ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 2, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
THIS FRIENDSHIP WILL END IF YOU OPEN YOUR BASES
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, who visited Ankara, said they would absolutely not consider Turkey as a friendly country in case Turkey opens its bases to the United States.
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein sent a message to President Sezer and said, ''the United States can not easily launch an operation without Turkey. Don't support them.''
Aziz spoke to journalists after his meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who he described as ''an old friend of Iraq''.
When asked if they would consider Turkey as a friendly country in case it opens its bases to the United States, Aziz said, ''absolutely not. Threats toward Iraq are also threats toward Turkey. Any aggression toward Iraq would not only give damage to Iraq, but also to Turkey.''
TUSIAD: WE WON'T BE SILENT ON CYPRUS
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) delegation, who met the Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou after Greek Prime Minister Simitis, gave the message that ''the next step in Cyprus depends on the South from now on. Don't expect concession from Turkey.''
TUSIAD said, ''we earlier criticized Denktas, he did what was necessary, now that it is the turn of Clerides.''
Not only Turkish-EU relations, but also Cyprus question was discussed during the meeting of TUSIAD delegation with Papandreou.
TUSIAD said Turkey met the Copenhagen criteria to a great extend, and that it should be given a date by the EU to start consultations in response.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
GAME IS OVER
Efforts to delay elections were not adequate. The parliament complied with the decision which it had taken two months ago. No obstacle is left in front of the elections that would take place on November 3.
Initiatives of the disgruntleds to cancel the decision for November 3 election, remained without a result.
MHP, AKP, DSP, and DYP were in favor of elections whereas YTP, ANAP, and SP wanted to postpone the elections.
Consultation Board convened before the October 1 regular meeting of the Parliament which takes place as a requirement of constitution.
A proposal was brought onto the agenda to postpone elections, but a compromise could not be reached.
EXPORTS FROM TURKEY RISE 27.7 PERCENT TO USD 3.3 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER
Exports from Turkey rose 27.7 percent to 3 billion 329 million U.S. dollars in September 2002 when compared to the exports in August.
According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) statistics, exports from Turkey in the January-September period of 2002 increased 12 percent to 25 billion 633 million 414 thousand U.S. dollars when compared to same period in 2001.
As of the end of September 2002, last one-year exports from Turkey rose 12.6 percent to 33 billion 798 million 396 thousand U.S. dollars.
Exports of industrial products from Turkey in September 2002 rose 32.8 percent to 2 billion 762 million 343 thousand U.S. dollars.
According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) statistics, exports of agricultural products increased 5.3 percent to 512 million 376 thousand U.S. dollars and exports of animal products increased 19.7 percent to 26 million 469 thousand U.S. dollars in September.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
TIRED BUT DIGNIFIED
Efforts of the ''resentful'' deputies to delay elections have been blocked by Ecevit and his Democratic Left Party (DSP) group. Ecevit, who, in the beginning opposed to holding elections on Nov. 3, is now taking the risk of not being elected again and he's saying ''There's no return from the elections.''
EU AWAITS COMMISSION REPORT ON TURKEY
EU Term Chairman Dannish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller who held a press conference at the end of the EU General Affairs Council, said that the EU was very pleased about the reforms passed by the Turkish government. Responding to a question, Moller said that they had very brief discussions about Turkey and that they were waiting for the EU Commission's Turkey Progress Report which will be announced on Oct. 9.
Meanwhile, State Minister Masum Turker said that Turkey should be given a date to start negotiations with the EU during Copenhagen Summit. He added that the Turkish economy would not suffer even if this doesn't happen.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
CASE OPENED BY KIVRIKOGLU
File opened by former Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu against Organization for Journalists Without Borders (RSF), will be heard on October 16 in Paris Courthouse.
Boukris, the French lawyer of Kivrikoglu, made a complaint about RSF Chairman Robert Menard, and said photograph of former Chief of General Staff was hung on public places without his permission, and that his personal rights was insulted.
