Daily News http://www.aa.com.tr en Copyright © Anadolu Ajansı Web sitesi içerisinde yeralan tüm metin, resim ve diğer içeriğin hakları Anadolu Ajansı A.Ş'ye aittir. Hiçbir şekilde basılı veya herhangi diğer bir elektronik ortamda (CD, Internet vs.) izinsiz kullanılamaz. http://www.aa.com.tr http://www.aa.com.tr/images/aalogo_xml.gif 90 79 247224 2009-07-04 16:59:00 ANKARA (A.A) - Turkey welcomed a secure and stable general elections in Albania on Saturday. Turkey's Foreign Ministry released a statement in which it welcomed the recent general elections held in Albania in a secure and stable atmosphere. "Turkey also welcomes that the general elections were held in line with fundamental democratic standards," the statement said. In the statement, the ministry said that Turkey would continue to support Albania, which had made great progress in democracy, stability and development. "We are ready to improve our perfect relations and cooperation in coming days," the ministry said. The ministry also said that Turkey believed the elections and the government to be formed after the elections would help Albania become a factor of stability in its region with a balanced and constructive policy, and raise the prosperity of Albanian people. The general elections took place in Albania on June 28. Election officials said late Friday that Democrats, headed by actual Prime Minister Sali Berisha, won 46.69 percent. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247224 247221 2009-07-04 16:58:00 SAKARYA (A.A) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that all state institutions were working in harmony, ruling out any confrontation among these institutions. At a gathering of his ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party in the western province of Sakarya, PM Erdogan said Turkish military, gendarmerie and intelligence organization were in harmony and doing their duties in a democratic system as indicated by the constitution and laws. "There is no conflict or tension among any of our institutions," Erdogan told the meeting. "Those who want tension or conflict among our institutions are in an empty expectation. Those who hope tension and conflict will be disappointed," he said. Erdogan also warned that political parties and Turkish media should act responsibly. "All our citizens and institutions are responsible to stand for democracy and and the rule of law. (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247221 247190 2009-07-04 16:37:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - The Russian and Fener Greek Orthodox partriarchs met in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Saturday. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, and had a meeting with Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew. Before the meeting, Kirill attended a religious service. During his meeting with Kirill, Bartholomew said Kirill's visit meant a message of unity, solidarity and fraternity between the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Russian church. Kirill said this visit would be a new beginning of relations with Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow arrived in Istanbul earlier on Saturday. He is also set to hold talks in capital city of Ankara until July 6. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247190 247184 2009-07-04 16:32:00 HATAY/MARMARIS (A.A) - A Turkish police officer was wounded in an anti-drug operation in which nearly 500 kg of hashish was seized in southern Turkey on Saturday. Police received a tip-off and raided a farm in Samandagi province of the southern province of Hatay. However, drug gang who raised cannabis at the farm opened fire on police teams. A police officer was wounded in his chest in the clash. Police arrested six people in the operation. Police officer, who was taken to the hospital, had an outpatient treatment, police said. In another operation, police impounded 5.9 kg of heroin in Marmaris tourist town of the southwestern province of Mugla. Police teams followed a suspect in town and found the illicit drug in his hotel room by the help of a sniffer dog. Two people were arrested in the operation. (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247184 247181 2009-07-04 16:30:00 IZMIR/EDIRNE (A.A) - Turkish security forces arrested a total of 44 illegal migrants in separate operations, officials said on Saturday. Coast guard boat spotted a rubber boat off Karaburun town of the Aegean province of Izmir with 25 illegal migrants and a Turkish human trafficker on board. Somali and Bangladeshi illegal migrants, who were trying to reach Greek islands, and the Turkish human trafficker were arrested. In a separate operation in the northwestern province of Edirne, gendarmerie and border patrol teams caught 19 illegal migrants of Iraqi, Palestinian and Burmese descent. All illegal migrants would be deported, police said. (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247181 247117 2009-07-04 15:32:00 ASTANA (A.A) - A Turkish company has constructed a stadium in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Turkey's Sembol Insaat (construction company) built the "Astana Arena Stadium" in Astana, Kazakhstan which cost 185 million USD. The stadium with a retractable roof panel will have a capacity to host 30,000 spectators. The construction began in 2006. