GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON JULY 20

HURRIYET

--PKK IN HEART OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND TERRORISM

Michael Braun, the assistant administrator and chief of operations of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), said that the terrorist organization PKK was involved in drug trafficking.

Braun said that the United States was working with Turkey and other interlocutors to end the activities of the terrorist organization PKK. Speaking at the Washington Institute, Braun used the expression "hybrid" for organizations like PKK that were involved in drug trafficking and obtaining great deal of income from that trafficking, besides being involved in terrorism.

--EX-PREMIER TO BECOME ADVISER FOR TURKISH COMPANY

--Turkey's Agaoglu Group proposed former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar to become an adviser to the group.

Ali Agaoglu, the chairman of the Executive Board of Agaoglu Group, said that the holding had reached the final stage in negotiations with Aznar. With a model he developed, Aznar sold 2.2 million summer houses to foreigners, and brought some 660 billion Euro source to his country. Agaoglu said, "we want to benefit from Aznar's experiences."

--ERDOGAN: WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN TALAT

Holding a joint press conference with  Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "we have full confidence in Mr.Talat and his team regarding a solution."

MILLIYET

--ISTANBUL TO SEND 15 MORE MPs TO PARLIAMENT

Turkey's electoral board has re-determined the number of MPs provinces can send to the parliament, according to the results of the new register system based on addresses.

Accordingly, 11 provinces will be able to send more number of MPS to the parliament, while number of deputies that can be sent by 24 provinces will decrease. Within this framework, the number of MPs representing Istanbul will rise from 70 to 85.

--ERDOGAN SUPPORTS GENERAL STAFF'S REMARKS

The first supportive comment came from Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding Turkish General Staff's harsh remarks on the claims that an investigation was launched against certain army officers within the framework of Operation Ergenekon.

"It is impossible for us to appreciate the unlawful attacks targeting our Armed Forces," Erdogan said.

SABAH

--NOBODY WELCOMES ATTACKS ON TURKISH ARMED FORCES

Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave messages from the Turkish Cypriot. Erdogan said, "we do not welcome illegal attacks on the Turkish Armed Forces." On Cyprus issue, Erdogan said, "we have confidence in (Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali) Talat. The target to solve Cyprus problem by the end of this year is a realistic one."

--FUEL CONSUMPTION DOWN TEN PERCENT

Turkey is one of the countries consuming the most expensive oil due to rising crude oil prices and high tax rates. Oil sales were down 10 percent in the first five months of 2008, over the same period of 2007.

On the contrary, the Turkish Board of Statistics said that the number of vehicles registered in the traffic department was up 21.4 percent in the first five months of 2008 and reached 386,933. One liter of unleaded oil was 3.10 new Turkish liras (YTL) at the beginning of the year, whereas it has gone up to 3.61 YTL so far.

VATAN

--PORTUGUESE MEIRA DUE TO JOIN GALATASARAY

Galatasaray soccer club of Turkey agreed in principle with Portuguese defense player Meira. The 30-year-old Meira is actually playing for Germany's Stuttgart team. Galatasaray proposed 3 million euros to Stuttgart for Meira. However, Stuttgart wants 6 million euros. If they agree, Meira will play for Galatasaray till 2011.

--ISTANBUL TO HAVE 85 MPs AT PARLIAMENT

The Higher Election Board took into consideration the new population of Turkey (72 million) and re-determined the number of deputies provinces will send to parliament. Accordingly, in the upcoming election, Istanbul will be represented by 85 MPs, not 70. Ankara's MPs will rise from 29 to 31 and Izmir will have 26 parliamentarians, not 25.

CUMHURIYET

--SUPPORT FROM ERDOGAN TO CRITICIZED PROCESS

Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported negotiations between Turkish Cpriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias. The talks have been criticized by many circles, particulary former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas for they aim at an agreement on the principle of "one sovereignty and one citizenship."

Erdogan underlined importance of the meeting the two leaders would have on July 25 for resumption of comprehensive talks.

--KEMALIST THOUGHT ASSOCIATION STAGES PROTEST DEMONSTRATION

The Kemalist Thought Association staged a protest demonstration at Istanbul's Kadikoy Square, which was supported by many non-governmental organizations. Illegal practices during the Ergenekon investigation was protested in the demonstration.

RADIKAL

--CONTACT PROVIDED BETWEEN USA AND IRAN

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns attended Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili's talks with representatives of EU and UN in Geneva, Switzerland. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan called the parties prior to the meeting. "Do not miss this opportunity," Babacan told them.

--ZUBIN MEHTA TO CLOSE IZMIR FESTIVAL

Zubin Mehta, one of the world's greatest conductors alive, is coming to the Aegean province of Izmir to attend the closing concert of the 22nd International Izmir Festival.

The festival will be closed with a concert to be held at the historical Celsus Library of Ephesus. The Italian Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra will accompany Mehta during the concert.

YENI SAFAK

--I WILL GLADLY BECOME A TURKISH CITIZEN

Deivid, the Brazilian striker of Fenerbahce soccer club, wants to play for Turkish national team. Deivid, who first broke his leg and then lost his mother, was supported by his friends in that hard time. Deivid was so happy with that interest of his friends, and said, "if they chose me to the (Turkish) national team, I will be very proud. I will gladly become a Turkish citizen."

--PKK-ERGENEKON CONTACT

Sukru Gulmus, a former member of the terrorist organization PKK who is living in Germany, claimed that Ergenekon terrorist organization's civilian wing and the PKK were in close contact. Touching on the story published in Yeni Safak newspaper that "PKK will be eradicated in a month if Ergenekon wanted", Gulmus said, "Ocalan was sending those who opposed to him to Ergenekon (organization)."