ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 14, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN PLANS TO VISIT GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to launch a surprising initiative by proceeding to the Greek Cypriot side from the Ledra Palace during his visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday. Prime Minister Erdogan wants to hold a meeting with Greek Cypriot officials and people in the southern part of the island.
FIRE CLAIMS NINE LIVES IN IZMIR
Fire broke out in a cafe in western province of Izmir overnight due to a failure in the electricity system. While most of people in the cafe managed to flee from the building, nine people including four women who engulfed in panic and sheltered in kitchen, died. Five people were injured in the fire.
DEATH IN SEA
A Georgian-flagged vessel hit the rocks and split into two in Istanbul on Wednesday due to bad weather conditions. 150 tones of fuel oil leaked from the vessel 'Svyatoy Panteleymon' and turned the sea into a swamp. Sea gulls and cormorants which were wrapped in pitch, went ashore. Meanwhile, Fighters for Nature Environment Organization Chairman Zafer Murat Cetintas held a demonstration together with his three friends to protest passage of tankers and vessels through the Straits.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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HISTORICAL MEETING
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan took a historical step by making a suggestion to proceed to Greek Cypriot side from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) where he would go tomorrow. If he receives a positive answer, a Turkish Prime Minister, for the first time, would go to Greek Cypriot side which his country officially does not recognize. Erdogan, who had earlier surprised Greek Cypriots by proceeding to buffer zone from Ledra Palace border gate, wants to go further in the island where he will participate in celebrations for the 20th forming anniversary of TRNC tomorrow.
PATH TO HIGH TRIBUNAL FOR FOUR FORMER MINISTERS
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) submitted a motion regarding four former ministers whose names took place in the report of Parliamentary Commission to Investigate Corruption. AK Party wanted an investigation committee to be formed for the trial of former Energy Ministers Cumhur Ersumer and Zeki Cakan and also Husamettin Ozkan and Recep Onal at High Tribunal.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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INVESTIGATION AGAINST FOUR FORMER MINISTERS FROM AK PARTY
Corruption claims that took place in the report of Parliamentary Commission to Investigate Corruption, started a process to High Tribunal for four former ministers. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) submitted motions for investigations of four former ministers. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan prevented a motion to be submitted against Motherland Party (ANAP) former leader Mesut Yilmaz by saying that there were not enough evidences.
NORWEGIAN ARCHEOLOGISTS TO COME TO TURKEY FOR METROPOLIS
Norwegian archaeologists are preparing to come to Turkey for excavation in Metropolis Ancient City which was called as ''Pompei of Anatolia''. The leader of Norwegian team Haakon Ingvaldsen said that Turkey's Pompei Metropolis Ancient City would attract many tourists and added that it was fascinating that buildings, streets and infrastructure systems were not harmed.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN AND BAYKAL DUE TO TRNC
A number of state and government officials and leaders of political parties including Prime Minister and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal will go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to attend ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of foundation of TRNC. High-level representation of Turkey in the ceremonies is considered full support to TRNC.
TURKEY BEATS EGYPT 3-0
Turkey defeated Egypt 3-0 in its ninth match in the Women's World Cup volleyball tournament in Japan. Turkey will take on Argentina on Friday.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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IMPRISONMENT TERM OF 96 THOUSAND YEARS FOR UZANS
Prosecutor Sait Kunt has requested the court to sentence 16 suspects including Yavuz and Kemal Uzan to 96 thousand years in prison on charges of corruption and embezzlement. The prosecutor has also denounced directors of Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA), Capital Market Board (SPK) and Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) on charges of misusing their authority.
PARLIAMENT ADOPTS LAW ABOUT INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION
Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission has adopted a law envisaging approval of Hague Convention of May 29, 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption. The convention aimed at facilitating intercountry adoption and preventing the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in children. Under the convention, intercountry adoptions are made in the best interests of the child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights as recognized in international law. The convention covers only adoptions which create a permanent parent-child relationship.
BAD NEWS FOR FORMER MINISTERS
Motions prepared by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies to launch parliamentary investigation against former Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, former State Minister Recep Onal and former Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer were submitted to the Parliament. AK Party Deputy Group Chairman Haluk Ipek said at a press conference that it was likely to launch a similar investigation against former Deputy Prime Minister and former leader of Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TRNC WAITS FOR ERDOGAN
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) tomorrow to attend the celebrations for the 20th forming anniversary of TRNC. Erdogan will meet with TRNC President Rauf Denktas following the ceremonies. The visit of Erdogan is very important after the announcement of the European Union (EU) Progress Report. Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal will also attend the official ceremonies.
AYCELL AND ARIA MERGE OFFICIALLY
Telecommunication Board approved the merger of GSM operators Aycell and Aria. Aycell and Aria will carry on their activities under the name ''TTI''. Four people from Turk Telekom, four people from TIM and two people from Is Bankasi will take part in executive board of TTI. The Executive Board Chairman and Director General of TTI will be determined later.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ANKARA WARNS ABOUT PUK RECEPTION
It was claimed that Foreign Ministry warned Turkey representation of Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK) regarding the reception to be held in honor of Jalal Talabani who will come to Turkey on November 18 as leader of the Iraqi Governing Council. Foreign Ministry recalled that Talabani would come to Turkey on behalf of the Council and said that it would not be appropriate to make invitation in the name of Iraqi PUK, adding that the representation should make contacts with Iraq Embassy.
TURKEY'S DECISION REGARDING SOLDIERS TO AFFECT PAKISTAN
According to a survey made in Pakistan, the decision of Turkey on not sending soldiers to Iraq would affect the view of Pakistan. The results of the survey say that 73 percent of participants thought that Turkey's decision would be effective on Pakistan and Pakistan would not send soldiers.
(GC-UK) 14.11.2003