ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on August 29th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SILVER HERO WITH BROKEN WRIST
Bahri Tanrikulu of Turkey lost the gold medal in his last match in taekwondo event in Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. Although Tanrikulu's wrist was broken in his first match, he continued to compete till the final. Tanrikulu, who was beaten by his U.S. rival in the final match, won a silver medal. Aydin Polatci of Turkey won a bronze medal in 120 kg free wrestling, while Elvan Abeylegesse was ranked the eighth in 1,500-meter Olympic women's athletics.

ERDOGAN: UNEMPLOYMENT DECREASES BY 11 PERCENT
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that rate of unemployment reduced by 11 percent this year when compared with the last year. Addressing the nation on the official television channel, Erdogan said, ''this is a very beneficial development, demonstrating that everything has started to go on the right track, and unemployment problem has started to be solved.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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OZKOK: I AM NOT PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE
During the handing over ceremony of force commands, Turkish Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok said, ''we shouldn't be feared of problems. I tell my friends in such difficult situations that we should not be feared of, but read Ataturk's Speech. Look, Ataturk achieved the difficult under those difficult conditions. Some think that Turkish Armed Forces love Turkey and our homeland the most, and others are bad. I consider this thought wrong. I want Turkey to stand on its feet, and progress with all its institutions, not only the Armed Forces.''

SEZER'S TEARS
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's mother Hatice Sezer, 86, died at her home in Aegean province of Afyon. President Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood beside each other in the religious ceremony held before Hatice Sezer was laid to rest. Sezer cried when his mother was laid to wrest.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ANOTHER SIX TURKS KIDNAPPED IN IRAQ
Turkish drivers have some difficulties in Iraq currently. Al-Jazeera television reported that one driver was killed, claiming that another six Turks were kidnapped. An Islamic group also warned Turkey not to send goods and equipment to Iraq.

INVESTMENT IN IZMIT
Turkish Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun said that a Far Eastern automotive company would make investment amounting to 700 million U.S. dollars in Izmit province in Marmara Region. Delivering a speech at the 73rd Izmir International Fair, Coskun did not name the company. It was learned that Malaysian Proton company would invest in Izmit Gulf.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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OZKOK: ''WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFICULTIES, YOU SHOULD READ ATATURK'S SPEECH''
Turkish Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok said that he was optimistic about the future of Turkey. ''Of course, there are difficult situations. I tell my friends in such difficult situations that we should not be feared of, but read Ataturk's Speech. Look, Turkish nation achieved many things under those difficult conditions. There is no need to be pessimistic,'' Ozkok noted. Underlining that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) was open to criticisms, Ozkok said that but criticisms should be constructive.

SENER SAYS IF NECESSARY, THEY WILL TAKE MEASURES
Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that foreign trade deficit amounted to 9.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first six months of 2004. Sener noted that if it was needed, some measures could be taken according to year-end perspective.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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AK PARTY WAITS FOR AN ANSWER
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is waiting for Republican People's Party (CHP)'s answer on the draft Turkish Penal Code (TCK). AK Party wants headscarf to be freed. CHP will give its answer on the issue on Monday.

38 CRITICAL DAYS FOR EU
Turkish government and nongovernmental organizations will host European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen between September 5th and 8th. Verheugen will pay a visit to Turkey before the EU Commission will make public its progress report on Turkey. The Commission is expected to publish its progress report on October 6th. Verheugen will visit Ankara, southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Aegean city of Izmir, and commercial hub Istanbul.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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VICTORY MARCH WITH GIANT FLAG
Members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and their families marched in Ankara to mark the Victory Day. Everybody were fascinated by the two-kilometer-long Turkish flag carried by TSK members and their families.

AGREEMENT WITH SYRIA READY
Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and Syrian Minister of Trade Ghassan al-Rifai initialed Turkey-Syria Free Trade Agreement at Turkish Foreign Trade Undersecretary's Office. Tuzmen expressed pleasure with the agreement, while al-Rifai said that the agreement was a product of hard work of Turkish and Syrian delegations.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKISH DRIVER KILLED IN IRAQ IDENTIFIED
One of the two people killed in the Iraqi town of Baiji were identified as Turkish driver Ramazan Erkul, while the other was reported to be an Iraqi citizen. Erkul, who was shot to death, entered Iraq from Habur border crossing on August 20th, it was learned. Erkul's body will be brought to Turkey.

1.4 BLN USD DIRECT FOREIGN CAPITAL FLOWS IN TURKEY IN 6 MONTHS
Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan said that 1.4 billion U.S. dollars of direct foreign capital flowed in Turkey in the first half of this year. Babacan noted that main aim of the government was to rehabilitate investment environment and to speed up investments of the private sector. Babacan recalled that the government changed the definition of direct foreign investment and investor, and reduced bureaucratic hurdles by an arrangement made in 2003. Thus, Babacan added, there had been a significant rise in flow of direct foreign capital in Turkey.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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EU STANDARD FOR VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS
According to a project prepared by the Turkish National Education Ministry, vocational education and training will be increased to four years. Graduates of such schools will be given not only a diploma but also a certificate that complies with European Union (EU) standards.

THREE AMENDMENTS TO TCK
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) informed opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) about the amendments it plans to make on the draft Turkish Penal Code (TCK). AK Party government wants to change articles 115, 219 and 222 of the draft TCK. And, therefore, the government will delay the day when TCK will enter into force till January 1st, 2006.

(EÖ-BRC) 29.08.2004