ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 16, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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YOU WILL BE BEWILDERED IF I TELL YOU AMOUNT OF BRIBERY
State Security Court (DGM) Prosecutor Omer Suha Aldan, who continues investigation related with bribes given to judicial officials, told Hurriyet daily that his aim was to eliminate people who were wrong in the judicial system. Aldan said that everybody would be bewildered if he mentioned the amount of bribery. Aldan noted that there had earlier been such tip-offs but it was the first time that they started an investigation with concrete evidence.

I PROMISE THERE IS NO NEW CONDITION
European Commission President Romano Prodi, who addressed the parliament, assured Turkey that there would be no new conditions before Turkey. Prodi, who is the first European Commission President who came to Turkey after Ankara Agreement was signed in 1963, gave the message that Turkey was closer to European Union (EU) membership. Prodi, who praised Turkey's reforms to adjust to EU, assured Turkey that there would not be any new conditions but said that solution of Cyprus issue would affect EU's decision.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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HIS EXPERIENCE IS ENOUGH
The government decided to appoint Abdullah Soydas, who is tried on charges of ''emptying banks' coffers'' as the head of Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) which is in charge of ''following those who empty banks' coffers.'' Eyes have been turned to the Presidential Palace now. It has been revealed that Soydas' authority to sign documents was lifted and he was banned from working in banks due to Interbank case. The government sent the decree on SDIF Board to the president for approval the previous day. But, it has been revealed that Soydas cannot even work as a civil servant in a bank.

SOLDIERS CAN'T PASS FROM TURKEY WITHOUT ANY MOTION
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, who shared the view of Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, said, ''soldiers can't pass from Turkey without parliament's permission.'' Arinc thinks that rotation of U.S. soldiers from Incirlik Base in southern Adana province can't be made without parliament's permission. Arinc said, ''permission of parliament is needed for entry or departure of even one soldier from Turkey. My advisers continue to work on the issue.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PRODI COMES TO TURKEY
An EU Commission President came to Turkey for the first time in the last 40 years. Prodi addressed the parliament. Prodi's visit coincided with the hearing of Democracy Party (DEP) and he also stressed the importance of trial of DEP members without being under arrest in his speech in the parliament, adding that EU closely monitored the hearings.

TIME OF COVER-UP ENDS
Turkey has abided by EU criteria regarding the issue of immunity of politicians. The parliament adopted the other night Council of Europe (COE) Criminal Law Convention on Corruption. Turkey will make the necessary regulations in constitution and laws in line with the convention. If provisions of the convention are not fulfilled, Council of Europe's Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) will take action. The convention prohibits bribery among state officials, court officials, deputies and private companies.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TUPRAS TENDER IS IMPROPER
It has been stated that Privatization Administration acted against the tender specification in tender to sell 65.7 percent shares of Turkish Oil Refineries Corp. (TUPRAS). Petrol-Is will lodge a complaint about officials of Privatization Administration who approved Zorlu Group consortium and did not start a sale by public auction on charges of causing public loss.

POLICE TERRORISM ON YOUTH
Police intervened with almost 100 students who wanted to make a press statement in Istanbul University asking for end of interrogations and release of their arrested friends. After students started to read out the statement, police used tear gas and dispersed the group. Too much use of tear gas caused students, journalists, policemen without any masks and citizens to suffer. About 30 students were detained.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SOLVE CYPRUS, EU PATH WILL BECOME EASIER
European Commission President Romano Prodi said that Cyprus issue was not a precondition for Turkey's European Union (EU) membership but solution would help membership. Prodi and EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen were in Ankara yesterday. Both Prodi and Verheugen gave the message that ''Cyprus issue was not a precondition for Turkey.'' Erdogan said that their aim was to find a fair and lasting solution in Cyprus till May 1.

FIRST PAYMENT TO IMAR BANKASI SURVIVORS TO BE MADE TOMORROW
Savings and Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF) announced the principles of payment to those who deposited their money in Imar Bankasi, the management of which was taken under control of the state. People who had earlier deposited money in Imar Bankasi can withdraw deposits till 10 billion Turkish liras (TL) from Ziraat Bankasi tomorrow.

COUNTDOWN FOR CYPRUS
Sides in Cyprus are planned to start talks in Geneva in February. In Davos, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will give United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan the message that they are prepared for talks.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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PRODI:CYPRUS IS NOT PRECONDITION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who hosted EU Commission President Romano Prodi and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen in Prime Ministry, said that there would no turning back from Turkey's EU bid and all institutions of Turkey would fulfill the membership criteria with resolution. ''We don't think of giving even a smallest concession regarding EU membership,'' he said. Prodi in his part noted that he was very impressed by the reforms undertaken by Turkey, assuring that there would not be new conditions regarding Turkey's EU membership. Solution in Cyprus was not a precondition, but a political reality, he said noting that Turkey-EU relations were better than ever today.

TUZMEN:NO MORE MISTAKES
State Minister Kursat Tuzmen who met with Turkish businessmen in Germany told them that ''don't be reluctant to bring your money to Turkey. The mistakes done in the past would not be repeated. Please trust Turkey and the government. We need you in all fields.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY IS CLOSER TO EU MEMBERSHIP WITH IMPRESSIVE REFORMS, I APPLAUD IT
European Commission President Romano Prodi, who paid a historic visit to Ankara, said that Turkey was closer to European Union (EU) membership with its impressive reforms. Prodi, who addressed the parliament, said that he applauded extraordinary achievements of Turkish governments and unique reforms of the parliament.

CHP WHICH BOYCOTTS PUBLIC REFORM IN FACT PROPOSES FURTHER STEPS
Republican People's Party (CHP) harshly reacted to the local administrations bill which was prepared and submitted to the government by Prime Ministry Undersecretary Omer Dincer. While the discussions are increasing, the report prepared by CHP in 1998 entitled ''Local Solution 2000'' showed that the opposition and ruling didn't think differently about local administrations. In the mentioned report, CHP promised to overpass centralism in administration and provide localization.

(BRC-Öª) 16.01.2004