ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 7, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ASAD:''WE WILL NOT PERMIT DIVISION OF IRAQ''
Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad paid the first visit of a Syrian President to Turkey after 57 years. During the visit, Turkey and Syria shared the view that ''we can't stay indifferent to division of Iraq.'' Al-Asad gave a diplomatic message to Kurds and said that ''we condemn approaches which will endanger the territorial integrity of Iraq.'' Al Asad stressed that they reached consensus of opinion in all issues that were taken up between the two countries during his contacts. Asad who signed three agreements with Turkey indirectly recognized the international borders of Turkey which also covered the southern Hatay province.

PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION INTO TWO FORMER MINISTERS
Two parliamentary investigation motions were adopted in the parliament which could open the way of trial in the Supreme Court for two former ministers of Public Works and Housing. AK Party and CHP officials commented that Koray Aydýn favoured the supporters of his party (Nationalist Movement Party) in the contracts of building houses for earthquake survivors. Yasar Topcu on the other hand was accused of favoritism in awarding the Black Sea coast highway contract.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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THREE MESSAGES FROM BUSH
From the United States to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: ''Convince Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, solve problems of U.S. companies in Turkey and expect nothing from Kirkuk.'' Prior to the meeting between U.S. President George Bush and Prime Minister Erdogan due on January 28, Washington hopes concrete developments to take place regarding Cyprus issue and problematic U.S. investments and gives Ankara the message that ''Kirkuk issue can't be solved in the White House.'' U.S. expects Erdogan to pay a visit to Washington after he forms a consensus to start a new negotiation process in Cyprus and after he convinces TRNC President Denktas to start the process. U.S. officials also demanded that Ankara should ''totally solve problems of at least one or two'' of U.S. companies, the investments of which were in an impasse in Turkey, before Erdogan's visit. The third message given by Washington is related with Iraq. U.S. side stresses that Ankara's expectations that a concrete outcome can come out of the White House about problems related with north of Iraq or Kirkuk are not ''realistic.'' The United States also draws attention to the fact that Turkish public opinion should not have ''a wrong expectation'' about this issue.''

''HE STIMULATED HIS THOUGHTS''
Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin defended Prime Ministry Undersecretary Omer Dincer, who criticized secular republic, with these words: ''He stimulated his thoughts.'' Sahin said that ''Dincer was searching the ways to make the republic more stronger.'' Sahin noted that brain storming to reconcile religion with republic was not a bad thing.

PLANS SPOILT
Sisli Fourth Basic Criminal Court annulled the decision of Sisli First Basic Civil Court to ''lift precautionary measure'' on yachts of the Uzan family. Upon the application of Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), Sisli Fourth Basic Criminal Court decided to continue the precautionary measure on two yachts. The Uzan family tried to lift the measure on the yachts by using two other companies.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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FIRST 'HELLO' SINCE 57 YEARS
Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, who paid an official visit to Turkey for the first time in 57 years, thanked Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc as March 1 motion which opened Turkish lands to the U.S. soldiers was not accepted at Parliament. He said that the decision of Parliament contributed to regional peace. He said that Syria was ready to do everything possible not to lose Turkey's friendship.

EU SUPPORT FROM IRELAND TO TURKEY
Irish State Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche said that the decision about Turkey would be neutral and far from prejudices. Noting that the European Union (EU) would contradict with itself if it did not apply Copenhagen criteria to Turkey equally with other candidate countries, Roche said that they were aware of and appreciated Turkish government's immense efforts on the road to EU and they could see that Turkish people attributed great importance to EU membership process and closely followed the developments.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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HERE ARE THE DOCUMENTS
The paper says it still believes that General Staff and Foreign Ministry have different views about Annan Plan and it presents the reports proving this difference of opinion. The paper says that it gave accurate information on December 29 and January 5 respectively regarding Cyprus issue saying that Foreign Ministry had the tendency to accept Annan Plan with certain revisions and General Staff put its reservations to that. General Staff and Foreign Ministry issued statements denying the news report published in the paper.

SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE ON CYPRUS
President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Chief of General Staff are expected to attend the summit on Cyprus issue which is expected to take place in Presidential Palace before the National Security Council meeting on January 23. The high ranking officials are expected to take up the plan prepared by Foreign Ministry on approach of Turkey regarding Cyprus.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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THERE ARE AT LEAST 150 TURKS BOUND TO AL QAIDA
According to the intelligence report of the Directorate General of Security prepared after September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States, two organizations and eight groups in connection with Al Qaida are active in Turkey. The Directorate General of Security prepared a report on fundamentalist terrorism after September 11th terrorist attacks. According to the report there are two organizations in Turkey which have connections with Usame Bin Laden and Al Qaida, namely ''Beyyiat-i Al Imam'' (union of imams) and ''Cihat Hareketi'' (jihad movement). ''Beyyiat-i Al Imam'' is organized in Istanbul and Bursa provinces while the other is responsible for some blasts in Ankara. There are eight groups in mainly seven provinces bound to Wahhabism and another religious belief named ''Selefilik.'' These groups provided members of Al Qaida who were in difficult situation due to operation on Afghanistan with false passports and money. Turkish elements of the groups had battled in Bosnia, Chechnya and Afghanistan. These Turks had political training in Pakistan and military training in Afghanistan. Fifty of them lost their lives in ''regions of jihad'' while 150 of them are in Turkey.

HAPPY DAY WITH SYRIA
Syrian President Bashar al-Asad stated that he had similar concerns over Iraq issue with Turkey and said that two countries were closer to each other today. Sides agreed to cooperate in countering terrorism. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that ''time should not be wasted to replace the enmity in the region with stability.'' Damascus and Ankara agreed to consider each other ''allies'' for peace in the Middle East.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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KEY NAME IN TRNC DENKTAS
While activities to form a government under the leadership of Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat after the elections held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on December 14 were continuing, Democrat Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktas became the key name after National Unity Party (UBP) leader Dervis Eroglu rejected preparations for new coalition. Thus, the new coalition government was indexed on the steps of TRNC President Rauf Denktas and his son Serdar Denktas.

NEW PAGE FROM ASAD
Syrian President Bashar al-Asad who came to Turkey as the guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer was welcomed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and State Minister Kursad Tuzmen at Ankara's Esenboga Airport. Asad's wife and children accompanied Asad in the visit which was paid at Presidential level for the first time in 57 years. Asad said that he was pleased to be the first Syrian President paying an official visit to Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY AND SYRIA SHARE SAME VIEWS ABOUT FUTURE OF IRAQ
Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad who paid a historical visit to Turkey said that Turkey and Syria condemned all sorts of initiatives which would threaten the territorial integrity of Iraq. Asking support from Turkey for elimination of all weapons of mass destruction in the region, Asad proposed opening a Syrian consulate in southeastern Gaziantep province. Asad who came to Turkey as the guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, gave the message that Syria was resolved to improve its relations with Turkey.

TURKEY WAITS FOR APPLICATION OF ISRAEL FOR WATER
Turkey waits for the application of Israel regarding Manavgat water project which came to agenda again during the visit of Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad to Turkey. Turkey and Israel earlier reached compromise regarding the sale of 50 million cubic meters of water annually for only 20 years. No compromise has been reached yet about the transfer of the water and its price. State Water Affairs (DSI) Acting Director General Mustafa Eldemir said that ''we want to sell our water, whenever Israel applies to us, we will sit around the table and conclude a final agreement. We don't have any time to lose.''

(BRC-GC-ÖÞ) 07.01.2004