These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 21, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ECEVIT: WE HAVE TALKED AS ONE VOICE WITH GEN. KIVRIKOGLU
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, while evaluating the visit of the U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, pointed out that the General Staff and the government spoke as one voice. Ecevit said, ''the issue of the U.S. operation against Iraq in the short term is over now. We are evaluating the issue together with Foreign Ministry and the Armed Forces. There is a unity among our views.''
Ecevit said, ''the insistency of Mr. Cheney to visit General Staff during his visit created uneasiness. However we found a formula. We have called on the Chief of General Staff and his friends to the dinner hosted in Prime Ministry. Foreign Minister and the Undersecretary also attended the dinner.''

HEAVY RAIN AND STORM COME
Heavy rain and storm, which will start from Marmara and Aegean costs, will increase its strength, and continue at the weekend and the first days of the next week.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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DON'T BE AFRAID OF SADDAM
From Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney: ''We have been covering Iraq since the Gulf War. At the time being, Saddam is not in a position to give harm around him.''
Ecevit said, ''do not exaggerate Saddam's power. We are not afraid of him. There is no need for the United States to feel concern.''
Ecevit stressed that the assurances given by Cheney that any operation against Iraq was regardless of question in the near future were very important with respect to Turkish economy and particularly for Turkey's tourism.

ALADAGLAR PARDONS THIS TIME
Seven French mountaineers, who were lost during the summit climbing, were rescued with the operation of helicopters.
Seven French mountaineers, one of them woman, had been lost on Tuesday evening in Demirkazik Hill. The French mountaineers had lastly stated that they were caught by snowstorm. Later, the communication was cut.
Gendarme teams started an operation in the region following this. As the military helicopters were searching for the region, the rescue team started to climb the mountain. Gendarme forces found the mountaineers at around 15:00 local time.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TURKEY ASKS THREE CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO CHENEY
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to Turkey turned into a briefing on possible results of a military operation against Iraq and regional threats of clashes between Israel and Palestine. During his meeting with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Cheney said that they wanted a change in the regime in Baghdad, and added that the United States was aware of Turkey's reservations. And President Sezer asked, ''have you make a well account before taking a step to overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein? Who will come into power in Baghdad? Who is your alternative?'' Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ecevit warned Cheney, ''a military operation to be launched against Iraq before dispute between Israel and Palestine is resolved, will play havoc with the balances in the region. Can successor of Saddam Huseyin protect Iraq's territorial integrity?''

FRENCH MOUNTAINEERS RESCUED
Seven French mountaineers and their Turkish guide, who got lost in Demirkazik Mountain near Camardi township in central province of Nigde, were rescued, and taken to Camardi Mountain House by a military helicopter.
Mountaineering Federation Chairman Alaattin Karaca said that both the mountaineers and the guide were in good health condition.

CIA: ''TURKEY SHOULD BE ON ALERT AGAINST POSSIBLE ATTACKS''
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Chairman George Tenet said that Turkey should be on alert against possible attacks of Al-Qaeda militants. Speaking at the Senate, Tenet said that American military and civil targets in more than ten countries including Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had been put on alert against possible attacks.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ECEVIT MADE WRONG TRANSLATION
Statements of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that ''Cheney said there would not be any military operation against Iraq in the foreseeable future'', created uneasiness in the United States. It was reported that Cheney used the word ''imminent'' not ''foreseeable future'' during the talks.

ISRAEL TO GET WATER FROM TURKEY
A significant progress was recorded regarding Israel's purchasing waters of Manavgat River. Israeli Economy Cabinet held a meeting on Wednesday and decided to purchase 50-100 million cubic meters water per year from Turkey in the possible shortest time.
The cabinet assigned a special committee to prepare a report, including the measures to provide purchasing of water, within two weeks.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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KANADOGLU SEEMS SERIOUS
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu objected to the decision taken by the Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department no: 6 that annulled punishment given to members of Yuksekova gang. Kanadoglu said that sufficient evidence existed, and the file should debated regarding merits of the case.

YILMAZ: ''SECRET RESISTANCE SHOULD COME TO AN END''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANA), said, ''we should give up wasting our time with the secret resistance to each other. Instead, we should accelerate our works to become a full member of the European Union (EU) without damaging coalition government.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BELGIUM AND ITALY SUFFER FROM TERRORISM
Belgium and Italy which have been supporting the terrorist organization PKK and illegal Revolutionary People's Party-Front (DHKP-C), have begun to suffer from terrorism. Italian Labour Minister Maroni's Adviser Prof. Dr. Biagi was assassinated. Prime Minister Burlusconi of Italy confessed that political terrorism returned. Meanwhile, state of emergency was declared in Charleroi, Anvers, Gand and Brussels in Belgium after terrorist incidents have begun to rise.

DID CRISIS END?
State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy who said that economic crisis came to an end, received a general reaction. Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) Chairman Satici said, ''politicians should not deceive people. Turkey has been in a worse situation than Turkey before crisis. Meanwhile, Ankara Chamber of Commerce Chairman Aygun said, ''how can State Minister Dervis make such a statement while many companies and firms have to close down due to economic crisis?''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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NEVRUZ DEMONSTRATION FORBIDDEN IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul Governor's office did not give permission to the demand of the Celebration Committee, comprised of the non-governmental organizations, for a demonstration for March 21 Nevruz Festival. However, the governorship gave permission to the celebrations that will take place among the streets. The police will not intervene in the celebrations unless there is an illegal situation.
Many foreigners, including journalists, will cover the Nevruz Festival celebrations that will take place in southeastern Diyarbakir province.

YILMAZ WARNS THE UNITED STATES
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who addressed the group meeting of his party, mentioned the visit of the U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney to Turkey, and said, ''progress of the incidents which will take place near Turkey but out of Turkey's will, is not desired. Yilmaz said, ''our allies should know that it is not possible for the solutions, which will exclude Turkey, to succeed.''