SEZER: “WE MUST PRESERVE THE BASIC CHARACTER OF OUR REPUBLIC”
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday released a message marking Monday’s Aug 30 Victory Day commemoration. In his message, Sezer stressed that the Aug. 30, 1922 victory, the final battle in the Turkish War of Independence, had paved the way for the establishment of the democratic, secular and independent Turkish Republic. “Out common goal is to preserve the fundamental character of our republic,” said the message. /Hurriyet/

ARINC, ERDOGAN ISSUE MESSAGES MARKING AUG. 30 VICTORY DAY
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday released a message to mark Monday’s Aug. 30 Victory Day Commemoration, saying that the Turkish nation has never forsaken its independence and had made the world accept its existence. In his message to mark the occasion, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the nation was proud of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). /Turkiye/

ERDOGAN VISITS MUS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday visited the eastern city of Mus to attend events commemorating the 933rd anniversary of the 1071 Battle of Malazgirt (Manzikert), a decisive victory of Seljuk Turks over the Byzantine Empire. “Nine hundred and thirty-three years after this victory, we are striving for unity and peace in Turkey,” added Erdogan. “The economy is recovering and there is a national will to invigorate the country.” /Star/

NEW GENDARMARIE COMMANDER: “WE WILL DETERMINEDLY CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM”
General Commander of the Gendarmarie Gen. Sener Eruygur yesterday handed over his post to Gen. Fevi Turkeri in a ceremony. Present at the handover were President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, and Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu. Addressing the gathering, Eruygur said that he had steadfastly served his nation for nearly 50 years. For his part, Turkeri said that one of the state’s most important missions was to protect public order, adding that the gendarmes would determinedly continue the fight against terrorism. /Milliyet/

US AMBASSADOR EDELMAN VISITS GIRESUN
On a visit to Giresun in the Black Sea region yesterday, US Ambassador Eric Edelman said that Turkey was working hard for its European Union membership bid. “I believe that this process will continue successfully,” stated Edelman. Asked whether Giresun is a part of the US’ Greater Middle East Initiative (GME), Edelman said, “Although a great part of its population is Muslim, Turkey is implementing democracy very successfully, and it has a potential role in the GME.” /Hurriyet/

ERDOGAN TO SEND THREE ADVISORS TO ISRAEL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will send three foreign policy advisors to Israel next week. Antalya Deputy Mevlut Cavusoglu will accompany the advisors, Omer Celik, Egemen Bagis, and Saban Disli. /Hurriyet/

BABACAN: “NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE IMF ON A NEW STANDBY WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH”
State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said yesterday that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on a new standby agreement would begin in the second half of next month, predicting that the pact could be signed for three years. He added that inflation and high public debt were still Turkey’s most pressing problems, adding that fighting these would be difficult. “It will be harder to achieve single-digit inflation,” added Babacan. /Turkiye/

SENER TOUTS MARKET STABILITY, POSITIVE TRENDS IN INFLATION, GROWTH; WARNS OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT
Deputy Prime Minister Abdulatif Sener yesterday touted stability in Turkish markets, adding that confidence in the economy was continuing. He said that there were positive developments in inflation, growth, and other indicators, but warned that unemployment was still too high. “We must bring down high unemployment and create new jobs,” he stated. “The government will continue to pursue tight monetary policy.” Sener said that high current accounts deficit, recently cited as a concern by international observers, was being closely watched by the government. /Turkiye/

ABEYLEGESSE QUALIFIES FOR OLYMPIC FINAL IN 1,500 METERS
Ethiopian-born Turkish athlete Elvan Abeylegesse yesterday qualified for the women’s finals in the 1,500-meter race at the Athens Olympic Games. Abeylegesse came in fourth with a time of 4.07.10 seconds. /All papers/

OZAL WINS BRONZE IN WRESTLING
Turkish wrestler Mehmet Ozal yesterday won a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Athens Summer Olympic Games. Ozal bested his Iranian rival Mesud Hashimzade to come in third. /All papers/

RIJEKA BEATS GENCLERBIRLIGI IN UEFA CUP
Crotia’s Rijeka yesterday beat Turkish football side Genclerbirligi 2-1 in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round second leg. Genclerbirligi qualified for the second round 2-2 on the aggregate. /All papers/