ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on July 20th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET
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PKK IN HEART OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND TERRORISM
Michael Braun, the assistant administrator and chief of operations of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), said that the terrorist organization PKK was involved in drug trafficking. Braun said that the United States was working with Turkey and other interlocutors to end the activities of the terrorist organization PKK. Speaking at the Washington Institute, Braun used the expression "hybrid" for organizations like PKK that were involved in drug trafficking and obtaining great deal of income from that trafficking, besides being involved in terrorism.
EX-PREMIER TO BECOME ADVISER FOR TURKISH COMPANY
Turkey`s Agaoglu Group proposed former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar to become an adviser to the group. Ali Agaoglu, the chairman of the Executive Board of Agaoglu Group, said that the holding had reached the final stage in negotiations with Aznar. With a model he developed, Aznar sold 2.2 million summer houses to foreigners, and brought some 660 billion Euro source to his country. Agaoglu said, "we want to benefit from Aznar`s experiences."
ERDOGAN: WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN TALAT
Holding a joint press conference with President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "we have full confidence in Mr.Talat and his team regarding a solution."
MILLIYET
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ISTANBUL TO SEND 15 MORE MPs TO PARLIAMENT
Turkey`s electoral board has re-determined the number of MPs provinces can send to the parliament, according to the results of the new register system based on addresses.
Accordingly, 11 provinces will be able to send more number of MPS to the parliament, while number of deputies that can be sent by 24 provinces will decrease. Within this framework, the number of MPs representing Istanbul will rise from 70 to 85.
ERDOGAN SUPPORTS GENERAL STAFF`S REMARKS
The first supportive comment came from Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding Turkish General Staff`s harsh remarks on the claims that an investigation was launched against certain army officers within the framework of Operation Ergenekon.
"It is impossible for us to appreciate the unlawful attacks targeting our Armed Forces," Erdogan said.
SABAH
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NOBODY WELCOMES ATTACKS ON TURKISH ARMED FORCES
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave messages from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Erdogan said, "we do not welcome illegal attacks on the Turkish Armed Forces." On Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, "we have confidence in (TRNC President Mehmet Ali) Talat. The target to solve Cyprus problem by the end of this year is a realistic one."
FUEL CONSUMPTION DOWN TEN PERCENT
Turkey is one of the countries consuming the most expensive oil due to rising crude oil prices and high tax rates. Oil sales were down 10 percent in the first five months of 2008, over the same period of 2007. On the contrary, the Turkish Board of Statistics said that the number of vehicles registered in the traffic department was up 21.4 percent in the first five months of 2008 and reached 386,933. One liter of unleaded oil was 3.10 new Turkish liras (YTL) at the beginning of the year, whereas it has gone up to 3.61 YTL so far.
VATAN
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PORTUGUESE MEIRA DUE TO JOIN GALATASARAY
Galatasaray soccer club of Turkey agreed in principle with Portuguese defense player Meira. The 30-year-old Meira is actually playing for Germany`s Stuttgart team. Galatasaray proposed 3 million Euro to Stuttgart for Meira. However, Stuttgart wants 6 million Euro. If they agree, Meira will play for Galatasaray till 2011.
ISTANBUL TO HAVE 85 MPs AT PARLIAMENT
The Higher Election Board took into consideration the new population of Turkey (72 million) and re-determined the number of deputies provinces will send to parliament. Accordingly, in the upcoming election, Istanbul will be represented by 85 MPs, not 70. Ankara`s MPs will rise from 29 to 31 and Izmir will have 26 parliamentarians, not 25.
CUMHURIYET
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SUPPORT FROM ERDOGAN TO CRITICIZED PROCESS
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported negotiations between President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias. The talks have been criticized by many circles, particulary former TRNC president Rauf Denktas for they aim at an agreement on the principle of "one sovereignty and one citizenship." Erdogan underlined importance of the meeting the two leaders would have on July 25th for resumption of comprehensive talks.
KEMALIST THOUGHT ASSOCIATION STAGES PROTEST DEMONSTRATION
The Kemalist Thought Association staged a protest demonstration at Istanbul`s Kadikoy Square, which was supported by many non-governmental organizations. Illegal practices during the Ergenekon investigation was protested in the demonstration.
RADIKAL
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CONTACT PROVIDED BETWEEN USA AND IRAN
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns attended Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili`s talks with representatives of EU and UN in Geneva, Switzerland. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan called the parties prior to the meeting. "Do not miss this opportunity," Babacan told them.
ZUBIN MEHTA TO CLOSE IZMIR FESTIVAL
Zubin Mehta, one of the world`s greatest conductors alive, is coming to the Aegean province of Izmir to attend the closing concert of the 22nd International Izmir Festival.
The festival will be closed with a concert to be held at the historical Celsus Library of Ephesus. The Italian Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra will accompany Mehta during the concert.
TURKIYE
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WE WANT A SOLUTION
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey wanted a solution which is based on political equality and which envisages the presence of two states in Cyprus.
Erdogan also said that he attached importance to the meeting to take place between Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders on July 25th.
"We know that Turkish Republic of NOrthern Cyprus (TRNC) has been taking a constructive stance. We have full confidence in President Mehmet Ali Talat (of TRNC). Our support will continue," he said.
USA`S COMMENT ON PKK
Michael Braun, the assistant administrator and chief of operations of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of USA, said that terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida and PKK were hybrid organizations that were involved in drug trafficking.
Braun said that such organizations did not attach any importance to their ideologies when it came to money issues.
ZAMAN
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TURKEY`S INFLUENCE IN SUMMIT BRINGING TOGETHER USA AND IRAN
Ankara, which is exerting active efforts to solve Middle Eastern problem through dialogue, also intervened in the crisis caused by Iran`s nuclear program. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan had a busy telephone traffic with his interlocutors before the Iran-European Union (EU) summit in Geneva, which was also attended by the United States. This was the first time the United States participated in the summit. Only hours before Saturday`s critical summit in which Iran`s nuclear file was debated, Babacan called U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier and Javier Solana, the EU`s high representative for the common foreign and security policy. Babacan called for improvement of dialogue and conveyed Tehran`s sensitivities to his interlocutors.
IF WE BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY, WE SHOULD OBJECT TO MILITARY INTERVENTION
Emrehan Halici, an MP from the Democratic Left Party (DSP), said that the most important allegation regarding the "Ergenekon terrorist organization" was "military intervention attempt". Halici said that politicians who believe in democracy should object to that. Warning the Republican People`s Party (CHP) that reacts to the investigation without mentioning the name of the party, Halici said, "this is a state of law. It is not right to harm judiciary when we do not like what is going on."
YENI SAFAK
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I WILL GLADLY BECOME A TURKISH CITIZEN
Deivid, the Brazilian striker of Fenerbahce soccer club, wants to play for Turkish national team. Deivid, who first broke his leg and then lost his mother, was supported by his friends in that hard time. Deivid was so happy with that interest of his friends, and said, "if they chose me to the (Turkish) national team, I will be very proud. I will gladly become a Turkish citizen."
PKK-ERGENEKON CONTACT
Sukru Gulmus, a former member of the terrorist organization PKK who is living in Germany, claimed that Ergenekon terrorist organization`s civilian wing and the PKK were in close contact. Touching on the story published in Yeni Safak newspaper that "PKK will be eradicated in a month if Ergenekon wanted", Gulmus said, "Ocalan was sending those who opposed to him to Ergenekon (organization)."
(DO-BRC)