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 05 ANKARA 004733

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, AUGUST 9, 2005

THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:

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

MASS APPEAL
McEldowney: We Must Find New Methods against the PKK -
Milliyet
US Promises to Fight against the PKK - Sabah
Grossman: Turks Have Captured Ocalan, Not the US - Milliyet
A New US Delegation in Turkish Cyprus - Aksam
Turkish Cabinet Discusses Anti-Terror Draft - Aksam
Israel Warns Nationals: Grave Terror Threat in Turkey -
Aksam
Danish PM Suggests Privileged Partnership for Turkey -
Milliyet
Lifetime Jail Sentence for Praise of Terror in Britain -
Hurriyet
Tehran Pushes Nuclear Button - Sabah
Oil Prices Set New Record: USD 63.99 - Milliyet
Famous Anchorman Jennings Dies - Hurriyet

OPINION MAKERS
Erdogan Asks McEldowney about Terrorist Infiltrations into
Turkey - Yeni Safak
McEldowney: US Working to Cut Financial Aid to the PKK -
Zaman
US-Turkey-Iraq Agree on Action Framework for Combating the
PKK - Yeni Safak
Nicosia Angered at Second US Delegation Visit to North
Cyprus - Zaman
Iraq Discusses its Constitution - Yeni Safak
Iraq, US Forces Block 700 Syrian Trucks from Returning Home
- Yeni Safak
Cooperation among Tehran-Damascus - Yeni Safak
Schroeder-Merkel Coalition Rumor Rocks Berlin - Zaman
Israeli Army Orders Settlers to Evacuate Gaza - Yeni Safak
More Than Half of the Israelis Support Gaza Pullout - Zaman

BRIEFING

Charge McEldowney Meets PM Erdogan: The US Charge
d'Affaires in Ankara, Nancy McEldowney, told the press after
meeting with Prime Minister Erdogan on Monday that the US
was determined to continue helping Turkey in its fight with
PKK terrorism, papers report. The US condemned the
terrorist organization PKK, its leaders and its terrorist
activities, said McEldowney. McEldowney noted that more
ways should be found to handle the ongoing PKK attacks that
claimed innocent lives in Turkey, adding that the US
intensified efforts to cut the financial flows that come
from Europe and elsewhere in the world to support the PKK.
`We will work together with the Iraqi authorities, and with
the Turks, to stop the PKK attacks that are coming from
northern Iraq. In a free and united Iraq, there is no place
for terrorism,' she stressed, adding: `The goal of
terrorists is to divide free and democratic nations like
Turkey and America. We will not allow the terrorists to
succeed. We will not allow them to divide us.' McEldowney
said that she had a `wide-ranging and very positive'
discussion with Erdogan, and called for a `deeper and
stronger' strategic partnership among the US and Turkish
governments and nations. The US fully supported Turkey's
domestic reforms and EU drive, McEldowney stressed, adding
that it was determined to end the isolation of Turkish
Cyprus as well. The Charge emphasized that the US and
Turkey cooperated to prevent terrorism everywhere it occurs,
and underlined that Turkish troops commanded the ISAF
operation twice in Afghanistan, and worked in the Balkans
and in other places around the world to achieve common
purposes of the two countries. Asked about how the US has
evaluated the remarks of PM Erdogan with regard to possible
Turkish cross-border incursions into Iraq, McEldowney said
that talks between the US and Turkey continued intensively
both bilaterally and on a trilateral basis between the
United States, Turkey, and Iraq, Charge McEldowney said.
"Hurriyet" says that once the Turkey-Iraq agreement on
extradition of criminals that was signed during the Saddam
Hussein regime is renewed, the two countries will set up a
mechanism for a handover of criminals in Iraq.

Grossman Interview With "Milliyet": The following is a
summary of the second part of an interview with Marc
Grossman carried today in "Milliyet."

`It is very difficult to convince the Turks that the lack of
US security operations against the PKK was caused by
military reasons and not political ones, as long as ruthless
attacks such as the bombings in Kusadasi continue. However,
the United States is determined to be through with the PKK
sooner or later. But such an operation may not be as swift
as the Turkish nation expects.'

`I hope that Americans will launch more actions against the
PKK in the forthcoming months. Meanwhile, the Turkish
government should do its best to see the Iraqi government
take action against the PKK. Now the Iraqis are also saying
that the PKK is a terrorist organization, and that it cannot
continue its presence in northern Iraq.'

`If the conditions for Turkey's hot pursuit of the PKK
militants occur, Turkish military officials should consult
the US and Iraqi security forces in the region. I believe
that whatever is necessary will be done.'

`I have never met anybody in the US government supporting
the idea of the establishment of a Kurdish state inside
Turkey's borders. We have always fully supported Turkey's
territorial integrity, and we will continue to do so. With
regard to Iraq, we are expending our blood and money there.
We did not risk our blood and money for an Iraq that is to
be partitioned.'

`There is an important philosophical and historical
difference between Turkey and Iraq, and that is federalism.
We are a federal state, Turkey is unitary. Hence, Turks
can't quite understand us fully when we say that more local
autonomy is needed somewhere. The main issue here is that
the US must defend Turkey's territorial integrity to the
utmost.'

`The US Administration probably cannot grasp the indignation
caused in Turkey over the possibility that Kirkuk may be
left under Kurdish control. The Bush Administration's
vision of Iraq has largely been devoted to suppressing the
insurgency and implementing the constitutional timetable.
If a constitution based on tolerance for diversity leading
to a united Iraq is made, it may ease the resolution of the
Kirkuk problem.'

`There is no doubt that the US worked hard in the capture of
Ocalan. Ocalan was captured by the Turks. When Turkey
forced Ocalan out of Damascus, he fled and an opportunity
arose to capture the PKK's leader. And we have considered
it a moral obligation to pursue Ocalan and take him to
court. Ocalan's capture has been a great victory for US-
Turkey cooperation.'

Ereli on US-Turkey-Iraq Security Talks, Cyprus: US State
Department Spokesman Adam Ereli is quoted by dailies that
the three-party Washington talks among the US, Turkey and
Iraq held last weekend were useful, very open and
constructive. Ereli told a daily press briefing yesterday
that the delegations of the three countries agreed on the
framework of future activities, and the formation of working
groups for technical talks. Responding to a question by a
Greek reporter, Ereli said that the visit by a US Congress
delegation to north Cyprus was not against American and
international laws. The US Congress delegation is
responsible for its visits and decisions, Ereli noted,
adding that the US State Department neither permitted, nor
blocked the visit. Ereli also stressed that the US
supported lifting economic sanctions on north Cyprus. `The
American government personnel can fly to north Cyprus and
this is not against the laws,' Ereli said.

Evidence Proving Links Between the PKK, Kurdish Parties in
Kirkuk: "Cumhuriyet" reports that Ankara has presented the
US with evidence proving organic ties between the PKK and
`Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party' and `Democratic
Reconstruction Party' in Kirkuk. A Turkish intelligence
file showing that the Kurdish parties' offices in Kirkuk
have been managed by the PKK leaders Murat Karayilan and
Cemil Bayik, and that the parties had pledged loyalty to the
PKK after they were being founded. The US side said it will
examine the proofs, says "Cumhuriyet."

US Congressional Staffers Visit North Cyprus: A seven-
member delegation from the US Congress and Senate arrived in
Turkish Cyprus on Monday as the guest of Turkish Cypriot
Industry Chamber (KTSO), papers report. The American
delegation will be received by the Turkish Cypriot leader
Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas, and
meet with the leaders of political parties and NGOs before
leaving the `TRNC' on August 14, say reports. KTSO said
that their main goal was to explain Cyprus question to those
who had `important positions.' Cypriot Foreign Minister
George Iacovou claimed that the US State Department is
keeping a distance with the congressional staffers visiting
Cyprus' `invaded areas,' government-affiliated "Cyprus News
Agency" (CNA) reports. ``The US State Department does not
know much about the trip, which is not funded by Congress.
As far as we know, members of the House are not
participating in this visit,' he said. Iacovou also said
that this was not a direct flight to the `illegal' airport
at occupied Tympou (Ercan Airport) but one through Turkey.

Cicek on Terrorism, PKK, Anti-Terror Law: Justice Minister
and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said that the Turkish
government was determined to take all measures against
terrorism. Cicek told the press following a cabinet meeting
Monday that it will not be possible for terrorist
organizations to survive if there was not any foreign
support. Cicek complained that Turkey has not received
necessary support from the international community in
efforts to cut the support to terrorist organizations.
`What we call as terrorists can be seen as freedom fighters
by other countries,' Cicek said. Cicek added that an anti-
terror draft bill would be submitted to the council of
ministers on September 2. Evaluating possible US action
against the PKK's top leadership, Cicek said that Turkey
expected concrete steps, and would not deem sufficient a
mere putting of organizations in terror lists. `We expect
more cooperation with the US now in countering terrorism.
Terrorism is not a concern solely for Turkey, it is a crime
against humanity,' he emphasized. Cicek added that the
issue of terrorism will also be raised at the next meeting
of the National Security Council (NSC) on August 23. Cicek
said in response to recent remarks by the Chief of the
General Staff (TGS) General Ozkok in which Ozkok had
complained about the curtailed authority of the military in
fighting terrorists that the government would do all to meet
the army's requirements.

