ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 2, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SARS CONTROL ON PLANES COMING FROM FAR EAST
Measures were taken in Istanbul against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which occurred in China and killed 63 people and infected 1,900 people in a short time. Planes coming from Singapore and Hong Kong are controlled by health officials wearing masks due to SARS. Health Ministry said, ''there is nothing to be feared of.''

GUL: THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO DO
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul spoke to Hurriyet daily prior to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Turkey: ''There are many things to do with the United States from now on.'' Gul gave a series of messages prior to contacts with Powell which will start today. Gul said, ''what they tell us is that Powell is not coming with any demand. Any economic package is out of question. As you know, he was very criticized of not coming to Turkey. Also, he may wish to see the atmosphere because it seems that this process will last longer than expected. Post war situation should be considered.'' Gul noted, ''we don't want Turkish-U.S. relations to be overshadowed. But, they should understand Turkey because we have undergone a democratic process.'' Gul added, ''some say that Turkish-U.S. relations have been cut, but this will not happen. There are many things that we will do from now on. There is humanitarian aid and establishment of a new order there. If democracy is to be settled there, then Turkey will be the sample country as the only democratic country of the region and also it is both secular and Muslim.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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HE WILL GIVE ASSURANCES
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who will give verbal or written assurances to Ankara about concerns over peshmerges, will ask for Turkey's support for operation in Northern Iraq. Powell, who will assure Turkey that ''Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq who will be taken under the U.S. control will not enter Kirkuk and Mosul'', will ask for Turkey's support for the northern front. U.S. State Secretary, who will confirm the memorandum reached by Turkish and U.S. delegation, can sign a written document. After assuring Turkey, Powell will ask for Turkey's support for operation in Northern Iraq. The secretary who has not made any statement about the support says that they could make the Congress approve 1 billion U.s. dollars of assistance to Turkey if they get full support from Turkey.

CALL FROM IRAQI MINISTER TO TURKISH PEOPLE
Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said that Turkish-Iraqi relations had their roots in history and suggested the two countries cooperate to send the aggressors away from the region. Sabri addressed Turkish people and suggested to cooperate to send the aggressors away from the region.

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TWO BASES WITHOUT MOTION
U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell is in Ankara for a surprise visit. The government worked on possible demands of Powell from Ankara and the alternative responses to be given to these demands. Ankara thinks that the United States will demand two bases for bombardment of Iraq. And, Ankara finds this discussible because it believes that there is no need for a motion for such a permit.

MOTION SPECULATION WAKES UP MARKET
The stock exchange which had a horizontal course for days increased 3 percent yesterday. The U.S. dollar reduced below 1 million 700 thousand Turkish liras (TL). The markets interpreted U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell's visit to Ankara as the end of the tense relations with the United States. Speculations that a new motion would come onto the agenda with Powell's visit led to 3 percent rise in the stock exchange.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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POWELL IN ANKARA
U.S. may have new demands from Turkey which carries importance with respect to northern front. During the meeting, which was held on Tuesday under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, responses that would be given to demands of Powell were prepared.
Powell, who made a statement on the plane, gave the message that there would not be any new economic aid apart from one billion U.S. dollars.
Powell said he would only call for support for the operations in Northern Iraq. Within this scope, Powell is expected to demand for use of bases for the transit passage of the U.S. soldiers.

BRIEFING TO ARAB REPRESENTATIVES
Representatives of Arab countries to Ankara were given information in Foreign Ministry about the recent developments in Iraq, and about Turkey's policy on Iraq.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary briefed about Turkey's drawbacks about Northern Iraq, and particularly possible refugee inflow and sensitivities of Turkey on terrorism.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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AKYAZI SHAKEN AGAIN
Akyazi town was shaken by two earthquakes measuring 3.0 and 3.7 on the Richter scale yesterday. Kandilli Observatory Center announced that the first earthquake was recorded at 2.17 a.m. and the second occurred at 10.51 a.m. The earthquake was also felt in Hendek and Adapazari.

FIRE SCARED IN IU
Fire which broke out on the second floor of the Istanbul University Faculty of Letters building in Beyazit around 4.00 p.m. yesterday caused big damage. The fire which was thought to start from the computer in the room of lecturer Mehmet Ozsait spread to other rooms in a short time. Lecturer Kemal Beydilli was affected by the heavy smoke.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ANKARA'S AGENDA IS POWELL
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell came to Ankara last night to hold contacts with high-level officials. The United States, which is having difficult days in Iraq, is said to ask for support from Turkey, Russia and other western countries. It is claimed that Powell can bring a message from U.S. President George W. Bush. Powell, who will meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in the morning, will visit the Presidential Palace. After his meeting with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Powell will meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and have a lunch with Foreign Minister Gul. After the lunch, Powell will hold a press conference. Powell will meet with Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok at 3.00 p.m.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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EXPORTS INCREASE BY 33 PERCENT DESPITE WAR
Despite the war in Iraq, good news coming from economy create hope in exporters. Turkey's exports increased by 33.2 percent in March when there were discussions on motion.
According to the data of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), exports increased by 41.1 percent in January, 26.1 percent in February and 33.2 percent in March.
TIM Chairman Oguz Satici said the source which Turkey needed was in the morale and motivation in itself.

RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES TO IMPROVE WITHOUT MOTION
Government discussed recent situation prior to the visit of U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell, who came to Ankara on Tuesday night. The government closed its doors ''to a new motion''.
Developments regarded with Iraq will particularly be discussed during the talks, and Turkey will call for ''written assurances'' from the United States. Also, efforts will be underway to overcome ''confidence crisis''.

(BRC-AY-AÖ) 02.04.2003