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev inaugurated the stadium on Saturday. The stadium is equipped with television networks with satellite antennas, broadcasting, and sound reinforcement with simultaneous translation in meeting halls, press-conference halls, display panel, and helicopter ground. The stands are located at two levels: 16,000 seats ? at the lower and 14,000 ? at the upper. VIP-zone is located between them in the western part of the stadium. Besides Nazarbayev, Fettah Tamince, the chairman of the Rixos Hotels Executive Board and Sembol Insaat's founder; Kazakh ministers and lawmakers; Turkish Football Federation's Executive Board member Levent Kizil; Turkish national team coach Fatih Terim; and Turkish footballers Hakan Sukur and Hasan Sas participated in the inauguration ceremony. After the ceremony, Kazakhistan's Locomotive Astana and Kazakh junior national team played a friendly match which was officiated by Italian referee Pierluigi Collina. Hakan Sukur and Hasan Sas played for the Locomotive Astana team in the friendly match. The Locomotive Astana defeated the junior national team 5-2. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247117 247064 2009-07-04 14:47:00 ANKARA (A.A) - The Turkish state minister for economy underlined importance of structural reforms and financial policies for overcoming the economic crisis. Turkey's State Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said that the financial policies and structural reforms Turkey had been implementing since 2002 helped minimizing the effects of the global crisis on Turkish economy. Turkey's national domestic product was down in annual basis since the last quarter of 2008, and the unemployment rate was up 4 percent in a year, Babacan said during the European Business World Leaders meeting in the Finnish capital of Helsinki. Babacan said Turkey had been affected particularly by the slump in foreign demand and international capital inflow. "The structural reforms of the Turkish government aims to increase the role of private sector, flexibility and efficiency of the financial sector, and to base the social security system on a stronger ground," Babacan said. The minister said that reforms protected the banking industry against foreign shocks. "Turkish banking industry is fairly strong and lucrative, thanks to strong capital and efficient risk management practices," Babacan said. Babacan said that robust financial discipline helped reduce public borrowing need. The minister also referred to a number of temporary measures the Turkish government had taken to increase domestic demand, and said the government reduced the burden of employment on employers and broadened the scope of unemployment insurance payment. Babacan said the government had made public a new investment incentive package which dropped corporation and employment taxes and launched a new loan guarantee mechanism for the small and medium scale enterprises. "Turkey has also drawn a great deal of international investments. The international capital investments reached 70 billion USD in four years," Babacan said. Babacan said three-fourths of those investments came from European Union (EU) member states, which was a clear sign that Turkish economy had integrated to the EU economy. "The government is about to finalize a medium-term economic program, which will be a guide for macro-economic policies," Babacan said. The minister said that program would show Turkey's national targets and strategies for the years between 2010 and 2012. On impact of the global crisis on Europe, Babacan said particularly the Central and Eastern European countries were affected by the crisis. Although the crisis began on the other side of the Atlantic, its effects on the Euro zone would be more serious due to the structural features of the region, Babacan also said. