GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON APR 19

HURRIYET
--16-YEAR-OLD GIRL MAY DIE
After a pregnant migrant died on board Turkish ship "Pinar E", a 16-year-old gravely-ill girl may also lose her life. "Pinar E" and her crew saved the lives of 145 African migrants headed to Italy from Libya. The 13 Turkish crew members provided the refugees with food and water until supplies ran out. On Saturday night, Italy sent food, blankets and medical staff members to "Pinar E".

--KOTON ENTERS SERBIAN MARKET
Turkey's ready made garment giant, Koton, has opened a branch in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Although Serbia is a country where anti-American and anti-Turkish often runs high, Koton hopes to eradicate all pre-conceived notions about Turkey and become a leading retailer.

MILLIYET
--GEN. BASBUG'S CODES
During his speech on April 14 in which he made an annual evaluation of developments both in Turkey and the world, General Staff Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug used the word of "terrorism" 95 times. He said the word "religion" 63 times and the word of "democracy" 45 times.

--50,000 PAINTERS DUE IN TURKEY
Leading representatives of the world’s paint producing sector, which has a market worth of $72 billion with an annual production of 30 million tons worldwide, will converge on Istanbul. The industry representatives will attend PaintIstanbul 2010 International Congress and Fair on September 26-28, 2010. Nearly 800 firms and some 50,000 people are expected to take part in the exhibition.

SABAH
--BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR SCHROEDER
Turkish Premier Tayyip Erdogan attended the birthday party of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Saturday evening. Other prominent leaders also attended Schroeder's party that was held at a hotel in Hannover. Erdogan presented a vase to Schroeder as a birthday gift.

--MHP MAKES DECISION ON GENERAL CONVENTION
Turkish opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has taken a decision Saturday to hold its general convention in November 2009.

VATAN

--MIGRANT UPRISING ON BOARD TURKISH SHIP

The 154 African migrants on the verge of death, who were rescued by a Turkish ship off Malta, rose up against captain and crew members. The ship has been stranded in Italian port of Lampedusa since neither Malta nor Italy are willing to accept the migrants. When the food and potable water supplies ran out the migrants attacked the crew members and took some of them hostage. A pregnant woman on board the ship died, and another 25 migrants are in life-threatening condition.

       Â

--INCREASE IN SALE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS

The Turkish Psychiatry Association said that sale of antidepressants increased sharply in Turkey. 26.2 million boxes of antidepressants were sold in 2007 while this number was 14.1 million boxes in 2003.

       Â

CUMHURIYET

--THEY RUSH TO COMPLAIN

Tens of thousands of people converged on the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk after rectors, academicians and intellectuals were arrested under the Ergenekon probe. Academicians and students from the universities of Baskent, ODTU, Hacettepe, Ankara, Gazi, Cankaya, Atilim, Bilkent, Ufuk and TOBB ETU, visited the mausoleum waving Turkish flags. Acting rector of Baskent University signed the special visitor’s book at the mausoleum, "We came in the presence of Ataturk to lament our determination to claim his spiritual heritage."

       Â

--HABERAL STILL IN ICU

Professor Mehmet Haberal, rector of the Baskent University who was arrested under the Ergenekon probe, remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Istanbul University Hospital. Doctors say Haberal is at the risk of suffering from cardiac arrest and that he would remain in the ICU.

       Â

RADIKAL

--TURKISH CYPRIOTS SEEK SOLUTION TO UNCERTAINTY

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) holds parliamentary elections on Sunday. By casting ballots today, Turkish Cypriots are seeking a solution to the uncertainty in their country.

       Â

TENSION HIGH AS 51 DTP MEMBERS ARE ARRESTED

Turkish Police have arrested 51 members of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) in separate operations conducted in 12 provinces on Saturday. Two of the arrested party members are deputy DTP chairman.

 

 

YENI SAFAK

--WELCOME BROTHER, SCHROEDER

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan flew to Hannover, Germany on Saturday to attend the 65th birthday of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Schroeder greeted Erdogan at the airport and said "welcome brother!" Sources say that Erdogan presented glasswork from Turkey's Pasabahce as a gift to Schroeder.

       Â

Â--TWO-THIRDS OF GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS IS OVER, SIMSEK

Turkish State Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Saturday that "two-thirds of the global financial crisis is over". We have overcome an atmosphere of panic, Simsek stressed. "However, 2009 will be a tough one".