ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 4th, 2006. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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I CHALLENGE, ARMENIA SHALL OPEN ITS ARCHIVES
Speaking to Turkish and foreign media at News Xchange Forum in Istanbul, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenged Armenia upon statements of an Armenian media member who said, "you massacred Armenians". Erdogan said, "tell your President, he shall open archives if he can."
REJECTION LETTER TO CHIRAC FOR MEDAL
Former Air Forces Commander Gen. Ibrahim Firtina rejected France's highest medal of merit Legion d'Honneur. Gen. Firtina wrote a letter to French President Jacques Chirac to protest Armenian draft law, and said, "it is impossible to wear this medal on my chest."
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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FLOOD CAME WHILE WAITING FOR WATER
Harran town of southeastern city of Sanliurfa, which has been cracked due to lack of water, was inundated by flood waters. Turkey is facing the biggest disaster of recent years when natural events (aggravated by global warmth) combined with environmental destruction and unconscious settlement. Floods caused death of 39 people in southeastern Anatolia region in the last two days.
INFLATION NOT SCARED THIS TIME
Consumer prices were up by 1.27 percent and producer prices by 0.45 percent in October 2006. Annual inflation as of October 2006 was 9.98 percent in consumer prices and 10.94 percent in producer prices.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SNOW AFTER FLOOD
Snowfall will be influential in Turkey after the rainy weather. Some parts of Thrace were covered with snow yesterday, while snowfall is expected in Marmara and some other regions today. Floods continue to paralyze daily life in Southeastern Anatolia Region. One child died in Mardin, while police rescued those who were stranded in Harran.
INFLATION REDUCES TO ONE-DIGIT FIGURE
The consumer prices index (CSI) was announced as 1.27 percent in October. On the other hand, the consumer prices, which were lower in October 2006 than October 2005, reduced to one-digit figure after five months on year-on-year basis. It was announced as 9.98 percent. The producer prices index was 0.45 percent in October 2006, which was a figure below forecasts.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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HE CHALLENGED ARMENIA
PM Erdogan addressed 450 high-level media representatives from 35 countries in Istanbul. Armenian TV representative Manukyan said, "you massacred Armenians". And Erdogan responded, "I am obviously challenging. Tell your president. He opens your own archives if he can. If our ancestors had done such a thing, we could deal with our history. But if they had not, could you deal with yours?"
GREECE MEMORABILIA
Turkish and Greek chiefs of general staffs, who wore their civilian clothes, visited historical places with their spouses yesterday. After completing his official talks (in Greece), Buyukanit and Chinofotis visited Nafplion, the first capital of Greece yesterday. Buyukanit drew great interest in this historical city which was under Ottoman rule for 200 years. Commanders' spouses Filiz Buyukanit and Maria Chinofotis smiled to the cameras as if they were old friends.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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COUNTRY IS NOT FORLORN
"Public March for our Republic" will be held in Ankara today for independent Turkey, a democratic, secular, populist and social law state as well as to claim reforms of Republic, unity of country and people, lands, agriculture and industry and to say stop to fundamentalism. 130 institutions and organizations as well as people will take part in the march.
SUCCESS OF KUCURADI
Prof. Dr. Ioanna Kucuradi who established philosophy chair at Hacettepe University was declared among 60 women who made biggest contributions to UNESCO since it was established.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SIEGE EFFORTS REGARDING CYPRUS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated that Cyprus question cannot be solved on EU basis. He said, "the solution address is UN." Criticising the EU which did not keep its promises regarding Cyprus, Erdogan said that there are efforts to siege Turkey.
CHESS LESSONS FROM KASPAROV
Famous chess master Garry Kasparov who arrived in Turkey said, "I want chess to be included in education. Being champion is not the only aim."
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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JOINT BATTALION WITH GREECE
Significant steps were taken during Gen. Yasar Buyukanit's visit to Athens. Two parties agreed to ease the tension and establish mutual confidence. Also, they agreed to set up a joint battalion under the auspices of NATO, disarm war planes flying over the Aegean, and end dogfight.
WE ARE PIONEERING PEACE
PM Erdogan, speaking to representatives of world media in Istanbul, said, "we ground our foreign policy on the principle of 'gaining friends', not 'gaining enemies'. We are exerting utmost efforts to contribute to peace and stability."
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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FINLAND STILL HOPEFUL ABOUT SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS
Finnish Presidency of European Union still believes that a progress can be made in Cyprus till the EU leaders' summit in December. When the "Helsinki meeting" which envisaged bringing the parties together could not take place, new formulas are being discussed. Finnish FM Erkki Tuomioja, speaking to Financial Times and BBC, said that a solution can be reached in two weeks with shuttle diplomacy.
EPIDEMIC THREAT IN DISASTER ZONE
The Southeastern Anatolia Region, hit by flood disaster, is facing epidemic threat now. Potable water and sewage systems have been contaminated due to the floods, said experts. Therefore, they added, there may be rise in disasters spread through water and food.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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HE INHERITED CYPRUS PROBLEM FROM HIS FATHER
Finnish FM Erkki Tuomioja's father Sakari Tuomioja was a mediator under the auspices of the UN for a settlement in Cyprus 42 years ago. Sakari Tuomioja was the Finnish foreign minister in 1964 and was charged to deal with Cyprus problem. However, he could not persuade the Greek Cypriots to adopt even a plan which defined Turks as "minority". He died at the age of 50, five months after he returned to his country. World has changed in 42 years and EU was founded. Former Soviet Union dissolved, Berlin Wall was demolished. But Cyprus problem could not be solved. Tuomioja's son grew up, and became a minister. And now he is working to resolve Cyprus problem.
FLOOD GONE, AGONY REMAINS
Parents are crying for their children who were dragged away by floods in Southeastern Anatolia Region. 42 people lost their lives in the flood disaster so far, seven others are still missing. Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Eker, Public Works & Housing Minister Ozak and Health Minister Akdag are in the region.