GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON OCT 14

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in the Turkish press on Oct. 14, 2008. HotNewsTurkey does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET
--BARDAKOGLU AND CARDINAL'S CONFLICT ON GLOBAL CRISIS
Professor Ali Bardakoglu, head of the Religious Affairs Directorate, and Austrian Cardinal of the Catholic Church, Christoph Schonborn, could not agree on the reasons for the recent global economic crisis. Replying to a question after his meeting with Schonborn, Bardakoglu said that the global crisis was the "reflection of what people had done with their own hands". Contrary to Bardakoglu's remarks, Schonborn said that the crisis could be seen as "a punishment by the God".

--I DO NOT SUPPORT EU MEMBERSHIP ANYMORE, YASAR KEMAL
In an interview with German daily, Neue Osnabrucker, prominent Turkish writer Yasar Kemal said that he could no longer understand EU membership. "I do not believe that EU would contribute to the world peace. I am disappointed," he said. Kemal also said that he could not stand the expression of "moderate Islam". "There is no such thing, it is an expression made up by USA," he added.

MILLIYET
--NEW ID CARD WITH CHIP
Residents of the north-western province of Bolu began using the 'Smart ID Card' as of September 1, 2008. The new ID card with a chip has health record number, driver's license number and tax ID number on it.

--U.S. PIZZA GIANT PAPA JOHN'S TO GROW DESPITE CRISIS
U.S. pizza giant Papa John's entered the Turkish market in August. The company plans to open 50 branches in Turkey in the next five years, despite the global economic crisis. Papa John's is the third biggest pizza chain in the USA.

SABAH
--FIRST RELIEF IN MARKETS
Global measures boomed world markets, and Turkey's eyes are on deposits abroad. The U.S. plan to save markets was not convincing. However, the messages of determination of G-7, G-20 and Euro countries that convened last weekend, and the relief packages made public by Europe worth $2 trillion were a kiss of life.

World markets boomed on Monday, the U.S. Dow Jones index was up 11.01 percent and made a historic rise. The managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the peak of the crisis might have been left behind. The Turkish government has launched initiatives to bring deposits abroad back to Turkey. Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "we are taking the risk, just so this money comes back to Turkey."

VATAN
--WHAT ABOUT DENIZ FENERI?
Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into Muzaffer Eryilmaz, the mayor of Ankara's Cankaya town, and the members of the municipal assembly who are from the Republican People's Party (CHP). They are accused of bribery, embezzlement, cheating in tenders, and abusing their authority. The accusations are based on a voice recording that was revealed long after the Deniz Feneri scandal. The Interior Ministry took an appropriate step and charged two inspectors to inquire the allegations.

However, there is not any concrete development regarding the Deniz Feneri charity scandal. The first denouncement regarding the charity case was made on September 8th. Turkey requested the file from Germany by mail on October 6. Vatan daily asked the Frankfurt Prosecutor's Office about the developments. Spokesperson Doris Muller said, "we will send immediately if the file is requested from us. However, we have not received any requests so far."

--"ALL REGIONAL COUNTRIES SHOULD FIGHT AGAINST PKK"
Esfendiar Rahim Mashaie, the deputy of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad, spoke to the Vatan daily in Brussels. Mashaie said, "PKK is a terrorist organization and PEJAK is a branch of the PKK. Fight against PKK is an obligation for everybody within the framework of countering terrorism. We are doing our best. Other regional countries should also fight against it."

--"THE ONLY LOSER WILL BE PKK"
Firyad Rawanduzi, a Kurdish MP in the Iraqi parliament and the editor-in-chief of the Al-Ittihad newspaper, said that a new era had begun with the "wise diplomacy" that was launched between Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Rawanduzi said, "the PKK which could not perceive it, made a misjudgment and staged the attack that was condemned in a way that has never been seen before. The only loser will be the PKK in this new era."

CUMHURIYET
--FIRST CONTACT WITH BARZANI
Ankara is getting prepared to launch its first formal contact with Masoud Barzani, the executive of the regional administration in the north of Iraq, after the country's occupation by USA. A Turkish delegation headed by Murat Ozcelik, the special representative of Turkey to Iraq, will go to Baghdad today in order to hold talks with Barzani.

--PKK'S CAVES AND SHELTERS BOMBED
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) carry on with its wide-scale operation targeting the terrorist organization PKK. While one terrorist surrendered to Turkish security forces in the eastern province of Van, three land mines were destroyed in the southeastern province of Hakkari. Meanwhile, it was reported that several caves and shelters of PKK were bombed during TSK's recent operation.

RADIKAL
--HAD STRUCTURAL REFORMS BEEN MADE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A BETTER POSITION, NGO CHAIRMAN
Chairman of the Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM), Mehmet Buyukeksi, said that "had structural reforms been made in Turkey, we would have been in a better position." "We can turn this global economic crisis into an opportunity by maintaining our unity and solidarity," Buyukeksi noted.

--ERDOGAN CRITICIZES THOSE WHO WARNED AGAINST CRISIS
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized those who warned against an economic crisis in Turkey. "We have taken all necessary measures so that Turkey would go through the global financial crisis with the least damage," Erdogan stressed.

YENI SAFAK
--TURKEY WILL OVERCOME CRISIS MILDLY
Professor Nouriel Roubini, a lecturer at the New York University who is a Jew born in Istanbul, analyzed Turkish economy, and said he expected some Europe-oriented fluctuations in Turkey due to the global crisis. Roubini said, "I see current deficit an important factor in Turkey's economy. However, Turkey has strengthened its infrastructure more than many giant markets in the last two years. Turkey's budget deficit dropped, and its financial system is strong and resistant to money accumulation."

Roubini also said, "growth can be sustained when compared with previous terms. Turkey's regulating and auditing agencies are working well. I do not forecast a serious economic crisis, however Turkey may experience Europe-oriented fluctuations."

--LAST MESSAGE TO BARZANI
The Turkish delegation that went to Baghdad will request a joint operation against the terrorist organization PKK and extradition of terrorist Ape Huseyin. Turkish diplomats will meet Massoud Barzani, the head of the regional administration in north of Iraq, and ask him to hand over some terrorists in Hakurk and Zap who coordinated the terrorist attacks against military posts in Daglica and Aktutun. Terrorist Kadri Celik, with an alias "Ape Huseyin", is one of them. Among the measures Turkey will ask Barzani to take for fight against terrorism are logistic support and joint operation against the terrorist organization PKK.

Hurriyet