ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on August 9, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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THEY'VE LOCKED UP THE EXPERTS
In a International Athletics Federation report, Sureyya Ayhan, prominent Turkish athlete, is blamed to lock up the doping experts in a room. She is also blamed with rejecting a doping test, spoiling the control process and changing urine sample. If she does not say anything to defend herself, she will be off the racetracks for 2-4 years.

ERDOGAN: WE ARE GETTING RID OF INFLATION MONSTER
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a meeting that Turkey was getting rid of inflation monster. ''Inflation will be below 12 percent at the end of the year, which is our target. Inflation will drop to one-digit figures next year.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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EUROPEAN UNION UNRAVELS OYAK
European Union (EU) that earlier showed OYAK group as an example of military's influence in economy, changed its attitude. In a report by EU Economic and Social Committee, OYAK was defined as a pension fund.

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO TERRORIST
Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir who did not attend the funeral of the night watchman who was killed by the members of the terrorist organization PKK, visited the family of Sait Ozgun, the terrorist who killed the watchman and wounded two policemen.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TRANSPARENT STATE
The parliament will not change the laws on local administrations and re-organization sent back by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The laws in question promise transparency.
OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER MOVE
The new stand-by agreement with the IMF will relax the interests and exchange rates. The interest rates which are currently over 25 percent will drop. The positive developments in the interest and exchange rates can also trigger the stock exchange, opening the path for industry and creating an opportunity for another move in the economy.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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GUL: ONLY WAY IS NEGOTIATIONS
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey wanted the European Union (EU) to set a negotiation date in December and added, ''now there is a single way to follow and it is starting the negotiations.'' Gul reminded that the EU promised Turkey to start negotiations when Turkey fulfilled Copenhagen political criteria two years ago. He said that the most appropriate date is March 2005.

PKK AGGRAVATES VIOLENCE
PKK/Kongra-Gel militants, whose action area is limited with the increasing U.S. control in the north of Iraq, directed their actions towards city centers as of June 1, the date they ended cease-fire. The organization is trying to create uneasiness by attacking on police check points.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: PLEASE INVEST
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked businessmen what they were waiting for investing. He said that Turkey will be one of the prominent countries where foreign investments will be made, if Turkey get a negotiation date from the European Union (EU).

BARTHOLOMEOS: PUT PRESSURE
Fener-Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos said that religious freedom in Turkey was superficial. He wanted the European Union (EU) to put pressure on Turkey for the opening of Heybeliada Seminary.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TARGET IS GOVERNOR AGAIN
One member of PKK terrorist organization died when a bomb went off in his hands. PKK member wanted to plant a remote control bomb on the road where Van Governor Hikmet Tan, who survived from the assassination attempt on July 2, would pass. Another member of PKK, was captured at the end of an operation that lasted 11 hours.

FIRST CALL AFTER 15 DAYS
Tahsin Top who was kept hostage in Iraq phoned his wife Fatma Top and told her that he was doing well. He said that he did not know when he would be released.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY TO ENTER CAPITAL CITY OF EUROPE WITH CULTURE
Turkey which fascinated world leaders with cultural and artistic activities during NATO Summit in Istanbul will do the same during a European Union (EU) festival which will start in Brussels in October. It will introduce Turkish culture to Europeans just before the December EU summit.

ELVAN WILL BE GREATEST HOPE OF TURKEY IN ATHENS OLYMPICS
Athlete Elvan Abeylegesse, who is preparing for Athens Olympic Games quietly, set a world record in 5000 meters last month. Elvan's target in Athens Olympic Games is to win golden medal both in 1500 meters and 5000 meters.

(GC-ULG) 09.08.2004