ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on September 26th, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
TURKIYE
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GUL: AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY WAS CAUGHT IN MIDDLE EAST
President Abdullah Gul held a series of talks in New York, the United States where he is paying a visit for the UN summit. Gul said they caught a very good opportunity in regard to solution of Palestinian issue and it should not be missed. Gul said he was calling on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to exert more efforts for a solution. Gul who also held talks in regard to Iran said Middle East could not bear another tension.
ERUYGUR OPENS HIS EYES
Retired general Sener Eruygur, who was at prison within the scope of Ergenekon inquiry, underwent brain surgery. He was waked up completely and he will stay at intensive care unit for a few days. Eruygur earlier fell in the prison and had cerebral hemorrhage.
ZAMAN
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NEIGHBOR DISREGARDS CRISIS, INVESTS 745 MLN USD IN TURKEY
Although there is a financial crisis in international markets, the interest of foreigners to Turkey continues. National Bank of Greece, which bought 46 percent share of Finansbank (belonging to Husnu Ozyegin) in 2006, also took the rest of bank shares of Fiba Holding for 697.1 million USD. Thus, Ozyegin sold off all shares of Finansbank. Another Greek company which made investment in Turkey was Hygeia medical center. Officials of the center stated that they bought 50 percent of Safak Hospital Group for 48 million USD.
DIGNITY OF PARLIAMENT PRESERVED
The debate, which was seen in politics history for the first time, did not deteriorate the dignity of Parliament. Justice & Development (AK) Party deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat and main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) acting group chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu debated at Parliament`s press office. The debate was directed by journalist Ugur Dundar, and it was broadcast live from TV. Firat and Kilicdaroglu talked with documents but they could not convince each other. The debate was quiet, and the two parliamentarians shook hands in the end.
YENI SAFAK
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IPHONE QUEUE
Mobile phone shops started selling iPhone in Turkey. Turkcell and Vodafone received 200,000 applications for this phone. 8 gigabyte Iphone will be sold for 645 Euro, and 16 gigabyte for 758 Euro.
VATAN
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SURPRISING RESIGNATION FROM AK PARTY
Mehmet Yasar Ozturk, Justice & Development (AK) Party deputy from central province of Yozgat, resigned from his party and the number of seats of the ruling party dropped to 338. Some said that Ozturk would join the party that would be established by Abdullatif Sener.
KILICDAROGLU: FIRAT SHOULD RESIGN
A debate took place between the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) acting group chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat at the parliament in front of press members. Kylycdaroglu made public two more documents about Fyrat`s old company. Replying to questions after the discussion, Kilicdaroglu said Firat should resign from his post.
CUMHURIYET
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ENVIRONMENTALISTS REACT TO NUCLEAR PLANT TENDER
Environmentalists said nuclear power plant tender failed because it attracted just one bid. The activists said Turkey should give up the idea of construction of nuclear power plant, and they called on Energy Minister Hilmi Guler to resign.
FOREIGN COMPANIES SEIZE PRIMARY DEALER SECTOR
After the banking and insurance sectors, primary dealer sector was also seized by foreign companies. The last share in Finansbank will also be sold to Greek partner.
RADIKAL
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IPHONE WARS
People lined up in front of Turkcell and Vodafone shops last night for Iphone 3G. 200,000 people applied to buy Iphone 3G. Turkcell is selling 8 gigabyte Iphone for 645 Euro, and 16 for 758 Euro.
ERUYGUR WAKED
Retired general Sener Eruygur, who was at prison within the scope of Ergenekon inquiry, earlier fell in the prison and had cerebral hemorrhage. He was waked up completely. Also retired general Hursit Tolon, who was arrested too, asked for release due to health problems.
HURRIYET
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TURKEY GRADES
Journalist Ugur Dundar brought together the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) acting group chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat at the parliament. This gathering was watched by most of Turkish people. The two parliamentarians discussed several matters in a kind manner in front of press members and the discussion lasted for one hour and 35 minutes. Kilicdaroglu left Firat in a difficult situation with several documents.
RESIGNATION FROM AK PARTY
Mehmet Yasar Ozturk, deputy from central province of Yozgat of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, resigned from his party. Ozturk is known that he has close relations with Abdullatif Sener who earlier resigned from AK Party for a new political formation. Following the resignation of Ozturk, the number of seats of AK Party at the parliament became 338.
MILLIYET
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WE LEARNED MANY THINGS
A "first" happened under the roof of Parliament. Justice & Development (AK) Party deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat and main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) acting group chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu debated with a nice style with moderation of journalist Ugur Dundar. People, in business places and cafes, showed great interest towards the debate. Citizens said they would like to see such programs. They said that they also wanted to see Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal on TV like this. A bottle of water, which was brought to table before the debate started, was returned by Kilicdaroglu and Dundar as it was Ramadan.
OZKAN: ACCUSATIONS ARE RIDICULOUS
Eight people including journalist Tuncay Ozkan as well as Gurbuz Capan, who were detained under Ergenekon inquiry, were taken to health check yesterday. While departing from Kucukcekmece Courthouse, Ozkan told reporters that accusations about him were very ridiculous.
SABAH
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"WE ARE NOT AN ATTACK BASE TO NEIGHBOR"
Those were the words which President Abdullah Gul used to warn U.S. President George W. Bush. Replying to a question whether NATO bases in Turkey would be used against Iran or not, Gul said, "presence of U.S. troops in Turkey to attack another country was out of question. Turkey is not a base to attack a neighboring country."
THEY WATCHED FROM TV AT THEIR OFFICES
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan watched the debate between Justice & Development (AK) Party deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat and main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) acting group chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu at his office in Prime Ministry building. CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal was also at his office in Parliament to watch the debate.
(GC-EÖ)