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247064 247001 2009-07-04 13:53:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow arrived in Istanbul on Saturday to meet Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew. Patriarch Kirill and an accompanying delegation of ecclesiastics will also hold talks in Istanbul and capital city of Ankara until July 6. (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=247001 246966 2009-07-04 13:21:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - A Dutch electronics company has re-enlightened Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge. The Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands re-enlightened the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul with 3,500 LED lamps. The company earlier lightened up the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the pyramids in Egypt, the Acropolis in Athens, and the Big Ben tower in London. "A good enlightening ensures security, revives tourism, creates a nice ambiance, and increases social interaction," CEO of Philips told AA correspondent on Saturday. Anton Booij, the Philips Turkey CEO, said that there were 1,760 light sources on cables, 166 on main cables, 860 on towers and 478 on barriers. Booij said light shows could be made on the bridge thanks to the new LED system. The project to lighten up the Bosphorus Bridge cost about 3 million Euros. Earlier, the Philips enlightened the Kadikoy Square, Selimiye Mosque, Bodrum and Cesme castles, Kucuksu Mansion, Amasya Governor's Office, Sarayduzu Barracks and historical clock tower, Izmir Asansor Tower, Ankara Palace, Bursa Balibey Inn, historical Erzincan Train Station, Izmir Sirinyer Hippodrome, Istanbul Veliefendi Hippodrome, and Istanbul Sutluce Congress Hall. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of 26 billion Euros in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246966 246960 2009-07-04 13:18:00 LONDON/ANKARA (A.A) - A British research and consultancy agency said on Saturday that Turkish economy would start recovering in 2010. The leading publisher of economic and political intelligence in Britain, Oxford Business Group, said Turkey's economy was under pressure due to global crisis. In a report, the group said the Turkish economy would start recovering in 2010. The group said that Turkish economy was shrinking due to a slump in internal and external demand, and forecast the year-end contraction around 5 or 5.5 percent. However, the financial sector in Turkey would not be negatively affected despite economic downturn, the group said. The group also said that Turkey's economy could grow 2.6 percent in 2010 thanks to trimmed interest rates, packages reviving domestic demand and easing the burden on private sector. In its report, the group said that markets were expecting Turkey to sign a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Such an agreement would not only provide a reliable financial source for Turkey but also a reliable audit, the group said. The group also said that although the Turkish government was opposing to the IMF measures that could contract Turkish economy, two two parties could reach a compromise. In its report, the group said Turkey could provide some 45 billion USD of source from a stand-by arrangement with the IMF. The group said Turkey was exporting more than half of its goods to European countries, and when European economy recovered, Turkey could recover more easily and quickly. Also, the group said tourism could help Turkey overcome economic stagnation. The Turkish Board of Statistics (TUIK) announced on June 30 that Turkey's economy contracted 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009 when compared with the same period of the last year. Oxford Business Group is a leading publisher of economic and political intelligence on the markets of the Eastern Europe, Africa, The Middle East, Caribbean and Asia. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246960 246835 2009-07-04 11:46:00 NEW YORK (A.A) - Turkish national basketball player Hidayet Turkoglu, who played five seasons with Orlando Magic, has agreed with another NBA team Portland Trail Blazers, U.S. media reports said on Friday. Hedo flied to Oregon on a two-day trip to meet executives of Blazers and agreed on a five year contract, reports said. Exact figures will not be disclosed until the league-wide moratorium on player movement is lifted on July 8. Portland Trail Blazers is expected to make public the official announcement on that date. Orlando Magic, last season's NBA finalists, have offered 36 million USD for four years to keep him, but Hedo rejected the offer since he wanted a longer contract. Another NBA team Canada-based Toronto Raptors also wanted to sign with Hedo but he picked Blazers who offered a contract of around 50 million USD for five years. Hedo started his NBA carrier with Sacramento Kings in 2000 and moved to San Antonio Spurs and then to Magic. He is one of the first two Turkish basketball players playing in NBA with Mehmet Okur, or Memo, of Utah Jazz. (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246835 246808 2009-07-04 11:32:00 ANKARA (A.A) - A Turkish entrepreneur manufactured the second sports car of Turkey. Turkish entrepreneur Ercan Malkoc produced his second sports car "ETOX". Malkoc manufactured his first local sports car "ETOX" after he was not allowed to get on a Ferrari in an automotive fair in Turkey. The German automotive magazine "Auto Bild" wrote a three-page article about "ETOX", which was also made a story in an automobile program on German broadcaster "Vox". "I started my business life in