RSF had opened an exhibition in a train station in Paris in June aiming to expose leaders of countries where human rights were violated. Attitude of RSF in hanging photograph of Kivrikoglu had caused a diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Paris.
PRESIDENT SEZER: ''PARLIAMENT HAS TAKEN AN APPROPRIATE DECISION''
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that the parliament had taken an appropriate decision, and added that the initiatives to call on the parliament to hold an extraordinary meeting should come to an end.
President Sezer attended the reception hosted by Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi to mark the beginning of the new legislative year.
Responding a question about the parliament's decision to recess again, President Sezer said, ''let's hope for the best. The parliament has taken an appropriate decision.''
He added that the initiatives to call on the parliament to hold an extraordinary meeting should come to an end.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
EXPORT RISES SHARPLY IN SEPTEMBER DESPITE POLITICAL STAGNATION
September, 2000 broke a record and had the highest export rate of the history of the Turkish Republic with 3 billion 329 million USD export revenues. Last month Turkey's export income increased 27.7 percent from last year's September. Turkey Exporters' Board Chairman Satici pointed to Turkey's current political and economic problems and said manufacturers, frustrated with the stagnated domestic market, are focusing on selling their products to abroad.
EARTHQUAKE DRILL CAUSES PANIC IN ANKARA During an earthquake drill, Balikesir Governor Ulku Acun called Ankara and told Interior Ministry Undersecretary Rasim Bas that Balikesir was hit by an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale. He said that Telekom building collapsed entirely and the death toll was rising. Officials who didn't know about the earthquake drill, panicked. Everybody took a deep breath when they learnt the truth.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
PARLIAMENT PAVES WAY FOR BALLOT BOX
Politicians listened to people and elections on November 3 was accepted with 21 votes of difference. The question ''Is the election going to be held or not?'' which was asked for weeks was answered in yesterday's historical session at parliament. There were 191 'in favor' votes against 170 for the motion that foresees to hold elections on November 3. And the parliament recessed until formation of the new government after November 3 elections. Felicity Party (SP) and New Turkey Party (YTP) deputies protested Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi by saying, ''we don't trust you.'' Meanwhile, Izgi said, ''I did the right thing. I have a clean conscience.'' President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that disgruntled deputies should not attempt to initiate a new move, adding, ''it was a timely, appropriate and right decision. I am pleased with the result.'' General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok said that the parliament decided on recess until elections on November 3 on its free will.
AZIZ SPEAKS VERY CLEARLY
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said that they absolutely would no longer consider Turkey a friendly country and relations between the two countries would be destroyed seriously if it allows the United States to use its air bases during a possible war.
CIMBOM MISS CHANCE
Galatasaray drew 0-0 with Club Brugge of Belgium at their home Ali Sami Yen Stadium in European Champions League group H match. Cimbom who disappointed their fans with the ineffective football made the chance to reach second phase difficult.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
DISGRUNTLED LOSE, ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3
Parliament held a historical session yesterday. Deputies decided on recess of parliament with 21 votes of difference, putting an end for the moment to debates over elections that were brought onto the agenda by the disgruntled parliamentarians. Meanwhile, decision on recess of parliament helped markets to take a deep breath. Price of 1 U.S. dollar reduced to 1,655 thousand Turkish liras, bond interest rate decreased to 70.5 percent while national-100 index at the stock exchange rose 2.43 percent (or 215 points) to 9,057 points.
GREEK CYPRIOTS MAKE WEAPONS SHOW
Prior to tomorrow's summit in New York at which Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides come together for a solution to the Cyprus issue, the Greek Cypriot administration held a public demonstration by showing its attack weapons. In a military parade held in Lefkosa's Greek Cypriot side under ''independence day'' celebrations, Greek Cypriots showed their tanks, armored personnel carriers, cannons and rocket launchers while M135 attack helicopters purchased from Russia did not join the parade.
CENTRAL BANK SIGNALS INTERVENTION IN MARKETS
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti said that they might intervene in markets as they had done after September 11 terrorist attacks in order to maintain financial stability in case of a possible U.S. military operation against Iraq.