ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on August 22nd, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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USD 24 BILLION EXPENDED IN MARMARA QUAKE
Public Works and Settlement Ministry counted the macroeconomic loss of Marmara earthquakes happened in 1999 as 24 billion U.S. dollars. The Ministry counted direct and indirect losses of income and national riches. Turkey lost 23 billion 975 million U.S. dollars during Marmara quakes.

YILDIRIM: I WILL GO ON
Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim described train accidents as misfortune. He said, ''Ankara-Istanbul high-speed train will be completed in 2005. Unfortunate accidents will not prevent our activities. Train accidents distressed everybody. I will go on my work with success.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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NSC TO CONVENE ON AUGUST 25
The National Security Council (NSC) will convene under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on August 25. During the meeting, recent developments in Cyprus after April's referenda will be discussed. Meanwhile, statement of Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew who said, ''there is not freedom of religion in Turkey. The European Union (EU) should put pressure on Turkey to this end'' will also be taken up.

SHAMEFUL ATTITUDE IN OLYMPIC GAMES
Elvan Abeylegesse of Turkey who qualified to final in women's 5,000-meter in the Summer Olympic Games in Greek capital Athens, was kept waiting for hours for doping tests. Officials kept her waiting in the stadium till 04.00 a.m. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin reacted harshly to officials. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Abeylegesse on the phone saying, ''we rely on you. We believe that you will return to Turkey with medals.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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STARBUCKS COFFEE OPENED IN ANKARA
Famous coffee shop Starbucks Coffee opened a branch in Ankara. Starbucks Coffee, which has been presenting various kinds of coffees in the world for 33 years, opened a branch in Arjantin Street in Ankara. Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz, CEO of MH Alshaya Mohammed Alshaya, Ankara Trade Chamber (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun and many guests attended the opening ceremony of the shop. Schultz, who is also creator of Starbucks trade mark, said that the branch in Istanbul drew very much interest and added that they aimed to reach the same potential in Ankara as well. He noted that they also wanted to open branches in other provinces of Turkey. Second branch of Starbucks in Ankara will be opened in Armada Shopping Center.

APAK TO VIE FOR GOLD
Esref Apak of Turkey competing in men's hammer throw in the Summer Olympic Games in Greek capital Athens, will vie for gold medal this night. Meanwhile, Lale Ozturk of Turkey will compete in women's marathon together with 81 female athletes.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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BRITISH PERSON WANTS LAND
Foreigners bought 280,967 decares of land and property in the last one year when Justice and Development Party (AK Party) changed laws and gave foreigners the right to have property and land. A British heir claimed right on lands in Uzunada saying that his ancestors bought them in 1896. National Defense Ministry took into consideration the claim of British person by forgetting the War of Independence and laws.

DOPING TORTURE TO ELVAN
Officials wanted to apply doping test to Turkish athlete Elvan Abeylegesse. However, they acted too slowly and Elvan waited for hours. Doping control of Elvan ended at 03.00 a.m.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ROCK TILL MORNING
The second Rock'n Coke Festival started at Istanbul's Hezarfen Airport. The festival is organized under the sponsorship of Coca Cola and with the cooperation of Positive Promotion and Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation. The festival is held in ''Music Village'' arranged in a large area at the airport. Coca Cola Turkey Office Public Relations Director Ebru Bakkaloglu said that last year 40,000 people watched the festival and they aimed to reach 50,000 people this year. She added that festival has a capacity of 5,000 tents and they are all full. A total of 250 health personnel and 650 security guards are working in the ''Music Village''.

GIPSY KINGS DUE IN ISTANBUL
Worldwide famous band Gipsy Kings will come to Istanbul to give a concert. The band's concert will take place in Istanbul's Solar Beach on August 28.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TURKISH STRAITS TO BE SAVED
President Vladimir Putin of Russian Federation will pay a state visit to Turkey in September. The Trans-Thracian and the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline projects will be high on agenda of Putin's meetings with Turkish officials. The project, known as the Trans-Thracian pipeline, will allow Russian oil to reach the Mediterranean from the Black Sea without passing through the congested Istanbul Strait. It already has the support of Transneft and the Ministry of Industry and Energy, and is awaiting approval from the Turkish Ministry of Energy. However, Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline project will have a lower cost. The Turkish side is expected to insist on the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline.

NATURAL DISASTERS AFFECT AGRICULTURE SECTOR
This year's natural disasters, especially floods, caused a damage of 2 quadrillion Turkish liras in the agriculture sector.

ERDOGAN TO BE PRESENTED WITH ''QUADRIGA AWARD'' BY GERMANY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be presented with ''Quadriga Award'' by Germany due to his courageous steps in democratization process. Prime Minister Erdogan will be given the award by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on October 3.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SECRET HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS TO BE USED FOR TOURISM
Istanbul's Fatih Municipality started initiatives to gain historical artifacts of the town for tourism. The Municipality aims to restore historical artifacts belonging Rome, Byzantine and Ottoman periods and refresh the region in touristic aspect.

FOUR TURKMENS IN IRAQI PARLIAMENT
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkmens, one of the majority in Iraqi population, gained for the first time representation authority in interim national parliament of Iraq. Noting that there are 8 Turkmens at Parliament, Gul said that four leaders of Turkmen front are accepted in advisory board.

YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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GREEK CYPRIOTS UNEASY ABOUT CONSTRUCTIONS ON TRNC
Greek Cypriot side which is uneasy about the constructions in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in recent period is preparing to launch initiatives in the European Union (EU) and the United Nations regarding old properties of Greek Cypriots.

DEDEMAN HOTELS ON WORLD LIST
Results of research on largest chains of accommodation sector of the world are unveiled. Intercontinental Hotels ranked the first, Cendant Hotels the second while Dedeman Hotels ranked 243rd with more than 3,000 rooms.

(GC-UK) 22.08.2004