GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON FEB 08

HURRIYET
--WAS HE IN PRISON FOR 7 MONTHS FOR NOTHING?Â
It has been revealed that retired Gen. Hursit Tolon, who was imprisoned pending trial for seven months within the scope of Ergenekon investigation, has been released due to a lack of evidence, and not for health problems. In the decision for his release, it was stated that Tolon's possession of the copy of a 29-page book allegedly showing the structure of Ergenekon could not be accepted as evidence to prove that he was the executive or member of the criminal organization.

--UNITE SO THAT WE CAN DEFEND YOU STRONGER
"You should provide unity within yourself so that we can defend yourselves in a much stronger way," said Premier Tayyip Erdogan to President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine, whom he had criticized regarding the Hamas issue after the attack on Gaza. "Whenever we defend you, related parties claim that you will not be able to sit at a table with Israel because you cannot even reach a consensus among the groups in your country," Erdogan said.

MILLIYET
--RELEASE DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE
Retired Gen. Hursit Tolon, who had been imrpisoned for seven months within the scope of the Ergenekon investigation, has been released due to lack of evidence. It was stated in the release decision that Tolon's holding the copies of several Ergenekon documents did not constitute evidence on its own.

--GUL CALLS ON PALESTINE TO "REACH A CONSENSUS"
During his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that establishment of a national consensus government was a prior issue in Palestine. "Above all other things, establishing a government of conciliation is an issue with priority in Palestine. The Palestinian cause can only grow strong again this way. As Turkey, we cannot intervene in Palestine's domestic issues," Gul said.

SABAH
--ELECTION BOARD WARNS AGAINST AID TO POOR
Higher Electoral Board has warned local administrations against giving handouts to the poor to attract votes in the upcoming local elections. The Governate's Office in the eastern province of Tunceli distributed household appliances and furniture to 3,300 poor families in the town of Nazimiye. The Board said that the aid aimed at affecting voters and it would denounce local administrations to the Prosecutor's Office.

--LACK OF EVIDENCE
It has been revealed that retired Gen. Hursit Tolon, who was under arrest under the Ergenekon probe, was released by the court due to lack of evidence. However, Tolon was banned from overseas travel

VATAN

--"IT IS NOT EVIDENCE"

Retired Gen. Hursit Tolon has been released after being kept in prison for 220 days under the Ergenekon probe. The judge who decided to release Tolon said that the Ergenekon document found in the house of the retired general could not be accepted as evidence since it was transmitted through the Internet.

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--UNAKITAN ENIGMA IN CAPITAL

Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan has not yet been released from the Hacettepe University Hospital in the capital city of Ankara. Although the hospital management said that Unakitan was in good health, Unakitan's avoidance of the press has led to some rumors. Some circles claim that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan could appoint a new finance minister if Unakitan's health problems continue.

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CUMHURIYET

-- SEVEN MONTHS IN PRISON FOR A DOCUMENT CONSIDERED NO EVIDENCE

The High Criminal Court in Istanbul has decided to release retired Gen.  Hursit Tolon who was arrested on July 1 after a copy of the book allegedly showing the structure of the Ergenekon organization was found in his house. The court ruled that the booklet was not a confidential document since it was released by the National Intelligence Agency (MIT) through internet in 2006.

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--CHP'S CANDIDATE FOR CANKAYA: TANIK

The main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has decided to name Bulent Tanik, former president of the Union of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), as its candidate for mayor of Cankaya municipality of the capital city of Ankara.

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RADIKAL

--INTERESTING REASON FOR RELEASE

Retired Gen. Hursit Tolon, who was kept under arrest within the framework of the Ergenekon inquiry, has been released based on quite interesting and detailed grounds. The court said that the document, which showed Ergenekon's structure and which was possessed by the suspect, had been made public earlier and it did not comprise of any elements of crime. It was also stated that telephone conversations made by Tolon did not show that he had a connection with the organization and the suspect did not have any ties with the organization's activities.

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--DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HAMAS

During Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas talks in capital Ankara, Turkish officials warned him not to ignore Hamas. "Hamas should be included in the solution process," officials told Abbas.

 

Abbas said that Hamas should not perceive the humanitarian aid sent to the region as supplies for the resistance and it should hold talks with him just like they did with Turkey.

 

YENI SAFAK

--SIDE BY SIDE WITH PALESTINE

Turkey called on Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to act together with Hamas for a solution. Holding talks with Turkish Premier Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Abbas said that Turkey had good relations with Israel. Palestinian leader asked Turkey to keep displaying efforts as a mediator.

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--RELEASE DECISION SURPRISES TOLON

Retired Gen. Hursit Tolon, who is currently under treatment at Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA), was surprised with the decision ordering his release. In addition to taking the decision, the court banned Tolon from leaving the country.