ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 13th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''WE MADE A HISTORIC CHANGE''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey had made historic changes both politically and economically in the last two years. In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''gross national product, which was 182 billion U.S. dollars in November of 2002, increased to 293.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2004. Amount of foreign capital climbed from 1 billion U.S. dollars in 2002 to 2.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2004.''
''TURKEY WILL BE GIVEN A DATE FOR OPENING OF ENTRY TALKS''
U.S. Ambassador to the EU Rockwell Anthony Schnabel said that Turkey would get a date on December 17th for opening of entry talks. Speaking at a seminar at Istanbul's Kadir Has University, Schnabel said that the second term of U.S. President George W. Bush would contribute further improvement of relations between the United States and EU. ''Turkey has made some impressive economic and political reforms recently. We are confident that Turkey will receive a date for the opening of entry talks on December 17th,'' he added.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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DIFFERENCE SEEN IN EGYPT
Two planes carrying Turkish officials departed for Cairo for the burial ceremony of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The plane which was carrying Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal landed in Cairo without any problem. However, the other plane which was carrying deputies, diplomats and press members was kept waiting for 1.5 hours as air traffic is very busy. Meanwhile, burial ceremony ended. Delegation in the second plane could not participate in the ceremony and returned to Turkey without leaving the runway. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) member Mehmet Elkatmis said, ''when there is not democracy, things happen like that.''
BLOW TO PKK IN NETHERLANDS
During the operation of Dutch police on PKK terrorist organization, 38 people were detained. It was reported that detained people were trained to take part in terrorist activities.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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''WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT PALESTINIAN PEOPLE''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the funeral of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Egyptian capital Cairo. He said that Turkey would always support Palestinian people in their rightful case. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''unfortunately, Arafat passed away without seeing peace in the Middle East and foundation of the Palestinian state.''
NSC TO BE OPENED TO PUBLIC OPINION
The National Security Council (NSC), which was made civil in line with Turkey's efforts to adjust itself to the EU, will be opened to public opinion. Yigit Alpogan, the first civilian secretary general of the NSC, is planning to hold a press briefing in December to promote the new structure of the NSC.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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DEPUTIES AFTER TRILLION
The allocation which was given to members of Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission to use in election circles every year was cut upon the direction of Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan as it caused privilege. However, commission members are now lobbying for the allocation worth of 40 trillion Turkish liras which was included in urgent investment fund in budget of Finance Ministry.
38 PKK MEMBERS DETAINED
Training camp of PKK terrorist organization was found in the Netherlands. Upon the tip-off of people in the village where the camp is located, Dutch police launched an operation and detained 38 PKK members.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TRAIN ACCIDENT
A passenger train smashed into a truck at a rail-road crossing in Istanbul yesterday. Two cars were derailed. Sukru Gunes, 40, driver of the truck, was killed when the train traveling towards an Istanbul station slammed into his vehicle. Also, a passenger and engineer of the train were injured. Meanwhile, Turkish State Railways (TCDD) officials said the accident occurred as the truck ignored the electronic signal and drove onto the rails.
TUZMEN: ''A FUND WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR EXPORTS''
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that a fund of 7.5 billion U.S. dollars would be allocated to support exports in 2005 through the Eximbank. Tuzmen said that short-term loans provided by the Eximbank to exporters rose to 2.8 billion U.S. dollars between January 1st, and October 31st, 2004.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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75 BILLION DOLLARS OF EXPORT WITH 7.5 BILLION DOLLARS OF SUPPORT
While exporters who are repeating their record nearly each month in recent period, Eximbank announced it will provide assistance for the finance of export. State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that Eximbank will provide assistance worth of 7.5 billion dollars in 2005.
ERDOGAN: WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT PALESTINE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''Turkey has always supported Palestinian people until today. From now on it will continue to support.'' Erdogan who attended burial ceremony of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat offered his condolences to Palestinian people and all Muslims.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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AYDIN APPLIES TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
Koray Aydin, former public works & settlement minister who was sent to the High Tribunal on corruption charges, applied to the Constitutional Court for annulment of the decision of the parliament. Aydin, accused of rigging state tenders and accumulating wealth illegally, headed the Ministry of Public Works & Settlement during the three-party coalition of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, which was ousted in elections in late 2002. He resigned in 2001 amid accusations that after becoming minister, he set up a company with his father that supplied companies building homes for earthquake victims.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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JOINT CONDEMN TO MASSACRE
Turkish non-governmental organizations reacted against massacre of the United States in Falluja city of Iraq. The organizations held a joint news conference and condemned the massacre of the United States and called on Turkish government to be more sensitive about the issue.
REPORTS CONFUSE
An organization in the United States prepared a report about ethnic population in Turkey following the report of the EU. The population of Kurds was recorded as 15-20 million in EU Progress Report but it is 6 million in U.S. report.
(GC-UK)