Wednesday, 24 June 2009These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on June 24, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET
--------
TRACEABLE WEAPONS OF USA IN HANDS OF TERRORIST PKK
The United States sent traceable weapons to Iraq and Afghanistan. These
weapons carry special chips that make tracing possible. The USA uses such chips to detect which groups the weapons go to. A portion of weapons sent to Iraq are now in the hands of terrorist PKK organization.
HEART BURNING PICTURE IN FOCA
Foca town of western province of Izmir went through a major fire the other day. Fire crews could extinguish the fire in nine hours. As a result of the fire, 160 hectares of land were affected. Almost half of the land that got burned consisted of a forest. The other portions of the land that got burned consisted of hay fields and olive orchards.
MILLIYET
--------
"I CALL HIM ERDOGAN AND HE CALLS ME ANGELA"
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said they had a sincere and upright relation with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan adding that he addressed her as Angela.
Merkel who got together with correspondents of the Turkish media in Germany said she also addressed the Turkish premier as Erdogan. "We discuss many issues very comfortably, I admire his accomplishments in Turkey," said Merkel.
MINISTER'S PHOTOCOPY CRITERIA
Examination on whether the autograph on the photocopy document titled
"Action Plan for Fight with Reactionary Movement" belongs to Col. Dursun Cicek is still underway. However, in a similar incident in 2008, while the authenticity of the four signatures under a document showing that 57 police officers were organising a secret structure loyal to Fethullah Gulen within the Police department, it was declared that making an assessment based on a photocopy was not possible.
While the Gendarmerie Criminal Laboratory said "an assessment based on a photocopy was not possible" the Police Department issued a report in the same direction. Interior Minister Besir Atalay had given consent to these views back then. According to sources, Atalay who met with main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, told him that, the police did not have the original document and therefore could not reach an absolute decision.
SABAH
-----
SHE TAKES AN OATH WITH A HEADSCARF IN EU CAPITAL
Mahinur Ozdemir, a 26-year-old Belgian citizen of Turkish origin, took an
oath on Tuesday at the parliament in Brussels. Ozdemir will serve as a deputy in the Belgian Parliament. She is the first and only female deputy in Europe who wears a headscarf.
FIRST TRIP TO CHINA IN 14 YEARS
President Abdullah Gul left Turkey on Tuesday for a trip to China. Gul is
the first Turkish president to visit China in 14 years. Gul is being accompanied by his wife Hayrunnisa Gul, State Minister Zafer Caglayan, Interior Minister Besir Atalay, several deputies, high level bureaucrats and businessmen. During Gul's visit to China many agreements between Turkey and China will be signed, including those on energy, tourism and economy. President Gul will return to Turkey on June 29.
VATAN
-----
MANDATE OF TURKISH TROOPS IN LEBANON EXTENDED FOR ONE MORE YEAR
Turkish parliament adopted a motion authorizing the government to extend the mandate of Turkish troops under the banner of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year as of September 5, 2009. UN Security Council is expected to adopt another resolution in August to extend UNIFIL's mandate.
HOUSING ADMINISTRATION OFFERS 17 NEW CAMPAIGNS FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS AND
RETIRED
The Housing Administration of Turkey (TOKI) is offering 17 new campaigns for public servants and retired individuals so that they can own homes. Those citizens willing to purchase flats have to make a down payment of 10 percent of the flat's price. Installments of up to 180 months is possible for new home owners.
CUMHURIYET
----------
THERE IS NO ORIGINAL DOCUMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS COPY
Interior Minister Besir Atalay said that to the contrary of news appearing
in the media, they did not have the original "Action Plan for Fight with
Reactionary Movement" document. Atalay who visited Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said, "Investigation is underway. But because we don't have the original document at hand, it is hard to reach a final decision. An accurate autograph analysis can't be made merely based on a photocopy," said Atalay.
