ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 16, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ACCOUNTS OF SECTS FOR FEBRUARY 28
Influential communities and groups in Turkey preferred central right parties instead of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Felicity Party (SP) in order not to experience another February 28.
Some of the rooted communities did not expend support to AK Party and SP with concerns that they would not be able to endure another February 28. There are even some groups supporting Republican Peoples Party (CHP).

VISA TO DEHAP FOR ELECTIONS
Higher Election Board (YSK) unanimously rejected request of Supreme Court of Appeals' Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu not to allow Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) to take place in November 3 elections as it did not have the competence to make organizations in 42 provinces.
With this decision of YSK, DEHAP will enter the elections. Reasoned verdict of YSK decision will be announced today.
YSK Deputy Chairman Ahmet Hamdi Unlu said ''during today's meeting, we discussed the report sent to the YSK by the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office about the DEHAP. At the end of our assessment, we have decided unanimously that the DEHAP can join the general elections. Later, we will announce the reasoned verdict.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ISTANBUL IS A FUNERAL
Istanbul Quake Director Mahmut Bas, who announced the results of a joint working carried out by Japanese JICA company, said, ''Istanbul can not endure an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale. There is a funeral.''
Resembling Istanbul to a funeral, Bas said, ''there is a funeral. We are working on how to hold this funeral.''
Bas defended that Istanbul would not be able to endure a quake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale. Bas said 80 percent of the buildings were not strong, adding that ''Fatih'' was the leading ''death districts''. He said Bayrampasa and Bagcilar were the other death districts.
Stressing that ground of Istanbul was problematic, Bas said, ''there are 15-30 meters ancient fillings. We make cooperation with Italians to strengthen those structures. There is a high possibility for collapse of Fatih Mosque.'' He said Zeyrek Mosque was in the worst position, and that efforts were underway regarded with Hagia Sophia.
Bas said those districts were in a bad situation with respect to narrow streets, multi-storey buildings, high population and bad ground, adding that, ''there is a high risk of fire here. According to the estimations, serious fires will erupt in 16 points of the city.''

KADEK TO COMMIT SUICIDE
It was reported that PKK-KADEK will re-start suicide attacks mostly in western regions in case Turkey intervenes in Northern Iraq.
It was also reported that the organization, which was claimed to use SA-7 type missiles against Turkish Armed Forces, speeded up piling up weapons and logistics.
Intelligence units said KADEK started to make preparations against Turkey's possible operation. The organization decided to reinforce its groups in Cudi and Kupeli mountains, and Bestler and Dereler regions. The organization did not want the groups enter into clash with the security forces until they are reinforced.
KADEK, which has contacts with Iranian intelligence units, provided 1000 automatic weapons. The organization deployed its SA-7 type missiles in critical points in Turkey's Iraqi border, planning to use the missiles against Turkish jets.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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GUREL CALLS ON BAYKAL TO COME TO HIS SENSES
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel gave a harsh response to Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal who said, ''any operation that would be made against Iraq in the period of this government will be a disaster.''
Gurel said, ''what will in fact cause disaster is to utter such words about future of the country without knowing his own responsibilities and positions. I hope everybody will come to his senses.''
Pointing out that they informed all the political parties about the developments, Gurel said, ''such statements, as if there is a lack of authority in the country, will not add strength to our country. On the contrary it will show the country as weak.''

SABANCI: THERE IS NOT A NEED FOR WAR, WE ARE ALREADY POOR
Sabanci Holding Executive Board Chairman Sakip Sabanci said intervention of the United States in Iraq would bring a very big burden on Turkey.
Sabanci said, ''we are already poor. There are many problems in the country. Economy is in a miserable situation. People die in war. This will be like a black cloud on the world. Of course, we will be obliged to take over most of this burden.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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EU CONFUSED
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that date for Turkey's membership was not clear. He said, ''Bulgaria and Romaina maybe in 2007... Later, there are only question marks.'' Meanwhile, EU Commission Representative in Turkey Hans Jorg Kretschmer stressed that Turkey might record a great progress if the new government to be formed after polls displayed a reformist approach. French Le Monde newspaper reported that Turkey's membership concerned EU countries. Turkey polemics was reflected also in the letters to the Financial Times editor: Dr. Karl Pagac said Turkey was a great opportunity for the EU while Derek Roper claimed that Turkey's membership would be a ''serious disaster''. Meanwhile, during his contacts in Turkey, German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Executive Board member Martin Schultz gave the message that a possible military operation by the United States against Iraq, November 3 polls and Cyprus issue were the three obstacles in front of Turkey's membership process.

IMF WAITS FOR POLLS
During talks with an IMF delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen, it was adopted to increase growth rate target in 2002 to 4 percent and leave tax reform to the new government to be formed after the elections. State Minister Masum Turker for Economy said he would publicly announce and sign the letter of intent.

PROPOSAL FOR FRANCE MODEL
Non-governmental organizations defended that if the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) comes to the power, Turkey would be dragged into darkness. ''The Republican People's Party (CHP) is the biggest obstacle in front of AK Party hazard. We invite people to vote for the CHP by taking the France model as an example,'' the NGOs said.

IRAQ: COST OF PARTNERSHIP
Regarding the press reports that Turkey and the United States have different policies toward Iraq, U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson said that Turks and Americans should remember that Turkey and the United States agreed on basic issues. Noting that it was natural for the two countries to develop their own perspective about Iraq issue, Pearson said tactical approaches should not overshadow strategic point of view.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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NSC SUPPORTS INITIATIVE FOR EU
A total of 56 public organizations which convened after European Union (EU) Progress Report was announced and which reached agreement to eliminate the deficiencies launched initiative for Turkey to get a date for the membership negotiations from the EU. National Security Council (NSC) which had opposed to the regulations related to the broadcast in Kurdish and minority rights supported the initiative. According to the decision, necessary regulations will be passed till November and a report on human rights will be submitted to EU.

FIRST ELECTION THEN LOAN
International Monetary Fund (IMF) will take a final decision concerning the last tranche of loan worth of 1.6 billion U.S. dollars with the new government which will form after November 3 elections. IMF which does not rely on the commitments of the existing government thinks to discuss again the letter of intent with the new government.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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CILLER: ''THEY CANNOT FOUND A KURDISH STATE''
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller criticized the government's policy on foundation of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq, saying that a Kurdish state could not be founded there. Ciller who addressed the people in a public meeting in Sinop criticized the political parties in the government and former State Minister Kemal Dervis and said, ''doomsday is coming.'' Stating that they would erase the credit interest debts of farmers and tradesmen, Ciller said that she made Turkey a member of the Customs Union and she would also make the country a full member of the European Union.

PRESIDENTS DON'T WANT WAR
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said that they absolutely opposed to a Kurdish state to be founded in Northern Iraq and Afghan President Hamid Karzai also stated that he hoped that the problem in Iraq would be solved with peace. Khatami, Karzai and Tajik President Imamali Rakhmonov who attended the Seventh Heads of State Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) came together in Istanbul.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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AWARD TO ALIYEV
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev who came together with the Turkish businessmen in Ciragan Palace in Istanbul was awarded with a plate by private Samanyolu TV channel. Aliyev who came to Istanbul for the Seventh Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) attended the luncheon which was organized by Turkish-Azerbaijani Business Council.

'IRAQ COMMANDER' TO COME TO ANKARA
U.S. General Tommy Franks who is expected to command a possible U.S. operation against Iraq will come to Ankara on Monday. Franks will meet with General Staff Chief Hilmi Ozkok and other commanders in Ankara during his visit. General Franks will also visit other regions which will play significant role in a possible operation.