Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 008132

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
JCS PASS J-5/CDR S. WRIGHT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2002

THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:

HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
-------
HEADLINES

MASS APPEAL
30 hot days for Cyprus - Hurriyet
Swiss model for Cyprus - Aksam
Land for Greek Cypriots, autonomy for Turks - Vatan
Bargaining on Iraq with CIA delegation - Milliyet
CIA delegation lands in Ankara - Aksam
Erdogan: We will use authority given by the nation - Turkiye

OPINION MAKERS
Erdogan-Sezer polemic - Radikal
Toward `solution' in Cyprus - Radikal
Annan plan brings territorial advantage to Greek Cypriots -
Yeni Safak
World eyes on Baghdad - Cumhuriyet
Iraq reacts negatively to UN resolution - Zaman

FINANCIAL JOURNALS
AKP: We will encourage production - Dunya
Central Bank urges no concession on economic program -
Finansal Forum

BRIEFING

Cyprus: All dailies carry details of the UN-sponsored peace
plan for Cyprus. If the Greek and Turkish sides reach a
compromise before the EU Copenhagen Summit on December 12,
the agreement for a new Cyprus Constitution will be taken to
referendum in both Cypriot zones in the island in March. In
that case, a united Cyprus would sign agreement for EU
accession on April 16. A senior MFA official reportedly
said Ankara would not hurry to react to the draft, which he
saw as `long and confusing.' The AKP official responsible
for foreign policy, retired ambassador Yasar Yakis, voiced
the suspicion that the plan was earlier presented to the
Greek Cypriots for some `adjustments.' The envisioned
Cyprus state would have a single international identity, but
would be composed of two autonomous Cyprus states. The
island would be demilitarized, and paramilitary units would
be abolished. "Cumhuriyet" says the plan contained points
close to the Turkish thesis. "Radikal" reports a positive
first reaction from both Cypriot leaders.

Iraq: Papers say that despite angry reaction from the Iraqi
parliament, Baghdad is expected to accept UNSC resolution
1441. Dailies report National Security Advisor Rice saying
U.S. would show `zero tolerance' to Iraq. Andrew Card of
the White House reportedly said if Baghdad violated UNSC
resolutions, the U.S. would not necessarily seek permission
from the UN to take military action. Meanwhile, papers
report Northern Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)
leader Talabani's visit to Ankara before the November 22
Iraqi opposition meeting in Brussels. Talabani, scheduled
to meet with MFA and TGS, may pay a courtesy visit to AKP
leader Erdogan as well, reports say. Papers claim that MFA
and TGS have warned AKP and CHP to refrain from receiving
Talabani.
Erdogan: AKP leader Erdogan responded to President Sezer's
remarks that the Constitution could not be amended merely to
meet the specific needs of an individual by saying that AKP
was tasked by the people to represent the national will, and
that AKP would not share that authority with others. AKP is
not seeking to politicize laws, Erdogan said. Mainstream
media believe Erdogan has hardened his stance. However,
reaction from President Sezer and CHP leader Baykal has
forced Erdogan to look for solutions other than
constitutional change, papers note. With a minor
constitutional change, AKP will hold by-elections within
three months after the opening of parliament, thus paving
the way for Erdogan to become prime minister. AKP
persistence in seeking constitutional changes might
encourage radical elements in the party to propose further
amendments on controversial issues like the headscarf ban
and religious schools, papers comment.

CIA delegation in Ankara: A 25-member CIA delegation, led by
the agency's deputy director John McLaughlin, arrived in
Ankara Monday evening, papers report. McLaughlin is
expected to discuss the Iraq problem and the fight against
terrorism with the TGS, MFA and Turkish intelligence (MIT),
reports say. McLaughlin will try to convince Turkey to
allow the use of Northern Iraqi peshmerges in the Iraqi
operation. Ankara is concerned that the Northern Iraqi KDP
and PUK might extract concessions from the U.S. if
peshmerges are included in Washington's Iraq plans. The
groups will be given military training and arms, and might
pose a threat for Turkey in the future, dailies note.

EDITORIAL OPINION:

a) UN Resolution on Iraq
b) US-Turkey Relations

"The UN resolution will also topple Saddam"
Ferai Tinc wrote in mass appeal Hurriyet (11/10): "The UN
resolution not only establishes a mechanism for serious
control over weapons of mass destruction, but also, and more
importantly, paves the way for a regime change in Iraq
without the need of war. With the help of this resolution,
the Iraqi opposition will now be able to make its presence
felt. . Looking at the resolution's rhetoric, one can
conclude that the authority provided to the inspectors is
strong enough to shake Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. .
Baghdad is obliged to comply fully with the UN resolution or
else pay the consequences of a U.S. military action. Under
these strict conditions and obligations, Iraq must
cooperate. Let's not forget that the UN resolution has
Syrian approval as well. What happens if the Baghdad regime
chooses not to comply? It will not make much difference for
the fate of Saddam's regime anyway."

"The US and AKP"
New York correspondent for mass appeal Sabah, Asli
Aydintasbas wrote (11/12): "On the eve of a possible Iraq
operation, the AKP election victory is very much of interest
to Washington. AKP has gained huge importance for the US in
this regard. AKP was not the best alternative for the US,
but Washington is relieved by recent soft messages by AKP
leader Erdogan and other party officials. . Prior to the
election, AKP had sent some messages to Washington in order
to reassure the US administration on its stance on Iraq,
willingness to cooperate with the IMF, willingness to become
part of the EU, and willingness to work for a solution on
Cyprus. . Iraq, Cyprus, and EU membership will be the major
issues in US-Turkish relations in the immediate future. US
officials welcome the positive messages by AKP on these
important issues following the party's election victory.
Uncertainty about who is to be the Prime Minister of Turkey,
concerns about the Islamic roots of AKP, and speculation
about possible tension between the AKP and the military are
now of secondary importance for the US. . It appears that
the nature of relations between the AKP and the US
administration will be shaped significantly by developments
in Iraq."

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