GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON AUGUST 27

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on August 27, 2008. Hurriyet English does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET

--NEW MAP IN CAUCASUS

Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev signed a critical decision dividing Georgia's territories into three, and declared that Moscow recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The policy preferred by Moscow was compared to Cyprus model that was adopted 35 years ago.

Now, Ankara is in a difficult situation. The independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are similar to that of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). If Turkey opposes Russia's decision to recognize the independence of these places, Moscow will remind TRNC to Turkey.

Also, when Turkey acknowledged Kosovo's independence, it took Russia against itself. Therefore, it is now difficult to insist on "territorial integrity of Georgia."

--15 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED, FIVE VILLAGE GUARDS DIED

Terrorists, who wanted to raid a village in Mutki town of eastern province of Bitlis, clashed with village guards. Five village guards died in the clash. When security forces intervened, 15 PKK terrorists were killed. In a separate development in Derik town of the southeastern province of Mardin, two PKK terrorists were killed. Also security forces seized 35 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and 110 grams of A-4 plastic explosives, used in bomb production.

MILLIYET

--MHP CHAIRMAN'S CALL TO AKP

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chairman Devlet Bahceli, who described the discussions on the constitution as efforts to "divert the agenda", will support the government on the implementation of a constitutional amendment that will limit the authority of the Constitutional Court.

Bahceli desires the Turkish parliament to reach a wide-base consensus on such issue. "MHP is ready to contribute to amendments that will be carried out to this end," he said.

--INTENTIONAL ACCUSATIONS HURT, GEN. KOSANER

Gendarmery General Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner implicitly referred to recent publications regarding several gendarmery officials.

"Attributing several incidents to gendarmery as a whole and showing the institution as guilty, as well as targeting the institution by developing imaginary scenarios deeply hurt our members," Kosaner said.

SABAH

--FINAL NIGHT

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce soccer teams of Turkey will say "stop or continue" for European Champions League. Galatasaray will take on Steaua Bucharest in Romanian capital of Bucharest in the third qualifying round second leg match at 8:45 p.m. Galatasaray and Steaua Bucharest drew 2-2 in the first leg in Istanbul. Fenerbahce will host FK Partizan of Serbia at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul at 9:00 p.m.

--WE NEED TURKEY

Greg Craig, adviser to Barack Obama, said that they would consult in Turkey while the U.S. troops were withdrawing from Iraq. Replying question of SABAH whether the U.S. would make a coalition while withdrawing from the region, Craig, speaking at the Democrat Party Congress in Denver, said that they would have to consult in regional countries, adding that they needed Turkey.

VATAN

--SURPRISE INTERROGATION IN ERGENEKON

Constitutional Court Acting President Osman Paksut's wife, Ferda Paksut, was called for interrogation as she spoke Turan Comez on the phone. Comez was expelled from Justice ane Development Party (AKP).

--CANKAYA DROPS TO FOURTH ROW FOR THE FIRST TIME

The June results of a public survey, which has been carried our for 11 years by TNS Piar Company, are interesting. 2,000 people answered the survey. The rate to trust in President is 57 percent. This rate was 66.1 percent in June, 2007 while Ahmet Necdet Sezer was the President. The army is at top with 84 percent, Police Department is the second with 70.8 percent, and Constitutional Court is on the third row.

CUMHURIYET

--MHP LEADER STEPS IN AGAIN

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chairman Devlet Bahceli said that the authority of the Constitutional Court, which recently annulled the headscarf amendment and decided that ruling AKP was "the focus of unsecular acts", should be re-arranged. Bahceli said that his party would support the amendments to this end.

CLASH IN BITLIS: 5 VILLAGE GUARDS KILLED

During a clash in Mutki town of the eastern province of Bitlis 5 village guards died and one was wounded. A total of 14 PKK terrorists were killed during the clash, while one terrorist surrendered to security forces. In a separate operation in Derik town of the southeastern province of Mardin, 2 terrorists were killed.

RADIKAL

--CALL FROM BAHCELI

Devlet Bahceli, the chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said that the reasons of headscarf and ruling AKP verdicts might narrow the political arena. Bahceli called for a dialogue to make a number of arrangements, including limiting authorities of the Constitutional Court.

--GEN. KOSANER COMPLAINS ABOUT LAW

Gen. Isik Kosaner, appointed as the new land forces commander of Turkey, handed over his office at the Gendarmery General Command to Gen. Atila Isik. During the hand over ceremony, Kosaner complained about European Union (EU) adjustment laws. "Authorities have been limited in fight against terrorism," he said.

YENI SAFAK

--CONSTITUTION ATTEMPT

Devlet Bahceli, the chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called for a constitutional amendment on which political parties might agree. Bahceli extended support for amending articles regulating the duties of the Constitutional Court that intervenes in the authorities of the parliament, and the article 69 of the Constitution that regulates closure of political parties.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) did not support Bahceli's call for a compromise on a constitutional amendment, whereas Bekir Bozdag, the deputy chairman of the ruling AKP group at parliament, said that they thought the proposal was positive and worth working on.

--IT WILL BE A PITY IF WE SELL IT AT A LOW PRICE

According to the head of the real estate commissioners' chamber, a plot in Atakoy neighborhood of Istanbul should not be sold at a price lower than $2.5 billion. Sabri Ates, the chairman of Real Estate Commissioners' Chamber, said, "it will be a pity if the plot is sold at a price lower than $2.5 billion."

The Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) put the plot to sale with an estimated value of 450 million YTL. Also, Eskidji, an international auctioneer that would hold the auction for TOKI, said those who were saying that the estimated value was low were right.