GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON SEPT 2

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on September 2, 2008. Hurriyet English does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET

--RETALIATION AGAINST RUSSIA NOT APPROVED

The announcement made by State Minister Kursad Tuzmen that Turkey has put a package of trade measures into action against Russia was not approved by the Council of Ministers. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said Kursad Tuzmen conveyed his demand on the matter, but the cabinet did not make a positive response to him. Cicek said he hoped recent trade problems between Turkey and Russia would be resolved during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's scheduled visit to Turkey on Tuesday.

-- 1.7 MLN STUDENTS START SCHOOL

Nearly 1.7 million preschool and first-grade primary school students started education on Monday after a long holiday. They started education one week earlier than other students to attend "orientation program" that will continue till September 5th. 2008-2009 education year will begin on September 8.

MILLIYET

--WE CAN NOT IGNORE RUSSIA, ERDOGAN

In an interview with Milliyet daily, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that "certain circles want to push Turkey into a corner either with the United States or Russia after the Georgian incident."

"One of the sides is our closest ally, the United States. The other side is Russia with which we have an important trade volume. We would act in accordance with what Turkey's national interests necessitate," Erdogan noted. "We can not ignore Russia due to our economic and commercial relations. Turkey would pursue a balance based on its national interests. It would not be right for Turkey to be pushed towards any side," Erdogan added.

--CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OVERSEAS WOULD BOOST TURKISH EXPORTS

Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) is preparing new projects to boost Turkish exports. One of the projects has to do with encouraging Turkish contractors to utilize Turkish products in construction projects overseas. Chairman of the Turkish Contractors Union, Erdal Eren, said that they are ready to cooperate with TIM.

SABAH

--CABINET BLOCKS RETALIATION

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said that the cabinet rejected the offer to check over Russian goods one by one at customs.

"We want to maintain relations in a good way. Russian Federation is important for us. We will discuss these issues with the Russian foreign minister," he said.

--BLOOD ALERT AT RED CRESCENT

Turkish Red Crescent was alarmed when three major cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) almost ran out of blood stock. Tekin Kucukali, president of the organization, said that blood donation centers will be open until midnight. Red Crescent plans to set up tents in front of major mosques for blood donation.

VATAN

--TUZMEN'S ANNOUNCEMENT NOT APPROVED BY CABINET

State Minister Kursad Tuzmen announced that Turkey began implementing reciprocal measures in response to a recent increase in security measures leveled by Russia against Turkish exporters. But the government did not approve Tuzmen's announcement. State Minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek said the cabinet did not make a decision to take any measures against Russia. Cicek said they hoped that the problem would be solved by means of dialogue.

--SURPRISING SUMMIT IN SYRIA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a formal visit to Syria this week. Erdogan will attend a surprising summit in Damascus on Thursday. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Qatari Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani are expected to participate in the summit to be hosted by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad. The summit will focus on Caucasus and Middle East.

CUMHURIYET

--DESTINATION CHANGES FOR TURKISH WORKERS

Turkish workers move to foreign lands since the 1960s due to social and economic reasons. While Germany was the favorite destination of Turkish workers in the early 1970s, Russia has become Turks' favorite destination in 2007. Russia is being followed by Kazakhstan and Iraq as the favorite destination of Turkish workers in the 21st century.

--RETALIATION FIASCO

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) did not undertake a risk by not retaliating against Russia which blocked the entry of hundreds of Turkish trucks into the country. The Council of Ministers on Monday did not decide on retaliating against the Russians, a move contrary to what State Minister Kursad Tuzmen had said earlier.

RADIKAL

--GUL TO GO TO MATCH

Turkey has not established diplomatic relation with its neighbor Armenia but it will have formal contact in presidential level on the occasion of a football match. President Abdullah Gul will accept Armenian President Serzh Sargsian's invitation for the match between Turkey and Armenia in 2010 World Cup qualifier on September 6th in Yerevan. Gul will discuss Karabakh dispute and Turkish offer to establish a stability platform with Sargsian.

--BELIEVE OR NOT! CHP TO CHANGE

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Deniz Baykal will complete amendments to his party's bylaws by the end of this year to compete in 2009 local elections as a party that is "dynamic and has vision". CHP executives decided not to continue the race with jaded candidates.

--DON'T GET SURPRISED IF YOU SEE A SIZE 200 SHOE

Istanbul, which is familiar with street art, is set to witness another extraordinary artistic activity following "Cow Parade" and "Tulip Sculptures". Shoe-Art 2008 exhibition will display giant stiletto shoes, designed by 100 artists, for two months in different parts of the city.

YENI SAFAK

--"NO ONE CAN BE FORCED TO OBSERVE FAST"

Ali Bardakoglu, head of the department of religious affairs, said that Turkey is a country of freedom.

"It is quite nefarious if someone faces pressure for observing or not observing fast," he said on the occasion of the start of Ramadan, the holy month of Muslims.

--CALIK OK WITH AMOUNT OF MONEY PAID FOR ATV-SABAH

Ahmet Calik, chairman of Calik Holding, spoke for the first time after acquisition of ATV and Sabah media group.

"The asset we bought is the second largest media group of Turkey. We carried out feasibility studies before the acquisition. It is really hard to establish such media companies from the beginning," he said.

"I do not think that the price was too high," Calik added. "It is a profitable investment."