GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON JUNE 24

HURRIYET

--GERMAN SPORTS JOURNALISTS: FIRST FRIENDSHIP WILL WIN

German Bild Frankfurt's writer T. Schachter wrote that the Euro 2008 semi-final match between Turkey and Germany would show the world how friendly and close the relations between the two countries are. "Turkish footballers who were born in Germany like Hakan Balta and Hamit Altintop will play for their motherland," Schachter also wrote.

Gerhard Peters, deputy director of sports department of Bild-Berlin, wished that the fans of the two countries would experience together the joy of victory in Germany whatever the result of the match was.

Jorg Hahn, director of sports division of Frankfurter Allgemeine, said that Turks were playing an aggressive and enterprising football towards the end of the match. "This is what (Germany coach Joachim) Low should be afraid of," Hahn also wrote.

--VAN PASSES THROUGH LEVEL CROSSING DESPITE WARNINGS: 10 DEAD

A train hit a minibus, killing ten people and wounding three others when the driver of the minibus insisted on passing through a level crossing although the barrier was closed and the ringing bells were sounding. The driver survived the accident.

MILLIYET

--SUSPECTS "COME BACK TO LIFE"

The trial of gendarmerie officials who launched an operation at Istanbul's Bayrampasa Prison in December of 2000 in which 12 people died and 55 others were injured, has ended due to a lapse of time. The officials were accused of maltreating inmates and abusing their authority.

--"TRAUMA" TENSION IN ANKARA

The statement of Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has escalated tension in Ankara. In an interview with the New York Times, Firat said that Turkish society was traumatized because of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's reforms. "Overnight they were told to change their dress, their language. Their religious ways were dismantled," he told the American daily.

In response, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that Firat, at last, disclosed his long-standing feelings about the Turkish state while the Republican People's Party (CHP) submitted a motion against Firat.

--"IS THERE ANYTHING SHARED IN COMMON?"

Former President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has spoken for the first time since his retirement. Referring to proposal of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) to form a broad-based convention to write a new constitution, Sezer, who attended a reception hosted by the Cumhuriyet newspaper, asked, "Is there anything shared in common?"

SABAH

--500,000 PEOPLE TO WATCH GAME TOGETHER

The German capital will experience a historical night tomorrow, akin to "the fall of the wall". Turkish and German football fans will watch the Euro 2008 semi-final match side by side.

There will be five big screens at the square in front of the Branderburg Gate in Berlin. Expecting half a million people to watch the game, German police have taken tight measures.

--I STICK TO MY WORD, FIRAT

Ruling AKP deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, whose remarks raised reactions, back up his words. He had said that Ataturk's reforms created a trauma. "I delivered such a statement and I am sticking to my word," Firat said.

"The reforms of 1923 basically changed the lifestyle. Reforms bring change. Not a single reform is soft. It is a traumatic situation," he added.

VATAN

--SHE WILL POSE WITH BOSPORUS VIEW BEHIND

After pop singer Kylie Minogue and model Kate Moss, Istanbul will host Hollywood actress Sharon Stone. Stone will pose for the cover of a British fashion magazine with a Bosporus background. Stone will arrive in Istanbul on July 2. According to sources, Stone received information from her close friend Minogue about Turks and Istanbul.

--VEHICLE EXPLODES IN MILITARY UNIT: ONE DEAD, 14 PRIVATES WOUNDED

An explosion occurred in a military vehicle that returned from a military training in the southeastern province of Gaziantep. A fire broke out after the blast. Fire-fighters from three surrounding cities put out the fire, in which Private Oktay Kara lost his life. Fourteen
soldiers, three of whom suffered serious injuries, were wounded in the vehicle explosion inside a military barracks.

CUMHURIYET

--EXPLOSION IN MILITARY BARRACKS

Fifteen soldiers have been injured in an explosion that ripped through a vehicle in the military barracks in the southeastern province of Gaziantep. Military prosecutor launched an investigation into the explosion.

--BARZANI SURPRISE FOR ERDOGAN

Preparatory efforts for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's scheduled visit to Iraq have come to the final phase. However, prior to Erdogan's visit, Massoud Barzani, leader of the regional administration in the northern Iraq, said that Kirkuk was a part of Kurdistan and the PKK was not a terrorist organization.

RADIKAL

--FOOTBALL, ONLY AGENDA

The success of the Turkish national football team waved aside all other discussions in Turkey. Everybody set their eyes on the semi-final match with Germany.

The repercussions of the Turkish team's success continue as well. French football legend Zinedine Zidane said "what Turkey did was something unique".

--IS ANYBODY PLEASED WITH CHAOS?

Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag, chairperson of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), said that some circles might be pleased with the chaotic atmosphere.

"New expansions are being hindered by conspiracy theories. We are not after a political design," Yalcindag said.

YENI SAFAK

--TURKS WILL LAUGH IN THE END

Croatian national soccer team's coach said that the Germans were seeing themselves as the team that was most likely to win in the Euro 2008 semi-final. "However they will see that they are wrong when the match kicks off," Slaven Bilic said.

--CHP PRIVILEGE IN TOP COURT

The Constitutional Court, which is making decisions in parallel with the Republican People's Party (CHP) in critical cases, is not doing anything about the TV channel Kanalturk case and CHP's commercial partnership with Is Bankasi and some other institutions. The $4 million Kanalturk corruption case is still before the court.

Despite the provision that parties shall not conduct trade, the CHP still has a commercial partnership and business affairs with Is Bankasi. The party can play a role in bank credits and new branches.

Close relatives of some top court members are employed in Is Bankasi or its affiliates. In judicial circles, the following statement can be heard, "CHP is providing job opportunities for the children of judges."