TURKEY-PRESS SCAN (1)

ANKARA (A.A) - 14.04.2011 - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 14, 2011. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET
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WE ARE WALKING TOGETHER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not forgotten the team he worked with when he was the mayor of Istanbul. Erdogan nominated 41 of his comrades, from his driver to his classmate, from his adviser to his director as candidate MPs from places where they could be elected. 

THEY WANTED NEW PHOTOGRAPH FROM MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW FOR U.S. VISA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his views about several issues and gave messages during his meeting with Turkish journalists in Strasbourg. Erdogan said, "the U.S. Consulate asked my daughter-in-law to give a new photograph for a visa. Then they apologized. They should first perceive what democracy is." Erdogan said, "it was wrong for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to make a comment on Balyoz (Sledgehammer) case on its own web-site, saying 'we have a difficulty in understanding Balyoz'." 
Erdogan told a French parliamentarian at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE): "Is your friend French? But your friend is very French (meaning stranger in Turkish) to Turkey."

"KAZAN" (BOILER) FULL OF GOLD
Turkish weightlifters are getting good results and smiling at the European Weightlifting Championships in Kazan, Tatarstan. On the third day of the championships, Turkey won 17 medals, including 10 gold, four silver and four bronze. 

MILLIYET
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HE REACTED TO EVERYBODY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made statements in Strasbourg and conveyed strong messages to every section extending from the United States to France and from the military to the opposition.
Speaking to Dutch parliamentarian, Erdogan said 10 percent election threshold did not have any connection with democracy. "We will not ask about this to you," he said.
To parliamentarian of Luxembourg, Erdogan said, "you are talking about independent jurisdiction when it serves to your purpose. But you don't want it in Turkey."
To Armenian parliamentarian, Erdogan said, "your government is in serious fearfulness against diaspora. We are not afraid of anybody."
To Sarkozy, Erdogan said, "those who could not forget about the Crusades can not promise peace and toleration to their societies and to the world."

U.S. DOES NOT WANT HEADSCARVES TO BE TAKEN OFF
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his daughter and daughter-in-law had difficulty in getting visa from the United States as they were wearing headscarf. U.S. Embassy gave an immediate written response. The statement said, "the United States does not want headscarves to be taken off in visa procedures. However, there are open rules for photograph to be put to the visa. Face of those who apply should be seen openly. However, headscarf does not have to be taken off."

SABAH
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SECOND ONE MINUTE: YOU ARE FRENCH (STRANGER) TO TURKEY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave harsh messages to European parliamentarians who tried to corner him at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, France. Erdogan said, "those who cannot erase the Crusades from their memories, cannot promise peace. Racism escalating in Europe is concerning. Roma people are being expelled from France. Is this democracy? I see that there is no respect to freedom of personal belief." Erdogan also said those who make Turkey's membership a matter of discussion for their power ambition would make an injustice to their own people.
When a French parliamentarian asked a question about worship of minorities, Erdogan said, "is our friend French? She is very French (meaning stranger in Turkish) to Turkey."
Erdogan said, "you are talking about independent jurisdiction when it serves your interests, but you do not want independent jurisdiction when it comes to Turkey."

ELECTION START TO BE GIVEN AT WEEKEND
The Justice & Development (AK) Party will make public its election declaration at the weekend. The first election rally of the Republican People's Party (CHP) will be in the northern province of Samsun on April 24. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will announce its election declaration on April 19, CHP on April 22.