ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on June 23rd, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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WHAT CRITERIUM IS THIS?
The Bruges Court decided that Fehriye Erdal (a member of the illegal leftist DHKP/C organization) cannot be tried in Belgium on charges of (prominent businessman Ozdemir) Sabanci assassination. The court will try Erdal only on charges of being a member of a terrorist organization and carrying gun.
YOK DID NOT GRANT VISA FOR IMAM HATIP
The Higher Education Board (YOK) held its general assembly meeting, during which severe discussions were made, in Istanbul. In its meeting, YOK did not grant a university for those who graduate from imam hatip high schools (schools that give theological education).
GERMAN NOBEL GOES TO ORHAN PAMUK
The German Publishers' & Booksellers' Association decided to present this year's Peace Prize to Turkish author Orhan Pamuk.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDEMIR FIGHT
Evaluating the nationalist reactions to privatization of Erdemir steel and iron facilities, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Ankara Trade Chamber (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun without giving his name. ''The leader of one non-governmental organization who was the partner of Erdemir in the past now is against its privatization.'' Erdogan stressed in AKP group meeting that foreign capital should come to Turkey.
NO ASSASSINATION CASE
Fehriye Erdal, the suspect of Sabanci assassination won't be tried in Belgium for the crimes which she committed in Turkey. Bruges Court in Belgium which heard Erdal case yesterday said that Belgian courts were not authorized to try Erdal for the crimes she committed in Turkey.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TIM LISTENS TO YOU
Telephone tapping system will be made operational soon. The biggest tapping authority will be Turkish Intelligence Center. Every communication made through telephone, fax and e-mail will be monitored and recorded by a single authority from now on.
FUNERAL TENSION IN GURPINAR
Tension occurred during the funeral of the demonstrator who died in the incidents that erupted in Gurpinar town of (eastern city of) Van the previous day. Police, who was stoned, used pepper gas.
RUSSIAN ALFA TO BE TURKCELL'S PARTNER
Cukurova Group decided to sign a 3.3 billion USD finance package with Russian Alfa Telekom firm to pay its debts. The group will first pay its debts to the Savings Deposit and Insurance Fund (SDIF) and then buy Turkcell shares in Yapi Kredi Bankasi, by using this finance package.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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SEZER:''DON'T CREATE ARTIFICIAL AGENDA''
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that people should strengthen the basic principles of the Republic and make them more modern rather than opening those principles into debate. Criticizing the debate on wearing head scarf in universities and the next presidential elections, Sezer said that ''we should give up creating artificial agenda.''
ERDOGAN: WE WILL OVERCOME HEAD SCARF PROBLEM
Addressing the AKP group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the government would do what was necessary to sort out the head scarf problem which kept the agenda of the country for a long time. Regarding Turkey's EU bid and the latest crisis within the EU, Erdogan said that the government wouldn't slow down the reform process in Turkey and the accession talks with EU would start on October 3rd as it was decided.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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YOK RESISTS
In its meeting yesterday, the Higher Board of Education (YOK) didn't change the coefficient system that was valid in the University Entrance Exams (OSS). The system is criticized by the government which claims that the system works against students of imam-hatip schools (theology schools) who sit the OSS.
TURKEY'S CANDIDACY SHOULD BE DISCUSSED
The European Union must have a frank discussion of Turkey's candidacy to join the bloc, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said. Barroso remarked that the EU should not overlook signs of concern and discontent from the public in EU member countries about Turkey's prospective membership in the 25-nation bloc. It would be a complete mistake not to look at this issue seriously, Barroso said.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: WE WILL SOLVE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that privatization and headscarf problem were always hushed up. Mentioning headscarf, Erdogan said, ''we will overcome problems with compromise, self-confidence, and justice.''
FUTURE SOUGHT FOR IRAQ
80 countries including the United States and European Union (EU) member states joined the meeting held in Brussels to discuss Iraq's future. During the meeting, participants called for assistance (to Iraq) and gave messages that Iraq's integrity should be preserved. Turkey was represented by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in the meeting.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GUL: WE WON'T LEAVE IRAQ ALONE
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey extended support to the political transition process in Iraq. Speaking in the Iraq's Future Conference held in Brussels, Gul said that Turkey still suffered from the terrorism stemming from the north of Iraq and this threat should end for Turkey.
SEZER APPROVES RTUK LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the constitutional amendment which regulated the election of members of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK). According to the constitutional amendment, the members of RTUK will be composed of nine members and its members will be elected by the parliament.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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BARROSO: TURKEY'S CANDIDACY SHOULD ALSO BE OPEN TO DISCUSSION
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that the European Union (EU) should sincerely discuss Turkey's candidacy. Noting that the ''no'' results of the referenda held on EU Constitution implied some ''messages regarding Turkey'', Barroso said that these messages should be seen. Barroso confirmed that negotiations with Turkey would be launched on October 3rd, but stressed that they (the negotiations) would be open-ended.
AMBUSH AGAINST SOLDIERS: THREE DIED, NINE INJURED
The terrorist organization PKK/Kongra-Gel laid an ambush against security forces who are staging operations in eastern cities of Agri, and Siirt and southeastern city of Sirnak. Three soldiers were killed while nine soldiers were injured as landmines planted by terrorists on the road exploded.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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THREE SOLDIERS KILLED, NINE OTHERS WOUNDED IN MINE EXPLOSION
In southeastern and eastern cities of Sýrnak, Siirt and Agri, totally three soldiers were killed and nine others were wounded. During an operation in Sirnak, one soldier died when he stepped on a mine. Three soldiers were wounded when another mine exploded in Pervari town of Siirt. A military vehicle hit a mine in Agri killing two soldiers and wounding six soldiers. Security forces started a broad scale operation in the region.
MUSIAD: STAGNATION IN ECONOMY
Omer Bolat, the Chairman of Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen (MUSIAD) who made public their 2005 Economy Report yesterday said that the positive developments in economic indications continued. Pointing to the stagnation in economy, MUSIAD offered some suggestions to sort out that problem.