ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 28th, 2006. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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THAT ARTICLE BEING WITHDRAWN
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal claimed yesterday, ''anti-terrorism law is the one that will serve as a repentance law for Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization, rather than being a real anti-terrorism law.'' His statement caused discussions. Article 6th of the law aiming to grant amnesty to Ocalan was also discussed in the meeting of National Security Council (NSC). The government pushed the button for withdrawal of that article.
NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY DROPS
Turkey obtained an income of 1.6 million USD from tourism sector in the first three months of 2006. The number of tourists visiting Turkey in January, February and March dropped by 4.2 percent to 2,735,809 when compared to the same period of 2005.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ANKARA RESOLVED ON CROSS BORDER OPERATION
Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, responding to the note lodged by Iraq, stated that, ''we are resolved to take those measures till Iraq controls its own territories. Considering that they can not fight against terrorism, they should be happy about the measures we take.'' Gul said, ''nothing new is in question. What is being done in north of Iraq aims to prevent infiltration of terrorists into Turkey. If they can not deal with terrorists, they should be happy about our steps against terrorists.''
FIRST LADIES GIVE MESSAGES OF PEACE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST
The World Businesswomen's Summit has begun in Istanbul in association with the Women In Business International and the Turkish Businesswomen's Association (TIKAD). Wives of mainly the leaders of the Middle East countries convened at the meeting.
Among the ''First Ladies'', there were Syrian President Bashar al-Asad's wife Esma al-Asad, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nebih Berri's wife Randa Berri, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's wife Zinet Karzai, Bosnian President Adnan Terzic's wife Miada Terzic, Tunisian Senator and one of world women movement leaders Leila Kyhayat and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat's wife Oya Talat.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CROSS-BORDER NOT TO BE WISE
U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson gave a message about cross-border operation: ''We believe nowhere shall be a shelter for terrorists. However, a cross-border operation will not be a wise thing.''
HAMZA CHAMPION FOR THE 8TH TIME
Hamza Yerlikaya of Turkey who is the champion of Europe, world and Olympics defeated his Ukrainian rival Nikovayev in 96 kg at European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship. He gained the 8th European championship of his career.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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IRAQIS SHALL BE PLEASED
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul who visited Bulgaria to attend NATO meeting talked about border operation: ''We prevent terrorist organization to sneak into (Iraq). Iraq does not have the power to fight against terrorism. It should be pleased with the measures we have taken.''
POLEMIC ON AMNESTY FOR APO
The claim that the new Anti-Terrorism law will free Abdullah Ocalan, head of PKK terrorist organization, caused a crisis. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said regarding the 6th article of the law that it is a secret amnesty for Apo (Abdullah Ocalan). The 6th article gives the right to benefit from repentance to leaders of terrorist organizations.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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FROM YOK TO ARINC: WE WON'T MAKE CONCESSION FROM SECULARISM
Higher Education Board (YOK) Chairman Erdogan Tezic, responding to the statements of Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc who said, ''there is the sultanate of institutions'', pointed out that, ''use of sovereignty is not in the monopoly of anybody.''
Tezic said definition of secularism in the constitution was very clear and emphasized that there was no need for a new interpretation. Tezic said, ''all the universities are extremely sensitive and resolved on this secular specialty of the Republic.''
TWO SOLDIERS KILLED IN TUNCELI
PKK terrorists attacked Karsilar police station with hand grenades and weapons killing two soldiers in southeastern city of Tunceli. One non-commissioned officer was also injured in the attack. A wide-scale operation has been launched in the region.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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MRS. ERDOGAN ALSO INCLUDED IN DISCUSSIONS REGARDING HEADSCARF
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's wife Emine Erdogan delivered a speech in the World Businesswomen's Summit in Istanbul in association with the Women In Business International and the Turkish Businesswomen's Association (TIKAD). During her speech, Emine Erdogan criticized ban on wearing headscarf and stated, ''the Constitution clearly rejects sex discrimination, but there is a problem regarding implementation of principle of equality in daily life.'' Erdogan stressed, ''unfortunately, rights and freedoms of women are restricted in some societies. We still experience honor killings in many countries. In fact, participation of women in social life and equal rights for everyone are of vital importance in increasing living standards of societies,'' she added.
GUL: ''IRAQI AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE PLEASED OVER OUR OPERATIONS''
'What is being done in north of Iraq aims to prevent infiltration of terrorists into Turkey. If they (Iraqi authorities) can not deal with terrorists, they should be happy about our steps against terrorists,'' said Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR STRAITS
Turkish government has taken the last step regarding installation of Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline. With this project, Russian and Kazakh oil will be transported through Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline to Mediterranean Region. The project will also make Ceyhan one of important oil bases in the world. Tankers carrying Russian and Kazakh oil will not threaten straits any longer when the project starts to be implemented.
WILSON: ''WE ASSIST EFFORTS OF TURKISH AUTHORITIES''
''We attach enormous importance to assisting efforts of the Turkish authorities in combating PKK terrorism. We do not believe that there should be a sanctuary anywhere for PKK terrorists,'' said Ross Wilson, U.S. Ambassador in Ankara. Wilson and Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) Chairman Zafer Caglayan visited the 1st Organized Industrial Zone in Sincan, Ankara. Wilson also stressed that the United States attach a lot of importance to stability in Iraq.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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OPERATIONS CONTINUE AGAINST PKK
Security measures of the Turkish Armed Forces continue in Iraqi border. Spring operation which has started after terrorist PKK organization stepped up its activities, is different than the others.
It was reported that, ''news reports of wide-scale operation'' fail to reflect the actual situation. Contrary to other operations of the past years, this time the military hits ''the points.'' A special team comprising 100 people passed Habur Border Pass a few days ago. This unit, which is currently in north of Iraq, fulfills a tactics operation against the terrorist organization.
BAYKAL: OCALAN WILL BE RELEASED WITHIN TWO YEARS WITH THIS DRAFT ANTI-TERRORISM LAW
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal claimed that draft Anti-Terrorism Law brought amnesty for Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization.
Baykal said Ocalan would be released from prison within two years if the draft becomes a law in its current position.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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NONE OF THE LAWS CAN LIBERATE APO
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal who claimed that Abdullah Ocalan (head of PKK terrorist organization) will be released under the new Anti-Terrorism Law caused a crisis in Ankara. On the contrary to claims of Baykal, the new law includes the sentence that Apo will remain in prison until he dies.
8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD
Wrestler Hamza Yerlikaya of Turkey won gold medal in European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship. He became the European champion for the 8th time.