TURKIYE

"CRISIS TRUMPTETERS" ARE SEEKING THEIR OWN INTERESTS

Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said necessary precautions against the financial crisis were taken. He said, "Turkey is a safe haven. Global capital is pouring in and it will continue inflowing." Erdogan accused those saying "the global crisis would also affect Turkey" of being crisis opportunists. "Do not fan the flames in the world. Those who dream of Turkey losing its ground, are bound to be disappointed," said Erdogan.

TURKISH JETS HIT TERRORISTS

Turkish Jets successfully hit targets in the Zap region located in the north of Iraq, where a group of PKK terrorists and their leaders were situated.

A press release published on General Staff's official website said "The planes have all returned to their bases safely. The operations only targeted the PKK/KONGRA-GEL terrorist organization and necessary precaution was shown to avoid civilian casualties".

ZAMAN

PRIME MINISTRY EXPLAINS ARMENIAN ISSUE AND PKK TO THE WORLD IN 9 LANGUAGES

Prime Ministry has launched a new study aiming to explain main problems of Turkey, including PKK and Armenian problem, to the world.

The book, "Turkey 2008", which is prepared in 9 languages for economic, political and cultural promotion of Turkey, has been published.

The book was published in English, French, German, Arabic, Russian, Japanese and Chinese languages.

ORTHODOX PATRIARCHS CONVENE IN ISTANBUL

Representatives of 16 patriarchates in the world arrived in Istanbul within the scope of activities organized by Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on the occasion of announcement of 2008 as "Saint Paul's Year".

YENI SAFAK

PKK IS NOW A SUBCONTRACTOR

Prof. Deniz Ulke Aribogan, the rector of Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, said that terrorist organization PKK had become the tool of intelligence agencies.

"Terrorist organizations are like soccer balls. Once they are put on the field, everyone tries to hit them to score a goal against his/her opponent," Aribogan said.

SUICIDE BOMBER SENT FROM VAN

Two people, who brought the explosives to the suicide bomber who was caught while she was getting prepared to stage a terrorist attack in Istanbul, were arrested in the eastern province of Van. It has been determined that the two terrorists brought the explosives to Istanbul two weeks after the suicide bomber arrived in the city. The two suspects are currently being interrogated.

VATAN

THREE ATTACKS ON THE SAME DAY

PKK's female suicide bomber, who was caught by security forces in Istanbul, was getting prepared to stage three terrorist attacks with the 8.8 kg of explosives she was carrying with her.

According to the police, the suicide bomber who had a fake identity card bearing the name of "Ayse Sen", was going to separate the explosives into three parts. The terrorist was getting prepared to place the two pieces at certain locations and explode them by a remote control device. Police think she would wrap the remaining part on her body and wage a suicide attack on a specific target.


NECHIRVAN BARZANI TO VISIT ANKARA

Nechirvan Barzani, executive of the regional administration in north of Iraq, will pay a visit to Turkey in two days, sources said. The precautions to be taken against the terrorist organization PKK will be discussed during the surprising meeting.


CUMHURIYET

7TH AIR RAID HITS TERRORIST LEADERS IN ZAP

The General Staff announced that Turkish Armed Forces continued operations, in pursuit of PKK/KONGRA-GEL terrorists, who partook in the attack on Aktutun military outpost. Turkish warplanes launched an air strike on a group of terrorists situated in Zap region located in north of Iraq. The General Staff said the targets were hit with precision.


CRISIS HAS ALREADY STARTED AFFECTING REAL SECTOR

The financial crisis has started to affect the real sector in Turkey. In many sectors the production dropped, and the foreign debts of the private sector increased. The current account deficit is about to reach 50 billion USD. While representatives of the real sector say the AK Party administration failed to take precautions on time, exporters are gathering this week to develop a "plan B" against the crisis.


RADIKAL

ANTICIPATION BOOSTING MORALE

According to Vural Akisik, who restructured the state banks after 2001 economic crisis, said it would take time for the United States to get rid of the crisis.

Akisik said the fire should be extinguished soon. "But the cost would be more tomorrow".

Akisik said Turkey would not be at the same point as the United States because it did not have liquidity problems. "It now seems that Turkey would be affected less."


FROM PRIME MINISTER TO BUSINESS WORLD: DON'T URGE FIRE

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to TUSIAD Chairperson Arzuhan Yalcindag Dogan and names from the business world and economy bureaucracy. Erdogan said, "it is wrong for a non-governmental organization or a public organization to use the expression of crisis when there is not a danger of crisis."

HURRIYET

TWO PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR AIDING SUICIDE BOMBER

It has been determined that the name of the PKK terrorist, who was caught with 8.8 kg of explosives in Sisli district of Istanbul, was Hatice I. "Ezgi" is the terrorist's code name.

Police also arrested two people, Tuncay S. and Mehmet S.A., who sent her to Istanbul to stage a terrorist attack two weeks ago, in the eastern province of Van.


PKK'S TOP TERRORISTS HIT IN 7TH OPERATION

After the recent terrorist attack on Aktutun military outpost, the army waged its 7th operation against PKK terrorists in the north of Iraq.

"An air strike was conducted in Zap region against a PKK/KONGRA-GEL terrorist group comprising of top terrorists. All the targets were hit," the General Staff said on its web-site.


MILLIYET

WILL GUL INAUGURATE IRBIL AIRPORT?

Kurdish administration in north of Iraq which aims to boost relations with Turkey, made a proposal to President Abdullah Gul and asked him to open Irbil Airport.

Presidency's Chief Advisor Ahmet Sever confirmed the invitation and said, "a date has not been set but the President will travel to Baghdad. The proposal about Irbil is being assessed."


ERDOGAN: WE FIRMLY STAND ON OUR FEET

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted against the representatives of business world who made statements that global fluctuation in markets would have a negative impact on Turkey.

Erdogan said, "thanks God, we firmly stand on our leg. We have not been negatively affected by the crisis like the European countries and the United States. We are closely monitoring the developments. We are working very carefully to make use of any opportunity."


SABAH

NO KURDISH COMMENTATOR TO BROADCASTS IN KURDISH

Turkish Radio Television's (TRT) "Kurdish Channel" which was a part of the government's opening out to the east and southeast of the country did not start broadcasting yet.

Though it's been three months since the legislation regarding broadcasting in Kurdish was adopted, TRT tv channel could not find a TV announcer who can speak Kurdish.

TRT says it could not find intellectual personnel with clean political records who could speak Kurdish fluently.


DO NOT FAN THE FLAMES

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted to Turkey's Association of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD) which said the financial crisis could also affect Turkey. "There are circles in our country who are fanning the flames. Please don't," he said.

AA