ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 30, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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U.S. APOLOGIZES FOR TEAM
United States apologized from Ankara for the statements it made that they captured Turkish teams entering to Kirkuk with weapons.
U.S. Colonel in Kirkuk Bill Mayville last Wednesday stated that Turkish special forces in the aid convoy wanted to bring weapons to the city, yet that they were captured and deported.
Turkish side insistently said sending weapons was out of question, and that Turkish special teams brought their own weapons together with them aiming to provide security.

GUL CONVEYS U.S. MESSAGE TO DAMASCUS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul conveyed important messages of the United States during his one-day visit to Damascus. It was reported that the messages included warnings such as ''support regional peace, cut aid to Hezbollah, and don't shelter illegal Iraqis.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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DUTCH THREW UP THE SPONGE
Dutch member of European Parliament Arie M. Oostlander, who wrote a report as ''Kemalism is an obstacle for the European Union'', is criticized harshly by his colleagues. Oostlander stepped back upon those criticisms which were ''This is inquisition understanding'' and ''You do not know Turkey''.

ERDOGAN WAS PREPARED FOR NSC AS WELL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend National Security Council (NSC) today with the list of appointments which were done by current and former governments. Erdogan can say that he understands the sensitivity towards headscarf issue and is careful with it and he can emphasize that he is expecting the same approach during the meeting.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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HELICOPTER CRASHES: FOUR DIE
A military helicopter crashed near Bedre village in Egirdir Township in Mediterranean Isparta province after hitting into a high voltage line. Two first lieutenants, one lieutenant, and one non-commissioned officer died in the helicopter that burned. It was stated that a second helicopter, which came after the first one, escaped in the last minute from crashing.

''STOP'' TO RED CRESCENT IN KIRKUK
U.S. soldiers stopped Red Crescent convoy in entrance of Kirkuk which was carrying humanitarian aid with the suspicion that it carries weapons.
Two parliamentarians in the convoy intervened in the U.S. soldiers who tried to open and examine the packages in seven trucks one by one. Soldiers gave up examining when the two parliamentarians opposed. Convoy could reach Baghdad in the evening.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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KEMALISM LESSON
Turkey Report of the Dutch Christian Democrat Parliamentarian Ooslander which targeted Kemalism was heavily criticized at the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission yesterday. Representatives of political groups in European Parliament stressed that it would be a mistake to perceive Kemalism on a negative basis, adding that Ataturk and his principles were respected not only in Turkey, but in whole Europe and the world. Representatives commented that ''some circles in Turkey try to reject the inheritance of Kemalism. No support should be given to them. Turkey's direction should continue to be in the West.''

SECOND CASE FILED AGAINST DEHAP
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor filed a second suit against People's Democracy Party (DEHAP) saying that the party became the focus of activities taken against the indivisible integrity of the state with its nation and state. Kanadoglu had earlier filed a suit against the same party requesting its closure and asserted that the party became the centre of activities taken against the principles of the democratic republic.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GREEK CYPRIOT VISITORS LEAVE 2.5 MILLION U.S. DOLLARS TO TRNC IN SIX DAYS
Enthusiasm continues increasingly on Cyprus after Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) released passages between the two sections. A serious cash entrance was provided to TRNC. Greek Cypriot visitors left 2.5 million U.S. dollars till Monday evening. Turkey allocated 520 trillion lira to TRNC, where there is economic embargo, from its budget.

GUL VISITED SYRIA Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who met with Syrian leader Bashar Assad, told those who criticized the visit that, ''our direction is to integrate with the EU.'' Assad will be in Turkey by end of summer.

CULTURE-TOURISM MINISTER IS MUMCU
Distribution of missions were made after unification of Culture and Tourism ministries. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the decree about appointment of Erkan Mumcu as culture and Tourism Minister and appointment of Guldal Aksit as minister of state responsible for problems of women, children and handicapped.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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FOREIGN MINISTER GUL: ''WE DON'T SEARCH FOR ANY NEW DIRECTION''
Foreign Minister met with Syrian President Assad and Syrian Foreign Minister Shara yesterday. Speaking in the joint news conference with his Syrian counterpart, Foreign Minister Gul said that it was pleasing to see the warming up in the relations between the U.S. and Syria. Regarding the criticisms as to whether Turkey was turning its face from the West, Foreign Minister Gul said that ''our direction is known and we don't search for any new direction.'' Inviting Assad to Turkey, Gul said that it was natural for neighbours to develop their relations.

TWO MORE GATES OPENED IN TRNC FOR PASSAGES
TRNC government which unilaterally opened the border gate between the two sides for free daily passages, took a decision yesterday and permitted Greek Cypriots to stay in TRNC for three days. In the last five days, 72,000 Greek Cypriots spent 2.5 million dollars in TRNC.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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APPOINTMENTS IN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WILL ALSO COME TO NSC
National Security Council (NSC) attracts attention today after the circular sent from Foreign Ministry to embassies and headscarf discussion in April 23 reception. Official agenda of the meeting is Iraq and Cyprus issues. The government will bring a list of appointments to the meeting which President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had made in his term in office. Civil wing of the council will tell that political ruling power's choosing the cadre, which will work consistently with it, is normal and will convey that previous ruling powers had also acted in similar ways.

GREEK CYPRIOTS CAN STAY IN TRNC 3 DAYS
Council of Ministers of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which contributed mostly to peace atmosphere by the free passages, allowed Greek Cypriots stay in hotels in TRNC for three days. Greek Cypriots can stay in the northern part of island for 72 hours by showing documents to officials regarding their hotel reservations.

(GC-ÖS-AY-AÖ) 30.04.2003