auto carpet replacement in my uncle's workplace in Ankara," Malkoc, who is today the chairman of the executive board of Ertex company. Malkoc said he bought his first car "Anadol" when he was 16 years old and started auto decoration business in a 90 square meter workplace after he finished his military service. Ercan Malkoc said his firm became a well-known auto decoration firm. "I decided to produce the first sports car of Turkey after I was not allowed to get on a Ferrari in a fair," he said. Malkoc said he manufactured the "ETOX" in eight months with almost 20-member technical team, including an automotive designer, two mechanical engineers and an aircraft engineer in 2007. The project cost about 2 million USD. In "ETOX", E stands for Erteks, T for Turkey, O for automotive, X for indefiniteness and eternity. Malkoc sold his first red "ETOX" to a businessmen living in Istanbul, and is driving the second sports car himself. The Turkish entrepreneur thinks of producing his sports car in Ankara, and is ready to meet international investors. The two "ETOX" cars are 125 hp and has 1,500 cc diesel motor, however the entrepreneur thinks of a new 200-300 hp diesel motor for mass production. "I am also planning to sell ETOX at 30,000 Euros," Malkoc also said. Malkoc said that his cars would pave the way for other Turkish entrepreneurs and projects. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246808 246807 2009-07-04 11:32:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - An international association awarded the Turk Telekom, Turkey'slargest telecommunications company. The Turk Telekom, a fixed line operator, released a statement on Saturday, and said that it received the "best public relations project" award of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA). Turk Telekom's e-billing project, aiming to raise environmental awareness, became the winner of environmental category of IPRA's Golden World Awards. Turk Telekom launched the project in 2008. A total of 342 projects from 42 countries joined 2009 IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence in Public Relations. IPRA said that Turk Telekom wanted to reduce the cost of issuing paper invoices. "An innovative environmental awareness program is the backbone of the new e-billing service, by which a new tree is planted for every 1,000 accounts that convert from paper billing statements to e-billing. Since the inception in 2008, nearly 1 million Turkish households have switched to e-bills, saving more than 50,000 trees. And to date, 100,000 trees will have been planted in Turkey," IPRA said. The IPRA also said Turkey was a candidate for the United Nations Award with its e-billing service. The prize ceremony will take place in London on Friday October 30, 2009. The International Public Relations Association is the leading global network for public relations professionals. It aims to further the development of open communication and the ethical practice of public relations. IPRA is the organizer of the Golden World Awards for Excellence ? public relations' global awards scheme. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246807 246785 2009-07-04 11:13:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkey's Ozyegin University was ranked among top 100 business schools in the world, the university said on Saturday. The university was one of the top 100 business schools for the number of its articles published this year in four globally leading marketing periodicals the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research and Marketing Science. Ozyegin University was above world-famous schools such as Cambridge, Cornell, Michigan State and London Business School, it said. University rector Professor Erhan Erkut said that the university aimed to be listed in top 200 universities of the world in five years. "Success achieved by our marketing group encouraged us and also showed us that this goal could be achieved," Erkut said. Business schools of universities Chicago, Pennsylvania and New York were on the top of the list. Ozyegin University was founded officially in 2007 and welcomed its first students in September 2008 on its Altunizade Campus, Istanbul. (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246785 246697 2009-07-04 10:35:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - The Turkish agriculture minister left for Estonia on Saturday. Turkey's Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker travelled to Estonia to hold formal talks. Eker is expected to return to Turkey on July 7. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246697 246696 2009-07-04 10:35:00 ANKARA (A.A) - Turkey has appointed a new representative to the United Nations (UN). Turkey appointed Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ertugrul Apakan as its new permanent representative to the UN on June 29. The concerned decree was published on Saturday's Official Gazette. Baki Ilkin was Turkey's former permanent representative to the UN. He represented Turkey in the UN for the past four and a half years, and retired on July 1. