ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on March 19th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
SHE VIOLATED EMBARGO
German Green Party Co-Chairperson and German Federal Parliament deputy Claudia Roth violated the embargo of the Greek Cypriot side by entering the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from the Ercan Airport.
Roth said, "we can build up a future by constructing bridges not by erecting walls. We are here to build bridges for the unification of the island."
The visit caused reactions of Greek Cypriots.
MHP: DON'T PLAY WITH FIRE
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chairman Devlet Bahceli, who extended support to Justice & Development (AK) Party on presidential elections and headscarf issues, said on closure case, "impositions trigger fire with gasoline, leading to a very serious political and constitutional crisis."
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
AK PARTY SEEKING WAYS FOR EXIT IN CLOSURE CASE
After chief prosecutor of the Supreme Court Appeals presented his indictment demanding the closure of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, party officials moved to take a number of steps including the amendment to articles 68 and 69 of the Constitution. The priority is to set the condition for the chief prosecutor to receive the approval of the parliament before filing any closure case. AK Party is also considering to increase the number of members of the Constitutional Court.
MARKETS EASE
World markets eased Tuesday after "the black Monday," as Lehman and Goldman Sachs received a Q1 turnover higher than expected. The positive climate abroad helped Turkey's main shares index to recover by 3.3 percent to rise 789.02 points and close at 40,720.27 points. Meanwhile one USD was 1.2355 YTL on Tuesday.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
CARNATION FOR CANAKKALE MARTYRS
President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a ceremony which was held for the 93rd anniversary of the Canakkale Victory. Erdogan said, "we want everybody to have the consciousness of 'Canakkale shall not be passed' against those who threaten the future of people."
WE KNOW ABOUT TRICK THEY PREPARED AGAINST US
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while commemorating the martyrs in Canakkale, read the lines of poem of Mehmet Akif, and showed the faith of corporal Seyit (in the poem) as example. He said, "we are aware of the tricks prepared against us."
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
-------------------
FORMULAS TO DROP CASE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave orders, and jurists from Justice & Development (AK) Party are working on five separate constitutional amendments.
Erdogan wanted them to examine the examples, particularly in Spain and Italy. Two fundamental principles are coming forefront in those countries. Firstly, a closure case can only be opened against a political party on charges of supporting terrorism, and secondly permission of the government or the parliament is necessary for opening a closure case.
WE ARE INSURANCE OF TURKEY
Hasim Kilic, chief judge of the Constitutional Court, said, "Constitutional Court is an institution that makes decisions on behalf of the Turkish nation. The court is the security insurance of the Republic of Turkey. Like all the other institutions in Turkey, Constitutional Court is endeavoring to leave a better future to Turkish youth."
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
WAY OUT STRATEGY MAY BRING ANOTHER INDICTMENT FOR AK PARTY IN CLOSURE CASE
Justice and Development (AK) Party's efforts for a way out strategy in the closure case might bring further cases against the ruling party, said Sabih Kanadoglu, former chief prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Kanadoglu said any attempt to make legal arrangements would be against the principle of the state of law, adding that actions by political parties against this principle would be another reason for closure.
EU COUNTRIES LOOKING AFTER TERRORISM, SAYS TURKISH REP. AT NATO
Ambassador Tacan Ildem, Turkey's permanent representative at the NATO, said certain European Union countries tolerated groups affiliated to the terrorist organization PKK. Ildem said those groups were dealing drugs, and recruiting and training terrorists. "Some of foundations or associations established in these countries have links to the terrorist organization and these countries do not have any response to that," he said.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
GLORIOUS COMMEMORATION IN CANAKKALE
Canakkale Victory was celebrated with excitement on its 93rd anniversary. Besides President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, civilians and military staff showed great interest to the ceremonies. Gul said, "Canakkale victory symbolizes the revival and consciousness of Turkish people."
NOMINEE FOR ORANGE PRIZE
Turkish author Elif Safak took place in the nominee list of British Orange Prize --one of the most prestigious literature awards of Britain. Press organs wrote "the novel 'The Bastard of Istanbul' which was tried under Article 301 (of Turkish Penal Code) is on the list." The prize --which is presented to women authors-- will be given in June. Zadie Smith won the prize in 2006.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
ERDOGAN: PRESERVE STABILITY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the preservation of the stability and confidence in the country. "Turkey is moving ahead on its path in line with the ideals of its foundation. And we all need to protect stability and confidence to make achievements worth of Turkey's greatness in the world."
TURKEY COMMEMORATES CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY
Ceremonies were held throughout Turkey to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory and commemorate martyrs of March 18th. President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a number of cabinet members attended a ceremony in Canakkale. Speaking at the ceremony, Erdogan said, "Canakkale is a symbol providence. A torch of freedom. We are the children of a nation rooted in history that established many civilizations, won victories and recorded successes."
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
BUSINESS WORLD DOES NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO CRISIS YEARS
The uncertainty atmosphere that appeared in economy after the initiative to shut down Justice & Development (AK) Party, resulted in decision of the companies to freeze their investment plans.
Business world said pessimism would continue to rise in case process of the case prolongs and noted that political stability should continue for development.
ONLY NATIONS CAN CLOSE PARTIES
Opposition parties, apart from Republican People's Party (CHP), are reacting against the case opened with the demand to shut Justice & Development (AK) Party down.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chairman Devlet Bahceli said no other force, but the nation can close parties. "It is the ballot box where the accounts will be settled," Bahceli remarked.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
-------------------------
RESPECT TO MARTYRS FROM SUMMIT OF STATE
The 93rd anniversary of Canakkale Victory was celebrated with participation of President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and many ministers and deputies at war cemetery. Gul said, "Canakkale which was the front of war yesterday has become the monument of peace today."
CASE WILL BE A DOPING FOR AK PARTY
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chairman Devlet Bahceli said, "the indictment will be a doping for Justice & Development (AK) Party. The force which will remove political parties from politics is Turkish people."
(YMB-GC-AY-MS)