ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 01, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE THAT LOCK UP TURKEY
After Supreme Court of Appeals approved 1 year 11 months 11 days sentence given to former DEHAP leader Mehmet Abbasoglu and three former party administrators on charges of arranging counterfeit documents prior to the November 3 elections and attempting to show the party as if it had completed its legal formation, and as the elections became controversial, all the eyes were turned to Higher Election Board (YSK). YSK did not show much interest in the issue. Examination process will start afterwards. Meanwhile, reasoned verdict of Supreme Court of Appeals will be waited.
YSK Chairman Tufan Algan said they would relieve public conscience.
A YSK official said the applications were of critical importance, and stated that the decision could be left to next week.

SERDENGECTI TELLS NOT TO CARE ABOUT ''FLUCTUATING EXCHANGE RATE REGIME''
Central Bank President Sureyya Serdengecti told those who felt uneasy over fluctuating exchange regime that, ''this regime was useful for Turkey. Fluctuating exchange rate regime should continue. In case any crisis erupts in Turkey, this will be because the program was not abided by.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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IMAM HATIP OPERATION
The government prepared a draft comprised of only one article which prevents graduates of vocational high schools and imam hatip schools (schools giving theological education) from losing points in the university entrance examination OSS. This draft equalizes position of students of vocational high schools with the normal high schools in entrance to the university. If the draft is legalized, points of students of vocational high schools will not be reduced even if they choose a department other than their own field. Graduates of imam hatip high schools will also have equal rights with normal high school graduates. The government plans to send the draft to the parliament on October 8.

TWO SIMPLE GOALS KNOCK DOWN CIMBOM AGAIN
Galatasaray soccer club, Cimbom, was defeated by Real Sociedad of Spain in a home match and could not gain any points in the Champions League. Galatasaray was defeated by Real Sociedad 2-1 in its home match. Galatasaray team which faced difficulties in stopping Nihat Kahveci, famous player of the Spanish team, has a little chance to qualify for the other round.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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YSK IS SWEATING
Many applications were submitted to Higher Election Board (YSK) for the cancellation of elections and renewal of threshold following the decision of Supreme Court of Appeals regarding Democratic People's Party (DEHAP). YSK Chairman Tufan Algan said that they would receive applications until the evening today. However, some members of YSK said, ''such a decision was not taken.''

EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT, ONLY PROBLEM IS CYPRUS
European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen drew a positive table to Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul prior to Progress Report. However, Verheugen told Gul that however Cyprus was still a problem. Verheugen said if a solution is not found on Cyprus, you will be on the negotiation table with a country that you do not recognize. This can cause problems in EU-Turkey relations.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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QUAKE IN BINGOL
Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said an earthquake, measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale, shook southeastern Bingol province on Tuesday. The epicenter of the earthquake was Sancak township of Bingol province.
There are no reported casualties or financial damages.

BUSINESS COUNCIL IN PRIME MINISTRY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Turkish-American Business Council members led by General Brent Scowcroft.
Prime Ministry Press Center issued a written statement after the meeting that lasted for nearly an hour and said, ''members of the delegation briefed Prime Minister Erdogan about their meetings,'' and noted that improvement of commercial and economic relations between the two countries were also discussed.
The statement said the sides also exchanged views on cooperation in restoration of Iraq, and fight against terrorism.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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WARRANT OF ARREST FOR UZAN
Sisli Basic Criminal Court decided to arrest Hakan Uzan in absentia on charges of ''participation in embezzlement'' within the scope of the investigation into Imar Bankasi.

WHO HAS HEARD NEWS RUNS TO YSK
Labor Party (IP), Young Party (GP) and two citizens asked the Higher Election Board (YSK) to cancel the elections. However, the True Path Party (DYP) wants re-distribution of seats in parliament. After the decision on Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) was given, IP, GP, DYP and two citizens applied to YSK. GP, IP and two citizens wanted YSK to cancel the elections. However, DYP wanted YSK to re-distribute seats at parliament. DYP leader Mehmet Agar said, ''if we enter parliament, there will not be any chaos. YSK should be left alone when making its decision.'' Members of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) say that the parliament had the right to speak on elections and add, ''if necessary, we will hold elections and return to parliament with 450 seats.'' Members of Republican People's Party (CHP) say that there is not any flaw in November 3 general elections and claim that there is no need to re-calculate the threshold.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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THAT'S ENOUGH
Europe, which continuously puts obstacles in front of Turkey's full membership to European Union (EU), this time threw screening process out for consideration.
Hidden side of meeting between Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen was revealed.
Diplomatic sources in the EU said Verheugen told Gul that, ''in case the EU is not satisfied with the reforms, we will start screening process to cover practices, instead of negotiations.''

TURKEY'S WARNINGS CONFIRMED IN IRAQ
Friendly statements of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to former U.S. President Bill Clinton in Dubai that, ''don't put Iraq people into a situation looking for Saddam'' became true.
Iraqi people began to look for Saddam to gather around him.

DENKTAS: ''YOUR EFFORTS FOR EU ARE IN VAIN''
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said European Union (EU) was not intended to make Turkey a member, stating that, ''EU will bring new obstacles even if Ankara completes the criteria''.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ANKARA TO ASK CONCRETE STEP FROM U.S. REGARDING PKK
The meetings between Turkey and the United States regarding PKK/KADEK terrorist organization will start again tomorrow. Cofer Black, Coordinator for Counterterrorism for the Department of State, will come to Ankara today to carry on negotiations. Ankara gave the message before meetings, ''we are pleased with the process. But, we do not want promises. We are waiting a plan to be presented.''

WE WILL TAKE DECISION THAT WILL COMFORT PUBLIC CONSCIENCE
Discussions on elections started in Ankara after the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals regarding Democratic People's Party (DEHAP). Higher Election Board (YSK) Chairman Tufan Algan said that they would try to take a decision which would comfort public conscience while evaluating the applications submitted for the cancellation of elections.

(GC-BRC-AY-AÖ) 01.10.2003