ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 27, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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FIRST BRIDGE WITH TRNC
The European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers said in the final statement of the meeting which was held in Luxembourg that they were determined to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots who showed a clear will to be in the EU. EU Foreign Ministers released the donation worth of 259 million Euros as a first step. The voting of the regulation which envisages suspension of EU acquisition in the north of the island was delayed to April 28.

HONOR OF CHAIRMAN
Serdar Bilgili, the Chairman of Besiktas soccer club of Turkey, resigned yesterday since Besiktas fans cursed at him during Besiktas' match with Fenerbahce. Noting that he did not deserve curses of Besiktas fans during the match that Besiktas played with Fenerbahce, Bilgili said that he would not run his candidacy for chairmanship of Besiktas soccer club again.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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EU KEEPS ITS PROMISE
The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that direct contact was inevitable for development of north of Cyprus, adding that they were ready to take steps. EU released donation worth of 259 million Euros for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN TRNC
U.N. Secretary General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto visited Prime Ministry building of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for the first time yesterday. The visit of De Soto, who arrived in an official building for the first time in TRNC that was not recognized by international community, was considered as a gesture of the United Nations for Turkish side which voted ''yes'' in the referendum.
NSC: KEEP YOUR PROMISE
National Security Council (NSC) which evaluated the situation in Cyprus wanted lifting of limitations on northern side of Cyprus from the European Union (EU) and the United States and also asked Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and TRNC President Denktas to end tension.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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FRIGHTENING INVITATION
The United States wanted Turkish soldiers while launching active operation against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. If Ankara accepts, deployment will start in 2005.

TALAT: FREEZE IT
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat wanted the European Union (EU) to freeze the membership of southern Cyprus actually. Requesting the postponement of membership of Greek Cypriot side until a solution was found in Cyprus, Talat also demanded EU to establish direct relation with Turkish Cypriot side, not via Greek Cypriot side.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ANKARA: PROMISES SHALL BE KEPT
National Security Council (NSC) evaluated the situation after referendum in Cyprus. Releasing a statement, NSC stressed that Greek Cypriot side which voted against Annan Plan would enter the European Union (EU) on May 1, noting that it was an unjust situation to exclude Turkish Cypriot side which voted in favor of Annan Plan. Meanwhile, Council of Ministers took up the balances which would change with EU membership of Greek Cypriot side. Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said that they hoped that international community would not allow Greek Cypriot side exploit Cyprus problem and EU membership.

BILGILI RESIGNS
Serdar Bilgili, the Chairman of Besiktas soccer club of Turkey, resigned yesterday because Besiktas fans cursed at him during Besiktas' match with Fenerbahce.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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EU TAKES FIRST STEPS IN CYPRUS
The European Union (EU) General Affairs Council discussed relations with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen was clear: green line has become border of the EU. Direct contact is compulsory for development of northern side.

REBEL AGAINST CURSES
Serdar Bilgili, the Chairman of Besiktas soccer club of Turkey, said that he resigned from his club since he was cursed during Besiktas-Fenerbahce match. He added that he could not digest this as a self-respecting person.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BLOW ON ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS
International human smuggling network which has connections with China, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Netherlands, Britain and Spain was collapsed. A total of 30 organizers were detained. During the operations, security forces captured one organizer and ten illegal foreigners in Ankara, 18 organizers and 27 illegal foreigners in Istanbul and 11 organizers in Hatay. Legal procedures were started against 37 illegal foreigners.

EU KEEPS ITS PROMISE
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that they would make cooperation with Turkish Cypriot officials and added that EU Foreign Ministers accepted the necessity of ending the economic isolation of Turkish Cypriots.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ANKARA LAUNCHES DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES AGAINST EMBARGO
Ankara held meetings yesterday to clear Cyprus strategy after referendum. Diplomatic initiative which would be launched with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in coordination was taken up in meetings of Council of Ministers and National Security Council (NSC). NSC said that isolation should end in northern Cyprus, while Foreign Ministry gave briefings to EU ambassadors and mission chiefs in Ankara.

ENCOURAGEMENT DIRECTS INDUSTRIAL GIANTS TO ANATOLIA
The law, which encourages investment in provinces in which national income per capita is 1,500 U.S. dollars or less, increased investments in Anatolia. The number of firms which ask for place in Sanliurfa province reached to 900, while activities to establish third organized industrial zone started in Malatya to meet the investment demands.

(GC-AY) 27.04.2004