SEZER MEETS WITH PORTUGUESE PRESIDENT
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who is currently paying an official visit to Portugal, yesterday met with his Portuguese counterpart Jorge Sampaio. At a press conference after their talks, Sampaio said that whatever the results of referendums in certain European countries, Turkey would begin its accession talks with the European Union in October as scheduled, adding that Lisbon’s ongoing support to Ankara would continue. In addition, the two leaders agreed that Turkish Airlines (THY) would begin direct flights to Lisbon in the coming days. /Star/

ERDOGAN CALLS ON OPPOSITION TO CHANGE THEIR STANCE
Addressing the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) parliamentary group meeting yesterday, AKP leader and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey had entered a “new political era.” Commenting on opposition parties’ criticisms of privatization, Erdogan called on them to display thoughtful stances rather than “old-fashioned” politics. “We favor a state which is more powerful and effective and is fully implementing its main duties,” said the premier. Stressing that reducing the state’s involvement in the economy would not weaken it but rather strengthen society, Erdogan said, “In other words, for the sake of political and economic democracy, the state’s role in the economy should be reduced.” /Turkiye/

GUL: “IF TRIED 100 TIMES, OCALAN WOULD BE CONVICTED 100 TIMES”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday expressed his hope that the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) impending ruling on PKK terrorist group leader Abdullah Ocalan would be acceptable. “Even if the leader of a terrorist group whose crimes are known by the entire world is tried a hundred times, he’ll get the same penalty,” said Gul. “There’s no doubt about it.” The ECHR ruling is expected tomorrow. /Sabah/

BAYKAL CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO GIVE UP “SUBMISSIVE” STANCE
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader said yesterday that a possible European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision to retry PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Ocalan couldn’t be considered natural. Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Baykal claimed that the European Convention on Human Rights doesn’t state that ECHR rulings will be applied automatically, adding that the legal phase will be completed with the ECHR and then the European Council of Ministers will make a political decision. Baykal called on the government on to give up its “submissive” stance. /Sabah/

ALPOGAN TO VISIT ISRAEL
National Security Council (MGK) Secretary General Yigit Alpogan will hold contacts in Tel Aviv, Israel as the guest of his Israeli counterpart Giora Eilant to discuss increased cooperation on security issues and regional problems. It’s expected that a large delegation will accompany Alpogan during this important visit. /Hurriyet/

COUNCIL OF STATE CELEBRATES 137TH ANNIVERSARY
The Council of State yesterday celebrated the 137th anniversary of its establishment. Speaking at a ceremony in Ankara, council head Ender Cetinkaya said that all state institutions should respect the independence of the judiciary, adding that secularism was one of the basic values of the Republic and attacks on it should not be tolerated. In the evening, Cetinkaya hosted a reception at Parliament. In addition to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mustafa Bumin, Cabinet ministers and other high-level officials were present at the reception. /Hurriyet/

ERDOGAN TO VISIT THE US IN JUNE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to begin his visit to the US on June 8. In addition, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc will pay an official visit to the US at the invitation of House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert on May 24-27. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will also travel to Florida to attend a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) and to seek support for Turkey’s United Nations Security Council membership. After completing his contacts, Gul is expected to join Erdogan on his visit of the country. /Turkiye/

OZKOK TO ATTEND NATO MEETING
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok yesterday traveled to Brussels, Belgium to attend the 152nd NATO Chiefs of General Staff meeting. Ozkok is expected to return to Ankara on Friday. /Turkiye/

ANOTHER DEPUTY RESIGNS FROM THE AKP
Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Cankiri Deputy Ismail Ericekli yesterday resigned from his party. It is rumored that Ericekli decided to quit his party after he was unable to reach Prime Minister and AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan to convey his complaints about the party administration. After Ercekli’s resignation, the number of AKP seats Parliament fell to 355, while those of independents rose to 8. Ericekli is expected to join the True Path Party (DYP). /Star/

ARMENIAN-SPONSORED BOOK FAIR TO INVITE TURKISH AUTHORS
The Armenian diaspora has taken an important step toward compromise by deciding to organize a book fair in Paris to which it will invite Turkish, Armenian and Greek Cypriot authors. Under the project, which is supported by the French government, the title of the fair will be “Books and Authors From and On Turkey,” and it is set to be held next January at Paris’ FIAP Foyer Jean Monet International Cultural Center. /Milliyet/

IMF BOARD TO DISCUSS TURKISH STANDBY
The International Monetary Fund Executive Board will meet today in Washington to discuss Turkey. It’s expected that Ankara’s new three-year standby agreement, including loans totaling $10 billion, will be approved during the meeting. /Hurriyet/