Press Scan

ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 20th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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NEW LIFE AND JOB TO WITNESSES
Turkey will start implementing "witness protection program" -- which we see in many Hollywood movies. Those who give information in detail to collapse crime gangs will receive assistance to start a new life with a new identity.
GENOCIDE TRADE
French insurance company Axa, which has started to deal with genocide trade, abided by a decision that a California court made in 2005 and paid 1 million USD to three Armenian associations. The associations will give the money to people who lost their relatives in the incidents of 1915. The Armenians -- who filed the lawsuit -- claimed their relatives that lived in the Ottoman territories got life insurance policies from Axa before 1915 but the inheritors did not receive any payment.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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BAYKAL: PM ERDOGAN IS HIDING SOMETHING
Chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hiding something. "Erdogan's stance towards a possible cross-border operation is not clear. His statements imply a general amnesty soon," Baykal noted.
KOC: UNEMPLOYMENT IS TURKEY'S BIGGEST TROUBLE
CEO of Turkish Koc Holding Mustafa Koc said that unemployment is Turkey's biggest trouble. High unemployment in Turkey is a threat to social peace, Koc remarked.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PANIC IN AIR
Two similar incidents happened in two countries. Windows of a Turkish Airlines (THY) plane cracked when the aircraft was en route from Istanbul to Aegean town of Bodrum. On the other hand, windows of a Greek plane also cracked en route from Kerkira to Athens. Both planes had to make emergency landing.
THREE COMPANIES INTERESTED IN SABAH
Three groups applied to bid for Sabah-ATV shares on December 5th. Nurol Group, Turkuaz consortium headed by Calik Group, and German RTL-Ipek Sancak Group are interested in Sabah-ATV auction.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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METEOROLOGY EXPERTS: GET PREPARED AGAINST FLOODS
Turkish meteorology experts have warned that many provinces throughout Turkey must be prepared to face floods. "We are going through a climate change. There will either be mass droughts or floods," said experts.
KOC: U.S. NOT HELPING TURKEY ON TERROR
CEO of the Koc Holding Mustafa Koc said that the United States is not helping Turkey in its fight against terrorism. "Many words have been spoken on terror. However, our biggest ally U.S. is not helping Turkey in the fight against terrorists. We have to work with the U.S. to eradicate terror cells in north of Iraq," Koc indicated.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TURKISH SIGNATURE ON GLOBAL PROJECTS
22 Turkish contractors that are among the world's biggest 225 companies were presented with awards by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish contractors assumed projects in 34 countries worth 19.5 billion USD. Turkish contractors are working on 350 projects overseas.
TURKEY-EU MINISTERIAL TROIKA MEETING
Turkey-EU Ministerial Troika meeting will take place in Brussels on November 20th. The European Union (EU) is expected to deliver its concern over the possible closure of the Turkish Democratic Society Party (DTP). Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan will represent Turkey at the meeting.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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BAYKAL: WE CANNOT EVEN IMPLY AMNESTY WHEN THERE IS TERRORISM
Deniz Baykal, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said there is "general amnesty implicature" after PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks that "the aim is to make them lay down arms." Baykal said, "we will respect if there is a diplomatic solution but the prime minister is not speaking clearly. We are given our right to legitimate fight, the conjuncture is good. We cannot sacrifice all these for some plans. It (PKK) is still in Qandil, you should neutralize it."
CICEK: NO AMNESTY
On comments that PM Erdogan has a plan to solve Kurdish problem, government spokesman Cemil Cicek said the government is not thinking of issuing a general amnesty. "Prime minister's remarks indicate the general approach," he said.