ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 23, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
DENKTAS: ''I STILL HAVE AUTHORITY''
First stage of negotiations in Cyprus ended with the 15th meeting. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that if he ends his role as a negotiator, the government will dissolve, as the partners of the government has a protocol. The United States said that there was not a problem in regard to TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat's participation in quartet conference which will be held in Switzerland.
HAGI PERIOD IN GALATASARAY
Romania's well-known soccer player Gheorghe Hagi signed a two-year contract with Galatasaray Soccer Club. Hagi, speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, said he was honored to return to the Galatasaray club as its coach. Hagi said, ''everyone knows me well. They know I'm a very ambitious person who likes discipline. I'm going to continue with the same principles. My goal as a coach is to develop a team with a spirit for winning, a team that always thinks about winning.'' Gheorghe Hagi is known as ''the Maradona of the Carpathians''. In his hometown of Constanta, the stadium was re-named in his honor. He began playing for his local team, Farul Constanta in 1982. He later joined Sportul Studentesc.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
DENKTAS WISHES TRNC DELEGATION SUCCESS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos could not reach an agreement on Cyprus issue. ''We wish our friends success in Switzerland,'' Denktas stated. ''The two peoples who have fought against each other and who cannot agree on anything for 40 years in Cyprus are being imposed a document that determines their future prepared by someone else with a method, which has not seen anywhere in the world, and with a hastily attitude. The method is unfairness, and the style is wrongful. Such pressures are unacceptable,'' he noted.
IF FOREIGN PEOPLE BUY REAL ESTATE, THEY WILL BE WATCHED
A commission was formed including representatives from National Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, General Staff, National Security Council (NSC), National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Deed and Cadastral Office to watch 'aims and activities' of foreign people who wants to acquire property in Turkey. Foreign people's application to deed register offices will be examined by this commission.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
ERDOGAN: ''WE WILL NOT PLAY A WALK-ON PART IN MIDDLE EAST''
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey would play a walk-on part in the Greater Middle East Initiative of the United States, adding that ''if the initiative brings tranquillity to the region, Turkey will play a much active role.''
GUL: ''KILLING OF YASSIN CREATED CONCERNS''
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has said that killing of Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin created concerns and stated, ''it is an action to incite enmities. Neither peace nor co-existence can be provided this way.'' Turkey has harshly condemned Israeli missile attack which killed Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
TURKISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTION FILES DEBT COLLECTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHP
Is Bankasi shares that the Founder of Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has left to Republican People's Party (CHP) as inheritance caused problems between Turkish Language Institution and Turkish History Institution and CHP. The two institutions filed 655 billion TL of debt collection lawsuit against the party by demanding that income which was gained from shares should be transferred to them.
(EÖ-AÖ) 23.03.2004