GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON JULY 16

HURRIYET

--TUSIAD OFFERS A WOMAN PARTNER FOR EU TALKS

A report prepared by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey said there was gender inequality in the area of education and working life. The report proposed that "a woman co-chief negotiator" should serve for the EU talks. Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag, chairperson of TUSIAD, said there was need for a sound political will to boost the status of women in education, employment and politics.

--PROF. CETIN OZEK PASSES AWAY

Prof. Dr. Cetin Ozek, who was one of the most prominent law experts of Turkey, died at the age of 74. Ozek who worked as a lecturer at Istanbul University until 1999 was known for his political struggle for democracy.

MILLIYET

--OCALAN IS ALSO IN THE INDICTMENT

Prosecutor Zekeriya Oz, who prepared the Ergenekon indictment, said Ergenekon, comprising of leftist, rightist, radical, and radical fundamentalist groups, also had relations with the PKK.

According to the indictment, the Ergenekon organization, targets to become "the secret sovereign power" in Turkey. It was also alleged that the organization was not only planning a coup against Justice and Development Party (AKP) but also had planned a coup against the coalition government led by ex-prime minister Bulent Ecevit.

--22 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED IN INCEBEL
Turkish General Staff said 22 terrorists, including a leading member of the PKK, had been killed during security operations in Incebel mountainous region in the southeastern province of Sirnak from July 11 to 14.

The General Staff also stated that hide-outs of terrorists in the region were destroyed, and their weapons and ammunitions were seized.

SABAH

--TWO TURKISH ENGINEERS KIDNAPPED

Two Turkish engineers Erhan Gunduz and Gokhan Gul, who were working for the Gulsen Construction Company that is building a road at the Iran-Afghanistan border, were kidnapped after their vehicle was forced to stop.

Gul was reported to be the cousin of the owner of the company.

--HEAVY BLOW ON PKK

Turkish security forces launched an operation in the Incebel Mountains against a group of terrorists who was trying to infiltrate from northern Iraq. A total of 22 PKK terrorists were killed in four days.

VATAN

--IMF ON THE AGENDA AGAIN

In regard to the relations with the IMF, State Minister Mehmet Simsek said, "I always said we don't need IMF resources. But if signing a precautionary stand-by deal with the IMF is to serve the interests of the country, we will sign it." Speaking on Turkey's new economic program in the first half of 2008 at a meeting organized by the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) in Istanbul, Simsek said that the flow of direct capital into Turkey has slowed down in the recent period.

--22 PKK TERRORISTS KILLED IN SIRNAK IN LAST THREE DAYS

Turkish General Staff said 22 PKK terrorists had been killed during security operations in Incebel’s mountainous region in the southeastern province of Sirnak from July 11 to 14.

CUMHURIYET

--AYGUN RECEIVES A JOYFUL WELCOME

Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun said he has always been against the idea of a military coup. Aygun, who was detained under the operation Ergenekon, was released on Monday night. Holding a news conference at the ATO headquarters in Ankara, Aygun said he had full confidence in the Turkish judiciary.

--22 TERRORISTS KILLED IN SIRNAK

Security forces which have carried out operations that dealt another major blow to the terrorist organization. The General Staff said 22 terrorists including a leading member of the PKK were killed during security operations in Incebel’s mountainous region in Sirnak between July 11 and 14.

RADIKAL

--FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF ERGENEKON ORGANIZATION COULD NOT BE REVEALED

As the Ergenekon indictment is under examination in the court, new striking information was obtained about the organization.

The organization, planning to be a "secret sovereign power", also had relations with the terrorist PKK organization. It also planned a coup during the period of Bulent Ecevit.

The organization was being held responsible for hundreds of murders from 1991 to 2007. However, the financial resources of the organization could not be revealed. There is the suspicion that Ergenekon had obtained its funds through drug smuggling.

--GUIZA OFFICIALLY JOINS FENERBAHCE

Daniel Guiza, the top scorer of the Spanish soccer league, La Liga playing with Real Mallorca last season, officially joined the Turkish Super League team, Fenerbahce.

Guiza signed a 4-year contract with Fenerbahce. Fenerbahce paid 14 million euro to Spanish club Mallorca for Guiza.

YENI SAFAK

--TWO TURKISH ENGINEERS KIDNAPPED IN AFGHANISTAN

Two Turkish engineers working on a project in Islam Kala town, one of the important trade regions of Afghanistan, were kidnapped. The passports of the engineers were found inside their abandoned vehicle. Police believe it could be Taleban who kidnapped the Turkish engineers.

--SECRET WITNESSES TO SPEAK LIKE "YUKI"

The witness protection program will be used in the Ergenekon case for the first time in Turkey. Censored audiovisual records of 17 witnesses, who were given code names and whose identities are kept secret, would be shown on the court chamber.

Such a procedure was first implemented in Turkey by announcer Orhan Boran in 1960's. He achieved it by playing the tape recording in high speed and called his witness "Yuki".