ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 19th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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DOUBLE EULOGY TO TURKEY
Dogus Group and General Electric (GE) was given the "Institutional Partnership Award" of the American-Turkish Community.
Speaking at the ceremony, GE Ceo Immelt said, "the most productive workers of GE are in Turkey. Turkey is the best place for investment. We have made 2 billion USD investment in Turkey. Our turnover will amount to 2 billion USD by the end of the year."

MINISTER HAS THE AUTHORITY IN ARTICLE 301
Justice & Development (AK) Party stepped back on Article 301. Parliamentary Justice Committee agreed to make the justice minister responsible to approve any prosecution under the law. The initial proposal sought prosecution authority to be given to the president.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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WORLD-FAMOUS ILLUSIONISTS IN ISTANBUL
It was almost impossible to bring them together. But it could be done. World-famous five illusionists took the stage in Istanbul`s Maslak TIM Center. The show will continue till April 20th.

U-TURN IN 301
Government at the last minute stepped back in amendment to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
With motion submitted by AK Party, the prosecution authority given to the president, was changed as "prosecution depends on the permission of the justice minister".
In case the parliament approves the amendment, the prosecutors should get permission from the Justice Ministry to start a prosecution about Article 301.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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THAT DECLARATION
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has announced the controversial declaration on Friday and expressed concern over the case filed to ban Turkey`s ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party.
PACE declaration was signed by 21 parliamentarians from several countries.
"Turkish jurisdiction should respect case laws of European Court of Human Rights while examining the bans to political parties and individuals," it said.

JUSTICE MINISTER AUTHORIZED
Turkish Parliamentary Justice Committee accepted on Friday a bill to amend article 301 of Turkish penal code. The committee agreed to authorize the justice minister to approve any prosecution under the law.
The term "Turkishness" will be replaced by the "Turkish nation," and the term "Republic" will be replaced with "State of the Republic of Turkey."

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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SENER WELCOMED LIKE A PARTY LEADER IN SIVAS
Former minister, who took a break in politics, appeared in his hometown Sivas after 265 days. He was welcomed by a huge crowd.
"There are new expectations and demands over my name," he said and signalled a new political formation.
"Everybody knows that I have been trying to establish a different political understanding. I will do whatever necessary if public demand brings a new expectation about me," he added.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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MILITARY NOT TO ATTEND
Commanders of Turkish Armed Forces will not take part in activities at the Turkish Parliament on April 23rd because of Democratic Society Party (DTP) that has not condemned the terrorist organization PKK.
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan said "boycott" would not befit commanders. "They do not boycott. Military has sensitivity on the issue and I know that," he said.

ILHAN SELCUK RECOVERING
Our editorial writer Ilhan Selcuk can speak and he improves every passing day. President Abdullah Gul sent a get well soon message to Selcuk and said, "I am very happy with your successful surgery. I hope you will recover soon."

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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INTEREST IN PUT-OFF
Under the consensus reached in Emek (Labor) Platform, number of days the workers have to work in order to retire, was dropped from 9,000 days to 7,200 days.
The arrangement raising the retirement age to 65 was adopted. However, the actual implementation of the arrangement was shifted 6 years.

THEY WERE PUNISHED
Drivers of sewage trucks, who polluted the sea in western province of Mugla, were sentenced to pay fine under the decision of prosecutor and Environment Law.
Drivers of the sewage trucks may be tried under Article 181 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which asks up to 2 years in prison.
The drivers were caught as they were shooting waste in Kudur Peninsula in Bodrum which was a natural and archeological protected area.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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"DON`T SHUT DOWN" CALL FROM EUROPE
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) released a statement pertaining to closure case filed against Justice & Development (AK) Party. The statement referred to freedom of speech and pointed to the decisions made by European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) as regards to the closure of parties.

HIGH-SPEED TRAIN LINE READY
According to the tests, infrastructure of the rail line between Ankara and Eskisehir is ready to the passages of high-speed train.
First test run between Ankara and Eskisehir will start in May.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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PACE: CLOSURE CASE IS CONCERNING, REFORMS SHOULD BE MADE
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) reacted to the closure case filed against Justice & Development (AK) Party. PACE released a formal statement carrying the signatures of all group chairmen, and underlined that freedom of organization and speech can not be given over.

IMPORTANT VISIT FROM RUSSIA TO TRNC
Russia`s Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Vladimir Titov paid a visit to Lefkosa after his meetings in Athens and Ankara.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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90 YKR ON THE FIELD, 5 YTL AT THE MARKET
Wholesale dealers are considered as the reason for the exorbitant rice prices. People react to rice prices, which is 90 Ykr on the field and 5 YTL at the markets, by reducing consumption.

REAL ESTATE QUEEN IN ISTANBUL
American real estate tycoon Donald Trump`s daughter Ivanka Trump has arrived in Turkey for Trump Towers to be build in Istanbul. The skyscraper, which will house luxurious apartments, offices, a shopping mall, movie theatres and restaurants, will be completed in 2010.

(End)
(TÇ-AY)