ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 24, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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11 CAMPS FOR 500,000 KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ
As the world counts down for the U.S. operation against Iraq, regional countries, mainly Turkey, began to feel concern over refugee inflow. According to the United Nations, 900,000 people will come to the borders of the neighboring countries as refugee.
Turkey, who estimates 500,000 people to come to its borders during a possible war, will construct 11 camps in Northern Iraq. The refugees will be sheltered in those camps. The sheltering will take place within the scope of a regulation adopted on September 14, 1994 by Council of Ministers.
Ertan Gonen, Chairman of Red Crescent, pointed out that stocks, that may meet 50,000 people at the first stage, were ready in depots in Elazig, Erzurum and Adana, within the framework of the preparations regarded with the possible U.S. operation.
ERDOGAN SPEAKS FOR PEACE IN MOSCOW
Biggest Ramstore in Russia was opened in a ceremony in which Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated. Erdogan congratulated new year of all humanity with peace messages.
Ramstore City, which is the biggest Ramstore in Moscow held with partnership of MIGROS and Enka, was inaugurated with a ceremony on Monday.
Erdogan, who addressed the opening ceremony, pointed out that a new period started in relations of the two countries, and that this investment was the symbol of the new period.
Erdogan said businessmen of the two countries were as much influential as the politicians in improvement of bilateral relations, and thanked to Enka Honorary Chairman Sarik Tara and Koc Executive Board Chairman Rahmi Koc for their investments.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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RED LINES DETERMINED
Ankara, which discussed a possible operation against Iraq, took last decisions related to the U.S. government's military demands. ''Red lines'' which symbolize highest limit of support to the United States were determined at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. An official said that Turkey would involve in a possible military operation. Turkey, which insists on the condition of ''international legitimacy and compromise'', wants a new United Nations (U.N.) resolution or NATO decision.
EURASIA TRIANGLE
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Moscow, will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Erdogan, who brought onto the agenda North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as alternative block in the United States, will propose ''Eurasia Triangle'' to Putin. Erdogan will ask for Turkey to be included in economic integration among India, Russia and China.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CONCERNS ON PROGRAMME
Problems related to International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Iraq affect negatively markets. When bargaining continues under fourth review study with the IMF, Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) putting forward proposals which increase expenditures affected the markets negatively. This tension also affected economy administration. A possible U.S. operation against Iraq caused a necessity to review all macro balances. Sources said that Central Bank would focus on financial stability due to its experience after September 11 attacks in the United States.
GUL SAYS THEY ARE AGAINST TAX AMNESTY
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that they were against tax amnesty, stating that they would restructure debts of people who did not pay taxes. Noting that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) got prepared for a single political power before the elections, Gul said that they knew what to do. Gul said that their aim was to decrease economy and provide a stable growth and added that when they were doing this, their target was to decrease real interest.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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FRONT OPERATION
Turkey improves its relations with the Iraqi opposition against the possibility of overturning of Saddam Hussein administration. Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmet Celebi and Iraqi Turkmen Front Chairman Sanan Aga Kasap visited Turkey. Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani also came to Ankara. Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani is expected to be in Ankara on Wednesday.
Recent developments will be discussed with Barzani and Talabani, who were encouraged by the United States to set up a federal structure. Talabani and Barzani are expected to be reminded Turkey's red lines.
The two leaders will be received by Prime Minister Gul. According to the operation plans of the United States, the front that is expected to be opened by the North, requires close relations of Turkey and the Kurdish groups.
The United States, in the direction of the confirmation of the Turkish government, started to examine the bases and ports which it plans to use during the operation.
Malatya, Mus and Batman are among the bases, and Antalya, Mersin and Iskenderun are among the ports.
SEARCHES FOR COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss bilateral trade relations, cooperation against terrorism, and regional issues, mainly Iraq.
Erdogan said trade balance between Turkey and Russia would be against Turkey following implementation of Blue Stream Project. He said this should be compensated with new mechanisms. He said they wished trade volume with Russia to be increased to five billion U.S. dollars in medium term.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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APPROPRIATE STEP TOWARD WAR
There is a busy traffic in Ankara, when U.S. officers who are getting prepared for a possible operation against Iraq start to examine military facilities in Turkey. A summit meeting on a possible U.S. military operation against Iraq was held under chairmanship of Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok, Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, Prime Ministry Undersecretary Fikret Uccan, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal, National Intelligence Organization Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun and Prime Minister Gul's foreign affairs advisor Ahmet Davutoglu attended the meeting. The last decision related to dimension of support to the United States was taken at the meeting. According to the decision, support is given under United Nations (U.N.) resolution and Turkey's decision is determined as to steps which will be taken related to its sensitive points.
GUL SAYS PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that Public Procurement Law would go into effect on January 1, 2003 and added, ''we did not bargain on Public Procurement Law with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). There will not be a tax amnesty.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUTION COMMISSION ACCEPTS UNANIMOUSLY LAW ENVISAGING AMENDMENTS IN ARTICLES OF CONSTITUTION WITHOUT CHANGES
Parliamentary Constitution Commission accepted on Monday unanimously the law envisaging amendments in some articles of the Constitution which was returned by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer without making any changes. The first voting on law envisaging amendments in some articles of the Constitution is expected to be held at Parliamentary General Assembly on Tuesday.
ERDOGAN OPENS BIGGEST RAMSTORE IN RUSSIA
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened Ramstore, which is joint venture of Migros and Enka, and which is the biggest shopping center in Moscow. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Erdogan said that those investments would improve constructive relations between Turkey and Russia. Erdogan said a new period started at the point that was reached, stating that this new period should be considered with a constructive understanding that is far away from prejudices. Erdogan said, ''those openings are the symbols of steps which will make the new period different.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKMENS WANT TURKISH SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN IRAQ IN CASE OF WAR
Turkmens, who stated that they were against war in Iraq, wanted Turkish soldiers in the region in case the United States launches an operation. Turkmen Front leader Sanan Ahmet Aga conveyed this wish to Prime Minister Abdullah Gul at a meeting on Monday.
Aga conveyed the message to Gul that, ''if an operation takes place, we want Turkish soldiers to be in it. Otherwise, our security can not be provided.''
Ahmet Aga said wishes of the Kurdish groups in the region and wishes of Turkmens were not in parallel, stressing that, ''we don't want war. However, if there will be a war within the scope of the U.N., we would like to see Turkish soldiers.''
FINAL DECISION LEFT TO NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL IN IRAQI SUMMIT
As tensed awaiting continues regarded with possible U.S. operation against Iraq, Turkey is in an effort to clarify its attitude.
A comprehensive Iraqi Summit took place on Monday evening under the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and with the participation of military officials. No political decision was issued following the summit which lasted for four hours. Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said, ''there is not a hot atmosphere at the moment. Only possibilities were discussed.''
The principle decisions taken in the summit are expected to be discussed at the NSC that would take place on November 27.