GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON AUGUST 21

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on August 21, 2008. Hurriyet English does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET

-- GOLD MEDAL COMES AFTER 12 YEARS

Turkish wrestler Ramazan Sahin defeated Ukrainian Andriy Stadnik in the finals in free style, and won Turkey's first gold medal in the Olympic Games. Sahin added an Olympic victory to his career after his European and world championships. Sahin, who came from Dagestan region of Russia three years ago and became Turkish citizen, brought gold medal to Turkey in free style after 12 years.

-- GUL'S MOST FAVORITE SINGER

President Abdullah Gul met with head of delegation from Cape Verde which was in Istanbul for African Summit. During the meeting, Gul said that he liked to listen famous folk singer of Cape Verde Cesaria Evora. Grammy award winner Evoria prefers to appear on stage with barefoot to be in solidarity with hungry and poor people in the world. Evoria gave many concerts in Turkey.


MILLIYET

-- PM ERDOGAN: WE WILL TALK WITH ARMENIA

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan travelled to Azerbaijan for the Caucuses Alliance Project he brought to agenda for the establishment of lasting peace in the region. Erdogan who got together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, received a positive response about the project. Erdogan told reporters before his departure to Baku that they would also talk with Armenia about the project.

-- RAMAZAN WINS FIRST GOLD MEDAL FOR TURKEY IN BEIJING

Turkey's longing for a gold medal in Beijing Olympics finally ended. Ramazan Sahin who competed in free style wrestling, 66 kg weight category, beat his Ukrainian opponent 2-1 and won the gold medal, thus carrying Turkey to the champions' podium in free-style wrestling for the first time since Atlanta Olympic games in 1996. The Dagestani wrestler which Turkey adopted three years ago became the European, World and Olympic champion in two years time.


SABAH

-- FIRST GOLD MEDAL IN 12 DAYS

Ramazan Sahin, who competed at 66kg weight category in free style wrestling, won the first gold medal for Turkey in the 12th day of the Beijing Olympic games. Ramazan Sahin who came to Turkey three years ago and became a Turkish citizen --got the same last name with the former State Minister for Sports Mehmet Ali Sahin-- made Turkey happy. Sahin who beat his Ukrainian opponent in the final round, won the first gold medal in free style wrestling for Turkey in 12 years.

-- TURKEY GRANTS PERMISSON FOR PASSAGE TO U.S. SHIPS

Turkey gave permission to U.S. which wanted to cross its ships through the straits for humanitarian aid to Georgia. Under the Montreux convention, the ships that are below the tonnage limit of 45 thousand tons will pass through the straits.

VATAN

-- HE WINS 2,000 GOLDS WITH ONE GOLD

Turkish free-style wrestler Ramazan Sahin, who was brought from Dagestan autonomous region of Russia to Turkey two years ago, defeated his Ukrainian rival in men's 66kg and won Turkey's first gold medal in the Olympic Games in Beijing. Sahin still could not speak in Turkish, and his press conference was translated. Sahin will be awarded with 2,000 gold coins when he returns to Turkey.

-- THREE U.S. VESSELS ALLOWED TO PASS

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "no application was made to us. These are rumors," and denied the news reports that U.S. vessels, which were carrying humanitarian aid to Georgia, were not allowed to pass from the straits. However, U.S. State Department stated last night that Ankara formally allowed passage of three U.S. vessels which had low tonnage.


CUMHURIYET

-- 90 CENTIMETERS BROUGHT THREE DEATHS

The Chamber of Turkish Naval Architects & Marine Engineers (GMO) prepared a report on the accident which occurred at Gisan Shipyard in Istanbul's Tuzla district and caused death of three workers. The report said that the accident happened because of a 900-millimeter drift in the life boat.

-- GOOD REHEARSAL AHEAD OF MATCH AGAINST ARMENIA

Turkish national soccer team, who are continuing their warm-up ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifying group matches, defeated Chilean national team 1-0 in a friendly match. Halil Altintop scored the only goal of the match at Ismetpasa Stadium in the northwestern province of Kocaeli. Thus, Turkish team boosted their morale prior to an away match against Armenia on September 6th.


RADIKAL

-- TURKEY PUT OUT A GOOD PERFORMANCE AGAINST CHILE

Turkish national soccer team who are getting prepared for the 2010 World Cup qualifying group matches, beat Chile, one of the strongest teams of Americas, with a score of 1-0 at a friendly game in the northwestern province of Kocaeli. The only goal in the game came from Halil Altintop who was not admitted to the squad in Euro 2008 finals. Turkey had a hard time in their defense throughout the game.

-- RAMAZAN CHAMPION

Ramazan Sahin who came to Turkey three years ago from Dagestan and got Turkish citizenship last year, won a gold medal in men's free style wrestling 66 kg category in Beijing. Sahin has beaten his Cuban, Iranian and Georgian opponents until the final where he defeated an Ukrainian wrestler.

YENI SAFAK

-- AZERBAIJAN SAYS YES TO CAUCASUS ALLIANCE

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, explained Ankara's proposal for a Caucasus Alliance --aiming to ease the tension that started with the conflict in South Ossetia-- to Azerbaijani leader Aliyev in Baku. Erdogan said Russia and Georgia supported the proposal, adding that they would also talk with Armenia about the proposal.

-- KIZILAY IN TBILISI

Thousands of people who ran away from South Ossetia and Gori took refuge in 150 tents set up by Turkish Red Crescent in and around Tbilisi. So far, Turkish Red Crescent has sent 150 lorries full of humanitarian aid to the region.