to safeguard peace and stability and concentrate their energies on reaching this target," he stressed. Moallem was also received by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. /Aksam-Star/

GOVT SPOKESPERSON: "THE NEW CONSTITUTION WILL BE MADE PUBLIC WHEN READY"
The Cabinet meeting of the new government was held yesterday. After the meeting which lasted for almost five hours, government's spokesperson Cemil Cicek told a press conference that the Constitutional amendment referendum to be held on Oct. 21 won't be cancelled. Cicek also reacted harshly to the allegations that work on the civil Constitution was being conducted secretly and said that the Turkish parliament could prepare a brand new constitution by taking into consideration modern developments, adding, "Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been assessing the draft prepared by academicians. Later the draft will be made public. Everyone can make contributions to it." /Aksam/

PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ATTEND FIRST SCHOOL DAY
Across Turkey, 900,000 primary school and 750,000 kindergarten students attended their first day of school yesterday to begin what is known as the adaptation period. The rest of the students will start new school term on Sept. 17. /Turkish Daily News/

HISARCIKLIOGLU INTRODUCES PROJECT CARRIED OUT WITH UNDP
At a press conference yesterday, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu introduced along with UN Turkey Representative Mahmood Ayob a project, which is being carried out with UN Development Program (UNDP). Hisarciklioglu said that they selected four subjects as preferential among the subjects determined by UNDP. "Our priorities are reducing poverty in provinces, providing gender equality, ensuring everyone with education, and protecting the environment," added Hisarciklioglu. /Milliyet/