ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 26, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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NOW, IT'S HIS TURN TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION
Hundreds of Greek Cypriots who have filed lawsuits against Turkey claiming that ''they can't return their homes'' are now getting prepared to sue Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, who said ''no'' to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan in the simultaneous referenda held in Cyprus on April 24. The Greek Cypriots are expected to file lawsuits against Papadopoulos, claiming the same thing. Greek Cypriot Refugee Association Chairman Kikis Hristofides said that they would sue Papadopoulos and ask him to pay compensation to them since they could not return to their former houses. Hristofides noted that Turkish Cypriots could neither reinstate their properties and suggested that Turkish Cypriots should file lawsuits against Papadopoulos.

DIPLOMATIC VICTORY OF LAST 50 YEARS
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''this development in Cyprus is the biggest success of Turkey in its diplomacy for the last 50 years.''

ECONOMY ''YES'', POLITICS ''MAYBE'
European Union (EU) Commission will present a package of legitimate relationship with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to EU foreign ministers. This package aiming at awarding Turkish Cypriots who voted ''yes'' to Annan plan on Saturday's simultaneous referenda on the island will focus on economic affairs. ''Political discourse'' that may remind TRNC's recognition will be left to EU member countries.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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EVEN 65 PERCENT DOESN'T CARE
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas had called on his people to vote against United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. But, his people didn't listen to his advice. Now, Denktas hides himself behind ''no'' vote of the Greek Cypriots and doesn't resign.

TWELVE THOUSAND ANZACS JOIN ANZAC DAY SERVICE
Twelve thousand Anzacs joined Anzac Day services held in the Gelibolu Peninsula in western Turkey upon the 89th anniversary of the Canakkale Battle. Anzacs commemorated their ancestors in the Anzac Day services under tight security measures.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TURKEY WINS THREE GOLD MEDALS IN WRESTLING
Turkish national wrestlers won three gold and one bronze medals in the European Free Wrestling Championships held in Ankara. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan decorated the wrestlers with their medals.

BARBED WIRES FOR DENKTAS
Barbed wires were put in front of the TRNC Presidential Residence during the night of the simultaneous referenda in Cyprus to protect TRNC President Rauf Denktas from those who accuse him of blocking the road of TRNC to European Union (EU). This was how reaction of those who are angry at Denktas was prevented. 65 percent of Turkish Cypriots voted ''yes'' to U.N. plan in the separate simultaneous referenda. Although Denktas says ''he has won'', period of Denktas, who said ''no'' to the plan, has de facto ended after the referenda. Not only Ankara but also TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat think that TRNC President only has a symbolic title from now on.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN
European Union (EU) foreign ministers will discuss whether or not to lift embargoes imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in a meeting in Luxembourg today. TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said that it was not correct to isolate a nation which had proved that it wanted solution. Talat noted that TRNC did not want to be isolated anymore. The Greek Cypriot side trusts Greece to prevent any resolution to be taken in favor of TRNC in Luxembourg.

''TRNC WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED''
European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that the result of Saturday's simultaneous referenda in Cyprus overshadowed EU membership of Cyprus. Verheugen stated that EU-Turkey relations would become severer and he believed that United Nations (U.N.) would not launch any new initiative in the short term.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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NOW, IT'S EU'S TURN TO KEEP PROMISES
Now, eyes are turned to representatives of the European Union (EU) who have said that they would change their policies towards Turkish Cypriot side in case the Greek Cypriots voted ''no'' to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in Saturday's simultaneous referenda on the island. EU representatives who have made statements one after the other as the Greek Cypriots objected to Annan plan have signaled that Cyprus policy of the Union will change. Everybody will see whether or not these promises will be kept in the EU meeting to be held in Brussels today. EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen had said that if the Greek Cypriots said ''no'' to the plan, the Green Line would de facto be the external border of the EU and added that he would launch new initiatives to end isolation of the north of the island. EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten had said that they would take necessary measures for the north of the island.

GREEK CYPRIOTS VERY IMPUDENT
Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said that they would not permit recognition of TRNC and lifting of embargoes imposed on TRNC. Greek Cypriot foreign minister Georgios Iacovou said that Turkey should allow transition of Cypriot ships and planes through its territorial waters and over its flight zone after May 1.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ERDOGAN ADDRESSES TURKISH CYPRIOTS: UNITE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a new period had started in Cyprus and noted, ''we wanted solution but the Greek Cypriots didn't. All the world has seen it. Now, embargoes should be lifted.'' Erdogan noted that everything had changed in Cyprus after Saturday's simultaneous referenda in the two sides and said that if Turkish Cypriots acted altogether, they would become stronger.

ERDOGAN TO VISIT GERMANY
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to Germany today to hold meetings on Cyprus and economy. Erdogan will be accompanied by 600 businessmen who are members of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO ASK FOR END OF TRNC'S ISOLATION
New policy that Turkish government will pursue after Saturday's simultaneous referenda in Cyprus will be discussed in the Council of Ministers and National Security Council (NSC) meetings. Ankara will firstly launch a diplomatic initiative to end embargoes on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that especially the European Union (EU) should meet expectations of the Turkish side.

GOLD MEDALS GO TO TURKEY IN WRESTLING AND WEIGHT-LIFTING
Turkish sportsmen won 16 gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze medals in the European Weight-Lifting Championships held in Ukraine. Turkish wrestlers won three gold medals in the Wrestling Championships held in Ankara.

(BRC-AY) 26.04.2004