ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on August 21st, 2006. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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NATURAL GAS PIPELINE GETS SABOTAGED, CAUSING LOSS OF 3.5 MILLION YTL
Iranian-Turkish natural gas pipeline was sabotaged by PKK terrorists around eastern city of Agri on Sunday. The flow of natural gas stopped. Experts said that the sabotage caused a loss of 3.5 million YTL.
FIRST WOMEN'S SUMMIT IN OIC
Turkish government is getting ready to host three important meetings on the rights of women, violence against women and honor killings. Turkish State Minister Nimet Cubukcu is responsible for the preparation of the three meetings. The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) will, for the first time in history, hold a meeting on women.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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"SEND TURKISH ARMY TO THE REGION"
Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul paid a working visit to Israel and held talks about deployment of an international force in Lebanon. During his meeting with Gul, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz called on Turkey to send its troops to the region. Gul also met his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
MGK TO CONVENE TODAY
The National Security Council will convene today under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Dispatch of Turkish troops to the international force to be deployed in Lebanon will be high on agenda of the meeting. Meanwhile, General Staff Chief Gen. Hilmi Ozkok who will retire as of August 30th, will attend the MGK meeting for the last time.
ANTI-ISRAELI PTOTESTS
Thousands of people including members of political parties, labor unions and non-governmental organizations held demonstration in Istanbul to protest Israeli offensive against Palestine and Lebanon. They chanted slogans against Israel, and set Israeli flags on fire.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CANKAYA PALACE'S VETO ON TALABANI
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has been wishing to visit Ankara for months. Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has been refusing to give an appointment to Talabani due to his concerns over PKK. Despite pressure from the United States, Sezer has not invited Talabani and seemingly will not do so in the near future.
DOUBLE INVITATION FOR TURKISH SOLDIERS
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul met both Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Sunday and discussed the issue of deployment of Turkish troops in Lebanon. Israel made an official invitation to Turkey to send troops to Lebanon. Palestinians also made a similar request from Turkey. The issue of sending Turkish soldiers to the region will be discussed in today's meeting of the National Security Council in Ankara.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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GUL'S TALKS IN ISRAEL
Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul held a series of talks in Israel. During his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Gul said, "if we send our troops to the region, it will be for humanitarian purposes." Olmert said in his part that Turkey could play an important role to provide stability in the region.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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BARZANI AND TALABANI SUPPORT PKK
According to a report prepared by security units, Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Barzani and Iraqi President Talabani have been supporting the terrorist organization PKK to reach their targets. The report also indicates that PKK aimed to start an uprising among Kurds living in Turkey, but failed.
TWO TERRORISTS KILLED
Two terrorists were killed in a clash with security forces in the central city of Sivas.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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"GIANTS" IN FORM
The "12 Giant Men" of the Turkish Men's National Basketball team are continuing to win games at the World Championship in Japan. After beating Lithuania, Turkey beat Australia 76-68, and got closer to moving to the next round. Turkey will play against Brazil on Tuesday.
TWO SIDES OF AEGEAN UNITE FOR PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL HERITAGE
Turkey and Greece care for historical heritage. A project worth 1 million euro will help the restoration of the Taksiyarhis Church in Ayvalik and the New Mosque in Lesbos.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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"WE CANNOT REMAIN SILENT"
Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul paid visits to Israel and Palestine with the aim of settling a lasting peace and stability in the region. He held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He called on the sides to maintain the cease-fire and find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute through diplamatic ways.
EXPORTS RISE TO 80 BILLION USD
Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen indicated that Turkey's 12-month exports exceeded 80 billion USD.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ANKARA'S DECISION ON DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS IN LEBANON TO BECOME CLEAR THIS WEEK
Turkey's decision on the deployment of troops in southern Lebanon will become clear this week. FM Gul has already visited Lebanon and Israel. Gul will meet Syrian leader Assad on Tuesday. Turkey's final decision will come after Gul's trips in the region.
TURKISH POLICE GET INVITED TO TERROR SUMMIT IN U.S.
Turkish Police experts on terror and intelligence will travel to Washington D.C. at an invitation by NATO. The terror summit to be attended by Turkish experts will take place between September 6th and 12th.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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FIRST DISPATCH IN OCTOBER
Turkey is expected to make a decision in September on sending its troops to Lebanon. After beginning of the new legislative year on September 17th, the Turkish parliament can approve dispatch of Turkish troops in October.
GEN. OZKOK'S LAST MEETING
General Staff Chief Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and Gendarmerie Forces Commander Gen. Fevzi Turkeri will attend the routine meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) for the last time. Today's meeting is expected to focus of dispatch of Turkish troops to the international force to be deployed in Lebanon.