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246696 246690 2009-07-04 10:35:00 ANKARA (A.A) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on July 4, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. TURKIYE ------- "WE HAVE NO SECRET AGENDA" Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey had no secret agenda neither inside the country nor in foreign policy. At his speech at Istanbul University, Erdogan said, "Turkey attracts notices from around the world with its reforms and increasing role. Our all efforts are to establish global peace." Responding to opposition claims about a "secret agenda", Erdogan said government's sensitivity to democracy and human rights was a clear indicator of sincere efforts. "Our major goal is to carry Turkey forward as a democratic, secular and social state of law," he said. GAS DEAL TO BE SIGNED Parties are set to sign the Nabucco project, which will carry Caspian and Central Asian natural gas to Europe via Turkey. The Nabucco deal will be signed in Ankara on July 13. The project will ease EU's dependence on Russia. ZAMAN ----- JUDICIAL REFORM: TURKEY'S COMMITMENT FOR EU AND UN The two-article arrangement passed by the Turkish parliament is among the requirements of Turkey's half-century European Union (EU) membership target. The reform is at the top of the commitments Turkey made in the national program. Also, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the United Nations (UN) resolutions are full of calls for a more civilian judiciary. TWO-ARTICLE REFORM A GIANT LEAP FORWARD FOR TURKISH DEMOCRACY The two-article judicial reform of the Turkish parliament had great repercussions in Europe. EU authorities welcomed the reform, whereas the media is publishing comments on it. The Economist defined the amendment enabling trial of putschists before civilian courts as a "groundbreaking law." ONLY ONE STEP FOR MARMARAY TO REACH USKUDAR The end of the Marmaray project, which will connect the two continents in Istanbul, is about to come. Zaman daily newspaper made on-site examination for 15 days. YENI SAFAK ---------- SUPREME COURT FORMULA FOR GENERALS President Abdullah Gul is examining the amendment that would allow trial of military personnel by civilian courts. Gul met Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Cemil Cicek and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin on Friday. The amendment is in line with Turkish constitution and EU legislation but another amendment is needed to fill the gap about the trial of the Chief of General Staff and force commanders, sources said. If Gul approves the recent law, the government is expected to make another amendment on the matter. The strongest option on the table is the formula of Supreme Court. Generals could be tried before the Supreme Court just like the President, Prime Minister and chief judges. 15 TURKISH BANKS IN PRIDE LIST Fifteen Turkish banks were in the list of top 1000 banks of the world made by The Banker Magazine. Is Bankasi has been the largest Turkish bank in the list with its 8.5 billion USD of capital and 72.9 billion USD of assets. Akbank was the second largest while Garanti Bank was the third largest Turkish bank in the list. (End) (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246690 246627 2009-07-04 10:05:00 ANKARA (A.A) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on July 4, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. VATAN ----- TOUGH DECISION BY PRESIDENT Turkish President Abdullah Gul had earlier said "not well-intentioned" when a judge in Ankara ruled that he should be tried. Now, he is looking for a formula to dispel concerns of the military. If he endorses the amendment that allows trial of military personnel before civil courts, commanders, including the Chief of General Staff, will be out of the shield of immunity that civilian bureaucrats have. Prosecutors have to get permission to prosecute judges, prosecutors and undersecretaries. But with the new amendment they will be able to launch prosecution without permission. Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug talked about his concerns at his meeting with Gul. AUCTION FOR HEDO NBA teams are starving to see Turkish national basketball player Hidayet Turkoglu in their squads. Orlando Magic does not want to let him go but Portland Trail Blazers offered 50 million USD for five years and took Hedo to Oregon. Toronto Raptors is mulling to raise its offer to 60 million from 56 million USD. CUMHURIYET ---------- JUDICIARY BEING ATTACHED TO THE RULING Riza Turmen, a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), said that what the ECHR was caring about was whether the principle of a fair, independent and unbiased trial was made instead of whether it was a military or a civilian trial. Turmen said the method of the midnight amendment of the Justice & Development (AK) Party government was wrong, when commenting on the legal arrangement allowing trial of military personnel before civilian courts. Turmen said, "democracy means transparency." Also, Professor Suheyl Batum, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the Bahcesehir University, said the military-civilian judiciary discussions were made in a wrong dimension. "The problem is totally seizing the judiciary, not the independence of judiciary." Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said the military-civilian judiciary was an issue that should be handled within the framework of the democratization process and European Union (EU) adjustment. 40 JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS TAPPED Bulent Baratali, a parliamentarian of the Republican People's Party (CHP), asked Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin whether the claims that 25 judges and prosecutors were tapped in a big city. Ergin confirmed the claim, and said the exact number was 40, not 25. RADIKAL ------- DOCTORATE AFTER DOCTORATE Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received honorary doctorate at the Istanbul University, with which he had political confrontations in the past. Erdogan said, "I had met rector Bulent Berkarda when I was the mayor of Istanbul. This is the first time since that meeting that I am under this roof." Later, Maltepe University honored Erdogan with honorary doctorate. "VETO TOTO" TIME The possible stance of the Cankaya Presidential Palace on the law regarding military judiciary is the only issue concerning Ankara. President Abdullah Gul is trying to reduce the tension that escalated with the law paving the way for trial of military personnel before civilian courts, and he is dealing with this issue. However, every one else is saying another thing. State Minister Cemil Cicek said the law was not against the constitution, whereas Vahit Erdem of the Justice & Development (AK) Party said tension should be over. Oktay Vural of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said Gul would most probably veto the law. The Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said there should be a democratic discussion process. (More) (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246627 246587 2009-07-04 09:45:00 ANKARA (A.A) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on July 4, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. HURRIYET -------- U.S. TEAM COMMANDER WHO SACKED TURKISH SOLDIERS DIES OF HEART ATTACK In the 6th anniversary of incident that Turkish soldiers were sacked in Iraq's Suleymaniyah, the American leader of the soldiers Daniel Monk died of heart attack. The 28-year-old commander, who could not overcome the stress of the war in Iraq, died 10 months ago. His death was because of using overdose prescription drugs just like Michael Jackson. HISTORIC MEETING IN ISTANBUL The Patriach-elect Kirill of Moscow will meet Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul. The meeting in Istanbul, which will get together the most powerful ecclesiastics of the Orthodox world, is considered "historical". The two patriarchs are expected to discuss the future of Fener-Moscow relations which saw frictions and and even an "open war" between the two patriarchates. INFLATION BELOW EXPECTATIONS Consumer prices rose 0.11 percent and producer prices climbed only 0.94 percent in June. Annual inflation was up 5.73 percent in consumer prices while it was down 1.86 in producer prices. Inflation was below target figures for the first time in June due to slump in demand. MILLIYET -------- INTERESTING REPROACH FROM DTP MEMBERS TO BARZANI Ahmet Turk, the chairperson of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), and deputy chairperson Emine Ayna wrote a letter to Masoud Barzani, the head of the regional administration in north of Iraq, and criticized non-inclusion of Hiwa Party under the control of the terrorist organization PKK in the elections to be held in the north of Iraq on July 25. In their letter, Turk and Ayna expressed regret that the mentioned party was prevented from joining the elections. CRITICAL DECISION TO COME OUT AFTER HE RETURNS FROM KIRKPINAR Eyes have been turned to the Cankaya Presidential Palace after the discussion grew on the legal arrangement allowing trial of military personnel before civilian courts. President Abdullah Gul, who will make a decision after examining the reports, does not think of waiting till the end of 15-day period. Gul will visit Izmir, Istanbul and Edirne at the weekend. Gul, who will participate in the Kirkpinar wrestling ceremony, will return to Ankara on Sunday evening and re-handle the issue on Monday. A PRIME MINISTER IN A SUV UNDER STRAIT Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who visited the tunnel that will bring the Melen water to the European side of Istanbul, crossed the