LEADERS MARK MOTHERS DAY
A message issued by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday to mark Mothers Day praised the key societal role mothers play through raising children. “Arrangements should be made to improve the situation of women in society,” urged Sezer. In addition, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal also issued messages marking the occasion. /Sabah/

ERDOGAN ATTENDS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF BOSPHORUS TUBE PROJECT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Marmaray, the new Istanbul Bosphorus tube passage project. Speaking at the ceremony, Erdogan explained that the project had been on the drawing boards for a decade but was only now going forward. “When this project is completed, railways will meet 27% of Istanbul’s transportation needs, not just 3%,” stated Erdogan. The project is expected to be completed in four years and to be paid for in 10. A number of international institutions are helping to finance the project, with the Japanese International Credit Bank already having allocated $815 million for it. /Aksam/

CHIRAC: “TURKEY’S EU HARMONIZATION WILL BE A LONG PROCESS”
French President Jacques Chirac said yesterday that Turkey’s integration to European norms would take a long time but would ultimately be “desirable.” Speaking at a gathering to mark Europe day, Chirac said that Turkey had taken important steps to integrate with the European Union, “But,” he added, “it should work harder.” Stressing that the EU Commission’s report on Turkey this fall would make its situation clearer, Chirac underlined that Ankara’s negotiations would be hard and take a long time. "But [its accession] will happen and it is desirable for that to happen," he stated. /Milliyet/

DEPUTY PM SENER SPEAKS ON ECONOMY CONGRESS’ DECLARATION
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener briefed reporters on the final declaration of last week’s Turkish Economy Congress. Sener stressed that income distribution and poverty were Turkey’s most pressing problems, adding that the nation’s short-term goal should be lifting people out of poverty, followed by income distribution like Portugal’s in the medium-term and one in line with European Union norms in the long-term. “The most efficient way to fight poverty is to create jobs,” said Sener. He further urged the reining in of the unregistered economy as well as tax cuts in order to boost investment and growth. “We should eliminate bureaucratic rules which discourage entrepreneurship,” added Sener. /Aksam/

BULGARIAN PREMIER OPENS ST. GEORGIA CHURCH IN EDIRNE
After completion of its renovation, the St. Georgia Church in Edirne was reopened yesterday by Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Sakskoburggotski. After being welcomed by Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan at the Kapikule border gate with Bulgaria, the premier and Unakitan visited the Selimiye Mosque. Sakskoburggotski stated that the church would be not only a spiritual center but also a symbol of the two nations’ rapprochement. /Sabah/

WB’S VORKINK: “ANKARA MAY CUT ITS PRIMARY SURPLUS TARGET AFTER ENSURING ECONOMIC STABILITY”
World Bank Turkey Representative Andrew Vorkink yesterday praised Turkey’s recent positive economic developments, adding that Ankara could reduce its primary surplus target after fully ensuring economic stability. “Inflation and interest rates are continuing to fall,” said Vorkink. “The current accounts deficit is proportional with the economy and so doesn’t pose any threat as yet.” /Cumhuriyet/

FENERBAHCE ON TRACK FOR SUPER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Fenerbahce yesterday all but captured the Turkish Super League football crown by shutting out its rival Denizlispor, 4-0. The team, likely to represent Turkey in the European Champions League, is set to become champion for the 15th time in its history. /All Papers/