ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 07, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SOUTHWEST DISASTER
The fire which started in dumpsite in Burgazada, an island of Istanbul spread quickly and devastated 40 hectares of land. The fire could be taken under control in eight hours. A total of 14 houses were burnt in the fire. A man died because of heart attack.
ERDOGAN SAYS TURKEY HAS TO GO TO IRAQ
The government decided on the issue of sending soldiers to Iraq on Monday. The motion on dispatch of soldiers was sent to the parliament. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told ministers that they had to go to Iraq for the interests of Turkey and to bring peace to the region. The meeting of Council of Ministers lasted for five hours and some ministers explained their concerns on the issue. Erdogan said that Turkey had to send soldiers to Iraq and stated that if they took permission on that issue from the parliament, they would be powerful at the negotiation table with the United States.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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CICEK: ''WE ARE NEIGHBOR AND TARGET''
The government submitted to Parliament the motion on sending soldiers to Iraq for one year. Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said, ''our neighborhood relations require Turkey's contribution to the solution of problems in Iraq. Our being a target in terrorism aspect is another factor in taking this decision.'' He added, ''the United States is permanent. Israeli operation on Syria and statements towards Iraq make us think that the events will not be limited with Iraq issue. The Middle East will be formed again completely. Thus, Turkey should be on the scene.'' The negotiation process with the United States will be completed following the approval of the motion by the Parliament.
HEAVEN IS ON FIRE
The fire, which started in Burgazada, an island of Istanbul, yesterday, burned one third of the island. A total of 12 houses burned and one person died, while people rushed into ships to escape from the island.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SOLDIERS TO TURKMEN-SUNNITE REGION
The government submitted the motion on sending soldiers to Iraq for one year to Parliament. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that national interests required that. The region, which will be under the command of Turkish soldiers, starts from the south of Mosul, Kirkuk and Irbil and extends to Jordan-Syria border. A part of the region is desert and mainly Sunnite Arabs and Turkmens are living in the region.
HIGHER APPROVAL FROM BUMIN
Constitutional Court Chairman Mustafa Bumin said, ''the result of the decision of Supreme Court of Appeals is different and holding the elections again is different. The decision of Higher Election Board is right.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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MOTION IN PARLIAMENT
The motion on sending soldiers to Iraq was signed by the cabinet members rapidly and it was transferred to the parliament yesterday. The motion leaves the issue of determination of the number of troops and their place of mission to the government and it stresses that the Turkish Armed Forces will work in Iraq within its national command structure. The motion is expected to be taken up in the closed session of the parliament today.
NINE-HOUR HORROR ON BURGAZADA
Citizens living in Burgazada of Istanbul were in panic yesterday as the fire which started at the same time in five different places spread rapidly due to strong wind. People were angry as the fire brigade could not take action against the fire in a short period of time. Istanbul Islands' Mayor focused on the possibility of sabotage.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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MOTION SENT TO PARLIAMENT
The government took the decision for getting permission from Parliament for sending soldiers to Iraq. The motion was submitted to Parliament. The motion, which is expected to be discussed today, asks for permission to send soldiers to Iraq for one year. The major basis of motion is elimination of PKK/KADEK and the stability of the region.
TURKISH LORRY DRIVERS LOST
Turkish lorry drivers are the last victims of the chaos in Iraq. Ten of the lorry drivers, who were attacked in a refinery, are claimed to be lost or killed. There are also many injured people.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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EVERYWHERE BURNING
Fire which started in Burgazada, an island of Istanbul, on Monday spread quickly due to strong wind and devastated 40 hectares of land. Many houses were burnt. Fire which also started in other regions of the country on Monday burnt hundreds of hectares of land. Fire in Canakkale, Edirne, Tekirdag, Bilecik, Bolu, Bursa and Kirklareli was extinguished after firemen exerted great efforts.
MOTION IN PARLIAMENT
The government submitted the motion on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq to the parliament on Monday. According to the motion, Turkish soldiers will be deployed in the region for one year. The number of soldiers and the region where Turkish soldiers will be deployed were not mentioned in the motion.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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RAPID THANKS FROM U.S. TO TURKEY
U.S. State Department was pleased with Turkish government's submitting the motion on sending soldiers to Iraq to Parliament. Spokesman of U.S. State Department Richard Boucher said that they were pleased with the decision of Turkish government, adding that Turkey had an important role in bringing stability to Iraq.
BUMIN THINKS DECISION OF YSK AS RIGHT
Constitutional Court supports the decision of Higher Election Board (YSK) which ended the discussions on elections. Constitutional Court Chairman Mustafa Bumin said that the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals should be kept separate from discussions on elections. He added that the decision of YSK was right.
(EÖ-GC-Öª) 07.10.2003