ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 15, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''IF WE DON'T AGREE, IT WILL TURN INTO LEBANON''
Abdullah Gul spoke to Hurriyet daily on the last day of his prime ministry: ''The political document we prepared by the United States will prevent Iraq from being turned into Lebanon.'' Gul said, ''the political document on the future of Iraq should continue to be valid irrespective of our level of military cooperation with the United States. Principles listed in this document are initiatives that should be exerted. Because, they will help establishment of a tranquil environment in Iraq after war. These will end uncertainties.''

LIST SENT TO CANKAYA BEFORE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the list of ministers to the Cankaya Palace before in order not to have some problems. Abdullah Gul became Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Yasar Yakis was not included in the cabinet. Ertugrul Yalcinbayir was not appointed to any ministries. Kursad Tuzmen became the Environment Minister. Erkan Mumcu became the Culture Minister. Two new personalities are appointed as ministers.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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WE WON'T CALL YOU AGAIN
U.S. President George Bush said that Turkey was the only NATO member which had not opened its air space yet while Vice President Dick Cheney gave the message to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that they were calling them for the last time. Bush warned that Turkey's moving alone in Northern Iraq would damage their plans. Erdogan conveyed its response to Cheney. Erdogan said, ''a separate motion on air space will not be right. Also, constitutional process should be waited for motion. It will be bad for our government if it is rejected again.'' Cheney stressed that they were awaiting a definite response.

MOTION TO COME TO PARLIAMENT NO SOONER THAN MARCH 24
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''it is one of small waves, we will overcome it'' when commenting on the motion. If the government program is read out on Tuesday or Wednesday as announced by Erdogan, discussions on the program will be held on Thursday or Friday. Vote of confidence will be held on Saturday or Sunday. And, the motion can be brought to the parliament no sooner than March 24.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ANKARA SUMMIT
Representatives of Turkmens, Arabs, Shiite and Kurdish groups which are opponents of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein will sit at a table for the future of new Iraq. Ankara will host an important meeting next week. Role of Iraqi opposition groups after war will be determined in the meeting. Upon demand of Turkey, not only the Kurds but also all other opposition groups will attend the critical summit.

UNITED STATES RENTS TRAINS AND LINES IN RETURN FOR 150 MILLION USD
Dispatch of military equipment by train from Iskenderun Port will start in coming days. Military vehicles and equipment will be sent to border by railway. The United States, which has reached an agreement with the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) will pay 150 million U.S. dollars for the right to use the line, and 8 trains and 300 cars. But, how long the dispatch will continue has not been announced.

ERDOGAN TO GIVE UP HIS CASE IN ECHR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he had applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) before Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, but a decision on his case had not been made yet. Erdogan said, '' I applied to the court almost three years ago. Waiting for the decision is meaningless.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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HADEP TO APPLY ECHR
Ahmet Turan Demir, the leader of the banned Peoples Democracy Party (HADEP) said their political views could not be prevented with closure, stating that, ''our party did not deserve closure. It is not possible to prevent political views by closing parties. We will show this to the whole world.''
Demir also said a new party would be formed.

IRAQ AND CYPRUS BRIEFING TO PRESIDENT SEZER
Foreign Ministry bureaucrats gave information to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer about Iraq and Cyprus. Developments on Iraq and Cyprus issues activated Cankaya Palace. Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and Baki Ilkin, the Deputy Undersecretary responsible for relations with the United States and Cyprus, went to Cankaya Palace on Friday and briefed Sezer about the developments in foreign policy.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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BE CAREFUL OF THE POTABLE WATER AND ASSASSINATION
As possible operation of the United States against Iraq approaches, ministries accelerated studies on measures. Environment and Interior ministries sent circulars and warned the governorships. Circular of interior ministry called on necessary measures to be taken to prevent every kind of negative interventions that may be on sources or networks of potable water.
Interior Ministry said terrorist organizations could take action, and could launch attacks on public officials and buildings belonging to state.

EFES TO BUY FACTORY IN RUSSIA
Anadolu Efes Beer Company will buy a new beer factory in Russia. A statement released by the company said Moscow Efes Brewery, which carries out the activities of Efes Breweries in Russia, signed a pre-agreement to purchase Amstar Beer Factory in Russia.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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DISMISSAL FROM WORK BECOMES DIFFICULT
The Labor Security Law which enters into force today foresees new criteria for dismissal of workers in a work place which employs ten or more workers. Employers will have to show an appropriate reason to dismiss workers.

''WE HAVE ENSURED STABILITY, WE EXPECT INVESTMENTS''
Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Abdullatif Sener, who addressed foreign investors in London, said that they ensured stability in Turkey and they would provide necessary facilitations for investors. Sener noted that there was a strong political ruling and political stability in Turkey at the moment and that this was the most important indicator that economic stability would be ensured.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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THE ONLY NEW NAME IN CABINET IS PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN
No new name took place in the 59th government apart from Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Assignments of Erkan Mumcu, Huseyin Celik, and Kursad Tuzmen were changed.
Erdogan, who made a statement in the afternoon, said that he would not go to Cankaya Palace, visited the Palace in the evening with a surprise decision, and presented the list of cabinet to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. President Sezer did not make any opposition to the list, and announced the list to public around after 40 minutes.
Number of ministers was decreased from 25 to 23 in the government, and Erdogan was the only new name in the government.

IRAQI OPPOSITION WAITS FOR INVITATION
Iraqi opposition, who wants to discuss the situation of Northern Iraq in case of a possible action, waits for invitation from Turkey to send a delegation. A high ranking official from the Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) said Turkey had taken the message that intervention in Northern Iraq was not necessary, stating that they were trying to send a delegation to talk to them.

(BRC-AY) 15.03.2003