Thursday, 24 September 2009
These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on September 24, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET
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COME TO ISTANBUL FOR A CONCERT ON BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
State Minister Egemen Bagis promised Bono, the legendary soloist of the U2 music band whom he met in New York, that the band could give a concert on the Bosphorus Bridge if they came to Istanbul. Bono told daily HURRIYET that Turkey was one of the countries that affected him the most in recent years, and defined Turkey as an intersection point and a bridge connecting the East to the West as well as the cultures.
FIVE MORE POLICEMEN UNDER DETENTION
Istanbul police launched a series of operations to find out the persons who aided and abetted Cem Garipoglu, the suspect murderer of high school student Munevver Karabulut, before he surrendered. Ahmet Batur, driver of Cem's father Nida Garipoglu, and Batur's wife Kamuran Batur; Habip Kurt and Hakan Cicek, employees of Garipoglu's company; were detained on Wednesday morning for interrogation. Also, Mehmet Karakayali, who is dealing with sales and purchases of the family, was taken into custody in Adana and brought to Istanbul. Father Garipoglu will testify again regarding his phone conversations on the day of the
murder.
GAY POLICE DISCUSSIONS
Two police chiefs had to resign after an investigation was launched
regarding them after videos showing their gay relationship were revealed, which brought a question into discussion "whether gays could become police officers or not."
Erzincan Police Academy's deputy director H.K. resigned on his own will
after it was revealed that he had gay relationship with students last February.
Also, police chief M.A., who was appointed to Karabuk, resigned after a video showing his gay relationship was revealed.
Osman Karakus, the legal adviser to the Security Department, argued that the department, in European Union (EU) adjustment process, should approach gay police officers more moderately. Retired Police Chiefs' Association reacted to the discussions saying, "the security department cannot endure gay relationship."
Sevim Salihoglu, the secretary general of the Human Rights Association
(IHD), said, "we do not want to see people facing such treatment for their sexual preferences. Sexuality is the own choice of persons like all other choices."
MILLIYET
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MAJOR ROUTES TO BECOME MOTORWAYS
Transportation Ministry has taken action for non-stop motorway
transportation from western part of Turkey to the eastern part. The ministry aims to complete the project on construction of 12 motorways until 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.
When the project is finished, 4,773 kilometers of expressways will be added to Turkey's 2,238-kilometer motorway network. Istanbul and Habur (on the Iraqi border) will be linked to each other thanks to motorways to be connected.
SURPRISING CHIEF FOR UNESCO
Bulgaria's Irina Bokova, a former diplomat, has been elected the
director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni lost the election in the fifth round. United States had brought forward Turkish artist Zulfu Livaneli's candidacy to block Hosni but Turkey was cool towards his candidacy as it was an Arab or Eastern European country's turn.
SABAH
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BACKYARD OPERATION
Five people were detained for aiding and abetting Cem Garipoglu, the suspect murderer of student Munevver Karabulut, during days he was at large. Police detained on Wednesday Ahmet Batur, the driver of Cem's father Nida Garipoglu, and driver's wife; Mehmet Karakayali, the sales director of the company; and two other company employees. Police think driver Ahmet Batur and his wife Kamuran Batur had an important role in helping Cem run away and hide for 197 days.
ARMENIAN MOVE ON OCTOBER 11
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Armenian protocol would be brought to the parliament two days before a national soccer game between Turkey and Armenia. Erdogan gave important messages in New York, and said the Armenian protocol would be brought to the parliament on October 10-11. Erdogan said, "a move cannot be made immediately, we are progressing slowly. This democratic move will also include minority rights."
FLOOD: TWO DEAD, THREE UNDER DEBRIS
Kameni brook overflowed in the Black Sea city of Artvin due to torrential rains. Two people died as floods, triggered by torrential rains, demolished a house. Three people are still under the debris.
VATAN
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OPPOSITION REACTS TO BASBUG
Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug's remarks about government's
democratic move were interpreted by both the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) as "political intervention".
CHP deputy group chairman Hakki Suha Okay said he did not favor military's place in daily politics. MHP deputy group chairman Oktay Vural said his party was against military's involvement in politics.
