ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on September 10th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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VERHEUGEN COMMENTS ON ADULTERY: THIS MIGHT BE A JOKE
Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, considered amendment to be made to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding adultery as ''a joke''. Verheugen said, ''this can only be a joke. I can't understand why this matter is discussed this much.''
WE HAVE FOUND ANNUAL 636 MILLION USD OF NATURAL GAS
Turkish Oil Corp. (TPAO) announced that great deal of natural gas reserve was found in northwestern Akcakoca town. The reserve can provide 15 million cubic meters of natural gas, it was learned. The annual amount to be struck from this reserve will exceed the natural gas we buy from Algeria, paying 636 million U.S. dollars annually.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR: (TURKEY) A TRUE FRIEND
Milliyet daily conveyed the letter inviting 50 terror victim Russian families to Turkey, to Russian Ambassador to Turkey Pyotr Stegniy. The Russian ambassador said, ''this invitation has eased our pain.'' Upon Milliyet's invitation, Stegniy said, ''we have seen who is our true friend. Injured children are still at hospitals. I am sure they will come (to Turkey) when they are able to.''
''TURKEY IS A BETTER TEAM THAN US''
The Greek press was pleased to draw with Turkey in the World Cup European zone Group Two qualifier. Here are some comments of the Greek press: ''Although we aren't pleased, we need to accept some realities. That Turkey is a better team than us is one of these realities.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DAMASCUS HANDS OVER 7 PKK TERRORISTS TO TURKEY
Syria arrested Hamili Yildirim, a top member of the terrorist organization PKK, at Turkish-Syrian border when he was about to cross into Turkey two months ago, and extradited him to Turkey. Syria also extradited six more PKK terrorists to Turkey. Yildirim was a founder member of PKK. He was released from prison in 1996, after serving 16 years.
FESTIVAL IN EUROPE TO START EARLY
Whether or not the European Union (EU) will set a date to start negotiations with Turkey will become clear on December 17th. But, ''Welcome Turkey Festival'' will start in Brussels on October 2nd. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will open the festival.
EU'S SCIENCE CENTER TO BE SET UP IN METU
The European Union (EU) decided to generate ''seminano'' project, the technology of the future, in Ankara's Middle East Technical University (METU). 1.3 million U.S. dollars has been allocated for the project, and Turkey will conduct the project. 12 research groups from nine countries will join the project. The project will be completed in 18 months.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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PRE-INVESTIGATION TO BE LAUNCHED REGARDING OZKAYA
Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals Chairmanship Board decided to launch a preliminary investigation regarding allegations against Eraslan Ozkaya, the Chief Judge of the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals. After it discusses a report to be prepared by a senior official regarding these claims, the board will decide whether or not it is necessary to launch a further investigation regarding Ozkaya.
TCDD ACQUITTED
The (ruling) Justice and Development Party, which hasn't trusted the report prepared by Turkish experts after the train crash in northwestern town of Pamukova, is trying to acquit Turkish Directorate General of Railways (TCDD). The report prepared by German, Spanish, Dutch and South Korean experts doesn't find TCDD faulty, but accused the engineers.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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FOUR PROBLEMS WITH EUROPE
Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, said that there were some issues over which he had some concerns. Verheugen said that he had got very positive impressions from his visit to Turkey, and listed his concerns as torture claims, the atmosphere in the southeast, amendment to Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding adultery, and Cyprus. Verheugen said, ''one of the Turkish human right associations told me that torture continued in Turkey systematically. But, I was informed contrarily. This is a serious claim. Other human rights associations say that there are fewer human rights violations, but I should examine this claim.'' Verheugen noted, ''the atmosphere in southeast was worse than I expected. Southeast problem is also under our responsibilities. We should implement a serious development program in the region to prevent increase of violence. We can allocate significant amount of fund to Turkish state for return to villages projects.'' Verheugen said, ''the initiative to ban adultery occurred suddenly. If this draft is adopted, European countries may consider it as a privilege for Islamic tendencies. EU public opinion seriously reacts to defining adultery as a crime. Ankara should firstly be aware of this.'' Verheugen also said, ''if Turkey doesn't permit including Cyprus (Greek Cypriot side) in the Customs Union, its negotiation process can be harmed. This is a technical problem, not political. Turkey has signed Customs Union with all EU countries. We can't exclude an EU member from this.''
ADULTERY DECISION LEFT TO PARLIAMENT
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will submit a motion to consider adultery as a crime when the draft Turkish Penal Code (TCK) is being discussed at the parliament. AK Party administrators say, ''the parliament will decide'', while PM Erdogan said, ''we are backing the proposal.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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SABOTEUR IS PKK MEMBER
It was revealed that the person, who died when the bomb he was trying to plant on railways in Dortyol went off, is a member of PKK terrorist organization. Five other PKK members were detained regarding the incident. Officials said that the terrorist wanted to explode passenger train but the bomb went off early.
VERHEUGEN: DECISION WILL BE CLEAR
European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that during his tour to Turkey, he saw that many conditions that Turkey was asked to fulfill were met. Noting that there were some deficiencies, Verheugen said that they would be eliminated with the reforms. He added that the Progress Report about Turkey which will be unveiled on October 6th will be just and clear.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GREECE: TURKEY IS BETTER THAN US
Coach of Greek National soccer team Otto Rehhagel and Greek players said that Turkey played better than Greece in the World Cup European zone Group Two qualifier.
INVESTIGATION FOR CHIEF JUDGE
Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals Chairmanship Board decided to open preliminary investigation against the Chief Judge of the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals Eraslan Ozkaya as he tried to intervene in the case on Alaattin Cakici.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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FOUR WARNING FROM VERHEUGEN
European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen warned Turkey about systematic torture, cultural rights, Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and Cyprus issues. He said that Turkey is very determined in its path to EU membership. Noting that he was surprised with Turkey's success in adjustment to the EU, Verheugen said that they will be very correct and neutral in Turkey's Progress Report.
(GC-BRC) 10.09.2004