ANKARA (AA) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on December 5th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SUPER GUEST
Turkey will host a Russian president for the first time in 32 years. Here are some interesting parts of the life of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose grandfather was the cook of Lenin and Stalin. Vladimir Putin's father Spiridonovic Putin joined the army with his five brothers when Russia was occupied by the Nazis. He battled in the World War II. He was the only Putin brothers who returned to his home alive from the war. Putin wanted to become a spy when he was at the high school, but (Russian intelligence service) KGB returned him saying, ''first complete your education, and then apply.'' When he was at the Faculty of Law, the KGB proposed him to become a spy. Putin became the president in 2000. Putin, who can't give up sports, likes to eat light food in lunch, but have a good dinner.
THE MOST IMPORTANT MATTER IS CHECHEN TERRORISM AND STRAITS
Oil transportation from the straits and Chechen terrorism are the main issues which Turkish and Russian officials will focus on during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey. Caucasus and Central Asia, Iraq, Cyprus and bilateral trade are other matters to be taken up during Putin's visit.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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RUSSIAN FM LAVROV WRITES MILLIYET: TURKEY IS OUR PRIOR PARTNER
Russian President Vladimir Putin's historic visit to Turkey will start today (Sunday). Prior to this visit in which parties will try to establish ''strengthened partnership'', Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov called on Turkish businessmen to invest in his country. He said, ''we want to enhance our cooperation against terrorism and fundamentalism.''
LEYLA ZANA EMPHASIZES TURKISM
Leyla Zana, former deputy of the banned Democracy Party (DEP), hosted European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles and European Union (EU) Turkey rapporteur Camille Eurlings at the Feriye Restaurant on the Istanbul Strait. Zana's words, ''we, Turks, are hospitable'' had a great influence.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SET DATE, TAKE SIGNATURE
If Ankara likes the resolution to be reached at the European Union (EU) heads of state and government summit on December 17th, it will sign the additional adjustment protocol to the Customs Union which will mean covered recognition of the Greek Cypriots. For this step, Ankara expects the resolution to state that negotiations with Turkey will be opened in October-November 2005, when Britain will be the acting EU president.
TAV SIGNS CONTRACT
Turkish Tepe-Akfen-Vie (TAV) company signed the contract for construction of domestic and international flights terminals of Cairo Airport. TAV, which won the tender with 347 million U.S. dollars of bid, will start the construction immediately. Sani Sener, the Chairman of TAV Executive Board, said that the project would be completed in 29 months, adding that 70 percent of the project would be financed by the World Bank and the rest 30 percent by the Egyptian government.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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NEW ERA WITH MOSCOW WILL START
During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey, ground for multi-lateral partnership between two important countries of Eurasia will be laid. Putin, who will arrive in Turkey today upon the invitation of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, will be the first Russian leader visiting Turkey in 32 years. Russia and Turkey attach great importance to this visit, expecting that it will speed up bilateral relations. Turkish diplomats say, ''we don't have any problems with Russia, our relations are improving.''
RUSSIA MAY MAKE A GESTURE REGARDING CYPRUS
Alexander Dugin, one of the important personalities affecting foreign policy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said, ''they are trying to destabilize Turkish state with two elements, including Cyprus and Kurdistan.'' Dugin, who is the head of the International Eurasia Movement, said that there may be a change in Russia's policy towards Turkish Cypriot side, starting by ''small gestures.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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EP PRESIDENT: THERE ARE BIG DIFFERENCES
European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles said, ''Turkey is a very big and poor country when compared with EU (European Union) standards. 40 years have to pass for Turkey to reach the current level of the EU.''
CYPRUS WARNING FROM CARAMANLIS
Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis has forgotten his promises and said, ''non-recognition of Cyprus by Turkey and presence of its soldiers in the island are paradoxal. How the EU process will go on depends on Turkey.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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AGAIN ''NO'' TO MERKEL
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende responded to Angela Merkel, the leader of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU) who wants ''privileged partnership'' for Turkey. Balkenende said, ''we can't accept it. This means changing the rules of a game when the game still continues.''
3,000 POLICEMEN TO PROTECT PUTIN
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be protected just as U.S. President George Bush during his visit to Turkey. There will be a decoy Putin and a decoy limo. Putin will pursue different routes. 3,000 policemen will protect Putin during his visit to Turkey.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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DIYARBAKIR PROTEST TO BORRELL
When European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles said that he would go to southeastern city of Diyarbakir during his speech in a meeting in Istanbul, tension escalated. Ramazan Bakkal, who reacted to Borrell, had a row with the security manager of the hotel where the conference was being held.
ZANA ASKS FOR NEGOTIATION DATE FROM BORRELL
European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles met leaders of non-Muslim societies and had a dinner with Leyla Zana, former deputy of the banned Democracy Party (DEP), in Istanbul. During their meeting, Zana said that the European Union (EU) should set an open negotiation date for Turkey.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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CMK ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT
Turkish parliament adopted the draft Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK) yesterday (Saturday). The draft comprised of 335 articles was passed from the parliament in two days after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) reached a compromise. CMK will go into force on April 1st, 2005.
CYPRUS ISN'T A PRECONDITION BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS
European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles said, ''there is not any precondition regarding Cyprus before Turkey. Some say Cyprus should be recognized before December 17th. Who said, and where did he/she say it?''
(End)
(BRC)
2004-12-05