ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 12, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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EU INTERVENES IN YOK DISCUSSION
The European Union (EU) also intervened in discussions on Higher Education Board (YOK) which have escalated by reactions of universities and the opposition. EU Commission's Representative to Turkey Hans Joerg Kretschmer said that they could not see any positive approach of the army towards the YOK issue as it had assumed related with Iraq and Cyprus issue, recalling that the army had stated that ''it was the government who would decide'' when other issues were in question. Kretschmer noted that army's attitude was a backward step.

HE HAS TWO PASSPORTS
It has been revealed mafia boss Alaattin Cakici, who escaped from Turkey with a false passport in the name of Ibrahim Ari who is a person working for Erol Evcil, is travelling abroad with a passport in the name of Alaattin Albayrak, who is also working for Evcil. Cakici escaped from Turkey from southern Antalya province with a false passport in the name of Ibrahim Ari on May 3. Ibrahim Ari and Alaattin Albayrak, who were both born in 1951, were as old as Cakici and looked like Cakici. Passports had Ari's and Albayrak's photographs, not Cakici's. Police think that Cakici did not think it was necessary to put his photograph on the passports since he looked like both Ari and Albayrak.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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WHO HAS DECEIVED THE OTHER?
When Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that he was deceived for four times related with the draft Higher Education Board (YOK) law, rectors say, ''we are deceived. The draft has been brought onto agenda without any compromise.'' Erdogan said, ''we sent the draft to everybody. Who says 'I am not informed' is not honest. Can a prime minister be deceived for four times? They said they will present us their preparations, but they didn't. Chairman of Interuniversity Board called me and said his two friends were deceived about the draft. Now I am asking, how can two rectors be deceived?'' Prof. Ayhan Alkis, the Chairman of Interuniversity Board whom Erdogan criticized, said, ''our universities, Turkish people in short, have been deceived. We are sorry for this.'' Alkis stressed that they did not deceive the prime minister and reiterated that sides had not reached any compromise on the final draft text.

ISRAELI INVESTMENTS IN GIRNE
An Israeli businessman built 92 luxurious villas in Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Greek Cypriot side, which is angry at the Israeli businessman, says lawsuits can be filed against those who buy villa in TRNC. But, 18 villas have already been sold to British and Israeli people. Asked from whom he bought the land, the Israeli businessmen said that he bought the land from its owners.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DEMOCRACY ROW
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Higher Education Board (YOK) was an issue concerning the government and warned everybody not to press on that will. YOK Chairman Erdogan Tezic said that the majority of the parliament did not mean the majority of nation, adding, ''discussions on draft YOK law have turned into an argument on definition of democracy.'' Addressing the gathering of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies at the parliament, Erdogan said that arrangements related with YOK was a duty of the parliament and added, ''we are taking action with the authority given to us by the nation. Everybody should respect.''

RELEASE ZANA, TAKE WHATEVER YOU WANT
Turkish-German Friendship Group Chairperson Claudia Roth said that former Democracy Party (DEP) deputy Leyla Zana had become a symbol criterion for the European Union (EU). Roth noted that Zana's release would be a turning point. Roth stated that the EU should keep its promises to Turkey. Noting that she wanted the EU to give a date to start full membership negotiations with Turkey in December 2004, Roth said that to this end, Turkey should continue its performances rapidly.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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AK PARTY SHOWS ITS REAL FACE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they were determined to pass the draft Higher Education Board (YOK) law. Harshly responding to universities, non-governmental organizations and the General Staff, Erdogan said, ''we will use the sovereignty right with the authority given by the nation. Nobody should press on this will. Social consensus is not a consensus between institutions, but of the nation.'' Erdogan's words that ''if organs and institutions in the system did not obey the procedures, they will act contrary to the legitimate ground'' were interpreted as ''a message to the soldiers.''

TWO INTERVENTIONS FROM CENTRAL BANK IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The Central Bank of Turkey intervened in the foreign exchange market. A statement of the bank said that it was not disturbed by the current rate of foreign exchange, but it decided to intervene in the market due to volatility in the foreign exchange rate. The Central Bank of Turkey once more intervened in the markets in the evening as foreign exchange rose due to escalation of YOK tension and foreign developments.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TWO-STAGE EUROVISION
Seven hundred singers will join the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Turkey. 1,400 people are taking part in preparations for the song contest. 1,500 journalists will cover the event. Semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in two stages for the first time this year, is today. Sakis Rouvas, Greek singer who is considered ''Tarkan'' of Greece, is one of focal points of the media.

''YOUR PLACE IN EU READY''
Belgian Foreign Minister Michel said that if Turkey continued to make reforms, the European Union (EU) could not oppose to starting full membership negotiations with Turkey. Michel noted that an empty seat in EU's future was waiting for Turkey.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TURKISH SHIP SINK: THREE SAILORS MISSING
A Turkish ship named ''Dolphin 2'' loaded with trucks and tankers, sank ten miles of Karpaz Cape of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Twenty-four of 27 crew members aboard the ship was rescued while three sailors are missing.

IHA ALSO SHOT
Ihlas News Agency (IHA) covering Gaza operation was the target of Israeli snipers. A probable disaster was prevented as nobody was in the IHA vehicle which was shot.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKISH CENTRAL BANK SAYS STOP TO RISING U.S. DOLLAR
Central Bank of Turkey intervened in the rise in U.S. dollar yesterday. After 30 million U.S. dollars of sale, the U.S. dollar fell to 1 million 530 thousand Turkish liras (TL).

EUROVISION GROUPS HAVE BOAT TOUR ON ISTANBUL STRAIT
Groups which will join the 49th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Istanbul had a boat tour on the Istanbul Strait. After three hours of boat tour on the Strait, the groups rehearsed for the semi-final which will be held today.

(BRC-AÖ) 12.05.2004