ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 16, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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IZMIR MOURN FOR ITS MAYOR
Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina died of heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 52. Since his family was in Cesme town of Izmir for his son's wedding at the weekend, his driver and bodyguard found Piristina's body on the floor of his home. Piristina, a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP), had earned respect for his hard work in Izmir. He swept local polls in March to become the first mayor of Izmir to be elected to a second consecutive term. He was first elected in 1999.

HARSH REACTION FROM PRIME MINISTER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly reacted to Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) leader Tuncer Bakirhan, who said that they had an equal stance to both the government and the terrorist organization of PKK/Kongre-Gel. Prime Minister Erdogan emphasized that no one could equalize a legitimate government with an illegal organization.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''ACTIONS OF ISRAEL HAVE GIVEN RISE TO ANTI-SEMITISM IN WORLD''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that recent actions of Israel had given rise to anti-Semitism in the world. Speaking at the parliamentary group meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''during the G-8 Summit in the United States last week, I had the opportunity of explaining Turkey's views about the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. The United Nations Security Council is aware of the developments, but the United States abstained. In the past, the Ottoman Empire sheltered 500 thousand Jewish people driven away by the Spanish Inquisition. Now, Palestinian people are in a difficult position. As Muslims, we have always supported the oppressed people. No one can describe Palestine a criminal of the armament process. They use stones as weapons while Israel sprays them with bombs. There is a serious difference between them. As one of the biggest arm producers in the world, Israel cannot compare itself with Palestine. We do not have any problem with Israeli people. However, recent actions of Israel have given rise to anti-Semitism in the world. We consider anti-Semitism a crime against humanity.''

OZKAN AND ONAL TO FACE CORRUPTION CHARGES
The parliament voted to try two former ministers on corruption charges at the Supreme Court. 356 out of 409 MPs voted to try Husamettin Ozkan and Recep Onal, both of whom served in Bulent Ecevit's coalition government before it lost power in 2002 elections. A parliamentary commission accused the former ministers of protecting managers at state-run Halk Bank from trial on corruption charges during their term in office. Ozkan lashed out at the commission, calling it politically biased and prejudiced, and said he had defended the public interest during his term as a minister.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TURKISH SECRETARY GENERAL FOR OIC
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has taken a momentous step for democracy during its summit in Istanbul. New secretary general of the OIC was appointed with a vote for the first time in history of the organization. Turkey's candidate Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu became the new secretary general of the OIC.

EARTHQUAKE ROCKS SAROS
A moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale rocked Saros Gulf off Gokceada town of northwestern province of Canakkale. There were not any immediate reports of casualties. The quake sent residents out to the streets in panic. Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute said that the quake was centered in the Saros Gulf. The tremor was felt as far north as the province of Edirne.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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PIRISTINA PASSES AWAY
Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina died of heart attack at the age of 52. He had been getting prepared for his son's wedding at the weekend. His body was found by his driver and bodyguard lying on the floor of his home. Piristina, a member of the Republican People's Party (CHP), had earned respect for his hard work in Izmir. He swept local polls in March to become the first mayor of Izmir to be elected to a second consecutive term. He was first elected in 1999.

NEW MAYOR TO BE APPOINTED WITHIN TEN DAYS
After demise of Izmir Mayor Ahmet Piristina, members of the municipal assembly will convene in the coming days. They will appoint a new mayor, who will serve for a year. The Republican People's Party (CHP) has 38, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has 20 and the Social Democrat People's Party (SHP) has one members in the municipal assembly.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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AK PARTY DEPUTIES' STATEMENT ON DEP
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's meeting with former deputies of the outlawed Democracy Party (DEP), who were released from prison last week, and words of former DEP deputies escalated tension in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Ten AK Party MPs criticized harshly Gul and AK Party administration, saying, ''statements of the former DEP deputies after being released from prison, are heinous.'' Releasing a statement, AK Party MPs said, ''we cannot forget that the terrorist organization massacred 30 thousand Turkish people. Former DEP deputies are committing crimes again with their statements. Now, they have assumed a role of mediation on their own to extend the so-called cease-fire of the gory terrorist organization.''

COOPERATION WITH GERMANY
The agreement envisaging cooperation between Turkey and Germany in fight against terrorism and organized crimes came into effect after being published in yesterday's Official Gazette. Under the agreement, the sides will cooperate with each other in fight against illicit drug trafficking, acts of terrorism, illegal migration, human smuggling, weapon smuggling, historical works of art smuggling and money laundering.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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''YOU WILL REGRET''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) leader Tuncer Bakirhan, who said that they had en equal stance to both the government and the terrorist organization of PKK/Kongre-Gel, and to former deputies of the outlawed Democracy Party (DEP), who were released from prison last week, ''those who acted against will of our people, have always paid a heavy price so far.'' Speaking at the parliamentary group meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''former deputies of the DEP were released upon Turkey's own decision. Those who used different races, religions and languages for their own political purposes, have always regretted for their acts. No one can equalize a legitimate government with an illegal organization.''

DESECRATION IN FRANCE
More than fifty graves that belonged to the Muslim people in Strasbourg city of France were ruined. Swastika and neo-nazi figures were drawn on some of gravestones while some others were demolished. Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin of France condemned the desecration. President Jacques Chirac also condemned the action. He stressed that all kinds of efforts would be exerted to bring those who were responsible to the justice.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY BRINGS DEMOCRACY
Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) was appointed with a vote for the first time in the history of the organization as a result of initiatives of Turkey. Turkey's candidate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu became the new secretary general of the OIC with a majority of votes. Ihsanoglu got 32 votes while Bangladeshi and Malaysian candidates received 12 votes.

(UK-AÖ) 16.06.2004