ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on March 14th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
EACH OF THEM EQUALS TO 1,650 LPG CANISTERS USED IN KITCHENS
HURRIYET- A ship carrying seven tankers laden with LPG canisters sank off Zeytinburnu, Istanbul. The tankers which were laden with LPG canisters each of which can fill a total of 1,650 LPG canisters used in kitchens, were drifted in the sea. If they had exploded, they might have caused a big disaster.
CONCERNS ABOUT FINGERPRINTS
HURRIYET- Istanbul Police Department has reviewed several parts of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CMUK) which will be put into force as of April 1st since it thinks that those parts may cause difficulties in fight against several crimes. The Police Department has concerns because the fingerprint archives will be deleted as of April 1st.
NOW, THERE IS ATMOSPHERE OF PEACE
MILLIYET- Orhan Dogan, a former member of the banned Democracy Party (DEP) and a member of the Democratic Society Movement, spoke to Derya Sazak (one of the journalists of Milliyet daily). Dogan said, ''we reject ethnic politics and violence and aim to be a party which protects Turkey. We will be a party embracing DEHAP (Democratic People's Party) and a solution party at the same time. Former parties formed during the clashes in the southeast were excluded from the system. And, they turned into protest parties under the circumstances in 1990s. They could not be solution parties even if they were willing to do so in those days. Now, they have completed their mission. Now, there is atmosphere of peace, and we see that it is not possible to meet needs of the future with the old party understanding.''
TURKISH TALEBAN EXTRADITED
MILLIYET- The United States extradited Murat Kurnaz to Turkey. He is a Turk who was a captive in the U.S. Guantanamo Base in Cuba on charges of being a member of the (terrorist organization) Taleban.
SYRIA WARNING
SABAH- The United States asked Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to postpone his visit to Damascus. The European Union (EU) was angry with ''neutrality policy''. Washington conveyed Ankara its expectation from President Sezer to cancel or postpone his visit to Damascus scheduled in April through diplomatic means. A high-level EU representative said that Ankara's remaining silent until Syria withdrew soldiers from Lebanon led to some questions, and said, ''Turkey should have pressed on Damascus''. On the other hand, sources close to the Turkish President said that he did not think of postponing his visit at the moment and added, ''developments in the region are closely monitored.''
ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER
SABAH- A ro-ro ship carrying LPG tankers sank in Istanbul Strait and it could cause a disaster, according to experts. Experts said, ''if a blast had occurred during the accident, buildings and inhabitants 2-3 kilometers around the scene of the accident might have suffered damages.'' The accident occurred due to two negligences: The ship set sail during a banned hour, and the tankers aboard the ro-ro ship should have been securely fastened.
FEARFUL HOURS ON STRAIT
CUMHURIYET- Safety problem on Turkey's straits has started to be discussed again after a ro-ro ship carrying trucks and lorries laden with LPG sank off Zeytinburnu due to strong southwest winds the previous night. Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim said that the accident occurred due to management error. On the other hand, Turkish Transportation Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Tozar said that the ship set sail before the hours when ships carrying hazardous materials are allowed to travel, and added that an investigation had been launched.
GOVERNMENT DID NOT ATTEND
CUMHURIYET- The anniversary of Ataturk's enrollment to Land War Academy was celebrated by a theater play watched by President (Ahmet Necdet Sezer), Chief of General Staff (Hilmi Ozkok) and high-level judiciary personnel. None of members of the government attended the celebration.
ISTANBUL GETS OFF LIGHTLY
RADIKAL- Seven tankers loaded with LPG which fell from the ro-ro ship onto the sea due to storm went adrift on the Istanbul Strait and towards Yenikapi coast. If these tankers had exploded, there would have not been any inhabitant living within 300 meters from the area.
TUI: TOURISM TO BOOST
RADIKAL- According to a report prepared by TUI, a giant tourism company in Europe, the number of tourists visiting Turkey will increase by at least 15 percent this year when compared with 2004. Turkey's biggest rival will be Spain.
STUDENT PARDON AT PARLIAMENT AGAIN
TURKIYE- The Parliamentary General Assembly will debate tomorrow (Tuesday) the law envisaging student pardon which was vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The law was adopted in its current shape by the National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Commission last week and it is expected to be passed from the parliament again. Sezer vetoed the law because it envisages amnesty and it was not adopted by 330 votes.
IF IT HAD EXPLODED!
TURKIYE- LPG canisters went adrift on the Istanbul Strait after a ro-ro ship carrying 7 lorries loaded with LPG canisters sank off Zeytinburnu. As these canisters were taken under control, a big disaster was prevented. But, LPG leaked to the sea due to a hole on a canister off Ahirkapi coast.
ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER
ZAMAN- Istanbul overcame a big maritime disaster. As a ro-ro ship sank off Zeytinburnu due to storm, LPG tankers fell onto the sea. These tankers were taken under control.
ANKARA-ISTANBUL HIGH-SPEED TRAIN NOT TO BE READY FOR ONE MORE YEAR
ZAMAN- The project on launching a high-speed train between Ankara and Istanbul was postponed for one year due to some changes. The train will travel at a speed between 200 and 250 kilometers per hour, while the length of the railway was increased from 206 to 256 kilometers. Thus, it will take only two and a half hours to travel between Ankara and Istanbul. The train will start travelling at the end of 2006.
MOST CRUELEST INTEREST RATES ARE IN TURKEY
YENI SAFAK- Although the inflation rate was reduced to one-digit figures, the Central Bank of Turkey keeps interest rates at two-digit figures. And, thus it is accused of dooming Turkey to the highest interest rates in the world. Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen called on the Central Bank to pursue a more efficient currency and interest rate policy.
NEW TARGETS IN TOURISM
YENI SAFAK- Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Atilla Koc said that they would try to draw attention of tourists to different aspects in Turkey, other than sea tourism, and noted that cultural heritage like Akdamar Church, Ishak Pasha Palace, Hasankeyf and Zeugma would be restored and they would become new places drawing attention of tourists.