These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 23, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT WANTS PROPERTY ESTATE TAX TO BE DECREASED
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit noted that the decision to increase property tax in big cities by 100 percent was not a proper decision. Ecevit ordered officials to decrease the tax increase. Responding to questions of journalists about the tax, Ecevit said that the citizens were right in complaining about it. He added that the tax would be decreased to a reasonable level.

CEREMONY HELD FOR IRANIAN EXPENSIVE NATURAL GAS
A ceremony was held at last for the Iranian expensive natural gas which Turkey started to get. The energy ministers of Turkey and Iran formally opened the new natural gas pipeline that will help meet a fast-growing need for energy in Turkey. Natural gas began to flow to Turkey last month through the 2,577-kilometer pipeline, after a five-month delay for additional tests on a gas measuring facility. The energy ministers said in the ceremony held at Bazargan measuring station that the pipeline would bring commercial and political benefits. Zeki Cakan, Minister of Energy said the pipeline would boost trade and neighborly ties, but added that Turkey should increase exports to Iran to ensure trade remained balanced. Cakan added that 60 cities in Turkey would get natural gas until the end of 2004.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''LET'S BE MODERATE ABOUT KURDISH DEMAND''
Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are very tough about the demand for education in Kurdish. However, Mesut Yýlmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) seems more moderate. ''It is not possible for us to accept the petitions submitted on the issue. Yet we have to be more moderate on the issue,'' Yýlmaz said. On the other hand, Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said that the activity was planned by the terrorist organization PKK. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said in his part that the language of education is Turkish under Article 42 of the Constitution.''The aim of petitions given for having education in Kurdish in schools is to bring this issue to the agenda of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) when someone is convicted in Turkey,'' said Turk. He added that there was no language in Turkey that was prohibited by law. Noting that people can speak any language among themselves, Turk said that ''however, the petitions given requesting to have education in Kurdish is against Article 42 of the Constitution.

MIT UNDERSECRETARY ATTENDS ECEVIT-DOSTUM MEETING
Afghan Deputy Defense Minister Rashid Dostum was received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli yesterday. National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun also participated in the meeting between Ecevit and Dostum. Ecevit said that Dostum had been affective in fighting with Taliban in Afghanistan. ''We discussed with Dostum what could be done for development of Afghanistan and for taking under guarantee the independence in this country. Dostum has a very constructive attitude, and he launches efforts to make the new order founded in this country to be successful and effective, Ecevit added.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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312 SIGNAL FROM ECEVIT
Upon questions of reporters, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that they would debate the reactions to the amendment to article 312 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK) that had been defined as ''a backward step'' at a leaders' summit. When reporters asked if he was satisfied with the amendment of article 312 and noted that the Motherland Party (ANAP) had some objections, Ecevit said, ''we have not discussed the issue among us yet. We will debate it these days.''

YILMAZ MODERATE TOWARDS KURDISH DEMAND
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that it was not possible to put the petitions presented for education in Kurdish into process in accordance with the laws. ''But, it is beneficial to behave more moderately towards them,'' Yilmaz noted.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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SIEGE TO ARMENIAN LOBBY
The businessmen in Istanbul have launched a scientific study to reply to the claims of so-called Armenian genocide. Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), Commerce Stock Exchange and Sea Chamber of Commerce (DTO) set up a unit including historians and experts to announce the facts on so-called Armenian genocide to the world and to inform the people in the United States truly.

TWO FIASCOS IN THE U.S.
There were two important issues, textile quota and free zone, during the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the United States. One of those issues was touched on carelessly and the other issue came to the forefront, however, the two issues were forgotten later. George W. Bush's saying ''yes'' is not only enough to lift the textile quota. Because, the quota is only possible by a commerce agreement which will pass from the U.S. Congress. However, this is impossible for today. Ecevit proposes to develop industry branches producing high-technology in Turkey by setting up partnership between American and Turkish companies. But, the U.S. sees the industries producing high-technology risky in Turkey.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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THESE ARE MHP'S CRITERIA
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that they would not permit amendment of ''mini democracy package.'' Bahceli noted that the adjustment draft law had been prepared with the compromise of the leaders and in line with the National Programme and warned his partners not to attempt to change it. Criticizing the European Union (EU) about Cyprus and terrorism, Bahceli said that the terrorist organization tried to get politicized with Kurdish campaign and was backed by some European countries.

SEARCHES FOR A FORMULA FOR MHP
Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Motherland Party (ANAP) are searching for a formula to overcome the resistance of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to adjustment package. Upon the request of Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, the discussion of the draft was postponed to next week. Faruk Bal of MHP opposed to forward steps by saying ''the draft is in compliance with European Union (EU) acquis.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BACKWARD STEP IN PROPERTY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the property tax would be reduced to a reasonable level. Concerning the property tax which led to reaction of the people, the prime minister said that they had exceeded the limits. Ecevit said, ''the citizens are right. The limits in property tax have been exceeded. We will make a new arrangement. I have given instruction, the rates will be reduced.''

''WE ARE BESIDE AFGHANISTAN''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who met with Afghan Deputy Defense Minister Rashid Dostum, said, ''I have seen that Dostum assumes a constructive stance. We have reiterated our promise to make all the contributions we can to Afghanistan.''

FEAR IN AEGEAN
After western Manisa and Izmir provinces were rocked the previous day, three earthquakes measuring 5.8, 5.9 and 6.4 on the Richter scale were recorded in three different points of Aegean and Mediterranean. Turkey, Greece and Egypt were jolted while a person died of a heart attack in southern Antalya province.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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KIDNEYS SOLD THROUGH INTERNET
People who want to live humanly or who want to finish their education sell their kidneys through the internet. They formed a 'kidney market' on the internet. The price of a kidney is between 20 billion and 50 billion Turkish lira (TL).

BIRD OBSERVATORY TO BE SET UP IN GOLDEN HORN
A bird observatory will be set up in the Golden Horn to observe the bird species which live in the natural islands in the Golden Horn and to take the birds under protection.