GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON APR. 11

HURRIYET

-- WE WILL NOT TAKE SIDES

European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso, who earlier presented different messages, announced in a speach given in the Turkish parliament, "Do not expect us to impose standards on the headscarf and secularism. The PKK is a terrorist organization and it is in our list." Following his meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Barroso said he could not comment on the closure case against the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP), but added that EU could not be indifferent to this kind of development since Turkey is an EU-candidate country. "We were surprised because it is not common for this kind of case in a stable, democratic country," he said.

-- RUSSIAN SURPRISE IN DEFENSE TENDER

Turkey eliminated Israeli and American companies in a project to procure 800 anti-tank and 80 middle-range anti-tank missile systems and contracted Russia's Rosoboronexport. Turkey's decision was shocking.


MILLIYET

-- CALL FOR INTERNAL RECONCILIATION FOR SECULARISM

European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso, who paid a visit to Ankara, said he comprehended the importance of discussions on secularism. "EU member countries experienced similar discussions, however each of them could ensure their own internal reconciliation. I hope Turkey would do the same." Barroso eulogized Turkey's structure during his address to the Turkish parliament.

-- AWARD TO LEADERS OF THE BUSINESS WORLD

Three leading names of the Turkish business world, Vehbi Koc, Nejat Eczacibasi and Aydin Dogan were given "Eduplus Leadership Award" during the 5th Leadership Summit. Vehbi Koc's grandson Mustafa Koc and Nejat Eczacibasi's son Bulent Eczacibasi accepted the awards on their behalf.

-- "CULTURAL" PRICE INCREASE TO BENZINE

Project to make Istanbul the European Capital of Culture in 2010 costed rather high to the citizens. Price increases were made to benzine to finance the project.


SABAH

-- USE ALL YOUR ENERGY ON REFORMS

Speaking at the Turkish Parliament, European Commission's President Jose-Manuel Barroso told Turkey not to divert from the reforms it was expected to make. Barroso said the European Union (EU) did not have a standard for the headscarf and the decision to wear a headscarf was up to individual women. Barroso also said the PKK was a terrorist organization. During his press conference, Barroso said he hoped the decision of the top court of Turkey (Constitutional Court) would be in line with EU standards.

-- BOMBS NOT FROM TURKEY'S MECHANICAL AGENCY

National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said the bombs seized in the Ergenekon operation were not from Turkey's Mechanical & Chemical Industry Corporation. "Even mentioning the Land Forces Command together with the bombs would be a mistake," he added.

VATAN

-- TURKEY IS SOVEREIGN OF THE STRAITS

In his address to the Turkish Parliament, European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso, a Portuguese citizen, referred to a statement made by former French President De Gaulle 40 years ago. De Gaulle had said, "Turkey is the sovereign of the straits. Either peace or war may pass from those gates." Barroso said, "Turkey, master of the straits and its own future, chose Europe for its future."

-- PROVOCATEUR CAPTURED AFTER 5 DAYS

Police captured Omer Ulusoy, a agitator who fired gunshots at students during a recent incident at Antalya's Akdeniz University campus on April 6. The govenor of Antalya said, "Ulusoy was detained at 11:15 p.m. in an operation. He is currently undergoing a police interrogation."


CUMHURIYET

-- SUGGESTION FROM BARROSO TO TURKEY'S JUDICIARY

Visiting Turkey, European Commission's President Jose-Manuel Barroso said it would not be right to comment on an ongoing case, whereas he said he hoped the decision of the Constitutional Court would be in line with the principle of rule of law and European standards. In his speech in the Turkish Parliament, Barroso did not talk about the closure case against the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP) due to the sensitivities of the opposition parties. Barroso said, "do not expect us to impose a standard," commenting on secularism and the headscarf issue.

-- 13 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED

Around 1,000 Turkish commandoes were flown by helicopter into a rural area in eastern province of Tunceli to surround and confine a group of terrorists who spent the winter there. Eleven PKK terrorists were killed in the operation in the Dokuzkayalar village. Separately, two terrorists were taken killed in a clash in the township of Hani in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir.


RADIKAL

-- MESSAGE OF "SUPPORT" TO ERDOGAN

European Commission President Jose-Manuel Barroso supported Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying Turkey did not need the EU for courage, as the AKP had the support of the majority of the Turkish people. Barroso also said, "I hope the decision of the Constitutional Court is a decision compatible with the rule of law."

YENI SAFAK

-- ERDOGAN ENCOURAGED ME

Hahsim Thaci, prime minister of Kosovo, Europe's youngest country, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan telephoned him three days before the declaration of independence and sent him messages of encouragement. "I thank Mr. Erdogan for his full support. Kosovo's relations with Turkey will be boosted further," Thaci said.

-- HE "TESTED" THE UNITED STATES

Serhat Pala, a graduate of Bogazici University, traveled to the United States to receive his Master's degree. Pala received the award for "Trade Leader of the Year" for establishing a Testcountry company in the garage of his home and earning $2.5 million in annual sales.