ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 14, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CAR FULL OF BOMBS IN TRNC
Many C-4 bombs and explosives were found in the car of a Turkish non-commissioned officer serving the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces which he parked outside Lefkosa. Military prosecutor's office has launched investigation regarding non-commissioned officer Osman Yalcin Camlibel, serving as bomb defusing expert. Camlibel said that he left his car since it was broken down and bombs were in his car as a requirement of his duty.
SENTENCES IN VERDICT
Turkish Supreme Court reversed the verdict of a court which did not close the National Youth Foundation and voiced severe accusations against the foundation having 1,800 branches and 350 thousand members. The Supreme Court said, ''they are trying to deteriorate the constitutional order in order to change the political, legal and economic structures of the state in line with religious principles. Their activity can't be ignored. Therefore, this foundation should be closed. It is seen that the foundation is in an effort to raise a youth which is Arab nationalist. There is an illegal organization model throughout the country. Those who can't win the university entrance exam are sent to universities in Islam countries. One speaker in the meetings announced the national days of Turkey their day of 'oppression'. He said, 'Secular lives in Cankaya. Why is it called Cankaya (rock of bell) not Ezankaya (rock of call to prayer)?' Another said, 'imam army will hoist their flag on the tower'.''
OZKAN AND ONAL ON WAY TO HIGH TRIBUNAL
Turkish Parliamentary Commission to Investigate Corruption in Halk Bankasi decided to send former State Ministers Husamettin Ozkan and Recep Onal to the High Tribunal. If the Turkish parliament agrees with the decision of the commission, Ozkan and Onal will give an explanation in the High Tribunal on charges of causing loss of Halk Bankasi.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ISLAMIC CONFERENCE CALLS NORTH OF CYPRUS AS ''STATE''
Turkey has received the first good news from the Islam world about ending isolation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In its meeting in Jeddah, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) decided to call TRNC as ''Northern Cyprus State'' with the highest participation level to its meetings from now on. OIC used to call Turkish Cypriots as ''Muslim Turkish Cypriot Community.''
YOK LAW PASSED THIS WAY
The draft Higher Education Board (YOK) law was adopted at the Turkish parliament by 251 to four votes at the end of 19 hours of marathon which was a scene of serious discussions. Deputies slept on desks when discussions continued. One of the most interesting incidents during the discussions was the question of Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Ince to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies. When Ince asked whose children were having education in imam hatip high schools, schools raising Islamic clerics, only one AK Party deputy raised his hand to show his child was receiving education in imam hatip high school.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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AFGANISTAN TRAFFIC
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey could not be indifferent to Afghanistan and signaled that Turkey could send soldiers to that country if necessary. A U.S. general came to Ankara for a two-day visit. The U.S. general asked Turkey to send soldiers to Afghanistan. Gul, who replied to questions of Sabah daily on this issue, said, ''Afghanistan is very important for us.'' Turkish government also decided to send a team comprised of 70 people including soldiers and civilians for reconstruction of Afghanistan. In which region of Afghanistan the team will serve has not been clear yet.
IT IS NOW PRESIDENTIAL PALACE'S TURN TO TALK ABOUT YOK LAW
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) passed the draft Higher Education Board (YOK) law despite the opposition of universities, the General Staff and Republican People's Party (CHP). Now, eyes are turned to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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GENERAL TOLON: ''NOBODY CAN GIVE US A LESSON OF VIRTUE''
Aegean Army Commander General Hursit Tolon said that threats against unity of the country and its unitary structure were ignored when those threats continued. Tolon said, ''nobody should be in an effort to give us a lesson of virtue. We don't need a lesson of virtue.'' Tolon stated that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was aware and determined to fulfil its duties to protect and preserve the Republic and said, ''those who want to give us a lesson of virtue are obliged to be virtuous.''
SILENT PROTEST MARCH
Rectors of all universities, members of university senates, and deans will meet at Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Founder of Modern Turkish Republic, in order to protest the new Higher Education Board (YOK) law. They will stage a ''silent protest march.'' Rectors of Istanbul's universities also decided to protest the new law. Lecturers will convene on Monday to show their ''rightful reaction'' to the new YOK law. Lecturers of universities in Aegean Region will today meet for ''a silent protest march.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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EYES TURNED TO SEZER REGARDING YOK LAW
Turkish public is curious about whether or not President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will veto the new Higher Education Board (YOK) law. On the other hand, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is discussing what it will do if Sezer vetoes the law. The draft YOK law, which lifts the coefficient between normal high schools and imam hatips which raise Islamic clerics and which liquidates YOK, has been adopted at the parliament. Now, eyes are turned to Sezer regarding the law which has caused serious discussions between the government and Republican People's Party (CHP), rectors, and Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). If Sezer vetoes the law, it will again be parliament's turn to speak. If the law is passed from the parliament in its current shape in the second-round of voting, then Sezer may apply to the Constitutional Court, demanding annulment of the law. Also, CHP had earlier announced that it might apply to the Constitutional Court for annulment of the law.
TURKISH MARKETS UNDER INFLUENCE OF YOK AND EXPECTATIONS FROM UNITED STATES
U.S. dollar rose to 1 million 548 thousand Turkish liras (TL) due to adoption of the draft Higher Education Board (YOK) law and due to expectations that the United States might increase interest rates. Bond interest rates fell by 1.7 points. The stock exchange closed the day at 16 thousand 645 points by a loss of 498 points.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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I HAVE ADORED YOUR COUNTRY
Sandy Boets Xandee, the world-famous singer of Belgium which is one of the favorites of Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Istanbul on Saturday, said that this was her first visit to Turkey and added that she adored Turkey.
HARIRI SAYS TRNC WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN TIME
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri said that he would evaluate the Cyprus issue with Arab countries. Hariri noted that they should not hurry in recognition of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) but should take into consideration the developments step by step.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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CALL FOR PEACE IN EDGE OF VIOLENCE
Leading personalities of different cultures met in southeastern Mardin province. Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu's words even summarized the aim of the meeting: ''Let's create a synergy in the world for dialogue and tolerance.'' Leading Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious personalities gave the messages of peace and tolerance in Mardin three years after they had given the same messages in Harran town of southeastern Sanliurfa province. Aksu called on participants of an international symposium on religions and peace in the light of Prophet Abraham to extend a branch of olive tree from Mardin to the entire world. Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew complained about scarcity of number of pacifists in the world and drew attention that terrorists were killing innocent people insolently.
IF WE DELAY BEGINNING OF NEGOTIATIONS, TURKEY WILL BE IN DIFFICULT SITUATION
European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that Turkey's EU membership process was closely linked with its democratization and stability. Speaking in a panel discussion held in Brussels, Verheugen said that Turkey's EU accession would not be easy. But, he stressed, they could not tell Ankara that they were sorry because they had never believed that Turkey would meet EU's demands and tell Turkey that it could not be an EU full member. Verheugen said that he did not agree with those who wanted to delay Turkey's EU full membership negotiations.
(BRC-AÖ) 14.05.2004