ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on February 27th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
IS BANKASI: WE MAY OPEN BRANCH IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS
Turkiye Is Bankasi Director General Ersin Ozince said, ''trade develops positively as peace prevails in our region and in the world,'' and noted that Is Bankasi could open a branch in southern Cyprus.
Ozince said, ''we will make the steps when necessary.''
IS THE TURKISH DRIVER LIVING?
It was reported that Turkish driver Turan Onal, who had been reported to die during an attack of insurgents as they were transporting cement to Tikrit city of Iraq, could be alive.
Ilhami Onal, brother of Turan Onal, said dead body of one person was found in the lorry after the attack, adding the dead body, which was burnt, was at the passenger chair. He said, ''cook of the company was also in the lorry. My brother can be alive.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
ERASLAN RESIGNS FROM AKP JOINS DYP
Justice and Development Party (AKP) Hatay Parliamentarian Mehmet Eraslan, who resigned from his party, joined True Path Party (DYP) on Saturday.
DYP leader Mehmet Agar said, ''DYP is the only address of central right.''
DEMONSTRATION AGAINST SHIP CARRYING TOXIC WASTE
A demonstration was held against the 35 year-old ship MV Ulla, which sank in Iskenderun bay in southern Hatay province carrying 2200 tons of fly ash, originating from three coal power plants in Spain.
Greenpeace members, and people from NGO's from Mersin, Adana, Antakya, Erzin, Samandag and Osmaniye attended the demonstration.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
ANKARA CONDEMNS SUICIDE ATTACK IN TEL AVIV
Turkey strongly condemned Friday night's suicide attack in Tel Aviv. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ''we strongly condemn this heinous attack which was apparently staged by those who are aiming to harm recent hopeful atmosphere in the Middle East. Turkey stresses once again that such unjustifiable acts of violence will not serve efforts to lead Palestinian people to take their place in the international community under the roof of a sovereign and sustainable state.''
ARMED ATTACK ON EMEP
Cem Gurbetoglu, the director of youth branch of the Labor Party (EMEP) was injured in an armed attack in Ankara. Gurbetoglu was rushed to hospital for medical treatment. Security forces launched a full investigation into the attack. Meanwhile, Umut Yilmaz, the director of Ankara Office of EMEP, said that the attack targeted labor and democracy in Turkey.
FORMER TURKISH FM KIRCA LAID TO REST IN ISTANBUL
Coskun Kirca, the former Turkish foreign minister, ambassador and writer who died of respiratory and heart failure on Thursday, was laid to rest in Istanbul. A ceremony took place at the Galatasaray University out of respect to Kirca, 78. Speaking at the ceremony, Galatasaray University Rector Prof. Dr. Duygun Yarsuvat said that Kirca had made important contributions to democratization of Turkey as a successful politician.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
AKP BLOW ON COAL
According to a report prepared by Republican People's Party (CHP), although there is a 1, 354 billion tones coal reserve in Black Sea city of Zonguldak, annual production is below two million.
Turkish Coal Board (TTK) report said a very important national wealth could not be evaluated because of exports policies.
GULKOKUER IS SERIOUS CONDITION
Union of relatives of prisoners (TUYAB) members and human rights activists wanted Filiz Gulkokuer (39), who was reported to be in serious health condition, and who is in prison for nine years, to be released.
Stating that F-type prisons turned into hospital type prisons, TUYAB members said there were many prisoners who could not be treated well in F-type prisons.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
SEDAT SAHIN CAPTURED
Sedat Sahin, leader of a criminal organization, was captured in Istanbul yesterday. Earlier, the court decided to arrest Sahin in his absentia for being involved in an armed attack on a business place in Istanbul last year.
TURKEY BECOMES MOST RAPIDLY DEVELOPING TOURISM COUNTRY
Turkey was ranked eighth in the list of the World Tourism Organization for countries having the most rapidly developing tourism sector. Turkish tourism sector grew by 21 percent last year.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
STATE SUMMIT FOR SNATCH-AND-RUN THEFT
A state summit will be held in the coming days to discuss increasing number of snatch-and-run theft. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will preside the summit in which measures to be taken to prevent snatch-and-run theft that has become a ''social terror'' in recent years, will be taken up in detail.
INTENSE DIPLOMACY TRAFFIC
Turkey has been getting ready for an intense diplomacy traffic before opening of entry talks with the European Union (EU) on October 3rd. Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs & Immigration Nicolas Schmit of Luxembourg that has been holding the rotating EU presidency, will come to Ankara later today. Ankara will also host EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn in the coming days. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will pay a working visit to Britain, which will take over EU presidency in June, between March 11th and 14th.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
TURKEY LIFTS ITS OBJECTION TO FEDERAL STRUCTURE IN IRAQ
Turkey has officially recognized the federal structure to be founded in Iraq. Turkish delegation formed by officials of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish General Staff and Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT), held a series of talks in Iraq to this end.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
''SECURITY SUMMIT'' FOR SNATCH AND RUN INCIDENTS
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''we will convene a security summit this week to prevent snatch and run terror.''
Stating that the also discussed the issue with Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Erdogan said, snatch and run terrorism will end.
BABACAN: UNEMPLOYMENT IS TURKEY'S MAIN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEM
State Minister Ali Babacan said, ''unemployment is the main economic and social problem of Turkey today. We should accept this.''
Speaking at a meeting in Manisa, Babacan said unemployment will end in case 500,000 people are employed every year.''