ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 24, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HISTORIC CHALLENGE
The statement released at the end of yesterday's meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), has extended support to the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Davos city of Switzerland to attend the 33rd World Economic Forum meetings, is scheduled to meet with Annan. Prior to his departure for Davos, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''the decision of resorting to referendum cannot be taken unilaterally. Compromise is essential to this end. If a compromise is reached, we are ready to resort to referendum.''

CONFUSED CITY
Daily life has turned into a nightmare due to heavy snowfall in Istanbul. Despite all warnings of the Provincial Directorate of Meteorology, the state has failed to take necessary measures for safety of roads. Security forces could not fulfill an influential traffic management. As a result, roads were closed to traffic.

HARSH RESPONSE FROM GUL TO KRETSCHMER
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul hosted a luncheon in honor of ambassadors of European Union (EU) member countries on Thursday. During the luncheon, EU Commission Representative in Turkey Hansjorg Kretschmer asked, ''if the EU does not set a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey, what will Turkey do?'' Gul responded him, ''if you give a partial and wrongful answer, it is your responsibility. Turkey expects the EU to set a date for opening of accession talks.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ANKARA SLEEPS
The government has not made any statement about ''white disaster'', which paralyzed both traffic and daily life throughout Turkey. The Prime Ministry Crisis Management Center has not taken any action.

A MESSAGE FROM BABACAN TO EU
State Minister Ali Babacan has said, ''despite the war in neighboring Iraq, November's quadruple suicide attacks in Istanbul and internal political tensions, Turkish economy has been continuing to fulfill economic criteria of the European Union (EU). In an interview with the International Herald Tribune, Babacan, who is currently in Davos city of Switzerland to attend the 33rd World Economic Forum meetings, said, ''I want to convey the message of Turkey to the EU. We will fulfill all economic expectations to become a member of the EU.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TURKEY, UNITED STATES, UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ REACH AGREEMENT
Turkey, the United States, the United Nations and Iraq have reached an agreement about voluntary return of nearly 13 thousand Turkish citizens who have been living in a refugee camp in northern Iraq. The agreement was reached as a result of negotiations which had been continuing among representatives of the relevant sides since January 20, 2004. The agreement includes main principles protecting honor of humanity and targeting safe return of refugees. The agreement will be signed after approval of official authorities of the relevant sides.

MUMCU TO BE COMMEMORATED
Journalist-writer Ugur Mumcu, who was killed in a car-bomb attack in Ankara on January 24, 1993, will be commemorated on the 11th anniversary of his demise. The first ceremony will take place in front of his house.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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PRESIDENT SEZER VETOES DINCER
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has rejected presentation of a report by Prime Ministry Undersecretary Omer Dincer at yesterday's meeting of the National Security Council (NSC). Dincer was harshly criticized because of his views against the Republic and secularism. President Sezer conveyed his wish to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting on Thursday. Prime Minister Erdogan told Dincer not to attend the NSC meeting. Meanwhile, the NSC has decided to expend efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus question on the basis of the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and by taking into consideration the realities in the island.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES CLAIM SIX LIVES
More than 5 thousand village roads throughout Turkey have been closed to traffic due to heavy snowfall. Bad weather conditions have also affected communication and power lines. Many provinces were left without electricity. Meanwhile, six people froze to death in Istanbul, Erzurum, Canakkale, Balikesir and Aksaray. Two people have been reported missing.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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COLLAPSE OF A METROPOLIS
Despite all warnings of the Directorate General of Meteorology, Istanbul has failed to take necessary measures against bad weather conditions. Roads have been closed to traffic throughout the night. Thousands of people had to spend the night outside since they were stuck in their cars. The greatest city of Turkey has deprived of both electricity and water. Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler claimed that all necessary measures had been taken, and accused people. Meanwhile, Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna advocated that there was not any problem in the city.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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WE FAIL AGAIN
The things happened after the snow, snowstorm, storm and torrential rains that have been affecting Turkey proved that nobody paid attention to warnings that the officials have been making for three days. Measures taken by officials throughout Turkey, particularly in Istanbul were insufficient. And when the drivers did not take the winter seriously, scenes of chain disasters appeared. People who got cold in their homes due to lack of electricity and those who waited in traffic for hours claimed that the motorways directorate and municipalities were the responsible and said those officials should resign. Drivers of nearly four thousand motor vehicles that got stuck on motorways in Istanbul said that they were about to die, but nobody helped them. Meanwhile, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said that drivers had made the biggest mistake by going with their cars in such heavy winter conditions and they were not the responsible side. Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna denied accusations by saying that they were not responsible of all motorways in Istanbul. Meanwhile, an eight-year-old boy froze to death in Umraniye district in Istanbul when he lost his way from primary school to his home.

CYPRUS SOLIDARITY
The National Security Council decided to continue Cyprus negotiations. Finding solution to Cyprus issue is the target. In a statement issued after yesterday's meeting, the council said that a consensus was reached that resumption of the negotiation process in close consultation and cooperation with TRNC President Rauf Denktas and TRNC government will be beneficial.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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''WE WILL SAY THAT NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD RESUME IMMEDIATELY''
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul spoke to the newspaper and evaluated the latest point reached on the Cyprus issue. Gul said that the political will had been formed towards solution of the Cyprus issue and the final solution depended on the Greek Cypriot side. Gul said, ''Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will have a meeting with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in Davos today and he will ask him to decide on revival of talks immediately.'' Ankara has recently been the scene of heavy diplomatic traffic regarding the Cyprus issue. Cyprus was the top matter in meetings of German Foreign Minister Fischer and U.S. President Bush's Special Envoy to Cyprus Weston in Ankara. Sources said Weston had brought a letter to Gul on the Cyprus issue, but the letter had not been replied yet.

(UK-MS) 24.01.2004