ANKARA: Press Scan

Press Scan

Turkish Press.com
Published: 4/5/2005

ANKARA – These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in
Turkish press on April 5th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify
these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. SEVEN HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS DETAINED

HURRIYET- High school students, who were playing football in the
garden of Abdurrahman Gazi High School in eastern city of Erzurum,
lowered the Turkish flag and tore it with a knife.

The seven high school students also attempted to burn the mask of
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Modern Turkish Republic,
which was at the entrance of the school.

Police detained seven high school students in line with the
testimonies of the eye witnesses.

TRNC RETOUCHING TO NSC HISTORY

HURRIYET- Regular meeting of the National Security Council (NSC),
which was planned to take place on April 25th, was later decided to
take place on April 18th.

It was reported that time of the meeting changed because of the busy
schedule of the board members.

Basing on the idea that a new period would start in TRNC after the
elections, Ankara will try to determine the policy it would carry out
with the TRNC leadership in the new process.

STEPS FROM ARMY TOWARDS CHINA

MILLIYET- Turkish Air Forces Commander Gen. Firtina, who is visiting
China, said, “we are interested in medium range defense missiles of
China.”

TURKISH PM TO GO TO ITALY FOR FUNERAL

MILLIYET- The obligation to wear tail coat during the funeral for
Pope Jean Paul II was lifted. So, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan will attend the funeral.

WHO ARE THESE JOURNALISTS?

MILLIYET- Journalists’ associations showed reaction after Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there were journalists
who asked to get unjust benefits from him (prime minister) but did
not announce their names. Erdogan was asked to announce these names
to do what was necessary. Oktay Eksi, the Chairman of the Press
Council, said that Erdogan should announce the names of such
journalists if he did no more want to see them. On the other hand,
Orhan Erinc, the Chairman of Turkish Journalists’ Association, said
that Erdogan should leave aside abstract accusations and clarify his
claims.

MILITARY SERVICE TO BE SHORTENED

SABAH- Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said that
efforts were under way to shorten the military service by 2-3 months.

6 KURUS OF INCREASE IN OIL PRICES

SABAH- The price of oil outflow from the refinery has been increased
by 9.7 percent as of today.

NINE TERRORISTS KILLED

SABAH- Nine terrorists were killed in southeastern city of Sirnak.
One security officer died in the clashes.

PKK TERRORISM AGAIN

CUMHURIYET- Terrorist PKK organization, which changed its name to
KADEK and later to KONGRA GEL with a decision taken three years ago,
was reported to be “founded again” at Ocalan’s birthday.

Sirnak Governor’s Office said nine terrorists were killed at the
clashes which erupted in Cudi Mountain between March 31st and April
4th.

Mustafa Civelek, a sergeant died during the clashes.

AKP WANTS SEZER TO ATTEND POPE’S FUNERAL

CUMHURIYET- Justice and Development Party (AKP) ruling wants
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul
in Vatican.

Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said level of Turkey’s attendance to
the meeting depended on the reply of Sezer.

INFLATION ROSE

RADIKAL- High oil prices and the rise in currency raised the
inflation rate in March. The consumer prices increased by 0.26
percent, while the rise in producer prices rose by 11.33 percent in
March. Thus, the annual inflation was 7.94 percent in consumer
prices, and it was 11.33 percent in producer prices.

ARMENIAN CHURCH TO BE RESTORED

RADIKAL- Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry allocated 2,400,000 New
Turkish Liras (YTL) to restore Akdamar Church in eastern city of Van.
The church is one of the leading religious places of the Armenians.

SOCIAL INSURANCE FOR EVERYONE

RADIKAL- The draft law on social security reform has been presented
to the parliament. The Social Security Agency (SSK), Pension Fund and
the Social Security Agency for the Self-Employed (Bag-Kur) will be
united under a single umbrella. Everybody will have general health
insurance.

GUL GETS OIC’S PROMISE TO EXTEND SUPPORT

TURKIYE- Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met Prof. Dr.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of
the Islamic Conference (OIC), as a part of his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Gul donated 1 million USD to the organization. Gul said that OIC was
taking some steps to lift economic, political and cultural embargoes
imposed on TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus).

SERDAR DENKTAS’ NEW MODEL: TAIWAN MODEL

TURKIYE- FM Serdar Denktas of TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus) said that Taiwan model could be valid for TRNC if a solution
could not be found to the Cyprus problem.

WAYS FOR ENERGY TO BE OPENED IF LOBBIES DO NOT OBSTRUCT

ZAMAN- The bill, encouraging production of electricity production
from renewable energy resources like wind and sun will be presented
to the parliament tomorrow (Wednesday).

The bill, which was withdrawn nine months ago upon the pressures of
the natural gas lobby, will save Turkey from being dependent on
foreign countries if the law takes effect.

IMF DELEGATION STARTS MEETINGS

ZAMAN- International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, headed by IMF
Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam, and Lorenzo Giorginanni, who will
replace him, arrived in Turkey on Monday.

The delegation proceeded to Ankara after holding several meetings in
Istanbul.

The delegation will hold technical meetings on updating draft letter
of intent within the scope of new stand-by deal.

Officials will take up progress in arrangements on restructuring of
banking, social security and income administration issues. They will
also discuss 2005 targets which will be revised according to definite
macro-economic accounts as well as developments which are expected in
the last quarter of 2004, and in 2005.

NEW COMMISSION TO TCK

YENI SAFAK- Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, replying to questions of
reporters, said a new commission was set regarding the new Turkish
Penal Code (TCK). He said there was a person in the commission
representing the press.

Cicek said they were in continuos contact with the press
organizations, noting that articles, which should be amended, are
determined one by one.

ONE MILLION USD TO OIC

YENI SAFAK- Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, while donating one million
USD to Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said,
“resolving the problems in the Islam world is one of our primary
responsibilities.”

Gul met OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu within the
scope of his visit to Saudi Arabia and donated one million USD.