ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 8, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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DENKTAS: ''I'M NOT GOING TO GO TO THE HAGUE TO SAY NO''
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said at the ''Sovereignty and Existence'' rally, ''I hope that a compromise will be reached on Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side should give up its desires in order to reach a compromise.'' He stressed, ''if any changes are not made, the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is unacceptable.''

PEARSON TO HOST A DINNER FOR DEPUTIES
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson invited 20 deputies from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) to a dinner on Tuesday before the second motion is brought onto the parliamentary agenda next week. During the dinner, Pearson is expected to inform deputies on the rightful reasons of the United States to launch a military action against Iraq.

GUL TO TAKE PLACE IN NEW CABINET AS FOREIGN MINISTER
Abdullah Gul will take place in the 59th government to be formed under the chairmanship of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

REVIEWED MOTION TO BE BROUGHT ONTO PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA
The government has been getting prepared to bring the Prime Ministry motion on dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey onto parliamentary agenda next week. Upon request of Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, a meeting was held yesterday night among Arinc, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. During the meeting, the motion was taken up.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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GROSSMAN: ''TURKEY SHOULD NOT ENTER IRAQ ON ITS OWN''
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman said that the United States was opposed to Ankara's sending soldiers to northern Iraq under a unilateral decision. Speaking at a program on the private CNN Turk TV Channel, Grossman said that such an intervention would be a very serious mistake.

DESTINATION IRAQ
The Turkish Armed Forces has dispatched the highest number of military vehicles to the border region between Turkey and Iraq prior to a possible U.S.-led military action against Iraq. Helicopters escorted the convoy of nearly 500 vehicles. Meanwhile, military troops, which have been deployed in rural area between Silopi town of southeastern province of Sirnak and Habur, will perform exercises today.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PEARSON: ''WE CAN ENTER IRAQ ONLY VIA TURKEY''
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson met with a group of Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies, who cast their votes against the motion on dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey, and said that the United States would not give up its plan to enter Iraq via Turkey.

BLAIR: ''WE ARE OPPOSED TO TURKEY'S UNILATERAL INVASION''
Speaking at a program on worldwide famous MTV Channel, British Prime Minister Tony Blair responded questions of 40 young people from 22 countries. When asked, ''what do you think of Turkey's policy about northern Iraq? What will you do if Turkey invades northern Iraq?'' Prime Minister Blair said, ''we have been supporting Turkey's policy to protect its borders. However, we are opposed to Turkey's unilateral invasion of northern Iraq.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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NEW MOTION WAITS FOR UNITED NATIONS
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government decided to bring the motion on dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey onto parliamentary agenda after the United Nations announces its decision on March 14. The motion can be brought onto parliamentary agenda between March 15 and 20.

BABACAN: ''U.S. LOAN WILL BE USED IN REPAYMENT OF DEBTS''
State Minister Ali Babacan for Economy said that an important part of the financial aid to be given by the United States would be used in repayment of debts.

STATE MINISTER TUZMEN LEAVES FOR SAUDI ARABIA
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said, ''under our program to increase exports to neighboring and regional countries, we have signed contracts worth of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars during our visits to the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Syria, Algeria and Sudan.'' Tuzmen left for Saudi Arabia together with a delegation of more than 100 businessmen. Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure, Tuzmen said that he would hold talks with Saudi ministers of trade, finance, agriculture, transportation public works, oil and natural resources.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SAHIN: ''THE MOTION WILL BE APPROVED THIS TIME''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said, ''the deputies have begun thinking healthier after the vote at the Parliamentary General Assembly on the motion on dispatch of Turkish soldiers abroad and deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey. I think that the motion will be approved this time. I also think that the Republican People's Party (CHP) may support the motion.''

DENKTAS IN A HAPPY MOOD
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is pleased with Turkey's support. Speaking at a rally in the TRNC, President Denktas stressed that their fight to survive Turkish Cypriots would continue. Meanwhile, President Denktas will go to The Hague on March 10 to meet with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan without taking a decision to resort to referendum about the plan of Annan.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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IT IS GOING TO BECOME CLEAR
Tomorrow, 119 thousand voters in Siirt will cast their votes for one of the most critical elections in Turkey's history. The by-election in Siirt will consolidate stability in Turkey. ''Shadow prime ministry'' of Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is considered to be 'absolutely' elected, will turn into ''de facto prime ministry''. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul is expected to be appointed as foreign minister in the new government to be formed under leadership of Erdogan. Addressing people in Siirt, Gul said by-election would shape Turkey's future.

MOTION PRESSURE ON ANKARA
U.S. diplomats who don't want to take another risk after second motion on stationing of U.S. soldiers in Turkey came onto the agenda, formed a veritable base in Ankara. Americans established contact with ''each'' of the deputies who had voted against the motion, and they are having lunch and dinner and meetings with those deputies. Meanwhile, it is mentioned that U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson would invited those deputies to dinner on March 11.

GROSSMAN CONFUSES
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman said that they would not allow Turkey to enter northern Iraq ''without motion''.

DENKTAS: ''LOOK! THIS IS REFERENDUM''
A ''Sovereignty and Existence'' rally was held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Addressing participants of the demonstration, TRNC President Rauf Denktas said, ''where are the people who said I should listen to my people and take their opinion into consideration. These people should first come here and speak after seeing this crowd.'' Denktas said, ''I suppose that those, who swear at us, blushed when they saw Turkey's support to the TRNC.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SECOND MOTION MESSAGE OF U.S.: ''WE'LL ELIMINATE YOUR CONCERNS''
The United States which has increased its opposition to Turkey's intervention in northern Iraq after refusal of Iraq motion, sent a message: ''all your concerns will be eliminated with the second motion''. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman said they were absolutely against Turkish soldiers' intervention in northern Iraq under current conditions.

TURKISH SOLDIERS CONCENTRATE MASS OF TROOPS, 500 VEHICLES ON BORDER
While we approach a war step by step, activity on Iraqi border increases. After the U.S. military vehicles and equipment were brought from Iskenderun to Mardin, also Turkish troops were dispatched to border line. Sources said a total of 500 military vehicles carrying heavy weapons had been sent to border region.

(UK-MS) 08.03.2003