GOOD MORNING TURKEY - PRESS SCAN FOR NOV. 6

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on Nov. 6, 2009. The Hürriyet Daily News does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET

-- WE ARE STILL AT TOP

Two Turkish soccer teams, leading their groups in the UEFA Europa League, also won on Thursday night. Galatasaray defeated FC Dinamo Bucuresti of Romania 3-0 in an away game, and Fenerbahce beat Romania's Steaua Bucuresti 3-1 in Istanbul. Thus, the two Turkish teams still continue to be at the top of their group standings.

-- AND THIS IS ATHEN’S PROTOCOL

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced, he had accepted Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to "launch initiatives at the ministerial level to solve Aegean and Cyprus issues."

In a letter he sent four days ago, Erdogan said, "we are supporting and encouraging Mehmet Ali Talat's administration for a settlement in Cyprus. You should do the same for the Greek Cypriot administration. Let's bring together our relevant ministers for the Aegean issue."

During his 45-minute meeting with Papandreou in Athens, Turkish State Minister Egemen Bagis received a response to Erdogan's letter. Papandreou said he was agreeing with all issues in the letter, and Greece was ready to work with Turkey.

-- MARINE COMMANDOS RESCUE GREEK SHIP

The TCG "Gediz" frigate, chasing pirates under the order of NATO in Somalia, rescued Greek ship "Theoforos" from pirates. The Greek ship signalled for help in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. In response, "Gediz" frigate took action immediately and Turkish marine commandos caught five pirates.

MILLIYET

-- MANGA STORM

A Turkish rock band, Manga, was chosen the "Best European Act" at MTV European Music Awards in Berlin. Turkish singer Emre Aydin had won the same prize last year. Ferman, soloist of Manga band, said, "we are taking this award on behalf of our beautiful and lonely country."

-- FOUR MORE VICTIMS OF SWINE FLU

Health Ministry reported that a 28-year-old man, two women at the age of 32 and 33, and a six-year-old girl died of swine flu. Thus, the number of swine flu victims reached 19. Nearly 80,000 people have been vaccinated in the last two days.

-- KAYSERI AND TUNCELI ARE SAME

Abdullah Gül, the fırst president to visit the southeastern province of Tunceli for the first time 19 years after Turgut Özal, was welcomed with intense interest. Gül chatted with Edibe Sahin, mayor and Democratic Society Party (DTP) memeber, in the Dersim town of Tunceli. He also listened to people’s problems. Gül said, there was no difference between Tunceli or (central Anatolian province of) Kayseri, adding that each citizen was a first class citizen of this country.

SABAH

-- GEORGE MOVE

In his letter to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, whom he referred as "Dear George," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed cooperation on issues concerning the Aegean and Cyprus, minorities and illegal migration.

Erdogan emphasized Turkey's "win-win" policy, saying, "we want a friendly partnership."

Eulogizing Papandreou's leadership, Erdogan listed Turkey's proposals, "let us exert efforts for a solution on the Cyprus question for the future of both peoples."

-- TURKISH SOLDIERS RESCUE GREEK SHIP

TCG Gediz Frigate rescued a Greek commercial ship in the Aden Gulf from Somali pirates. The forces intervened with a helicopter operation and marine commandos.

-- INFLUENZA BEAT HER UP

Two nurses with A type influenza vaccinations were hospitalized complaining about heart flutter and high blood pressure.

VATAN

-- FIRST PRESIDENT IN DJEMEVI

President Abdullah Gul, on his trip to the southeastern province of Tunceli, became the first president ever after Ataturk to visit a djemevi (prayer house for Alevis).

Cem Foundation Chairman Prof. Izzettin Dogan said, "we told Mr. Gul not to take his shoes off at the entrance if he wanted, but he said, 'I will do whatever your traditions require.' We interprete it as an acceptence of a djemevi as a prayer house. We are very pleased about his visit."

-- CHANGE MOVEMENT FOUNDERS AT CAMP

Turkey's Change Movement continues efforts to establish a party under the leadership of Mustafa Sarigul.

