ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 6, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''WE STAND BY THE UNITED STATES''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul announced the government's historical decision with these words: ''we did our best. All ways for peace have been exhausted. Don't blame us if something goes wrong. At this point, we have to think of Turkey's interests. As of today, we stand by and act with our strategic partner, the United States.''
HISTORICAL VOTING AT PARLIAMENT
Today, the parliament will vote on a motion that allows arrival of U.S. soldiers in Turkey for modernization of its bases and ports. With this voting, Turkey will officially open the door to any possible U.S.-led war against Iraq. And with this motion, the government will officially declare its support to U.S.-led operation against Iraq. The opposition Republican People's Party '(CHP) will vote against the motion which can be approved by 139 votes. The motion is expected to be approved by votes of more than three hundred Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies.
PAMUKBANK PUT UP FOR SALE AGAIN
When the Cukurova Holding withdrew its lawsuits about its Pamukbank in line with the contract it signed with the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA), the Savings Deposits Insurance Fund (SDIF) decided to resume the process of sale of Pamukbank. The sale process was suspended under a decision of the Council of State. The deadline for submission of bid was extended to March 28.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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GUL: ''TURKEY DID ITS UTMOST FOR PEACE''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that Turkey did its utmost for peace and noted that a war would not last long. Asked when operation against Iraq would start, Gul said that it could start at the end of February or the beginning of March. A Prime Ministry motion on upgrading ports and bases which was signed by Prime Minister Gul, was submitted to parliament late on Wednesday. Gul held a meeting to inform representatives of newspapers about latest developments on Iraq issue with Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul at Foreign Ministry building. Gul said, ''if there is a war, we have to be realistic. Turkey did its utmost to settle peace. Turkish and foreign public opinion knows that. Turkey exerted utmost efforts for peace. Turkey's national interests cannot be ignored from now on.''
U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT UNDERSECRETARY TAYLOR TO COME TO TURKEY
John Taylor, the U.S. Treasury Department Undersecretary for International Affairs, will come to Ankara to hold contacts on aid package that the United States plans to give to Turkey under any possible military operation against Iraq and on Turkey's economic program. Decision of Taylor's visit to Turkey was taken at a phone conversation between Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday. Gul said that Turkey's economic loss was not met at Gulf War and wanted a guaranty on financial support. Cheney said that they wanted to send Taylor to Turkey related to this issue and gave guaranty that Turkey's economic loss would be met. Taylor who is expected to arrive in Ankara on Thursday will meet with State Minister Ali Babacan and Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak. Taylor will also have a meeting with Gul on Friday.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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GUL: ''I CAN'T GIVE UP MY HEAD-SCARF CASE''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's wife Hayrunnisa Gul is determined to continue her case she had filed against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Mrs. Gul passed the exam for university and she went to the Ankara University Faculty of Linguistics, History and Geography's Department of Arab Language and Literature on September 8, 1998 together with her husband Abdullah Gul and her lawyers. However, she could not have her student registration form accepted. The university registrar rejected her application due to her photograph in the form that showed her wearing an Islamic-style head-scarf. She filed a lawsuit against the university but the Council of State rejected the case. Then she brought her case to the ECHR. Speaking to the newspaper Mrs. Gul said, ''I couldn't go to university. However, I don't think Turkey would be found guilty. The ECHR will only take a recommendatory decision. I cannot give up my case although I am wife of the Prime Minister.''
TRAIN LIKE ''ARSENAL'' DEPARTS FOR BORDER
While military build-up on the border continues ahead of any possible United States-Iraq war, a train carrying troops to the border departed from the Arifiye station in Sakarya province in Marmara region. The train is carrying tanks, military ambulances, armored personnel carriers, light armored vehicles, artillery and three railway cars of soldiers. People who see this train described it as ''train like arsenal''. Meanwhile, dispatch of tanks from the Tank Factory in Arifiye region in Sakarya continues. Meanwhile, another train which departed from northwestern province of Tekirdag carried military equipment to southeastern province of Gaziantep yesterday.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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''DON'T LET TURKEY JOIN WAR''
The parliament will vote on a Prime Ministry motion today. This first motion foresees repair and reconstruction of bases in line with the NATO standards. Under this motion, the United States will be given three months to fulfil this modernization. Meanwhile, the second motion which is expected to be approved on February 18 will allow stationing of foreign soldiers in Turkey and dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad. If the parliament approves these motions, Turkey's economic, political and psychological problems will increase.
