ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 24, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CLOSURE TO AK PARTY WHICH HAS NOT OBEYED WARNING
Supreme Court Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu filed a lawsuit requesting closure of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) as its leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not leave leadership despite warning of the Constitutional Court. Kanadoglu said, ''those who are candidates to rule the country have to behave in line with principles of a legal state.'' Kanadoglu filed the closure case as the party ''did not totally fulfilled'' the ''warning'' of the Constitutional Court. Kanadoglu also requested that precautionary measure should be taken on Erdogan's authorities stemming from leadership.
TURKER: ''U.S. DOLLAR WILL NOT EXCEED 1 MILLION 700 THOUSAND TL''
State Minister Masum Turker for economy said that they thought that one U.S. dollar would not exceed 1 million 700 thousand Turkish liras (TL) in line with the current indicators. Turker, who attended the opening ceremony of the 2002-2003 year of the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics Economy Club, said that the real targets would be set in the budget to be prepared by the government that would come to the power after November 3 elections.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''LET'S GIVE A DATE''
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder extended significant support to Turkey's European Union (EU) membership. According to a news that was on the web-page of German Focus magazine, Schroeder met with EU Term President Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. At the meeting, Schroeder said that he was in favor of giving a date for opening of full membership negotiations with Turkey at the Copenhagen Summit.
''WE ARE IN FACT IN IRAQ''
Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel said that Turkey had military force in Northern Iraq. Gurel said, ''Turkey will increase its military existence in Northern Iraq as much as it wants if its national interests require this. This is not connected to a probable U.S. intervention in Iraq.''
IS THIS REALLY YOU?: 3-1
Galatasaray soccer club of Turkey, the victories of which we are accustomed to in European leagues, disappointed us against Club Brugge. Galatasaray was defeated by Brugge 3-1 and endangered its chance to qualify in the Champions League. The host team missed numberless goals.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ILL BUT AT THE SAME TIME HEALTHY
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not join yesterday's hearing of the case filed against himself on charges of ''unjust enrichment'' by taking a report that ''he was ill.'' The court decided to bring Erdogan to the hearing by police force. However, AK Party leader flew to the capital and attended a meal with the ambassadors of the European Union (EU) member countries.
WE HAVE SPENT 18 QUADRILLION TL IN NINE MONTHS
Figures recorded in growing Turkey one after the other above the estimations and despite the crisis signal ''revival'' in economy. According to nine-month figures of the Inter-bank Card Center, 15.2 million credit card owners spent 17 quadrillion 951 trillion Turkish liras (TL).
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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SCHEDULE LETTER TO EU
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has launched efforts prior to the Brussels Summit of the European Union (EU) which will start on Thursday and at which critical decisions about enlargement will be taken. Sezer, who wrote letters to EU leaders, found positive the paragraph on Turkey which took place in the draft final statement of the Brussels Summit. Sezer warned that a decision except beginning negotiations with Turkey would cause disappointment and said, ''we expect you to make a decision with common sense which will be important for not only Turkey but also for the EU.''
IRAQ READY FOR COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY
Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammad Mehdi Saleh came to Turkey to participate in the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Saleh said that his country was ready for a cooperation and solidarity with Turkey. Saleh noted that they welcomed Turkey's standing against a probable military operation on Iraq.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THAT SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ IS UNDER TURKEY'S CONTROL
The political party leaders' statements about the Northern Iraq ended with the Foreign Ministry's intervention and the military officials' warnings. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who said earlier that the developments went out of control in the region stressed on Wednesday that there was no threat of war in the region. The high-level military officials said that the situation in Iraq was exaggerated due to the political reasons and added that there was no uncontrolled development in the region after the meeting of National Security Council.
CEM: ''WE WILL ENTER PARLIAMENT''
New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said that his party would pass the threshold and enter the parliament. Cem who addressed the people in a public meeting in Sincan township of Ankara stated that his party was newly established, but some people acted unjustly to the party. Ismail Cem said that it was shown as if YTP had a low public opinion power and added that his party was worn out with the fake news stories. YTP leader who evaluated the news that Turkey would take part in a possible military operation against Iraq, said that Turkey had no youths who would die in a meaningless war.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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YILMAZ SAYS TURKISH PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DARKEN THEIR FUTURE
Deputy Prime Minister, State Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz who addressed people in a public meeting in Gundogdu Square in Izmir said that Turkish people should not give opportunity to those who would darken the future of them and their children. Yilmaz who called all the political party leaders to a panel discussion on the state run tv channel TRT said, ''let's discuss our programmes and proposals in front of the people. You should not escape from the people.''
FC BRUGGE 3, GALATASARAY 1
Galatasaray soccer team had a match with FC Brugge in their Champions League Group H in Belgium. The Belgian team overcame Galatasaray 3-1 on Wednesday to raise their hopes of reaching the second stage. Galatasaray which made a good beginning at the match was beaten by FC Brugge due to the defense mistakes and it became the third in the group.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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KANADOGLU REQUESTS CLOSURE OF AK PARTY
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court, and requested closure of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) 11 days before the elections. The lawsuit is not expected to be concluded before the elections.
Kanadoglu requested the court to prevent AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan from using mission and authorities of political party leadership.
ALMOST 30 PEOPLE INJURED IN BALLOON EXPLOSION IN MHP'S PUBLIC MEETING
Almost 30 people were injured after decorative balloons filled with flammable hydrogen gas exploded in Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) public meeting which was held in Gaziosmanpasa district in Istanbul. The injured people received medical treatment at Gaziosmanpasa Safak hospital. Four people were in serious condition, the officials said.