GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON AUGUST 30

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on August 30, 2008. Hurriyet English does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. (UPDATED)

HURRIYET

--ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS

Today is the 86th anniversary of the Great Victory. We are celebrating Aug. 30 Victory Day, which rescued the Turkish nation from captivity and gave it freedom again. Victory Day will be celebrated throughout Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and foreign representations of Turkey with a great enthusiasm. The Turkish nation will once more show its commitment to its great leader and his principles by visiting Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Ataturk, on the 86th anniversary of the victory.

--2.5 TONS OF GUNPOWDER DESTROYED BUILDING

Two explosions occurred in five minutes at the gunpowder factory of Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation in Kirikkale. Three people died and 27 others were wounded. The first explosion occurred in the two-storey building where the gunpowder mixture was being made. A second explosion followed in a temporary depot where 2.5 tons of explosives were being stored.

The temporary depot was totally destroyed. Two workers and a contractor, who were working in this area died. The explosions happened when workers were on a tea break, which prevented a bigger disaster. The explosions collapsed buildings and shattered windows of nearby buildings.

MILLIYET

--ENVIRONMENTALIST REACTION TO ERDOGAN FROM EU

The EU reacted to Premier Tayyip Erdogan, who criticized environmentalists. The EU-Turkey Joint Committee co- chairman Joost Lagendijk said Erdogan's rebuke was not acceptable for the EU. "These statements are very bad for Turkey. You cannot solve environmental problems by hitting people over the head," he said. Lagendijk said the EU would be on Turkey's tail regarding environment issues.

--8.7 P.C. RAISE TO CIVIL SERVANTS

The collective bargaining talks between the government and civil servant unions, which had been going on for days, ended in agreement. The government increased its offer by one percent, and offered a 4 percent raise for the first half and 4.5 percent for the second half of 2009, making the total cumulative increase of 8.7 percent. In January, the lowest civil servant salary will increase to 1,163 YTL and the average salary to 1,414 YTL.

VATAN

--WE ARE CELEBRATING GREAT VICTORY WITH ENTHUSIASM

A nation took action for its freedom on Aug. 26, 1922. Occupying forces were sent out of Anatolia on Aug. 30 with the Great Attack, lead by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Today, Turkey is celebrating this great victory on its 86th anniversary. President Abdullah Gul said, "The great victory is a miracle that was achieved by the will of our nation and army, pioneered by Ataturk, to protect our territories till eternity."

Premier Tayyip Erdogan said, "with the strength and courage this victory, gained by big sacrifices during a time full of impossibilities, gave us; we will protect the democratic, secular, social state of law and our Republic and maintain our efforts to carry our republic over the level of contemporary civilizations, a target set by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk."

Also, Gen. Ilker Basbug, the chief of General Staff, said, "the Great Leader Ataturk entrusted the Republic of Turkey to the Turkish Armed Forces, which will protect the republic against all types of threats with determination. As long as the armed forces remain in office, all initiatives to hamper the fundamental values of the Republic and to harm the national unity will be eradicated."

--RETALIATION TO RUSSIA

Turkey will put into effect a "retaliation package" for Russia on Monday. Russia has kept Turkish trucks waiting at the customs gates for three weeks, and caused great losses. Ankara has extended an indirect support to Georgia and let U.S. war ships pass to the Black Sea, which caused an unnamed trade war between Turkey and Russia. Russia has started to cause problems in the transportation of goods, both by sea and land. More than 1,000 Turkish trucks, carrying textile products and fruit and vegetables, have been kept waiting at the Georgian border to enter Russia.

Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said Friday that Turkey would impose sanctions on Russia as of Monday. Tuzmen said that Turkey was important for Russia's exports as a transit country. These remarks are interpreted as if Turkey might cause difficulties for Russian ships that would sail through its straits. Tuzmen implied that Russia's World Trade Organization membership could be hampered.

SABAH

--BLAST IN MKE: THREE DEAD

A huge explosion occurred at the gunpowder factory of Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) in Kirikkale. This is the second blast in 11 years. Two workers and a contractor died in the explosion. The building was totally destroyed in the blast that occurred at the depot of the factory at 2:50 p.m. on Friday. The explosion killed a contractor and workers who were showered with debris some 500 meters away from the blast. Twenty-six people were wounded. National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said, "We think that the blast was caused by a technical problem."

CUMHURIYET

--HE WAS THERE WITH SAMAST

A protected witness, who provided information about the assassination of journalist Hrant Dink, said Osman Hayal, the brother of the inciter (Yasin Hayal), was also seen in front of Agos daily, together with assassin Ogun Samast on the day of the assassination.

--8.7 P.C. BRINGS ACCORD

The government and civil servant unions reached agreement in the fifth round of collective bargaining talks. According to the agreement, the salaries of civil servants will be raised by 4 percent in the first half of the year, and 4.5 percent in the second half of the year, making the cumulative raise 8.7 percent in 2009.

RADIKAL

--GOVERNMENT REACHES ACCORD WITH CIVIL SERVANTS

The seventh term in collective bargaining talks between the government and the civil servant unions, which started on Aug. 15, ended in an accord.

According to the agreement, civil servant salaries will be raised by 4 percent in the first half of 2009, and 4.5 in the second half. The cumulative total rise will be 8.7 percent.

In January 2009, the minimum civil servant salary will be 1,163 new Turkish Liras (YTL), and it will be raised to 1,215 YTL in July. The average civil servant salary will be 1,414YTL in January and 1,478 in July.

YENI SAFAK

--BIRTHDAY LIKE A SUMMIT IN BODRUM

Russian oil billionaire Vagit Alekberov will celebrate his birthday with a party at the Rixos Hotel in Turkey's Bodrum town. He has invited heads of state of 51 countries to the party at the 7-star hotel. Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will attend the party, which some 4,000 people have been invited. Special agents have been securing the area for the birthday party that will take place on Sept. 1.

--CLOSURE CASE QUESTION TO MRS. FERDA PAKSUT

Prosecutor Mustafa Bilgili asked Ferda Paksut, wife of the Constitutional Court Vice President Osman Paksut, why she told a correspondent of Aksam newspaper that "the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) would be closed" when the closure case against the ruling party was still being heard. It has been revealed that Ferda Paksut called a number of newspapers when the closure case against the AKP was being heard, and tried to convince them to write a story that the party would be closed.

When Ferda Paksut faced difficulties in answering these questions, she turned to her husband for help. Osman Paksut joined the questioning twice and answered questions on her behalf.