Istanbul Strait beneath the sea by a SUV (special utility vehicle). Erdogan travelled on the tunnel built 135 meters down the Bosphorus between Sariyer (the European side) and Beykoz (the Anatolian side). The journey lasted about eight minutes. SABAH ----- QANDIL CADRE DUE TO NORWAY The plan to eradicate the terrorist organization PKK has been speeded up by Turkey and the United States. Hak-Par's (Rights and Freedoms Party) chairman Bayram Bozyel, who visited the region, spoke to Sabah daily newspaper and explained the details of the four-stage eradication process. According to the plan, the first step will be to evacuate the Mahmour camp in the north of Iraq. Those who went to that camp in 1990 will be brought back to Turkey. Terrorists on mountains will get down the mountains, settle down in this camp and their arms will be collected. The top members of the terrorist organization, particularly Murat Karayilan, will be given Iraqi passport and sent to Norway. In the meantime, Turkey will prepare a package that will lay the groundwork for an amnesty. The members of the terrorist organization in Mahmour camp will then start to be brought to Turkey. Bayram Bozyel said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Masoud Barzani, the head of the regional administration in north of Iraq, had undertaken a significant role in this process. CICEK TO BE INCLUDED IN FOURTH INDICTMENT The third indictment of the Ergenekon investigation regarding 60 suspects will be submitted to the court at the beginning of next week. Colonel Dursun Cicek (claimed to sign an anti-government plan) and the ammunition seized in Poyrazkoy, Istanbul will be included in the fourth indictment. DOUBLE DOCTORATE TO ERDOGAN The Istanbul University and Maltepe University granted honorary doctorate to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his contributions to the Alliance of Civilizations and world peace. Erdogan said, "Turkey has hidden agenda neither in Turkey nor outside Turkey." (More) (TÇ-BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246587 246511 2009-07-03 23:24:00 PESCARA (A.A) - Turkish tennis playe Marsel Ilhan won a silver medal in men's singles in tennis in the 16th Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Ilhan lost in four sets against Spanish rival Roberto Bautista in the final game. Turkey ranked fourth after Friday's games in medals won with 20 golds. (İMB) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246511 246501 2009-07-03 22:32:00 PESCARA (A.A) - Turkish athlete Kemal Koyuncu won a bronze medal in 5,000 meters track in the 16th Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Koyuncu came third with 14:04:99 after Moroccan athlete Anis Selmouni with 13:55:98 and Italian Stefano La Rosa with 14:04:44 in the event in the Adriatico Stadium. (İMB) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246501 246498 2009-07-03 21:57:00 PESCARA (A.A) - Turkish athlete Burcu Ayhan claimed a silver medal in women's high jump in the 16th Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Ayhan jumped 1.89 meters on her first try and came second after Italian athlete Antonietta Di Martino who sealed 1.97 meters in the event in Adriatico Stadium. Greek athlete Antonia Stergiou came third with 1.89 meters only on her second try. (İMB- http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246498 246492 2009-07-03 21:37:00 PESCARA (A.A) - Two Turkish Bocce players won Friday bronze medals in the 16th Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. In men's singles, Caner Makara defeated his rival from Malta 12-1, and Rukiye Yuksel toppled the Croatian contender 12-7 in women's singles. Turkish athletes have claimed 20 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze medals so far after a week of games as Turkey ranked third following Italy and France in number of gold medals won. (İMB) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246492 246479 2009-07-03 20:50:00 BUCHAREST (A.A) - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu departed from Bucharest after a two-day visit to the Romanian capital. Davutoglu met with Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, Senate President Mircea Geoana, his counterpart Cristian Diaconescu and President of the Chamber of Deputies Roberta Alma Anastase. He also got together with members of the Turkish community and visited a Turkish memorial cemetery. (İMB) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246479 246441 2009-07-03 20:04:00 BUCHAREST (A.A) - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met Friday with members of the Turkish community in Bucharest as part of his visit to the Romanian capital. Delivering a speech at the meeting, Davutoglu called Romania-based Turkish businesspeople to extend support to the Turkish citizens living in Romania. Davutoglu urged Turkish people living in the country to blend in with the Romanian people. "You constitute a culture bridge between