TURKIYE
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NO U-TURN FROM EU BID

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied to the allegations claiming that the Justice & Development (AK) Party government had lost its excitement.

Erdogan said AK Party progressed on its route with determination and endeavoured to fulfill the dreams of Turkey since it came to power.

"We reached the point of initiating full membership talks in two years. We are progressing despite the rumors for languor and the opposition," he said.

40 NEW BRANCHES TO BE OPENED NEXT YEAR

Garanti Bankasi focused on growth despite global crisis. There has been a 21 percent rise in its profit in the first 9 months of 2008.

The bank will open 40 new branches in 2009 and thus employ 450 more people.

ZAMAN
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SURPRISING EU REPORT ON PKK

European Union has prepared a surprising report to understand the role of the terrorist organization PKK in the north of Iraq. The report by the European Institute for Security Studies (ISS) reflects the views of the regional administration in the north of Iraq about the PKK. The study said the PKK has lost the feeling of sympathy in the region. It also said the the regional administration thinks the PKK is "disturbing" in the region.

ERDOGAN: SUPPORT US TO ROOT OUT GANGS

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected criticisms that "he lost his reformist character." Erdogan said that the government's six-year performance proved their reformist character.

PM Erdogan also said that illegal gangs were dissolved during the term of his government.
"Justice & Development (AK) Party has not brushed these gangs under the carpet but it swept off. But it is not over yet. We have to stand shoulder to shoulder to get rid of them," he said.

YENI SAFAK
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AN ERA ENDS

Mustafa Sekip Birgol, the only living veteran who fought in the War of Independence, passed away in Istanbul. Bingol was the only veteran left after another veteran Yakup Satar from Eskisehir died in April. Birgol was 105 years old. He was born in Uskudar district of Istanbul in 1903. He fought as a lieutenant in the Great Attack. He also fought against gangs after Izmir was rescued from enemies. Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug revealed that Birgol was the only veteran left from the War of Independence. Basbug visited Birgol in his house and stayed for 3.5 hours, and said "do you have any orders commander?" while leaving.

RUSSIA TO CUT NATURAL GAS PRICES

Russian energy giant Gazprom stated that the price of natural gas, which was sent to Turkey, could be reduced by 20 percent in 2009. Gazprom also stated that the amount of natural gas, which was sent to Turkey via Blue Stream, would be increased to 14 billion cubic meters in 2009.

VATAN
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MALL REVOLT

Retail sector is having hard times due to slump in markets. Shopkeepers have revolted against mall operators and exorbitant rentals as their sales dropped after the financial crisis. Some of the malls reduced rent charges in foreign currencies, and some fixed currencies.

But finally, "close down" protests have started at some malls that do not come up for a solution. Several shopkeepers pulled down shutters in Ankara's Antares Shopping Mall. Second protest was at Trabzon's Forum Shopping Mall. And yesterday, shops in Ankara Atakule Shopping Mall were closed down for two hours to protest the operator.

RTUK INVESTIGATION INTO QATAR'S EMIR

Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK), Turkey's radio and television watchdog, has launched an investigation into Sabah-ATV as Calik Group, the owner of the media group, changed the partnership structure after acquiring it. RTUK approved Qatari Emir's 25 percent partnership on June 10. However, just a month later on July 9, Competition Board prepared a report which said, "Qatari partner has a 25 percent stake in the company but has equal management rights as Calik." RTUK, which approved the acquisition before this report, will now make a new assessment.

CUMHURIYET
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LAST VETERAN OF TURKISH INDEPENDENCE WAR PASSES AWAY

The last veteran of the Turkish Independence War of 1919-1923 passed away on Tuesday at the age of 105 in Istanbul. Retired colonel Mustafa Sekip Birgol will be laid to eternal rest on Friday.

INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT SHRINKING

Capacity utilization which is a major indicator of the economy went down 6.4 percent in October, reflecting a decrease in industrial output. Capacity utilization dropped to 76.7 percent. With the latest figures, gross domestic product is expected to turn negative for the first time this year in the third quarter. The major reason for the downward trend is dampening of the demand.

RADIKAL
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WORKERS', EMPLOYERS' UNIONS WARN AGAINST INCREASING UNEMPLOYMENT

Both workers' and employers' unions have issued strong warnings against skyrocketing unemployment rate as 150-200 thousand people lost their jobs in textile sector only over the last two years. News of sacking and forced vacations have started to arrive from the construction sector and the automotive sector, which has shrunk 40 percent. Heads of workers' and employers' unions called on the government to take immediate measures.

TURKISH PREMIER SEES FINANCIAL CRISIS SCALING DOWN

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday a global financial crisis had started to wind down, which he said was also confirmed by experts. "It is very important that the sense of panic about the effects of the crisis on Turkey has left it place to a sense of commonsense and continence. If we could turn this period which they call crisis into an era of opportunity, Turkey would reach a better future," Erdogan said.

HURRIYET
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BERLUSCONI: "I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR TURKEY"

"My country and I are the number one advocate for Turkey," Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told the daily HURRIYET, as he was set to participate at an intergovernmental summit between Turkey and Italy in the Aegean resort city of Izmir. "Among all the leaders Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a special place. There is a strong and an immediate sympathy between the two of us. He is an honest person," Berlusconi said. The Italian premier also said that Turkey's secular institutions had become stronger over the last 15 years. "And everyone should recognize the very basic feature of the Republic of Turkey which was born from Ataturk's genius."

LAST VETERAN OF TURKISH INDEPENDENCE WAR PASSES AWAY

The last veteran of the Turkish War of Independence died on Tuesday at the age of 105 in Istanbul. A full military funeral service will be held for Retired Colonel Mustafa Sekip Birgol, a decorated soldier, with the participation of chief of Turkish General Staff.

MILLIYET
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WE LOST THE LAST VETERAN

Mustafa Sekip Birgol, the last of the veterans of the War of Independence, passed away at the age of 105. Retired colonel Birgol who died in Istanbul will be laid to rest today. Birgol's father and grandfather were also officers.

GIANT INVESTMENT BY DANONE IN DIYARBAKIR

Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker said that they agreed to implement a project with a French company which envisaged an investment worth of 3 billion USD in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. It was learned that the company is Danone. Eker said that there was a big demand from Gulf countries and Middle East countries to invest in Turkey after food crisis in the world.

SABAH
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EU CAN NOT BE THOUGHT OF WITHOUT TURKEY

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had an interview with daily Sabah prior to his visit to Turkey. Berlusconi said, "keeping Turkey outside EU would be a grave mistake".

He said putting a break on Turkey's EU membership contradicted interests of Europe.

AGAR CASE MAY PROLONG

Trial of Mehmet Agar, the last accused of the Susurluk case, has started after 12 years. Name of Agar came forth in relations which were revealed after a traffic accident in Susurluk on November 3, 1996. A record was prepared against Agar, a former interior minister and police department chief, on charges that he formed "gang".

The court decided for lack of jurisdiction on Tuesday. If the criminal court makes a similar decision, Agar's file will be sent to Supreme Court of Appeals and period of prescription will start.

AA