"LET'S COME TO TERMS WITH SEPTEMBER 12"
CHP leader Deniz Baykal referred to the military coup on September 12, 1980 and said, "If the government thinks its appropriate to come to terms with September 12, it will do whatever it takes. Who is holding it back?"
"If you are saying Article 15 is on your way, you need to bring it before
the Parliament and we shall change it. If you are saying on the other hand that we should not mess with the past, it is no use digging all wounds, then let us know if that is the case," said Baykal.
RADIKAL
-------
FINALLY BAYKAL TOO TAKES POSITION AGAINST COUP
CHP leader Deniz Baykal gave clear messages against military coups while addressing a group meeting of his party and an interview with private channel Star TV. Baykal commented on the "Action Plan for Fight with Reactionary Movement" document. "It's been 12 days, and there has been no progress. They want us to tolerate these documents. Well, we can't. If there are plots in the Turkish Armed Forces and military juntas willingly started roaming around without the knowing of the General Staff, that would be grave."
"If on the other hand, state authority is being used to conspire against the Turkish Armed Forces, then that would be even graver," said Baykal who reminded that the Colonel who allegedly signed the document was still in office. "There is the Ergenekon case. The problem probably arises from it. If the government thinks it should come to terms with the 'September 12 military coup', what's holding it back?" said Baykal.
"Bring Article 15 (giving immunity to perpetrators of 'September 12 military coup') of the Constitution before the parliament and we shall change it. If you say don't mess with the past, let us know. If you say you are not busy with September 12 but coups after that, fine let's follow up on those too. If you are after eradicating the coup atmosphere, bring it on, we shall do whatever it takes," said Baykal.
TRABZONSPOR SIGN WITH BELGIAN COACH
Trabzonspor soccer club signed with Belgian coach, Hugo Broos. Club
Predisent Sener said, "he had made Anderlecht and Brugge the champions."
TURKIYE
-------
REAL ESTATE MARKET IN TURKEY LEAVES ECONOMIC CRISIS BEHIND
The real estate market in Turkey has left the economic crisis behind. After
a sharp decline in the sale of homes in Turkey in 2008, real estate sales have
increased since January, 2009. The Housing Administration of Turkey (TOKI) sold 1,894 flats in January, 2,315 flats in February, 3,035 flats in March, 4,053 flats in April and 4,921 flats in May and June.
FINANCE MINISTER SIMSEK: MUNICIPALITIES TO BE UNDER STRICT INVESTIGATION
Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said that local administrations in Turkey
continuously have budget deficits. Experts from the Turkish Ministry of Finance will conduct strict investigations on municipalities with high budget deficits, Simsek said.
ZAMAN
-----
OIC TO APPOINT AMBASSADOR TO BRUSSELS TO FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is about to take a historic step. The OIC will open a representative office in Brussels. The OIC plans to fight against Islamophobia in Europe through its office and ambassador in Brussels.
TURKISH EXPORTS TO AFRICA TRIPLES
After exports to Europe, US and Russia dropped, Turkish businessmen have turned their faces toward Africa, the Gulf region and South America. In May 2009, Turkish exports declined by 40 percent when compared to the same term last year.
However, exports to Africa increased by 30 percent in May, 2009. The trade volume between Turkey and Africa tripled in the last three years and rose to 18 billion USD from a former volume of 6 billion USD.
YENI SAFAK
----------
FUTURE STAR TURKEY
Merrill Lynch, one of the world's leading financial institutions, made
striking assessments about Turkey. The company which assessed the 12 emerging economies of the world, said Turkey would be the country that grows most rapidly between 2010 and 2019. Turkey will grow with an annual average of 4.5 percent in the next decade.
THREE DAYS FULL OF GRIEF
Scholar Ahmet Ofluoglu, his children Kaan and Canan, and driver Bulent Cebi set out for Trabzon. The car fell of a cliff in Cide. Kaan, Canan and Bulent died, and rescue squads found Ofluoglu three days later thanks to the GSM signals from his cell phone.
|
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
(A.A)
|
|
