These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 11, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
LAW TO SAVE BANKS READY
The draft law which is supported by State Minister Kemal Dervis and which foresees the allocation of capital to banks publicly known as ''Saving Law'' was adopted at the Parliamentary General Assembly. The law also foresees adding 60 percent of 5 billion U.S. dollars to be allocated to banks to be granted to real sector.
AMAZING DECISION IN 2.8 SECONDS
Four planes aboard two Fantom jets survived an accident by jumping out of the plane with parachutes in 2.8 seconds after the collision. Two RF-4 (Fantom) jets which took off from 7th Main Jet Base in eastern Malatya province yesterday hit each other due to an unknown reason and were out of control. The jets fell into a forest. The pilots used the mechanism in the jets and survived the accident 2.8 seconds after the collision. Two pilots and 2 officers were rescued by military helicopters.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
ATM PLAYERS
Istanbul State Theatres are full of players who are paid their salaries without doing anything. Director Can Gurzap has directed only one play in 12 years while Deniz Akel acted in two plays in seven years. The state is paying 12.6 billion Turkish liras (TL) to each of these players in a year.
''LET'S NOT PAY UMRAH VISITS''
The Religious Affairs Directorate has proposed to cancel umrah visits to Saudi Arabia. Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, the Head of Religious Affairs Directorate, said that it would not be correct to cancel hajj visits as a reaction against Saudi administration's decision to tear down Ottoman era Al-Ajyad fort in Mecca. Yilmaz called on Hajj and Umrah Council to a meeting.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
THEY WENT SILENTLY
Four Palestinian guerillas who killed two people by attacking on the Egyptian Embassy in Ankara in 1979 were sent home secretly 22 years later. Four Palestinian guerillas attacked the Egyptian Embassy with Kalashnikovs on July 12, 1979 and took hostage 20 people. The guerillas had killed policeman Irfan Kocabas and guard Ali Babacan. One embassy official who had jumped out of the window to run away had also died. The protestors had surrended to police in return for the promise for ''a fair trial'' after 48 hours. They were tried and sentenced to capital punishment twice. Then years have passed. Four Palestinians benefitted from amnesty and conditional releases. And, 22 years later, they are released from Bilecik prison. The Justice Ministry provided them money and sent them to Palestine via Istanbul and Damascus.
''AS TURKEY PROGRESSES, I FEEL GOOD''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that as Turkey progressed, he was feeling good as a reason why he has seemed more energetic recently. Speaking at the group meeting of Democratic Left Party (DSP), Ecevit said, ''some people say that I seem better recently and ask the reason. I will tell you the secret. As things are going better in Turkey, I fell good.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
GOOD MANNERS OBLIGATORY FOR CHAT
According to the circular prepared by Justice Ministry which will be issued in case death fasts are ended, the inmates who want to chat has to join at least one of the activities like rehabilitation, education, sports, and vocational initiatives. But, a commission will choose the inmates who will meet each other to chat.
BUDAK DISMISSED FROM DSP
Democratic Left Party (DSP) Central Disciplinary Council decided Thursday to dismiss Istanbul deputy Ridvan Budak from the party upon the request of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Stressing that the decision was prejudiced, Budak claimed that the real aim was to threaten. Budak added that he would apply to legal methods.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
CHIEF PROSECUTOR SUITS TWO SEPARATE CASES AGAINST FORMER CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR
Supreme Court Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu filed a lawsuit against former Central Bank governor Gazi Ercel with two separate accusations. The indictment said that the Central Bank sold a total of 5 billion 188 million U.S. dollars on February 19, 20 and 21 and this amount was extraordinary. According to the indictment, no benefits were seen in this sale but the Central Bank sold so much foreign exchange that could cause Treasury loss. Ercel changed his money into foreign exchange because he knew that Turkey would start to implement floating exchange rate regime.
TWO PATHS FOR ERDOGAN
In order to be elected as a deputy, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has to wait till 2003 or the Constitution or Election Law has to change. Erdogan has to either wait till January 26, 2003 for the return of his rights or wait for an amendment in the Constitution and Election Law. The amendments foreseen in Article 312 of the Constitution under the new democracy package are not enough to end Erdogan's punishment.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
NATURAL GAS IN COURT
Association of Protection of Consumers (TUKODER) Chairman Mehmet Sevim denounced Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan and mayors of five provinces to prosecutor's office on charges of Value Added Tax (VAT) rate and high profits in natural gas. Sevim asked VAT exemption in natural gas and also demanded that the high profits taken so far be re-paid.
STROKE ON FINANCING OF TERRORISM
The Parliamentary General Assembly adopted the draft law on adoption the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and Elimination of Terrorist Bombings. The draft law was adopted with the support of all parties. The Convention had been prepared to end financial sources which backed terrorism for an efficient fight against terrorism. The Convention was adopted by the United Nations (U.N) General Assembly on December 9, 1999.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
MONEY WORTH OF 1,5 QUADRILLION TURKISH LIRAS GIVEN TO REAL SECTOR
The government which has given 6 quadrillion Turkish liras to the banks also allocated a loan worth of 1,5 quadrillion TL to the real sector. Industrialists said that they were worried about the loan which can be given in order to prevent the real sector from complaining. The government reached an agreement on the draft aiming to strenghten the banking sector.