Hikmet Cetin, Onur Kumbaracibasi, Mehmet Mogultay and several other important names, researchers and bureaucrats are among the 40 founding members.

CUMHURIYET

-- LETTER FROM COLONEL CICEK

Colonel Dursun Cicek sent an e-mail to his close friends, ending his silence. In his message, he said, "those who intentionally bring an unprepared plan and an unsigned signature onto the agenda and judge without trial will have to pay for that." The message defined the plan as "a piece of paper," and said it was not in line with military writing techniques and working methods.

-- DOUBLE VICTORY IN EUROPE

Turkey’s Galatasaray soccer team defeated FC Dinamo Bucuresti of Romania 3-0 in their fourth game in the UEFA Europa League, and won 10 points in their group. Turkey's Fenerbahce, at the top of the Group H, beat Romania's Steaua Bucuresti 3-1 at their home stadium, the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, in Istanbul.

RADIKAL

-- FUN IN EUROPE

Two Turkish soccer teams in the UEFA Europa League each won three points last night. Galatasaray team of Turkey defeated Romania's FC Dinamo Bucuresti 3-0 in an away match. Galatasaray secured a place the next round. Also, Fenerbahce team of Turkey beat Romania's Steaua Bucuresti 3-1 in Istanbul.

-- 15 STEPS FOR DEMOCRATIC MOVE

Interior Minister Besir Atalay will speak at a session during which the general debate on the Kurdish move will be discussed in Parliament on November 10. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on November 12, will announce a series of steps comprised of 14-15 topics. Several of those topics are the steps which have been taken until today.

TURKIYE

-- EVERY ONE FIRST CLASS CITIZEN

President Abdullah Gul visited the eastern province of Tunceli. This is the first time a president is visiting Tunceli in 14 years. Gul said, "there is no difference between Edirne and Hakkari, between Sinop and Mersin, between Kayseri and Tunceli."

The president gave messages of unity and solidarity in Tunceli. Gul said, "every region has its own characteristics. Of course, we have cultural differences. However, these differences are our assets. Every one is a first-class citizen."

-- SOLUTION IS OBLIGATORY UNTIL APRIL

Turkey's European Union (EU) chief negotiator Egemen Bagis said, en route to Athens, that the most important topic of his visit was the Cyprus issue. Bagis said unless there was a settlement on Cyprus before April 2010, the opportunity for a solution would be missed.

-- GEDIZ RESCUES GREEK SHIP

Turkish frigate "Gediz," serving in the Gulf of Aden, rescued a Greek ship from pirates. Turkish troops disarmed five pirates, who attacked the Greek ship with rocket launchers.

ZAMAN

-- TURKISH NIGHT AT EUROPE

Galatasaray team of Turkey defeated Romania's FC Dinamo Bucuresti 3-0 in an away match, and guaranteed the next round. Also, Turkey’s Fenerbahce team beat Romania's Steaua Bucuresti 3-1 in Istanbul.

-- AGRICULTURE MINISTER: I DON'T EAT GMO PRODUCTS

Debates are escalating regarding the genetically modified organisms (GMO). Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker also made important statements about the issue. Noting that he thought intervention in nature was wrong, Eker said, he did not eat GMO products.

YENI SAFAK

-- THERE ARE HOMECOMINGS AGAIN, DON'T SABOTAGE IT

Homecomings from Kandil, suspended due to the Democratic Society Party's (DTP) show at Habur, will continue silently.

A second PKK group consisting of 40-50 people will come soon. There will not be any welcome receptions at the border.

-- ZERE FILE WAITS FOR SIGNATURE

Justice Ministry sent the file of cancer patient Guler Zere to Presidential Palace, recommending evaluation within the scope of "amnesty".

A forensic medical report stated Zere has having a "chronic disease." Zere will be released if the report is approved.

-- IT IS HARD FOR GENETICALLY MODIFIED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO COME

Turkish Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker said they had overcome the lack of control on the importation of genetically modified agricultural food to Turkey.

Eker said Parliament would pass a biosecurity bill soon.