ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on September 26, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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DON'T KEEP US WAITING TOO MUCH
The U.S. administration sent a message to Turkey through three channels: We want Turkey to send soldiers to Iraq as soon as possible. U.S. official told Hurriyet daily that they could not see ''any determined attitude'' of Turkish government towards dispatch of soldiers to Iraq. The official announced that the United States sent this message to Ankara at least for three times: ''If you are to take sides beside us, don't keep us waiting. Dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq will be the best remedy to restore our relations which have been damaged. But, don't keep us waiting.''

TWO IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN ECONOMY
Rating organization Fitch upgraded Turkey's rating to ''B'' saying that the financial measures of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) were encouraging. The Central Bank intervened in the rate of exchange and bought 1.5 billion U.S. dollars.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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TEAHOUSE EMPLOYEES: OWNERS OF UZAN'S PROPERTIES
Financial police found out that many of 152 companies belonging to the Uzan holding were fraudulently transferred to security officers and teahouse workers of the companies. Police who investigated documents belonging to the Uzan group found out that many of the companies were transferred to the personnel of the group. Police testified 76 people, including teahouse workers and personnel, security officers, technical team and drivers so far. The document was sent to the Criminal Depart to be investigated. Personnel of the Uzan holding claim that they signed the document without having any information about what it was. Some say that they signed it fearing that they would be fired.

RESPONSE FROM HIGHEST LEVEL
From President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: ''Universities will not be under the influence of political power.'' President Sezer visited Dokuz Eylul University Rector Alici, who caused the recent discussions on education and gave messages of support. Sezer said, ''foresight of academic circles should be given importance in restructuring of universities.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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HE PROMISES ME
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler spoke to Sabah daily and said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised not to make populism. Koehler said that he trusted that determined attitude. Koehler, who spoke to Sabah after annual meetings of IMF-World Bank in Dubai, said that economic developments and Prime Minister Erdogan's attitude were confidence-building. Koehler underlined decrease in inflation rate and asked Turkey to continue the economic program determinedly. Koehler said that he was impressed by the promise of Erdogan that they would not make any populism.

OLYMPIC TORCH TO PASS THROUGH TURKEY
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul continues his contacts in New York. Gul, who met with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday, debated cooperation between two countries for 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Greece. Two ministers stressed that olympic torch could be brought to Greece via Turkey, message of peace could be given in the region and Turkish companies could take part in construction of olympic facilities. Gul also met with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanyan. Two ministers took up not only bilateral relations, but also solution of Upper Karabakh issue in their meeting.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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HIDDEN INVOICE OF 8.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS LOAN
In case Turkey enters north of Iraq, its loan agreement with the United States will be suspended.
It was revealed that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) signed 8.5 billion U.S. dollars loan by accepting economic and political impositions of the United States.
According to the agreement signed between Turkey and the United States in Dubai on September 22, U.S. side put the condition that, ''Turkish soldiers would not enter north of Iraq'' which was the main condition of bargaining on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.
Here are the political conditions:
-Turkey will not be able to enter north of Iraq unilaterally.
-The loan will be suspended in case Turkey enters north of Iraq.
-90-days period will be given to Turkey in case the loan is suspended.
-Loan will be transferred to Iraq in case a solution could not be reached in this period.
Here are the economic conditions:
-Privatization should be ended, tax reform should be made.
-Issue public reform law.
-Make arrangements on banking.
-Abide by the commitments of International Monetary Fund.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GUL DID NOT GIVE GUARANTEE FOR IRAQ
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday. Diplomatic sources stated that Gul did not give guaranty on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.
A diplomatic source stated that, ''Gul said Turkey closely covered the developments in United Nations, and that a U.N. resolution would help member countries to expend support.''

SUPPORT FROM MUSIAD FOR DISPATCH OF SOLDIERS
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), which had earlier supported dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, changed its view and opposed sending of soldiers to Iraq, whereas Individual Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), which earlier opposed dispatch of soldiers, changed its view and began to support dispatch of soldiers.
MUSIAD Chairman Ali Bayramoglu, who made a statement after visit of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam, and said, ''in the first motion, MUSIAD opposed dispatch of soldiers to Iraq. Developments proved in time that this decision was rightful. However, today Turkey became a determining country for Iraq.''
Bayramoglu said Turkey's interest in Iraq should not only be perceived in military sense, and noted that, ''we support dispatch of soldiers in case it is done without intervening in internal affairs, and in case it supported by an economic package.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GOOD NEWS FOR NATURAL GAS TO 60 PROVINCES
Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said natural gas would be transported with tankers to regions which don't have transmission lines.
Guler said natural gas would be transported to 60 provinces in the next two years.

KOEHLER APPRECIATES GOVERNMENT
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Koehler said he saw that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was determined on continuation of economic program.
Stating that his meeting with Erdogan was productive, Koehler stressed that determination of prime minister and the government were the most important assurances of economic program.
Koehler pointed out that determination on the ongoing economic program would increase ''credibility'', and that this determination should be maintained.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GUL DUE TO ATHENS, LAND MINES IN BORDER TO BE SWEPT AWAY
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul met on Thursday with his British, Greek and Armenian counterparts.
Gul also met with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou.
Gul and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou also handed over the documents which show that two countries had approved Ottawa Convention on land mines to Canadian Foreign Minister. The convention is on the Prohibition of the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines and on their destruction.

KURDISH STATE CONTRADICTS WITH U.S. INTERESTS
Paul Bremer, the civilian administrator of the United States in Iraq, stated that they opposed to the idea of a Kurdish state not because Turkey did not want it, but because it was against the interests of the United States.

(AY-AÖ) 26.09.2003