ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 20th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HE WILL ESCAPE DEATH IF HE FORSWEARS
There are positive developments to overrule a decision on Turkish barber Sabri Bogday, who was sentenced to beheading in Saudi Arabia on charges of cursing the name of God.
There is a possibility for Bogday to escape death if he "forswears".
Turkish Embassy in Ryad, speaking about the process, said "the letter sent by Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Saudi King had a positive impact. Saudi executives don`t think that Bogday would be beheaded."

THEY DON`T HAVE LOVE OF COUNTRY AND NATION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the General Assembly of The Independent Industrialists` & Businessmen`s Association of Turkey (MUSIAD), reacted to the opposition, "projects fulfilled by the Turkish contractors in Qatar amounted to 5 billion USD in the past 5 years."
Speaking to the opposition, Erdogan said, "you sit here and remain where you had been 5 years ago. You don`t think of progress."
"They don`t have any love of country and nation," Erdogan said.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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"GREEN" WARNING TO MUNICIPALITY PLAN
Defense Ministry handed over a 961-square-meter plot to Istanbul to municipality in 1990 on condition of re-arranging the plot as an open-space area. However, a contractor occupied 13 square meters of the plot while erecting a building next to the plot and the municipality requested that the parcels be "housing lot".
Defense Ministry reacted harshly to municipality`s request and asked the municipality to clean up and cede back the plot.

FORGIVE US, WE COULD NOT PROTECT YOU
Guiseppina Pasqualino di Marineo --also known as `Pippa Bacca` in her country--, who was raped and murdered near Gebze town of Kocaeli on her peace trip from Italy`s Milan, was laid to rest on Saturday. The green color, Bacca`s favorite, was everywhere at her funeral.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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FORMER FRENCH PM WARNS AGAINST AK PARTY CASE
Former French Prime Minister and a member of European Parliament and Independent Turkey Commission Michel Rocard said, "if the court recognizes the claim (on the case against Justice & Development (AK) Party), Turkey may go back to an instable period which it could get rid of recently. This will be a great shock for the EU. I hope my Turkish friends can solve this question without paying a big price."

MIRACLE SURVIVE
Selami Mordeniz, a Turkish citizen, was among the passengers of the plane which crashed last Tuesday in Congo. 30 people died in the plane crash.
Mordeniz said he could survive by creeping, "I have called for help by mobile phone."

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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2300-YEAR-OLD CONTROVERSY FORM PLATO TO AYSUN
Model Aysun Kayaci`s remarks "is my vote equal to a shepherd`s" is still a controversy in Turkey. The controversy of "elitist democracy", which does not exist in modern societies today, has a 2300-year-old history.
Greek philosopher Plato was the first to broach the idea of "elitist democracy" and the same controversy prevails also in the United States recently.
Turkish PM Recep Tayip Erdogan also responded to model Kayaci`s remarks.
"Opening a dispute on the nature of electorate is equal to opening a dispute on democracy," he said.

THEY ARE STILL IN 1940, DIGGING PIT FOR SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
Speaking at the General Assembly of the Independent Industrialists` & Businessmen`s Association of Turkey, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan targeted opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP).
"They are stuck into Turkey of 1940s. They can not take a step forward," he said.
"They got stuck in Istanbul and Ankara. They are just engaged in undermining and digging pit for successful people," Erdogan added.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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COOPERATION WITH EGYPT
General Staff said Turkey and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding to improve military relations.
General Staff statement said the memorandum of understanding would improve and further military relations.

BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRY
Bulgarian Ambassador to Turkey was summoned to Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday after killing of a Turkish fisherman by Bulgarian coast guard teams as they were fishing illegally.
Ambassador Branimir Mladenov was asked to make an "explanation" about the incident.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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CASES UNDER 301 TO STOP
All investigations and prosecutions launched under article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) will stop. Continuation of the process would depend on the permission of the justice minister.
The convicts may be able to ask for retrial within the scope of the change if the execution continues.

BRIDE OF PEACE LAID TO REST
Italian artist Pippa Bacca, who was killed in Turkey on her peace trip, was laid to rest in Milan on Saturday.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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THEY DO NOT WALK OUT OF ANKARA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at opponents of foreign investments.
"It is no more foreigners, it is the global capital from now on. So, you can not resist it," Erdogan said.
"They are stuck into the Turkey of 1940s. They got stuck in Istanbul and Ankara," he said. "They are deaf, they are blind about the developments in the world."

MILITARY BUILD-UP IN CUKURCA
Speeding up operations against terrorist organization PKK, Turkish Armed Forces continues dispatching troops and ammunition to military units positioned in southeastern province of Hakkari`s border town Cukurca. A convoy of 300 military vehicles were sent to military units in villages near the border with Iraq.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKISH BANKS KEEP EYE ON MIDDLE EAST
Turkish banks, breaking profit records in 2007, altered their course to the Middle East despite the fluctuations in the markets.
Iraq and Syria are the first targets of the Turkish finance giants Is Bankasi, Halkbank and Ziraat Bankasi.
Is Bankasi Director General Ersin Ozince said the region offers very big opportunities, adding the bank would take a step to the Middle East by opening branches next year.

BROTHERHOOD BRIDGE OF BUSINESSMEN OPENS FIRST FACTORY
"Friendship Bridge" of the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) started to bear fruits.
Businessmen Necdet Tugrul, who pledged for investment after attending TUSKON`s visit to the southeast in February, established a slipper factory in southeastern province of Diyarbakir.
The factory provides job opportunity for 75 people.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AGAINST GANGS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government would continue to fight against the gangs in determination.
"Our fight against terrorism, mafia, and gangs will continue. Turkey has a promising future," Erdogan said.

SIMSEK: TURKEY`S ECONOMY IS SOLID
State Minister Mehmet Simsek said structure of the Turkish economy became less fragile thanks to the structural reforms fulfilled on many fields and economic measures.
Simsek also said there was no economic crisis in Turkey.

(TÇ-AY)