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 005892

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 17, 2003

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

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

HEADLINES

MASS APPEAL
We Asked for Action from US regarding PKK, Not Promises -
Hurriyet
Germany is not Given Guarantee over Kaplan Trial - Hurriyet
We Would Go into Iraq during Ecevit Administration -
Milliyet
EU Doesn't Include KADEK in Its Terrorist List - Milliyet
The Secret Decree for the Use of Turkish Air Space is in
Action - Milliyet
US Soldiers Want Turkish Soldiers in Iraq Urgently - Sabah
Tense Dialog at the First Meeting, PM Meets with Amb.Edelman
- Sabah
The Permission for US to Use Turkish Air Space Ends on
September 20 - Turkiye

OPINION MAKERS
KADEK is not on EU's Terror List - Cumhuriyet
PKK/KADEK Warning from PM Erdogan to Ambassador Edelman -
Cumhuriyet
Ankara's Iraq Plan Ready - Radikal
Barzani: "Yes to European Troops, No to Turkish Troops -
Radikal
Washington Post: "To Play Turkish Card in Iraq is Risky for
Both Sides" - Yeni Safak
US Troops Wait for Turkish Troops in Order to Go Home -
Zaman
"Troop " Message from Edelman to Erdogan - Zaman

BRIEFING
Ambassador Edelman's Visit to PM Erdogan: All papers and TV
channels cover Ambassador Edelman's visit to PM Erdogan.
"Hurriyet" reports that the meeting had originally been
planned for 45 minutes, however, it lasted for almost an
hour and half, and caused a French delegation, waiting to
see PM, to wait longer. "Hurriyet" notes that at the
meeting, US could not give clear responses on PKK/KADEK
issue. The Prime Ministry statement, issued after the
meeting, said `Mr. Prime Minister stressed that fighting
terrorism should not remain rhetorical, instead, it should
be supported by concrete steps. PM stressed that providing
stability in Iraq would benefit both Turkey and US.
Therefore, Turkey wants to understand clearly what will be
done in this process, by whom, how, where and when.'
"Zaman" reports that Amb. Edelman said that `the US respects
Turkey's decision process for the troop deployment in Iraq.'
Barzani Remarks: In an interview with a German paper, KDP
leader Barzani said that they have no objections to the
deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Iraq,
however, they were against the troop deployment from the
neighboring countries, including Turkey.
Use of Turkish Air Space by the US: "Turkiye" reports that
the permission for the use of Turkish air space for the US
expires on September 20. Since the parliament is on recess
until October 1, the government is looking for possibilities
to extend the permission without passing a new motion by
parliament. According to "Milliyet" the government has
already made the necessary arrangements and with a secret
decree issued by FM Gul on June 23, US planes will be
allowed to use Turkish airspace for humanitarian purposes
only.
EU Declines to Add KADEK to its Terror List: All papers
report that the EU had declined to add KADEK to its
terrorist list with the reason that KADEK had not carried
out any terror attacks yet.
EDITORIAL OPINION:
"Would Turkish troops face attack in Iraq?"
Cengiz Candar opined in mass appeal DB-Tercuman (9/17): "A
large majority of the Iraqis are against Turkish troop
presence in Iraq. However, Americans want Turks in Iraq. .
Remnants of the old Iraqi regime, Baath followers, and
fundamentalists including the Wahabi will not hesitate to
attack Turkish soldiers. . Each attack resulting in a
Turkish injury is likely to cause new cracks in Turkey -
U.S. relations and in domestic Turkish politics. . It is
not that important whether the Iraqis want Turkish troops or
not. No matter if our politicians like it or not, Turkish
soldiers will go to Iraq as a police force. . Iraq
currently needs a peacemaking mission, not a peacekeeping
task. . As David Ignatius of the WP put it, the old Turkey
- U.S. relationship was a remnant of the Cold War and died
on March 1. With their decisions regarding Iraq, the two
countries are now outlining the principles of a new
relationship."

"U.S. ought to intervene on PKK"
Mustafa Karaalioglu commented in Islamist intellectual Yeni
Safak (9/17): "U.S. cannot talk the PKK into benefiting from
the Repentance Law. U.S. must physically intervene on the
PKK and remove it from being a threat in Northern Iraq. .
U.S., UK, Poland, Bulgaria and, although indirectly, Israel
are in Iraq, and we cannot simply watch and do nothing, says
Foreign Minister Gul. . Groups that have political
interests in Iraq are uncomfortable that Turkey will be
going to Iraq not as an ordinary member of the international
community, but as a neighbor sharing the same religion and
culture. They won't be able to enjoy a comfortable margin
of movement while Turkey is there, and are concerned that a
Turkey interested in the current situation in Iraq will not
remain aloof to the country's future. . Turkey's duration
of stay under a roadmap in Iraq is equally as important as
the decision to deploy troops."

EDELMAN

© Scoop Media