ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on March 4th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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IF ANYONE CAN PROVE IT, I WILL TAKE OFF MY UNIFORM
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Chief of Turkish General Staff, said, "if anybody can prove U.S. influence (on the decision to pull back), I will take off this uniform," when he replied to claims that the operation was ended because the U.S. administration asked. Gen. Buyukanit made surprising statements on termination of the ground operation into the north of Iraq. "There are further lessons that we need to teach (to terrorist organization PKK)," Gen. Buyukanit told reporters at a briefing in Ankara.
INFLATION ON RISE
Turkish Board of Statistics (TUIK) announced consumer prices rose 1.29 percent and producer prices climbed 2.56 percent in February 2008. TUIK stated annual inflation became 9.1 in consumer prices (CPI) and 8.15 in producer prices (PI). The reason of increase in inflation figure was price rise in food due to cold weather.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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"IF THEY CAN PROVE IT, I WILL TAKE OFF MY UNIFORM"
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said, "there are somebody claiming that 'United States told us to stop and we did.' If they can prove it, I will take off my uniform."
Here is his statements:
Why Zap? Our reason to choose Zap in the operation is because it is the place where PKK mastermind its attacks. Zap is the heart of armed terrorism. Qandil is much more for training.
No vehicles were used during the operation. All troops, from general to private, were on foot. It requires huge physical power. We showed the power of Turkish Armed Forces.
It was written that we launched the operation when United States allowed and we returned when they told us to get out. Are we a tribe? Do we launch operations using spears?
Fight against terrorism can not be carried out along with military operations only. But advocates of political solution do not tell what to do. When you look at it, it is the PKK program.
Operation was under way when PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 'address to nation' was shot. What Mr. Prime Minister said was true.
We had to teach a lesson to PKK and we did. We have more lessons to give. Operations will go on."
PKK ALARM AT THE BORDER
Military units at the border region were put on alert against vengeful terrorist attacks by PKK that was strongly hit by Turkish Armed Forces in the north of Iraq.
Turkish troops launched a "dawn operation" to neutralize 20 PKK terrorists who were spotted in Sirnak's Bester Dereler region. Other operations in Cudi, Kato, Kupeli and Cirav regions are under way.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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I WILL TAKE OUT MY INFORM
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, chief of Turkish General Staff, strongly reacted to allegations that Turkish Armed Forces withdrew troops because U.S. asked so. He said, "if they prove it, i will take out my uniform."
He said, "the target of ground operations was not Kandil. Zap area is the brain of the armed terrorist attacks. The operations will continue. Those who ask for political solution should be clear. The demands made overlap with PKK's program.
SUPREME COURT: OBLIGATORY RELIGION CLASS IS UNLAWFUL
The Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that the religion classes with the current curriculum could not be obligatory. Supreme Court's 8th Chamber recognised the claims of two Alewi parents, who filed an appeal asking their children to be exempt from religion classes. The court which said the religion classes could be given only if the parent asks for it and noted that the contrary would be unlawful. "We concluded that an objective and rational religion class in compliance with pluralism is not provided in our country."
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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BAYKAL MAKES ASSERTIVE STATEMENTS ON HEADSCARF ISSUE
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Deniz Baykal said the headscarf issue could only be solved by a government which has a clean record on secularism. Baykal said, "headscarf issue is not an individual freedom problem. An imposition of religious belief lies beneath it." Baykal stated, "Constitutional Court will make a historic decision and we will respect its decision."
HIGHEST INFLATION RATE OF LAST 20 MONTHS
Turkish Board of Statistics (TUIK) said inflation rate rose 1.29 percent in consumer prices and 2.56 percent in producer prices in February 2008. On the other hand, annual inflation was 9.1 in consumer prices (CPI) and 8.15 in producer prices (PI) in the same month.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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BAYKAL: THEY DON'T WANT PKK'S ELIMINATION
Republican People's Party Chairman Deniz Baykal pointed out that the decision for withdrawal was taken after Robert Gates's visit. Baykal said Washington did not care to say anything about what was happening in Israel. He said we are face to face with an international understanding that wants to keep a sword hanging over Turkey, one that does not want to eliminate terrorism permanently.
