ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 29th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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AL-ASAD KEEPS HIS PROMISE TO GIVE WATER TO TURKEY
During his visit to Syria, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Syrian President Bashar al-Asad that Syria should open gates of dams on Asi River. "Otherwise, wheat of farmers in Amik Plain in Antakya (southern Turkey) would be parched," Erdogan said. Al-Asad said they would share what they got. The Syrian president announced that his country would open dam gates for ten days.
DISABILITY TO PERFORM MILITARY SERVICE RELEASED
The Air Forces Military Court decided to release Nurettin Demirtas, chairman of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), and 52 other people in a lawsuit they were being tried on charges of arranging a fake certificate of disability for discharge in order to get exempt from military service.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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COURT ENDS HISTORIC MISTAKE
The Council of State has decided to annul a project to construct additional buildings to the Four Seasons Hotel over ancient Byzantian ruins in Istanbul upon an application by the Chamber of Architects. Earlier, the project was approved by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism.
ON THE EDGE OF HOLLYWOOD?
A leading U.S. daily has given broad place to film-maker Fatih Akin of Turkish origin, and eulogized his movie "The Edge of Heaven". Ann Hornaday said in her article in the Washington Post, "The Edge of Heaven is a sprawling, multi-character tale that spans continents and addresses such of-the-moment issues as immigration, cultural tradition, identity and global politics. If that sounds familiar, it may be because 'The Edge of Heaven' is the film that 'Babel' wanted so desperately to be -- rich, textured, urgent, profound."
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PROVOCATION IN SAKARYA
A big provocation took place in northwestern Sakarya province. Nearly one thousand people raided a gathering organized by the DTP. A group of people gathered in front of a wedding-ceremony hall where several people attended "Peace Night" of DTP. Then the group tried to enter the wedding-ceremony hall, but they could not enter it. 800 people had to stay in the hall for seven hours. One person at the age of 65 died of heart attack in the hall.
DISCUSSION ON TAKSIM SQUARE
Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler announced that a demonstration would not be held in Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1st Workers' Day. Guler said they had intelligence that some people had been planning to stage provocative acts on May 1st.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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PERFECT RAID
Special operation teams of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) infiltrated north of Iraq and raided a terrorist camp. The operation was staged last week. MIT received a tip-off that three top members of the terrorist organization PKK would meet in Seladze region across Mount Daglica. These three terrorists are known for organizing active forces of the terrorist organization in the region and collecting new members to the organization. Teams were dispatched to the area with helicopters, and they got three top members after a small clash. One of the terrorists, who resisted, was wounded. MIT teams brought the injured and two other terrorists to Turkey. After this operation, MIT gave intelligence to the Turkish army, and Turkish Armed Forces launched an air operation on the region. All terrorist elements in the region were destroyed in the air operation. The three terrorists are still being interrogated in Diyarbakir (southeastern Turkey).
NEW PARTNER OF DAILY SABAH EAGER TO BUY UZAN'S MANSION
Qatari Amir Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who is a partner of the Sabah daily newspaper and ATV private TV channel, is willing to buy a historical mansion in Istanbul. Turkish businessman Kemal Uzan used to live in the historical Ahmet Afif Pasa Mansion in Yenikoy, Istanbul. Turkey's Savings Deposit Insurance Fund put the mansion on sale twice in the past, however nobody was eager to buy it. The Qatari Amir will be a customer of the fund for a second time if he decides to purchase the mansion. His first purchase was ATV and Sabah.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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DEMONSTRATION NOT TO BE HELD IN TAKSIM
Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said they would not allow demonstrations in Taksim Square in the city on May 1st Workers' Day. Guler called on the unions to have common-sense on this matter. Guler said demonstrations could be held in Caglayan, Kazlicesme, Kadikoy and Kartal districts on May 1st.
OZINCE ON FOREIGN CAPITAL
Ersin Ozince, director general of Turkey's Is Bankasi, said Turkey should have a national policy in regard to the capital and develop its own capital markets. Ozince said it was not enough to wait for foreign capital, but the country should have a strategy on this matter like competent countries did.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ARGUMENTS OVER TAKSIM
While Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said that any attempt to celebrate the May 1st Workers' Day in Istanbul's famous Taksim Square would be illegal and security forces would use force against protestors, labor unions insisted on gathering in the square. Unions said that they were determined to use their rights stemming from international agreements.
"ERDOGAN WILL SEND HIS ADVISER TO JERUSALEM"
Israeli dailies have written that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would send his chief advisor for foreign policy to Jerusalem as a part of his mediation role between Israel and Syria. According to the Israeli press, Erdogan would try to have Israeli and Syrian officials meet in Turkey to resume peace talks.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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PROVOCATION IN SAKARYA
A big provocation took place in northwestern Sakarya province. Nearly one thousand people raided a gathering organized by the Democratic Society Party (DTP). A group of people gathered in front of a wedding-ceremony hall where several people attended "Peace Night" of DTP. Then the group tried to enter the wedding-ceremony hall, but they could not enter it. 800 people had to stay in the hall for seven hours. One person at the age of 65 died of heart attack in the hall.
DISCUSSION ON TAKSIM SQUARE
Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler announced a demonstration would not be held in Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1st Workers' Day. Guler said they had intelligence that some people had been planning to stage provocative actions on May 1st.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GOVERNOR WARNS FOR LAST TIME: NO PERMISSION TO DEMONSTRATION AT TAKSIM SQUARE
Unions still insist on marking May 1 Workers' Day at Istanbul's Taksim Square despite the ban put by authorities. Governor Muammer Guler once more warned the unions to respect the laws, whereas unions including Turk-Is, DISK and KESK say they would not take a backward step from what they intended to do. Guler said, "Taksim is not among the areas where demonstrations or protest marches can be staged, however unions will be allowed to lay a wreath at the Taksim Square this year, as usual." Guler also said armed forces would intervene if mass groups tried to get to the square. The governor said they had received a tip-off that separatist, marginal and illegal organizations would stage provocative demonstrations "by using arms if necessary" on May 1st.
YAZICIOGLU TO SPEAK IN HOUSE OF LORDS
Muhsin Yazicioglu, chairman of the Grand Unity Party (BBP), will speak at the British House of Lords, and emphasize that it was wrong to associate Islam with terrorism in a meeting to be chaired by Lord Ahmed. Yazicioglu will stress that Islam was a religion of peace and affection. Underlining strategic importance of Turkey, Yazicioglu will talk about relations between the East and the West.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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COURT RELEASES DEMIRTAS
A Turkish military court has released Democratic Society Party chairman Nurettin Demirtas, who is on trial facing charges that a fake health report enabled him to avoid military service. The court also released 51 other people alongside Demirtas.
"I PULLED THE TRIGGER UNDER HYPNOSIS"
The suspect of the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist has claimed that he killed Hrant Dink under hypnosis. Levent Yildirim, lawyer of Ogun Samast who pulled the trigger, said that his client was put in the hypnotic state before the killing.
(EÖ-BRC-UK-MS)