ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on October 19, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

TURKIYE
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TRAINEE DRIVER
Government is close to finalize a bill on the new Traffic Law. The bill brings new regulations to get a driver's licence. Under the new law, people who apply and pass an exam to get a licence will have to drive as a trainee for two years. Trainee drivers are expected not to be fined in this period to get their licences.

"OUR MEMBERSHIP IS A GREAT HONOR FOR TURKEY"
Turkish President Abdullah Gul spoke about Turkey's non-permanent seat on the Security Council.
"Taking such a responsibility is a great honor for Turkey. You will be in the executive board that governs the world," he said.

ZAMAN
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POLICE RAID BUT GAMBLERS GO FREE WITH 125 YTL
Gambling is banned in Turkey. However, penalties that are not deterrent, such as small amounts of fines, make it hard to fight gambling. Recent example was at the Dalmaz Center, a night club in Istanbul. Police raided the center 10 times but could not get anything. Those, who were detained by the police, were free after paying 125 YTL (80 USD) of fine under the law on misdemeanor. Low fines make raids not deterrent but advertisement.

"WE HAVE TO SAVE TURKEY FROM BORROWING AND TAKING ORDERS"
The Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges in Turkey (TOBB) objected to chairperson of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) who called for a stand-by deal with the International Monetary Fund.
He said everyone in Turkey was against IMF but the country was left weak at the knees against IMF.
"This is unacceptable. We have to save the country from borrowing or taking orders," he stated.

YENI SAFAK
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ARCHITECTS OF VICTORY
Turkey's being elected non-permanent member to UN Security Council after 47 years of interval was the product of active foreign policy. Joint efforts of President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also brought the success. Decisions and sanctions of the Council, strongest organ of UN, are binding for all countries. Turkey will be able to tell its theses more effectively.

SILIVRI READY
First trial of Ergenekon case will start at Silivri Prison tomorrow. 86 suspects will appear at Istanbul High Criminal Court. Retired general Veli Kucuk, former rector Kemal Alemdaroglu, Labor Party chairman Dogu Perincek and journalist Ilhan Selcuk are accused of directing terrorist organization.

VATAN
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FREE COAL FOR 2.5 MILLION FAMILIES
Government allocated 1.1 billion YTL for the coal to be distributed to deprived people. Houses of 10 million people will be heated with this aid.
When this aid program was launched in 2003, 1.096 million families got the free coal. In 2004 when local elections were held, 514,000 new families joined them. The number of families got free coal was 1.83 million in 2005, 1.79 in 2006, 1.89 in 2007. This number will be 2.08 in 2008.
But figures will skyrocket in 2009, the year of local elections. Government will transfer 1.1 billion YTL to two state-owned coal producers. The number of families will rose to 2.5 million.

DTP'S MESSAGE: LISTEN TO US JUST AS YOU LISTEN TO BARZANI
Deputy Chairman of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat's meeting with Democratic Society Party (DTP) executives had repercussions. Party officials, who asked not to be named, said that DTP chairman Turk and deputy Sirri Sakik gave a message to Firat.
"We can take immediate steps at the parliament to stop clashes. Talks have started with the regional administration in the north of Iraq. Yes, Barzani is an important actor but the solution to the problem is inside the country," Turk was quoted as saying.

CUMHURIYET
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THEY ARE STRESSING TURKEY
Upon the claims that Abdullah Ocalan, head of PKK terrorist organization, was used violence at prison in Imrali, supporters of Ocalan started demonstrations in Istanbul which spread to southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir, Hakkari and Adana. Several deputies of Democratic Society Party (DTP) also participated in the demonstrations in Diyarbakir during which people attacked police officers with stones. Clashes erupted in Yuksekova town of Hakkari as well as Adana. One person was injured when an explosive went off in Yuksekova.

IRANIAN WOMEN CARTOONISTS DRAW "PEACE"
Cartoons of Iranian women cartoonists started to be displayed in the hall of Cartoonists Association in Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. Chairman of the Association, Metin Peker, said that they wanted the world to hear peace through cartoons.

RADIKAL
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SHOPS CLOSED
The claims that Abdullah Ocalan, head of PKK terrorist organization, was used violence at prison in Imrali caused people to hold demonstrations in many cities including Istanbul. Shops were closed in Yuksekova town of southeastern province of Hakkari. Clashes erupted in southern province of Adana.

HURRIYET
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BACKSTAGE OF QUARTET DINNER
Deputy Chairman of Justice & Development (AK) Party Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat attended a dinner with Democratic Society Party (DTP) chairman Ahmet Turk, and deputies Sirri Sakik and Ibrahim Binici. Firat took part in the dinner with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's consent.
"Mr. Prime Minister still ignores us for the solution of the problem. He prefers to talk with Barzani and Talabani but the prior part of the problem is DTP and people represented by DTP," Turk was quoted as saying at the dinner by party officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Your relation with the terrorist organization PKK obstructs Prime Minister's approach regarding the solution. We want you to label PKK as a terrorist organization. But we know that it is impossible for you to make such a description," Firat responded.

WORLD CONGRATULATES TURKEY
World congratulates Turkey for becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. EU Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn said he believed that Turkey would use that seat to enhance common values of Europe. British and U.S. permanent representatives to the UN expressed pleasure over Turkey's seat.

MILLIYET
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WORLD CONGRATULATE, GREEK CYPRIOTS TENSE
Foreign countries congratulated Turkey which was elected non-permanent member to UN Security Council. John Sawers, British permanent representative to UN, expressed belief that Turkey, which was active in its region, would increase the effectiveness of the Council. Greek Cypriot administration said that it was not pleased with the result. Greek Cypriot press wrote that Turkey could now affect Cyprus issue, and it became hard to make the UN take a decision about Cyprus issue.

RICHEST 100 TURKS
Economist magazine announced the list of the richest 100 Turks. Koc, Sabanci, Ulker, Dogan and Sahenk families are the first five at the list. According to the magazine, most of the rich families are living in Istanbul.

SABAH
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CENTURY'S CASE STARTING TOMORROW
Trial of 86 suspects will start at Silivri Prison tomorrow within the scope of Ergenekon case. Secret witnesses will be kept in a separate room while making their depositions.

SAW THE BURGLAR IN HATAY FROM SWITZERLAND
Oktay Okatar, who is working in Switzerland, saw a burglar entered his house in Erzin town of Turkish southern province of Hatay through a system he set up. Okatar called his wife on the phone and warned her that a burglar was in the house. Fatma Okatar switched on the lights and the burglar escaped.

(TÇ-GC)