ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on August 30th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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TWO TURKISH HOSTAGES FREED
Two Turkish engineers, Ali Daskin and Abdullah Ozdemir, who were earlier kidnapped in Iraq were released late on Sunday. Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan said that two engineers were released at 15.30 local time on Sunday thanks to initiatives of the ministry. Two Turkish engineers who were working for Usluel and SA-RA companies were brought to Turkish Embassy in Baghdad after they were freed. Engineers are expected to arrive in Turkey on Monday.
CHANGE IN FOREIGN MINISTRY
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal has been appointed as Turkish Ambassador in Rome. Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan will serve as Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry. Turkish Ambassador in Baku Unal Cevikoz was appointed as the ambassador in Baghdad.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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OZKOK: ''CIRCLES QUESTIONING NATIONAL VALUES TEST PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION OF TSK''
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok said that circles which questioned national values tested patience and determination of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Releasing a message to mark August 30th Victory Day, Ozkok stressed that risks and threats with which Turkey faced caused TSK to have more powerful, dynamic and flexible structure.
ERDOGAN SENDS DELEGATION TO ISRAEL
Four-member Turkish delegation including advisers of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a visit to Israel. The delegation will convey Erdogan's message of good will to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Turkish delegation including Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Adana deputy Omer Celik, Istanbul deputy Egemen Bagis, party deputy leader for foreign relations Saban Disli and Antalya deputy Mevlut Cavusoglu will start their talks on September 1st. Members of the delegation will also meet Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Rol Prosor and other senior officials. Turkish delegation is also expected to have a meeting with an official from Palestine.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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VERHEUGEN TO VISIT TURKEY TO BID FAREWELL
European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen will pay a visit to Turkey before he hands over his office. Prime agenda item of his visit is Progress Report on Turkey that will be made public one month later. Verheugen will visit Ankara, southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Aegean city of Izmir, and commercial hub Istanbul between September 5th and 8th. EU Commissioner Verheugen will meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
MINE EXPLOSION DERAILS TRAIN IN BINGOL
A freight train carrying goods from Tatvan to Elazig derailed when it ran over a land mine planted on railway in Genc town of eastern province of Bingol. Locomotive engineer of the train was injured in the explosion.
Many soldiers were also injured after their vehicle ran over a land mine in Guclukonak town of southeastern province of Sirnak.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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EPIC OF INDEPENDENCE
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that Turkish nation should always maintain the independence. Releasing a message to mark the Victory Day, Sezer noted that they should teach philosophy of the Turkish Republic, national values and history to their youths and children.
SWISS PARLIAMENTARIANS DUE IN TURKEY
A Swiss Parliamentary delegation which will be headed by Peter Briner, the chairman of the Swiss Federal Parliament Cantons Assembly Wing Foreign Policy Commission, will arrive in Turkey on Monday. The delegation will have a meeting with Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Mehmet Dulger and commission members on August 31st. They will later meet Parliamentary Commission for Adjustment to the European Union (EU) Chairman Yasar Yakis. Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc will receive the delegation and they will also meet Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul the same day.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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OZKOK: ''WE TOOK IMPORTANT STEPS ON OUR PATH TO EU''
Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok said that steps that were taken on Turkey's path to the European Union (EU) were results of concrete targets which were determined by Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic. Releasing a message to mark August 30th Victory Day, Ozkok said that some circles were testing patience and determination of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).
VICTORY DAY WITH GREAT JOY
August 30th Victory Day has been celebrated across the country in a different way this year. Many musicians gave concerts on Sunday. Military bands also gave concerts in Kugulu Park, Cayyolu, Akkopru Migros, Vedat Dalokay Park and Kecioren Ataturk Park in Ankara. A parade will take place in hippodrome on Monday.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ERDOGAN: ''WE ARE MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ''
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish Foreign Ministry showed sensitivity about developments in Iraq. Replying to a question on developments about Turkish driver Ramazan Erkul who was shot to death in Iraq, Erdogan said, ''Foreign Ministry shows all sensitivity about developments in Iraq. It is monitoring activities and our contracting companies there. We have talks with businessmen there. We also have talks with Iraqi administration.''
82 YEAR PRIDE
August 30th ''Victory Day'' will be celebrated across the country on Monday. First ceremony will be held in Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic. Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok will lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of Ataturk. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ozkok will participate in the ceremony which will be held at Ataturk Culture Center.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY RANKS 23RD AMONG COUNTRIES COMPETING AT OLYMPICS
The 28th Summer Olympics ended in Athens on Sunday. A total of 11 thousand athletes from 202 countries competed in Olympics. Turkey ranked the 23rd among countries which participated in Olympic Games. Turkey, which competed with 67 athletes, won three gold, three silver and four bronze medals. The United States ranked the first with 100 medals.
CICEK SAYS THEY CONSIDER ADULTERY CRIME
Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that they considered adultery a crime. Stating that they tried to reach a consensus with Republican People's Party (CHP) on the issue that adultery should be considered a crime. Cicek said that Turkish society also had a similar view on this issue, noting that if they could not reach agreement on the issue, they would make another assessment.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKISH ENGINEERS FREED
Two Turkish engineers, Ali Daskin and Abdullah Ozdemir, who were earlier kidnapped in Iraq were released on Sunday. Two Turkish engineers who were working for Usluel and SA-RA companies were brought to Turkish Embassy in Baghdad after they were freed.
TURKEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN EU
Spanish Foreign Affairs & Cooperation Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said that if Turkey was not included in the European Union (EU), it would be a disaster. Speaking to a newspaper, Moratinos said that Spanish government was in favor of Turkey's accession to the EU.
(EÖ-AÖ) 30.08.2004