HISTORIC DESICION FOR RELIGION LESSONS
Supreme Court's 8th Chamber ruled that the obligatory "religion and ethics culture" class, with its current curriculum was unlawful. Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that when the curriculum was based on the perspective of a single religion, it would not be seen as a "culture of " lesson and it would become a religion class.
The 8th Chamber which gave the decision unanimously reasoned that an objective and rational religion class in compliance with pluralism was not provided in our country.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TURKISH VIEW ON SOLUTION
Now it is Turkish academicians' and politicians' turn to say a word.
Professor Baskin Oran: Solution packages on economy and freedom are needed together. Not only for Kurdish people, freedom is needed for all people of Turkey.
Can Paker from TESEV: Social solutions are found by governments and experts. An integration policy is necessary, not an amnesty.
Tugrul Turkes from MHP: We have the equal constitutional citizenship. Economic reform is needed in the region.
Gunduz Aktan from MHP: PKK must lay down its arms. Kurdish education is illegal.
INFLATION RISES AGAIN
Turkish Central Bank was right in its prediction that the inflation could rise in February. Producer prices climbed 2.56 percent while consumer prices advanced 1.29 percent. Annual inflation reached 9.1 in consumer prices.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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YELLOW CANARY HUNTING BULLS
If Turkish soccer team Fenerbahce, which won agaisnt Spanish Sevilla 3-2 at its home in Istanbul, scores a tie in the return macth in Spain, will advance to the quarter final in the European Champions League.
THERE ARE FURTHER LESSONS TO BE GIVEN TO PKK
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, chief of Turkish General Staff, said Monday that land operations would continue when needed. Briefing the media on the cross-border ground operation in Ankara, Gen. Buyukanit said Zap was the target of the ground operation and Kandil was not included in the plans.
"Out of the 300 terrorists that were in that area, 240 have been rendered ineffective during the ground operation. The damage perpetrated on terrorist PKK organization by the Turkish Air Force have not been included in our assessments," Gen. Buyukanit also said.
Buyukanit replied to claims that the operation was ended with external directives and said "If anybody can prove U.S. influence (on the decision to pull back), I will take off this uniform," Buyukanit said.
"This is a gauche attack against not only Turkish Armed Forces, but also Republic of Turkey. This is disrespectfulness to the blood of our soldiers," he added.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY TO BECOME TECHNOLOGY BASE FOR GLOBAL GIANTS
Turkey, which is far behind its rivals in technology investments, has made fundamental decisions about research & development incentives to break this vicious circle. The new law on R&D envisages 100 percent tax cut and is expected to draw global giant companies that spend billions for new inventions.
FENERBAHCE CHASING QUARTER FINALS IN SPAIN
Turkish football team Fenerbahce want to qualify to quarter finals after its match with Spain's Sevilla on Tuesday. Fenerbahce's star Roberto Carlos will not be on the pitch at the second leg of second round match in European Champions League. Fenerbahce toppled Sevilla 3-2 in the first match in Istanbul.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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IF ANYONE CAN PROVE IT, I WILL TAKE OFF UNIFORM
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Chief of Turkish General Staff, said, "if anybody can prove U.S. influence, I will take off this uniform," when he replied to claims that the operation was ended because the U.S. administration asked. Gen. Buyukanit stated that operations against terrorist organization PKK would continue. "There are further lessons that we need to teach (to terrorist organization PKK)," Buyukanit said.
WORK PLACE OF A TURK BURNT DOWN IN HANOVER
A fire broke out in a building in Hanover city of Germany. A work place belonging to a Turk burnt down in the fire. Police said the fire was not caused by a technical defect.