GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON JUNE 17

HURRIYET
-- MR ZAHID'S DOCUMENT IS FAKE
Hurriyet announced on Sept. 5, 2008 that Radio and Television Supreme Council, or RTUK, Chairman Zahid Akman was banned from entering Germany. On the same day, Akman distributed a document to the press alleging that such news was a fabrication. However, it was revealed yesterday that Akman's document was false. Deike Wichmann, a spokesperson for Main Taunus district of Germany, said that the document distributed by Akman was not the original document prepared by German authorities. Prosecutor's Office of Frankfurt has launched an investigation into the issue, Wichmann added.
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-- LESS BUT CONTINUING TAX REDUCTION ON AUTOS
The government has decided to continue with tax reductions aimed at reviving the domestic markets and reduce stocks. Tax reductions will continue until Sept. 30. The special consumption tax on motor vehicles, which was earlier cut to 18 percent, will be 27 percent for passenger cars and 3 percent for commercial vehicles from now on.
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MILLIYET
-- GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO CONTINUE TAX CUT
The government decided to continue tax cuts, which were implemented to overcome the stagnation in the economy, in four sectors. Special consumption tax reductions will continue on motor vehicles under 1,600cc. The government had earlier cut the special consumption tax on vehicles under 1,600cc to 18 percent from 37 percent for three months to mid-June. This rate will be 27 percent for passenger cars and 3 percent for commercial vehicles until Sept. 30. Tax cuts will also continue for computers, furniture and white goods.
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-- CENTRAL BANK DECREASES INTEREST RATES BY 0.5 POINT
The Central Bank of Turkey cut interest rates. At the end of its Monetary Board meeting, the Central Bank reduced the short-term interest rate by 0.5 point and the overnight borrowing interest rate to 8.75 percent, down from 9.25 percent. Also, the overnight lending interest rate was down to 11.25 percent from 11.75 percent.
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SABAH
-- FINE TUNING TO DISCOUNT
Discount in Special Consumption Tax, or OTV, and value added tax, or VAT, that has been applied for three months, was extended to Sept.30, 2009, with a fine tuning to the prices. The OTV discount on automobiles is 27 percent. The VAT on white goods and electronic devices was increased from 0 percent to 2 percent. The rate has not unchanged for computers and furniture.
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-- STRAIT ESCAPES DANGER AGAIN
An empty cargo ship heading from Israel to Ukraine crashed into the catwalk of the Feridehanim waterside residence in Anadoluhisari after its steer became locked. The ship was tugged to off shore of Buyukdere.

VATAN
-- PRESIDENT GUL APPROVES MINE LAW
President Abdullah Gul approved the law on the clearing of mine fields along the Syrian border. Under the law, which led to very tough discussions, either the Ministry of Defense or Finance Ministry will have the mines swept "by purchasing service". Or the company that wins the tender will sweep the mines within five years and then operate the fields for 44 years.
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-- GIANT SHIP CRASHES INTO FERIDEHANIM WATERSIDE RESIDENCE
The Istanbul Strait escaped danger for the third time in three weeks. An empty cargo ship weighing 2659 gross tons heading from Israel to Ukraine was dragged towards Anadoluhisari after its steering became locked. The ship crashed into catwalk of the Feridehanim waterside residence in Korfez Street.
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CUMHURIYET
-- GOVERNMENT TO STICK WITH REDUCED CONSUMPTION TAX
The government said it would continue to collect a reduced special consumption tax on vehicles of under 1,600 cc and on durable goods as part of its efforts to revive a crisis-hit economy. The tax rate, which had earlier been cut to 18 percent from 37 percent, will be 27 percent until Sept. 30. The government increased the special consumption tax on tobacco products by 50 Turkish kurus (cents).
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-- PRESIDENT APPROVES LAW ON MINE CLEARING
President Abdullah Gul ratified a law designed to clear mine fields along the border with Syria. Opposition parties have strongly criticized the law which prompted the government to introduce a number changes to an initial draft. Critics of the law have also urged Gul to return it to Parliament.
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RADIKAL
-- TAX CUT CONTINUES
Tax reductions will continue in the automotive sector, white goods, furniture and computers until October. Tax rates will increase gradually. The special consumption tax rate will be 27 percent on passenger cars under 1,600 cc.
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-- YASAR KEMAL ALSO SIGNS FOR HASANKEYF
Turkish novelist, journalist and short-story writer Yasar Kemal took part in those who said "Hasankeyf should not be destroyed." Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu criticized those opposed to the construction of Ilisu dam for the ancient city of Hasankeyf in the southeastern Anatolia. Eroglu said the construction of Ilisu Dam would not be stopped. Yasar Kemal signed the "Petition to declare Hasankeyf and Dicle (Tigris) Valley a UNESCO World Heritage Site" and said that he believed that destroying nature was the biggest crime. If the Ilisu dam is built, more than 400 kilometers of the Dicle river and its tributaries, habitat for some globally endangered species and so far undiscovered flora and fauna, will be destroyed.

YENI SAFAK
-- GIANT MUSEUM FOR ANKARA
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said the government would open a project competition to a commission for the construction of a new museum in capital Ankara. Gunay said the new museum will be built over an area of 40,000 square meters. "We will build a museum better than the British Museum," Gunay said.
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-- TURKEY TO BUY RUSSIAN ATTACK HELICOPTERS
It was revealed that Turkey was planning to purchase assault helicopters from Russia to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. A Turkish delegation was reported to have been holding talks in Moscow to buy 32 Mi28 combat helicopters.