Press Scan
ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on November 24th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SUPERB WEAPON AGAINST PKK
The General Staff bought 350 special sniper rifles to neutralize PKK terrorists in mountainous areas in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. One can make point shooting from 1,750 meters with these rifles.
SUPPORT FROM TWO BANKS TO 1.5 BLN USD OF POWER PLANT
Eren Enerji (energy), which will construct the biggest electricity power plant working with coal in Black Sea province of Zonguldak, has received 850 million USD of loan from Garanti Bankasi and Is Bankasi. The power plant will cost 1.5 billion USD. Ahmet Eren, the head of the energy company, said foreigners hesitated to grant loan but Is and Garanti banks trusted them.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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TWO NEW NAMES FOR ECHR
Ankara has set new candidates for a judge position in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). This new person will replace Riza Turmen. The court rejected three candidates who were previously proposed by Turkey. The new list includes Prof. Dr. Rusen Ergec of Brussels University, Prof. Dr. Isil Karakas of Galatasaray University and Associate Professor Ali Ulusoy of Ankara University.
SNOW AT BORDER
Operations are under way against the terrorist organization PKK in Yuksekova, Semdinli and Cukurca towns of Hakkari, which are all covered in white due to snowfall. There is intelligence that terrorists may come to the caves in the rocky regions of the three towns to spend the winter.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PKK SHOWS US AS TARGET
Three Kurdish intellectuals said the terrorist organization PKK not only threatens them but also accuses them of being supporters of Barzani and makes them a target for nationalists. The terrorist organization PKK showed Umit Firat, Mehmet Metiner and Enver Sezgin are showed as "traitors".
GOLDMAN SACHS BECOMES PARTNER OF AKFEN GYO
Akfen Holding's chairman Hamdi Akin said international investment bank Goldman Sachs bought minority shares of Akfen Immovables Investment Partnership (GYO) and became a financial partner. "Goldman Sachs will make joint investments with Akfen GYO for eight years," he also said.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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SNOW BEGINS, MINES BIGGER DANGER NOW
Operations against the terrorist organization PKK continue without interruption in Yuksekova, Semdinli and Cukurca regions of Hakkari, which are all in white due to snowfall. Snow thickness reached 15 cm on the two sides of the highways and 30-40 cm on the mountains. Troops have been warned against mine blasts because snow makes it impossible to see mines.
INCLUDE US IN MEETINGS TO "BRING PKK DOWN"
Selahattin Demirtas of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) said a project was approved in Washington, and started to be implemented. "We should also be involved in this project," Demirtas said. Demirtas also said, "we should be included in discussions and meetings on 'how we can get the PKK down the mountains'. You should trust us. When PKK is walking around with weapons, we are forced to make policy."
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ADANA BIDS FAREWELL TO MARTRYS
Mehmet Nuri Bakici and Mehmet Nuri Dogan, two soldiers who died as a hand grenade went off by an accident on Namaz Mountain, were laid to rest in two separate funerals in southern province of Adana.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE TO OPEN WITH "GONGS"
Huseyin Erkan, the new chairman of the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), is getting prepared to launch visual shows and practices similar to those in the Wall Street to raise interests in the IMKB. Erhan Oner, the chairman of the Tekfen Executive Board, rang the opening gong of the IMKB the previous day because that day was the first day when shares of Tekfen Holding started to trade in the stock exchange.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ERDOGAN: WE ARE DOING WHAT WE HAVE TO DO
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said every one is fulfilling his/her duties when commenting on claims that Cemal Bayik and Murat Karayilan, two top members of the terrorist organization PKK, were caught and be extradited to Turkey. Erdogan said, "we are doing what we have to do in both military and diplomatic sense."
EVERY ONE TO BE INSURED WITH DRAFT SOCIAL SECURITY LAW
Labor & Social Security Minister Faruk Celik appeared on TGRT Haber TV channel and said the social security reform package will be adopted till the end of this year. "Treasury will meet premium and health expenditures of citizens who have an income that is below one-third of the minimum wage," he also said. Celik said every one under 18 will be included within the scope of general health insurance.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ACCEPTS DTP INDICTMENT
The Constitutional Court accepted the indictment of the Supreme Court chief prosecutor regarding the closure of the Democratic Society Party (DTP). Thus, the legal process to close down the DTP has begun. DTP has to make its preliminary defense within a month after it receives the indictment.
ELECTION BREAK IS OVER, COMPANIES IN A QUEUE TO ENTER STOCK EXCHANGE
Markets revived again after presidential and general elections. Many companies want to trade in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB). Tekfen Holding put their shares in the stock exchange, while the Capital Market Board (SPK) has given a permit to Anel Elektrik. Also six companies including Kuveyt Turk, Koza Altin and KVK have applied to SPK to get a permission for public offering in the stock exchange. Istikbal, Calik Holding, some companies of Ulker Group, Kibar Holding, Dogtas and Konya Seker will begin public offering process in the first half of the following year.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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INTERNET MOBILE PHONE ON THE WAY
Telecommunication Board will open a tender in 2008 for "cyber-operator" that will enable mobile phone talks on the internet. The cyber-operator will use GSM infrastructure.
THEY ACHIEVED TO BECOME TURK IN NINE MONTHS
Bodrum's Turgutreis Municipality opened "Turkishness courses" for foreigners living in the hamlet. Foreigners learned Turkish language, music and folklore in these courses. British, Dutch, German, Scottish and Russian people are learning how to roll out a dough, make famous Turkish dessert baklava, and Turkish food. Foreigners who receive ten hours of training a week become a "real Turk" in nine months.
