ANKARA (AA) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on January 4th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SARIGUL EARTHQUAKE
Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), accused his party's discipline board of bribing and said, ''the convention of the party will be held on January 29th.'' The CHP Higher Discipline Board rejected with 8 to 7 votes the request to dismiss Sisli Mayor Mustafa Sarigul, who is a rival for Baykal in CHP, from the party on charges that he was taking bribes and making corruption.
BRIBE NIGHT RECORDED IN POLICE VIDEO
Yahya Murat Demirel, former owner of Egebank which was transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), could not save himself although he proposed 100,000 Euro bribe to the Bulgarian police. The detention night was recorded in police video at the Burgas Police Department. Demirel, who was detained with his wife Aysenur on the new year day, first proposed 40,000 Euro, then increased this number to 100,000 Euro. But, he was returned. The Demirel couple was sent to prison by court. Demirel was carrying Belizean and Bulgarian passports while his wife was carrying U.S. passports when they were detained.
UZANS IN YOUR COUNTRY, EXTRADITE THEM
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will discuss Kemal Uzan and his son Hakan Uzan, who are fugitives in Jordan, during his visit to this country, the last stop of his historic tour to the Middle East which began yesterday (Monday). In the file he is carrying, Gul has intelligence collected by the Turkish Directorate General of Security that the Uzans are in Jordan. Depending on this intelligence, Gul is expected to give a message saying, ''we know Kemal and Hakan Uzan are in your country. You should extradite these persons against whom important lawsuits have been filed.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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SHANTY HOUSES IN PALACE
There are five one-story shanty houses in the garden of the Topkapi Palace. False urbanization can even be seen in the courtyard of the Topkapi Palace, one of the most important historic structures in Turkey. In the five shanty houses adjacent to the city walls, those who work in the museum and their families are staying.
''I AM HUNDRED PERCENT THE MORAL BOSS''
Here is the top secret report submitted to the prosecutor's office: Erol Evcil and Alaattin Cakici formed a new crime gang and seized the firm ''Say Metal''. According to this report, Cakici and Evcil had a new strategy. And, this strategy is to take money from rich people by frightening them, and then seize the management of the companies which were legally registered in the names of their aides. Cakici-Evcil couple firstly seized 22 percent of Say Metal and then seized the whole company by frightening other shareholders. Although he rejected when testifying, Evcil gave 10 percent of the factory to Cakici, and sent 200,000 U.S. dollars to Cakici every month. Commenting on the director of the company who was not frank to himself, Cakici said, ''if Erol is his 58 percent boss, I am his 10 percent (boss) and 100 percent moral boss.''
PREPARATIONS FOR PLASTIC YTL
The Central Bank is working on a new project after the new Turkish lira (TL) started to circulate in Turkish markets. If necessary conditions prevail, Turkey will start using plastic banknotes instead of paper banknotes after 2006.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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THIS STATEMENT SHOULD BE READ
This new year message released by Hilmi Ozkok, Turkish Chief of General Staff, was a bit different from the former ones, and underlined three main issues. These issues were mutual interests of the European Union (EU) and Turkey, and determination to fight against terrorism and corruption in line with laws.
GUL'S RESPONSE TO RAHSAN ECEVIT
Responding to the words of Rahsan Ecevit, wife of former Prime Minister and former Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit, who said, ''religion is being lost'', Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''Koran courses and imam hatip high schools (schools teaching theology) were closed when her party was ruling the country.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ARMITAGE IN ANKARA
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage discussed Iraq, Middle East, Afghanistan and Cyprus during his meetings in Ankara. Armitage, who did not make a concrete commitment about ending the presence of the terrorist organization PKK/Kongra-Gel in north of Iraq, claimed that the situation of the displaced Kurds should be corrected when commenting on the Kirkuk issue.
GUL FIRST STOPS IN JERUSALEM
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is making his first visit to Israel after he was appointed to this office, gave sensitive messages with his schedule. Gul said that he attached great importance to his visit to Israel and Palestine and added, ''there has not been such an optimistic atmosphere (in the region) for years. This atmosphere should be well-evaluated. As Turkey, we will fulfil our responsibilities.''
PAMUKOVA REPORT: EVIDENCE DARKENED
Kazim Kolcuoglu, the Chairman of Istanbul Bar which prepared the experts' report on the train disaster in northwestern town of Pamukova, said that evidence was darkened, and noted that the prosecutor's office should launch an investigation regarding this matter.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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INFLATION ALSO ABIDES BY YTL
Inflation rates increased 0.45 percent in consumer prices, and 0.13 percent in wholesale prices in December of 2004. The annual inflation in consumer prices is below the target with 9.32 percent. When Turkey welcomed the year 2005 enthusiastically as it omitted six zeroes from the Turkish lira, the inflation rates of December 2004 was in line with the inflation performance of countries which has economic stability. According to the figures of Turkish State Institute of Statistics (SIS), the annual inflation in wholesale prices was 13.84 percent and it was 9.32 percent in consumer prices in 2004. Turkey achieved to have one-digit annual inflation rate for the first time in 34 years.
ALTHOUGH YTL SETTLES, PEOPLE ARE DISTURBED
The new Turkish lira (YTL), which started to be used in the banking system without any problems, caused stress in daily life. People are discussing kurus calculations. Tradesmen are disturbed by the customers who insist on getting the changes in YTL, not the old TL.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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YEAR OF RECORDS
Inflation rate was decreased to one-digit figure for the first time in 34 years. Exports exceeded 64 billion U.S. dollars for the first time, and the stock exchange reached 25,000 points.
OMER ORHUN CHARGED WITH OSCE MISSION
Turkish ambassador Omur Orhun was appointed as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office's Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims. The Foreign Ministry said that ''discrimination against Muslims will end (after Orhun is appointed to this mission).''
GUL'S PEACE TOUR
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who started a tour for peace in the Middle East, is currently in Jerusalem. Gul, who started his tour to Israel, Palestine and Jordan, said, ''our aim is to contribute to the newly-born peace process.'' Noting that they wanted peace in the Middle East, Gul said, ''we have good relations with both of the parties. As Turkey, we support peace.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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BAYKAL STAKES: LET'S HOLD CONVENTION
The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) faced interesting developments yesterday (Monday). The CHP Higher Discipline Board rejected the request to dismiss Sisli Mayor Mustafa Sarigul from the party with 8 to 7 votes after listening to Sarigul's defense for two hours. Baykal, who met his aides after this decision, called for an extraordinary convention of his party on January 29th.
EXPORTERS ARE NOT DECELERATED BY USD
One of the best records broken in 2004 was export figures. Turkey made 64 billion U.S. dollars of exports in 2004. Exporters achieved to double export figures within the last three years despite the decrease in U.S. dollar. The export target for 2005 is 71 billion U.S. dollars.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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KIRKUK AND PKK WARNING TO UNITED STATES
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage that Turkey was sensitive about the population intrigues of the Kurdish groups in Kirkuk. Armitage, who was received by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok and FM Gul, was warned about Kirkuk and PKK. Gul told Armitage, ''permitting efforts of Kurds to change the demographic structure will cause serious problems.'' On the other hand, Armitage said that he discussed this sensitivity with Barzani and Talabani.
WE HAVE ASKED BULGARIA TO EXTRADITE DEMIREL
Turkish Directorate General of Security requested Bulgaria to extradite Yahya Murat Demirel, former owner of Egebank which was transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF). Demirel was detained when he tried to enter Bulgaria illegally. Demirel will be tried on charges of violating the Passport Law after he is extradited to Turkey. Demirel was banned from travelling abroad.
2005-01-04