ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on June 6th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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DECISION: ANNULMENT
The Constitutional Court annulled by 9 against 2 votes the constitutional amendment on lifting the headscarf ban at universities.
Despite the rapporteur`s opinion stating that the court could only "carry out a procedural examination" on the constitutional amendment, the Constitutional Court examined the amendment on its merits. The court said the amendment violated the Constitution`s article on "secularism" as well as Articles 4 and 148.
LET`S MAKE TURKEY A REGIONAL BASE
Addressing the Japanese businessmen, President Abdullah Gul said, "I invite you to invest in a Turkey which has gone through a remarkable transformation compared to the situation 10 years ago".
CEO`s of Japan`s leading companies such as Mitsubishi and Toyota said that Turkey could be an important regional base for them.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ANNULMENT TO HEADSCARF AT UNIVERSITIES
Constitutional Court annulled a constitutional amendment which allowed headscarf at universities on charges that it contradicted secularism.
The constitutional amendment was annulled by 9 votes against 2.
TURKEY HITS PKK IN COORDINATION WITH IRAN
Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug said Iran and Turkey launched simultaneous and coordinated operations in their border lines against terrorist PKK organization.
"Turkey shares intelligence with Iran," Gen. Basbug said.
QATAR`S FIRST LADY COMES FOR SHOPPING
Sheikha Mozah, wife of Qatar`s Emir Al-Thani arrived at Istanbul on Thursday by a private plane.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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GIRL, IT`S NOT ALLOWED
Constitutional Court cancelled the constitutional amendment regarding headscarf (which allows students to wear headscarf at universities) yesterday. The court said that it cancelled the amendment by taking articles 2, 4 and 148 of Constitution into consideration.
GUL: A LEGAL PROCESS
Regarding the decision of Constitutional Court about headscarf, President Abdullah Gul spoke in Japan, and said that it was a legal process, and he did not want to comment further.
GEN. BUYUKANIT: STATEMENT OF THE OBVIOUS
Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said regarding the decision of Constitutional Court about headscarf, "we all have to respect legal decisions. Turkey is a secular, democratic, social state of law." He said that the decision was the statement of the obvious.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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HISTORICAL DECISION FROM TOP COURT
Turkey`s Constitutional Court cancelled on Thursday a constitutional amendment lifting a ban on wearing headscarves at universities. Nine judges voted in favor of the cancellation while two voted against. The court said that the "constitutional amendment was against secularism". Justice and Development (AK) Party and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) officials said that they do not agree with the decision of the Constitutional Court. Republican People`s Party (CHP) said that "such issues should not have been decided in a court".
STRONG REACTION FROM GOVERNMENT
The strongest reaction to the Turkish Constitutional Court`s decision on the cancellation of a constitutional amendment came from Justice and Development (AK) Party`s Diyarbakir MP Abdurrahman Kurt. In reference to the court`s decision, Kurt said that "this is a coup of those with gown".
Meanwhile, AK Party`s Group Deputy Chairman Bekir Bozdag said that "the court`s decision is a political one. The Constitutional Court`s decision is against the Constitution".
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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LAST PERIOD FOR HEADSCARF
Turkey`s Constitutional Court based its decision to cancel a constitutional amendment lifting a ban on wearing headscarves at universities on Article 2 regulating "secularism", Article 148 describing the duties of the Constitutional Court and Article 4 that indicates the impossibility of amending the Constitution`s first three articles. University rectors described the court`s decision as "a historical decision for secularism".
WE WORK AS PARTNERS WITH IRAN, GEN. BASBUG
Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug said Thursday Turkey works as partners with Iran in the fight against terrorist organization PKK. "We conduct military operations with Iran against PKK", Gen. Basbug said.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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BAD NEWS TO AK PARTY
Constitutional Court said "no" with 9 votes against 2 to freedom of wearing headscarf at universities which was earlier adopted with 411 votes at Parliament. The Constitutional amendment regarding headscarf was among the evidences of closure case against Justice & Development (AK) Party.
SEARCH FOR COOPERATION
On the second day of his visit to Japan, President Abdullah Gul met representatives of business world. Turkish delegation discussed cooperation opportunities with giant Japanese companies.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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4 MESSAGES FROM GEN. BUYUKANIT
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit made important warnings against PKK, secularism, Iran and Kirkuk while addressing the Middle East symposium.
Gen. Buyukanit said, "There are people who want to attribute a title to Turkish Republic which is the only sample in the Islamic world with its secular structure. As a democratic country, we will not be subjugated by anybody."
Gen. Buyukanit said Israel-Palestinian dispute was the most important problem in the Middle East, "we do not want nuclear weapons in the region. Iran should act in common-sense and Syria should be integrated with the world."
"Iraq`s integrity has vital importance for Turkey. Title deed registrations were destroyed and referendum was delayed in Kirkuk. The world public opinion should consider these," Gen. Buyukanit said.
REJECTION DECISION TO HEADSCARF
Constitutional Court annulled a constitutional amendment allowing headscarf at universities. The amendment was cancelled by 9 votes against 2.
DISCOVER OUR COUNTRY AGAIN
President Abdullah Gul invited Japanese businessmen to invest in Turkey. "Turkey assumes the role of an important bridge between Europe, Middle East and Central Asia. We may carry out joint works in privatization and nuclear energy," Gul said while addressing the Turkish-Japanese Business Forum.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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COURT ABIDES BY CHP`S DEMAND, LEGISTS REVOLT
The Constitutional Court, which led the way to discussions with its decision on "the quorum of 367 deputies" during the presidential election, took a new decision that rose reactions of legists.
Turkey`s high court, which examined the constitutional amendment adopted by 411 votes, on the merits instead of procedure and in accordance with Republican People`s Party`s (CHP) demand, cancelled the amendment by 9 against 2 votes.
JAPANESE EMPEROR TO GUL: TURKEY MODERNIZES STICKING TO TRADITIONS
President Abdullah Gul met Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Miciko on the second day of his visit to Japan. The emperor made important analyses on Turkey during the 20-minute meeting.
Pointing to the common characteristics of Turkish and Japanese people, the emperor said, "We have modernized sticking to our traditions. Turkey is also getting modern that way".
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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VIOLATION OF LAW
Constitutional Court violated legislation authority of the Parliament, and cancelled the arrangements on equality which took place in articles 10 and 42 of Constitution. It widened its authority and changed the character of regime.
DELICACY AT PALACE
Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa Gul, who are currently in Japan, attended the banquet which was hosted by Japanese Emperor Akihito yesterday. Akihito told Gul, "you, like us, are getting modern by clinging into your traditions." Gul couple were hosted at Emperor`s Palace as `very special guests`.
(AY-DO-GC-AÖ)