GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON APR 28

HURRIYET

--CHAMPIONSHIP GRIP

Galatasaray soccer club defeated Fenerbahce 1-0 in a game played at Ali Sami Yen Stadium on Sunday. With this win, Galatasaray has taken the lead in the Turkcell Super League and is likely to go on to win the championship. Galatasaray's only goal came from Nonda in the 37th minute of the game.

--IF WE KNEW THEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW, WE WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED CUSTOMS UNION WITH EU, TUZMEN

Turkey's State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that "if we knew then what we know now, we would not have signed the Customs Union agreement with the European Union." After evaluating the figures of 1996, we come to the conclusion that a free trade agreement with the EU would have been more advantageous than the Customs Union, Tuzmen noted.

--2 SOLDIERS KILLED IN BINGOL

In a clash with PKK terrorists in the town of Genc in the eastern province of Bingol, two Turkish privates were killed. A second lieutenant was injured during the clash.

MILLIYET

--MOST INFLUENTIAL WARNING FOR TRAFFIC

President Abdullah Gul made important contributions to a social responsibility campaign that was launched to educated drivers to help reduce traffic accidents. Gul spoke in the introductory film that was prepared to reduce the country’s road toll.

--RIVER ASI EXAMINATION FROM SYRIAN PRESIDENT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad discussed the Asi River crisis that exists between the two countries.

Syria had halted the flow from the dam to Turkey. Speaking to his aides, al-Asad said, "Do whatever is necessary. Sharing what we have is a requirement of friendship." Erdogan said farmers in the southeastern province of Hatay were facing hardships as the Asi River has dried up.

--TWO MORE SOLDIERS KILLED

Two privates, Hasan Sahin and Mustafa Tuluk were killed in a clash with terrorists near Genc town in the southeastern province of Bingol. A second lieutenant was injured.

SABAH

--WITH ITS LION HEART

Galatasaray soccer team, which won the final match played at Ali Sami Yen Stadium against Fenerbahce soccer team, is in the running for this year’s championship.

Galatasaray, which knocked Fenerbahce out of top spot with the goal from Nonda, is now three points ahead of Fenerbahce and gained a huge advantage for the championship. If Galatasaray gains four points in the remaining two weeks in the Turkcell Super league, the team will celebrate their 17th championship win.

--TWO PRIVATES KILLED IN BINGOL

Privates Hasan Sahin and Mustafa Tuluk were killed in a clash with PKK terrorists in Genc town of eastern province of Bingol. A sub-lieutenant was injured in the clash. Major Ercument Turkmen, who was killed in an earlier clash, was laid to rest in Mudanya yesterday.

VATAN

--SIGNAL FOR NEW PARTY

Former minister, Abdullatif Sener said he believed a new political formation would fill the political vacuum.

Asked if he had made preparations for the formation of a new party, Sener said, "There is a need for the right atmosphere for this to happen. I am trying to form this atmosphere. I think that a new force center could be established in addition to the existing political parties."

--RAIN EXPECTED IN NEXT THREE DAYS

Rain will continue throughout Turkey for another three days. Temperatures will return to the seasonal average from Wednesday. Heavy rain falls are expected in Istanbul, the Aegean, and the central and western regions of the Black Sea.

CUMHURIYET

--ECONOMIC ALARM

The World Bank has warned the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) about the current account deficit, high inflation and distribution of income. A recent report prepared by the World Bank on Turkey is loaded with warnings to the Turkish government. The report said that the Turkish people would support economic reforms if affluence is distributed fairly among regions, sectors and social groups.

--7 SOLDIERS KILLED IN 3 DAYS

Seven Turkish soldiers were killed in the past three days in clashes with PKK terrorists in southeastern Turkey. The most recent operations took place in the Sirnak and Bingol provinces.

RADIKAL

--BLESSED WEEK OF GALATASARAY

Galatasaray soccer team defeated Fenerbahce 1-0 at Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul. Nonda scored the winning goal in the 37th minute.

--THEY STILL DON'T SEE AND DON'T HEAR

The accidents at the Tuzla shipyard continue. A Turkish Parliamentary Investigation Committee failed to take action for the past two months as it wan unable to find 10 members from ruling the AKP. A total of 46 workers have died during the last 5.5 years at the Tuzla shipyard.

YENI SAFAK

-- MEDIA SUPPORT IS A MUST AGAINST ERGENEKON

Public prosecutor Felice Casson, who collapsed in Gladio in Italy, said regarding the Ergenekon investigation in Turkey that the public prosecutor should work hard; parliament should be determined; and the support of press was also necessary.

--I WILL NOT CRY MY SOLDIER

Major Ercument Turkmen and Privates Idris Polat and Murat Dogru, who were killed by PKK terrorists, were laid to rest with tears and prayers. During the funeral, the wife of Idris Polat said that she would not please the traitors and cry.