ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 23, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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TARGET:PUBLIC ORDER AND STABILITY IN IRAQ
A statement was issued yesterday after the National Security Council (NSC) meeting saying that ''it was deemed necessary to continue Turkey's policy on Iraq by taking up all aspects of the issue in line with national interests. Turkey regards ending of instability in Iraq and foundation of public order in this country as a priority policy target.'' Referring to the instability in Iraq, the statement hinted that Turkey was warm to the idea of sending soldiers to Iraq.

TWO SOLDIERS DIE:SEVEN PKK MEMBERS KILLED
A total of 17 PKK terrorists opened fire on security forces who called them to surrender in Siirt. During the eight-hour clash, two soldiers died and three others were wounded. Seven terrorists were killed. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Reassociation Law caused panic among terrorist organizations.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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MEMORANDUM OF RETIRED GENERALS
According to the claims in Ankara, General Tuncer Kilinc, who will hand over his mission as National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General on Monday, is preparing for an important scold. The joint letter, which was prepared by generals who will retire on August 30, is planned to be announced to public opinion. The commanders will especially criticize threats against secularism, changing structure of NSC and the issue of sending soldiers to Iraq.

''IF MUSLIMS COME, U.S. SOLDIER GOES''
The government calls for cooperation for Iraq during contacts with Islamic countries. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul gave the messages to Iran and Pakistan respectively that ''Muslim countries should be in Iraq for U.S. soldiers' leaving there rapidly.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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NSC LEAVES ITS DECISION TO SEPTEMBER
During the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, the policy of ''wait and see'' was adopted. NSC held its first meeting in the new term to discuss the issue to sending soldiers to Iraq yesterday. Another important aspect of the meeting was that three military members of the Council attended the meeting for the last time. The risks and advantages of the issue were discussed during the meeting. NSC decided to convene in September before the parliament convenes for an extraordinary session.

INTEREST RATES DECREASE
The interest rates decreased to 40 percent, which is the lowest percent in the last three years. The optimistic atmosphere in economy and the fact that the Treasury would not borrow much next month played a role in the fall of interest rates.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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BUSY IRAQ TRAFFIC
Foreign Ministry completed preliminary meetings with ulama (theologians) which were influential over Sunnite Arabs living in and around Baghdad. The ministry, which was pleased with the answers taken after the meetings, will also take the views of Arabian tribes.

STEP FOR MOTION
A ''recommendatory decision'' was not given in the meeting of National Security Council (NSC) which discussed the issue of sending soldiers to Iraq. The council will hold an extraordinary meeting in September. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who gave a motion message, said, ''our government will take the necessary step and the last decision belongs to the Parliament.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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PROTECTION FOR GREEK CYPRIOT CITIZEN
The Greek Cypriot citizen who applied to Compensation Commission founded in TRNC with the aim of preventing Greek Cypriot applications to European Court of Human Rights for the properties they left in the north after 1974, is in trouble. Hristakis Polikarpu who applied to the Commission, was announced as if he was a traitor in the Greek Cypriot side. As his life is in danger, he started living in his daughter's house by the protection of four policemen.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HISTORICAL BRIDGE REBUILT IN MOSTAR
The historical Mostar Bridge which was devastated by Croatians during Bosnian war is being rebuilt by the support of Turkey. The foundation of the arch of the bridge which remained from the Ottoman era, was laid in a ceremony in which Mostar Mayor Hamdija also participated. The Ottoman stones which spilled into the river were restored and they were put again in the arch of the bridge.

TARGETS REACHED
The progress recorded in economy is more than the expected figures. Turkey which is tired of economic crises, is pleased as economic targets in all sectors have been recently reached. Growth rate which was targeted as 5 percent, came out as 5.2 percent. Inflation figures became minus. Exports increased from 30 billion dollars to 42 billion dollars, shuttle trade increased from 2 billion dollars to 5 billion dollars and tourism revenues rose from 8 billion dollars to 10 billion dollars. Unemployment rate decreased from 11.4 percent to 10 percent.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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NSC LEAVES THE LAST DECISION ABOUT SENDING SOLDIERS TO SEPTEMBER
National Security Council (NSC), which convened under the leadership of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, gave the message that the evaluation process that had been carried out regarding sending soldiers to Iraq would continue and the last decision would be given in September. The date of extraordinary meeting of Parliament and details about sending soldiers to Iraq are expected to be cleared in Council of Ministers meeting on Monday. Ankara, which met with representatives of ulama (theologians) in Iraq before taking the last decision, will now take the views of tribe leaders. The issue of sending soldiers did not take place directly in the statement released after NSC meeting. However, the statement emphasized that ending rapidly the instability in Iraq was Turkey's prior political target.

TURKISH ENGINEERS COMPLETE ARCH OF MOSTAR BRIDGE
The arch of Mostar bridge, which was collapsed in Bosnia war and is started to be rebuilt by Turkish engineers, is completed. A ceremony, in which Bosnians and Croatians attended, was held to remark this event yesterday. The whole bridge will be completed within few months. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ascribed the value of world heritage to the bridge which was destroyed by Croatian soldiers in 1993. The rebuilding of the bridge is considered as an important step for reunification of the separated people of Mostar.

(GC-Öª) 23.08.2003