These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on May 11th, 2008.

- 11 / 05 / 2008 09:11

TURKIYE (RIGHT) 

 FROM GUL TO TERRORISTS: LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS

President Abdullah Gul said that Turkey did not have any hesitation in fight against terrorism. Gul said Turkey would continue its fight. "We expect the terrorists to see the realities and lay down their arms as soon as possible," he also said.

UNREST IN LEBANON, TURKS RUNNING AWAY

 When clashes go on between Hezbollah and government in Lebanon, 14 Turkish citizens were evacuated from this country on Saturday.

SIX SOLDIERS KILLED IN HAKKARI

 Four more soldiers were killed in clashes with terrorists which erupted after terrorists attacked on a gendarmery outpost in Akturun village in Semdinli. Two security officers were wounded. Earlier, two soldiers lost their lives in the clashes.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE) 

 LEYLA GENCER PASSES AWAY

 Prominent opera singer Leyla Gencer passed away at the age of 80 in Milan due to respiratory and cardiac failure. Gencer's death caused wide grief in the art community.

STUDENT ENROLLMENT QUOTAS IN UNIVERSITIES TO BE RAISED BY %25

Prof. Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, the chairman of the Higher Board of Education, said the student quotas in universities would be raised by 25 percent next year. He said first the quotas in state universities would be raised and noted that later this would be followed by a raise in quotas in private universities.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)

GALATASARAY CHAMPION

Galatsaray won the Turkcell Super League Championship Cup which made it holder of this title for the 17th time. Galatasaray went on the game against Genclerbirligi Oftas to declare itself Champion and won the game with two goals by Hakan Sukur (36) and Hakan Balta (45+) . Championship celebrations spread from the stadium to all the country.

ALL THREE ON THE RUN

 In the aftermath of the operations on Mount Qandil, terrorists laid down their arms and scattered to surrounding cities. Their leaders Behoz Erdal escaped to Haftanin while Murat Karayilan escaped to Mount Gara. Cemil Bayik infiltrated Iran and clashed with Iranian soldiers. His whereabouts and fate are not known but he was allegedly planning to seek asylum in Armenia.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT) 

 VICTORY OF BELIEF

 They had no money, no coach and no foreign players. They believed, worked hard and became the soccer champion of Turkey for the 17th time. Galatasaray soccer team defeated Genclerbirligi Oftas 2-0 and became the champion of this soccer season.

EUROPE SHOULD RESPECT JUDICIARY

 Sumru Cortoglu, the chairperson of the Council of State, responded to criticisms of Europe about the closure case against the Justice & Development (AK) Party. Cortoglu said, "they should show to independent Turkish judiciary the same respect they showed to their own judicial organs, lawsuits and verdicts."

CUMHURIYET (LEFT) 

 WE LOST THE DIVA OF THE CENTURY

Leyla Gencer, one of the biggest divas of the 20th century, died at her house in Milan on Saturday of respiratory and heart failure. Gencer's funeral will be held at the La Scala Opera in Milan on Tuesday and her body will then be cremated. Her ashes will be brought to Istanbul and spread on the Bosphorus.

ATTACK ON OUTPOST: SIX DEAD

An attack similar to the one in Daglica was staged on Akturun outpost in Semdinli town. Around 150-200 PKK terrorists from Zap, Cemco and Avasin camps crossed the border via Basya Valley and opened fire on the outpost with heavy guns. The clash between the terrorists and security forces lasted about half an hour. Soldiers Gokhan Uzun, Yurdakul Alcan, Emrah Sudut, Halil Ibrahim Atasagun, Serhat Genc and Eyup Dagtekin lost their lives in the clash. 19 terrorists were killed.

RADIKAL (LEFT)

GOOD NEWS FOR CANDIDATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Turkey will raise the number of students admitted to universities by 109,000. The number of students who will take this year's university entrance exam is 133,000 less than the previous year. Thus, students have 33 percent more chance to win the exam.

SHARE OF INTELLIGENCE WITH IRAN AGAINST PKK

 Turkey, which is staging operations in the north of Iraq by sharing intelligence with the United States, is also getting support from Iran. The intelligence that terrorist Cemil Bayik was clashing in Iran came from Tehran. In a separate development, six soldiers were killed in a clash in Semdinli.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL) 

 HERE IS THE CHAMPION

 Galatasaray soccer team grasped the championship cup for the 17th time. Cimbom (Galatasaray's nickname) feast at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium also spread to streets throughout Turkey. Fenerbahce was defeated by Trabzonspor 2-0 in an away match, whereas Besiktas and Sivasspor reached 73 points at the end of this soccer season. Thus, Besiktas got the chance to play at the UEFA Cup.

 THEY SHOULD RESPECT OUR JUDICIARY

 Sumru Cortoglu, the chairperson of the Council of State, told European Union (EU) representatives who are criticizing Turkish judiciary due to the closure case against the Justice & Development (AK) Party to "show to independent Turkish judiciary the same respect they showed to their own judicial organs."

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

COUNCIL OF STATE CRITICISES EU

 Sumru Cortoglu, president of Turkey's Council of State, criticised EU officials commenting on the dissolution case filed against Justice and Development (AK) Party. "They should show the respect they display to judiciary organs at their countries, also to Turkish courts," said Cortoglu.

AND CONSTRUCTION WAS HALTED

 The Council of State's decision for stay of execution of the construction work over the historical artifacts (which was taken two months ago) was suddenly exercised on the morning of the day UNESCO delegation would make inspections in the area. The workers who had been working on the platforms with drills in their hands till Friday, halted work with the notification handed to them by the constabulary and the inspection engineers. Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay who called Milliyet daily, said the decision of the court was exercised and the construction over the hotel section was halted. He said the excavation works in the archaeologic park partly continued. Despite Council of State's decision for stay of execution upon the application of Chamber of Architects Istanbul Branch on March 14th, Eminonu Municipality did not place the site under seal.

SABAH (LIBERAL) 

 SIX DIE IN ATTACK ON BORDER OUTPOST

 A group of 150-200 terrorists attacked on Akturun border outpost in Semdinli town of Hakkkari, on Turkey's border with Iran. The terrorists opened fire on the outpost with heavy guns. Six soldiers died in the clash, while 10 terrorists were killed. Terrorists who escaped after the attack were surrounded. 22 soldiers lost their lives when terrorists attacked the same outpost 16 years ago.

AGAIN FELIPE MASSA

Felipe Massa won the pole position for Sunday's Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix. This is the third time Massa is winning this position in the Turkish race. The grand prix will begin at 3 p.m.