ANKARA (A.A) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 8th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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BUSES USING HYDROGEN TO GO INTO SERVICE IN ISTANBUL
Prof. Dr. Nejat Veziroglu, a world-famous Turkish scientist and president of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy, said, "according to forecasts of the petroleum companies, petroleum and natural gas production will start to decrease by 2015. And, hydrogen will replace petroleum. We hope we can have public buses in Istanbul using hydrogen within two years."
ALANYA MODEL FOR "ALL INCLUSIVE" SYSTEM
Chamber of Commerce in Alanya town of southern city of Antalya is planning to develop "all inclusive" system at hotels. With this project which will turn Alanya into a giant resort village, tourists can buy anything they want in this town for free.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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HOPEFUL EXPLORATIONS IN BLACK SEA
A tender was opened for production of natural gas in charcoal basin in northern city of Zonguldak. The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) forecasts there is 600 billion cubic meters of natural gas in this region. Officials of Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) say, "this reserve can meet natural gas need of Turkey for 40 years." Rifat Dagdelen, director general of Turkish Charcoal Enterprises (TTK), said that they would collect bids for the drilling of natural gas, and added that Turkish and foreign companies who are interested can submit their bids within 90 days.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH ONE WOULD KURDS CHOOSE?
Prof. Dr. Baskin Oran, who wrote the minority report currently under discussion in Turkey, does not think that Kurds in Turkey will go and live in a state to be established in Iraq. Oran said, "what would you prefer? A feudal state confined to a land, or living in EU (European Union) member Turkey under equal conditions?"
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TURKEY'S TOP 5 UNIVERSITIES
Bogazici University Rector Ayse Soysal has announced the top five universities in Turkey: Bogazici University, Middle East Technical University, Bilkent, Aegean University and Cukurova University. "As far as Istanbul is concerned, Bogazici University is the best university in the city," stated Soysal.
VIOLENT PROTESTS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the violent student demonstrations protesting the anniversary of establishment of the Higher Educational Council over the weekend was anti-democratic. "Violent demonstrations are not the best methods to express opinions," remarked Erdogan.
TWO TURKISH DRIVERS KILLED BY INSURGENTS
Two Turkish drivers were killed yesterday (Sunday) in the northern Iraqi town of Samarra. The drivers were carrying motor oil for the American bases in Iraq. The drivers have not been identified yet.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN DEFENDS POLICEMEN WHO HIT PROTESTORS WITH THEIR STICKS
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he did not think the demonstration staged (last weekend) to protest the Higher Education Board (YOK) was not democratic, and stated, "patience of police has also limits." Thus, Erdogan supported the move of the police during YOK protest in capital Ankara and commercial hub Istanbul. The police used tear bombs and gases, and hit protestors with their sticks during the demonstrations.
SEARCHES FOR UNIFYING RIGHTIST PARTIES
As searches for a unification in the right wing have speeded up, True Path Party (DYP) and Motherland Party (ANAP) can take concrete steps after the Feast of Ramadan, sources said. Some former ANAP and DYP parliamentarians are lobbying for DYP-ANAP merger, while one of former ministers Yasar Okuyan is preparing to form a new political party. It was learnt that DYP leader Mehmet Agar and ANAP leader Nesrin Nas had a meeting and discussed a possible merger, and that concrete steps might be taken after this matter was debated by the administrators of the two parties.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TURKEY HAS FOUR DEMANDS FROM EUROPE
Turkey has made four demands from Brussels regarding the procedure that the EU announced to follow during the negotiation process. Turkey asks the EU not to launch any screening process, and to lift preconditions regarding market economy, customs union and budget.
GREECE DISTURBED
The scenario that the United States may recognize Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) after it recognized Macedonia, has disturbed Athens. Leaders of Greek opposition parties say that such a recognition was possible while government officials think it is not likely.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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CRIMINALS TO BE TREATED IN U.S. STYLE
According to the new criminal law, those arrested will hear their rights, get their testimony taped by audio and video equipment, get legal assistance by a competent attorney. "Our new approach in criminal law is very similar to that in the United States," stated one expert.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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DYP AND ANAP TO UNITE UNDER SINGLE ROOF
Officials of the center right True Path Party (DYP) and Motherland Party (ANAP) have announced that they will be uniting under single roof very shortly. "The unification will take place under a new name," stated one official.
U.S. SILENTLY SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP
The United States Ambassador to the EU Rockwell Anthony Schnabel has stated that his country strongly and at the same time silently supports Turkey's EU membership. Speaking to the newspaper before his visit to Turkey, Schnabel said that Turkey's dynamic economy and young population will add strength to the EU. "We prefer to be silent on the issue of Turkey's EU membership. This issue is an internal matter of the EU. However, aside being silent, we are a staunch supporter of Turkey's EU full membership," told Schnabel.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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GOVERNMENT OCCUPIED FOR 303 THOUSAND TIMES
Authorities have reported that about 303 thousand state property, including 47 thousand different sizes of land with 15 thousand illegal buildings, have been occupied without permission. The cost of the illegal settlers is close to 400 trillion Turkish Liras (1,500,000 TL=1 U.S. dollar).
HOUSEWIVES TO GIVE FINES TO SHOP KEEPERS
Under a new regulation of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry, housewives will work closely with the ministry and will have the authority to give fines to food markets and stores whenever they feel is necessary. Shopkeepers that will not obey the directions of the housewives will face a fine of up to seven thousand U.S. dollars.
(BRC-ES-MS)