Gur from DEHAP, Tuzel from EMEP, Kozanoglu from ODP and Kocali from SDP talked about their views on the EU, and commented on the EU progress report on Turkey. They argued that the report was inadequate in reflecting shortcomings in democratic rights.

TIHV and IHD chairs argued that prime minister is not being democratic in his messages toward human rights organizations, and in his speech at the EC. They said its wrong to make a connection between voicing human rights violations and terrorism.

Military control over RTUK ceases, yet radio broadcast bans continue says the report BİA² media monitoring report. 11 cases against 13 journalists have continueed; 6 journalists have been detained during July-September period.

Incesu, a caricaturist of daily Ulkede Ozgur Gundem said the international community would not understand why daily Evrensel was fined for a caricature. Kart from the daily Cumhuriyet drew a stick man to represent the prime minister in his caricature.

Ozgur Der argued that the European Commissions progress report on Turkey only focused on the problems faced by the non-Muslims and the non-Sunni in practicing their beliefs, but completely ignored the problems of the Sunnites.

51 reporters of 11 eastern and southeastern provinces discussed responsible reporting and reporting on rights at the local media seminar by the BIA ² project. Prof. Dr. Koker, Dr. Dursun, Dr. Tosun, Duran, Madra, Haksever, Ondul made presentations.

International Publishers Association sent a letter to the Presidency of the EU and the Commission seeking their assistance in calling upon the Turkish Authorities to abandon the Armenian Genocide, a measure jeopardizing freedom of expression.

European Commission today recommens start accession negotiations with Turkey.provided that certain key legislation which is in preparation enters into force. The Commission report will be finally decided by the European Union Summit in December.

When one of the parliamentarians said that today was an historic day for Turkey and Europe, Prime Minister Erdogan said, yes, it is. We hope that our expectations will be met.

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said, We find the Commissions assessment and analysis generally balanced.

On the Personal Disarmament day, the Hope Foundation commemorates 3,000 people who die every year in Turkey through personal weapons. Gezer from the Foundation said owning weapons can only be prevented through peaceful solutions to problems.

The improvements brought about by harmonization regulations to articles on dangerous provocation and insulting the state, have been kept in the new TCK. But the new law brings about new crimes for the media members including Internet reporters.

Turkey is now ahead of some EU member states in its legal protections for detainees, said Sugden of HRW. The Turkish state resisted these changes for more than two decades, but its recent achievements have finally brought international credit.

Gun TV and Can TV were ordered off the air by RTUK for 30 days for broadcasting Kurdish songs and programs. RTUK is considering our application to broadcast in Kurdish, while at the same time, it is punishing us for Kurdish programs said Gur of Gun TV.

Sexual crimes are listed under crimes against individuals; the notion of honor is removed from the TCK; partner rape is considered punishable; domestic violence is defined as torture; the article on women marrying their rapists is removed.

While the Come On Girls, to School campaign is continuing, two sisters in the Gazlikuyu village are still working in cotton fields. The girls could not talk to the reporter since they cannot speak Turkish.

EU experts think that the meeting between Prime Minister Erdogan and EU Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen was positive. Dr. Kaleagasi and Dr. Aktar believe that the government first created an unnecessary controversy, and then cleaned up the mess.

The municipal police have no authority to warn the youth who hold hands or cuddle on the shore. The real crime being committed here is to violate peoples freedoms, said lawyer Cinmen.

Mayor Yilmaz made a press statement and denied the morality guard reports in the media. He argued that the incident was a ploy. Cakir, who reported the incident said the implementation has been going on for months and said he is behind his news story

Turkish Parliament finally adopted the controversial reform of the Turkish penal code. Although applauded exaggeratedly by Verheugen and some EU leaders because of absence of the mention of adultery, the new TCK is full of many anti-democratic articles.