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 006426
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
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2005
THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
--------------------------------------------- --
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Papadopoulos Expects New UN Initiative on Cyprus - Vatan
NATO to Help Earthquake Victims in Kashmir - Hurriyet
Turkey to Send 150 Million USD to Pakistan - Hurriyet 10/22
UN Hariri Report Corners Assad - Milliyet 10/22
Sanctions against Damascus at Doorstep - Milliyet 10/23
Saddam's Lawyer Killed in Iraq - Sabah 10/22
Police Disperse Opposition Rally in Baku - Milliyet
US to Set Up Three Bases in Romania - Star
Tough Week for President Bush - Milliyet
DeLay Briefly Detained in Houston - Sabah 1022
Avian Flu Spreads to Britain - Vatan 10/23
OPINION MAKERS
Papadopoulos Expects New UN Cyprus Initiative - Radikal
Barzani Visits US - Yeni Safak
US, UK Step Up Pressure against Syria - Zaman
45 Percent of Iraqis Support Insurgent Attacks - Zaman
No Support for Occupation Forces in Iraq - Cumhuriyet
Iraqis Approve Insurgent Attacks against Coalition - Radikal
Greek Support to Turkey's EU Bid Increases - Radikal 10/23
Turkish Investors Worried about Sanctions on Syria - Zaman
10/23
Wilma Strikes Mexico: 6 Killed - Yeni Safak
BRIEFING
NSC Convenes Today: Turkey's National Security Council
(NSC) will convene today to discuss the draft National
Security Policy Document, which outlines Turkey's internal
and foreign security strategies, Monday papers report. The
draft document claims that some parties and NGOs in Turkey
give logistical support to the outlawed PKK as part of a
campaign aimed at legitimization of the terrorist
organization. The NSC will also discuss domestic security
threats such as fundamentalism, leftist extremism, and
missionary activities.
TGS Terror Briefing for Military Attaches: The Turkish
General Staff (TGS) gave a `terror briefing' to foreign
military attaches in Ankara in which the activities of the
PKK were explained in detail, "Milliyet" reported on
Saturday. PKK attacks have claimed 1,007 lives since June
2004. The PKK earns 600 million USD annually from narcotics
trafficking, and has established affiliate organizations in
30 countries, mainly in Europe, TGS told the military
attaches. The TGS also criticized the US for taking no
measures against the PKK in northern Iraq, and called on the
Iraqi government to prevent terrorist infiltration into
Turkey.
Turkey Steps up Pressure for Closure of Mahmur Camp: Turkey
is putting pressure on the US to close the Mahmur Camp in
northern Iraq, the all-news channel NTV reported on Friday.
The two countries are busy discussing formulas for the
removal of PKK elements from Mahmur, where civilians are
also settled. The question of where the thousands of
refugees would be relocated if Mahmur were closed worries
both Turkish and American officials. The UN High Commission
for Refugees is opposed to a military operation at the camp:
`If there are elements that would disturb the civilian
character of the camp, then these should be eliminated in
cooperation with the UN, without violating international
law.' Turkey did not sign the agreement reached in 2004 for
the return of refugees from Mahmur Camp, where over 10,000
Turkish Kurds have been living, because Ankara was unable to
get the guarantees it wanted from the United States.
Americans Allegedly Meet with the PKK: An American
delegation advised the PKK to lay down its arms at an
October 4 meeting in the Kandil Mountains, Saturday's
"Zaman" claims. Cemil Bayik, a leading figure in the PKK,
reportedly told the unnamed Americans that the PKK was
willing to give up its weapons if their group is recognized
as a political party and their members in prisons are
released. American officials promised to support the PKK
activities in the political arena if PKK militants agree to
lay down their arms, "Zaman" claims.
Talabani Interview with The New Anatolian: The following
are excerpts from responses by Iraqi President Jalal
Talabani in an interview with the English-language daily
"The New Anatolian" that appeared on Monday:
`Iraq's constitution guarantees federation rights for Iraqi
Kurdistan, and also guarantees the rights of the other
governorates in Iraq. The referendum was like a battle
against terrorism. The conservatives called for a boycott
and tried to prevent people from voting, but a great
majority participated in the referendum. Compared to other
countries like Lebanon and Egypt, the participation was much
higher.'
`This is the first time in history that the President of
the United States is inviting the President of the Kurdistan
region. This is a kind of recognition of the identity of
Iraqi Kurdistan by the US within the Iraq framework. I
think the US will advise the Kurds to be more mindful of the
unity of Iraq. They will encourage the Kurds to remain
faithful to democracy and oppose all kinds of extremism,
including fundamentalism and extreme nationalism.'
