GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON SEPT 20

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on September 20, 2008. Hurriyet English does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. (UPDATED)

HURRIYET
-- THIS IS THE DEMOCRATIC ETHIC
Japan's Agriculture Minister Seiichi Ota offered his resignation after the tainted rice scandal disclosed. He did not even think about urging boycott on the media organs who covered the scandal.

-- LESS THAN WHITE?
The Deniz Feneri case in Germany and the latest remarks of Prime Minister Erdogan were covered by the foreign media organs as well. The prominent English weekly the Economist published an article titled as "Less Than White?"

-- ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MENTALITY DIVIDES THE NATION
The press organizations said "This is anti-democrat. This is an unprecedented hospitality against media," on Erdogan's call.

-- DALI IN ISTANBUL
People can visit the exhibition of artworks of Salvador Dali, one of the most important artists of 20th century and also the representative of surrealism, at Sakip Sabanci Museum in Istanbul till January 20th, 2009. The exhibition was formally inaugurated by President Abdullah Gul.

-- HEAVY RAIN IN NORTH, HOT WEATHER IN SOUTH
Heavy rain has affected northern and eastern parts of the country however southern part still enjoys hot weather. Temperature was 32 degrees Celsius in southwestern resort town of Bodrum.

MILLIYET
-- DO NOT BUY THIS MAGAZINE!
Prime Minister Erdogan does not want people to by the publications that he doesn't like. A day after Erdogan's boycott call the prominent English magazine The Economist used this headline for AKP: Less than white?

-- AKP PROTECTS AKMAN
Demanding Zahid Akman's, the chairman of the Turkish media watchdog, resignation was rejected by the votes of the RTUK's members from AKP. Akman is claimed to be the courier in the Deniz Feneri case.

-- GOOD NEWS FROM USA MAKES A POSITIVE IMPACT ON IMKB
US Bank Rescue Plan has made a positive impact on stock markets including the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB). IMKB National-100 Index rose by 4.153,73 points, and stocks gained 12.89 percent in value. The index closed at 36.370,16 points.

-- SALVADOR DALI EXHIBITION OPENS IN ISTANBUL
A reception took place on Friday to inaugurate the exhibition "Salvador Dali: A surrealist in Istanbul" hosted by Sabanci University Sakip Sabanci Museum (SSM), with the sponsorship of Akbank and in cooperation with the Gala-Salvador Dali Foundation. The exhibition consists of a comprehensive retrospective of the works of Salvador Dali; in addition to 270 works including oil paintings, drawings and works of graphic art, a variety of manuscripts, photographs and other documents.

SABAH
-- 4-DAY ADDITIONAL CUSTODY PERIOD
The custody period of 19 people, who have been recently detained in 5 provinces under Operation Ergenekon, has been extended for 4 days. Among those detained, there are five lieutenants, a military student, lawyer Levent Temiz, actress Nurseli Idiz and Seyhan Soylu.

-- TURKS IN GERMANY SHOCKED BY DENIZ FENERI
We talked Turks who live in Germany about the Deniz Feneri charity fraud scandal. Turks said: "They asked for donation, we gave them. Didn't the Turkish government see this? We thought it was an official organization, wasn't it?"

-- REACTIONS TO NEWSPAPER BOYCOTT
Media organizations slammed Erdogan's call to boycott Dogan Group newspapers.

VATAN

-- MAKE YOUR CHOISE MR. TAYYIP ERDOGAN

Erdogan's call for boycott to newspapers who covered the Deniz Feneri scandal opened a debate over his law and democracy understanding. Erdogan's remarks created question marks given the fact that his rhetoric over Europe, freedom, and democracy. No democrat leader had called for boycott by now. Moreover in democratic countries leaders are tolerant to even the most harsh criticism.

-- IMKB RISES, DOLLAR FALLS

The precaution package of the Bush administration aiming at the establishment of a company that will takeover the credits of the wrecked banks, has revived the stock exchanges all over the world. The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) rose by 12.8 percent yesterday, overcoming the 4-day loss at once. Meanwhile, dollar dropped to 1.24 YTL.

THY TO FLY TO BAGHDAD AFTER 17 YEARS

Turkish Airlines (THY), which stopped its flights to Baghdad during the Gulf War, will start flying to the Iraqi capital again after 17 years. Starting from October 26th, THY will conduct 3 flights to Baghdad every week.

CUMHURIYET

-- "THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED"

The politicians and NGOs underlined Prime Minister's call in fact showed his real philosophy. The leader of CHP slammed Prime Minister. He said Erdogan picked the wrong target and if he has the power he should implement an embargo over Germany.

-- ADDITIONAL CUSTODY PERIOD IN OPERATION ERGENEKON

The interrogation of 19 people, who were taken into custody under Operation Ergenekon, continues at the relevant military and counter-terrorism branches. The custody period of 13 civilians, including lawyer Levent Temiz and actress Nurseli Idiz, has been extended.

-- "CIVILIAN DISOBEDIANCE" PROTEST IN TRNC

Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has initiated a "civilian disobedience" protest against the Turkish Cypriot government, with the support of 8 NGOs. Within the framework of the protest, electricity bills and social security premiums of employees will not be paid, motor vehicle licenses will not be issued and land registry transactions will be stopped.

RADIKAL

-- FOOTSTEPS OF FASCISM

Erdogan's call for boycott created huge reactions all over the country. In May 10, 1933 the Nazis launched a campaign against the publications they dislike and hundreds of thousands books were destroyed in three weeks.

-- PRESIDENT GUL TO VISIT USA

Turkish President Abdullah Gul will leave for New York to participate in the 63rd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Gul will address the General Assembly on September 23. Gul will hold bilateral talks with heads of state and government of various countries, and meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). During his bilateral talks, Gul will discuss international developments. Also, he will underline the importance Turkey attaches to its candidacy for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2009-2010, and ask for support for Turkey's candidacy.

YENI SAFAK

-- TURKISH AIRLINES TO FLY TO BAGHDAD AFTER 17 YEARS

Turkish Airlines (THY) will resume its flights to Baghdad after 17 years of interval. THY flights to Baghdad would begin as of October 26th. The airlines suspended its flights to that city during Gulf War in 1991. Flights will be held mutually between Istanbul and Baghdad three days a week; on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

-- WORLD WATCHES TURKEY WITH A GREAT ADMIRATION

Moody's Vice President Kristin Lindow has said Turkey has managed well global tsunami. Turkish economy has been more powerful now when compared to 2001 and that's why it was not negatively affected by global crisis, Lindow said.

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