ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 25, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MURDERERS BACK ON STAGE AGAIN
Just three days before NATO Summit, Turkey shocked with explosions both in Ankara and Istanbul. First, a percussion bomb exploded outside Ankara's Hilton Hotel where U.S. President George W. Bush is set to stay this weekend. Two policemen were injured in the attack, one seriously. Later, another bomb shattered a city bus in Istanbul, killing four people and injuring 18 others. ''The target is Turkey's prestige. We will do everything we can to prevent such incidents,'' Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said. He added that they thought that a Marxist-leaning organization might be responsible from the blast. During the operations throughout Istanbul, police detained three people.
TALABANI DEMANDS GENERAL AMNESTY FOR PKK
Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani called for a general amnesty for members of the terrorist organization of PKK. In an interview with the private NTV Channel, Talabani said that the PKK was divided into three groups. ''One of these groups is in favor of political struggle while the second supports so-called military struggle. But they are in the minority. There is a third group favoring peaceful solution. I think that the policies against PKK should be reviewed. I think that general amnesty will be the best method. Most of the PKK members would like to return to their houses in case general amnesty is declared,'' he added.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO BE MADE IN ISTANBUL
During the summit meeting of heads of state and government in Istanbul, NATO will take the first steps of changing itself from ''collective defense organization'' into ''security organization based on co-operation''. NATO will also undertake security dimension of the U.S. led-Greater Middle East Initiative, and call on the Islamic world to co-operate against news threats of the century. Leaders of 26 allied countries, 20 Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries, Afghanistan, Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be in attendance at the summit.
GROWTH RATE TO EXCEED 8 PERCENT
An increase of 13.5 percent in industrial production and services sector triggered by higher import figures have given the signal of rapid growth. It was estimated that growth rate could exceed 8 percent in the first quarter.
RIGHTS FOR ANIMALS
Turkish parliament approved the draft law about animal rights at last. Under the law, those who kill stray animals will be sentenced to pay a fine of 500 million Turkish liras (TL). Those who force animals to work during their illness or pregnancy, who have sexual intercourse with animals and who torture animals will be sentenced to pay high amounts of fine. Those who injure an animal, will be responsible to pay all expenses of treatment.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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THY OFFICE IN TBILISI OCCUPIED FOR A WHILE
Turkish Ambassador to Georgia Dicle Kopuz said that attack on Turkish Airlines (THY) office in Georgian capital of Tbilisi did not have political dimension. ''It was a common event. The problem was solved with rapid intervention of the Georgian police,'' Kopuz said. Meanwhile, airline spokesman Timur Liparteliani said that a person who heard a rumor that a THY plane on which a relative was flying had crashed, stormed into the office and attacked the manager. Lipertaliani said no hostages were seized and that no weapons were involved in the attack.
NO CHANGE IN PRESIDENT BUSH'S PROGRAM
The White House said following yesterday's blasts in Ankara and Istanbul that there was no change in program of U.S. President George W. Bush in Turkey. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at the news conference that attacks seemed to be staged to disturb preparations for upcoming NATO Summit in Istanbul.
EL AL SUSPENDS FLIGHTS TO TURKEY
Israel's national carrier suspended flights to Turkey. Israel's Channel 10 TV said El Al abruptly canceled its evening flight to Istanbul and would not say when the service would be resumed. El Al officials said every effort would be made to find alternative flights for El Al ticketholders, but gave no reason for the suspension of flights.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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NATO BOMBS
Just four days before NATO Summit, an explosion occurred in a city bus in Istanbul killing four people and injuring 18 others. Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said at a news conference that neither the bus nor passengers were real target of the attack. Earlier in the days, another bomb went off outside Ankara's Hilton Hotel injuring two policemen, one seriously. Suspicious package were found in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Education in Ankara. The packages were empty.
GUL: ''TURKEY IS A STRONG AND SECURE COUNTRY''
Following the blasts in Ankara, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''Turkey is a strong and secure country. Such incidents take place anywhere in the world. Turkey has taken all necessary security measures for upcoming NATO Summit.'' Meanwhile, Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said that security forces did not have any negligence in the blast in Ankara. Aksu said that the explosion might have been an act of marginal, small scale terrorist organizations.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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IMF PREFERS A NEW STAND-BY
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which completed the eighth review works, wants to sign a new stand-by deal with Turkey. However, the government plans to make a decision about beginning of a new economic program after clarification of the European Union's (EU) attitude about opening of accession talks with Turkey.
''GET PKK OUT OF IRAQ''
U.S. President George W. Bush will come to Ankara tomorrow. During the meetings, the Turkish side will request President Bush to do everything to get the terrorist organization of PKK out of Iraq. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul denied news stories alleging that the United States had new military demands from Turkey. Replying to questions about news stories claiming that U.S. President George W. Bush would convey a list of new military demands during his visit to Ankara, Gul said, ''there were no demands from the United States, nor any initiatives were taken on this end.''
NINTH ADJUSTMENT PACKAGE SUBMITTED TO PARLIAMENT
The Ninth Adjustment package was submitted to the parliament. The package includes changes in a number of laws in line with the recent package of constitutional amendments. Under the package, expressions of death sentence will be removed from all laws including the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMUK) and the Forestry Law. The package also envisages amendment to the law enabling the General Staff to appoint a member to the Higher Education Board. Under the package, representative of the National Security Council (NSC) will not take place among members of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) any longer.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BUSH ALARM
Extraordinarily tight security measures have been taken both in Ankara and Istanbul for the scheduled visit of U.S. President George W. Bush and upcoming NATO Summit. Nine separate routes were drawn for President Bush from the airport to the hotel. A number of policemen will be deployed along all these routes. In Istanbul, many roads will be closed to the traffic during the two-day NATO Summit. Many policemen will be sent to Istanbul from the neighboring provinces.
IRAQ TOPS AGENDA OF NSC MEETING
The National Security Council (NSC) convened yesterday under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Recent developments in Iraq was high on agenda of the meeting. Meanwhile, a special file including a series of demands of Turkey from the United States, was given the final shape during the meeting. The file will be presented to U.S. President George W. Bush during his visit to Turkey at the weekend.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SCHROEDER: ''TURKEY SHOULD BE GIVEN A DATE''
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that the European Union (EU) should set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey. In an interview with the private CNN-Turk TV Channel, Chancellor Schroeder said that the Turkish government led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had made a series of momentous reforms, and called on the EU to be sincere and positive towards Turkey.
(UK-AÖ) 25.06.2004