GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON FEB 1

HURRIYET
-- SUPPORT FOR ERDOGAN IN TEHRAN
A demonstration took place in Iranian capital of Tehran with participation of representatives from associations of undergraduates and nongovernmental organizations to show their support to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for his stance during a discussion panel on Gaza on Thursday in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The group chanted slogans saying that "Long Live Erdogan" and "We Support Erdogan".
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-- AMBULANCE HELICOPTER CRASHES NEAR BOLU
An ambulance helicopter with two pilots aboard crashed into Koroglu hill in the northwestern region of Turkey. Pilots aboard --one Polish and one Turkish-- are missing. The Polish-registered helicopter was leased by the Turkish Health Ministry and was traveling from Istanbul to Ankara.
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MILLIYET
-- BAHCELI EXTENDS SUPPORT TO AKP
Nationalist Movement Party Leader Devlet Bahceli said Premier Tayyip Erdogan's reaction in the panel at Davos was justified and legitimate though the manner might be arguable. Bahceli who issued a press release said, "the style and attitude of the Israeli President and the moderator had been a display of arrogance our nation could never accept. The reaction given by Premier Erdogan who was subject to humiliating and unkind attitudes and which we believe was displayed on behalf our nation, was justified and legitimate though the manner might be arguable."
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-- EXCITEMENT IN THE EAST, QUESTIONS IN THE WEST
Premier Erdogan's attitude stirred different reactions amongst the eastern and western countries. While the Middle Eastern press praised Erdogan with attributes like "hero, successor of the Ottoman Sultans", the western press said it would set back Turkey from the EU process. Die Welt said, "Turkey is more eastern now."
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SABAH
-- BAHCELI EXTENDS SUPPORT TO PREMIER ERDOGAN
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli said regarding Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's stance during a discussion panel on Gaza on Thursday in the World Economic Forum in Davos that Erdogan's reaction was correct and rightful. Bahceli said Israeli President Shimon Peres's attitude was unacceptable.
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-- 17 PERCENT DECREASE IN NATURAL GAS PRICES
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he had good news and announced they would cut natural gas prices by 17 percent for domestic users. "As of February 1, we are cutting natural gas prices by 17 percents for domestic consumers and 18 percents for industrial consumers," said Erdogan.

VATAN
-- IRAN CONGRATULATES THE DAVOS STANCE
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad issued a message Saturday addressing Premier Tayyip Erdogan and said, "your courageous attitude, and your expression of the facts in an open manner, have stirred excitement and happiness amongst all world nations in favour of justice. I salute your dignified stance with warmest of hearts, and welcome it with appreciation. We pray for the great Turkish nation's and your success." Also a group gathering in front of the Turkish Embassy in Tehran, rallied to extend support to Turkey.
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-- 17 PERCENT CUT IN NATURAL GAS PRICES TAKES EFFECT
Turkey's Petroleum Pipeline Corporation which drew criticism with the 22 percent raise in November, reduced prices as of Sunday. The discount rate was announced Saturday by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The reduction in prices will be 17 percent for domestic consumers and 18 percent for industrial consumers. With this reduction, monthly bill of a family which consumes 200 cubic meters of natural gas per month will drop 33TL. Further reduction is expected in March. Natural gas prices were increased by 82.15 percent since the beginning of 2008.
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CUMHURIYET
-- ISRAELI AMBASSADOR LEVY: AKP'S GRASS-ROOTS GOVERN THE FOREIGN POLICY
Israel's Ambassador to Ankara Gabby Levy said since Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power, Turkey's foreign policy became a part of the government's domestic politics. Levy who pointed out that the foreign policy was governed by AK Party's grass-roots, said, "Turkey should re-earn our trust. We need this."
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-- SAHENK'S SUGGESTION: IMF SHOULD BE RESTRUCTURED
Dogus Group's Chair of Board of Executives Ferit Sahenk said an important task belonged to organisations like the IMF, in providing flow of funds to the developing countries. "These organisations should be restructured and their access to sufficient resources should be secured," said Sahenk.
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RADIKAL
-- ERDOGAN ANNOUNCES CUT IN NATURAL GAS PRICES
After the heated exchange between Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos on Thursday, Erdogan asked for votes of the people on Friday for the local elections which will take place on March 29, 2009. He made another initiative on Saturday and announced that there would be 17 percent of decrease in natural gas prices for domestic users as of February 1.
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-- MIDDLE EAST KEEPS APPLAUDING ERDOGAN
Middle Eastern leaders keep applauding Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for his reaction at a panel discussion in the World Economic Forum in Davos. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thanked Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for his stance in Davos. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that Erdogan got the appreciation of all the free people.

YENI SAFAK
-- BAHCELI EXTENDS SUPPORT FOR ERDOGAN
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli expressed his support for Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's reaction during a discussion panel on Gaza on Thursday in the World Economic Forum in Davos. Bahceli said Erdogan's reaction was correct and legitimate.
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-- "A GREAT INITIATIVE WILL OCCUR AFTER ECONOMIC CRISIS"
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that they would launch important initiatives after economic crisis. Tuzmen said they aimed to reach exports of $200 billion in 2012 and $500 billion in 2023.