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 002321

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,
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004

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

HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION

HEADLINES

MASS APPEALS
Verheugen: I have Been Deceived by the Greek-Cypriots -
Hurriyet
No Release of DEP Deputies - Hurriyet
State Security Court Confirms Conviction of DEP Deputies -
Sabah
Karamanlis Promises to Support Turkey's EU Entry - Sabah
Historic Confession From Verheugen - Milliyet
Suicide Bombers Kill 68 in Basra - Milliyet
Iraq Becomes a Fire-Ball - Turkiye

OPINION MAKERS
CHP Deputy Oymen: TGS Not Given Details of Annan Plan -
Cumhuriyet
Denktas Warns Against Attacks on `yes' Supporters -
Cumhuriyet
Nationalists' Terror Attacks Increase in Cyprus - Radikal
No Change in the DEP Case - Radikal
Verheugen: The Greek Cypriots Deceived Me - Radikal
State Security Court Dynamite Sent to the EU - Yeni Safak
EU Believes it has Been Cheated By Greek Cypriots - Zaman

BRIEFING

Cyprus: "Hurriyet" reports that the pre-referendum tension
is growing in Cyprus. Yesterday, a group of supporters of
the UN plan was attacked by Turkish nationalist groups who
had come to the island from Turkey. All papers highlight EU
Commissioner Verheugen's remarks to the EU Parliament that
he had been `deceived' by the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Verheugen charged that the Greek Cypriots had indicated
their support for the Annan plan throughout the negotiation
process, and only now are pressing for its rejection.
"Aksam" reports that Verheugen also said that the Turkish
side should not be held responsible for the possible failure
of the Annan plan at referendum. "Milliyet" writes that
Verheugen expressed the EU's regret for admitting the Greek
Cypriots to the EU without a Cyprus solution. Meanwhile,
the Turkish and Greek Prime Ministers met in Sarajevo.
Karamanlis reiterated that the Greek Government would not
pressure the Greek Cypriots to approve the UN plan, but he
confirmed that Greece will support Turkey's EU membership
bid `to the end.'

DEP Deputies: A State Security Court in Ankara confirmed
the conviction of Leyla Zana and three other former
parliamentarians from the former Kurdish nationalist party,
DEP. "Yeni Safak" predicts that the verdict will have a
negative impact on Turkey's efforts to obtain a date for the
start of accession talks with the EU. "Hurriyet" notes that
the court verdict drew harsh criticism from the EU
Commission. A Commission spokesman expressed `deep regret'
over the verdict, adding that the trial was followed closely
by the commission. EU Enlargement Commissioner Verheugen
also criticized the decision, saying that the verdict raises
`serious questions' about Turkey's implementation of its EU
harmonization reforms.

EDITORIAL OPINION

Cyprus/Bosnia-Herzegovina
"Different views"
Soli Ozel commented in the mass appeal "Sabah" (4/22): "If
a solution is found to the Cyprus problem, Turkey will have
transformed its foreign policy from one that was closed and
isolationist to one that is open to global interaction.
Turkey, which is among the important shapers of the post-
9/11, post-Iraq war world, should reposition itself and more
clearly define its interests. . It appears that the Turkish
Cypriots will vote for the Annan Plan. . It must be
remembered that rejection of the UN-backed peace plan will
mean approving the division of the island. . Whatever the
decision of the Greek Cypriots may be, the status quo in the
north will not remain unchanged if the Turks vote `yes.'"

"A 'No' won't save the Greek Cypriots from Annan"
Mehmet Ali Birand wrote in the mass appeal "Posta" (4/22):
"If the Southern Cypriots reject the Annan Plan in the April
24 referenda, the EU will probably press for a second vote
in the course of time. If the outcome is negative again, a
process for official recognition of the `TRNC' will be
launched. Under such circumstances, the Greek Cypriots will
not be allowed to demand withdrawal of Turkish troops or ask
for return of their properties in the north. The Greeks
must choose between the Annan Plan and the division of
Cyprus. . The Greek Cypriots would not vote against a
settlement if they could see that no matter how long it
takes, a solution to the Cyprus problem is possible only
within the framework of the Annan Plan."

"First genocide against Muslims recognized"
Mim Kemal Oke observed in the conservative/mass appeal "HO-
Tercuman" (4/22): "In an historic decision, the war crimes
tribunal at The Hague has officially recognized as
`genocide' the killing of 7,000 Bosniacs in Srebrenica in
1995. . This decision might bring significant consequences.
Now Muslims have a similar status to that of Jews -- both in
the diaspora and in Israel - following the genocide
perpetrated by the Nazis. . I am afraid that the Islamic
world, which remains both lethargic and dysfunctional, is
not fully prepared to make use of such a significant
opportunity. It must be remembered that this court
resolution came at a time of prevailing Islamist terror.
The Islamic world must not let this decision die. The
Islamic world must eliminate the violence within. If the
Islamic world remains insensitive in the face of terrorism,
it will likely act sluggishly in making use of this
decision."

EDELMAN

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