ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 9th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
THE LAST MIRACLE
HURRIYET- A miracle took place at the funeral of the late Pope John Paul II. For the first time in history, leaders of Israel, Syria and Iran met each other and shook hands at the Vatican.
THE LAST WORD TO BE SPOKEN IN ATHENS
HURRIYET- Turkish Efes Pilsen Basketball team beat Greece's Panathinaikos last night (Friday) 75-63 and continued its hope to play in the EuroLeague Final Four. If Efes beats Panathinaikos in the third game, it would secure a place in the Final Four. ''The last word will be spoken in Athens,'' said an Efes official.
NO MORE FIRE IN THE AEGEAN
MILLIYET- In the past, a small disagreement could have caused great fire in the Aegean. Yet nowadays all problems and disagreements are being kept under a peaceful control. There are mutual and fruitful benefits, interests.... One of such mutual cooperation is the natural gas pipeline coming soon, whose construction will begin with the attendance of the prime ministers of the Aegean, namely Erdogan and Caramanlis.
COMPUTER ROOMS LOCKED IN MANY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT ANATOLIA
MILLIYET- In a survey conducted in 2802 schools throughout Anatolia, the Ministry of National Education found out that there are many computer rooms locked due to financial difficulties. ''Students wishing to use the internet can not do so in many schools due to insufficient economic conditions. Therefore, students have to go to private internet cafes to play on the computer.''
'CASUS BELLI' UNCERTAIN
SABAH- Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc suggested lifting of 'casus belli' decision of Turkish Parliament which was taken on June 8th, 1995. He said that there is no such a decision, adding that it was only a declaration which was signed by group acting chairmen. In fact, Turkey decided to consider Greece's increasing its territorial waters to 12 miles as 'casus belli' in 1976 during prime ministry of Suleyman Demirel, not in 1995. During NATO summit in 1997, President Demirel announced he lifted casus belli.
TOGETHER WITH LEADERS
SABAH- One of the 70 leaders who attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II was Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan had conversations with U.S. President George Bush, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi during the funeral.
PKK MEMBERS COLLECT MONEY BY FORCE
CUMHURIYET- German Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper wrote that members of PKK terrorist organization which is still active in the country collect money from people by force, and if people reject to give money, PKK members beat them.
AEGEAN BREAK IN AKP
CUMHURIYET- Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc repeated his suggestion to lift the declaration that considers Greece's increasing its territorial waters to 12 miles as 'casus belli'. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''Turkey's attitude about Aegean problems is obvious, and a change is out of question.''
COLA GIANTS IN TOUGH COMPETITION
RADIKAL- Pepsi and Coca-Cola officials are arguing that Ulker has ''unfairly'' exceeded the sugar quota that was legally permitted. Ulker is acting against fair business principles, said Pepsi and Coca-Cola representatives.
THE LAST DUTY FOR THE POPE
RADIKAL- The late Pope John Paul II has been laid to rest in a funeral ceremony attended by over 200 dignitaries from 80 countries. The funeral was also attended by more than two million tourists. Turkey was represented by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
WORLD BANK: GROWING TURKEY ATTRACTS WORLD
TURKIYE- World Bank, in its 2005 Global Development Finance Report, praised Turkish economy. Economic reforms in Turkey continue to yield results. Turkey broke record with 9.9 percent gross national product rate in 2004 by leaving China behind.
ATTACKS ON TURKISH DRIVERS AGAIN
TURKIYE- An attack was staged on a Turkish convoy in Kirkuk, Iraq on previous night. A Turkish driver was killed and 6 others were injured while 7 tankers burned.
EFES BEATS PANATHINAIKOS
ZAMAN- Turkish Efes Pilsen Basketball team beat Greece's Panathinaikos last night 75-63 and continued its hope to play in the EuroLeague Final Four.
''CASUS BELLI'' UNTIL A LASTING SOLUTION IS FOUND
YENI SAFAK- Turkey will continue to consider Greece's intentions to increase its territorial waters to 12 miles as 'casus belli.' Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has stated that there has not been any change in Turkey's stance on the issue.
LOTS OF MILK, NOT MUCH CONSUMER
YENI SAFAK- Turkish sources have said that while tea, fruit juices and soft drinks dominate consumer purchases throughout Anatolia, there is not much demand for milk. ''While milk consumption is over 100 liters per person in the European Union, this number is only 23 liters in Turkey per person.''