These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on May 12th, 2008.

- 12 / 05 / 2008 08:29

TURKIYE (RIGHT)

TILL TERRORISM IS EXTIRPATED

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they would not make any concessions from Turkey's fight against the terrorist organization. "Our struggle will continue till terrorism is extirpated and all members of the PKK lay their weapons. We cannot remain silent and indifferent," Prime Minister Erdogan said. 
    
TRAITORS UNDER FIRE

The Turkish Armed Forces has been tracking down the PKK terrorists who killed six Turkish troops in an attack on a gendarmerie station in the southeastern city of Hakkari. Warplanes and artillery units struck rebel targets in the Avasin-Basyan area in northern Iraq and destroyed communication and propaganda center of the organization. A number of PKK terrorists were killed in the air strikes. 
    
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)

TURKEY BECOMES HOPE FOR GOLAN

Turkey's initiatives for start of peace talks between Syria and Israel to settle conflict on Golan Heights became a new hope for the region. Even if there is not an open support from the U.S. administration, the parties are positive towards efforts of Turkey for mediation. 
    
TURKISH SOLDIERS DESTROY PROPAGANDA CENTER OF PKK

Cross-border operation of the Turkish Armed Forces against terror targets continue. General Staff continuously informs public about the operations. General Staff said PKK's press and propaganda center was destroyed during the operation on Avasin-Basyan region. 
    
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)

BROADCAST FROM QANDIL STOPS

PKK terrorist organization's head escaped and also it gave big losses in air operation of Turkey. PKK's propaganda weapon was also shut down. Transmitters for Roj TV's broadcast in Denmark were destroyed. 
    
THEIR SPIRIT MADE GALATASARAY CHAMPIONS

Galatasaray's President Adnan Polat, who celebrated the championship of the team till morning, said, "some said Galatasaray had died. They said Galatasaray did not have a coach. But they did not count the spirit of Galatasaray." Polat said, "Galatasaray is the only team in the world which became champions without having a coach. Their spirit brought the championship to Galatasaray."

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)

HE WANTED TURKISH PASSPORT

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa of Ferrari won Petrol Ofisi Turkey Grand Prix which is the fifth race of the season in F1 World Championship. McLaren's British driver Lewis Hamilton became second, while Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikonnen completed the race in the third place. Massa, who won his first championship in Istanbul in 2006, won the race this year like he did in 2007 too; and made "hat trick". Massa said he wanted Turkish passport, and he received his cup from Turkish President Abdullah Gul. 
    
GOODBYE HAKAN SUKUR

Galatasaray soccer team's administration will break ties with Hakan Sukur, 37-year-old captain of the team. Sukur is planning to play soccer for at least one more year although his contract with Galatasaray has ended. As Sukur will continue to play football, a jubilee will not be held for him. Sukur, who was not capped for Euro 2008, would probably sign for a team in Qatar. 
    
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)

MEMORIAL AT LA SCALA FOR LA DIVA TURCA

Italian famous La Scala Opera will hold a memorial at the Santa Babila Church in Milan for Leyla Gencer, one of the most talented divas of the 20th century. Gencer, who was known as La Diva Turca, died of respiratory problems and heart failure at her home at the age of 80. Her body will be cremated and her ashes will then be brought to Istanbul to be scattered over the Bogazici, in line with her wishes. 
    
TURKEY TO ACT AS OBSERVER

Turkey said it was positive, but deliberate regarding France's project for a Mediterranean Union. Turkey does not want to take place among founders of the Union since it could subordinate its EU membership process. Therefore, Turkey will attend the opening meeting in Barcelona on July 13th as an "observer". 
    
RADIKAL (LEFT)

SINCERITY EXAM OF GOVERNMENT WITH EU

The European Union negotiations face difficulty as police and gendarme resist to get inspected by an autonomous committee related with violation of rights. Political will may be necessary to prevent a probable crisis. The 24th chapter heading of membership talks with the EU titled, "Justice, Freedom, Security" signals problems. According to the chapter heading, an autonomous committee including esteemed people, vocational organizations, and representatives of human rights organizations, will inspect security forces. 
    
OPERATION WHOLE WEEKEND

Turkish Armed Forces staged uninterrupted operations through the weekend after a terrorist raid on a military outpost. Avasin Basyan was under artillery and warplane fire. 500 commandoes were sent to the region for an operation against the terrorist group that raided the military outpost, killing 6 soldiers.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)

HAT TRICK FROM MASSA

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa of Ferrari won Petrol Ofisi Turkey Grand Prix, which is the fifth race of the season in F1 World Championship, for the third time. McLaren's British driver Lewis Hamilton became second, while Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen completed the race in the third place. 
    
THEY BECAME CRAZY TILL MORNING

Supporters of Galatasaray celebrated the championship of their team till morning. Galatasaray club president Adnan Polat praised the players of the team, and said, "this championship can be a thesis subject." 
    
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)

FAREWELL

Six young men who lost their lives in the PKK's latest attack on a gendarmerie station in the southeastern city of Hakkari, were laid to rest in their hometowns. Thousands of people took to the streets to attend their tearful funeral. They chanted slogans damning the terrorist organization. 
    
SIX-HOUR IN HELL

Residents of a village where nearly 200 PKK terrorists attacked on a gendarmerie station and killed six Turkish troops, said that clashes lasted for six hours. Villagers said that terrorists opened fire also on their houses, and they had to hide under beds to survive. Meanwhile, Turkish military said that it launched overnight air and artillery attacks, and targets proven to belong to the PKK terrorist organization in northern Iraq were put under heavy fire. 
    
MASSA AGAIN

Ferrari's Felipe Massa won the Turkish Grand Prix from pole position for the third year in a row. The Brazilian finished 3.7 seconds ahead of the McLaren's British driver Lewis Hamilton, who had to make an extra third pitstop because of concern that his front right tyre could not take the punishment. Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen finished a close third and saw his overall lead trimmed to seven points from nine. 
    
SABAH (LIBERAL)

HISTORICAL EXCHANGE

65,000 title deeds, inherited by the grandfathers, between Turkey and Syria will be exchanged. Turks will at least have an advantage of 20 billion USD. According to the executives of national estate, talks have started for the exchange of 15,000 immoveables of Syrians in Turkey and 50,000 immoveables of Turks in Syria. Value of immoveables of Syrians in Hatay and environs is estimated to be 10 billion USD. On the other hand, immoveables of Turks are estimated to be 30-50 billion USD. 
    
QUEEN WILL BE IN TURKEY AFTER 37 YEARS

Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom will pay a formal visit to Turkey after 37 years. Speaking about Mustafa Kemal Ataturk at her earlier visit, Elizabeth said, "I did not know he was so handsome". 
    
PKK'S PRESS CENTER RAZED

Camps of PKK terrorists, who raided Aktutun military outpost, were razed down. Press and propaganda centers of the organization were destroyed.