ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 11th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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NEC GENERAL SECRETARY LOVES WEIGHTLIFTING
The first civilian secretary general of the National Security Council (NSC) Yigit Alpogan recently watched weight lifting competitions at the Athens Olympics. After the Olympics, Alpogan decided to be a candidate for the board of directors of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation. If Alpogan gets elected, it will be the first time a NSC secretary general officially gets involved in sports.
HEALTH MINISTER AKDAG: DEVELOPMENTS ENCOURAGING
Health Minister Recep Akdag stated that Turkey must do away with preconceived notions of organ donations. ''The media played an important role recently in the encouragement of organ donations,'' said Akdag. According to Akdag, the government is preparing a new bill to encourage donations of organs. ''We do not want to see the act of donating organs as a commercial activity,'' added Akdag.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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GREEK HARASSMENT OVER AEGEAN
Greek planes harassed two Turkish F-16 fighter jets during their reconnaissance flight in the international air space over the Aegean Sea within the framework of East Mediterranean-04 exercise under NATO supervision. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul talked on the phone with his Greek counterpart Petros Molyviatis. Gul said, ''we asked our Greek friends to take measures against such unfortunate incidents.''
ERDOGAN: SECULARISM CHANGES TOO
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a symposium which was held to commemorate Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Great Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, on the 66th anniversary of his demise. Erdogan said, ''concepts of national sovereignty, national state and secularism are uniting elements for our nation. These concepts gain new meanings in parallel with democratic development. They are open to change.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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HORROR IN AEGEAN: 9 DEAD
African refugees' attempt to enter Greece illegally ended with disaster. A boat carrying 20 illegal migrants sank off Seferihisar town of western city of Izmir. Nine bodies were found in the coast. Four others including one Turkish citizen have reached the coast by swimming. The Turkish citizen believed to have been the captain is charged with human smuggling.
ROBOT ASIMO TO COME TO TURKEY FOR AUTO SHOW
Asimo, a robot designed by Honda and can walk, talk and function in harmony with daily life, will come to Istanbul on November 19th for Autoshow Fair. Asimo is 1.20 cm in height and it weighs 52 kg. It can dance and take steps like a child. Asimo takes its name from first letters of Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. Asimo has been touring the world for 2 years.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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'NEW PROBLEMS ARE CREATED'
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer delivered a speech during commemoration meeting for Ataturk, Great Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey. He strongly reacted to debates on minority issue. He said that issues which were solved under the Lausanne Treaty should not be brought onto agenda again.
WORLD BANK SUPPORTS TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP
State Minister Ali Babacan met World Bank Vice President Shiego Katsu. Katsu said that World Bank supports Turkey's EU bid.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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MESSAGE TO ATATURK
Ataturk, Great Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, was commemorated on the 66th anniversary of his demise. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, ''secularism and single state are fundamental.'' Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''national sovereignty and secularism are concepts which are open to change.''
UZAN PROPERTY SALE IN UNITED STATES
Motorola put up 11 houses of Uzan family in New York for sale. Seven of the houses were sold for 11,890 thousand U.S. dollars in an auction.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TURKEY RUNS TO ATATURK
Turkish state and people convened at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Great Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey, on the 66th anniversary of his demise. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leaders of political parties and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and many Turkish citizens attended the commemoration ceremony.
BOAT SINKS OFF AEGEAN: 9 DEAD
A boat which was carrying illegal migrants sank off Doganbey town in western city of Izmir. Nine illegal migrants died and 4 others including a Turkish citizen reached coast.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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MINORITY DISCUSSIONS SEAL MESSAGES FOR NOVEMBER 10TH
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave messages mainly about minority debates on November 10th, the 66th anniversary of demise of Ataturk, Great Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey. Sezer said, ''unity of nation is an indispensable value.'' He criticized discussions on issues which were solved under the Lausanne Treaty. Erdogan said that Ataturk had never regarded an understanding of nation on the basis of racial and ethnic origin. He stressed that national sovereignty, national state and secularism concepts are main elements of Republic.
OFFICE FOR FOREIGN CAPITAL STOPPED BY BUREAUCRACY
Investment Promotion Agency which Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it would open the path of foreign investments cannot be activated due to objections of different levels of state. Agency would have given licenses for foreign capital and appropriated lands.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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AUTOMOBILE IMPORTS DOMINATE TURKISH MARKET
The sales of imported automobiles increased by 159 percent within the period of January-October, while the sales of domestic cars increased by only 124 percent. The imported cars make up about 70 percent of the Turkish market. According to sources, the imports of motor vehicles increased by 45 percent.
NO HORMONES IN TURKISH CHICKEN
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ministry has officially rejected allegations that the Turkish chickens have hormones. ''Most of the chicken factories are above the EU standards,'' said one source. ''In all laboratory tests, the results indicated that our chickens do not have hormones or anti-biotic materials.''
(GC-ES-MS)