ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 19, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
LAST LETTER
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul sent a last letter to U.S. President George Bush and called for a peaceful solution to Iraqi crisis. The letter sent by Prime Minister Gul following his tour to the Middle East is considered as a ''give peace a chance'' initiative by diplomatic circles. The prime minister informed Bush about diplomatic initiative he exerted in Middle Eastern capitals and noted that he would continue initiatives for a peaceful solution. Gul also said in his letter that he had sent a message to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein the previous week and reminded him that he had to abide by United Nations (U.N.) resolutions.
DENKTAS: ''IF PLAN DOESN'T CHANGE, I WILL NOT SIGN AND I WILL GO''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that he would not sign U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan in its current shape and noted, ''if our people vote in a referendum that the plan should be signed, then the parliament should choose one person and that person should sign the plan.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
PROBLEM IN MIDDLE EAST SUMMIT
Difference occurred in point of view of Turkey and Arab countries in the Middle East Summit planned to be held with the initiative of Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. Iran and Syria asked that the United States should be harshly warned as well as Iraq in the declaration while Ankara proposes that a call should be made to Security Council.
IMF WANTS WRITTEN COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT
Willy Kiekens, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which wants a written commitment from the government as soon as possible, did not depart from Turkey without meeting with Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has a possibility to head the government. Following the meeting, Erdogan said that they discussed the situation before the fourth review. The IMF wants to see that economic reforms are being implemented determinedly and a written commitment to be conveyed to them as soon as possible.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
RISE IN PRICES OF GOODS COMES OUT OF YPK
Bridge and motorway tolls will be increased, rise in salaries of civil servants and workers will remain under the inflation rate, and income support of farmers will be seized for Social Security Agency for the self-employed (Bag-Kur) premium debts. The government took critical decisions related with health, personnel, agriculture payments, tax return and investments during the High Planning Board (YPK) meeting. Rise in bridge and motorway tolls worth of 200 trillion Turkish liras (TL) is the most important item of the income package worth of 6.2 quadrillion TL.
BAYKAL: ''SEZER IS AGAINST WAR''
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, who is in Italy to attend Socialist International meeting, announced that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer was against the war. According to Baykal, Sezer thinks, ''war is not our issue. We should stay against the war.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
AGAIN BELTS WILL BE TIGHTENED
Measures were set at the High Planning Board (YPK) meeting to achieve 19.5 quadrillion Turkish lira (TL) primary surplus target for 2003. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governmen plans to save 900 trillion TL by excluding 650 projects from investment program, 1 quadrillion TL by shifting unused appropriation to the following year, 2.5 quadrillion TL by measures to be taken by social security institutions.
''LET'S SEE IMPLEMENTATION''
World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn, who paid a visit to Turkey for a second supervision, did not give a schedule for release of 900 million U.S. dollars of package. Linn noted that release of loan tranches was dependent on will of the government. Linn said that Public Procurement Law should be implemented rapidly.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
ECONOMY RANKS THE FIRST IN ''EMERGENCY'' ACTION PACKAGE
The government gave one-year priority to economy in emergency action plan. Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) will start to collect money. Share of Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) in electricity will be lifted in three stages. The tax timetable became clear in the emergency action plan.
DENKTAS ''RENEWED''
High ranking political sources said President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sat at negotiation table with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides with a new policy.
Talks which Denktas started with Greek Cypriot leader Clerides are carried out within the framework of newly established Cyprus policy that is jointly formed with Ankara. High level political and diplomatic sources said Denktas would search for a solution under the basis of Annan Plan.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
WARNING FOR FLOOD
Meteorology Directorate General said heavy rain is expected in most of the regions, and warned the citizens to be careful.
The statement said southeastern regions of the country will be affected by heavy rain. Officals warned the citizens for flood.
OUR PRESCRIPTIONS ARE NOT BITTER BUT SWEET
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that IMF First Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger did not leave a bitter prescription, adding, ''we don't know any bitter prescriptions. I never consent to such prescriptions.''
Asked if a new stand-by was made by IMF, Sener noted, ''there is not a new process with the IMF but an ongoing process.''
When asked if redundant positions and possible operation against Iraq came onto the agenda, Sener said, ''employment did not come onto the agenda during my meeting'' and added that Iraq or possible operation against Iraq were not debated.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
FINANCIAL SUPPORT DEPENDS ON GOVERNMENT
World Bank Vice President Johannes Linn said 900-million U.S. dollars credit tranche depended on determination of the government.
Linn said they were determined to expend financial support to Turkey, yet stated that this depended on the steps that would be taken by the government.
Linn said if Turkey took basic economic steps strongly, economic indicators would be protected in case of any war.
DENKTAS: I WILL NOT SIGN BY FORCE, FIND ANOTHER SIGNATORY
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said he would continue Cyprus talks till February 28, and that he would bring the U.N. plan to the Parliament, stressing that he would not sign the plan and say ''find another signatory'' in case the Parliament says ''sign it in any case''.