ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on May 14th, 2006. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SARIGUL: ''YOU CAN NOT WIN AN ELECTION IN A PALACE''
Mayor of Istanbul's Sisli town Mustafa Sarigul has indicated that the new headquarters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) resembles a palace. ''This building will put a distance between the people and CHP. You can not win an election in a palace. CHP must enter the new building with a prime minister,'' said Sarigul.
ISLAMIC SCHENGEN
Attending the D-8 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed that the D-8 can establish a visa system identical to the Schengen system in Europe. Accordingly, Islamic Schengen will cover these countries: Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria and Turkey.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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'BEATING IS AN INTERNAL MATTER OF FAMILIES'
While all female deputies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) reacted strongly to the wife beating of Konya deputy Halil Urun, AKP Women's Branch Chairwoman Selma Kavaf surprised Turkey by stating that ''wife beating is an internal matter of families.''
DISABLED TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID FROM GOVERNMENT FOR SCHOOL
AKP deputy Lokman Ayva has remarked that the government will provide financial aid to families who send their disabled children to special schools. Each family will receive at least 329 YTL (235 USD) as of June 1st.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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INTEREST SURPRISE FROM ERDOGAN
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made a proposal to the Islamic World to re-define the concept of interest. According to experts, Erdogan implied that an interest rate equal to inflation rate could be accepted in the Islamic World.
KING TO VISIT INJURED TURKISH WOMAN IN BELGIUM
King Albert of Belgium will visit Turkish Songul Koc in the hospital she is staying. Koc was attacked by a right-wing racist while reading a book in a park in Belgium.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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BAYKAL: ''ERDOGAN WILL BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY''
Leader of the Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal said that Prime Minister Erdogan will be a candidate for the presidency. ''Erdogan wants the presidency to have a say in the constitution. This is a trap,'' told Baykal.
ONUR AIR CELEBRATES 14 YEARS OF SERVICE
One of Turkey's most prominent private airlines, Onur Air is celebrating 14 years of service. The first flight of Onur Air took place on May 14th, 1992 with an Airbus A-320 jet. Since its establishment, Onur Air has carried 45 million passengers. Onur Air plans to carry 6.1 million passengers in the year 2006. Onur Air currently has 29 airplanes and is an employer of 1489 people.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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WIDE SCALE INVESTIGATION
After Cumhuriyet daily newspaper got attacked three times with bombs, Turkish police have begun a wide scale investigation and are trying to find the assailants responsible for the attacks. Police forces are trying to find 5 individuals who may have ties to radical Islamic entities.
GULEN'S EYES ON KIRKUK
The Fethullah Gulen community has officially applied to Iraqi authorities to open a school in Kirkuk. Experts said that Gulen is trying to expand his area of influence to a non-Kurdish region, Kirkuk. Fethullah Gulen already has schools in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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NUCLEAR DISCUSSION OF MUSLIMS
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad discussed Iran's nuclear program with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in Bali during the D-8 Summit. D-8 members noted in a declaration that nuclear energy may be utilized for peaceful purposes. D-8 has established a General Secretariat. Indonesia will act as the General Secretariat of the D-8.
WILL HALIL URUN BE EXPELLED FROM AKP?
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) will make a decision on Konya deputy Halil Urun who beat his wife several days ago. AKP's party regulations look at human rights violations as reason for expulsion from the party. Urun may be expelled from the AKP or receive a disciplinary punishment.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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MISSION PEACE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a short visit to the United States and discuss the issues of Iran and Palestine. ''We do not want a new war in our region. We have an obligation to prevent a new war. The suspended aid must be re-activated and sent to Palestine,'' said Erdogan.
TURKEY AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN CIVILIZATIONS
Speaking at the D-8 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, Turkish PM Erdogan noted that Turkey's EU membership will make Turkey's position as bridge between civilizations stronger.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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INTERESTING MESSAGES FROM ERDOGAN
Turkish PM Erdogan said that the tension in the Middle East has increased. ''Turkey has a prominent role to play on the issues of Iran, Iraq and Palestine. As soon as I return to Turkey, I will make preparations for a formal visit to the U.S.,'' stated Erdogan. In reference to rumors that radical Islamists are gaining ground in Turkey, Erdogan noted that such rumors are political and do not represent the reality. ''Some circles want to create tension prior to the election of the new president in Turkey,'' remarked Erdogan.
133 STUDENTS IN BOLU HOSPITALIZED FOR FOOD POISONING
133 elementary school students got food poisoned in Bolu the other day. Akca Catering Company denied all allegations that their food was stale. Bolu's Governor began a full scale investigation as to the cause of the food poisoning.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY TO REPAIR KONJIC BRIDGE
After successfully reconstructing the Mostar Bridge, Turkey now will reconstruct the Konjic Bridge in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Konjic Bridge was damaged during World War II. Reconstruction of the Konjic Bridge will be completed in 2007. Turkey will spend about 3 million YTL (2,143,000 USD) on the Konjic Bridge.
LONGEST 90 MINUTES
Turkey will be the center of attention tonight across the globe. At 20:45 hours tonight, either Fenerbahce or Galatasaray will become the champions of the Turkish Soccer League in the 2005-2006 season. Both Fenerbahce and Galatasaray made preparations to celebrate ''championship'' tonight. Fenerbahce coach Daum said that ''everything is in our hands. If we win tonight's game against Denizli, we become the new champions.'' On the other hand, Galatasaray coach Gerets indicated that Fenerbahce will lose points tonight and help Galatasaray's chances of becoming this season's champions.