ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on March 1st, 2008. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CHILDREN RETURN
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on Friday completed the cross-border ground operation which was launched on February 21st against PKK terrorists in the north of Iraq. General Staff stated "operation reached its target. Our units returned to their bases in Turkey yesterday morning."
CALL OF BUSH AND GATES
U.S. President George W. Bush (in a press conference) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (in his visit to Ankara) both said that Turkey should complete the operation as soon as possible. Televisions stated "ground operation was completed" at 11:00 a.m. yesterday.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS RETURN TO TURKEY
Ground operation of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) which suddenly started on February 21st to the north of Iraq ended suddenly again on Friday. Thousands of soldiers returned to Turkey. General Staff stated that it was shown that the north of Iraq is not safe for the terrorists.
240 TERRORISTS KILLED
The result of the ground operation of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the north of Iraq is as follows; 240 soldiers were neutralized. 27 security forces including 24 soldiers were martyred. Air attacks were launched on 60 target groups. 126 caves, 290 hide-outs and 12 central camps of terrorists were partially or completely destroyed.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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RETURN TO HOME
Turkish Armed Forces concluded its ground operation in the north of Iraq after 8 days. Thousands of Turkish soldiers crossed the border with military vehicles and returned home. Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Chief of Turkish General Staff, said the mission of the operation was accomplished and said, "there was no internal or external influence on the decision to withdraw. The beginning and ending date were determined according to military needs."
A press release issued by the General Staff said the core camp of the terrorist organization PKK was at the target of the operation.
Replying to criticisms claiming that the troops were withdrawn because U.S. wanted so, Gen. Buyukanit said, "withdrawal of troops in the same period with visit of U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates was a mere coincidence. Because the withdrawal date was set long ago."
THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILIES AND RETURN
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on terrorists in his address to the nation as, "revoke this wrong path before causing any more pain to your mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers."
Erdogan said Turkish General Staff determined the beginning and ending of the ground operation according to military needs.

VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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U.S.A.: WE ARE CHASING PKK
White House stated that the operation (of Turkish Armed Forces against PKK terrorists in the north of Iraq) was a short-term operation. It also stated that if PKK does not give up terrorism, the United States --together with Turkey-- will continue to chase PKK.
MOST STRATEGIC CENTER OF PKK DESTROYED
Turkish General Staff stated that the cross-border ground operation of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) targeted Zap region which is the most strategic region of PKK terrorist organization. Shelters and communication infrastructure in Zap were destroyed, and mission was accomplished.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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CELIK PROTECTS OZCAN
Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office gave a decision of non-jurisdiction regarding a criminal complaint filed about Prof. Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, Chairman of the Higher Board of Education, for misconduct in office. The files regarding the criminal complaint about Ozcan were sent to the Ministry of National Education for initial inquiry. Minister of National Education said he would not allow an investigation about Ozcan.
U.S.: IT WAS TURKEY'S OWN DECISON TO WITHDRAW
Tom Casey, U.S. deputy spokesman for the Department of State said they were pleased with Turkey's attitude. Casey said it was Turkey's decision to withdraw and denied allegations that the U.S. influence caused the withdrawal.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GATES LEFT, OPERATION ENDED
Upon statement of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates who said Turkey should complete the operation in a short time, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit had said, "short time can be one day or one year". However, the operation (of Turkish Armed Forces against PKK terrorists in the north of Iraq) ended yesterday. Gen. Buyukanit said, "when Gates arrived in Turkey, the withdrawal has already started."
RETURN FROM DIFFICULT AREA
Soldiers which participated in the operation against the presence of PKK terrorist organization in the north of Iraq withdrew from the region yesterday. The soldiers who returned from clashes under severe winter conditions with intensive security measures seemed very tired.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ERDOGAN: NORTH OF IRAQ NO MORE BE A TERRORISM SHELTER
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "the beginning and ending schedules of the operation were set by Turkish General Staff. From now on, it is impossible for terrorists to use the region as a permanent and secure base."
EXPORT RISES 61.4 PERCENT
Turkey's export rate climbed 61.4 percent to 10.5 billion USD in January, 2008 when compared with January, 2007. On the other hand, import rate rose 53.9 percent.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ZAP COLLAPSED, SOLDIERS RETURNED
Cross-border ground operation which was started by Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the north of Iraq against PKK terrorists eight days ago, surprisingly ended yesterday. General Staff stated that Zap, the most strategic region of PKK, was targeted in the operation, adding that commandos who removed the terrorists from the region returned to Turkey.
RESULT OF THE OPERATION
During the operation, 240 of 300 PKK terrorists in Zap region were killed. A total of 27 security forces including 24 soldiers and three village guards were martyred. 272 targets were hit with air attack, and 517 targets were hit by land forces. 126 caves, 290 hide-outs, 12 command centers, six camps and 52 facilities were destroyed.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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PM ERDOGAN: TSK DETERMINED THE TIMETABLE FOR GROUND OPERATION
While criticism for withdrawal of troops after remarks of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, calling on Turkey to withdraw shortly, roams around, PM Erdogan said the timetable was determined by the General Staff. General Staff announced that the withdrawal of troops had already started when Gates arrived in Turkey.
HAGIA SOFIA'S DEED BELONG TO FATIH SULTAN MEHMET
Deputy PM Hayati Yazici said the "foundations law" gave back the rights taken from a limited number of foundations in 1974, and said there was no need to worry.
Yazici said it was out of the question for Hagia Sofia to be given to foreign foundations and said, "the deeds of Hagia Sofia belongs to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation."