GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON MAY 12

HURRIYET
-- GAS PIPELINE DEAL EXPECTED IN JUNE
Partners of a natural gas pipeline project that would bypass Russia are expected to sign a deal June 25 in Ankara. The deal on the Nabucco pipeline project would come as an alternative route to Russian pipelines, which run through Ukraine to Europe. The Nabucco pipeline would carry natural gas to European markets from the Caspian Basin, as well as the Middle East and Central Asia via Turkey.
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-- INTERIOR MINISTER: OPPORTUNITY TO END TERROR PROBLEM
Interior Minister Besir Atalay said the circumstances were right to find a solution to the PKK terrorism. "We want a life without terrorism. And we will do what it takes to protect lives. There is a problem before us no matter what its name is. And the circumstances are more suitable than ever to find a solution to this problem," Atalay said during a press conference.
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MILLIYET
-- IRAN'S MORTAR SHELLS DROP ON YUKSEKOVA
Citizens panicked when mortar shells thrown by Iranian troops, which were conducting operations against the terrorist PKK organization, dropped on land close to the Esendere border gate early Monday. The Sariyildiz neighborhood at the border was evacuated because of the artillery fire, which lasted nearly 15 minutes.
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-- AGREEMENT TO BE REACHED IN NABUCCO
Turkey took a step back in "transit fees" and "discount" issues with Nabucco, which is a natural gas project supported by both Europe and the United States. An official from the European Union said June 25 could be the agreement date for Nabucco.
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SABAH
-- EXPANDING THE KURDISH ISSUE
Ankara is working on a German model to expand the Kurdish issue. A senior official who participates in National Security Council meetings stated that citizens of Kurdish origin should be given the same rights as the Turkish citizens living in Europe.
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-- INTELLIGENCE UNIT JEALOUSY TO END
Interior Minister Besir Atalay said the new Undersecretariat for Public Order and Security would be responsible for ensuring the coordination between Turkish security forces. "The jealousy among intelligence units will be over," Atalay said.

VATAN
-- NEW AGENCY IN COUNTER-TERRORISM
The interior minister announced that a new agency would be established in order to coordinate efforts in the fight against terrorism. The Undersecretary for Public Order and Security would not have an operational function, but it would lead other counter-terror units to the target. The new agency would have broad powers and authority, and it would be able to request any information from the General Staff, the Foreign Ministry, the National Intelligence Agency, the gendarmerie and the police department.
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-- SIGNALS OF RECOVERY IN ECONOMY
After a number of signals of recovery in Turkey's industrial production, the capacity utilization rate peaked for the first time in six months, raising hopes that the bottom of the crisis has been reached and that the economy began to climb uphill. The capacity utilization rate was at its historic lowest in February with 63.8 percent. April's figure came out more promising with 66.8 percent, the highest level in six months.
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CUMHURIYET
-- GOVERNMENT TO SET UP NEW UNIT FOR COUNTER-TERRORISM
The government presented a bill to Parliament on the creation of a new agency to coordinate efforts in the fight against terrorism. The Undersecretariat for Public Order and Security would devise policies and strategies in counter-terrorism. Interior Minister Besir Atalay said the undersecretariat would be the coordinating body between different units fighting against terrorism.
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-- SARKOZY, MERKEL EYE ELECTION REWARD
Hakki Keskin, a Turkish-descent member of the German parliament, said the latest statements by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who oppose letting Turkey into the European Union, were part of the their strategies for the upcoming European Parliament and German Federal Parliament elections. "The EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU," Keskin said.
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RADIKAL
-- BACK TO KURDISH NAMES
The government continues to send messages about its next move on the Kurdish issue. Interior Minister Besir Atalay commented on giving villages Kurdish names. "We do not have such a thing on our agenda now. However, if there are local requests, why not?" Atalay said.
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-- SG FOR EU AFFAIRS TO BE MORE ACTIVE
Turkey's Secretariat General for EU Affairs will renew its organizational structure. New units will be formed within the institution in an effort to ensure coordination and gain public support for negotiations with the EU.

YENI SAFAK
-- KANDIL SIEGE TERRIFIES PKK
U.S. military build-up around northern Iraq's Kandil mountains – where the PKK has long taken refuge – has caused a panic in the terrorist organization. Sources close to the PKK have said about 1,000 U.S. troops were climbing Kandil, backed by tanks and peshmerga troops.
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-- HEALTH MINISTRY TO SUMMON GOVERNORS OVER SWINE FLU
Health Ministry is set to summon governors on Tuesday from all over Turkey to share information about the swine flu epidemic and to discuss necessary measures. The governors of Turkey’s 81 provinces will meet Health Minister Recep Akdag and other officials and experts in Ankara.