ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 5th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
SEVEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DETAINED
HURRIYET- High school students, who were playing football in the garden of Abdurrahman Gazi High School in eastern city of Erzurum, lowered the Turkish flag and tore it with a knife.
The seven high school students also attempted to burn the mask of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Modern Turkish Republic, which was at the entrance of the school.
Police detained seven high school students in line with the testimonies of the eye witnesses.
TRNC RETOUCHING TO NSC HISTORY
HURRIYET- Regular meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), which was planned to take place on April 25th, was later decided to take place on April 18th.
It was reported that time of the meeting changed because of the busy schedule of the board members.
Basing on the idea that a new period would start in TRNC after the elections, Ankara will try to determine the policy it would carry out with the TRNC leadership in the new process.
STEPS FROM ARMY TOWARDS CHINA
MILLIYET- Turkish Air Forces Commander Gen. Firtina, who is visiting China, said, ''we are interested in medium range defense missiles of China.''
TURKISH PM TO GO TO ITALY FOR FUNERAL
MILLIYET- The obligation to wear tail coat during the funeral for Pope Jean Paul II was lifted. So, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the funeral.
WHO ARE THESE JOURNALISTS?
MILLIYET- Journalists' associations showed reaction after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there were journalists who asked to get unjust benefits from him (prime minister) but did not announce their names. Erdogan was asked to announce these names to do what was necessary. Oktay Eksi, the Chairman of the Press Council, said that Erdogan should announce the names of such journalists if he did no more want to see them. On the other hand, Orhan Erinc, the Chairman of Turkish Journalists' Association, said that Erdogan should leave aside abstract accusations and clarify his claims.
MILITARY SERVICE TO BE SHORTENED
SABAH- Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said that efforts were under way to shorten the military service by 2-3 months.
6 KURUS OF INCREASE IN OIL PRICES
SABAH- The price of oil outflow from the refinery has been increased by 9.7 percent as of today.
NINE TERRORISTS KILLED
SABAH- Nine terrorists were killed in southeastern city of Sirnak. One security officer died in the clashes.
PKK TERRORISM AGAIN
CUMHURIYET- Terrorist PKK organization, which changed its name to KADEK and later to KONGRA GEL with a decision taken three years ago, was reported to be ''founded again'' at Ocalan's birthday.
Sirnak Governor's Office said nine terrorists were killed at the clashes which erupted in Cudi Mountain between March 31st and April 4th.
Mustafa Civelek, a sergeant died during the clashes.
AKP WANTS SEZER TO ATTEND POPE'S FUNERAL
CUMHURIYET- Justice and Development Party (AKP) ruling wants President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul in Vatican.
Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said level of Turkey's attendance to the meeting depended on the reply of Sezer.
INFLATION ROSE
RADIKAL- High oil prices and the rise in currency raised the inflation rate in March. The consumer prices increased by 0.26 percent, while the rise in producer prices rose by 11.33 percent in March. Thus, the annual inflation was 7.94 percent in consumer prices, and it was 11.33 percent in producer prices.
ARMENIAN CHURCH TO BE RESTORED
RADIKAL- Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry allocated 2,400,000 New Turkish Liras (YTL) to restore Akdamar Church in eastern city of Van. The church is one of the leading religious places of the Armenians.
SOCIAL INSURANCE FOR EVERYONE
RADIKAL- The draft law on social security reform has been presented to the parliament. The Social Security Agency (SSK), Pension Fund and the Social Security Agency for the Self-Employed (Bag-Kur) will be united under a single umbrella. Everybody will have general health insurance.
GUL GETS OIC'S PROMISE TO EXTEND SUPPORT
TURKIYE- Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), as a part of his visit to Saudi Arabia. Gul donated 1 million USD to the organization. Gul said that OIC was taking some steps to lift economic, political and cultural embargoes imposed on TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus).
SERDAR DENKTAS' NEW MODEL: TAIWAN MODEL
TURKIYE- FM Serdar Denktas of TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) said that Taiwan model could be valid for TRNC if a solution could not be found to the Cyprus problem.
WAYS FOR ENERGY TO BE OPENED IF LOBBIES DO NOT OBSTRUCT
ZAMAN- The bill, encouraging production of electricity production from renewable energy resources like wind and sun will be presented to the parliament tomorrow (Wednesday).
The bill, which was withdrawn nine months ago upon the pressures of the natural gas lobby, will save Turkey from being dependent on foreign countries if the law takes effect.
IMF DELEGATION STARTS MEETINGS
ZAMAN- International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, headed by IMF Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam, and Lorenzo Giorginanni, who will replace him, arrived in Turkey on Monday.
The delegation proceeded to Ankara after holding several meetings in Istanbul.
The delegation will hold technical meetings on updating draft letter of intent within the scope of new stand-by deal.
Officials will take up progress in arrangements on restructuring of banking, social security and income administration issues. They will also discuss 2005 targets which will be revised according to definite macro-economic accounts as well as developments which are expected in the last quarter of 2004, and in 2005.
NEW COMMISSION TO TCK
YENI SAFAK- Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, replying to questions of reporters, said a new commission was set regarding the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK). He said there was a person in the commission representing the press.
Cicek said they were in continuos contact with the press organizations, noting that articles, which should be amended, are determined one by one.
ONE MILLION USD TO OIC
YENI SAFAK- Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, while donating one million USD to Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said, ''resolving the problems in the Islam world is one of our primary responsibilities.''
Gul met OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu within the scope of his visit to Saudi Arabia and donated one million USD.