the two countries and each of you represent Turkey," he said. The foreign minister also visited a Turkish memorial cemetery in Bucharest, and laid a wrath for near one thousand Turkish troops who fell in Romania during the First World War. Davutoglu met with earlier today with Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc, Senate President Mircea Geoana, Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu and President of the Chamber of Deputies Roberta Alma Anastase. The Turkish minister was expected to depart for Turkey later on. (İMB) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246441 246393 2009-07-03 18:50:00 SIVAS (A.A) - Turkey's Sivasspor soccer team signed a Congolese footballer on Friday. Turkey's first division Sivasspor team signed a four-year contract with Congolese stopper Pieter Mbemba. 21-year-old Mbemba played for PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands last season. He formerly played in Belgium for KVSK United and KV Mechelen. (BRC) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246393 246379 2009-07-03 18:35:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, said Friday the Alliance of Civilizations initiative brought together cultures and is unstoppable. In a message sent to a ceremony at the Istanbul University (IU) in which Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree for their contributions to the Alliance of Civilizations initiative, Zapatero said that he accepts the honorary degree with great honor and that such a degree carries high importance. We began the Alliance of Civilizations initiative with Mr. Erdogan. We are trying to develop this initiative, Zapatero said in his brief message. The Alliance of Civilizations initiative is one formed under the roof of the United Nations and tries to bring together different cultures and religions by promoting dialogue. Erdogan and Zapatero are the co-sponsors of the initiative. (SOL-CE) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246379 246371 2009-07-03 18:28:00 ANTALYA (A.A) - The Turkmen tourism minister expressed his country's willingness to make use of Turkey's tourism experiences. Gurbanmammet Ilyasov, the head of the Turkmen State Committee for Sports and Tourism, visited the Turkish Mediterranean city of Antalya, and said Turkmenistan wanted to benefit from Turkey's tourism experiences. Ilyasov met executives of the Mediterranean Tourist Hoteliers Association in Antalya, where he is actually visiting to see the tourism investments. "We want to make use of your experiences to improve tourism in our country," Ilyasov said during the meeting. There are actually 1,080 hotels in Antalya. There are tourism-documented 5,000 bed capacity, 13 golf courses, 55 football fields, three national parks, three national preservation sites, three marinas, 140,000-seat congress and meeting halls, 30 fair and sports centers in Antalya. Around 8.5 million tourists visited Antalya in 2008, but only 339 of them were from Turkmenistan. (BRC-CE) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246371 246328 2009-07-03 17:59:00 ISTANBUL (A.A) - Turkey's private air carrier Onur Air has added an Airbus A320 passenger jet to its fleet in July and now has a total of 25 passenger jets. According to a written press release issued by Onur Air on Friday, the company made two additions to its fleet in 2009. Onur Air added an Airbus A320 jet to its fleet earlier in May. Onur Air has a full capacity of 5,440 passenger seats. Onur Air's fleet includes six Airbus A300-600 jets, eight Airbus A321 jets, two Airbus A320 jets, five Boeing MD-88 jets and four Boeing MD-83 jets. (SOL-CE) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246328 246327 2009-07-03 17:58:00 ANKARA (A.A) - The Turkish energy minister said on Friday that Turkey could be in any strategic project, including the South Stream. Turkey's Energy & Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said that Turkey could take part in any strategic and geopolitical project concerning itself. "The conditions of the project is important for us," Yildiz told a press conference in Ankara. Minister Yildiz said that Russian authorities wanted to learn Turkey's perspective on South Stream project when he was visiting Russia, and he told them that Turkey could be in any project concerning its strategic and geopolitical location. The South Stream project is aimed at strengthening the European energy security. The project provides for South Stream's offshore section to run under the Black Sea from the Russian coast (Beregovaya compressor station) to the Bulgarian coast. The total length of the offshore section will be around 900 km, maximum depth ? over two km and full capacity ? 63 bcm. Two possible routes are under review for South Stream's onshore section from Bulgaria? one, northwestwards and the other, southwestwards. (BRC-CE) http://www.aa.com.tr/index2.php?option=com_haber&no_html=0&popup=1&haber_id=246327