ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on May 16th, 2006. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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PROPOSAL FOR STAND-BY MP
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested next elections to take place without lowering the threshold. ''However some changes may be made to Constitution and election law with the support of opposition,'' he added.
Erdogan also said, ''it is hard to put pressure on parliamentarians that do not come to the Parliament regularly. We can change the parliamentarian who does not come to the parliament regularly.''

ALBANIA'S APO TO BE EXTRADITED
A Turkish court decided for extradition of Alfret Shkurti to Albania. Shkurti was captured in an operation in Ankara last March. ''Whatever Apo is for you, this man is the same for us,'' Albanian Ambassador in Ankara had earlier said.
Ankara Court decided that there was not any legal obstacle for extradition of Shkurti, who was searched with a red bulletin on charges of being the leader of ''Banda Aldo Bare'' organization.
Council of Ministers will make the final decision about extradition of Shkurti.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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DEEP IMPACT IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Yesterday Turkish financial markets experienced one of interesting days in its history and this situation caused panic in the country. Turkish lira dropped 7.7 percent against the dollar and fell 6.6 percent against euro on Monday, reaching its weakest level in more than a year. Bond interest rates increased to 15.4 percent. Central Bank authorities noted that there was no need to panic, stating that what was important was to continue current economic program.

REACTION TO GUL'S STATEMENTS ON U.S.
Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''Americans sacrificed their children for world peace in the last 50 years.'' Reacting to the statement of Gul, some deputies of Justice & Development Party (AKP) stated, ''the world does not need efforts of the U.S. for peace. On the contrary, if the U.S. stops its activities in the world, then peace will come.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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HE BEAT ME AS I WANTED TO DIVORCE
Esma Urun, wife of Justice & Development Party (AKP) parliamentarian Halil Urun, spoke to daily Sabah: ''he was cheating on me for 6 years. I can not endure it anymore.''
''We have been married for 35 years now and I am 52 years old. My husband is having an affair with another woman for 6 years. Having a second woman in your relationship is something very discreditable. I told him I want a divorce and asked him to choose between her and me.''

FIRST TURKISH WOMAN IN THE SUMMIT OF EVEREST
Eylem Elif Mavis has become the first woman in the world to reach the summit of Everest which had a height of 8,848 meters.
32 year old Mavis is an environmental engineer. Her husband, who was in the same team with Mavis, had to quit during the half way when he felt ill.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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ERDOGAN WAITS FOR APPOINTMENT FROM BUSH
Sources said that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's demand for a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush was conveyed to Washington, stating that the date of the meeting would be set soon. If Bush and Erdogan have a meeting (in White House), they will discuss Iran issue.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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STORM IN MARKETS
There was a sharp drop in stock exchange because of the developments in foreign markets, high inflation rate in April, veto on Social Security Law, decrease in number of investments of international investment banks in Turkey, high current account deficit, and discussions on elections.
Experts said the developments can not be assessed as the start of a new crisis, noting that this was a search for balance.

CLASH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY
Three policemen were injured in an armed attack in Gaziosmanpasa neighborhood of Istanbul. One of those police officers is in serious condition. Two assailants, who attempted to escape after the attack, were captured in Eyup district.
Istanbul Police Chief Cerrah said, ''one policeman was seriously injured as he was shot in his head and another police officer was shot in his leg in a clash which erupted after the patrolling motorized teams ordered a car to stop. When the police teams warned the car to stop, assailants in the car opened gunfire.''
''During the chase, another policeman was injured, and two assailants were arrested. Also these two assailants were injured,'' he added.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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DEVALUATION: 11 PERCENT
'Devaluation' occurred in Turkey after a long time. The process which started with Sureyya Serdengecti's leaving his post as governor of Central Bank and delay in appointment of new governor caused a sharp fall in Turkish lira against U.S. dollar. Developments were discussed in the meeting of Council of Ministers. State Minister Ali Babacan noted, ''there is no need to take any measure.''

ERDOGAN: ''SECULARISM IS BASIC PRINCIPLE''
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok came together for ''International Ataturk Symposium on the 125th Anniversary of His Birth''. President Sezer said, ''secular and democratic Republic should be kept alive to the end of time.'' Erdogan noted, ''secularism is one of basic principles of democracy and communal peace.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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SECULARISM IS ALSO THE GUARANTEE OF RELIGION
Speaking at the ''International Ataturk Symposium on the 125th Anniversary of His Birth'', Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''secularism is not disbelief but staying at an equal distance against the religious beliefs.''
''Secularism is to worship with the religion you want,'' Erdogan said and stated that citizens should not be exposed to different attitudes because of their religion.

TURKISH WIND IN THE UNITED STATES
25th ''Turkish Festival'', arranged by New York based Turkish American Associations Federation was held in New Jersey this year. The festival was held in Paterson, the city where Turkish citizens were heavily populated. There was great interest in the festival.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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BUSINESS WORLD HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN ECONOMY
Despite the fluctuations in the markets, business world have full confidence in economy. The government assessed the rise in foreign exchange as a part of fluctuating foreign exchange regime and gave the message that there won't be any step back from the retirement age.
Business world said economy was settled on a solid basis that can not be compared with the crisis environment in 2001.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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ERDOGAN: ''WE SHOULD NOT PRODUCE DISPUTE FROM SECULARISM''
''Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's correct preferences during the War of Independence and concepts expressing those preferences are connective concepts which were internalized by our people. We should refrain from turning these concepts into social dispute fields,'' said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Speaking at the ''International Ataturk Symposium on the 125th Anniversary of His Birth'', Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Republic of Turkey is the symbol and source of inspiration for national independence movements in the 20th century. Turkish people's struggle under the leadership of Ataturk resulted in a great triumph. Following the War of Independence, a modern state was built.

MERRILL LYNCH: THERE IS NO CRISIS, MARKETS WILL CALM TODAY OR TOMORROW
Merrill Lynch's Turkey Director Kubilay Cinemre said that financial markets would calm down today or tomorrow after a sharp fall in Turkish lira against U.S. dollar and euro.