GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON JUNE 28

HURRIYETÂ

--PREMIER CALLS ON POLITICAL PARTIES, MEDIA TO ACT RESPONSIBLY

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech at the general congress of his Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in Istanbul and said he requested political parties and the media to act responsibly and to assume an attitude that would contribute to the process. "Efforts to create a crisis of confidence between state organs not only harms the relevant parties, but all of Turkey," Erdogan said. All state organs had full confidence in each other and were loyal to the constitutional regime and democracy, he said.

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--SEMINARY TO BE OPENED

In regard to discussions over the seminary issue, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said he considered that a seminary would be opened. "It does not comply with the current university system, but a way could be found. There is no political problem and technical works are continuing," Gunay said.

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MILLIYET

--MINISTER GUNAY: WE WILL REOPEN 'SEMINARY'

During a TV program he attended, Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay said, "It is a topic over which we as the government have not reached a clear consensus, but I can tell you my personal inclination. I think we are going to reopen the seminary. It does not suit the current university system but we are going to work out another formula, there are no political problems. Procedural works are underway."

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--UPROAR IN AKP CONGRESS

The Istanbul provincial congress of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, was concluded with tension and quarrels. In the end, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's candidate Babuscu was reelected.

 

There was uproar when the supporters of Metin Kulunk, running against AKP's current Istanbul Provincial Chairman Aziz Babuscu, who received the support of the HQs, were not allowed in the hall. The crowd booed as Babuscu entered the hall and welcomed Kulunk with applause. Erdogan gave clear support to Babuscu during his speech. Babuscu, who garnered 463 of 620 votes, was reelected the provincial chairman. Kulunk gained just 157 votes.

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SABAH

--ERDOGAN AGAIN CALLS IT "DOCUMENT"

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan again referred to it as "the document" (an alleged anti-government document published Taraf daily). Earlier, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug referred to it as "a piece of paper" in his press conference. Erdogan delivered a speech in his party's general congress and criticized the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP. "No one should conduct politics by hiding behind the military," he said.

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--RAIN OF GOLD IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Nurcan Taylan of Turkey won two gold and Aylin Tasdelen won one gold medal in weightlifting at the 16th Mediterranean Games in Pescara city of Italy. Serkan Ozden and Riza Kayaalp also won gold medals in wrestling. A total of 17 medal, including 8 gold medals, were awarded to Turkey to take second overall place in the Mediterranean Games medal tally.

 

VATAN

--CIVILIAN JURISDICTION WAY OPENED FOR COUP DIARIES

An amendment in regard to the authority of the military jurisdiction in the Turkish Penal Code is paving the way for the trial of former Naval Forces Commander Ozden Ornek and other former commanders whose names are mentioned in coup diaries in civilian courts. If President Abdullah Gul approves the amendment, three former commanders will be tried by a civilian court.

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--ERDOGAN: "YOU SHOULD NOT HIDE BEHIND MILITARY"

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan criticized the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, over statements made regarding the decision of the military prosecutor's office on the action plan against reactionary movements. Erdogan said no one should try to create a crisis of confidence between state organs. He said all state organs had full confidence in each other and were loyal to the constitutional regime and democracy. "The military prosecutor's office gave its decision. Now the civilian courts will deal with the matter," Erdogan said.

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CUMHURIYET

--RECENT AMENDMENT VIOLATES CONSTITUITON

Honorary Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court, Sabih Kanadoglu, said the recent amendment made in the Code of Criminal Procedures, aimed at restricting the powers of the military judiciary, was a violation of the Constitution. Kanadoglu said a constitutional amendment was necessary to restrict the powers of the constitutional court.

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Kanadoglu, who pointed out that the amendment was made with last minute proposals, said it was not possible to justify it on the grounds that it was inline with "EU norms". "The way the amendment was made, and how it was rushed, means is not well intended," said Kanadoglu.

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--GEN. BASBUG NOT INFORMED

Chief of General Staff, Gen. Ilker Basbug held a press conference 10 hours after the AKP amended the Code of Criminal Procedures, or CMK, in a midnight operation. It was striking that Gen. Basbug referred to the CMK's current version.

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RADIKAL

--ERDOGAN: IT'S THE CIVIL PROSECUTOR'S TURN

Premier Tayyip Erdogan, who said certain circles were attacking the Justice and Development Party, with mafia, gangs and unlawful methods, during the Istanbul Provincial Congress of his party, also commented on the "Action Plan for Fight with Reactionary Movements".

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"All state organs are loyal to the constitutional regime and democratic structure. The military prosecutor's office said its final word, now the allegations are in the hands of the civil jurisdiction," said Erdogan.

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Erdogan, who told a Spanish newspaper that the military coups were a thing of the past and that the civilian authority was strong, made the following comments during the congress, "Nobody should make politics with backing from the military. Just as how plots against democracy are outdated and unlawful; touting about military coups and trying to influence politics by spreading rumors about military coups is equally outdated and unlawful."

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--MAIN OPPOSITION: WE HAVE BEEN TRICKED

Suha Okay of the Republican People's Party, or CHP, claimed that the AKP enacted the law enabling the trial of soldiers by civilian courts by trickery: "The Government wants to make a Dursun Cicek amendment."

 

YENI SAFAK

--NOT A MIDNIGHT OPERATION, THERE IS CONSENSUS

Bekir Bozdag of Justice and Development Party, or AKP, said the amendment allowing the trial of soldiers by civilian courts was not "a midnight operation." Bozdag argued that it was an amendment taken with the agreement of all the parties.

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--'WE WILL NOT MAKE CONSESSIONS AS LONG AS I AM ALIVE'

Premier Tayyip Erdogan, who addressed an enthusiastic crowd at the Istanbul Provincial Congress of the AKP, accused the opposition whom he regarded as the lawyers of "Ergenekon," of making politics with backing from the military. Erdogan said they would not allow anti-democratic initiatives.       Â

 

"As long as I am alive, we will not even make the smallest concession. The military prosecutor's office said its final word. The issue is now passed to the civilian courts," said Erdogan.