ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 16, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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GREECE'S ACTION TO SEPARATE TRNC
Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece plans to launch an action to separate the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April 18 after signing the Accession Agreement between the Greek Cypriot side and the European Union (EU) today. As the EU Term President, Simitis will pay an official visit to the Greek Cypriot side. He invited opposition leaders of the TRNC to a meeting in the Greek Cypriot side. For the first time a Greek prime minister will hold contacts with politicians of the TRNC. Huseyin Angolemli, Ali M. Talat and Izzet Izcan are expected to attend the meeting.

TURKEY TO INCREASE ITS TRADE VOLUME WITH IRAQ UP TO USD 6 BILLION
The government plans to increase its trade volume with Iraq up to 6 billion U.S. dollars. It was decided to release a Prime Ministry decree about Turkey's contributions in rebuilding process of Iraq. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Alev Kilic said, ''a unit was formed under the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a coordinator ambassador was appointed about rebuilding and improvement of Iraq.'' Kilic said, ''Iraq will be rebuilt under the pioneership of the United States and with the contribution of the international community. Iraq is of great importance for Turkey in regard to oil, export, infrastruction and transportation.''

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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SUCH A BITTER EXPERIENCE
Turkey, which has been waiting to become a full member of the European Union (EU) for 44 years, will watch signing ceremony of 10 countries, which met with democracy in 1990s. A historical ceremony will take place in Greek capital Athens today in regard to history of the EU. A total of 10 countries will sign accession agreements with the EU and will become full member as of May 1, 2004. The Greek Cypriot side is one of these countries. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will represent Turkey at the ceremony.

GUL: ''TURKEY WILL DO ITS HOMEWORK''
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''our government is determined to maintain the reforms.'' At the end of the meeting of Turkey-the European Union (EU) Associate Partnership Council, Gul held a joint press conference together with Minister for European Affairs Tassos Gianitsis of current EU Term President Greece and EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen. Speaking at the press conference, Foreign Minister Gul said, ''our government is determined to maintain the reforms. The government has the necessary support at the parliament to maintain the reforms. Turkey will do its 'homework' about the EU membership process.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ANKARA TO PROTEST ACCESSION OF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE
Ankara will protest accession of the Greek Cypriot side to the European Union (EU) through diplomatic methods. A signing ceremony will take place in Greek capital Athens today for accession of 10 countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will not attend any of signing ceremonies.

DENKTAS: ''GUL SHOULD NOT GO TO ATHENS''
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said, ''we would prefer Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul not to go Greek capital Athens to attend the ceremony. Naturally Turkey has its own accounts. They found appropriate to go. I think they would do what is required if they leave in section about Greek Cypriots.''

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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SHALOM: ''TURKEY SHOULD TAKE ROLE''
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Turkey and Israel could assume an important role in bringing a new atmosphere to the region.
Shalom stated that he was very pleased over cooperation between Turkey and the United States, noting that Syria was a country sheltering terrorists.

AMBASSADOR TO RETURN TO BAGHDAD
Turkey will re-open its embassy in Baghdad, which it closed before war, in case security conditions become more appropriate. Turkey called for protection from the United States against looting.
Turkey will again be represented by Ambassador Osman Paksut in Baghdad.

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ANKARA NOT AMAZED
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that ''there are not elements beyond our expectations in the new Accession Partnership Accord in which the European Union (EU) Commission assessed its relations with Turkey and explained its expectations from the Turkish government. Turkey targets to start accession talks till the end of 2004 the latest.''
Releasing a written statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ''the revised Accession Partnership Accord, which was accepted in Luxembourg earlier in the day, is a confirmation that mechanisms, which were established with the Copenhagen Summit of 2002, have been functioning. There are not elements beyond our expectations in the new Accession Partnership Accord.''
NEWS AGENCIES CALL FOR PEACE
Messages for ''peace'' were issued from the ''World News Agencies'' Summit hosted by Anadolu Agency in Ciragan Palace.
Press and Information Director General Abdurrahman Bilgic said the fundamental problem was whether or not communication give service to peace or war.
Representatives stressed the importance of media in protection of peace.

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GUL: WE WILL STUDY OUR LESSONS AND ENTER EU
After the International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Union (EU) conveyed new Accession Partnership Accord to Turkey in Luxembourg in which it reflected its recent expectations.
In case Turkey fulfills the new articles, it will sit at negotiation table with the EU in December 2004 to discuss full membership negotiations.

BABACAN: THERE IS NOT REVISION IN TARGETS AT THE MOMENT
State Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that revision on economic program targets was not on the agenda at the moment.
Babacan said that they would make an evaluation on that issue according to the situation in coming months.
Babacan, who attended spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, replied to questions of reporters at Esenboga Airport.
Upon a question whether new treasury undersecretary was determined, Babacan said that it was not clear yet.

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE OFFICIALLY BECOMES EU MEMBER, CYPRUS QUESTION DEEPENS
Greek Cypriot side, which Turkey did not recognize, will take a step toward becoming European Union (EU) member today representing the whole island. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will represent Turkey at the ceremony which is the starting of a ''difficult period''.
The article which Turkey made accepted during London and Zurich agreements that ''Cyprus Republic cannot be a member of the institutions which Greece and Turkey are not members of'' loses meaning with this signature.

12-YEAR OLD POISED HAMMER LEAVES TURKEY SILENTLY
General Staff issued a statement on Tuesday and with this statement assignment of Poised Hammer in Turkey ends.
General Staff said that 1,166 U.S. military personnel, who were in Turkey within the scope of the Operation Northern Watch and site-survey activities, would go to Germany, and noted that equipments and materials, which had been brought to Turkey, would be re-sent from Iskenderun Port.

(AY-UK) 16.04.2003