ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 20, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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DENKTAS:I WILL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO MY PEOPLE
When Greek Cypriots leaked the things discussed in their meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos to the press, Denktas got very angry and noted that ''I won't abide by the news black out this time and I will inform my people about the meetings.'' Denktas said that Greek Cypriots didn't want people who were Turkish Cypriot citizens, but who had earlier come from Turkey (Turkish settlers) to vote. Denktas said Greek Cypriots wanted Turkish Cypriots to change their constitution. ''Greek Cypriot people said that 'we are EU members and you should find a way to include yourself in it,'' Denktas added.

SCHROEDER SAYS PRIVILEGED PARTNERSHIP IS NOT THEIR PROMISE TO TURKEY
German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder who will come to Turkey on Sunday, said that giving special status to Turkey was not in question. Schroeder said that full membership negotiations with Turkey could start if Copenhagen criteria was met. Criticizing German opposition party, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel, Schroeder said that he didn't approve the CDU's proposal of ''privileged partnership'' for Turkey. He accused Merkel of using the issue as a tool in internal politics of Germany.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ALMS TO CYPRUS
If Cyprus issue is solved, the European Union (EU) will donate 300 million Euros to Cyprus. This is equal to the amount which Turkey sent only to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) every year.
HELICOPTER CRASHES IN BINGOL
Military helicopter which was carrying two sick soldiers to southeastern Bingol province crashed near Yedisu town of Bingol province. Five soldiers died.
ALLY IN EVERY PERIOD
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who is paying an official visit to Turkey, said that Turkey was an important ally for NATO in every period. De Hoop Scheffer said that Istanbul Summit which would be held between June 28 and 29 was very important for NATO.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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FULL SUPPORT FROM EU TO TURKISH CYPRIOTS
The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen met with leaders on the first day of Cyprus talks and promised EU assistance for solution and for Turkish Cypriot side's catching up with Greek Cypriot side after solution. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos started negotiations under the supervision of the United Nations Secretary General's Special envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto. De Soto said after first day talks that they saw that everybody wanted to do something and both sides were willing on the issue.
MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASHES
Five soldiers died when a military helicopter crashed near Adakli town of southeastern Bingol province. Skorsky type helicopter crashed while going to pick up two sick soldiers in a snow-bound area of Bingol province.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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''TURKISH SETTLERS SHOULD GO BACK TO TURKEY''
Cyprus negotiations started with unacceptable demands of Greek Cypriots. Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos proposed all Turkish people who came from Turkey and settled on the island to go back to Turkey and not to cast vote in referendum. TRNC President Rauf Denktas replied to that saying ''your demand is against our constitution. We can't send them back because they are our citizens.'' Then Papadopoulos took one more step and said ''then change your Constitution.''

WEAK LINK ON ISLAND: EU ACQUIS
Turkey can't get a clear response from EU about inclusion of the assurances foreseen for Turkish Cypriots by Annan plan, in EU law. The limitations about freedom of movement, settlement and property in the plan also contradict with the basic freedoms included in founding laws of EU.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN CYPRUS SEEMS TOUGH
TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos met for 2.5 hours yesterday under the supervision of U.N. special envoy for Cyprus Alvaro De Soto. Thus, the negotiations aiming at producing a solution on the basis of Annan plan until May 1 and at making united Cyprus a member of EU started. The technical delegations also started to work. EU Commissioner Verheugen who attended the meeting assured to bring ''exceptions'' about issues that protect Turkish Cypriots, but which don't abide by EU norms.

EVERYBODY'S EYES ON LEFKOSA
NATO Secretary General Scheffer said that NATO didn't have any mission about Cyprus, adding that yet solution on the island would mean contribution to development of security and stability atmosphere in Europe.

TUSIAD SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT IN CYPRUS ISSUE
Association of Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSIAD) visited Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and extended support regarding its Cyprus policy. After the meeting, TUSIAD's President Omer Sabanci said that ''we find successful the constructive and compromising attitude of the government. Accession of a united Cyprus to EU will also speed up relations with EU.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HARD BARGAINING
Historic negotiation process started in Cyprus. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos started negotiations under the supervision of the United Nations Secretary General's Special envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto and sides put forth the changes to be made in Annan Plan. De Soto said that things were good on the first day.

EVERYTHING NOT END IN INSOLUBILITY
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''if Greek Cypriots say 'no' to referendum, this will not be the end of everything. Then, we, as Turkey, will start promotion programs for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the world.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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EU GIVES WRITTEN ASSURANCE
The European Union (EU) gave a written assurance that the consensus would not be changed in European courts after the acceptance of solution plan on the first day of Cyprus talks. Turkish side started to examine the assurance.

HELICOPTER CRASHES IN BINGOL: 5 SOLDIERS DIE
Military helicopter carrying sick soldiers crashed in southeastern Bingol province and five soldiers died. Skorsky type helicopter, which picked up two sick soldiers to carry them to Bingol, crashed in Hasbaglar hamlet of Bingol and the reason of the crash was not clear.

(GC-Öª-AÖ) 20.02.2004