ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 17, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MODERN MOSLEM
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who addressed Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting, stated that, ''we are face to face with a basic preference. We will either be contented with our current condition by not doing our homework or take brave decisions by questioning ourselves and increase the level of Islamic world.''
Ali Bardakoglu, the Head of Religious Affairs Department, pointed out that, ''we should create Modern Moslem type. Dirt in religion stemming from geography and culture should be cleaned off, and religion should be lightened. Authority can not be settled with head scarf 'turban' and robes. We want to get esteem with knowledge.''

TURKEY'S CREDIT NOTE INCREASES
International credit rating institution Standard and Poor's raised long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings of Turkey to B+ from B. Standard and Poor's credit analyst Ala'a Al-Yousuf said that ''the upgrade reflects the significant process that the government has made toward meeting the year-end 2003 financial targets under its IMF-supported program and its commitment to continue implementing the program in 2004.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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WOMEN KILLED IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY
Nebahat Akkoc, the Chairperson of the Women Centers (KAMER) evaluated the results of the survey KAMER made with 1,800 women in southeast Turkey. The most interesting thing that came out from the surveys is about the suicide of women. Akkoc said that ''we think that most of those suicides were not suicides, but murder. In some of the cases, either the family or the tribe forced women to commit suicide.''

SEZER CALLS FOR REFORM
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who addressed the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in Malaysia, gave very important messages to the leaders of Muslim countries. Sezer said that ''there is a need of renewal and reform process in Islamic world. We will either be satisfied with our position or we will increase our standards and level by taking brave decisions.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SEZER:TRNC SHOULD TAKE ITS PLACE IN OIC
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer stressed in his speech at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus had to get its place in OIC. ''TRNC expects being a full member of OIC. However TRNC can attend OIC meetings only with the title of 'community' which is not even used by the United Nations anymore,'' he stressed.

ERDOGAN IN BRUSSELS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who represents Turkey in the EU intergovernmental conference in Brussels held a news conference yesterday. Noting that Turkey made active and constructive contributions to the meeting which had the character of being the successor of Rome summit, Erdogan said that ''Turkey's views are very close to the possible points of compromise. We explained that Turkey extends support to institutional reforms which will enable the EU to work more effectively. While doing this, we wanted determination of duties and responsibilities in a clear way and respecting the equality principle among member-countries.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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SUPPORT FROM KRESCHMER TO GOVERNMENT
European Commission Ankara Representative Hans Jorg Kreschmer warned Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government to find a solution to Cyprus question, but expended support to government by criticizing Turkish Armed Forces which points its views on Higher Education Board (YOK) and draft on Imam-Hatip schools.
Kreschmer spoke at a private tv channel about Turkey's EU progress report which will be announced on November 5.
Stating that reform process progressed rapidly than their expectations, Kreschmer said he did not think that ways of negotiation process would be opened to Turkey next year in case Cyprus question is not solved.
Kreschmer defended that Turkish Armed Forces intervened in civilian areas despite the seventh adjustment package.

ROBERTSON DUE IN TURKEY
NATO Secretary General George Robertson will pay a visit to Turkey next week.
Robertson will come to Ankara on October 23 within his farewell visits to NATO member countries.
Robertson will meet with military officials and hold a conference on ''Turkey and Change of NATO''.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ONE GOOD NEWS, ONE BAD NEWS
International credit rating institution Standard and Poor's raised long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings of Turkey to B+ from B. At the same time the B short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Turkey were affirmed. The outlook is stable. The reason of the increase is that the government promised to fulfil fiscal targets and continue implementing the economic programme. The bad news is on the other hand is the statement of Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan who said that the government would make permanent the taxes taken after the Marmara earthquake.

SIMITIS:TAKE STEPS
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis who met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in EU summit in Brussels told Erdogan to take a step in Cyprus. Meanwhile Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said that they would not veto Turkey's EU membership.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BALL IS ON U.S. SIDE NOW
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, currently in Brussels to participate in EU summit and Intergovernmental Conference, held a news conference and said the ball was on U.S. side now on Iraq issue.
Erdogan said, ''after getting authorization from the Parliament on dispatch of soldiers to Iraq, we assigned General Staff to carry out studies on the issue. A joint study is carried out with Foreign Ministry. The ball is on U.S. side on this issue. We will see what their attitude will be from now on. We have expressed our views on Iraq from the very beginning. We are in an effort to determine what we can do for Iraqi people.''

SEZER: WE CAN NOT REMAIN SILENT
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, while addressing the OIC 10th term meetings, stated that Islam countries should not remain silent on Iraq issue.
Stating that restoring public order and tranquility and security of life and property of people, are among the urgent needs in Iraq, stating that ''Iraq people should gain sovereignty soon.''
Sezer said, ''preservation of Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity are indispensable principles for us.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SEZER CALLS FOR ISLAM WORLD FOR REFORM
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who addressed summit meeting of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), called on Islam countries for change.
Sezer criticized description of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as ''community''.
Sezer said TRNC, which has been member of the OIC in observer status since 1970's, expected to become a full member. Sezer said TRNC should take its rightful place within the organization.
Calling on the Islam countries for reform and to increase their level of standards, Sezer said, ''we are at crossroads. We can change fate of Islam world by taking bold steps.''

FIVE OTHER SPECIAL TEAM MEMBERS TO GO TO BAGHDAD
Security measures in Turkish Embassy in Baghdad are increased following the suicide attack on the Embassy building on Tuesday.
Following request of Turkey's Ambassador in Baghdad Osman Paksut for additional security, five special operation police were ordered to be ready to go to Baghdad. Thus, number of security officials increased to 15.

(ÖŞ-AY) 17.10.2003