ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on December 26th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
CLEAN UP REPORT
General Staff announced the balance sheet of the two air operations launched against 33 PKK target groups, 22 in Metina, Zap, Avasin, and Khakurk regions and 11 in Qandil Mountain region.
In its statement, General Staff said, "150-175 terrorists were rendered ineffective in operations. The number given above does not include terrorists who were rendered ineffective in shelters and caves that crumbled and that dozens of injured terrorists were taken to hospitals in Irbil, Raniyah, Kaladiza and Choman."
"Turkish Armed Forces will continue the operations in a determined way in line with the authority given to it," the statement said.
THE BIGGEST HUNT ON HIS LAST DAY
A police officer, identified with the initials M.T, who was in the police team that prevented plan of terrorist PKK organization to shed blood in subway station in Mecidiyekoy, retired one day after the incident.
M.T. was one of the police officers who caught the bomber with 3 kilograms of A-4 explosives. His friends, who saw M.T. with the back pack laden with explosives, said, "if the bomb had exploded, you would have retired a day before."
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
TERRORISTS ON CAMERA
Turkish General Staff --which announced that 150-175 terrorists were neutralized during two air operations-- gave the video footage of PKK terrorists who were escaping from bombs.
PRESIDENT APPOINTS 4 RECTORS
President Abdullah Gul appointed rectors who are on top of the list of Higher Education Board (YOK) to Hacettepe, Galatasaray and Selcuk universities. Gul appointed the candidate on the second rank to Bilecik University.
5 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED IN SIRNAK
While it was claimed that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) staged the third air operation on the north of Iraq yesterday, 5 PKK terrorists including two women were killed in a clash at Kupeli Mountain.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
OVER 200 TARGETS HIT
Turkish military uncovered outcomes and pictures of two cross-border operations waged on December 16th and 22nd. According to these information, over 200 targets were hit and 150-175 terrorists were killed in these operations. It said those who might have died in hideouts and caves were not included in this figure.
At his party meeting in the parliament on Tuesday, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was speaking positively, however, he lashed out at Massoud Barzani. He said those who claimed that civilians suffered in the operations were lying.
PKK: 346 DIED
A PKK terrorist who escaped from a camp called his mother on the satellite phone: "We have lost many people. 346 have died. We have injured friends. Our camp has been destroyed. 6 of our friends wanted to run away and surrender but they were executed. I can not return home."
(More)
(GC-TÇ-AY)
ANKARA - Here are the main headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on December 26th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
-------------------
200 TARGETS HIT, 175 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
General Staff announced the results of the two air operations which were staged on December 16th and 22nd. The announcement was made together with videos and photos. Accordingly, 33 PKK target groups were hit by Turkish artillery fires and warplanes at Qandil Mountain and in the north of Iraq. During bombardment, at least 175 terrorists were killed; but those who died under collapsed shelters were not included in this number.
PRESIDENT APPOINTS RECTORS TO 4 UNIVERSITIES
President Abdullah Gul appointed rectors who gained the highest votes to three universities; and a rector who is on the second rank to Bilecik University. Other three universities are Hacettepe, Galatasaray and Selcuk.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
200 TARGETS DESTROYED
Warplanes and artillery fire hit more than 200 targets within the scope of 33 target groups; 22 in Metina, Zap, Avasin and Khakurk regions and 11 around Qandil Mountain, during the operations targeting PKK.
General Staff in a statement said, "150-175 terrorists were rendered ineffective in operations. The number given above does not include terrorists who were rendered ineffective in shelters and caves that crumbled."
LAW CHANGES
Draft law, envisaging amendment to Article 301 that led to criticisms, will be submitted to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan within 15 days. Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said all proposals were assessed, and views of faculty of laws were asked. Sahin said opening an investigation against crimes within the scope of the article in question would be subjected to the permission of the Justice Minister.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
---------------
STRIKING REMARKS FROM DTP`S FATMA KURTULAN:
"I`M NOT THE ONLY PARLIAMENTARIAN WHOSE RELATIVES JOINED THE PKK"
Democratic Society Party (DTP) deputy Fatma Kurtulan is a controversial lawmaker as her husband is a member of terrorist organization PKK.
"I am the result of Kurdish problem," she briefs her situation. "I am not the only one whose relatives joined the PKK. Cousin of a Justice & Development (AK) Party member minister and a sibling of an AK Party deputy had died in a clash in the mountain. Some other lawmakers have (PKK member) cousins. I hold my breath in every operation. I am sure that families whose sons are serving in the military can not be comfortable in each operation," she said.
TURKISH MILITARY: 150-175 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED
Turkish General Staff has announced the net results of military operations in the north of Iraq. More than 200 targets were hit. Three command, two communication, two training and nine logistics facilities as well as 182 hideout/shelters, 10 antiaircraft positions, 14 arsenals were destroyed. 150-175 terrorists were rendered ineffective. Several PKK terrorists were taken to hospitals in the north of Iraq.
(More)
(GC-TÇ-AY)ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on December 26th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
175 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED
Turkish General Staff made a statement about the details of the cross-border operation waged against terrorist PKK organization. General Staff said that around 150-175 terrorists were rendered ineffective in the operations, and noted that around 200 important targets were hit.
IT WILL BE UPROOTED
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who took the floor at his Justice & Development (AK) Party group meeting, said, "right to defend yourself against terrorism can not be discussed. The ongoing operation is the use of this right."
"Our target is to uproot terrorism not only from the borders of our country, but from the region as well. Operations are underway to make the borders more secure and to restore tranquility and stability in the region," Erdogan said.
PM Erdogan underscored that the only target of the cross-border operation was the terrorist PKK organization.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
GUL TO VISIT U.S. ON JAN. 8TH, TO MEET BUSH AT WHITE HOUSE
Turkish President Abdullah Gul will pay his first abroad visit in 2008 to the United States. Gul will meet U.S. President George W. Bush on January 8th; the agenda will be terrorism.
INITIATIVES LAUNCHED FOR CHANGE IN 301
Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK) --which EU criticises on every platform as the article limits freedom of expression-- will finally be changed. Many names like Nobel prize winner Orhan Pamuk, author Elif Safak and Hrant Dink were tried under this article.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
-------------------------
FOOTPRINTS IN SNOW TAKE MILITARY TO BIG BROTHER HOUSE
PKK hideouts destroyed by Turkish Armed Forces were found by the help of footprints in snow. Close-up pictures taken in the region were examined and several places --where footprints ended-- were hit.
POLICE SEARCHING FOR SECOND BOMBER
It was revealed that the PKK bomber, who was arrested as he wanted to blow up a subway station in Istanbul, was tracked 6,000 kilometers. After interrogating suspect Sehabattin D., police launched operations to arrest the second bomber who came to Istanbul from Habur border gate.