ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 3rd, 2006. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
"IF HE HAD SEEN ALL THESE..."
Turkish General Staff Chief Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who is currently paying a formal visit to Greece, said, "Republic of Turkey was not based on racist principles. Our constitution was based on citizenship. All people including Turks, Arabs, Circassians and Greeks founded this republic. Turkey should not discuss such issues any longer. If Ataturk had seen all these, he would have been very hurt..."

FLOODS CLAIM 42 LIVES
Recent flood disaster in the southeastern cities of Batman, Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa and Kilis claimed 42 lives. 15 people were injured while seven others were reported missing in the floods.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
RESULT OF NEGLIGENCE: 12 DEAD IN BATMAN
12 people, most of which were children, died in floods in south-eastern city of Batman on Thursday. These people were living in homes constructed on river paths.

HIGH PROFITS RECORDED AT IS BANKASI AND GARANTI BANKASI
Turkish Is Bankasi`s profits increased by 40 percent in the first nine months of 2006 and reached an impressive 992 million YTL. During the same term, Garanti Bankasi`s profits also rose and reached 790.6 million YTL.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
TWO SURPRISES AT THE AUTO SHOW
Istanbul Auto Show begins today. Over 100 automobile companies are participating in the show. There are two surprises at the show this year. The first is the presence of famous tennis player Anna Kournikova who is working to promote Kia products. The second surprise is the SABAH stand that displays classical autos.

"TURKEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSTRUCTIVE ON CYPRUS MATTER"
Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan indicated that "Turkey has always favored a solution in Cyprus and always been constructive on Cyprus. Yet as the side who has been constructive we faced embargoes all the time." Babacan added that the reform process in Turkey is not slow. "What is slow is the implementation of new laws," stressed Babacan.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
-------------------
40 VICTIMS IN AGE OF TECHNOLOGY
We claim that we are part of Europe and he deserve to be a full member of the EU on one hand, but we acknowledge defeat against two-day torrential rains on the other. Floods waters triggered by torrential rains claimed more than 40 lives in Diyarbakir and Batman. Flood waters also caused major damage in the region.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
FLOODS KILL 34 IN SOUTH-EAST TURKEY
Heavy flooding killed 34 people in south-eastern cities of Diyarbakir, Sirnak and Batman in the past 48 hours. Many bridges and roads got badly damaged due to rain and resulting floods.

DENKTAS: "CYPRUS IS IMPORTANT FOR TURKEY`S SECURITY"
Former President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas indicated that "Cyprus is highly important for Turkey`s security. If some circles succeed in taking away Turkey from the Cyprus matter, other heavy demands will be placed in front of Turkey`s face, including the accession of certain Turkish provinces into Kurdistan as planned by the United States."

RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
MILITARY ASSURANCE IN ATHENS
Confidence building steps have taken place in Athens during Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit`s visit to the Greek capital. Buyukanit and his Greek counterpart talked to each other using their first names. Buyukanit told that his visit reached its goal.

TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND IMF HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS
While Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler indicated that a possible increase in the price of electricity is out of question, IMF`s Hugh Bredenkamp urged the Turkish government to consider increasing the price of electricity.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
"WE WILL OPEN PORTS AFTER ISOLATION IS LIFTED"
"We do not consider the EU a ground of solution for the Cyprus issue. The Cyprus issue should be resolved under the roof of the United Nations," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During his joint news conference with Mongolian Prime Minister Miyekombo Enkhbold, Erdogan said, "no one should expect us to take unilateral steps. If they lift isolation of Turkish Cypriots, we will take the necessary steps about opening of Turkish ports and airports to the Greek Cypriot traffic."

GEN. BUYUKANIT IN GREECE
Turkish General Staff Chief Gen. Yasar Buyukanit`s visit to Athens has become beginning of a new era in the bilateral relations between Turkey and Greece. Both parties agreed that Gen. Buyukanit`s visit would make valuable contributions to efforts to make the Aegean a sea of peace.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
"LEGAL EXPERTS WORKING ON ARTICLE 301 OF PENAL CODE"
Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan remarked that legal experts are working on Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code at a technical level. "I must note that Article 301 is not yet on the agenda of the government," stressed Babacan.

GOVERNMENT FORESEES NO LIMITATIONS ON FOREIGN INVESTORS
The shares of foreign investors in Turkey`s banking sector are increasing rapidly. 17 percent of all Turkish banks shares are owned by foreign investors. Most recently, 20 percent of Turkish Akbank shares were sold to the American Citibank. "The Turkish government foresees no limitations on foreign investors in banking sector," said a high level Turkish source.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
-------------------------
COMPLOT
The Higher Education Board (YOK) has put into practice its plan to let President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to appoint the new rectors before end of his term in office in 2007. Rectors whose tenure will continue till 2008, will be forced to resign. YOK launched investigation against those who rejected to resign.

CYPRUS SUMMIT CANCELLED
Finland proposed Turkey to hold a tripartite meeting with the participation of foreign ministers of Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek Cypriot administration. When Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted to the proposal by saying, "our foreign minister cannot participate in a meeting at which Greek foreign minister will not attend. If the EU wants to take action, it should bring together foreign ministers of the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot administration," Finland cancelled the tripartite summit.