GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON APR 20

HURRIYET

-- HE WILL ESCAPE DEATH IF HE FORSWEARS

Positive developments to overrule a court ruling on Turkish barber Sabri Bogday, who was sentenced to be beheaded in Saudi Arabia, charged with cursing the name of God, could see him escaping death if he "forswears."

The Turkish Embassy in Ryad, speaking about their efforts to overturn the ruling, said "the letter sent by Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Saudi King had a positive impact. Saudi executives don't think that Bogday would be beheaded."

-- THEY DON'T HAVE LOVE OF COUNTRY AND NATION

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking at the General Assembly of The Independent Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association of Turkey (MUSIAD), reacted to the opposition, "projects fulfilled by the Turkish contractors in Qatar amounted to $5 billion over the past five years." Directing his statements to the opposition, Erdogan said, "You sit here and remain where you had been five years ago. You don't think of progress." "They don't have any love of country and nation," Erdogan said.


MILLIYET

-- "GREEN" WARNING TO MUNICIPALITY PLAN

The Turkish Defense Ministry handed over a 961-square-meter plot to the Istanbul to municipality in 1990 on the condition the plot was re-zoned and developed as a green area. However, a contractor occupied 13 square meters of the plot while erecting a building next to the plot and the municipality requested the parcels be divided into "housing plots." The Defense Ministry reacted harshly to the municipality's request and demanded the land be cleaned up and returned to the ministry.

-- FORGIVE US, WE COULD NOT PROTECT YOU

Guiseppina Pasqualino di Marineo --also known as 'Pippa Bacca' in her country-- who was raped and murdered near the Gebze township in Kocaeli while on her mission of peace from Milan in Italy, was laid to rest on Saturday. The green color, Bacca's favorite, adorned her funeral.


SABAH

-- FORMER FRENCH PM WARNS AGAINST AKP CASE

Former French prime minister and a member of the European Parliament and Independent Turkey Commission, Michel Rocard, said, "If the court recognizes the claim (on the case against Justice & Development Party (AKP)), Turkey may return to the instable period from which it recently emerged. This will be a great shock for the EU. I hope my Turkish friends can solve this question without paying a huge price."

-- MIRACLE SURVIVER

Turkish national, Selami Mordeniz, was among the passengers of the plane that crashed last Tuesday in Congo in which 30 people died. Mordeniz said he could survive by dragging himself free of the wreckage and calling for help on his mobile telephone.

VATAN

-- 2300-YEAR-OLD CONTROVERSY FROM PLATO TO AYSUN

Model Aysun Kayaci's remarks "is my vote equal to a shepherd's" remains highly a controversial topic in Turkey. The controversy of "elitist democracy," which does not exist in modern societies today, has a history dating back 2,300 years. Greek philosopher Plato was the first to broach the idea of "elitist democracy" and the same controversy prevails in the United States in recent months. Turkish PM Recep Tayip Erdogan also responded to the model's remarks. "Opening a dispute on the nature of elections and the electorate is equal to opening a dispute on democracy," he said.

-- THEY ARE STILL IN 1940s, DIGGING A PIT FOR SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Independent Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association of Turkey, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, targeted the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). "They are stuck in the Turkey of the 1940s. They can not take a step forward," he said. "They are stuck in Istanbul and Ankara. They are engaged solely in undermining and digging pits for successful people," Erdogan added.


CUMHURIYET

-- COOPERATION WITH EGYPT

The General Staff has informed that Turkey and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding to improve military relations. The General Staff statement said the memorandum of understanding would improve and further military relations.

-- BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRY

Bulgarian Ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday after a Turkish fisherman was shot and killed by Bulgarian coast guard teams, after they were discovered fishing illegally. Ambassador Branimir Mladenov was asked to make an "explanation" regarding the incident.


RADIKAL

-- CASES UNDER 301 TO END

All investigations and prosecutions launched under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) will end. The continuation of current cases will depend on the permission of the justice minister. Those already found guilty may ask for retrial within the scope of the change if the case continues.

-- BRIDE OF PEACE LAID TO REST

Italian artist Pippa Bacca, who was raped and killed in Turkey while on her mission of peace, was laid to rest in her home town of Milan on Saturday.

YENI SAFAK

-- WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AGAINST GANGS

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government would continue to fight against the gangs with determination.

"Our fight against terrorism, the mafia, and gangs will continue. Turkey has a promising future," Erdogan said.

-- SIMSEK: TURKEY'S ECONOMY IS SOLID

State Minister Mehmet Simsek said the structure of the Turkish economy became less fragile thanks to the structural reforms fulfilled on many fields and the economic measures that have been implemented. Simsek added that there was no economic crisis in Turkey.