ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 9, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SIVAS FUGITIVE IN GERMANY
Adem Agbektas, who was imprisoned to 7.5 years for getting involved in the killing of 37 persons in an arson attack in Madýmak Hotel of Sivas in 1993, and who escaped to Germany, works as an imam in a mosque belonging to the Islamic Community Denominational vision in Badenwurttenberg. Agbektas, who didn't want his photo to be taken, said that he went to the mosque, but he was not an imam. Claiming that he was innocent, Agbektas said that ''the incidents of Sivas were very important, but the sentence that was given to me was too much as I only took part in the demonstration in front of Madýmak Hotel, not in the arson attack.''.

ERDOGAN CAN MEET GREEK CYPRIOTS IN GIRNE PORT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to TRNC today. During his nine-hour visit to TRNC, Erdogan is expected to present proposals aiming to increase the confidence between the two sides on the island. Prime Minister Erdogan will ask the European Union (EU) to end the embargoes on Turkish Cypriots. In return to that, Erdogan will bring onto agenda the issue of lifting the prohibitions which Turkey put on Southern Cyprus since 1974.
Among these proposals there are the opening of Turkish airspace for Greek Cypriot civilian flights and permitting Greek Cypriot flagged ships to enter Turkish ports. After wrapping up his contacts, Erdogan will visit Girne port. During Erdogan's visit, Greek Cypriots will probably be in the port due to the free passages between the two sides. Erdogan can meet and even talk to Greek Cypriots in the port.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH U.S. DON'T AFFECT US
IMF First Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger said that the tension in Turkey-U.S. relations due to the war in Iraq would not affect the relations between Turkey and IMF. Krueger said that the relations between Turkey and IMF would further improve. Krueger who came to Istanbul to attend meetings, told reporters that ''there was tension between IMF and West European countries due to the war, but the economic cooperation between these countries and IMF continue without any problem. Besides, we need more cooperation to overcome this political loss. Our relations with Turkey will strengthen. The AKP rule in Turkey believes in the necessity of the economic programme.''

WOLFOWITZ DOES NOT ASK FOR APOLOGY
Upon questions of journalists asking if Turkey had to apologize from the U.S. regarding the tension between the two countries during the Iraqi war as it was mentioned by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz; U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said that ''I didn't hear anything that Turkey had to apologize from the U.S. As Wolfowitz and I also said the attitude of Turkey a few months ago caused disappointment for us. But Turkey is a good friend and ally of the U.S. If we leave aside the disappointment, Turkey has close cooperation with us now. I am sure that our friendship will strengthen in the coming years.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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GUL: THERE IS NO DEMAND TO WITHDRAW OUR SOLDIERS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that the United States did not have a demand from Turkey to withdraw its soldier from the north of Iraq. Gul said, ''PKK started to use there by profiting from the vacuum. It is impossible for us to permit this. Terrorist activities will not be allowed when Iraq starts to rule its own lands.'' Gul said that the news regarding that the United States reacted to the re-opening of Turkish embassy in Baghdad were not true. Recalling that there was an insecure atmosphere due to war, Gul said, ''we withdrew our ambassador within that scope. Now, as a secure atmosphere is not formed completely, the United States cannot take the responsibility of this.''

AWACS DEFENSE FROM MINISTER GONUL
National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul stated that news regarding that four Awacs aircraft, which were ordered from the United States, were bought reluctantly were not true. Noting that the aircrafts were bought in accordance with reports of General Staff Headquarters as they were needed, Gonul said, ''It cannot be considered that we made a favor to the United States as we bought those aircrafts.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ENFORCEMENT OF RETIREMENT LAW STOPPED
Constitutional Court gave its decision regarding the application of Republican People's Party (CHP) requesting the annulment of the law on retirement of civil servants at the age of 61 (rather than 65). The enforcement of the decision taken by the government which retired more than 2,000 civil servants, high ranking bureaucrats and world-famous Turkish artists, has been stopped. By the decision of the Constitutional Court, ''compulsory retirement'' has been suspended. Those who were retired till today, will return back to their posts.

EUROPEAN MODEL FOR GENERAL STAFF
Yalcýn Akdogan, the consultant of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave messages saying that the relation between the army and politics would be re-arranged in the coming period. Akdogan said that ''the relation between politics and army in Turkey will be the same with the one in EU member countries.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN IN TRNC
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay his first visit to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) today. Erdogan will exchange views regarding the developments after Greek Cypriot side's signing agreement of membership to the European Union (EU) and decision of giving Turkish passport to TRNC citizens and free passages. He is also expected to call for starting negotiations under the supervision of the United Nations. This can probably cause a tension between Erdogan and TRNC President Rauf Denktas. Erdogan, during his visit, will meet with Denktas, TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, TRNC Parliament Speaker Vehbi Serter and leaders of opposition parties.

AMBASSADOR BARGAINING WITH THE UNITED STATES
Turkey sent its Iraq ambassador Osman Paksut to Baghdad, in spite of the view of the United States which said, ''we cannot provide security, you cannot find a concerned person''. Two countries are carrying on a secret dialogue to destroy PKK's existence within Iraq. Paksut, who returned to Ankara before March 26, went to Baghdad by highway yesterday. Prior to departure of Paksut, an important bargaining was made between Turkey and the United States. Ankara Embassy of the United States applied to Foreign Ministry and conveyed that the United States could not give a full assurance for the security of Turkish ambassador and embassy. Embassy said that this statement was conveyed to all countries which started to send their ambassadors to Baghdad.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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LESSON FOR GOVERNORS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who gathered 81 governors in Ankara explained the profile of 'director' which Turkey needed. Prime Minister Erdogan who said that there were certain problems between the government and governors to date, said that ''we will undertake a public administration reform which could not be risked by any governments to date. We are resolved in doing that as the country needs it.''

AWACS DEBATE IN AKP
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies put pressure on National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul regarding Awacs aircraft which was purchased from the U.S. for 1.5 billion dollars. ''Why were Awacs aircraft be purchased while there was satellite systems in question? Was it a favour for the U.S?'' asked AK Party deputies to Gonul. Defense Minister Gonul said that there was no such favour in question regarding the purchase of four Awacs planes. Gonul said that the decision to buy the aircraft was given during the period of the former government, adding that their government only put that decision into practice.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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PEARSON: RELATIONS NEED REPAIR
U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson said that relations between Turkey and the United States would not remain same due to policies in Iraq war. Emphasizing that Turkey's Iraq policy disappointed them, Pearson said that bilateral relations needed repair. He added that they could not understand the policies of not only the government, but also the opposition party.

JAPANS TO WATCH RISING OF SUN IN NEMRUT MOUNTAIN
'Friendship bridge' will be established between Nemrut Mountain in Adiyaman and Fuji Mountain in Japan within the scope of ongoing Turkish Year activities in Japan. According to the project, Japans will watch rising of sun, which is holy for them, from Nemrut Mountain.
(ÖS-GC-AÖ) 09.05.2003