ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on June 5th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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BAYKAL'S KURDISH OPENING
Deniz Baykal took the first concrete step in his party's Kurdish opening in Sanliurfa where he is currently attending the Agriculture Congress: "Every ethnic identity, is a source of pride for a person and his country."
"Terror is a calamity for both the perpetrators and the victims. We will not even extend indirect support to terrorists, or protect them. We will convince them and call on them to return from this path," said Baykal.
UNRESTRICTED MONITORING AUTHORIZATION OF GENDARMERIE OVERRULED
Upon an appeal filed by the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court of Appeals overruled a court decision giving authorization to the gendarmerie for monitoring calls nation wide. The overruling said, "no body can be given unrestricted authorization for monitoring."
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS: SUCH TAPPING NOT OK'd
When a criminal court in Ankara authorized National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and gendarmerie to tap all phone, SMS and email traffic, Justice Ministry objected to gendarmerie's authorization. Case was discussed at Supreme Court of Appeals and the court ruled that this authorization was illegal.
Following this decision, the authorization, which was renewed for MIT and police every three months, can be overruled too.
ALIYEV PLEDGES GAS
In a meeting in Nakhichevan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed that Turkey would be able to supply natural gas from Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline as much as it needs.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DECISION MADE TO STOP BUGGING
Supreme Court of Appeals overruled the decision which allows security forces to tap communication across Turkey. Supreme Court of Appeals overruled decision of a court which allowed gendarmery forces to tap all communication in the country.
"IF CHP HAD KANALTURK, WE WOULD NOT SELL IT"
Mustafa Ozyurek, an executive of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), talked regarding the scandal contract between Kanalturk TV channel and his party. Ozyurek said, "if we had 40 percent of Kanalturk, we would not sell it. And even if we had sold it, we would have taken 30 million USD of share."
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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CRITICAL CASE TO BEGIN
Constitutional Court will begin hearing the case, which was filed with the request of abrogation of the constitutional amendment about lifting of ban on headscarf at universities. The case was filed on February 27th by the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Democratic Left Party (DSP) at the Constitutional Court.
ERDOGAN HOLDS TALKS IN NAKHICHEVAN
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks in Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. Erdogan was welcomed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Erdogan and Aliyev had a bilateral meeting.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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OVERRULING TO MONITORING
9th Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals overruled the decision of the 11th Assize Court in Ankara, and said , "no authorization for nation wide monitoring can be granted." The Supreme Court overruled the said decision upon an appeal filed by the Ministry of Justice. Should other appeals be filed against similar authorizations granted to the Police Department or the National Intelligence Organisation, this overruling will serve as precedent.
HEARING DAY FOR HEADSCARF CASE
Constitutional Court will start hearing today the case filed for the cancellation or stay of execution of the amendments allowing the wearing of headscarf at universities.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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CLOSURE CASE FILED AGAINST AK PARTY DUE TO HEADSCARF PACKAGE
The decision to file a closure case against ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party was made upon the initiative for constitutional amendment which allows students to wear headscarf at universities. Constitutional Court will debate the "headscarf package" today.
INFLATION MAY DROP IN WINTER
Central Bank interpreted the rise in annual inflation rate in May to 10.74 percent, exceeding the expectations. The Bank said, "we estimated that high inflation rate will continue in coming months. It is expected to drop gradually after the last quarter of the year."
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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MESSAGE TO YEREVAN
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic. Erdogan said Upper Karabakh issue must be resolved within the scope of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Turkey was ready to extend assistance to Azerbaijan.
BABACAN: "WE WILL COMPLY WITH DECISION OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT"
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who is paying a visit to the United States, said the decision that would be made by the Constitutional Court within the scope of a lawsuit to close the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party would be final. "The Constitutional Court is assessing the case. But when dealing with this issue, principles such as separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary should be preserved. Whatever the court would say, whether we like it or not, it would be the final decision, which needs to be complied with," Babacan said.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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AZERBAIJAN TO SOLVE TURKEY'S GAS PROBLEM
Turkey and Azerbaijan have built a new friendship bridge. Here are some of the steps taken: Azerbaijan will meet Turkey's gas deficit. Nahkichevan's gas and electricity need will be supplied by Turkey's eastern province of Igdir. Cheap flights will start between the two countries.
GUL'S VISIT TO JAPAN FOCUSES ON ECONOMY
Turkish President Abdullah Gul started his 5-day visit to Japan which aims to improve economic relations. Gul, who was invited by Japan's Emperor Akihito, said that this visit would open a new page to stimulate economic relations, as well as investment and tourism potential between the two countries.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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HOSTILITY HOPE
Sign of hope emerged for Turkish barber Sabri Bogday who was sentenced to capital punishment in Saudi Arabia for "swearing at the God". It was understood that there was a hostility between Bogday and the Egyptian family which is insistent on its complaint. Some of the witnesses, who earlier made statements against Bodgay, are now saying they did not hear any swear.
IT IS FREE EVEN IN COMMUNIST CHINA
Thousands of headscarved Turkish girls are leaving Turkey due to education ban. On the other hand, universities in western countries and even in China and Africa do not prevent education of girls who wear headscarf.
(EÖ-TÇ-GC-AÖ)