ANKARA (A.A) - 13.08.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 13, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MEMORANDUM TO STOP QUADRES
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer warned the government not to make bureaucratic changes prior to elections. In the surprise message sent from the Presidential Palace to the Prime Ministry, it was requested that decrees on practices that could be defined as an investment for elections or appointments should not be issued prior to the elections unless there was an obligation. Thus, Sezer expressed his sensitivity about appointments. Sezer also blocked probable election appointments and targeted at preventing a possible bureaucratic chaos. Turkey had witnessed serious bureaucratic operations in former elections and especially appointments made to empty quadres were commented as ''political.''

FIRST POLITICAL LAWSUIT AGAINST SURVEY COMPANIES
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller filed a lawsuit against a survey company which showed her party below the electoral threshold. This was the first time that a political party filed a lawsuit against a survey company. SONAR, which carried out the survey, showed DYP below the electoral theshold. DYP brought an American expert and started to investigate the survey of this company.

AL QAIDA OPERATION IN ESENBOGA
Upon tip-off made by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), an operation was staged at Esenboga Airport of Ankara and Al Qaida courier was captured. The militant having the code name ''Ubeyde'' confessed that he was carrying money for the organization. Kar was sent to prison by Istanbul State Security Court (DGM).

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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FIRST STEP TO TURKISH STYLE POLITICS
Kemal Dervis started to use a luxurious office and two cars allocated for him by Necati Yagci, a businessmen in southeastern Mardin province. It was revealed that Yagci, known as a close name to State Minister Fikret Unlu and his family and a businessmen who bought Interyatirim (Inter investment) from Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), allocated a luxurious office and two cars to Dervis, who resigned from the State Ministry, free of charge. Thus, Dervis has joined typical Turkish style politics.

SHOCKING CLAIMS IN ANKARA
''If Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit had had a check-up, the hospital would have given him a report of physical disability. The backstages of Ankara is shaken by the rumours that ''conspricacy was made to Ecevit at Baskent Hospital.'' According to allegations, Ecevit learned that he would be given ''a report of physical disability'' during his last check-up. A doctor at Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) warned Ecevit not to go to Baskent Hospital for a check-up. Then, Ecevit ended his treatment. Emrehan Halici of Democratic Left Party (DSP) said that they heard about these rumours.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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EU ADVANTAGE TO VARTAN HOTEL
A hotel in eastern Van province which was closed due to its Armenian name ''Vartan'' was given permit again thanks to European Union (EU) adjustment laws. Victor Bedoyan, an American citizen of Armenian origin, was the first person who benefitted from EU adjustment laws. Bedoyan had trouble when he named two-star hotel he bought in Van three years ago as ''Vartan'' meaning victory in Armenian. Bedoyan was dealing with lawsuits since that day. When Bedoyan did no more have any hope, Van Administrative Court made a surprise decision: Bedoyan can name his hotel as ''Vartan.''

HOLY ALLIANCE FROM ERBAKAN
Necmettin Erbakan, banned Welfare Party (RP) leader, cancelled his holiday in Altinoluk and returned to Ankara. It was claimed that Erbakan returned to Ankara to carry out contacts of Felicity Party (SP) for an electoral alliance with the Grand Unity Party (BBP), Brilliant Turkey Party (ATP), Nation Party (MP) and Independent Turkey Party (BTP). SP deputies from eastern provinces claimed that an alliance would be made with People's Democracy Party (HADEP).

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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AEGEAN HIT BY HOT WEATHER
Western Izmir province experienced the hottest day with 43 degrees Celcius since 1939. Temperature in Bandirma township reached 42 degrees Celcius. Turkey will be under the influence of new precipitations coming from the Balkans as of today. However, temperatures will be above seasonal normals.

FOREST FIRE KILLS TWO
Fire which broke out in a forested area in Akcakertil hamlet of Kepsut township in Balikesir province burnt more than 1,000 hectares of forest. Ten houses were burnt in Sarfaklar village while Bedriye and Suyeman Barut died in the fire. Five villages were evacuated due to the fire which cannot be taken under control.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SURVEYS DIFFERENT, RESULT THE SAME
Here is the common points of two surveys carried out by Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and a foreign bank: One of every four voters are still indecisive. The success of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is obvious. The majority of central parties cannot pass the election threshold. What these surveys teach us is that the alliance of similar views is the final and only remedy. In fact, we may be late for alliances. The possibility of a change in tendency of voters from now on is very weak.

A DIFFERENT HAND OVER CEREMONY
Kemal Dervis firstly briefed Masum Turker, who was appointed as the new State Minister for economy, for two and a half hours and then, handed over the post. Then, Dervis told reporters that he was searching for the political future of Turkey and said, ''this country will ensure this transition with democratic methods.''

PROBLEMS IN ANAP
Erkan Mumcu, who severed relations with Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz, is at the stage of making a decision. Ten deputies can leave ANAP together with Mumcu. Mumcu is exchanging views with Saadettin Tantan, Mehmet Agar, Melih Gokcek and Husnu Dogan. They are discussing to be under the umbrella of Democrat Party (DP) for the elections. Mumcu is also thinking about the invitation of Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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STABILITY WITH THIS LAW IS DIFFICULT
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said that they were telling for three and a half years that Political Parties and Election Laws should be passed. Ciller said, ''we presented the bills on these laws to all the leaders. I should state that the government has not done its duties and the government rejected these laws.'' Ciller noted that ''ballot boxes was stability'' and said, ''the nation will make the alliance in front of the ballot boxes. But, we will not be a tool for special savings of anybody to pass 10 percent threshold.'' Thus, Ciller blocked formation of alliances.

CHP IS ALSO AT PARLIAMENT
Former State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz, who resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and who had cooperation with Ismail Cem and Husammettin Ozkan for some time, joined Republican People's Party (CHP). Thus, the number of political parties represented at the parliament increased to 10.

PARLIAMENT TO DEBATE NEW CITIES
The initiatives to make some towns provinces during the election process caused difficulties for both the parliament and the deputies. The parliament will convene today to debate the bills foreseeing Sebinkarahisar, Inegol and Susehri to be provinces.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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DSP AND CHP CLOSE DOORS TO DERVIS
Kemal Dervis announced that he would continue his contacts for a broadbased alliance on which he was working. However, Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Republican People's Party (CHP) which will solve the problems related with the mentioned alliance do not welcome Dervis' new demand for a meeting.

DISASTER IN BALIKESIR: A THOUSAND HECTARES OF FOREST BURNT, TWO PEOPLE DIE
Fire which broke out near Kesput township of Balikesir province spread to a forested area of a thousand hectares. Two people died in the fire while five villages were evacuated due to the spreading fire. Balikesir Governor's Office formed a crisis desk.

MARKETS NOT AFFECTED BY RESIGNATION OF DERVIS
Resignation of Kemal Dervis, who was considered as the guarantor of the economic program backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), from State Ministry did not affect the markets as expected. The U.S. dollar which climbed to 1 million 670 thousand Turkish liras (TL) with an increase of 27 thousand TL yesterday morning decreased to 1 million 640 thousand TL at the end of the day. Treasury bond interest rates increased by half points due to the effect of today's auction while the Stock Exchange reduced 2.18 percent due to negative effect of six-month balance sheets.