`It is possible to bring down the PKK from the mountains if
there is a general amnesty in Turkey. It will also be
helpful if there is some kind of a cooperation between
Turkey, the Iraqi government, the PUK and the KDP on this
issue. It will be impossible to solve the issue through
force. The Iraqi army is not yet capable of doing that. If
we push the PKK too far, they may cooperate with terrorists
in Iraq like al-Qaida, Ansar al-Islam and Zarqawi. We think
a political solution is the best way to end their so-called
armed struggle.'
`I think the Americans will raise the PKK issue during the
Barzani visit to Washington. The Americans are very much
concerned about the PKK presence in Iraq and want to solve
this problem. They are taking Turkish demands very
seriously and are raising the issue with us at every
occasion.'
`We can turn Kirkuk into a city of brotherhood among Kurds,
Turkmen, and Arabs, who have always lived there. The future
of Kirkuk will be decided according to article 58 of the
constitution. This means that after two years we will ask
the people of Kirkuk what they want. If they want to become
part of the Kurdish federation, they are welcome.'
Talat to Visit US: Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat,
due to meet with Secretary Rice and UNSG Annan in the US on
October 28, will demand political equality for both sides in
Cyprus, Monday papers report. `Turkish Cypriot FM' Serdar
Denktas said it would not be rational to expect sanctions
against Turkish Cyprus be lifted immediately after the visit
of `President' Talat to the United States next week.
Denktas voiced hope for a settlement in Cyprus before Turkey
joins the EU. Meanwhile, Monday's "Vatan" reports that
Talat lashed out at former `president' Rauf Denktas for
turning Turkish Cyprus into a `banana republic' by actions
such as arbitrarily issuing Turkish Cypriot passports to
Turkish nationals.
YOK-AKP Standoff: Tensions between the Higher Education
Board (YOK) and the ruling AK Party government are rising.
University presidents went to the eastern province of Van
over the weekend to display support to the rector of Yuzunci
Yil University, Yucel Askin, who was jailed last week on
claims of corruption. YOK President Erdogan Tezic
complained about the lack of a peaceful environment in
universities across Turkey. AKP lawmaker Ramazan Toprak
accused Tezic of trying to block government attempts to
change the law that regulates the YOK, and claimed that the
Van rector was `an Armenian.' Oppositon politicians and
journalists promptly denounced Toprak's comment as racist.
Dailies expect more tensions this week, when the AKP
government submits to parliament a bill granting amnesty to
academics who had been dismissed from universities for
fundamentalist activities. Mainstream papers see the bill
as the government's retaliation to YOK for protesting the
Askin case. Meanwhile, Monday papers say that President
Sezer has invited all 77 university rectors to the Turkish
National Day reception at the presidential palace October 29
in a show of support for Turkey's educational establishment
against the AKP government.
MFA on Nikiforos Military Exercise: Turkey will `closely
monitor' the Nikiforos military exercise to be held in the
Mediterranean by the Greek Cypriots, Turkish Foreign
Ministry (MFA) Spokesman Namik Tan said on Friday, adding
that `assessments will be made accordingly.' Tan said that
Ankara considered the exercise as an action that will hinder
efforts for stability and cooperation in the region.
Turkish Businessmen Concerned About Possible Sanctions
against Syria: Turkish businessmen investing in Syria are
worried about possible international sanctions against
Damascus, Sunday's "Zaman" reports. The Gaziantep Chamber
of Commerce drew attention to improving political and
economic ties between Turkey and Syria, saying that Syria is
important for Turkey's attempts to improve ties with Arab
countries. The Southeast Anatolian Federation of
Businessmen said that industrialists from Gaziantep had been
preparing for new investments in Syria, but added that they
will follow the policies of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Erdogan Returns from Earthquake-Ravaged Pakistan: On
Sunday, Prime Minister Erdogan said after returning form
earthquake-stricken Pakistan that Turkey will help in the
construction of 5,000 homes in the disaster zone. `The
earthquake claimed over 50,000 lives in Pakistan. Turkey
has sent 15 cargo planes of humanitarian aid and will send
50,000 tons of flour and sugar to the region,' Erdogan said.
The Prime Minister pledged 150 million USD in disaster
assistance during his visit to Pakistan last week.
Poll: Majority of Greeks Believe Turkey Will Join EU:
Turkish papers cite the Saturday edition of the
"Kathimerini" daily reporting a public opinion survey, which
showed that 46 percent of Greeks believe that Turkey's
accession to the EU is in the interests of Greece, while 38
percent disagree. 65 percent believe that Greek-Turkish
relations will continue to improve. 60 percent of Greeks
think that Turkey will succeed in joining the European bloc
at the end of the negotiating process. Greeks remainare
pessimistic, however, that Turkey's membership in the EU
will contribute to resolving the Cyprus problem.
