ZAMAN
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GOVT'S INITIATIVE SUPPORTED BY ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS
The government's democratic initiative has been supported by artists and musicians. Famous pianist and composer Tuluyhan Uğurlu said that the project of the government should be backed by all sections of community. Uğurlu said the democratic move of the government was actually a "Turkey Initiative".
TURKEY TO TAKE ON GERMANY IN 2012 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Turkey will take on Germany, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan in Group (A) in 2012 European Football Championship to be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
YENİ ŞAFAK
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NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENT NOT ABOVE LAWS, SAYS TURKISH PRESIDENT
Turkish President Abdullah Gül said a national security policy document, which enlists possible threats to country's security and unity, did not and could not stand above laws. "I would expect that the document is written according to the realities of our day. This document has been considered as if it were above the constitution. This is totally wrong. The document is neither a law nor an article of the constitution," Gül said aboard his plane to India.
TURKISH BUSINESSMAN CALLS FOR SUCCESS IN DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE
A Turkish businessman made a call for all sides to work for success in the government's democratic initiative, saying that it was an issue of the entire country. Hüsamettin Kavi, chairman of consultation board of an agency for the İstanbul European Capital of Culture, said Turkey was passing through a transformation process. "Against all odds, we are marching on the right path. But we need a civilian and a new constitution," he said.
TÜRKİYE
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GÜL: RED DOCUMENT IS NOT CONSTITUTION
President Abdullah Gül made important remarks on his way to India. He said Turkey needed to get away from the atmosphere of quarrels at once. Gül said, "We should appreciate the value of the current parliament. The people of Turkey elected and sent to the parliament a political spectrum representing all the diversities. Writing a new constitution would befit this parliament but the opportunity is missed," said Gül.
Gül who underlined that the National Security Concept Document known as the "Red Book" was not above the constitution, said such thinks were unthinkable in states with rule of law.
"THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROVOKE US"
Premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who inaugurated a private hospital in İstanbul criticized the opposition. "Those who have not built anything for this country, are making fun of the sacred values of the nation, in attempt to sabotage the brotherhood in this country. We on the other hand are working to enhance unity and solidarity," said Erdoğan.
HÜRRİYET
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"I DON'T BELIEVE IN THIS COINCIDENCE"
U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Howard Berman has scheduled a vote of his panel on "genocide" resolution on March 4. Speaking to reporters on board the plane en route from Germany to Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said he informed the Deputy Secretary of U.S. State Department, James B. Steinberg about Ankara's uneasiness on the resolution. It would not serve interests of the US, Armenia or Turkey, he said. It could block Turkey-Armenia process, he told reporters.
BAYKAL: "EARLY ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE"
Deniz Baykal, chairman of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said that early election would take place this year. Addressing members of his party assembly, Baykal said, "we will send off the ruling party. CHP will be the first party in the coming election."
MİLLİYET
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OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A NEW CONSTITUTUION IS MISSED
"We should not underestimate the current parliament. Turkey will miss this parliament in the future. The people elected and sent to the parliament a political spectrum representing all the diversities," said President Abdullah Gül before leaving for India.
He said there was a consensus for a new constitution.
"Everyone even has their own draft constitution. But the opportunity is missed. The parliament should have done this in the very beginning. I don't know what they can accomplish piece by piece now," said Gül.
"I both read and wrote the national security document. When I wrote the document at the Foreign Ministry I new it had to be changed," said Gül.
ÇUKURAMBAR MEASURES
New measures for protection of ministers are on the way following alleged assignation plot against Deputy Premier Bulent Arinc. According to the new plan, Prime Ministry Security Department will be responsible for protection of ministers instead of the police. The residences of ministers will be monitored with surveillance cameras. Two guards with uniform and an undercover guard will secure the perimeter.
SABAH
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HISTORIC PEACE IN ANKARA
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia are set announce on Tuesday in the Turkish capital, Ankara, that they would appoint ambassadors to each other's countries in a historic step for the normalization of relations in the Balkans. Bosnian and Serbian foreign minsters will meet under the mediation of their Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoğlu who has been holding intensive talks with the parts for the last five months.
GÜL SAYS PARLIAMENT HAS MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW CONSTITUION
Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gül said the Turkish parliament had missed an opportunity to make a better constitution. "Opportunity has been missed for a new constitution. This parliament could have done it in the first place," Gül said, speaking to reporters aboard his plane to India.
JAPAN TO LEND TURKEY 1-1.5 BLN USD
Tokyo will lend Turkey 1 to 1.5 billion USD with at a relatively lower cost in 2010, which is proclaimed by Ankara as "the Japanese Year in Turkey." JBIC, a Japanese credit agency, has decided to evaluate Turkey's rating grade as investable. Turkey is planning to issue bonds in yen.
VATAN
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"WE MISSED HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY"
President Abdullah Gül made important statements regarding the constitutional amendment on board the plane en route to India. Gül left Turkey for India to hold formal talks. Gül said that all political views in Turkey have been represented in the parliament. President Gül said it would have been good for the parliament to make a new constitution, but they missed such an important opportunity.
ERDOĞAN ON TURKEY'S AFRICA INITIATIVE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Turkish embassies would be established in 27 of 52 African countries till the end of 2010. Erdoğan said that they aimed to boost relations with African countries.
RADİKAL
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ALEVI INITIATIVE REPORT DRAWING CRITICISMS
A report drafted at a joint workshop between the Turkish government and leaders of the Alevi community has drawn criticisms for failing at address genuinely the problems of the Alevis in Turkey. "They have found a way to assimilate Alevis into a Sunni community. We wish them luck, if they they could have any," Ali Balkiz, head of an Alevi federation, said. A lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, Reha Camuroğlu said criticized the report over its vague stance on the status of the "Cem", Alewite religious procession. "The report is empty. What will be reGülation on dedes [Alevi religious leaders]. What about the compulsory religious courses," Camuroğlu said.
MARMARAY WORKERS PROTESTING WORK CONIDITONS, LOW WAGES
Around 200 workers at an archeological dig discovered at the construction site of İstanbul's Marmaray tunnel project have staged a protest against wages as low as 28.5 Turkish lira a day and unhealthy working conditions. Workers say they have been working without a wage increase for three years.
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