Anatolian Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Temmuz 04, 2009 10:01
These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on July 4, 2009. Hurriyet Daily News does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. (UPDATED)
HURRIYET
-- U.S. TEAM COMMANDER WHO SACKED TURKISH SOLDIERS DIES OF HEART ATTACK
In the 6th anniversary of incident that Turkish soldiers were sacked in Iraq's Suleymaniyah, the American leader of the soldiers Daniel Monk died of heart attack. The 28-year-old commander, who could not overcome the stress of the war in Iraq, died 10 months ago. His death was because of using overdose prescription drugs just like Michael Jackson.
-- HISTORIC MEETING IN ISTANBUL
The Patriach-elect Kirill of Moscow will meet Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul. The meeting in Istanbul, which will get together the most powerful ecclesiastics of the Orthodox world, is considered "historical". The two patriarchs are expected to discuss the future of Fener-Moscow relations which saw frictions and even an "open war" between the two patriarchates.
-- INFLATION BELOW EXPECTATIONS
Consumer prices rose 0.11 percent and producer prices climbed only 0.94 percent in June. Annual inflation was up 5.73 percent in consumer prices while it was down 1.86 in producer prices. Inflation was below target figures for the first time in June due to slump in demand.
MILLIYET
-- INTERESTING REPROACH FROM DTP MEMBERS TO BARZANI
Ahmet Turk, the chairperson of the Democratic Society Party (DTP), and deputy chairperson Emine Ayna wrote a letter to Masoud Barzani, the head of the regional administration in north of Iraq, and criticized non-inclusion of Hiwa Party under the control of the terrorist organization PKK in the elections to be held in the north of Iraq on July 25. In their letter, Turk and Ayna expressed regret that the mentioned party was prevented from joining the elections.
-- CRITICAL DECISION TO COME OUT AFTER HE RETURNS FROM KIRKPINAR
Eyes have been turned to the Cankaya Presidential Palace after the discussion grew on the legal arrangement allowing trial of military personnel before civilian courts. President Abdullah Gul, who will make a decision after examining the reports, does not think of waiting till the end of 15-day period. Gul will visit Izmir, Istanbul and Edirne at the weekend. Gul, who will participate in the Kirkpinar wrestling ceremony, will return to Ankara on Sunday evening and re-handle the issue on Monday.
-- A PRIME MINISTER IN A SUV UNDER STRAIT
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who visited the tunnel that will bring the Melen water to the European side of Istanbul, crossed the Istanbul Strait beneath the sea by a SUV (special utility vehicle). Erdogan travelled on the tunnel built 135 meters down the Bosphorus between Sariyer (the European side) and Beykoz (the Anatolian side). The journey lasted about eight minutes.
SABAH
-- QANDIL CADRE DUE TO NORWAY
The plan to eradicate the terrorist organization PKK has been speeded up by Turkey and the United States. Hak-Par's (Rights and Freedoms Party) chairman Bayram Bozyel, who visited the region, spoke to Sabah daily newspaper and explained the details of the four-stage eradication process. According to the plan, the first step will be to evacuate the Mahmour camp in the north of Iraq. Those who went to that camp in 1990 will be brought back to Turkey. Terrorists on mountains will get down the mountains, settle down in this camp and their arms will be collected. The top members of the terrorist organization, particularly Murat Karayilan, will be given Iraqi passport and sent to Norway. In the meantime, Turkey will prepare a package that will lay the groundwork for an amnesty. The members of the terrorist organization in Mahmour camp will then start to be brought to Turkey. Bayram Bozyel said Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Masoud Barzani, the head of the regional administration in north of Iraq, had undertaken a significant role in this process.
-- CICEK TO BE INCLUDED IN FOURTH INDICTMENT
The third indictment of the Ergenekon investigation regarding 60 suspects will be submitted to the court at the beginning of next week. Colonel Dursun Cicek (claimed to sign an anti-government plan) and the ammunition seized in Poyrazkoy, Istanbul will be included in the fourth indictment.
