ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 14, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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DERVIS: ''YES, I MADE A MISTAKE''
Former State Minister Kemal Dervis said, ''I acted hastily when I shed green light to the New Turkey Party (YTP), and this caused trouble both for me and for them.'' He continued, ''I made a serious mistake by meeting with Husamettin Ozkan on July 9. When Ozkan told me that I should take a decision within 24 hours, I should have told him that we had to discuss the issue for 2-3 weeks. I did not say that I would join the YTP during the meeting at the Foreign Ministry residence. I said that I would act with them. Because, I was planning to join the Republican People's Party (CHP).''
GUREL: ''WE ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF AN EXTERNAL INTERVENTION''
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sukru Sina Gurel said, ''we are not in favor of an intervention in Iraq that will not be made within the framework of the United Nations Security Council's resolutions.'' ''If such an operation is launched against Iraq, we will do our utmost to protect Turkey's interests.'' Referring to recent developments in Northern Iraq, Gurel said, ''groups in the region plans to reach their target my taking advantage of such an atmosphere. We will do whatever is necessary if they threaten territorial integrity of Iraq and pose new threats against Turkey,'' he added.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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BAHCELI: ''EU MAKES SIMILAR DEMANDS WITH OCALAN''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, who also acts as leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said, ''what the European Union's (EU) demanded from Turkey within the framework of universal values such as human rights and democracy, are similar with claims put forward by Abdullah Ocalan, the head of terrorist organization who cost lives of 30 thousand people, to reach his targets.'' Speaking at a rally in central province of Kirikkale, Bahceli criticized State Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz's attitude towards the EU. He also stressed that foundation of an independent Kurdish state in Northern Iraq was unacceptable.
LEADERS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
The Seventh Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government of Member Countries to the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will be hosted by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace. President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, President Mohammad Khatami of Iran, President Hamit Karzai of Afghanistan, President Imamali Rahmonov of Tajikistan, President Haydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Parliament Speaker Erkin Halilov of Uzbekistan came to Istanbul yesterday to attend the meeting.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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MESSAGE FROM ECEVIT TO U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH
People welcomed Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit in eastern province of Kars chanting slogans, 'we do not want war''. Prime Minister Ecevit told people, ''I hope that your voice will reach the United States. U.S. President George W. Bush wants to overthrow Iraqi Head of State Saddam Hussein. We will not be involved in an unnecessary war. We do not want our young people to lose their lives in such a war.''
TANKER CLAIMS FOUR LIVES
A tanker loaded with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) collided with an automobile in northwestern province of Bolu. Four people in the automobile lost their lives in the accident. A full investigation into the accident is under way.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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CALL FOR PEACE AGAINST WAR
Political reactions continue against possible operation against Iraq and establishment of Kurdish state in Iraq. New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said they oppose to Turkey's inclusion into any adventure apart from Turkey's own interests, legal defense and its own will.
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller defended that the government remained silent and passive against the things happening in Iraq, whereas Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) leader Ufuk Uras said, ''those who dragged Turkey into the debt swamp, are trying to drag Turkey into the swamp of war.''
YILMAZ'S HOPES FOR 2003
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said Turkey met most of the political criteria which were preconditions to start European Union (EU) full membership negotiations. Yilmaz said EU had set a date for full membership negotiations to the other candidate countries under equal conditions, stressing that Turkey also deserved this. Noting that they wanted equal treatment from the EU, Yilmaz said they expected to get ''conditional date'' in 2003 with the worst possibility.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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KURDISH-ARAB WAR TO BREAK OUT
New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem, who did not find Turkey's participation to an intervention that does not base on international law, pointed out that, ''splitting up of Iraq will pave ways for Kurdish-Arab war. A situation like Palestine-Israel will appear near us.''
Cem said Turkey should not enter into the war, stressing that, ''allowing usage of military bases will be enough within the current framework.''
Cem said, ''a rightful view was formed in meeting in Cankaya Palace. Turkey can not accept an intervention that fails to base on international law. Otherwise very serious consequences may erupt for Turkey.''
ECEVIT: MANY YOUNG PEOPLE MAY DIE
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit pointed out that Turkey may be dragged into a war even if it does not want. ''if we are obliged to enter a war that does not have any connection with us, we may suffer loses particularly in young generations.''
YILMAZ: TURKEY SHOULD ENTER WAR
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said Turkey would be effected by a possible operation against Iraq whether or not it enters the war. Yilmaz said, ''we will be effected positively if we will be in the war, but we will be effected negatively if we don't enter the war.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HARSH STATEMENTS FROM BAHCELI
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, who also acts as the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), pointed to the developments in Northern Iraq, and criticized ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz. Bahceli said, ''as those things are happening in Northern Iraq and within Turkey, somebody still goes to Diyarbakir and says 'the way to EU passes from Diyarbakir'.''
Bahceli said what the EU administration wanted from Turkey were similar to those claimed by a murderer, who claimed lives of 30,000 people and caused 100 billion U.S. dollars loss in economy, to reach his targets. Bahceli said nobody asked the EU why they did so.
ECEVIT: WE WILL NOT ENTER WAR BECAUSE OTHERS WANTED
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, indicating the United States, ''we will not enter war because others wanted. But we will fight in the best way if necessary. But we are a peaceful nation. Turkey tries to prevent desire of the United States for war.''
Ecevit said, ''if the United States enters into military intervention without getting permission from us, we will be dragged into war even if we don't want.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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MUSHARRAF: ROLES OF TURKEY AND PAKISTAN ARE SIMILAR
Pakistani Head of State General Pervaz Musharraf said roles of Turkey and Pakistan in the 21st century were similar to each other, stressing that both of those two countries shared a contemporary vision having tolerance. He said, ''we support regional peace.''
Pointing out that relations between the two countries based on a joint history and heritage, Musharraf said his country always defended the views of Turkey regarding legal and basic rights.
ECO FOR THE FIRST TIME TO GIVE SCIENCE AND ARTS AWARDS
Turkey will take over term presidency of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) following 7th summit that will take place in Istanbul's Ciragan Palace. For the first time in the summit, those who have important successes in the fields of science, culture and arts will be given awards.