GOOD MORNING--TURKEY PRESS SCAN ON APR 27

HURRIYET

-- ERDOGAN TAKES A STEP BACK

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan implied that he may not insist on a constitutional amendment that would make political party closures difficult. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Erdogan said that Justice and Development Party (AKP) had not yet decided whether or not to take a step for a constitutional amendment on the matter of party closures. "My meetings with AKP deputies continue. I am listening to their suggestions," Erdogan also said.

-- CHP CONTINUES WITH BAYKAL

Turkish Republican People's Party (CHP) elected Deniz Baykal as its chairman at CHP's 32nd Convention in Ankara on Saturday. Baykal received the votes of 1,021 delegates and became CHP's leader for the 10th time.


MILLIYET

-- U.S.: WE DON'T TAKE SIDES

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried, who gave important messages about Turkey, said that they do not want to take sides regarding the debates in Turkish agenda. Fried said that disagreement should be solved in a coherent way with democracy and secular system.

-- 10TH BAYKAL TERM IN CHP

During the 32nd convention of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal was re-elected as the chairman of the party. Baykal ran for the position as a single candidate, and was elected for the tenth time with votes of 1,021 delegates.


SABAH

-- ISLAM IS MORE BEAUTIFUL WITH SECULARISM

Deniz Baykal was elected as chairman of Republican People's Party (CHP) for the tenth time. Baykal made a speech that lasted for two hours and 45 minutes during the convention. He said, "currently, there is a secularism and democracy crisis" and he added, "mosques and call for prayers will be free and the state will be secular. You will live your religion and protect secularism."


-- REAL TEST CONVICTS

45 workers of a printing house, which will print the questions of OKS and SBS tests, will be locked in for 34 days, and they will not hear from their relatives even if they die. Questions of OKS and SBS tests, which will set the destiny of 2,915,000 students this year, will be printed in a test center 32 kilometers away from Ankara. Communication of the workers of the center will be completely cut.

VATAN

-- TURKEY LOCKED ON DERBY

The derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce soccer clubs kicks off on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Istanbul. Tickets are being sold for 1,000 YTL in the black market. Both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have 70 points in Turkcell Super League. Rain is expected during tonight's game in Istanbul.

-- ONCE COMPLETED, GAP PROJECT WILL EMPLOY 3.8 MILLION INDIVIDUALS, SIMSEK

Turkish State Minister Mehmet Simsek said that "once completed, the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP) will employ 3.8 million individuals". "GAP will be completed within 4-5 years. This project is not merely about irrigation and energy. It has transportation and education dimensions as well," Simsek stressed.


CUMHURIYET

-- ERDOGAN: THERE IS A DEMAND FROM ISRAEL AND SYRIA

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who paid a one-day visit to Syria to attend Turkey-Syria Economic Forum, said that they launched an initiative to bring Syria and Israel together. Erdogan said that both sides had demands regarding Golan Heights which was the source of tension.

-- TURKEY TURNS EYE ON BIG GAME

Heart of Turkish soccer will beat in Mecidiyekoy today. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce soccer teams, which share the first two rows in Turkcell Super League, will play a match at Ali Sami Yen Stadium. The match will take place at 7:00 p.m.


RADIKAL

-- ERDOGAN MEDIATOR FOR SUMMIT

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, said that they were trying to bring Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Syrian leader together. Erdogan said that he would convey Asad's message to Israel through an official. He added, "the U.S. and Syria are holding high-level meetings."


-- SUPER EXCITEMENT IN SUPER LEAGUE

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray soccer teams will play a match at 7:00 p.m. in Ali Sami Yen Stadium today in Turkcell Super League.

YENI SAFAK

-- DERBY OF CENTURY

Galatasaray and Fenerbahce soccer teams are set to play in Turkcell Super League competition on Sunday evening. This will be the 100th game the two clubs played against each other in a rivalry that goes back 99 years. While all tickets have been sold out weeks ago, 4,000 police officers will be on guard during the game. 89 security cameras will also help keep the crowd under control. Winner of tonight's game will gain an advantage in becoming the champions this year. The referee of tonight's game is Firat Aydinus and the game kicks off at 7 p.m..

-- ISLAMIC PROMISES

Having been re-elected as the chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Deniz Baykal made Islamic promises on Saturday. "All calls for prayer and mosques will be free. Every one will go to Mecca for Hajj freely. Turkey will become the country where Islam is lived in the best way possible," Baykal said.