Erdogan to Visit Diyarbakir: On Friday, Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Turkey's mainly Kurdish
southeastern province of Diyarbakir, papers report. The
mayors of southeastern provinces and representatives of NGOs
said that Erdogan's upcoming meeting with intellectuals on
Wednesday would help work out a solution to the problems in
southeast Turkey. Diyarbakyr mayor Osman Baydemir lauded
the intellectuals' efforts for brokering peace, and called
on Erdogan to take forward steps for lasting peace in the
region. Diyarbakyr Bar of Lawyers president Sezgin
Tanrykulu said that PM Erdogan, who had been discomforted
with the visits of foreign delegations to the region, should
issue clear messages for peace in Diyarbakyr. The head of
the Diyarbakir chamber of doctors Ilhan Diken joined them in
asking Erdogan to issue peace messages, and stressed that
the people in the region do not want to return to the past.
Papers expect Erdogan to pledge that economic steps would be
taken to halt terror, that regional people should be treated
distinctively from the PKK terrorists, and that military
operations against the PKK would continue. Erdogan will
also encourage businessmen to make investments in the
region. Erdogan's office said that the Turkish government
had constructed 980 km of new motorways and opened 20 new
hospitals in the region in the last 2.5 years.

Israeli Cruise Liners Rerouted from Turkey to Cyprus: Two
cruise liners carrying some 1,600 Israeli passengers to
Turkey shifted to Cyprus on Monday over concerns of
terrorist attacks, officials said. Papers cite the Israeli
press as saying that there were fears that the cruise liners
could be attacked by smaller boats packed with explosives,
similar to the attack against the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000.
On Friday, the Israeli government had rerouted four Israeli
liners with more than 3,500 passengers on board from
Turkey's Mediterranean resort of Antalya to Cyprus, citing
`grave' security threats.

Premature Detonation Kills Terrorists Making Bombs:
Istanbul Police said on Monday that the explosion which took
place in a building in the Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul
was believed to happen while manufacturing `something
explosive.' A blast tore through an apartment block in
Istanbul on Monday, killing two men thought to have been PKK
terrorists. Investigation into the incident continues.

PKK Terrorist Killed in East Turkey: One terrorist was
killed in a security operation against the PKK in the rural
areas of Ilic town of eastern Erzincan city on Monday,
papers report.

Abducted Turks' Company Rejects Having Worked With the US in
Iraq: A leading Turkish power transmission company,
"Usluel" confirmed on Monday that its three workers -- Metin
Ceylan, Fatih Yigit and Pasa Saglam -- were kidnapped in
Iraq by an insurgent group called `Al-Fursan Brigades,'
papers report. The company said that it halted activities
in Iraq a year ago. `We have never dealt with the US-led
coalition forces while operating in Iraq. Our workers went
there to bring back the equipment we had left in Iraq,'
Usluel said. Dailies have quoted `Al-Fursan Brigades' as
saying over the weekend that they have issued a `last
warning' for the companies working with US-led forces in
Iraq.

EDITORIAL OPINION:

"Separatism and Religious Fundamentalism"
Uluc Gurkan commented in the conservative-sensational "Star"
(8/9): "The threat of separatism and religious
fundamentalism lately has grown immensely. Both threats,
especially after the US occupation of Iraq, have been
supported by foreign sources as well. It is clear that the
US will not give up its most trusted `Kurdish Card' in the
region and will not exert any effort to help Turkey to
eliminate terrorism. Other than a few comments on the
issue, no action will come from the US. For months the US
wasted Turkey's time on the trilateral summit in Washington.
The summit has ended without any concrete results. The US
told Turkey that they do not consider the PKK presence in
Northern Iraq a priority threat and moved away from the
summit leaving Iraq and Turkey face to face. How should
Turkey act under these conditions? Without doubt, Turkey
cannot continue its `wait and see' policy any longer.
Turkey needs determination as a united state to fight
against separatism and religious fundamentalism. Turkey
should let its determination be heard internally and across
its borders through its renewed National Security Policy
Document."

"The Most Urgent Project"
Okay Gonensin wrote in the mass appeal "Vatan" (8/9): "The
name of the most urgent project Turkey should consider and
implement is `internal peace.' The majority of the people
in Turkey believe that establishment of internal peace is a
must, and any delay on that could carry the country to
ethnic conflict. The first signs of this ethnic conflict
can already be noticed in several regions of Anatolia. And
the growing threat of PKK terrorism is going to carry the
country to an ethnic war. Since these terrorist activities
are going to hurt the Kurdish people more than anyone else,
it would be expected that the Leftist intellectuals in
Turkey would support the Kurdish-origin Turkish
intellectuals in their efforts. Unfortunately, many names
in Turkey who could contribute to internal peace positively
are still under the PKK's influence. If terrorist
activities increase in Turkey, this will hurt every single
citizen of Turkey. If the people who call themselves
Kurdish intellectuals are ignorant of this fact and do not
exert any effort to stop the bloodshed, they will do the
biggest harm to their own people."

MCELDOWNEY

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