ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on March 20th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MINISTER'S STATEMENT DIFFERENT FROM GEN. BUYUKANIT'S
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit earlier gave message that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) did not think of dispatching additional troops to Afghanistan, however Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said his government would make decisions in regard to the matter in the next few days. Babacan and his Afghan counterpart Rangin Spanta held a joint press conference following their tete-a-tete meeting in Ankara. Babacan said, "we will assess our military assistance to Afghanistan within next few days. We will make a certain statement on military issues soon."
DISCUSSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party executives put "a mini-constitutional amendment package" on its agenda against the closure case. However a big discussion took place whether Article 138 of the Constitution allows this package or not. Law experts and executives of Republican People's Party (CHP) consider that this article does not allow a debate in the parliament on an ongoing case.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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WASHINGTON'S OPINION ON CLOSURE CASE
Commenting on the closure case filed against Justice and Development (AK) Party, Matt Bryza, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for European & Eurasian Affairs, said voters' evaluation should be respected, and the USA understood secularism deeply as well.
Bryza also said the U.S. administration had no doubts concerning Turkish democracy's fragility or ability to overcome difficult processes.
MHP INVITES, CHP REJECTS
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) asked for Republican People's Party's (CHP) support for a constitutional amendment that would make closure of a political party a difficult process.
However, CHP chairman Deniz Baykal said his party was totally against the idea of making amendments that would affect an ongoing case.
"This would be against the basic principles of law," Baykal said.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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VENITIAN CRITERIA
Law experts of the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party have been working on a constitutional amendment to impede the closure case filed against the party. AK Party is expected to offer Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) that they should implement "Venitian Criteria" of the European Union in regard to closure of a political party. According to the judicial practice known as Venetian Criteria, only the parties advocating violence and racism may be closed down.
ERGENEKON QUESTIONING
Two prosecutors, who have been conducting Ergenekon investigation in regard to seizure of 27 hand grenades in Umraniye district of Istanbul, focused on the connection between Sedat Peker and retired general Veli Kucuk, who is under arrest. Sedat Peker was questioned for nine hours on Wednesday in regard to his connection with Kucuk.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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AK PARTY'S "IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG" PLAN
In case Justice and Development (AK) Party cannot drop the closure case filed against it via a constitutional amendment and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan is banned from politics for 5 years, AK Party is planning to send its leader back to the parliament as an "independent" MP.
Imposing of a political ban on Erdogan and 39 MPs is considered as the "worst ending". In such a case, Erdogan would leave his party, and his parliamentary membership would be cancelled. However, party officials are seeking a formula to "proceed on their way" together with Erdogan.
Article 95 of the Law on Political Bans provides that politically banned individuals cannot be the founder, member or executive of a political party. However, such people can stand as a candidate to become an independent MP. Such a legal gap will pave the way for Erdogan to enter the parliament again.
IS ARMY ON WAY TO AFGHANISTAN?
General Staff Chief Gen. Yasar Buyukanit has previously said Turkish soldiers would not fight in Afghanistan, however, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said they were planning to send soldiers.
"We are ready to fulfill our responsibilities regarding the fight against international terrorism. We will soon make decisions on this issue. Our general tendency is to increasingly extend all kinds of support for Afghanistan," Babacan said.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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"VENETIAN" MODEL
While Justice and Development (AK) Party is getting prepared to make amendments to articles 68 and 69 of the Constitution, jurists are focusing on "Venetian" model. This model envisages the closure of a political party in cases of "praising terrorism, violence and discrimination".
As such a proposal would include Democratic Society Party (DTP), AK Party plans to carry the proposal to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and have it approved by the parliament.
COUNCIL STEPS IN FOR CYPRUS
Five permanent members of UN Security Council expressed "support for a solution" in Cyprus prior to a meeting between President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias.
Ambassadors of the five permanent members of the council in the south of Cyprus paid visits to both leaders and expressed their support for the implementation of the July 8th agreement.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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RULING PARTY EXAMINES FORMULAS AGAINST CLOSURE
The ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party executives have been examining formulas against the closure case. Some of the formulas are "Brussels Model", "Japanese Model" and "Venetian Model". The first one that was mentioned by Bulent Arinc and some AK Party law makers says that permission by the parliament is necessary to file a closure case against a political party. According to the second model (Japanese Model), the Constitutional Court makes decision on shutting down a political party. The third one foresees that a political party advocating racism and violence may be closed down.
ISTANBUL AMONG MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES IN WORLD
Swiss bank UBS published the list of the most expensive cities of the world. According to the list, Oslo became the most expensive one. London and Copenhagen follow Oslo in the list. Turkish metropolis of Istanbul was ranked the 27th in the list of USB.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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SOME PUT BARRIERS IN FRONT OF US, ERDOGAN
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech at a ceremony in Istanbul and said they were eager to do several things for Turkey, but some try to put barriers in front of the government. "There are many obstacles. When we overcome these obstacles, we will walk on our path much strongly," he stated.
BAGIS: "WE ARE GUARANTEE OF DEMOCRACY"
Egemen Bagis, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party, replied to U.S. daily Los Angeles Times's claims that "Turkey is getting away from the EU." Bagis said Turkey has a sound democratic standards and AK Party is the guarantee of democracy.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS CASE WILL WASTE TIME OF TURKEY
EU attaches great importance to democratization in regard to Turkey's EU accession process. European politicians show reactions to unfavorable developments in regard to democratization. David Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, said the closure case, which did not comply with democratic standards in Europe, caused great concerns. Miliband also said the case would waste time of Turkey.
LET'S HAVE JOY IN NEVRUZ
Nevruz, the world's oldest festival which is celebrated by festivities under various names in many communities, will be celebrated on Friday. Diyarbakir (southeastern province) Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu, who is exerting efforts for celebration of Nevruz in peace, said favorable images from the province would boost morale of whole country.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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"JAPANESE" BRAKE TO PROSECUTOR
Justice and Development (AK) Party approved Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) proposal to make amendments to articles 68 and 69 of the Constitution. Including Article 149 in the amendment proposal as well, AK Party will submit a triple-package to MHP.
Meanwhile, an amendment which envisages Supreme Court of Appeals chief prosecutor's taking permission from the parliament before filing a case, which is also known as the "Japanese model", will be included in the proposal as well.
COSTNER TO PROMOTE TURKEY
Renowned actor Kevin Costner, who was received by President Abdullah Gul during his visit to Turkey, is getting prepared to perform in a movie promoting Turkey.
Producer Ahmet San said talks continued with prominent actor Leonardo di Caprio and an agreement was reached in principle with Bruce Willis for a total of three documentary films.
(EÖ-DO-MS)