ANKARA (A.A) - 31.05.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 31, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HISTORICAL CALL
Prof. Dr. Turgut Zileli and his health team did not allow Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to attend the yesterday's meeting of National Security Council (NSC). NSC convened without the prime minister for the first time in its history. During the meeting, NSC called on the government to take all necessary measures, and on Europe to set a date for beginning of full membership negotiations. Meanwhile, NSC decided to propose the Council of Ministers to end the Emergency Rule in eastern provinces of Hakkari and Tunceli and to prolong it for another four months for the last time in southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir and Sirnak.

UNITED STATES PUTS PRESSURE ON EU FOR TURKEY
The United States has put pressure on the European Union (EU) to set a date for the beginning of full membership negotiations with Turkey.

THEY FREEZE TO DEATH
Journey of 19 Afghans who had fled from the war in Afghanistan, ended in eastern province of Van. Security forces recovered bodies of nine children, six women and four men who were believed to had frozen to death some four months ago.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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NSC: ''CAPITAL PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE LIFTED''
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer brought the issue of capital punishment at the monthly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC). State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP); and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan said that capital punishment should be lifted. National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said that they should not hurry up to lift capital punishment. Meanwhile, high-ranging military officials called on the government to accelerate works to fulfill commitments to the European Union (EU).

PROVOCATION
People's Democracy Party (HADEP) hampered efforts to lift capital punishment by requesting amnesty for Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization. While Turkey has been discussing the formula of commuting death sentence given to Ocalan to life imprisonment, and of paving the way for the European Union (EU) full membership, HADEAP claimed that Ocalan should be benefit from amnesty.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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UNFORTUNATELY PARKINSON
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has been suffering from Parkinson for three years. Besides Parkinson, Prime Minister Ecevit has also been suffering from myasthenia. Parkinson is a disorder of the brain characterized by shaking and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. The disease is associated with damage to a part of the brain that is involved with the execution of movement. Doctors did not allow Prime Minister Ecevit to attend yesterday's meeting of National Security Council (NSC) to this end.

ECEVIT MAKES THE SAME CALL TO INONU IN 1972
Bulent Ecevit called on then Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ismet Inonu in 1972, ''Mr. Inonu who was a successful leader due to his historical mission, has become unable to use his historical personality due to physical conditions. A statesman should withdraw himself when his mission comes to an end.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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BIG STEP FOR EU
Important decisions which will pave the way for Turkey's European Union (EU) membership was taken at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, to which Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit could not attend due to his health problems and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli could not join since he was abroad. NSC said that setting the date of Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership negotiation schedule at the Copenhagen Summit was very important and necessary and recommended that the government should fulfil necessary initiatives rapidly. Ending of emergency rule in Hakkari and Tunceli provinces was adopted at the meeting. The NSC decided to extend emergency rule in Diyarbakir and Sirnak once more. This decision was considered as a gesture prior to EU Sevilla Summit.

THESIS THAT ECEVIT WILL WITHDRAW IS WIDE-SPREAD
The view that ''a prime minister who cannot attend the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, convene the Council of Ministers and go abroad should no more be in the office'' is getting wide-spread each day. At the parliamentary backstage, it was noted that formulas would come to agenda to urge Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to withdraw from the office if he cannot attend the leaders' summit to be held at the Presidential Palace on June 7. Rumors about Ecevit's health increased as the doctors did not think it would be appropriate for Ecevit to attend the NSC meeting which lasted for at least four or five hours.

ESCAPE TO DEATH
Dead bodies of 19 Afghans who were determined to froze to death trying to enter into Turkey illegally were found in Caldiran township of eastern Van province. It was announced that the foreigners froze to death almost one and a half months ago. Meanwhile, dead bodies of 5 Pakistanis who wanted to depart Turkey illegally were found in Menderes township of western Izmir province.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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MHP IS MORE COMFORTABLE NOW
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) which is struck between its members and the European Union (EU) process is relieved by the proposals of the soldiers regarding broadcasting and education in Kurdish. Party members say that they will be a pioneer in case of compromise. Group acting leader Sandir and deputy leader Cetin said, ''it can be discussed and we can watch developments. We will be persuaded if the people are persuaded.''

YILMAZ: ''ADJUSTMENT IS OBLIGATORY''
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said, ''adjustment to Copenhagen criteria will be ensured with this government and parliament.'' Speaking to Radikal daily, Yilmaz said, ''there is not time in front of the government to lay the foundation of a new project.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TWELVETH TOP GOAL SCORER TITLE
Hakan Sukur, Turkish football player who is a member of Italian Parma team, was ranked the 12th in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) list of the top goal scorers of the world. Sukur scored 207 goals in 381 league matches.

BELGIAN FORMULA TO CYPRUS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas received Annemie Neyts Uyttebroeck, the Belgian Minister for European Affairs. Denktas told reporters following the meeting that the Greek Cypriot administration did not find the Belgian model, the applicability of which was discussed for Cyprus, as positive so far because the decisions were taken with consensus. Denktas hoped that the sides could reach a result related with this matter.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKES TO JOIN BBP
Tugrul Turkes, the son of late Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Alparslan Turkes, will join the Grand Unity Party (BBP). Meanwhile, Turkes' political party Brilliant Turkey Party (ATP) will unite with the BBP.

CILLER CALLS ON PRESIDENT SEZER TO DISCUSS POLITICS DURING SUMMIT
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said that changes aiming at institutionalizing political stability should also be taken besides Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU) during the summit meeting to be hosted by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer with the participation of leaders of political parties having seats at the parliament.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY MARTYRS COMMEMORATED
A ceremony was held to commemorate 34 members of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and their relatives who were killed by Armenian terrorist organizations in 1970s and 80. Speaking at the ceremony, Cem said, ''Turkish diplomats and officials were assassinated in 19 different countries. Not only diplomats and officials, but also their families became victims of terrorism. Turkish people never forget the grief of their martyrs. Also, we will never forget such inhuman acts against our people and officials. Turkey lost many people in terrorism. Its messages against terrorism have been understood after the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York on September 11, 2001. Unfortunately, people shared the same pain and grief with us before the world understood our rightfulness.''