GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON AUGUST 31

HURRIYET

-- ERDOGAN HINTS ABOUT GUL'S TRIP
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While backstage roams with rumors that President Abdullah Gul is getting ready to travel to Armenia for the soccer match between national teams of the two countries, remarks uttered Saturday night at the August 30 reception in Gazi Officer's Club in Ankara, contained clues about the said trip. Answering a question, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "I hope it will bring good results. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will also accompany him." However Gul's remarks saying "we did not decide yet, we are contemplating," suggest he will not voice his decision until the last minute.
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-- CROSSED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND CAME BACK, I'VE SEEN LOVE
 
Umit Ozat, FC Koln's (Cologne) Turkish player, who had a close brush with death when his lounge blocked his trachea in the 26th minute of the game against
 Karlsruhe, told Hurriyet that he did not know he was loved so much. Ozat said he was touched when he learned about the tears shed and the prayers made for him by the worried crowd in the stadium. Ozat said he did not remember anything after he was black out. "I opened my eyes in the ambulance. I learned what happened afterwards. Thousands of people called. My team mates and opponents sent "get well soon" messages.
 
"They told me about Mondragon's tears, and the applause coming from the spectators. When people learned that I was well, they expressed their happiness with applause. Coach Daum rushed to the hospital after the game. He hugged me like a father. We cried for several minutes," said Ozat.
 
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MILLIYET

-- SAME ENTHUSIASM EVERYWHERE
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The August 30th Victory Day was celebrated with ceremonies throughout Turkey. This was the first ceremony Gen. Ilker Basbug attended as the chief of General Staff. The ceremonies in Ankara were held at Ataturk's Mausoleum, the General Staff headquarters and the Ataturk Culture Center. Turkish citizen gave a big applaud to the performance of Turkish Stars, the acrobatic team of the Turkish Air Forces.
 
-- HAZELNUT PRICES MAKE PRODUCERS UNHAPPY
 
The government announced that the Giresun quality hazelnut (high quality) would be purchased at 4 new Turkish liras (YTL) in September, at 4.5 YTL in October and November, and at 5 YTL after November. The Istanbul Hazelnut and Products Exporters' Union welcomed the prices, however producers reacted saying that it was an unacceptable price.
 

SABAH
 
-- I WAS BLACK OUT, AND I DO NOT REMEMBER THE REST
 
Turkish footballer Umit Ozat told about the moment he collapsed to the ground during a match and returned to life. During the 26th minute of the Cologne(FC Koln)-Karlsruhe match, Ozat fell suddenly on the ground and his tongue blocked his throat. Ozat said, "I was black out suddenly." Ozat was discharged from hospital after doctors said he had no heart problem. Doctors said that his blood temperature was down because he did not drink enough water.

VATAN

-- SECOND-ROW REBELLION
 
Hasim Kilic, the president of the Constitutional Court who did not like the place allocated for him during the ceremonies at the General Staff headquarters, did not join the August 30th Victory Day celebrations. He said, "I would not sit in the second row." During the ceremonies held during the week to hand over commands, Hasim Kilic was asked to sit next to former state officials, and he showed reaction. Kilic told Vatan newspaper that General Staff Secretary General Gen. Ferit Guler called him and apologized for the mistake. "He told me that what was necessary would be done." Hasim Kilic boycotted the Victory Day ceremony at the hippodrome to show his reaction. Kilic criticized that only legislative and executive organs were given a place in the first row and said, "I did not join the ceremony to urge them to correct the mistake."
 

CUMHURIYET
 
-- ENTHUSIASTIC CELEBRATION
 
The August 30th Victory Day and the Turkish Armed Forces Day were celebrated with a great enthusiasm. Gen. Ilker Basbug signed the Anitkabir Special Register as the chief of General Staff for the first time. In his message, he wrote, "the Republic of Turkey, rising over the principle of a nation, unitary and secular state, will continue to walk on the path your (Ataturk's) principles and reforms enlighten."
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-- WE ARE SENSITIVE ABOUT GEORGIA
 
Speaking in the August 30th Victory Day reception, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he did not think that there would be a cold war and he was having talks with several authorities regarding this matter. Erdogan said that Turkey had significant relations with all countries involved in the Caucasian crisis. "The United States is our ally, and Russia and Georgia are our neighbors. We are buying two-thirds of our natural gas from Russia. Russia has a special place for us, but we also have sensitivities about Georgia," he said.
 
 
RADIKAL
 
-- PRIDE IN CELEBRATIONS, CRISIS IN PROTOCOL
 
The 86th anniversary of the great victory that ended the War of Independence was celebrated with military ceremonies and shows. Soldiers gave messages of commitment to the Republic in Ankara, whereas a protocol crisis overshadowed the ceremonies. Constitutional Court President Hasim Kilic did not like the place allocated for him during the ceremonies, and he did not attend them.
 
-- TOUR FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
 
Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan is beginning searches for a compromise on a new constitutional amendment. Speaking to the Radikal newspaper, Toptan said that he would meet chairmen of four political parties that were represented at the parliament. Toptan demanded that a compromise committee should be set up. "Even if there is a possibility to agree on four or five articles, I think this should be tested," Toptan said.

 

YENI SAFAK

-- IT IS NOT ELEGANT
 
The General Staff changed the place allocated for the president of the Constitutional Court during the August 30th Victory Day celebrations, which contradicted traditions. Hasim Kilic, the president of the court, said that the judiciary was shifted away and did not join ceremonies.
 
-- DO NOT HURRY TO SELL HAZELNUT

Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Mehmet Mehdi Eker announced that the Giresun (high-quality) hazelnut would be bought at 4 new Turkish liras (YTL) in September. But, this price will be 4.5 YTL for October and November and 5 YTL per kilogram after November.