ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on October 2nd, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HISTORICAL DECISION
The government approved the decree on implementation of Customs Union agreement with Greek Cypriot side which has entered the European Union (EU) officially on May 1, 2004. The decree was sent to Cankaya Presidential Palace for signature of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Turkey, in May, excluded Greek Cypriot side and accepted to sign Customs Union Agreement with the 9 new members of the EU.
EXPORT REACHES USD 60 BILLION
The export amount of Turkey in September increased 36.5 percent and reached 5.8 billion U.S. dollars when compared with the same month of 2003. Export amount in the first 9 months of 2004 increased 34 percent and reached to 45.6 billion U.S. dollars.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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BOTH SUPPORT AND WARNING
The European Union (EU) Commission gave the message in Progress Report, which will be published on October 6, that Turkey passed critical threshold with the progress it has made in Copenhagen Criteria. The Report also stated that Turkey has some deficiencies in implementation.
TURKISH HOSTAGE RESCUED IN OPERATION
U.S. forces launched a broad operation in Samarra city of Iraq which is considered as base of insurgents. 109 insurgents were killed and Yasin Kaya, a Turkish citizen who was kept hostage, was rescued during the operation.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SEZER: ECONOMY IS GOOD, BUT WE MUST BE CAREFUL ON CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said although the results in economy were hope-giving, they were not enough to make us be optimistic.
Addressing the Parliamentary General Assembly, Sezer said Turkish economy gained an improving momentum, but at the same time warned that: ``inflation dropped to single digit figures, high rates were reached in growth rate, significant increase was obtained in foreign sale, tourism enlivened, confidence atmosphere began to be formed. Although all these are giving hope, they are not enough to make us feel optimistic totally.``
EU-OIC JOINT FORUM CANCELLED
Ankara`s decision to call Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) under the name of ``Turkish Cypriot State``, which caused tension between the European Union (EU) and Turkey, caused cancellation of EU-OIC Joint Forum.
Decision of the Netherlands, the EU Acting President, and its ``boycott`` call to other EU member countries was conveyed to Turkey`s Embassy in the Hague. Ankara had to cancel the meeting when mainly Italy and Britain stepped back.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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PROGRESS REPORT: CRITERIA COMPLETED
According to the Progress Report which the European Union (EU) Commission will publish on October 6th, Turkey made a great progress in completing the legal reforms. The report stresses that Turkey has important responsibilities in strengthening and extending the political reforms. Ankara is criticized about the issues of religious minorities, fight against torture and return to villages.
TURKISH HOSTAGE RESCUED IN SAMARRA
More than 90 insurgents were killed and 180 others injured during U.S. operation against Samarra city of Iraq. U.S. army stated that one U.S. soldier was killed and 4 others were injured. The army also announced that one Turkish hostage was rescued in the operation. Turkish hostage, whose name was reported as Yahlin Kaya, was transferred to a base of multinational force.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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FOOTSTEPS OF TURKEY
Following their meeting in Strasbourg, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac said, ``we have agreed that Turkey`s full membership to the European Union (EU) will contribute in rooting democracy and peace in Europe.``
OIC AND EU CANNOT MEET
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum was cancelled when EU Acting President the Netherlands said, ``Turkish Cypriot State definition cannot be used``.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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EU BOWS TO GREEK CYPRIOTS
Europe, which firstly accepted attendance of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to the forum, later gave up.
Greek Cypriots, which could not accept participation of TRNC to European Union (EU) and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Joint Forum in Istanbul, started initiatives for cancellation of the meeting.
EU Acting President the Netherlands changed its attitude upon this pressure and the meeting was cancelled after the Netherlands announced that it would not attend the meeting.
TURKISH BUSINESSMEN ARE HOPEFUL FOR THE REPORT
Turkish businessmen, making business all over the world, said they estimated that a positive report will be issued from the European Union (EU) for Turkey.
European Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists Association Chairman Esref Unsal said, ``Turkey got very positive points for Turkish Penal Code. However, the report will stress that we should launch serious initiatives on economy. In the recommendatory report, we got the impression that starting of negotiations will be recommended with Turkey.``
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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EXPORT BREAKS RECORD IN SEPTEMBER
Turkey broke record with 5.7 billion U.S. dollars of export amount in September. The export rate, which increased to 45 billion 603 million U.S. dollars in the first 9 months, also reached to 60 billion U.S. dollars on annual base.
HEADSCARF NOT EXISTS IN PROGRESS REPORT AGAIN
The European Union (EU) Commission is getting prepared to publish Progress Report for Turkey which has been published every year since 1998. The report which reserves many pages to religious freedoms and man-woman equality does not touch on headscarf issue.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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EU HITS FROM CYPRUS
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union (EU) Joint Forum, during which Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be represented under the name of ``Turkish Cypriot State`` for the first time, was cancelled. The meeting was cancelled due to initiatives of Greek Cypriot side and the attitude of EU Acting President the Netherlands.
EXPORT BREAKS RECORD IN SEPTEMBER
Turkey`s export amount broke record in September. It increased 36.5 percent monthly and reached to 5.7 billion U.S. dollars.

(GC-AY) 02.10.2004