ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on October 5th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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NOW, I'M GOING TO SETTLE OLD SCORES WITH MY STATE
Alaattin Cakici, a member of an organized crime organization who will be extradited to Turkey, said, ''I wouldn't want to return to Turkey in old days. But, now I want to return and settle old scores with my state.'' Cakici's lawyers claimed that ''Cakici was tortured, and was isolated in a cell for years'' and objected to the decision of the court to extradite Cakici to Turkey.
THEY KILLED TURK, CLAIMING HIM AS SPY
Terrorists who killed lorry drivers in Iraq killed a Turk and a Turkmen in front of cameras this time, claiming that he was working for Israeli and Iranian intelligence units. And later they aired the video. The Turk who was shot to death was 33-year-old Yilmaz Dabya, it was learned.
FRENCH BRAKE ON TURKEY
The progress report on Turkey to be made public by the European Union (EU) Commission tomorrow was overshadowed. Pascal Lamy, a French representative in the Commission, pressed on the Union to start negotiations with Turkey after the referendum on EU Constitution was held in his country. After this objection of France, the expression ''without any delay'' will be excluded from the report, and the report will only say ''negotiations should start.'' Paris is planning to impose new conditions before Turkey on December 17th (when the EU will decide whether to open negotiations with Turkey.)
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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VERHEUGEN'S PLAN
Guenter Verheugen, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement, will try to make the Commission adopt the recommendatory decision with compromise in order to block Turkey opponents. It is obvious that the recommendation that the EU Commission will make to Turkey on October 6th will be ''yes, but'' to opening negotiations with Turkey. Verheugen is trying to prevent ''impossible proposals'' that other commissioners might lay down in the last minute. Not only Verheugen, but also EU Commission President Romano Prodi aim to make the decision regarding Turkey with compromise, and without any need for a vote. If the decision is made by compromise, the message will be ''all members are supporting this text''. On the other hand, if a vote is held, 6-7 members out of 30 will vote against the text.
HERE IS BOMBER GIRL
Nilufer Sahin, a member of the illegal MLKP organization who left explosives in a bag on a Turkish Airlines (THY) plane and injured three people as the bomb exploded during the NATO summit last June, was captured in central city of Eskisehir. Sahin went to the toilet and changed her blouse after she underwent security check at the entrance of the airport, it was learned.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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WHAT DOES HE THINK?
When asked by the Austrian judge if he objected to the decision to extradite him to Turkey, Alaattin Cakici, a member of an organized crime organization, said, ''there was a silent revolution in Turkey. I want to return to my country to settle old scores.'' These words of Cakici were interpreted in two different ways: ''If I talk, many people will face difficulties. And therefore, protect me.'' And, some circles think that Cakici tried to say ''if you protect me, I will explain everything.''
15-YEAR NEW VISION IS NECESSARY
General Hilmi Ozkok, Turkish Chief of General Staff, said that globalization had changed security concepts. Opening the new academic year of War Academies, Ozkok said, ''concepts we learned are no more so effective. We need to behave differently for a vision which will help us see next 15 years.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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EU WANTS CHANGES TO LAUSANNE
The European Union (EU) Commission claims that the minority concept foreseen by the Lausanne Treaty which sees three non-Muslim communities in Turkey does not comply with ''modern international standards''. And, therefore, the Commission claims that it was necessary to increase rights of ''other communities including the Kurds''. The progress report says that reservations made by Turkey to international agreements might prevent protection of minority rights.
UNEASINESS IN ANKARA
Only one day before the progress report is made public, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Volkan Bozkir had a meeting to evaluate the recent situation. Turkish government, which is uneasy about the style of the progress report, has prepared alternative speeches for Erdogan, who will speak at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: WE HAVE DONE OUR HOMEWORK
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told German Berliner Morgenpost and Welt newspapers that Turkey had done its homework, and now it was Europe's turn. Answering questions of n-tv channel, Erdogan criticized Christian Democrats.
FIRST ROUND FOR PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ELECTION TO BE HELD TOMORROW
The first round of election of parliament speaker will be held tomorrow. ''Opponent'' Yarbay of ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) made a surprise and nominated Bulent Arinc as a candidate.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TURKISH CYPRIOTS JOIN EU
An agreement has been reached on representation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the Council of Europe (COE). Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians will from now on join the meetings of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) without any need for consent of the Greek Cypriot administration.
WISDOM ENDS TERRORISM
General Hilmi Ozkok, Turkish Chief of General Staff, said, ''current strategies are not so effective against terrorism. We should imagine the future and find new tactics.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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DIFFERENT TARIFF FROM EU FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY
The draft text of the recommendatory report that the EU Commission will make public tomorrow says that Turkey has ''adequately'' met Copenhagen political criteria, and recommends to open negotiations with Turkey. Underlining that the reform process was unreturnable, the draft foresees that negotiations should be suspended if there was a deviation from human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and rule of law.
FOUR TOP MEMBERS OF TERRORIST MLKP ORGANIZATION ARRESTED
Four members of the terrorist MLPK/FESK organization, who staged more than 100 terrorist attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Adana, Eskisehir and Adana, were arrested.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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FOREIGN CAPITAL FLOWS IN TURKEY
After the direct foreign investments law came into force, there was a record rise in investments of foreign companies in Turkey. According to figures of the Treasury Undersecretary's Office, the number of foreign companies investing in Turkey was 6,627 between 1954 and June 2003. However, 2,300 foreign companies came to Turkey to invest in the last 15 months.
BAN PROTESTED
The new academic year started with bans and protests. A group of students protested headscarf ban and Higher Education Board (YOK) in front of Istanbul University. Many non-governmental organizations supported these students.
(BRC-AÖ) 05.10.2004