ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 18, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.1 ON RICHTER SCALE JOLTS GEDIZ
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was recorded in Gediz town of Aegean Kutahya province in the morning of Saturday. According to preliminary reports, the earthquake did not cause any loss of lives or property. However, it caused panic among people. Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory Center and Seismology Institute announced that the earthquake was centered on Gediz and recorded at 6.38 a.m.

IT IS NOT EARTHQUAKE BUT STORM WHICH DEMOLISHES MINARET
Heavy storm which continues in southeastern Adiyaman province for two days paralyzed daily life. Minaret of a mosque was demolished due to the storm in Adiyaman's Pinaryayla village. Electricity was cut in about 100 villages and Celikhan and Gergen towns in Adiyaman due to strong winds.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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VISA FROM CHP TO ''PACKAGE''
The Republican People's Party (CHP), which had not backed former constitutional amendment packages by showing immunity of deputies as a reason, will discuss whether or not to back the small constitutional amendment package which has been brought onto agenda within the framework of European Union (EU) membership. The package includes some steps necessary to be taken on the road to EU.

62 PERCENT OF TRNC WANTS IMMEDIATE SOLUTION
According to a survey carried out in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) only a few days are left to the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island, 62.1 percent of TRNC people say ''yes'' to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of Cyprus problem. People living in Guzelyurt, which will be given back to the Greek Cypriots, also say ''yes'' to the plan.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SINCERE CONFESSION
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that if he had been the European Union (EU) rapporteur, he would have written negative report for Turkey today, because Turkey had deficiencies. But, he said, all those deficiencies would be eliminated in May. Gul had found rightful EU progress reports on Turkey until today because of legal deficiencies and impediments in practice.

YES TO INTERNATIONAL COURT
Turkey will approve the contract which recognizes the authority of International Criminal Court that Turkey has been reluctant to sign until today. Other countries which do not sign the contract are the United States, Russia, China, India and Pakistan.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TURKEY AGAIN PROMISES IMF TO RISE PRICES AND TAXES
Turkish government stated that it did not expect any serious rise in current account in 2004 in its new letter of intent sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). But, it stressed that it could rise prices of goods and taxes within the year when necessary.

DENKTAS: ''IF WE SAY 'YES' TO THE PLAN, NOBODY RECOGNIZES US''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that sovereignty and equality of Turkish Cypriot people would be removed after the simultaneous referenda held in Cyprus on April 24 and reiterated that Turkish Cypriots would lose their state if they voted ''yes'' to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for Cyprus. Denktas said, ''I call on my people to say 'no' to the plan in order to continue existence of our country.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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''YES'' VOTES INCREASING IN TRNC: 62 PERCENT
Number of Turkish Cypriot people who plan to say ''yes'' to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of Cyprus problem is increasing while ''no'' votes are more than ''yes'' votes in the Greek Cypriot side only six days are left to the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island. Turkish people who are settled in TRNC think of saying ''yes'' to the plan. According to a survey carried out in TRNC by Social Researches and Educational Consultancy Center KADEM between April 11 and 16, 62.1 of Turkish Cypriots decline to vote ''yes'' to the plan. 24.4 percent of Turkish Cypriots think of saying ''no'' to the plan while 5.1 percent is indecisive. According to a survey carried out in the Greek Cypriot side by Cypronetwork Marketing Research company, percentage of Greek Cypriots who think of voting ''no'' to the plan rise to 73 percent. Around 13 percent of Greek Cypriots plan to say ''yes'' and 12 percent abstains.

DP IN TIGHT SITUATION
Democrat Party (DP), led by Serdar Denktas, son of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, could not make any decision on whether to vote ''yes'' or ''no'' to Annan plan. Serdar Denktas said, ''I will say 'no' to the plan for my father but my party is free to decide.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GREEK CYPRIOTS AFRAID
Greek Cypriots, who were insistent to say ''no'' in referendum for Annan Plan, said that they could change their decision after the United States stated it would recognize Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Communist party AKEL changed its decision after main opposition party DISI turned its decision from ''no'' to ''yes'' upon the pressure of the United States and the European Union (EU).

LIVELY CAPITAL CITY
Hundreds of children from 33 countries of the world have started to come to Ankara to participate in activities of International April 23 Children's Day. First group of children visited Turkish Radio and Television Corp. (TRT). Then they visited historical places of Ankara and said they were impressed with Turkey.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TALAT: SECRET OF OUR SUCCESS IS WITHDRAWAL OF DENKTAS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said that the only secret of success of process in Cyprus was keeping TRNC President Rauf Denktas out of this process. He said that the approach, which claimed Denktas had recovered the plan with his harsh attitude, was wrong. Talat said that Denktas should resign if Turkish side would say ''yes'' in the referendum on April 24.

IMF: TURKISH ECONOMY RESISTANT TO SHOCKS
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Reza Moghadam said that Iraq crisis showed that Turkish economy was resistant to shocks. He added that resistance to situation in Iraq gave assurance for the future as well.

(GC-BRC) 18.04.2004