ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 20, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN SAYS IMF IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR TURKEY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they were trying to solve foreign policy issues and exerting efforts to fulfil economic reforms. Delivering a speech at the general assembly of Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), Erdogan criticized those who said that ''we don't recognize the International Monetary Fund (IMF).'' Erdogan said, ''if you want to live in this world, you have to recognize IMF. Unless you recognize it, the world will not recognize you and you cannot make business.''

SIMITIS MEETS WITH TRNC OPPOSITION
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with some opposition parties of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Saturday. A consensus on Annan plan's being common ground for negotiations was reached at the meeting. TRNC President Rauf Denktas earlier reacted to opposition parties' participating in the meeting. Representatives of opposition said that the meeting was an important opportunity for Turkish Cypriot side's views to be heard, since Simitis was also the term president of the European Union.

MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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SUMMIT IN KASTELLORIZO, LUNCH IN KAS
EU Foreign Ministers will convene in Kastellorizo island of Greece between 2-4 May. Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou proposed Abdullah Gul to bring the EU foreign ministers to Kas, Turkey after the EU meeting to have lunch. Foreign Minister Gul accepted the proposal in principle. When asked what would happen if the Greek Cypriot representative would also attend the lunch, Abdullah Gul said that ''what will we say? If we say he should not come to Kas, then we have to give up EU membership. As this can't be the case, we have to overcome these issues.''

OUR HOPE IS RUSSIANS
Thousands of rich Russian persons want to buy houses in southern Antalya province, however there are obstacles in law. Antalya Trade and Industry Chamber Chairman Menderes Turel said that the number of Russians who want to buy houses in the city reached ten thousands. There is one formula to sell houses to Russians:''It is to rent the usage right of the houses for 50 years.''

SABAH (LIBERAL)
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GUL ISSUES CIRCULAR
A new step has been taken regarding the competition between Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Necmettin Erbakan, the former leader of the banned Welfare Party (RP). Gul issued a circular asking the Turkish Ambassadors to strengthen the relations with the foundations abroad including Islamic Community Denominational Vision. Turkish Ambassadors stated that they were very surprised by the decree.

CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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GUL: ''THIS CIRCULAR IS NOT THE FIRST''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on the news that ''he sent circulars to Turkish representations in foreign countries about the Denominational Vision and the schools owned by Fethullah Gulen'', that ''such circulars are not the first.'' Gul, who returned from Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh where he attended the regional consultation meeting, replied to questions of reporters in Ankara. When he was reminded about the news that ''he sent circulars to Turkish representations in foreign countries about the Denominational Vision and the schools owned by Fethullah Gulen,'' Gul said, ''such circulars are not the first.'' Noting that efforts were being exerted to strengthen ties between the state and the Turkish citizens living abroad, Gul said that the Foreign Ministry would make a statement regarding the issue.

GUL SAYS PEACE SHOULD BE SETTLED IN REGION FOR MOSUL-HAIFA PIPELINE
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that peace should be settled in the region for Mosul-Haifa pipeline which Israel wanted to reopen after 55 years. Stating that problems between Israel and Palestine should come to an end to open this pipeline, Gul said that Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline would be reopened. Gul, who returned from Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh where he attended the regional consultation meeting, replied to questions of reporters in Ankara. Upon a question, Gul said that Turkey did not have any concerns over Mosul-Haifa pipeline and stated, ''those issues cannot be overcome easily. Those issues cannot be solved easily without settlement of peace in the region and without solving the Palestinian issue. Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline is of great importance for us. This pipeline will function and will not lose its importance.''

RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN:''WE CAN'T GO ON WITHOUT IMF''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a very realistic speech at the general assembly meeting of Association of Independent Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen (MUSIAD). Erdogan said in the meeting that ''if you don't accept IMF, the world won't accept you, too.''

KRUEGER:ECONOMIC PROGRAMME HAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT DISTORTION
IMF issued warnings to Turkey following the adoption of the additional letter of intent. The First Deputy Managing Director of IMF Krueger said that ''the statements of the Turkish government are pleasing, and there should be no distortion from the economic programme.''

TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BABACAN CALLS PEOPLE TO INVESTMENT
State Minister Babacan who is in charge of Treasury invited foreign businessmen to Turkey saying that ''we have the most convenient time for investment in Turkey.''

''TAX PEACE'' ENDS
The taxpayers who want to benefit from tax peace, have to apply to tax departments with a petition until 17.00 local time on Monday.

KRUEGER WARNS ANKARA
IMF First Deputy Managing Director Krueger said that ''the Iraqi war put the Turkish economy on a difficult position. However political mistakes also damaged the trust in the country. This should not be have been done.''

ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ERDOGAN: ''WE HAVE EXERTED INITIATIVES TO BRING PEOPLE INJURED IN IRAQ TO TURKEY FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they had launched some initiatives to bring people injured in Iraq to Turkey for medical treatment. Delivering a speech at the general assembly of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MUSIAD), Erdogan said that they, as Turkey, were determined to take part in political and physical re-building of Iraq. Erdogan said that they talked about problems of Turkey with employers, workers, chambers and unions and stated that they attributed great importance to improvement of social texture when implementing policies of economy. He added, ''we are waiting for support of all circles.''

(EÖ-Öª) 20.04.2003