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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 02 ANKARA 005548

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
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2003

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


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


MASS APPEAL
General Ozkok to Ask General Jones About Iraq - Milliyet
PKK Condition From Ankara - Turkiye
Holbrooke: "Iraq Could be Dismembered in the Future" -
Milliyet
Germany Promises Support for Turkey's EU Bid - Hurriyet
A German Promise - Sabah
Trade Bank of Iraq Established -- Akbank becomes Partner -
Sabah
Protests Against Bush at Al-Hakim's Funeral - Turkiye
PKK Establishes A New Party - Milliyet
FM Gul Receives Warm Welcome in Vienna - Milliyet


OPINION MAKERS
US Used WMDs in Iraq - Cumhuriyet
Holbrooke: "Iraq's Borders are Wrong" - Cumhuriyet
EU Traffic Will Intensify in September - Radikal
One Million Shiites Attend Al-Hakim's Funeral - Radikal
PKK/KADEK Ends Cease-Fire - Yeni Safak


BRIEFING


PM Erdogan's Visit To Germany: All papers give extensive
front-page coverage to PM Erdogan's visit to Germany.
"Sabah" reports that German Chancellor Schroeder extended
full support to Turkey's EU bid. Schroeder said that the
accession of Turkey to the EU is in Germany's interest, and
promised that Turkey would not be let down by Germany.
"Hurriyet" highlights German Foreign Minister Fischer's
comment that `this time Suleyman the Magnificent will not be
turned away from the gates of Vienna.'

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FM Gul Visit To Austria: "Milliyet" reports that foreign
minister Gul received a warm welcome in Vienna, where he met
with the Austrian PM and FM. During the meetings, Gul gave
details about Turkey's EU harmonization reforms recently
approved by parliament. "Radikal" reports that both Erdogan
and Gul told their European counterparts Turkey's goal is to
begin accession talks as soon as possible. The paper added
that Ankara has accelerated its diplomatic efforts as the EU
commission begins to review Turkey's EU entry bid.


General Jones' Visit: All papers report that General Jones
arrived yesterday evening and will hold meetings with
Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and TGS Chief Ozkok today.
"Milliyet" speculates that General Ozkok and General Jones
will discuss the PKK/KADEK presence in Northern Iraq.
"Turkiye" predicts that the Turkish side will urge General
Jones step up efforts to eliminate the PKK threat in
northern Iraq. "Cumhuriyet" notes that Turkey is upset by
the perceived unwillingness of the US to press for the
return of PKK terrorists to Turkey within the framework of
Turkey's repentance law. Papers speculate that General
Jones will specify which sector in Iraq could be handed over
to Turkish troops.


Remarks of Richard Holbrooke: "Milliyet" reports on remarks
by former USUN representative Richard Holbrooke. In an
interview with Fox TV, Holbrooke said that `the borders
established for Iraq in 1922 were a mistake. In 1991, he
said, Presidents Bush and Ozal could have corrected this
mistake, but chose not to do so. As a result of the
mistakes made in drawing up the map of Iraq, Holbrooke
concluded, Iraq could didintegrate in the near future, and
Iraq's neighbors - including Turkey -- could attempt to
absorb various parts of the country.'


PKK/KADEK: "Milliyet" reports that the PKK, through its
spokesman Mizgin Sen, announced that the cease-fire declared
in 1999 has been ended. The Interior Ministry announced
that the PKK/KADEK has established a new party called the
`Demokratik Serhildan Party.' According to an Interior
Ministry document, the party intends to prepare terrorist
attacks in Turkey's large cities.


EDITORIAL OPINION


"We cannot remain indifferent to Iraq"
Mehmet Ali Birand wrote in the mass appeal Posta (9/3):
"There is a significant threat that Iraq might be dissolved
into three parts. . The possibility for establishing a
democracy in Iraq under a single administration is growing
ever weaker. Turkey is obliged to intervene in Iraq. .
Terrorism in the Middle East is now concentrated in Iraq.
Turkey will either stand against terror or merely watch it.
It might be too late when it hits us later. . It is
unlikely that the U.S. will withdraw from Iraq. . It might
take long years and come at a great cost, but the balances
in the Middle East will definitely change."


"The end of Denktas"
Okay Gonensin noted in the mass appeal Vatan (9/3): "For
the past 40 years, Ankara has believed that there cannot be
a Cyprus policy other than the one that has been pursued by
Denktas. The Greek Cypriots have advanced, in the political
and economic sense, while the Turkish Cypriots remain as
they were four decades ago. . Cyprus has always remained a
taboo in Turkey. . Denktas recently said that if he is
defeated in the Turkish Cypriot elections, he will launch a
new struggle with the backing of the Turkish people. His
remarks are a clear indication that Turkish Cypriots, just
like a significant part of the Turkish nation, do not
support Denktas anymore. . He is really acknowledging the
mistakes that have been over the past 40 years."


EDELMAN

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