Poll: Iraqis Oppose Presence of Foreign Troops: Monday
dailies cite the British daily "Sunday Telegraph" as
reporting an opinion poll indicating that 45 percent of
Iraqis consider insurgent attacks against coalition forces
as right, and that 65 percent oppose the presence of foreign
troops in the country. Less than one percent of those
surveyed think that coalition forces came to Iraq to help
provide security. 67 percent said they feel `less secure'
after the occupation. The nationwide survey reveals that
American and British leaders have lost the battle for heart
and minds in Iraq, according to the "Telegraph."
Blasts Halt Iraqi Oil Flow to Turkey: Four bomb blasts
halted oil exports from northern Iraq to Turkey's
Mediterranean port of Ceyhan and repairs could take up to a
month, international wire services reported on Sunday. The
pipeline, which has the capacity to carry more than 1.5
million barrels per day, has been closed for most of the
post-invasion period. The flows to a storage facility on
the border had increased from 200,000 to 500,000 to 700,000
barrels per day during the past week.
Erdogan Due in Yemen: Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan will
travel to Sanaa, Yemen together with a large delegation of
officials and businessmen on October 25 for a three-day
official visit.
`Best Western' to Increase Presence in Turkey: A
representative for the US-based Best Western hotel chain
said over the weekend that the company plans to open several
new hotels along Turkey's Mediterranean Coast. Best Western
also plans to move its headquarters for the Eastern
Mediterranean region to Turkey from its present location in
Israel.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Iraq; Syria
"Black Clouds Over the White House"
Ali Aslan observed from Washington in the Islamist-
intellectual "Zaman" (10/24): "George Bush is certainly not
the only US president who mixed foreign policy issues with
domestic politics. But the White House has experienced its
most significant damage in domestic politics as a result of
the Iraq occupation and the masterminds of this action
within the administration. Sources close to the
administration continues to draw an optimistic picture of
Iraq, saying that Iraq is going through an historic
transition after democratic elections to end the tradition
of dictatorship. But objective observers do not see such a
bright situation in Iraq, and view the current democratic
structure as an artificial one. . The Bush administration
is having serious problems domestically. Iraq seems to be
the one and only `prestige project' for the Bush
administration. Therefore, reports of even minor setbacks
in Iraq are becoming a colossal headache for the Bush
administration. This is one of reasons for the Bush
administration's `no action' stance against the PKK, despite
Ankara's warnings about the PKK presence in northern Iraq.
The Americans are aware that winning Turkish hearts requires
steps against the PKK. But they are now very much
preoccupied with winning the hearts of their own people."
"The Syrian Regime Goes toward An End"
Erdal Safak commented in the mass appeal "Sabah" (10/22):
"The Hariri investigation report, along with the
international consequences for the Damascus regime, will
have a potential impact on Turkish-Syrian relations. First,
the report clearly documents that the assassination was
carried out by high-level Syrian officials. The US and
France are prepared to take this issue to the Security
Council, and will ask the UNSC to give Syria two options:
either full cooperation on the Hariri issue, or total
isolation. . If Assad elects to cooperate, the 40-year-old
Baath regime in Damascus will come to an end, because Assad
will not be able to cooperate with the UN if he is opposed
by the Syrian intelligence service, the army, and high-rank
Baath Party officials. But if he declines to accept the
international ultimatum, he will face severe challenges,
both domestic and foreign. . The US seems to have taken a
lesson from Iraq, and does not want to carry out a military
operation against Syria. The US will focus instead on
moving the Damascus regime toward collapse by implementing
full isolation, both diplomatic and economic."
"A Blow from the UN to Damascus"
Sami Kohen wrote in the mainstream daily "Milliyet" (10/22):
"As expected, the UN report linked Syrian officials with the
Hariri murder. Of course, Syrian officials reject these
allegations and accuse the UN inspectors of politicizing the
issue. This report will form the basis for UN action and
shape the future stance of the US administration toward
Syria. The question is whether the US will be satisfied
with the UN decision to blame those who are responsible for
the assassination. Or will the US take a step forward and
pressure the UN to apply sanctions against Syria? If some
kind of sanctions come to the UN agenda, will Russia and
China go along? It is obvious that the US will use the
report as an excuse to pressure Syria. One of the possible
means of pressure is a US military operation against Syria.
Although Secretary Rice has said that `every option is on
the table,' many observers believe that this is little more
than a psychological pressure tactic, and that the US has no
desire at the moment for another military operation. We
hope this is true. If the more recent "Washington Post"
analysis is correct, the US strategy on Syria is not to
topple Assad, but to change his policy. If the goal is to
change Assad's policies through diplomatic channels, Turkey
can play an active role that would be to everyone's
benefit."
MCELDOWNEY