ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on February 15th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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EU CRITICIZES MANDATORY ''RELIGIOUS STUDIES'' COURSE AT TURKISH SCHOOLS
The Council of Europe's Committee for Fight Against Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance has criticized the mandatory ''religious studies'' course at Turkish schools. According to a report of the committee, the section on Turkish IDs that asks for which religion the holder believes in is against the Human Rights Treaty. The report also pointed out to some anti-Semitic articles in the Turkish press.
FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF LEBANON ASSASSINATED
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in an explosion in central Beirut yesterday. The explosion, claimed by an organization called 'Jihad and Victory in Great Syria,' also killed 13 others. Hariri was one of Lebanon's most richest individuals, with more than four billion U.S. dollars worth of assets and bank accounts.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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OPERATION AGAINST MEDICAL GIANT
The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office has taken into judicial custody 17 individuals yesterday, including Roche medical firm's General Manager Faruk Yoneyman. Germany-based Roche is accused of selling medicines to Turkish SSK (Social Security Agency) at high prices. SSK General Manager Nazmi Gul Eyupoglu and five other bureaucrats were sent to Istanbul from Ankara on charges of corruption. The bureaucrats have been released temporarily and will face a legal suit very shortly.
OECD'S MOST RAPIDLY GROWING NATION TURKEY IS LAST IN INCOME PER CAPITA
The OECD has announced that Turkey is the fastest growing country within its 30 members. However, the same OECD report indicated that Turkey has the lowest income per capita.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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RECEIVE TRAINING FOR SIX MONTHS AND BECOME A POLICE OFFICER
The Turkish Council of Ministers will send a draft law to the Turkish parliament that will make graduates of four year universities police officers, after a training period of six months. The goal is to make Turkish police better and stronger.
BANKING LAW PRESENTED TO COUNCIL OF MINISTERS FOR SIGNATURES
Justice Minister and Government spokesman Cemil Cicek said that the new banking law has been presented to the Turkish Council of Ministers for their signatures. The Turkish parliament must ratify the banking law before a new stand-by agreement with the IMF is signed.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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SWAMP OF CORRUPTION
The investigation at the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is shaking the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Many bureaucrats under investigation at the ministry are accused of corrupt behaviors. According to some sources, those bureaucrats accused of corruption were brought to power by the AK Party.
HAIGNERE: ''SEEK COMPROMISE ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE''
French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Claudie Haignere stated that France supports Turkey in the EU. Haignere also told that Turkey will not be the only country to face referendum in France, vis-a-vis Turkey's EU membership. Haignere added that Turkey must find a compromise on the ''Armenian Genocide.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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100,000 CHILDREN TO BECOME CHILDREN OF STREETS
Turkish Parliamentary Commission on Street Children member and Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Cevdet Selvi stated that, unless measures are taken, the number of children addicted to drugs and drug related materials will reach 100,000 in five years. These children will be used in snatch-and-run incidents and in thefts by gangs and mafia groups.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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10,000 NEW BLOOD TO MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION
The Turkish Ministry of National Education appointed 9,494 teachers to posts throughout Turkey. Minister Huseyin Celik was in charge of the appointments via a computer. The new teachers will start teaching on February 21st.
AFGHANS VERY HAPPY
Afghan people are reportedly very happy over Turkey's command of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Most Afghan residents say that ''Turkey is the country that best understands the Afghan people.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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69 PERCENT OF VIOLENT FANS COME TO GAMES UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
In a research conducted for a Turkish Parliamentary Commission on Violence in Games, scientists have stated that 69 percent of violent fans come to games under the influence of alcoholic beverages. The same report also said that 48 percent of violent fans are junior high school graduates.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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SUSPICIONS OF BRIBERY IN 12 TENDERS
Authorities have found out that specifications for 12 tenders have been sold to certain companies in return for large sums of bribes. The smallest tender was worth 15 million U.S. dollars.
WELCOME MUSLIM BROTHER!
Turkish troops are happy to be in Kabul as part of their International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) duty. A lieutenant nurse Elif Camlidag stated that Afghans call Turkish troops as ''brothers and sisters.'' ''Being a Turk in Kabul is a matter of happiness and honor,'' told Camlidag.