GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON MAY 21

HURRIYET
-- SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT TELLS GUL HOW THEY ERADICATED TERRORISM
Following his victory over Tamil Tigers, Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa called President Abdullah Gul. Rajapaksa had paid a visit to Turkey in December and discussed separatist terrorism during his talks. In a phone conversation with Rajapaksa, Gul expressed his pleasure at Sri Lanka's victory over the terrorist organization Tamil Tigers whose leaders have been killed. Gul also said Turkey was ready to send humanitarian aid to the Sri Lankan people.

At their meeting in December, Gul said both countries suffered a lot from terrorism. In response to Gul, Rajapaksa said, "there is no such thing as a good terrorist or a bad terrorist. All terrorists are bad."
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-- GUL CONCERNED TRIAL COULD HARM PRESIDENCY
President Abdullah Gul spoke about a court decision that ruled he should stand trial in a fraud case. "My only concern is that the presidency could be harmed by controversies over immunity. Because its repercussions could be different outside the country," Gul said.
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MILLIYET
-- GUL: I'M NOT SCARED TO GO ON TRIAL
Following the ruling of the 1st Criminal Court in Ankara that the president should be tried in the "missing trillions case," President Abdullah Gul said he was not scared or concerned about standing trial. Gul said his only concern was that controversy over whether the president had immunity or not could harm the president's authority. "Such issues will have different implications outside Turkey. These are matters related with Turkey's prestige," said Gul. Gul also pointed out that he had nothing to do with financial matters in the Welfare Party which was shut down.
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-- TURKEY MISSES CHAPTER TARGETS IN EU NEGOTIATIONS
Turkey which aimed at opening two chapter in its accession negotiations with the EU during the Czech EU presidency missed its targets. While Turkey might end up opening no chapters during Czech EU presidency, Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis is arguing that negotiation process in not all about opening chapters.
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SABAH
-- LULA'S HISTORIC VISIT
Brazil's legendary leader Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva arrived in Istanbul for a formal visit. Lula is the first Brazilian head of state ever to visit Turkey. He met Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan at Ciragan Palace.
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-- DOLLAR DOWN TO SIX MONTH LOW
The Istanbul Stock Exchange, or IMKB, main share index hit this year's record high level, closing at 34,866 points on Wednesday. The U.S. dollar weakened against Turkish lira to a six month low. The dollar was below 1.54 TL for the first time in six months.

VATAN
-- GERMANY IS TALKING ABOUT THIS TURKISH BUSINESSMAN
Cevdet Caner, owner of real estate firm Level One, the largest in Germany, received loans from the world's giant banks, including ABN Amro, Credit Suisse, Bear Sterns. He purchased 27,000 homes between 2004 and 2007 in former East Germany, saying that "the real estate market boomed in Britain. It will be the same in Germany." However, he failed to sell the homes due to the global economic crisis and the homes lost value. The banks are seeking the return of the funds as the loans remain unpaid. Caner lost $2 billion, along with his real estate company. Finally, the banks seized his mansion in London worth around $31 million.
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-- YAZICIOGLU'S WIFE RAISES STRIKING CLAIMS
Grand Unity Party, or BBP, leader Muhsin Yazicioglu was killed in a helicopter crash a few months ago. His wife Gulefer Yazicioglu spoke at a parliamentary investigation committee meeting. "My husband's suitcase --containing his gun, special documents and money-- is missing. His cell phone was given to me after its memory card was erased. The Kayseri Governor said after the crash that he was being taken to hospital because his leg and ribs were broken. When my husband was found, his ribs and leg were really broken. What a coincidence? How did the governor get hold of such information?" she said.
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CUMHURIYET
-- "PHONE TAPPING" DECISIONS MAY AFFECT ERGENEKON CASE
Following the ruling of the Council of State that the Ministry of Justice did not have authority to make regulations regarding "phone tapping," the controversy has begun over whether the phone tapping conducted as part of the Ergenekon probe is legitimate. The head of the Penal Department in the Police Academy, Vahit Bicak, said, "evidence obtained through phone tapping regarding lawyers being tried in the Ergenekon case has to be revised."
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-- PRICE OF DEATH: TWO YEARS
Police officer Oral Emre Atar, who shot and killed Baran Tursun for refusing to "stop" when asked to do so, was sentenced to two years and one month in prison. The court sentenced Atar on the grounds that he killed by "unintentionally exceeding the legal authority regarding the use of a weapon."
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RADIKAL
-- PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS NOT AFTER IMMUNITY
President Abdullah Gul said he was not scared to be tried in court in the "lost trillion" case regarding the period he had been a member of the banned Welfare Party. Commenting on the ruling of the 1st Criminal Court in Ankara that the president should be tried, Gul said when he was a member of parliament he applied in person to have his political immunity lifted. Gul said his only concern was that the president's authority would be harmed as a result of discussions over whether the post had immunity or not. "These are matters related with Turkey's prestige. When the legal procedure becomes clear, if it appears as some claim, I personally have no doubt, hesitation or fear about going on trial," said Gul.
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-- TWO YEARS SENTENCE FOR TURSUN'S DEATH
In the lawsuit over the death of Baran Tursun, who was shot by police for failing to comply with the "stop" warning, officer Oral Emre Atar was sentenced to two years and one month in prison, 10 other officers were acquitted.

YENI SAFAK
-- "I HAVE NO PERSONAL CONCERNS"
President Abdullah Gul said he had no personal concerns about standing trial in "the missing trillion case". "My only concern is that the presidency could be harmed," Gul said. Gul reminded that he was a deputy chairman of the outlawed Welfare Party, or RP, and said he had no authority regarding financial issues. "All of our friends tried in that case were acquitted. But I could not stand trial as I was a parliamentarian," he said.
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-- SARIGUL PUSHES BUTTON FOR HIS PARTY
Mustafa Sarigul, mayor of Sisli in Istanbul, who was expelled from the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, and later joined the Democratic Left Party, or DSP, has finally given the start to form his own political party. He has not left the DSP yet; however, sources say a number of parliamentarians would offer their support to Sarigul for the party formation.