ERDOGAN: "EVERYONE SHOULD ACCEPT DEMOCRACY AND ITS RULES"
There are still some in Turkey who are unable to adjust themselves to the principles of multiparty democracy, and those who oppose the public will lose support, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. Speaking to the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Women's Branch Congress in Istanbul, Erdogan stressed that only with democracy can Turkey's problems be overcome, adding that voters should keep an eye on the politicians they voted for and hold them accountable. Saying that everyone should respect the results of democratic elections and understand the message that the people sent in last year's general elections, he said, "All political groups and leaders and everyone should fully embrace the principle that sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation." /Milliyet/
CABINET TO DISCUSS PROPOSAL FOR MAY 1 HOLIDAY
Meeting today, the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will discuss a proposal to make May 1 an official "unity and solidarity day" holiday. Labor and Social Security Minister Faruk Celik said he would support the proposal, adding that trade unions also favor it strongly. In related news, as part of Wednesday's April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan will welcome visiting children from all over the world to attend National Sovereignty and Children's Day festivities of the state-owned broadcaster TRT. Parliament will celebrate its 88th anniversary on Wednesday. /Milliyet/
BABACAN TO ATTEND SUMMIT OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS
A meeting of Iraq's neighboring states will be held in Kuwait tomorrow, with Turkey represented by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also in attendance. Security, economic and political issues in Iraq are expected to dominate the meeting. Babacan will reportedly underline the importance of Iraqi territory not being used by terrorist groups. /Sabah/
AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DUE IN ANKARA TODAY
Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik is due to arrive in Ankara today to pay an official visit at the invitation of her counterpart and chief negotiator for Turkey's EU talks Ali Babacan. Plassnik will meet with Babacan and will also be received by President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and Turkey's EU accession talks are expected to dominate her talks. The Cyprus issue and other regional matters will also be discussed. Austria is one of the countries least supportive of Turkey's EU accession bid. /Milliyet/
EP COMMISSION TO VOTE ON TURKEY REPORT
The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission will vote today on a Turkey report prepared by Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the EP's Turkey rapporteur. The draft report discussed by the commission last month urges Turkey to speed up its reforms for European Union membership and to carry them out resolutely. Following today's vote, next month the report will face the full EP. The report is also expected to express concern over the case seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). /Turkiye/
IN US, TUZMEN URGES CONTINUED LOW TARIFFS ON TURKISH GOODS
At the annual American-Turkish Council (ATC) meeting last week in Washington, State Minister for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen urged the continuation of low US tariffs on Turkish exports. Tuzmen also discussed export problems between the two countries with US Commerce Department officials. On his way back to Turkey, Tuzmen said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's participation in the ATC meeting was very important. Stating that Rice had stressed Washinton's support for Turkey in a speech to the meeting, Tuzmen added, "This shows that Turkish-US relations are improving." /Today's Zaman/