INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Anti-U.S. E-Mail Campaign in Wake of Media

Published: Wed 29 Jan 2003 03:34 PM
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ANKARA 000745
SIPDIS
FOR EUR/PD; EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPRC ASEC PTER TU
SUBJECT: ANTI-U.S. E-MAIL CAMPAIGN IN WAKE OF MEDIA
SMEAR
REF:A) STATE 23898, B) ANKARA 704, C) ANKARA 618, D)
ANKARA 549
1. In the wake of recent anti-American stories in the
Turkish press (RefTels), Embassy has received, via the
Embassy web-site, a substantial number of e-mails
claiming that the Ambassador and other U.S. officials
are "no longer welcome" in Turkey. To date, the
Embassy has received around 200 identical letters that
are clearly part of an organized campaign to stir anti-
American sentiment.
2. Embassy translation of the letter follows:
Letter to the Ambassador:
Dear Mr. Pearson,
As a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, I have been
observing recent events toward war in the Middle East
with an increasing level of worry.
It has become obvious to almost every sensible citizen
on the planet that the group that has usurped power in
your country has made up its mind to change the rules,
the map, and the dynamics of the world on a large
scale. It is also becoming clearer each day that my
country has a central place in the grand plan of this
team, whether it be as a means or an end.
Following the tragic events of September 11, your
country has proven that despite its enormous resources,
it is incapable of leading the world towards a better
future both intellectually and spiritually. It would
not surprise us that, as an American, your grasp of
world history, culture, and geography has limitations.
But I would like to remind you that my country bears
dynamics beyond your comprehension which will make it
impossible for you to realize your plans - whether it
be your plan A, plan B, or plan Z.
I am a part of that dynamic!
Hereby, as an owner of this land, this history,
culture, and geography, I warn you that you are trying
to buy the land from the wrong owners. Any politician,
bureaucrat, or institution which allows you to set foot
on this soil with your men and machinery has by default
foregone his right to this country, thereby putting you
in the awkward position of buying from the unlawful
owner.
I am sorry to inform you that my country is not for
sale or rent. It has become obvious that the power of
words has failed to convince you to change your
manners, which is doomed to put the whole region into
the fire. We will stop the talk and do the walk.
From now on, you and your men are not welcome in my
country.
Please don't take our hospitality for granted. We have
other characteristics as a nation which certainly you
should get a better grasp of.
Sincerely,
End translation.
3. The letter is being distributed widely throughout
Ankara via e-mail, with a message encouraging
recipients to forward it to the embassy web-site. As
part of the message, recipients are encouraged to
attach a red and white ribbon to their cars as a sign
of protest against "the deployment of foreign troops on
Turkish soil and a war that targets Turkey."
PEARSON
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