-- DOUBLE DOCTORATE TO ERDOGAN
The Istanbul University and Maltepe University granted honorary doctorate to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for his contributions to the Alliance of Civilizations and world peace. Erdogan said, "Turkey has hidden agenda neither in Turkey nor outside Turkey.
VATAN
-- TOUGH DECISION BY PRESIDENT
Turkish President Abdullah Gul had earlier said "not well-intentioned" when a judge in Ankara ruled that he should be tried. Now, he is looking for a formula to dispel concerns of the military. If he endorses the amendment that allows trial of military personnel before civil courts, commanders, including the Chief of General Staff, will be out of the shield of immunity that civilian bureaucrats have. Prosecutors have to get permission to prosecute judges, prosecutors and undersecretaries. But with the new amendment they will be able to launch prosecution without permission. Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug talked about his concerns at his meeting with Gul.
-- AUCTION FOR HEDO
NBA teams are starving to see Turkish national basketball player Hidayet Turkoglu in their squads. Orlando Magic does not want to let him go but Portland Trail Blazers offered 50 million USD for five years and took Hedo to Oregon. Toronto Raptors is mulling to raise its offer to 60 million from 56 million dollars.
CUMHURIYET
-- JUDICIARY BEING ATTACHED TO THE RULING
Riza Turmen, a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), said that what the ECHR was caring about was whether the principle of a fair, independent and unbiased trial was made instead of whether it was a military or a civilian trial. Turmen said the method of the midnight amendment of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government was wrong, when commenting on the legal arrangement allowing trial of military personnel before civilian courts. Turmen said, "democracy means transparency." Also, Professor Suheyl Batum, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the Bahcesehir University, said the military-civilian judiciary discussions were made in a wrong dimension. "The problem is totally seizing the judiciary, not the independence of judiciary." Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said the military-civilian judiciary was an issue that should be handled within the framework of the democratization process and European Union (EU) adjustment.
-- 40 JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS TAPPED
Bulent Baratali, a parliamentarian of the Republican People's Party (CHP), asked Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin whether the claims that 25 judges and prosecutors were tapped in a big city. Ergin confirmed the claim, and said the exact number was 40, not 25.
RADIKAL
-- DOCTORATE AFTER DOCTORATE
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan received honorary doctorate at the Istanbul University, with which he had political confrontations in the past. Erdogan said, "I had met rector Bulent Berkarda when I was the mayor of Istanbul. This is the first time since that meeting that I am under this roof." Later, Maltepe University honored Erdogan with honorary doctorate.
-- "VETO TOTO" TIME
The possible stance of the Cankaya Presidential Palace on the law regarding military judiciary is the only issue concerning Ankara. President Abdullah Gul is trying to reduce the tension that escalated with the law paving the way for trial of military personnel before civilian courts, and he is dealing with this issue. However, every one else is saying another thing. State Minister Cemil Cicek said the law was not against the constitution, whereas Vahit Erdem of the AKP said tension should be over. Oktay Vural of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said Gul would most probably veto the law. The Turkish Industrialists' & Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said there should be a democratic discussion process.
YENI SAFAK
SUPREME COURT FORMULA FOR GENERALS
President Abdullah Gul is examining the amendment that would allow trial of military personnel by civilian courts. Gul met Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Cemil Cicek and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin on Friday. The amendment is in line with Turkish constitution and EU legislation but another amendment is needed to fill the gap about the trial of the Chief of General Staff and force commanders, sources said. If Gul approves the recent law, the government is expected to make another amendment on the matter. The strongest option on the table is the formula of Supreme Court. Generals could be tried before the Supreme Court just like the President, Prime Minister and chief judges.
-- 15 TURKISH BANKS IN PRIDE LIST
Fifteen Turkish banks were in the list of top 1000 banks of the world made by The Banker Magazine. Is Bankasi has been the largest Turkish bank in the list with its 8.5 billion dollars of capital and 72.9 billion dollars of assets. Akbank was the second largest while Garanti Bank was the third largest Turkish bank in the list.