''IT IS BENEFICIAL TO US IF WE ACT WITH AMERICA''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that their hopes about peace were dashed, adding, ''don't blame us if something goes wrong.'' Stressing that Turkey could not say 'I am out', Gul said, ''we believe that our national interests necessitate our acting with the United States.'' Announcing that U.S. Treasury Department Undersecretary John Taylor would come to Ankara today, Gul said that the NATO would send Patriot missiles to Turkey. Gul noted that the U.S. administration would form an ''authoritarian'' regime in Iraq at first stage.
TALABANI PROVOKES AGAIN
Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani claimed that if Turkey intervened in Northern Iraq, also Iran would intervene in the region. He said that Kurds would not enter Mousul-Kirkuk. ''An ethnic federation can't work in Iraq,'' Talabani said. He said the best solution to KADEK issues would be a general amnesty by Turkey for KADEK members.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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WHAT CAN PARLIAMENT KEEP SECRET FROM TURKISH PEOPLE?
The parliament will give a decision on Thursday on the U.S. soldiers who will come to Turkey for modernization of bases in the country. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) wants a secret meeting and open voting related to the issue. The government plans to hold a secret meeting to discuss the issue. A Prime Ministry motion regarding deployment of U.S. technical and military personnel in Turkey for modernization, development and construction of bases and ports under any possible operation against Iraq, was submitted to parliament on Wednesday evening. The motion requests the parliament to allow the government to carry out the necessary arrangements about stay of U.S. personnel for three months.
NO STEP ON CYPRUS ISSUE
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides was tough. Following the meeting, Denktas told reporters that the Greek Cypriot administration expressed their views about ''sine qua nons'' of the Turkish side in writing instead of bringing their document on ''sine qua nons'' to the meeting. ''They are rigid about our sine qua non conditions. Everybody has to think whether we can adopt the plan without any changes,'' Denktas said. Denktas stated that the Greek Cypriots rejected all demands of the Turkish side for a change in the plan. Two leaders will also come together on Monday.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GUL: ''DON'T BLAME US IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''we did our best for a peaceful solution. From now on, Turkey will act with the United States.'' Noting that only Iraq could do something for peace, Gul said, ''now process of war has started. On this road of no return, we stand by our strategic ally the United States. Turkey does not join war, but it will only enter Northern Iraq for protection. Number of Turkish soldiers will be much higher than number of U.S. soldiers.''
''WAR'' AT PARLIAMENT
Motion on modernization of bases was submitted to the parliament yesterday. The parliament will vote on this motion today. Meanwhile, second motion of dispatch of troops abroad and deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey will be presented to the parliament after the religious holiday Feast of Sacrifice.
DISPATCH WITH FULL THROTTLE
Under a possible Iraq war, dispatch of soldiers and military equipment to border continues rapidly. First party of troops and armored carries arrived in the Habur Border Gate. And a number of soldiers and equipment departed from Haydarpasa station in Istanbul for the southeast yesterday. Meanwhile, preparations for operation against Iraq continue. A military exercise in Incirlik base, civil defense exercise in Siirt and humanitarian aid exercise in Silopi were held.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GOVERNMENT PUTS PRESSURE ON UNITED STATES FOR CYPRUS
U.S. State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston said that there was no connection between Iraq and Cyprus issues. According to a statement of the government, Turkey wants Cyprus issue to be also taken up in that period. Foreign Ministry spokesman Yusuf Buluc said that allies' discussing their own strategic issues was natural and stated Cyprus and Iraq issues were two strategic issues of Turkey and the United States. Buluc said, ''Cyprus issue is a strategic issue of Turkey with respect to ensuring security of Turkish Cypriot people in Cyprus.'' Prior to his departure for Ankara, Weston said that he was very optimistic on agreement which would be reached on Cyprus issue till February 28 and added that they would do their utmost for a solution of Cyprus issue.