This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
121400Z Aug 03
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005116
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 12, 2003
THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER
THREE THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
--------------------------------------------- -
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Military: Mistake to Wait on Iraq Troop Deployment -
Hurriyet
If Summit Gives a Yes, Turkish Military Ready for Iraq -
Sabah
Turkey Waits for Washington's Response on Troop Deployment -
Turkiye
Americans Met with PKK, Asked Them to Lay Down Weapons -
Milliyet
Double Blow Against Uzan Family-Sabah
82 Uzan Companies Under Police Investigation - Hurriyet
Huge Investigation Against Uzan Family - Milliyet
OPINION MAKERS
Summit an Effort to Convince President Sezer - Radikal
Decision Day at the Presidential Palace - Cumhuriyet
Summit to Convince Sezer to Approve Troop Deployment in Iraq
- Zaman
BDDK (Banking Supervisory Board) Ignored Fraud in Imar Bank
- Yeni Safak
BRIEFING
Iraq Summit at the Presidential Palace: All papers report
on the critical summit meeting to be held at the
Presidential Palace this afternoon. President Sezer, PM
Erdogan, FM Gul, and TGS Chief Gen.Ozkok will attend the
meeting. "Zaman" notes that Defense Min. Gonul,
Intelligence Undersecretary Atasagun, and Foreign Ministry
Undersecretary Ziyal are also expected to join. Government
officials hope the military will be able to convince
President Sezer on the necessity of a Turkish troop
deployment in Iraq. "Sabah" columnist Muharrem Sarikaya
notes that unlike the situation before the Iraq war, the
government and the military now agree on the necessity of a
Turkish deployment in order to protect Turkey's national
interests. President Sezer has so far insisted on a UN or
NATO decision for troop deployment. "Cumhuriyet" notes that
the President might choose to await the outcome of the UN
Security Council meeting on August 21. Turkey's National
Security Council (NSC) will discuss the issue at its next
meeting on August 22.
US Officials Meet with the PKK: "Milliyet" reports in a
banner headline that US military officials met with leaders
of the PKK/KADEK in Northern Iraq for the second time last
week. The first meeting reportedly took place in June. US
military officials from Erbil and Suleymaniye, protected by
KDP peshmerge, went to the mountainous region in a five-car
convoy protected from the air by two helicopters. US
officials reportedly tried to convince the PKK militants to
lay down their weapons and encouraged them to get involved
in political activities and media efforts in Iraq. The PKK
refused to lay down its weapons `for now' because of the
turmoil and uncertainty in Iraq. However, they did not
reject the US proposal in its entirety, and requested that
the talks be continued.
Investigation Against Uzan Group Companies: Today's papers
give extensive coverage to reports that 82 Uzan group
companies, including the family's media outlets, were
raided yesterday in various police actions around the
country. Many documents, including accounting records, were
seized by the police. "Milliyet" reports that the operation
was carried out in line with the ongoing investigation of
money laundering charges. "Sabah" notes a second blow
against the Uzans yesterday when President Sezer approved
the banking law, which will hold bank owners and bank
officials personally responsible for bank fraud and
irregularities.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Iraq
"The Divine Mission of Bush"
Ibrahim Karagul argued in the Islamist-intellectual Yeni
Safak (8/12): "At this point there is no sense in arguing
about the justifications used by the United States for the
Iraq operation. There is a game being staged right now, and
we are just spectators or, at most, playing a supporting
role. The Washington administration looks like a racist
junta, and there is a plan underway to redesign the world.
.. The ultimate goal of the US is to establish a world
empire. We all sit and watch the seizure of world resources
and the suppression of alternative voices. Turkey's
decision on whether or not to send troops to Iraq requires a
larger vision to see the full picture. This decision should
not be evaluated only within the framework of Turkish-
American relations and economic expectations. This is not
about our short-term interests. This is about whether or
not we bless the occupation and looting, whether or not we
obey a power that intends to rule the world."
"Not without an Arab presence"
Erhan Basyurt wrote in the Islamist-intellectual Zaman
(8/12): "Turkey has some questions on the issue of sending
troops to Iraq, such as the legitimacy of the US presence
and the US position as an occupation force. . The United
States, on the other hand, has failed to win over the people
of Iraq after the operation. The democratization process
seems to be alienating some important local figures. The
Iraqi Governing Council consists predominantly of names from
the opposition who lived abroad. The IGC is also alienating
the Sunni Arabs, another major reason for the unhappiness
among the Iraqi people. .Turkey should condition its
military presence in Iraq on the agreement of at least one
other Islamic country to send troops as well. The military
presence of an Arab country, preferably Egypt, is the best
solution that will not only enhance Turkey's position, but
also eliminate the possibility that Turkey will be labeled
as a collaborator with the occupation force."
DEUTSCH