UNPLEASANT INCIDENT IN NEW YORK
U.S. secret service agents whe were bodyguarding U.S. President Barack Obama had a fight with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's bodyguards at the entrance of Sheraton Hotel New York. Erdogan and his delegation were not allowed to enter the hotel as Obama was leaving the conference organized by Bill Clinton Foundation. Tension was so high that bodyguards came to blows. Erdogan changed his mind and did not attend the conference. The U.S. secret service said the
incident occurred due to a problem with language.
CUMHURIYET
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BODYGUARD SCANDAL
Quarrel between Turkish bodyguards and U.S. secret service agents put its mark on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's talks in New York. Erdogan held and pushed a U.S. agent's hand, it was claimed. Erdogan called off his speech at a panel session at the Clinton Global Initiative.
Turkish sources said the quarrel occurred due to lack of communication
between Turkish and U.S. bodyguards.
"AK PARTY CONFUSED"
Turkey's opposition criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's talks in New York and government's democratic move.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy group chairman Hakki Suha Okay said the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party was confused.
"First they said Kurdish move, and later it became democratic move. The route is unknown. They will draw a new route with the United States," he said.
RADIKAL
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CIRCLE GETTING NARROWER
Cem Garipoglu, the suspect murderer of student Munevver Karabulut,
surrendered, however police are still in pursuit. Istanbul police are searching the accomplices of the Karabulut's murder and persons who hid Cem Garipoglu. Police detained five more people.
YEAR OF "FIRSTS" BEGINS
2009-2010 school year begins today. 15 million students will go to
elementary and high schools this year. There are two new initiatives in this
school year. They are: Pre-school education becomes obligatory in 32 provinces, and university entrance exam will be held in two phases.
TURKIYE
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IT IS EASY TO DIVIDE, WE HAVE CHOSEN HARDER ONE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a message of peace from the United States to the world: "It is easy to divide and demolish. What is difficult is to unite and keep together."
Delivering a speech on "Alliance of Civilizations" at the Levin Institute,
under the New York State University, Erdogan said, "we should see differences as a richness." Erdogan said grudge, hatred and prejudice should end. "What terror likes the most is polarization. It is not possible for the world to go on its path with a more polarized tension."
12 HIGHWAYS IN 100TH ANNIVERSARY
The Transportation Ministry aims to construct an uninterrupted highway from the East to the West of Turkey. Therefore, the ministry will construct 12 highways which will be around 4,773 kilometers long till 2023, the 100th
anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey.
OSMAN ERTUGRUL OSMANOGLU PASSES AWAY
Osman Ertugrul Osmanoglu, the head of the Ottoman dynasty who returned from New York to Turkey some time ago, died at the age of 97. Osmanoglu died at hospital where he was taken after he felt sick at home.
ZAMAN
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FIRST DOMESTIC SATELLITE MANUFACTED IN TURKEY ON ITS ORBIT
The first satellite manufactured at the Istanbul Technical University,
"ITUpSAT1", has orbited. The satellite launched from Sriharikota, India at 9:21 a.m. on Wednesday, orbited at 720 kilometers altitude without any problems. The satellite will travel some 7.5 kilometers per second and take continental photographs of the Earth.
CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF OBJECTS TO CONCERNS THAT "WE ARE BEING DIVIDED"
Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug clearly expressed the army's views on the democratic move. Basbug said the army had recalled some of Turkey's priorities during August 30 Victory Day celebrations, and supported the democratic move within that framework. Basbug said some soldiers and civilians had a concern that "Turkey was being divided", and was asking him what was happening. Basbug said, "I am telling them not take them seriously, not listen to panel discussions, and not to watch TV" and showed his stance.
TERRORISM SPOILS DIFFERENCES
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the Levin Institute, under the State University of New York, and said differences should be seen as richness.
Erdogan said prejudice, humiliation and polarization laid the groundwork for radical movements, and terrorism spoiled differences.
YENI SAFAK
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RACE MOVE
Diyarbakir has a new hippodrome after 40 years. Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu said the new race track, which will be opened after today's races, would add spice and zest to social life in the city.
The official opening of the hippodrome will be held on September 30.
"PROGRAM COULD BE REVISED IF WE REACH A DEAL WITH IMF"
Turkish State Minister for economy Ali Babacan made a speech on Turkish economy in the United States.
"If we agree with the International Monetary Fund on details, there can be a new program," he said.
