GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON MAY 24

HURRIYET
--OZOK: PRESIDENT CANNOT STAND TRIAL WHILE IN OFFICE
The head of Turkey's Union of Bar Associations said the Turkey president cannot stand trial as long as he remains in office. "The idea is to protect and care for the office of the president regardless of who occupies it. It could be Abdullah Gul or someone else," Ozdemir Ozok said.

--PM LASHES OUT AT OPPOSITION OVER MINE SWEEPING DEAL
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted to criticism from opposition parties that claimed a tender for a mine-sweeping task along Turkey-Syrian border would be unfairly to given to Israeli companies. "Turkey is not a midget country as some could wrongly assume. Money has no religion, nationality or race. It is not that simple to say 'Alas! We are losing Turkey' just because global capital is making investments on the soil of our country," Erdogan said.

MILLIYET
--‘WE LIVE THROUGH A DARK PERIOD’
Ozdemir Ozok, chairman of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations, said at the union’s general assembly meeting that "we live through a dark period that leads even the most optimistic people into pessimism. Society has already forgotten the feeling of justice."

--MARDAN PALACE OPENED
The five-star Mardan Palace Hotel, constructed by Russian businessman Telman Ismailov of Azerbaijani descent, opened in the popular Turkish resort town of Antalya with spectacular shows. World-famous artists such as Richard Gere, Mariah Carey, Tom Jones, Sharon Stone, Seal and Monica Bellucci were in attendance at the opening.

SABAH
--MARVELLOUS OPENING FOR EXPENSIVE HOTEL
The five-star Mardan Palace Hotel owned by Russian businessman Telman Ismailov was opened in the popular Turkish resort town of Antalya. A splendid opening was held with the participation of Hollywood celebrities for the hotel, which cost about $1.4 billion.

--OZOK SAYS GUL CANNOT BE TRIED WHILE IN OFFICE
Ozdemir Ozok, chairman of the Turkish Union of the Bar Associations, said that Abdullah Gul could not be tried while still in office as the president.

VATAN

--ANOTHER HEAVY BLOW TO PKK

One of the senior operatives of the terrorist PKK organization was killed, Turkish military has said. The terrorist, Niyazi Akin, with code name "Sason," was killed during a clash with Turkish security forces last week along with three other terrorists in the southeastern town of Eruh in Siirt province.

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--FIVE DIE OF CRIMEAN-CONGO FEVER IN TWO DAYS

Five people died in Turkey in just two days from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever after they were bitten by ticks. The latest fatal cases were seen in Yozgat and Tokat in central Turkey and in Karabuk in the Black Sea region.

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CUMHURIYET

--AMBASSADORS TO BE APPOINTED

New ambassadors will be appointed their new posts at last. Ertugrul Apakan will replace Ambassador Baki Ilkin as the permanent Turkish envoy to the United Nations.

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‘A DARK ERA’

Ozdemir Ozok, chairman of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations, said at the union’s 30th general assembly meeting: "We live through a dark period in which values of the Republic are eroded, religious feelings are exploited, and all contemporary institutions and concepts are defamed." He called on political powers to listen to warnings from the heads of the higher judicial bodies.

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RADIKAL

--HISTORICAL SELF-CRITICISM

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it was fascism to expel ethnic identities out of the country. Erdogan harshly reacted to criticism from opposition parties about a tender for a mine sweeping task along the Turkey-Syria border, and said, "Capital has no religion, nationality or race."

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HOPELESS YOUNG PEOPLE

A public survey carried out by the Platform of Economists with the participation of 980 university students revealed that 57.8 percent of young people were hopeless about finding a job after graduation.

 

ZAMAN

--TURKISH PARADE IN NEW YORK

A traditional Turkish parade was held in New York. Nearly 30,000 Turkish people took to the streets carrying red and white Turkish flags.

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--SPD LEADER'S RESPONSE TO MERKEL

German Socialist Democrat Party, or SPD, leader Franz Muntefering reacted to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who proposed a privileged partnership instead of membership for Turkey. He said that Turkey had already been a privileged partner and extended his support to Turkey's full membership.

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YENI SAFAK

--SWEDEN WARNS SARKOZY, MERKEL NOT TO INSIST

Carl Bildt, foreign minister of Sweden, which is getting ready to take over the rotating EU presidency from Czech Republic on July 1, warned President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and German Chancellor Angela Merkel who proposed privileged partnership instead of membership for Turkey not to insist on their statements against Turkey. He said that the majority of Europe supported Turkey's membership and excluding Turkey could be dangerous for Europe's security.

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--‘PRESIDENT CANNOT STAND TRIAL’

Ozdemir Ozok, chairman of Turkey's Union of Bar Associations, reiterated that Abdullah Gul could not stand trial while in office. "The idea is to protect and care for the office of the president. It could be Abdullah Gul or someone else," he said.