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

- 11 / 10 / 2008 09:42

TURKIYE

WE ARE CAUTIOUS, DO NOT PANIC

Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said that Turkey was the safest haven in the current economic storm. "We are closely watching the crisis and we are taking steps immediately. Do not give credit to those trying to cause panic," Unakitan said. 
    
PKK SHOT AT THE BORDER

Continuous operations are being conducted in an effort to catch the terrorists that recently waged an attack on Aktutun military outpost. General Staff stated that a crowded group of terrorists, who were trying to infiltrate in Turkey to stage acts of terrorism, were neutralized by Turkish jets on Thursday. 
    
ZAMAN

GENERAL STAFF CORRECTS IGSIZ'S STATEMENT: WE HAVE NO FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

Turkish General Staff declared that the army did not have any financial problems, contrary to the recent statements of General Staff Deputy Chief Gen. Hasan Igsiz. Gen. Metin Gurak, the head of the communication department of the General Staff, said in a weekly press briefing that the outposts at the Turkish-Iraqi and Turkish-Iranian borders were being constructed again. "The construction of 13 outposts, including Aktutun, still continues and we have no financial problems on this issue," Gurak said.

WE WILL NOT DECLARE EMERGENCY RULE, PREMIER ERDOGAN

Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan clarified his stance regarding the recently discussed "emergency rule" issue. "Emergency rule had been tried previously, however it did not succeed. Neither the military nor politicians desire such a thing. We will not declare emergency rule. We will carry on our fight against terrorism within the framework of democracy, law and diplomacy," Erdogan said. 
    
YENI SAFAK

NEW ERA IN NORTH OF IRAQ

The regional administration in the north of Iraq which was warned after 17 Turkish soldiers were martyred in Aktutun attack gave signals that it would extend active assistance to Turkey in its fight against terrorist organization PKK. Necirvan Barzani, executive of the regional administration in north of Iraq, said PKK wanted to spoil relations between Turkey and Iraq. 
    
MOVIE STARS IN ANTALYA

Jacqueline Bisset, renowned international film star, arrived in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya for the 45th Golden Orange Film Festival, Turkey's biggest and the longest running film event. Academy-Award winning American actor Kevin Spacey, who is currently in the city for the festival, will share his experiences with about 200 cinema students.

VATAN

BUSINESSMEN CRITICIZE GOVERNMENT

Turkish businessmen criticized the government which was late for taking measures against global crisis. Koc Holding Executive Board Chairman Mustafa Koc said, "structure of banks has been strengthened after 2001 but I am concerned about real sector." Both domestic market and also external market have been shrinking, he said. Koc stated, "unemployment was an important problem earlier and it can appear as a bigger problem within next three months. If Turkey signs a stand-by deal with the IMF now, it can relieve markets psychologically." 
    
A LARGE GROUP OF TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED

A large group of terrorists was neutralized as they were trying to infiltrate into Turkey from the north of Iraq on Thursday night, said the Turkish General Staff in its weekly press briefing. Turkish jets hit a crowded group of terrorists as they were about to infiltrate into Turkey to stage acts of terrorism, and neutralized a number of them, said the General Staff. 
    
CUMHURIYET

SHOT AT THE BORDER

Gen. Metin Gurak, the head of the communication department of the General Staff, said that construction of 13 military outposts would be completed within this year, adding that "there were no financial problems" on this issue. Gurak also said that a crowded group of terrorists, who were trying to infiltrate in Turkey from the northern part of Iraq, were shot by Turkish jets and shells. 
    
BIG REACTION AGAINST ATTACKS

Turkish people continue to react against the recent terrorist attacks on Aktutun military outpost in Semdinli town of the southeastern province of Hakkari and a police shuttle bus in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. Protestors condemned terrorism at a demonstration held with the participation of provincial organizations of numerous political parties and NGOs in Kusadasi resort town of the western province of Aydin. A similar demonstration was also held in Mudanya town of the northwestern province of Bursa. 
    
RADIKAL

CHEAP CREDIT FOR REAL SECTOR

Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan informed journalists on the measures that would be taken against global financial crisis. Unakitan said, "real sector and small & medium enterprises would be affected by global crisis. We are working on cheap credit for them. We will also tighten financial discipline."

HURRIYET

WE SHOULD WIN THIS MATCH

The Turkish national soccer team, which desires to attend the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa, will play its third match in the qualifiers against Bosnia Herzegovina tonight. The game will take place at the BJK Inonu Stadium in Istanbul and will kick off at 9:00 p.m. local time. 
    
TWO HOURS OF WATER-SKIING FROM ISTANBUL TO BANDIRMA

World-wide known Dutch water-skier Duncan Zuun travelled from Yenikapi district of Istanbul to Bandirma port of the northwestern province of Balikesir with his skies, tying himself up to the stern of a ferryboat. During his two-hour journey, Zuun struggled with three-meter waves created by the engines of the ferry which travelled with a speed of 38 sea miles (70 km). 
    
MILLIYET

REHN: TURKEY SHOULD SPEED UP REFORM PROCESS

The 5th Bosphorus Conference on Turkey-EU relations began in Istanbul with a dinner at Britain's consulate on Friday. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said that Turkey should speed up reforms which would constitute grounds of Turkey's EU accession process. 
    
CHP CHAIRMAN COMPLAINS

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman Deniz Baykal addressed farmers at opening of agriculture fair in Salihli town of the Aegean province of Manisa and said, "you have some problems but you also voted for it (the ruling Justice and Development Party). 47 percent of the people voted in favor of them. You should not rely on lies." 
    
SABAH

DIALOGUE WITH BARZANI

Ankara will sit at the table with the regional administration in the north of Iraq in an effort to isolate terrorist organization PKK. The negotiation process, which was initiated with the regional administration last year, will include the leader of the region Massoud Barzani this time. The first meeting with Barzani is expected to be held in Arbil. 
    
100 BLN-USD OPERATION

Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan took action in order to diminish the impacts of the global crisis on Turkey. Accordingly, Turkey will offer "tax assurance" to its citizens in order to collect their assets abroad which reach nearly 100 billion USD. Unakitan also said that no inspections would be carried out regarding the citizens who bring their money to Turkey.