GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON NOV 17

HURRIYET
-- HE WAS IN BOXING RING WITH TRNC FLAG
David Haye, a former semi-heavy world boxing champion, was in the boxing ring in London wearing shorts bearing the flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)--on which the international arena imposes an embargo. Haye knocked out Monte Barret of the United States in the fifth round. The British boxer visited the TRNC two years ago and liked it. He lives in a villa in the Ozankoy hamlet of Girne with his wife and child. Haye said his biggest wish is to fight in a world heavy boxing championship match in the TRNC.

-- IMF: WE WILL DEAL WITH TURKEY QUICKLY
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said that he was sure the fund could reach a deal with Turkey quickly. Holding a press conference after the G-20 summit in Washington, Strauss-Kahn said that he met Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan the previous day, and he was sure Turkey and the fund could reach a deal quickly. Strauss-Kahn also said that Turkey was a big economy and a promising country, however it was negatively affected as capital inflow had stopped because of the financial crisis. The IMF director also said that the fund had to help Turkey get out of this difficult situation.

MILLIYET
-- TURKEY ABOUT TO SIGN A NEW AGREEMENT WITH IMF
After Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said during the G-20 Summit in Washington D.C. that Turkey was about to sign a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a similar statement was given by the managing director of the fund. Dominique Strauss-Kahn said that it would be possible to reach an agreement soon to ensure economic stability in Turkey. He described Turkey as a great and hopeful economy.

-- ERDOGAN'S NUCLEAR STATEMENT
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's statement about Iran's nuclear program during a speech in New York has been different from the policy of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Erdogan said that the countries which urged Iran to destroy nuclear weapons should destroy their nuclear weapons too. Abdullah Gul, while in office as the foreign minister, said in 2006 that Turkey supported nuclear issues only for peaceful purposes. Current Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in June 2008 that Turkey was opposed to nuclear weapons in Iran.

SABAH
-- "I CAME TO GET SOME MONEY"
IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who met Premier Tayyip Erdogan, said "Our funds are insufficient. We need more money, also for you." Erdogan gave a rather witty answer and said, "I indeed came to get some money".

-- SOME DAY, A TURKISH CHANCELLOR
Cem Ozdemir, recently elected the co-chairperson of the German Greens said, "Hopefully we will receive better news in the future. One day we will see a lady of Turkish origin become a

Minister; even a chancellor or the president."

VATAN
-- RECENT SURVEY: AKP-34.3 P.C. CHP-13.9 P.C. TNS

Piar carried out a survey in 19 provinces including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Diyarbakir and Antalya in October. According to the survey, 34.3 percent of Turkish people prefer the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The percentage of those preferring the Republican People's Party (CHP) is 13.9 percent. Support for the AKP fell 1.7 points in the October survey compared to a survey carried out in September. The CHP saw a 2 point rise in support and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) a 1.2 point rise. Only 26.4 of every 100 people think that the AKP is successful in countering corruption. The percentage of those who think the AKP's economy management is successful is only 24.3 percent. The army is still the first among Turkish institutions the nation has confidence in. Police come are second, with the Constitutional Court in third. Opposition parties and politicians are the institutions in which the Turkish people have the least confidence.

PRIME MINISTER, DO NOT SACRIFICE US
On one side is Tanil Kucuk, the "liberal democrat" chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and on the other is Mustafa Boydak, the chairman of Kayseri Chamber of Industry and a leading businessman of conservative circles. They both say the same thing. Kucuk and Boydak say that Turkey has to sign a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as soon as possible. "Our hand should be strong in such a period. The IMF is not only a source but also an instrument boosting the atmosphere of confidence. It is totally an insurance," Boydak says. Tanil Kucuk also thinks the same: "Turkey needs not only the source coming from the IMF but also the atmosphere of confidence it will create."

CUMHURIYET
-- PROTESTS EVERYWHERE
Increase in natural gas and electricity prices was protested in Ankara and Istanbul. Speaking on behalf of the protesters who gathered in Maltepe square in Istanbul, Republican People's Party (CHP) Maltepe Youth Branch Chairman Olcay Yilmaz said the government was making the people pay for the economic crisis. While Egitim-Sen and Tekstil-Sen labor unions and the Turkish Communist Party conducted demonstrations in front of Justice and Development Party's (AKP) branch in Bahcelievler, members of the Socialist Platform of the Oppressed gathered in Taksim square to protest. In Ankara, female members of Halkevleri (Community Centers) gathered in Mamak and burned their natural gas bills in a wood burning stove they placed on the street.

-- FIGHT OVER SALES BETWEEN AKP AND TMSF
Remarks made by Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) President Ahmet Erturk during "Arena", a TV show, were carried to parliament by an MP from the opposition CHP, who asked why the government did not support Erturk in his efforts to make more revenue for the Treasury. The AKP said Erturk had crossed the line.

RADIKAL
-- AGREEMENT WITH IMF ON THE WAY
Following a statement by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said that it would be possible to reach an agreement soon to ensure economic stability in Turkey. Strauss-Kahn said that but there were still some differences of opinion on the dimensions of required changes in theTurkish economy and the dimension of the program IMF could finance.

-- ISTANBUL: ONE OF TOP TEN
The American Foreign Policy magazine has published a list of 60 cities of global importance. Istanbul was ranked the 8th in the category of political influence while it was ranked the 13th in regard to human resources.

YENI SAFAK
-- LAST CLAMOR AGAINST KILLER INTEREST RATES
As the United States and Europe reduce interest rates almost to "zero" levels, interest rates in Turkey climb to 30 percent. Representatives of the real sector say, "These interest rates will turn Turkey into an industrial cemetery. Some 1 million people will become unemployed." The representatives also say that interest rates should be reduced as soon as possible. "Tomorrow may be too late," they added.

-- THERE IS NO NEED TO PANIC!
Premier Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was among the countries that were in a better condition despite the economic crisis. Erdogan said, "We have a financial sector that has had $12 billion of profit. Therefore, there is no need to panic." On talks between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Erdogan said, "We aim to find a solution in solidarity. We are very close to a solution."