GOOD MORNING TURKEY - PRESS SCAN FOR OCT. 26

These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on October 26, 2009. The Hürriyet Daily News does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET

-- FLU CLOSES SCHOOLS IN ANKARA

In an effort to contain the H1N1 pandemic, primary and secondary schools were closed for a week in the Turkish capital Ankara where a 29-year-old man died of swine flu. Governor Kemal Onal said the situation would be re-considered next weekend. Schools will be disinfected this week during the recess, officials said.

-- PROTEST CONVOY AGAINST DEMOCRATIC MOVE

Around 300 drivers and riders visited the Edirnekapi Martyrdom in Istanbul with their cars and motorbikes decorated with Turkish flags. They were protesting the government's democratic move and the celebrations at the arrival of 34 people coming from northern Iraq.The protest was organized on the internet.

MILLIYET

-- JOINT DECISION

The decision to stop the return of PKK members from European countries was made during a critical telephone conversation between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and General Staff Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug. A group of PKK members were expected to return to Turkey from several European countries on October 28. Their arrival was postponed.

-- SIGNIFICANT VISIT TO SERBIA

President Abdullah Gul, the first ever Turkish president paying a state visit to Serbia since 1986 said, "A responsible attitude pursued by Serbia is of vital importance in regard to stability in the region."

-- SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR A WEEK

The governor's office in the capital Ankara announced that primary and secondary schools have been closed for a week as a precaution against a pandemic. During the week, all school buildings will be disinfected.

SABAH

-- TURKEY'S IMAM HATIP MODEL TO PAKISTAN

During Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Pakistan, Pakistani Prime Minister Raza Gilani told him, his government wanted to replace the uncontrolled madrasah system with another system for religious secondary schools, which could be supervised by the government. Gilani said Pakistan was willing to examine Turkey's imam hatip (religious high schools) system.

Erdogan presented himself as an example, saying imam hatip graduates could direct their career in different fields as these schools used normal a high school curriculum combined with religious education.

-- EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BACKS GAY REFEREE

The European Parliament has given support to Turkish referee, Halil Ibrahim Dincdag, who was discharged for being gay. Dincdag will address the parliament.

VATAN

-- GENERAL STAFF SEEKS ANSWERS TO FIVE QUESTIONS

According to reliable sources, the command echelon's response to Colonel Dursun Cicek and the “document of fundamentalism” are as follows:

"Why did they wait so long? No one should expect us to believe that they found the genuine document recently. It is not conclusive at all.

Why did they fail to send it to Ankara?

What was the reason for such a hurry? The Constitutional Court will debate the amendment paving the way for trial of military personnel by civil courts. First, we need to wait for the highest court to make a decision.

They are trying to create public pressure. If they are sure about authenticity of the document, why do they try to use it in illegal ways?

It is an illegal and irrational document."

-- ERDOGAN EXPLAINS RELIGIOUS HIGH SCHOOLS TO GILANI

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Pakistani Premier Raza Gilani as part of his official visit to Pakistan. Gilani said that at his meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan they were thinking about implementing Turkey's model of religious high schools in Pakistan to prevent religious extremism the country. After Erdogan explained the model, Pakistan decided to send a delegation to Turkey gather more information.

CUMHURIYET

-- SWINE FLU RECESS

After the number of cases increased and a person died of swine flu, the governor's office in the capital city of Ankara announced that primary and secondary schools would be closed for seven days. During the week, all school buildings will be disinfected.

-- "UNACCEPTABLE"

General Staff Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug said in regard to the welcoming of PKK members, "it is not possible to accept recent developments. I share the feelings of relatives of martyrs and veterans."

RADIKAL

-- CODE OF ERDOGAN'S VISIT: TURKEY SEEKING WAYS TO AVOID COUP IN PAKISTAN

A military coup is about to happen in Pakistan and Turkey is seeking ways to prevent a possible Pakistani military coup and convince the army to back a "national unity government."

Nearly 190 people were killed in four attacks over the past month in Islamabad. Between Oct. 12 and 15 Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug was in Pakistan's Swat district where clashes continue to take place. Raza Gilani's government is sinking fast and Chief of Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani is expected to seize the power in Pakistan.

The current government has no means to resist Kayani and a new military coup may lead to a civil war which might end up with disintegration of the country, upsetting balances in South and Central Asia. The biggest concern, however, is no one knows who is going to get control of Pakistan's nuclear bombs.

Turkey wants to do is to help Pakistan maintain stability.

-- EYES TURN ON PROSECUTOR FOR ACTION PLAN AGAINST FUNDAMENTALISM

After the original document of the "action plan to fight fundamentalism" was sent to Ergenekon prosecutors, a new legal procedure is expected to begin for Colonel Dursun Cicek, who has his signature on the paper. Prosecutor will be able to take statements of some officers again.

TURKIYE

-- "WE WILL BECOME A GLOBAL POWER"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made statements about the democratic move during his visit to Pakistan. He said that the national unity process would consolidate stability and confidence, and Turkey would become a global power. "The democratic move will put an end to our long-standing social and economic problems," he said.

-- SERBIAN BORDER TO BE OPENED

President Abdullah Gul is paying a state visit to Serbia. During his visit, several agreements will be signed by the two countries, paving the way for a new era for bilateral relations.

ZAMAN

-- COMPUTERS DELETED 35 TIMES WHEN DOCUMENT UNVEILED

The officer, who had sent the original copy of the "plot document" to Ergenekon prosecutors, told everything in his letter, sources said. According to the officer, computers at the General Staff headquarters were erased 35 times and all the documents were burned out when the document was published by newspapers.

-- ERDOGAN STEPS IN TO AVOID TENSION BETWEEN IRAN AND PAKISTAN

Turkey continues to mediate between neighboring countries who have difficulties due to acts of terrorism. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish and Pakistani officials discussed the terrorist attack that caused problems between Iran and Pakistan. Erdogan said he would travel to Iran after his visit to Pakistan and discuss the matter with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

YENI SAFAK

-- HERE IS THE LETTER

Daily YENI SAFAK found the letter of an officer who sent the original document "Action Plan against Fundamentalism" to prosecutors carrying out the Ergenekon probe. According to the letter, two high ranking military personnel gave orders to Colonel Dursun Cicek, with support from members of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The unidentified officer wrote in his letter, "I am sending this letter as a person who has served the Turkish Armed Forces for long years." According to him, the action plan was prepared by Colonel Cicek in Sept. 2007 upon orders of a general, under the auspices of another general and with the support of CHP members.

-- CHINESE CHERY TO EMPLOY FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE

Sedat Piroglu, member of the executive board of the Mermerler automotive company, which will be the distributor of China's fourth biggest auto maker Chery, said that some five thousand people would be employed at the manufacturing factory to be established by Chery in Turkey.