GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON APR 26

HURRIYET
--AFTERSHOCKS OF MEDS YEGHERN
Different reactions were made to U.S. President Barack Obama's defining the incidents of 1915 as "Meds Yeghern" ("big disaster" in Armenian), instead of "genocide." Turkish diplomats in America said that this expression was not something that could be digested. Armenian organization ANCA, which is favoring harsh attitudes, used "deep disappointment" for Obama's remarks and said that Obama took a step backward.

President Abdullah Gul said that there were some parts in Obama's remarks that he did not agree with. "Particularly, there were hundreds of thousands of Turkish and Muslim people who lost their lives in 1915. The agonies of every one who lost their lives should be shared," Gul said. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan had a meeting with his aides, and released a statement in Turkish and English on Saturday afternoon. "We consider some expressions in that statement and the perception of history it contains concerning the events of 1915, as unacceptable," the ministry said.

--PEACE EFFORTS SHOULD NOT BE OVERSHADOWED
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said that he was seeing Obama's remarks as a text of balance. "This text was not one satisfying us. None of the politicians should make remarks that will overshadow peace between countries just to invest in his/her own future."

MILLIYET
--OBAMA DID NOT SATISFY ANYBODY
U.S. President Barack Obama used the expression "Meds Yeghern" (big disaster) in his speech on the incidents of 1915. The Armenians commented on this choice as "Obama did not keep his promise." However, experts think the opposite. They say that Obama acknowledged "genocide", instead of openly saying that word.

--TURKEY'S TAPPING SHAME
According to 134 chief prosecutor's offices' data, the tapping records of 12,819 people were destroyed after authorities "had not found any crime evidence in those records." Responding to a question motion of Oktay Vural, the deputy chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) group at parliament, Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin made the first official statement about telephone tapping. Sahin said that there was no statistical information about how many people were being tapped. However, the number of erased registers has once more revealed the dimensions of telephone-tapping in Turkey.

SABAH
--"BIG DISASTER" BREAKS LOOSE
The use of "Big Disaster" expression in Obama's speech, angered Ankara as much as the expression "genocide". President Abdullah Gul said Obama should give shared pain of all people who lost their lives. Premier Tayyip Erdogan regarded it as a remark that would cast a shadow on peace on the international level. Bahceli criticized the use of an expression synonymous with genocide, while Baykal said it was a frustrating incident.

--DID HE COME ON HOLIDAY, OR DID HE ESCAPE?
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili got bored of the protests in his country and came to Bodrum. His opponents say they will overthrow him in 48 hours.

VATAN
--MOSQUE CLOSED, NATURAL GAS PRICES RAISED
Azerbaijan, which is reacting to Turkey's rapprochement with Armenia, closed a Turkish mosque in Baku. Also, Azerbaijan decided to raise the price of natural gas it is selling to Turkey. Azerbaijani police met religious officials after noon prayers at the Baku Sehitler Mosque, built by Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate. Then, they hang a note on the door of the mosque saying, "the mosque is closed for restoration."

Also, the head of the Azerbaijani oil company said, "the raised natural gas prices will be valid as of April 15." Therefore, Azerbaijan will ask Turkey to pay the retrospective difference.

--MODERATE REACTIONS FROM ANKARA
President Abdullah Gul said that there were some parts in U.S. President Barack Obama's remarks on the incidents of 1915 that "he was not agreeing with." Gul said, "particulary, there were hundreds of thousands of Turkish and Muslim people who lost their lives in 1915. The agonies of every one who lost their lives should be shared." Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "Obama's text is a balanced text but did not satisfy us." The Turkish Foreign Ministry said, "we consider some expressions in that statement and the perception of history it contains concerning the events of 1915, as unacceptable. History can be construed and evaluated only on the basis of undisputed evidence and documentation."

CUMHURIYET
--DAWN SERVICE FROM ANZACS
Within the framework of 94th anniversary of Canakkale Battles, traditional Dawn Service was held at the Anzac Bay on Saturday. Deputy Chief of Australian General Staff Gen. David Hurley who made the opening speech of the ceremonies which began on 4:30 a.m., said all soldiers who fought in this war, continued to live in the memories of their nations. "They left us an eternal legacy with their courage, friendship and sacrifice on the rough terrain of Gelibolu," said Hurley. Dawn Service was carried out after the speeches and wreaths were laid to the ceremony cite.

--BAKU'S TRUMP CARD
Following the recent developments between Turkey and Armenia, Azarbaijan decided to the raise the price of the natural gas its selling to Turkey as of April 15th. Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said rise in natural gas prices when oil prices were falling was bizarre.

RADIKAL
--AMMUNITION QUESTIONS TO GENERAL STAFF
Weapons depots are found everywhere, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is remaining silent. Here are some questions: How could the arms be taken out of the army? Are there any problems in the arm hiding conditions of TSK? So, what kind of measures have been taken and will be taken?

--ANCESTORS IN WAR, GRANDCHILDREN IN PEACE
The grandchildren of Anzacs stayed awake all night to pay their respects to their ancestors. There was grief, pride and peace on the 94th anniversary of Anzac Bay. Almost 8,000 Anzac grandchildren remembered their grandfathers and Turkish soldiers.

YENI SAFAK
--RISE IN GAS PRICES THOUGHT-PROVOKING
Azarbaijan's decision to raise the price of the natural gas its selling to Turkey as of April 15 created confusion. Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted strongly to the raise. "These are not unilateral matters. What did they raise the prices for, at a time when oil prices are falling, this raise is thought provoking. We will make some assessments and take necessary steps afterwards," said Erdogan.

--TURKS WERE FORGOTTEN
The use of the expression "big disaster" in Obama's speech regarding events in 1915 created frustration among Armenians. Neither did it please Ankara. The Foreign Affairs stated that some expressions in the speech were unacceptable. President Gul on the other hand said, "pain of the Turks who lost their lives should also have been shared."