ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 13, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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PRESIDENT CHIRAC OF FRANCE CALLS PRESIDENT SEZER ON PHONE
President Jacques Chirac of France called President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on the phone. During the telephone conversation, President Chirac told President Sezer that Turkey's request for its defense was not appropriate in terms of timing. Meanwhile, attitudes of France, Germany and Belgium have not changed. Recent crisis in NATO has been deepening.
UNITED STATES PLANS TO RENDER SADDAM INEFFECTIVE IN TWO DAYS
U.S. high-ranking military officials plan to render Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein ineffective within two days. Meanwhile, diplomats think that U.S. army should stay in Iraq for at least two years.
BAYKAL: ''UNACCEPTABLE''
Addressing citizens in southern province of Antalya, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that Turkish soldiers' being under command of a U.S. commander was unacceptable. ''Turkey will send soldiers to Iraq to defend itself against a plan that targets occupation of Iraq. A Turkish commander must command our soldiers in Iraq. Turkish soldiers should take directives from Diyarbakir not from Washington D.C.,'' he added.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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EMERGENCY RULE RETURNS
The government brought onto agenda the emergency rule in Southeastern Anatolia prior to a possible U.S.-led military operation against Iraq. The government plans to make some arrangements to appoint an emergency rule region governor. The governor will be the only authority in the region during a possible war. The emergency rule will include provinces in which humanitarian relief and migration works will concentrate. Upon approval of Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, Nusret Miroglu has been serving as the coordinator governor of the region.
GUL: ''WE HAVE TO PREVENT WAR''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that the Iraq crisis had reached an extremely critical level. ''We will take all necessary measures to prevent spread of a fire, which will break out in our neighbor. We are determined to take all necessary measures to prevent any serious loss,'' he stressed.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SIIRT TAKES ITS DECISION
All citizens in southeastern province of Siirt in which by-election will be held on March 9, 2003, are aware of the fact that they will elect the next prime minister instead of a deputy. They have taken a decision to cast their votes in favor of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
PRESIDENT CHIRAC: ''WE STAND BY WITH YOU''
President Jacques Chirac of France called President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on the phone. President Chirac said that their negative attitude in NATO did not target Turkey. Stressing that they would support Turkey in case of a jeopardy, President Chirac said that the Iraq crisis should be solved peacefully.
POWELL DUE TO CYPRUS
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will take action for a solution in Cyprus. Powell plans to pay visits to Ankara, Athens and Cyprus through the end of February.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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WAR BARGAINING IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Contacts between Turkey and the United States were increased to a higher level when problems could not be solved. State Minister Yasar Yakis and State Minister Ali Babacan left for the United States to hold a series of contacts. Their contacts are expected to focus on the issues of command mechanism in Northern Iraq and economic support.
''ECONOMY HAS ALREADY BEEN IN A DIFFICULT CONDITION''
Ankara Chamber of Commerce carried out a survey on impacts of the recent Iraq crisis on real economy. The survey entitled ''War and Markets'', which was carried out in four main sectors including foodstuff, manufacturing industry, transportation and agriculture and in 13 sub-industries, revealed that these sectors have already been experiencing a shrinkage of 30 percent.
CRISIS IN NATO CONTINUES
The crisis, which erupted when France, Germany and Belgium blocked requests of the United States about Iraq, has been continuing. France is expected to delay its decision till Monday. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General George Robertson has been trying to overcome the crisis by putting forward new proposals.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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YAKIS AND BABACAN IN UNITED STATES
Bargaining between Turkey and the United States about a possible military operation against Iraq, has moved to Washington D.C. Upon invitation of the White House, State Minister Ali Babacan and Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis left for the United States to reach a compromise on Turkey's political and economic requests. Babacan and Yakis are scheduled to hold contacts with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and with the U.S. Secretary of Treasury. Meanwhile, a third plan of the United Nations about Cyprus is expected to be brought onto agenda of Yakis's contacts.
''NATO HAS BEEN DESTROYING ITSELF''
Any conclusion could not be reached about Ankara's individual application to NATO on the basis of Article 4. Criticizing France, Germany and Belgium, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said that NATO had been destroying itself by not fulfilling its commitments. Meanwhile, France claimed that if Turkey did not support a possible U.S.-led military operation against Iraq, it would not face any threat. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that they did not have any problems with Turkey.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GOOD NEWS ABOUT CHEAP DIESEL OIL
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul 'rejected' the IMF's demand for a 'two percent increase in the value added tax'. Replying a question which said, ''what do you think about the IMF's demand for increase in fuel oil prices and two percent increase in value added tax?'' Gul said, ''this cannot happen with the IMF's words. The value added tax rates are actually high and we are trying to decrease these rates.'' Noting that they would decrease fuel oil prices, Gul said, ''you know the reason for increases in prices of gasoline and diesel oil. They increased totally due to this crisis. However, you will see that there would be important adjustments in prices in coming months because this is very important for villagers.''
''NATO MAY COLLAPSE''
Evaluating the three European allies' rejection of a NATO compromise to bolster Turkish defenses, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell stressed, ''NATO may collapse due to failure in fulfillment of its duties.'' The United States would always rush to assist Turkey, Powell said and noted that also NATO would find the right way, adding that any failure in Iraq endangered NATO's future.
THEY ARE FOR ISRAEL, NOT TURKEY
Germany which sent Patriot missiles to Israel to defend itself, announced yesterday once again that it would not send any Patriot missiles to Turkey.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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WORK MACHINES START OPERATING IN INCIRLIK AIR BASE
Under permission of the parliament, process of renovation, development and construction at military bases and ports has begun. Working machines have started operating in Incirlik Air base in southern province of Adana.
TIKKO CHANGES ITS NAME
Illegal organization Turkish Workers and Peasant Liberation Army (TIKKO) has changed its name as People's Liberation Army (HKO). Sources said that TIKKO planned to stage armed and bomb attacks against military facilities and high-level bureaucrats in order to announce its new name.