ANKARA (AA) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on January 5th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SARIGUL: ''BAYKAL COLLAPSED''
Mayor of the Sisli town of Istanbul Mustafa Sarigul has stated that Deniz Baykal of the Republican People's Party (CHP) has collapsed and that Baykal intends to cause the fall down of his party. ''Baykal is trying to criticize the political bodies he had created himself,'' said Sarigul. The CHP High Discipline Board refused to expel Sarigul from the party following allegations that Sarigul was involved in getting bribery. Sarigul was greeted by hundreds of supporters at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. ''This is a fight for a modern Turkey,'' told Sarigul.
TURKISH DRIVER GETS KILLED IN IRAQ
A Turkish driver was killed yesterday morning in northern Baghdad. Security sources said that the Turkish tanker driver was ambushed and killed while he was being escorted by U.S. troops. Authorities could not identify the driver immediately. Iraqis looted the driver's truck and burned it later.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ISRAEL DID NOT GIVE HOPE TO GUL
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that accusations claiming that Israel is a terrorist state, which broke ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv, were left behind. Upon Turkey's suggestion to contribute in peace process, Israeli administration said, ''first Palestine and Syria should withdraw their support to terrorism. Turkey shall use its influence against terrorism.''
ANOTHER TURKISH DRIVER KILLED
Police said a Turkish truck driver was killed in an attack in the north of Baghdad in Iraq yesterday. The truck, which was escorted by U.S. soldiers during the attack, was carrying goods to U.S. base.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SHARON: WE SHALL TURN OVER GAZA TO TURKEY
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul received a proposal from Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon during his tour to Middle East. Sharon said, ''you shall take our place and lead construction of economy and essence of Palestinian state. You shall build refugee camps.''
MONEY SEEN
A total of 150 firms, which manage funds worth of trillions of dollars in the world, joined the line for Turkey conferences of Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch which is the biggest investment bank of the world has been organizing conferences about Turkey for 3 years only in London. It decided to hold the conference both in London and New York this year.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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NEW NAMES FOR CABINET
There is a ''new cabinet in new year'' expectation in ruling group. People claim that Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan took resignations of ministers in the last Council of Ministers meeting. When Erdogan suddenly decided to meet President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today, people thought that he would present the list of changes to Sezer.
ENCOURAGEMENT ENLARGED
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan who could not resist pressures of deputies said that they would include 13 more cities in investment encouragement system. He said they would change the encouragement system which was earlier implemented in cities that have national income under 1500 dollars.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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CREDITS WITH LOWER INTEREST RATES FOR FARMERS AND BUSINESSMEN
Participating in his party's weekly meeting, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that government credits to farmers and businessmen will have lower interest rates. Erdogan said that the present number of provinces that have special incentives will increase by 13 and reach 49. ''The council of ministers will shortly sign the draft law providing low interest credits to farmers and businessmen,'' remarked Erdogan.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GUL: ''JERUSALEM DESERVES PEACE''
In a visit to Jerusalem, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has stated that Jerusalem should be the capital of peace. Gul held a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Shalom told reporters that Israel must work with Turkey in order to establish peace in the region. ''I am very optimistic about the possibility of peace in the region for the first time. In fact, the Israelis, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese are all optimistic about establishing peace. This opportunity should not be missed,'' stressed Gul.
WORLD STAR CAPPADOCIA
Turkish tourism sources said that, in the past 13 years, over 100 television station crews from 44 countries visited the Cappadocia region of Nevsehir. These crews taped 246 documentaries and films. Last year, 19 television crews from 12 different countries visited Cappadocia.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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CONDITIONAL ANSWER FROM ISRAEL TO PEACE CALL OF GUL
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said during his meetings in Israel that he was optimistic for peace for the first time and added that the chance should not be missed. Noting that Turkey is ready to make every type of contribution about this issue, Gul gave the message to Israel that peace talks should start also with the participation of Syria and Lebanon. However, Israel said, ''talks cannot start before terrorism stops.'' Israel wanted Ankara to convince Palestine about this issue.
EACH BABY WILL BE BORN WITH INSURANCE
Health Minister Recep Akdag said that all citizens will be equally served with 'general health insurance' system. Informing about 'general health insurance draft law' which is prepared with Labor Ministry, Akdag said that it would bring equality and justice to people. He added that each baby will be born with health insurance.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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BIG STRUGGLE AGAINST ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that 2005 will be the year of fight against alcohol and drugs. He wanted young people to be directed towards social activities and sports. Erdogan wanted Interior Ministry, National Education Ministry, Health Ministry and state ministries for sports and woman-family to work together in this issue.
2005-01-05