TURKIYE

-----PACKAGE OF SURPRISES

26-article constitutional draft was announced on Monday. The package puts forth several radical changes. The delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek had talks with executives of opposition parties. Cicek said, "we are seeking compromise." The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said 'no' to the package of the government, however the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) supported it.


"WE CAN ATTRACT GULF CAPITAL TO TURKEY"

Vedat Akgiray, chairman of the Capital Markets Board of Turkey, said that they could attract capital in the Gulf region to Turkey. Akgiray said Gulf capital was a great opportunity for Turkey. "1.5 trillion U.S. dollars of capital is waiting there," he said.


ZAMAN

---GLOBAL GIANTS KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR DESPITE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN WORLD

At a time when some of the world's biggest airline companies are having difficulty due to the ongoing global financial crisis, Turkish companies are continuing to impress the whole world with their unbelievable achievements. After various global airline companies asked the Turkish Airlines (THY) to buy them, Turkey's TAV Airports Holding is receiving proposals from all corners of the world for partnerships. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TAV, Dr. Sani Sener, said that "despite the ongoing global crisis, TAV completed 2009 with record amounts of profits".


NO ARREST DURING NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONS MAKES ALL HAPPY

Turkey celebrated Nevruz on Sunday, March 21. In the past, Turks witnessed certain scenes of violence and clashes during Nevruz celebrations. Such scenes were not witnessed, especially in south-eastern Anatolia, in 2010 and everyone enjoyed and celebrated Nevruz without a single individual getting arrested by security forces. Overall, Turks living in different parts of the country were extremely happy to participate in Nevruz celebrations.


YENI SAFAK

--------TIME FOR CHANGE

Turkey, which is under the shadow of the September 12 coup, took the first step towards a civilian constitution. According to the package that aims to remove the securities over the will of the nation, closure of political parties will depend on permission. The package also lays down the basics of a judicial reform.


PRESIDENT CANAYDIN PASSES AWAY

Galatasaray soccer club's former president Ozhan Canaydin, who had been fighting with pancreatic cancer for 2.5 years, lost the battle. Canaydin lost his life in the northwestern province of Bursa where he had been receiving treatment.

VATAN

---FUGITIVE BROTHERS MEET IN PARIS

Hakan Uzan, who has been on Interpol's wanted list for 6.5 years, came to Paris with a special permission he got for the Libananco case.

Uzan, who arrived in Paris with a private jet, passed through the security check freely thanks to the special travel document he got from the International Arbitration Tribunal.

After checking in the royal suite of Plaza Athenee, one of the most luxurious hotels in the French capital, Hakan Uzan met with his brother Cem Uzan at the famous Chez Benoit restaurant Sunday evening.

Uzan brothers will today make depositions to the International Arbitration Tribunal within the scope of the Libananco case which may force Turkey to pay a 21.5 billion USD compensation.


BALANCE ON KNIFE EDGE IN REFERENDUM ISSUE

If several members of Justice and Development (AK) Party, who feel "uncomfortable" with the constitutional amendments made public yesterday, say "No" to the package, referendum will be in danger. Therefore, eyes are set on Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

There were no surprises neither in AK Party's 22-article constitutional amendment package, nor the opposition's stance on the issue. Representatives of the government knew that visits to Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) would not yield to any results. BDP is the only party that left the door open for an agreement.


CUMHURIYET

--------CHP FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has filed a complaint with the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In its complaint, the CHP executives said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Armenians rather than facilitating an effective diplomacy against countries that have accepted Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915. Prime Minister Erdogan had said that Turkey might have to deport 100,000 illegal Armenians living in Turkey if the Armenians did not distance themselves from the Armenian diaspora, one that constantly worked against Turkey and tried to have various parliaments adopt resolutions that supported Armenian allegations and arguments on the incidents of 1915.


RADIKAL

-----CONSTITUTION PACKAGE ANNOUNCED

Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin and Justice and Development (AK) Party deputy group chairman Bekir Bozdag announced 23-article constitution package on Monday. Later they knocked on the door of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), but CHP did not support it. They also held talks with executives of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). President Hasan Gerceker of the Court of Appeals said that the arrangements regarding jurisdiction in the Constitutional amendment package were against Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.


BURSASPOR FIVE POINTS AHEAD OF GALATASARAY

Bursaspor, leaders of Turkcell Super League, defeated Denizlispor 2-1 at a home match last night. Bursaspor are five points ahead of Galatasaray and six points ahead of Fenerbahce and Besiktas.

HURRIYET

------ALL OR NOTHING

It is proposed in Justice and Development (AK) Party's 26-article constitution package draft that all amendments should be put to referendum as a whole. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman Deniz Baykal said last week that the articles should not be voted as a package. However the package includes an article which says "if the bill is to be put to referendum, it will be voted as a whole". President Hasan Gerceker of the Court of Appeals said that the arrangements regarding jurisdiction in the Constitutional amendment package were against the Constitution.


WE LOSE CANAYDIN

Ozhan Canaydin, former president of Galatasaray soccer club, died on Monday. Canaydin who had pancreas cancer was receiving medical treatment at Bursa Acibadem Hospital for nearly two and a half years. Canaydin died at the age of 67 in Bursa.


MILLIYET

------IT IS AGAINST SEPARATION OF POWERS

High jurisdiction reacted harshly to the government's constitutional amendments package. Hasan Gerceker, the head of the Supreme Court of Appeals, said that the envisaged regulations were against the principle of separation of powers laid down in the constitution's irrevocable article. "These amendments mean capturing the jurisdiction," Gerceker said.


WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO CHANGES

Commenting on constitutional amendments, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said that politics was currently having a historical test. "Our aim is to strengthen the sovereignty of the nation," Cicek said.

"I would also like to express that we are open to changes during our committee discussions that are presented to the parliament as a proposal," he added.


WHY THIS PERSISTENCE?

Legists criticize the presentation of irrelevant issues such as women's rights, collective agreement right to civil servants and "high jurisdiction" in a referendum package.

Prof. Suheyl Donay said that the expression in the constitutional amendment draft, which envisages the "voting of the bill as a whole if it is put to referendum", was in accordance with the law.

"However, being in accordance with law and non-conformity with the general principles of law are two different things. Citizens may approve one article, but disapprove another. This will cause great problems," Donay said.


SABAH

---GREAT LOSS

Former president of Turkey's Galatasaray football club, Ozhan Canaydin, passed away on Monday night. Canaydin made significant contributions to Galatasaray during his tenure between 2002-2008. Canaydin died of pancreatic cancer. He was receiving medical treatment for the past 2.5 years.


TURKEY GETTING PREPARED FOR 'NEGOTIATOR POLICE OFFICERS'

The Interior Ministry will train new police officers in the fields of communication and mass psychology. The 'negotiator police officers' will reduce tension in the streets of Turkey.
 

AA