ANKARA (A.A) - 15.05.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 15, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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GREEK HARRASSMENT TO RESCUE OPERATION
When a military helicopter was putting to test a rescue operation of shipwreckers in Sea Lion 2002 exercise performed to improve search and rescue operations of military and civilian teams, four Greek planes made a harassment. When Turkish jets that took off from Balikesir came to the spot, the Greek planes went away. The harassment of Greek planes caused reaction.

I NEVER MEET WITH DOCTORS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that he did not have any face-to-face meetings with Prof. Dr. Turgut Zileli since he was discharged from the hospital. Ecevit said, ''I do not have any health problems. I had a pain in my back due to a wrong movement. It takes time to ease the pain. But, it is getting better each day. I have pain when I sit and lie down. I have some difficulties when walking. But, if I want, I can walk easily if I go out today. But, I do not go out to feel better.'' Ecevit also said, ''I sometimes have phone talks with Prof. Zileli. Of course, it will be better if I start regular work at the Prime Ministry as soon as possible. I want to pay visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ECEVIT SEEMS LONELY AT HOME
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who rests at home for ten days seems to be alone at home. It is claimed that Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan do not go to the house of Ecevit as they don't have very good relations with Rahsan Ecevit, the wife of Prime Minister Ecevit. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yýlmaz does not want to visit Ecevit alone. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ecevit announced that he would stay and rest at home for another few days.

GREEK PLANES HARASS TURKISH HELICOPTERS
Helicopters belonging to the Naval Forces were harassed by the Greek war planes for two times during the SeaLion-2002 operation. Admiral Yener Karahanoglu, the south sea commander said that the first part of the maneuver was completed successfully. He said that the aim of the maneuver is to ensure the co-working of civilian and military units in search and rescue operations and to develop their training. Karahanoglu said that Cougar helicopter was harassed by four Greek F-16s in the beginning of the maneuver and four planes took off from Balikesir. The Greek F-16s left the region when the Turkish planes took off, he said. Meanwhile, two other Greek Mirage aircraft harassed one Turkish helicopter which took off from Kemalreis Frigate.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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HIDAYET'S VICTORY NIGHT
Hidayet Turkoglu, a Turkish basketball player in NBA, played very well at the match of Sacramento Kings with Dallas Mavericks. Sacramento Kings defeated its rival 114-101 and qualified to the final. Hidayet Turkoglu scored 20 baskets and was chosen as the best player of the night. Sacramento Kings' boss Gavin Maloof embraced Hidayet after the match and said that he played super in the match.

ANNAN: ''DO NOT MISS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY''
United Nations (U.N) Secretary General Kofi Annan, who went to Cyprus to accelerate Cyprus talks, said that the two leaders should take the necessary steps in June. Annan, who was the U.N Secretary General who came to Cyprus after a long time, gave messages to both of the sides. Annan addressed both Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides at a press conference that they had to take necessary steps in June. Kofi Annan said that direct talks would not only have contributions to Cyprus but also to the region.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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WE ARE DEPENDED ON ABROAD IN ENERGY
According to the 2002 energy planning, production in lignite power stations will be ended in the months when build-operate model power plants will start to operate. Production in Orhaneli and Soma A power plants will be totally stopped. When the public power plants met 70 percent of electricity consumption last year, this rate will decrease to 54 percent this year. According to the 2002 energy planning, Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKI) was foreseen to produce 20 million tons of coal with 30 percent reduction rather than 29 million tons. TKI will pay the coast of the reduction by giving up 118 trillion Turkish liras (TL) of production.

PEACE CALL FOR BALKANS
The fifth summit meeting of Turkish, Romanian and Bulgarian presidents began in Cesme township of western Izmir province. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that it was time to totally purify the word 'Balkans' from negative associations like 'the powder keg of Europe.' Sezer, Romanian President Ion Iliescu and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov held a joint press statement before the tripartite summit. Sezer stressed that the Balkans was a region to the prosperity and stability of which Turkey attributed vital importance.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ECEVIT LEAVES THE DOOR AJAR FOR FIRST TIME Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the Democratic Left Party (DSP) worked productively, but it didn't promote itself well. ''Whenever I start my office, the first thing I have to do is to take up the DSP and EU process. I am fed up with the debate on elections.'' Ecevit said that it was not possible for him to chose a person in place of him now, as such a thing won't be democratic. ''However there are many friends in DSP who are eligible for being the leader of DSP and Prime Minister,'' said Ecevit leaving the door ajar for the first time.

ROUNDS IN CYPRUS TALKS SEEM IN VAIN
While U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan has become the first Secretary General who came to Cyprus in the last 25 years, TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides talked against each other in a tv program. Responding to questions of Mehmet Ali Birand at CNN Turk, Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides said that ''there are big differences of opinion between Denktas and me.'' TRNC President Denktas said in his part that he started the proximity talks on the island in order to prevent the unilateral admission of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU. Denktas said that ''even if we make an agreement, they don't accept equal rights and authorities.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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WE ARE PROUD OF HIM
Turkish scientist Ali Erdemir, who is living in the United States, blazed a trail in science by reducing the friction coefficient to zero. A joint statement of the U.S. Department of Energy and Chicago University said that they were very excited and that Erdemir's invention was ready to be used in industry. The invention was considered as ''unbelievable'' by scientific circles. U.S. scientists said that billions of dollars of savings could be made by this invention. Here is the invention: A carbon ball was covered with atom and put to test machine. The ball was turned in the machine for 32 days with a 17.5 million times heavier friction. At the end of the time, the machine broke down but the carbon atom coat was still on the ball. NASA became the first institution that used this invention.

U.S. DOLLAR EXCEEEDS 1.4 MILLION TL
One U.S. dollar exceeded 1 million 400 thousand Turkish liras (TL) on Tuesday. The U.S. dollars which started the day at 1 million 385 thousand TL on Tuesday morning increased to 1 million 402 thousand TL during the day.

PKK HUNT IN TUNCELI
An operation was launched against terrorist organization PKK in Cemisgezek Alibogazi hamlet of eastern Tunceli province. Sources said that the operation was supported by attack helicopters. All entrances to the region were prohibited.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SEZER CAN VETO RTUK LAW FOR SECOND TIME
The law on the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) which had been vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer was discussed in the parliament last night although Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit was not in the parliament. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) were in great solidarity when the law was discussed in the parliament. Meanwhile deputies and jurists discuss the possibility of President Sezer's vetoing the law for the second time.