ANKARA (AA) - Turkish dailies mostly covered Monday the statements of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the claim of the poisoning of Turkey's 8th president, the fifth visit of delegation to Imrali and the Kyrgyz village guards in Turkey's eastern Van province.
The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
All of the Turkish dailies covered Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statements at the General Assembly of the Turkish Red Crescent on Sunday. "A great state is the one that helps" headlined daily HABER TURK quoting Erdogan's statements where he said, "The criterion for being a great state has changed in the 21st century. A state's power is measured with the support it provides to other states. Turkey has increased its foreign official aid 99 percent to 2 billion and 532 million dollars in 2012." Erdogan also mentioned Gaza with an olive branch and tomato sent from Gaza in his hand, according to daily HABERTURK. "On his way to Gaza end of May" headlined daily VATAN and "He will be in Gaza at the anniversary of Mavi Marmara" headlined daily STAR over Erdogan's announcement of his Gaza visit at the end of May. "The olive branch is the symbol of freedom and Gaza will be free very soon," said Erdogan according to the dailies.
-8th Turkish president poisoned in 40 days-
Turkish daily TARAF covered an exclusive story claiming that the 8th President of Turkey Turgut Ozal began getting poisoned 40 days prior to his death. TARAF cited the report of the State Supervisory Council where the cadmium poison found in the blood he gave before his death matched the poison found in his dead body. Public Prosecutor Kemal Cetin held the information of his previous blood test secret and presented a report to court for exhumation of Ozal's body.
Ozal died of alleged heart failure in 1993 at an Ankara hospital. Last year a further toxicologic study was carried out and some papers reminded there was not a conclusive report that he was poisoned.
-Fifth visit of BDP lawmakers to Imrali-
Most dailies covered the fifth visit of a group of deputies from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) to Imrali Island on Sunday to meet with the jailed terrorist head Abdullah Ocalan. "Another delegation to Imrali" headlined daily MILLIYET referring to the visit where BDP delegation went to hear the response of Ocalan in regards to a letter sent to him from the PKK bases in Qandil mountain.
"Surprising message for disarmed retreat" headlined daily RADIKAL where Ocalan stated that they were in a more hope filled situation, according to the BDP delegation. Ocalan is to make a statement regarding the retreat in a day or two, the daily added.
-Kyrgyz village guards-
Most dailies also covered the story of the Kyrgyz Turks who have settled in Ercis district's Ulupamir village of Turkey's eastern Van province 32 years ago. "Kyrgyz village guards" headlined daily SABAH referring to the Kyrgyz Turks who have been protecting the villages as village guards for the last 21 years. "Not Middle East but Ercis" headlined daily TURKIYE as the Kyrgyz Turks have formed a cavalry troop and have taken part in many operations against terrorists. The Kyrgyz village guards gave full support to the solution process, according to daily YENI SAFAK.
