ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 14, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SOLDIERS: WE WILL RESPOND IF THEY ATTACK
General Staff Headquarters held a press conference regarding the recent situation on sending soldiers to Iraq. Following the briefing of Lieutenant General Metin Yavuz Yalcin, General Ilker Basbug replied to questions of reporters. Gen. Basbug said that they were expecting Iraqi Governing Council to have a more positive attitude towards Turkey's sending soldiers, but political offices would make the necessary evaluation. He added that they would use some roads in north of Iraq for logistic support in case of participation in stabilization operation and they would be in coordination with U.S. units on this issue. Gen. Basbug said that if Kurdish groups attacked Turkish convoys, they would be given necessary response. He added that Turkish Armed Forces had the facility and capability to protect its existence and convoys.

APPROVE TO TRNC LOAN FROM EU
The European Union (EU) approved economic assistance package for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) worth of 12 million Euros. An important part of the package which caused discussions in TRNC and Turkey would be used in infrastructural activities of big cities including Lefkosa.


MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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DEPUTIES WILL NOT GIVE MONEY FOR FLIGHTS
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc claimed that deputies could not live on their salaries and he said that their salaries would be increased and they would not pay for planes and trains. Deputies, who had given up 30 percent discount in plane, train and telephone expenses and increase in salaries during the last days of 57th government, could not bear the results of those decisions even one year. Deputies have a monthly income worth of 5.5 billion Turkish Liras.

INCREASE IN SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO BE 13.8 PERCENT IN 2004
The salaries of civil servants will be increased 13.8 percent in 2004. Government Spokesman and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that they could not make high increase in salaries as they allocated money for dispatch of soldiers to Iraq.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TSK: IF THEY ATTACK, WE WILL RESPOND
General Ilker Basbug said that if Turkish soldiers were attacked in north of Iraq, they would respond. General Staff emphasized that the decision to send Turkish soldiers to Iraq was a political preference. Gen. Basbug recalled that Turkey had been looking for international legitimacy for a long time on the issue of dispatch of soldiers and said that the government charged them with the mission in Iraq and they would make necessary things to fulfill this mission.

UNAKITAN: THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH IMF
Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said that there were no problems in negotiations with International Monetary Fund (IMF). Noting that they agreed with IMF on tax incentives, Unakitan said that Direct Tax Reform draft would be prepared in a very short time.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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IRAQ EXCUSE FOR LOW INCREASE IN SALARIES
Council of Ministers decided to increase salaries of civil servants by 13.8 percent. The government showed Iraq issue as an excuse for low increase.

ISLAM PEACE FORCE
Turkey will suggest Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to form Islam Peace Force to restore peace and stability in Iraq rapidly. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who attended ministerial summit of OIC in Malaysia, defended that the organization should take active part in Iraq.

FISCHER REACTS TO DECISION OF PARLIAMENT
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said that Turkish Parliament's decision on sending soldiers to Iraq was not a right decision for the territorial integrity of Iraq.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SIX PERCENT INCREASE IN SALARIES OF CIVIL SERVANTS
Council of Ministers determined the share to be allocated for salaries of civil servants in 2004 budget. Six percent increase for each halves of 2004 will be made in the salaries of civil servants. Government spokesman and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that this meant a total of 13.8 percent increase.

TURKISH DELEGATION CANNOT GO TO IRAQ
Turkey decided to send soldiers to Iraq but Turkish delegation cannot go to this country due to increasing attacks in recent days. The visit of the delegation, which will attend groundbreaking ceremony of two hospitals to be built in Baghdad and Kirkuk by Turkey, was postponed.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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13.8 PERCENT INCREASE IN CIVIL SERVANT SALARIES
Government Spokesman and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that six percent increase would be made in salaries of civil servants for each halves of 2004 and total increase would be 13.8 percent. He added that while determining the ratios of increases they took into consideration budget possibilities and possible developments in Iraq.

2004 BUDGET IS 160.9 QUADRILLION
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that 2004 budget was 160.9 quadrillion Turkish liras (TL), revenues were 114.5 quadrillion TL and budget deficit was 46.3 quadrillion TL.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GUL SUGGESTS ISLAM PEACE FORCE FOR IRAQ
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul who went to Malaysia to attend ministerial summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) made a surprising suggestion. Gul said that Iraq was a part of OIC and instead of leaving its restructuring to others, Islam Peace Force could be formed.

TSK: IF KURDISH GROUPS ATTACK, THEY WILL BE RESPONDED
General Ilker Basbug said regarding possible attacks from Kurdish groups, ''those who attack will receive the necessary response. This is their problem. Turkish Armed Forces have the facility and capability to protect its convoys.''


(GC-BRC) 14.10.2003