PASSENGER TRAIN DERAILS IN KUTAHYA
A passenger train traveling from Istanbul to Denizli yesterday derailed near the Aegean province of Kutahya, killing nine people and injuring 50 others. Transportation Ministry Undersecretary Habip Soluk said yesterday that according to preliminary assessments, the accident was caused by a broken seal on the railway track. /Aksam/
TOPTAN: "ANY PROPOSED FIX TO THE HEADSCARF ISSUE WILL BE ASSESSED IN LIGHT OF THE REPUBLIC'S BASIC PRINCIPLES"
Speaking to Kanal 7, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan yesterday said that a package of constitutional amendments meant to solve the headscarf issue will be evaluated in terms of the basic principles of the republic. Toptan said that Parliament's leadership cannot put into process amendments to change Article 2 of the Constitution. He added that proposing a motion which is against the law and internal regulations is forbidden. /Milliyet/
AKP, MHP TO DISCUSS CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES TO END HEADSCARF BAN AT UNIVERSITIES
Officials of the Ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will meet today to discuss a package of constitutional changes to end the headscarf ban at universities. If the two parties reach an agreement on the package, it will be sent to the full Parliament. /Turkiye/
GONUL TOUTS IMPLEMENTATION OF CROSS-BORDER OPS
Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said over the weekend that Turkey's recent cross-border operations into northern Iraq have gone off flawlessly, something few countries are capable of, through the superb training of its soldiers and Parliament's financial support. At a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) meeting in Izmir, Gonul said that the government's financial support to the military has been unwavering, adding, "Domestically manufactured plane equipment was used for the first time." He added, "We had an unmanned air operation. The only US support was for the intelligence. No targets were hit by mistake, and no civilians suffered harm." /Turkiye/
GUNAY VOWS TO MAKE ISTANBUL 2010 EUROPEAN CULTURE CAPITAL
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay yesterday reiterated his determination to make Istanbul the 2010 European Capital of Culture, saying that the utmost efforts would be exerted towards this end. Speaking at an Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Advisory Board meeting, Gunay said they are working hard to ensure Istanbul's success, adding that restoration and conservation are underway in several parts of the city. Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler also said that plans are being implemented to protect Istanbul's cultural and artistic heritage. /Today's Zaman/
BAYKAL: "EVERYONE'S BELIEFS AND IDENTITY DESERVE RESPECT"
In apparent reference to the headscarf issue, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said over the weekend, "Everyone's beliefs and identity deserve respect." He added, "The state belongs to all of us. So putting the state into a uniform and making it a symbol of a belief would be wrong." /Star/