ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 22, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CLERIDES SAYS NEGOTIATIONS WILL NOT CONTINUE WITHOUT DENKTAS
Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides said that he wanted to conclude Cyprus issue with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and noted that changing of negotiator would cause many difficulties amid negotiations. When asked how he evaluated new Turkish government's view on Cyprus issue, Clerides quoted Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying that policies which have been pursued so far were wrong and added that Erdogan did not say what new policy on Cyprus issue should be and did not explain how Cyprus issue would be solved.

ERDOGAN ACQUITTED IN ONE CASE
Ankara Basic Criminal Court no:7 ruled for the acquittal of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a case in which he was tried on charges of getting property illegally. The court acquitted Erdogan saying that the elements of crime were not formed in the case.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''CONFIDENCE CIRCLE''
The U.S. which could not get a positive response from Turkey regarding the opening of a northern front, decided to make the south of Iraq as the ''main centre'' and the north of Iraq as the ''support centre.'' Turkey conveyed its wish to the U.S. that it wanted to ensure control in a circle of 70 kilometers starting from the 12th kilometer of the Iraqi border to the west. The control of the region carries great importance as the terrorist organization PKK can benefit from the chaotic atmosphere that can come out in the region. It is also important in order to decrease the risk of formation of a Kurdish state.

ERDOGAN ACQUITTED
The court took a fast decision in the case which was filed against Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the AK Party leader. Ankara Basic Criminal Court no:7 ruled for the acquittal of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a case in which he was tried on charges of getting property illegally. The court acquitted Erdogan saying that the elements of crime were not formed in the case. The judge Ibrahim Kozan later acquitted Erdogan telling that there was no sufficient and convincing evidence against him. The indictment of the case said that there was a difference of 256.13 billion TL between Erdogan's assets announced in 1998 and in 2001, claiming that Erdogan had acquired assets unjustly.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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WIDE BANK FOR U.S. COMMANDO
U.S. officials at Incirlik Base opened a tender for bunks and beds. Around 4,000 bunks and 8,000 mattresses will be bought for soldiers who are planned to be deployed at the air base in a possible operation against Iraq. U.S. officials want 120x197 cm bunks althought Turkish bunks are 90x120 cm. A total of 34 companies submitted bids for the tender.

BARGAINING ON REDUCTION IN NATURAL GAS PRICES
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, who met with Gazprom officials last week, said that there could be a reduction in natural gas prices and noted that they would discuss the issue again on Monday. Energy Ministry and Pipeline Transportation Inc. (BOTAS) representatives who had a firm bargaining with Gazprom officials for a week believed that they were hopeful for a reduction in prices. Guler told Sabah that their deliberations were positive and expressed hope that they could get a good result.

ERDOGAN ACQUITTED
Prosecutor Ozdemir asked for acquittal of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the lawsuit filed on charges that Erdogan acquired unjust property by saying that the indictment was subjective. The prosecutor said that Erdogan had the right to earn money. The judge decided to acquit Erdogan by saying that ''there was not sufficient and convincing evidence.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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FIRE BOMB ATTACK
Unidentified assailants attacked a municipality bus with firebombs in Kagithane district. There are no reported casualties in the attack, launched by three people.

CICEK REACTS TO THE ALLEGATIONS THAT OCALAN IS NOT ALLOWED TO MEET WITH HIS LAWYERS
Justice Minister Cemil Cicek reacted to the allegations that Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, was not allowed to meet with his lawyers. Cicek said ''no where in the world there is such a comfortable and privileged convict. Those who deny this will act ungratefully.''

BRIEFING FROM PEARSON TO PARLIAMENT
The U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson continues his tours to take Turkey's pulse in the case of a possible U.S. operation against Iraq. Pearson will come to the Parliament on January 27 and give briefing to the Parliament about Iraq.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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BARGAINING ON NUMBER OF SOLDIERS
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis has said that Turkey could accept deployment of 15,000 U.S. soldiers and noted, ''we gave authority to military officials to discuss the issue. They are discussing the number of soldiers who could be deployed for northern front.'' Yakis noted, ''military officials will hold talks with the U.S. side at the military level to reach an agreement on the specific number of troops that the two sides can accept.''

U.S. EMBASSY IN ANKARA SAYS ALLEGATIONS THAT U.S. OFFICIALS HAVE CONTACT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF PKK FALSE
U.S. Embassy in Ankara said that allegations that U.S. officials have had contact with representatives of the terrorist organization PKK are false. U.S. Embassy said in a statement that a recent report in Turkish press alleged that U.S. officials have had contacts with representatives of the terrorist organization PKK and added that these claims are completely false. The statement said that U.S. officials have no contact with the PKK or KADEK and noted that both the PKK and KADEK are designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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WE DON'T WANT BLOOD AND TEARS
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''when we said we don't want blood and tears, we don't address the feelings. At the same time, we exhibit our peaceful stance in a civilized way. It is not possible to understand some people's assuming a stance in favour of war when people become human shields.''

FIRST ISTANBUL THEN DAMASCUS
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said that foreign ministers of regional countries would convene in Istanbul on Thursday for peace. Heads of state will later meet in Damascus.

AGAIN RISE IN GASOLINE PRICES
Prices of unleaded gasoline increased by 1.71 percent, super gazoline by 1.70 percent and fiel oil by 9.85 percent. Thus, one litre of unleaded gazoline in European part of Istanbul became 1 million 789 thousand Turkish liras (TL).

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GUL PERSUADES ASAD AT NIGHT:FIRST SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE IN ISTANBUL
Syrian, Jordanian, Egyptian, Saudi Arabian and Iranian foreign ministers will come together in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday for a peaceful solution of the Iraqi problem. Gul persuaded the Syrian leader on condition that the second summit will take place in Damascus, Syria. British Chief of General Staff and German Foreign Minister will also come to Turkey the same day. Prime Minister Gul will attend the meeting in Istanbul as the host prime minister.

YAKIS:''AUTHORITY TO MAKE BARGAINING WITH U.S. IN MILITARY ISSUES BELONGS TO GENERAL STAFF''
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakýs said that the military is authorized to discuss cooperation regarding the Iraqi issue with the U.S. Responding to questions of journalists while leaving the Foreign Ministry, Yakýs said that ''the military officials of the two countries will determine the level of cooperation between the two countries which won't make the northern alternative meaningless.'' Yakýs also denied the news published in New York Times newspaper claiming that he said Turkey permitted the use of bases.