Turkey-press scan on Dec. 13

ZAMAN

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EP: "POLITICAL PARTIES LAW SHOULD BE AMENDED"

European authorities continue to make statements disapproving the decision of the Constitutional Court to shut down the Democratic Society Party (DTP). European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten said that the Turkish court's decision to close down DTP was a step back for democratization. Oomen-Ruijten said that EP called on Turkey to amend the reGülation on dissolving political parties and it should have European standards.

BODIES OF OTHER MINERS RECOVERED

Search and rescue teams reached bodies of other miners who died in mine in Mustafakemalpasa town of northwestern province of Bursa. 19 workers were killed in the mine on Friday. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said that they would find out whether there is neglect of duty.

YENİ ŞAFAK

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TPAO TO EXPLORE OIL IN IRAQ

The international consortium lead by Russia's Gazprom, won the tender for the Badra oil field in Kut in Iraq's second oil licensing.

The Consortium brings together Russia's Gazprom, Korea's Kogas, Malaysia's Pertonas and Turkey's TPAO.

SHOCKING DISTRAINT OF 2 BILLION

Dogan Group announced that the ministry of finance put cautionary distraint on shares of Hurriyet, Milliyet, the magazine group and Dogan TV. The announcement said 66.5 of Hurriyet's shares were also distrained.

TÜRKİYE

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GÜL: "DEMOCRACY IS THE WAY FOR SOLUTION"

In regard to the decision to shut down Democratic Society Party (DTP), President Abdullah Gül said the problem could be overcome by means of democracy. Gül said DTP executives did not do what is necessary to protect their party. "What else can the court do? Everyone should respect the decision of the court," he said.

"WE WILL KEEP WALKING ON PATH OF INITIATIVE"

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker said that they would not abandon democratic initiative. "We are struggling for peace. We will not take backward step," he said.

HÜRRİYET

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DTP WITHDRAWS FROM PARLIAMENT

Democratic Society Party Chairman Ahmet Türk announced that 19 DTP Deputies withdrew from the parliament upon court decision to dissolve the party. The deputies will not appeal to the country, however they will not attend the parliamentary sessions.

Türk who held a press conference as the chairman of the party for the last time said:

"Those who want peace today, were labelled terrorists. The decision is not legal, it is political. This ruling which defends the status quo, has cast a series blow to our faith in peace and brotherhood."

TURKISH AIRLINES TO PAY 3 MILLION EURO ANNUALLY TO BARCELONA UNDER SPONSORSHIP DEAL

Turkish Airlines (THY) signed a sponsorship deal for three years with Barcelona, one of the top teams of world soccer. Barcelona who holds the Champions League winner title will receive 3 million Euro annually from THY.

THY officials who have been talking to Barcelona for quite sometime for the sponsorship, will sign the deal in three weeks, which will make THY the national air carrier for Barcelona.

MİLLİYET

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COURT DID NOT ASSESS 'MR. ÖCALAN' REMARK AS CRIME

In its decision to shut down Democratic Society Party, the Constitutional Court ruled that "Mr. Öcalan" alone was not enough to ban someone from politics.

When the court defined the relationship between DTP and PKK as connection rather than "organic tie", the number of DTP members banned from politics was restricted to 37.

The court banned Ahmet Türk and Aysel Tuğluk out of the eight accused DTP lawmakers, based on their position in the party and their actions.

TÜRK: WE WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRATIC POLITICS

Chairman of the dissolved Democratic Society Party Ahmet Türk who argued that the court decision was political, said, "Our party group has withdrew from the parliament."

Türk who said, "no where in our speeches, could you find a statement saying this problem will be solved through violence," adding that they would continue participating in democratic politics.

SABAH

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DTP WITHDREW FROM PARLIAMENT

Outlawed Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Türk said that DTP group withdrew from the parliament. Türk said that blood could not be washed out with blood. The decision of shutting down the party was a political one, he said. "Despite all of this, Turkey will one day embrace peace. Our hope is that this process does not take too long," he said.

TPAO TAKES FIRST STEP IN IRAQ

Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) competed with giant corporations for a tender in Iraq. TPAO won the tender for the Badra oil field in Kut in Iraq's second oil licensing round as part of the international consortium lead by Russia's Gazprom.The Consortium brings together Russia's Gazprom , Korea's Kogas, Malaysia's Pertonas and Turkey's TPAO.

VATAN

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SOLUTION CAN BE REACHED IN PARLIAMENT

Outlawed Democratic Society Party's (DTP) new road map is getting clear. DTP chairman Ahmet Türk said the party group withdrew from the parliament. Türk said, "we consider that a solution can be reached in the parliament. We will continue participating in democratic politics."

MINE WHERE 19 WORKERS KILLED NOT CLOSED DOWN

Rescue teams reached Saturday night nine more bodies of 19 miners who died in a mine in M.Kemalpaşa in northwestern province of Bursa. 10 of them who were recovered earlier were laid to rest on Saturday. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said that the mine would not be closed down for now.

RADİKAL

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"WE WANTED PEACE, BUT YOU BANNED US"

Outlawed Democratic Society Party (DTP) chairman Ahmet Türk held a press conference in front of DTP HQ in Ankara. Türk said that the decision of shutting down the party was not a legal one, but political. "DTP has been struggling to put an end to violence. Blood cannot be washed out with blood," he said.

WEATHER GETS COLDER

Weather is getting colder across the country. Snow blanketed northwestern provinces of Edirne and Kirklareli. Heavy snowfall which started in Western Thrace the previous day causes some roads to shut. Teams are working on Derekoy Customs Gate not to be blocked by heavy snow.