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 008343

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
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2002

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

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

MASS APPEAL
Gurel, the outgoing hawk - Milliyet
Gurel: UN plan leaked to Greek Cypriots beforehand -
Hurriyet
Denktas cautious about Cyprus plan - Turkiye
Verheugen: Too early for EU accession date - Sabah
Erdogan's positive messages to Europe - Vatan

OPINION MAKERS
Military has concerns about Annan's Cyprus plan - Cumhuriyet
Last convulsion of the hawks: Gurel slams all - Radikal
Gen. Ozkok: Won't let Turkey's rights be violated in Cyprus
- Zaman
Solana: We want Turkey close to the EU - Yeni Safak

FINANCIAL JOURNALS
AKP vows to continue structural reform - Dunya
TRNC businessmen: Not ready for the EU - Finansal Forum

BRIEFING

Erdogan: AKP leader Erdogan will be received by President
Sezer on Friday for consultations on the new Prime Minister
and cabinet members. Erdogan will meet with TGS Chief
General Ozkok Friday afternoon. Papers remind that the
"caretaker" Prime Minister appointed by Sezer will remain in
office until Erdogan enters the parliament via by-elections
before March. Papers see AKP deputy chairman Abdullah Gul
as the strongest candidate for the post of Prime Minister.
Erdogan is due to travel to the TRNC this weekend, and will
commence his European tour next week.

Cyprus: Dailies report that UN Secretary General Annan has
sent a letter to Cypriot leaders Denktas and Clerides,
urging them to compromise before the EU Copenhagen Summit,
and advising them to discuss `details of secondary
importance' in February. TGS Chief General Ozkok said
Turkey would not allow developments that would threaten
peace and tranquility in Cyprus, reports say. Ozkok warned
that Greek Cypriots' EU accession would harm peace and
stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. "Cumhuriyet"
carries an extensive front-page article about TGS concerns
about the Cyprus plan: TGS believes that territorial
concessions expected from the Turkish side are too big, that
the settlement of Greek Cypriots in Turkish territory will
gradually transform Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot island, and
that the displacement of about 80,000 Turkish Cypriots will
damage the social and economic structure of the island,
Cumhuriyet stresses. In a last minute `hawkish struggle,'
outgoing Foreign Minister Gurel strongly criticized the UN
Cyprus plan, saying that aspects of the plan dealing with
territory and the return of displaced Cypriots were
unacceptable, papers report. Gurel blamed the UN for
allegedly preparing the plan together with the Greek
Cypriots. "Sabah" finds such as intervention by the
outgoing government to be unacceptable.

Iraq: Dailies report that the international community was
`temporarily relieved' by Saddam Hussein's unconditional
acceptance of UNSC Resolution 1441 for arms inspection in
Iraq. Papers report the UN inspection team headed by Hans
Blix will go to Baghad on Monday to begin the `largest
weapons inspection operation in history.' Two Turkish
officers will take part in the delegation, reports say.
Meanwhile, dailies report that visiting Northern Iraqi
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Talabani was
unable to get an appointment with AKP leader Erdogan and CHP
leader Baykal. "Cumhuriyet" reports that KDP leader
Barzani has turned down Ankara's invitation for
consultations, saying he had a pre-scheduled program in
Syria.

Ambassador Pearson on TDN: The English daily Turkish Daily
News (TDN) carries an op-ed by the U.S. Ambassador to
Ankara, Robert Pearson on U.S.-Turkey relations. In his
article `American-Turkish relations after November 3:
Continuity and partnership,' Ambassador Pearson briefly
outlines the evolution of bilateral relations, and discussed
the key policy issues for Turkey such as the EU, Cyprus,
Iraq, political and economic reforms, and human rights.

EDITORIAL OPINION: Cyprus Peace Plan

"Kofi Annan's Cyprus Plan"
Kamuran Ozbir wrote in nationalist Ortadogu (11/15):
"Sources close to diplomatic circles tell us that the
initial evaluation of Kofi Annan's Cyprus plan was deemed
positive, particularly because of its recognition of the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. There are, however,
certain elements which cause serious concern, such as
territorial concessions, property issues, and demographic
movements. . It seems that the Turkish Foreign Ministry
will have to conduct a comprehensive study of the plan,
which might take at least a couple of days, and leave the
matter for a final decision at the upcoming National
Security Council meeting at the end of November."

"Style is important on the Cyprus issue"
Ferai Tinc wrote in mass appeal Hurriyet (11/15): "The
current situation calls for a diplomatic juggling act. .
The upcoming Copenhagen summit is not only going to evaluate
the Cyprus situation in light of current developments, but
also make more binding decisions for Turkey. The EU's
Accession Partnership Document clearly draws a direct link
between Turkey's EU process and Cyprus issue. . We do not
mean to say `let's give away Cyprus and get rid of this
issue.' Yet we don't have to reject efforts for a
settlement with crude rhetoric either. The Turkish side
should announce its readiness to negotiate the Annan plan."

"What is Ankara's position?"
Sami Kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (11/15): "There are
certain parts to which the Turkish side would object, such
as the territorial concessions and demographic movements.
Yet the plan, very positively, verifies the equality and
sovereignty of the two sides -- something that we have been
working for years to achieve. Now is the time to think
realistically and act pragmatically. Rejection of the plan
will definitely work against the interests of Turkey as well
as Turkish Cypriots."

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