ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 3, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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I WON'T SIGN
National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul assumed a clear attitude to proposal of selling of military lodgings. Gonul said, ''I won't sign such a proposal.'' Gonul, who responded to proposal that the military lodgings should be emptied, said, ''military lodgings were constructed due to an obligation which is known by everybody. This obligation is still valid.''

RECORD IN EXPORTATION
Turkey's exports in 2002 increased by 16.6 percent to 36.2 billion U.S. dollars. Thus, Turkey reached the highest export figure by exceeding 32 billion U.S. dollars which was the target set for 2002. Industrial product exports increased 21.9 percent while the total foreign trade volume became 84.1 billion U.S. dollars.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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CHEAP PLAN
Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) issued a report that ''Turkey's loss can be around 70 billion U.S. dollars in case of a possible operation against Iraq.'' Turkey told the Bush administration that ''a possible operation against Iraq would cost 28 billion U.S. dollars for Turkey in the short term.'' Bargainings on losses continue between Ankara and Washington. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson, who visited TOBB yesterday, listened to views of TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu about this issue. TOBB Chairman said, ''our loss will be around 15-25 billion U.S. dollars in short term, 55 billion in the medium term and 70 billiion U.S. dollars in ten years.'' Pearson said that they carried out searches in Londo, New York and Istanbul stock exchanges and added that Turkey's loss would be around 4 and 15 billion U.S. dollars.

COMMITTEE TO BE FORMED FOR REDUCING ENERGY PRICES
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that the Energy and Natural Resources Ministers informed the Council of Ministers about the energy sector. Gul said, ''we want to reduce energy prices and we are searching the ways to sell cheaper energy to consumers.'' Gul noted that they formed a special energy committee to achieve this aim.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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HODJA TAKING OVER POST
Banned Welfare Party (RP) leader Necmettin Erbakan will become the leader of the Felicity Party (SP) after his ban is over. Erbakan's life-long political ban was lifted under an amendment to article 76 of the Constitution. Erbakan's five-year political ban will end on February 22, 2003. Recai Kutan, the current leader of the SP, will resign from the post immediately after that date. Erbakan, 77, will become the new leader of the party during an emergency meeting of the Board of Founders.

PRIME MINISTER TO ANNOUNCE PENSION
The Council of Ministers held two meetings yesterday, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Abdullatif Sener said that they discussed problems of energy sector during the meeting. Sener noted that Prime Minister Abdullah Gul instructed relevant offices to work to prevent Loss in energy and illegal use of energy and reduce costs. Sener added that Gul would make a statement about pension of the people retired from Social Security Agency (SSK) and Social Security Agency for the Self-Employed (Bagkur) at 1.00 p.m. on Friday.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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THERE CAN NOT BE ELECTION IN FEBRUARY
As the timetable regarding renewal of elections in southeastern Siirt province operates, Higher Election Board (YSK) Chairman Tufan Algan said elections that would take place in southeastern Siirt province on February 9 would not be appropriate due to weather conditions, and that the participation would not be much. He said, ''there can not be elections in February. We will have very much difficulty. March or April will be more appropriate.''

GUL DUE TO MIDDLE EAST
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will start his tour to the Middle East countries from Syria for the solution of Iraqi problem through peaceful means.
Gul's program, who is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Prime Minister Mustafa Miro on Saturday, began to become definite.
Gul will hold contacts in Egypt on Sunday and in Jordan on Monday.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GUL'S FIRST STOP SYRIA
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had his first appointment with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his tour to the region aiming at a peaceful solution to Iraqi issue. Gul will go on a tour to Middle East on Saturday to find a peaceful solution to Iraqi issue. Gul will firstly meet with al-Assad. Damascus had importance in the last U.N. resolution with its surprise support to the United States.

SIIRT ON MARCH 9
The adjustment laws approved by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer was passed from the parliament. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan reached legal guarantee. Parliament decided to hold by-elections in southeastern Siirt province on March 9.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HERE IS OUR POWER
Turkey recorded very important developments in the recent years regarded with being a regional force. Turkey made great military, economic, and educational contribution for peace and stability in the regions extending from the Balkans to Far East.
The Turkish Army, which has become a symbol of tranquility in Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Afghanistan, also took place in building up of those countries.
Turkey also improved ties with its neighbours. It helped entrance of Bulgaria and Romania to NATO. Turkey re-established the Georgian army.
Turkey sent military equipment and made educational help to the Turkish Republics and had key role in solution of conflicts between the Middle East countries.

PEARSON: YOUR LOSS WILL BE MET
U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson, who pointed out that he would write letters to the American companies to increase trade between Turkey and the United States, pointed out that they would present the opportunity to compensate loses of Turkey from some funds in case of a possible crisis.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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DENKTAS: IT IS WRONG TO SHOW CYPRUS AS MY PERSONAL PROBLEM
''Difference of approach'' experienced between President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding Cyprus question turned into polemics.
TRNC President Denktas responded to the statement of Erdogan which he made the previous day, pointing out that, ''I don't favor continuation of policy that has been carried out on Cyprus for 30-40 years, this is not the individual matter of Mr. Denktas.''
Denktas said it was wrong to show Cyprus question as the ''matter of Denktas'' to public.

AK PARTY ASKS FOR PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY ABOUT EIGHT YEAR COMPULSORY EDUCATION
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy Omer Ozyilmaz and other 29 AK Party deputies asked on Thursday the parliament to open a parliamentary inquiry about the eight-year compulsory education.
AK Party deputies claimed in their petition that the eight year compulsory education has brought certain problems, requesting the parliament to examine the dimensions of these problems and to take necessary measures for solution of these problems.