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 04 ANKARA 005157

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
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2005

THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:

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

MASS APPEAL
Azerbaijan Supports `TRNC' Despite Greek Pressure - Hurriyet
Israel, Pakistan Handshake in Istanbul - Hurriyet
EU Postpones Vote on Counter-Declaration - Hurriyet
Turkey Criticized on Pamuk Case - Hurriyet
Historic Summit in Istanbul - Milliyet
Gul: We will not Open Our Ports to Greek Cypriots - Milliyet
Bomb Explosion Kills Terrorist in Bursa - Milliyet
Cyprus Pressure at EU Summit - Sabah
First Women Religious Affairs Officials Appointed - Milliyet
No Obstacles Before October 3 Accession Talks - Milliyet
PKK Gains Supporters in Europe - Aksam
A New Role for Turkey in the Middle East - Vatan
EU Counter-Declaration Postponed Until Next Week - Vatan

OPINION MAKERS
EU Does Not Present Turkey With New Conditions - Radikal
Denmark Responds to General Buyukanit on Roj-TV - Radikal
Gul: Turkey will not Allow Itself to be Exploited -Radikal
EU Pressures Ankara to Recognize Cyprus - Cumhuriyet
Denmark Waits for Evidence on Roj-TV - Cumhuriyet
Sakra Had Been Planning to Meet Suicide Bombers in Istanbul
- Zaman

BRIEFING

EU Accession: All papers today gave extensive coverage to
yesterday's meeting of EU foreign ministers in Wales. The
ministers are reportedly working on a declaration that would
increase pressure on Turkey to opens its ports and airports
to Greek Cypriots and, ultimately, to recognize Cyprus.
"Hurriyet" reports that France is insisting on Turkey's full
recognition of Cyprus, but adds that the French say they are
not planning to block the start of EU accession talks with
Turkey now scheduled for October 3. "Sabah" claims that the
talks have reached an impasse over the Cyprus issue, thereby
delaying the release of the counter-declaration for at least
a week. At a press conference prior to his departure for
the UK, Gul said that `Turkey has fulfilled all the
objective criteria for the start of negotiations, and now
expects EU members to keep the promises they made on
December 17. I believe that negotiations will begin on
October 3 as planned.' "Turkiye" and "Radikal" quote FM Gul
as saying that `no one should use Turkey for their domestic
political aims. We will not allow Turkey to be exploited by
anyone.' Gul added that `things that are expected from full
members of the EU should not be expected of those in the
process of seeking membership. Ports and airports are part
of the service sector. Everyone knows the meaning of the
Customs Union.' Turkish dailies report that Prime Minister
Erdogan, speaking during his visit to Italy, reiterated
yesterday that Turkey will not accept any new conditions for
the start of talks with the EU.

Jones-Abizaid Visit: "Cumhuriyet" reports that CENTCOM
Commander General John Abizaid and EUCOM Commander General
James Jones will visit Ankara September 8-9 to discuss the
PKK presence in Iraq with Turkish military leaders. Citing
diplomatic sources, the paper claims that the Turkish side
is preparing a report to present to the generals detailing
PKK activities in Iraq, and urging the United States to
prevent PKK infiltration from Iraq into Turkey and to `clean
out' PKK camps in the Kandil Mountains.
Arinc Speaks on "Kurdish Problem": Parliament Speaker
Bulent Arinc said that people should become hung up on the
term `Kurdish problem,' which the Prime Minister mentioned
during his recent visit to Diyarbakir. `Turkey has a
Kurdish problem, or a terrorism problem, or a southeast
problem,' the speaker said. `The important thing is that we
need to take courageous measure to resolve it,' he added.
Arinc said that such measures should include `more freedom
and more democracy.'

Denmark Waits for Evidence on Roj TV: Several papers
report that Danish Ambassador Christian Hoppe said that
Turkey had never approached him with a complaint about Roj-
TV, which is alleged to have affiliations with the PKK and
broadcasts from denmark. Ambassador Hoppe stressed that
Denmark recognizes that the PKK is a terrorist organization,
and said his country is open to talks with Turkey regarding
ROJ-TV if it is shown to be a mouthpiece for the PKK.

The Hizbullah Debate: "Hurriyet" and "Milliyet" report
about the ongoing debate over the origins of Turkish
Hizbullah follwing a claim by Turkish Air Force Commander
General Faruk Comert that he had warned the governor of
Diyarbakir back in the 1990s that it was dangerous for the
state to use Hizbullah against the PKK. Former Interior
Ministry undersecretary Muzaffer Ecemis rejected Comert's
claims, pointing out that he had been the governor in
Diyarbakir during the period under discussion. Ecemis
denied that he had been visited or warned by General Comert.
Ecemis said that the state has its own forces to fight
against terrorist organizations, and would never use one
terrorist organization against another.

Terror in Bursa: "Milliyet" reports that a 27-year-old man
died in bomb blast when the explosives he was carrying
detonated before he could reach his intended target. The
man, identified as Bulent Akcicek, was apparently planning
to place the bomb in a nearby metro station. Police said
that Akcicek was affiliated with the Selef Group, an
organization with ties to al-Qaida that probably played a
role in the Istanbul bombings of November 2003.

PKK Cultural Activities in Europe: "Aksam" reports on its
front page that the PKK is stepping up its social and
cultural activities in European countries at the same time
it is increaing its bloody attacks in Turkey. For example,
the PKK is organizing a bicycle tour in Germany under the
slogan `Free Ocalan.' Kurdish associations have arranged a
football tournament and a march from Brussels to Cologne to
raise funds for the `free Ocalan' campaign. Remzi Kartal, a
suspected PKK leader who is wanted by Interpol, was present
for the start of the march.

Israel-Pakistan Meeting in Istanbul: All papers report on
the meeting held yesterday in Istanbul between the foreign
ministers of Israel and Pakistan. "Milliyet" notes that
this was the first ever high-level diplomatic meeting
between the two countries. Turkish State Minister Mehmet
Aydin and Prime Ministry advisor Egemen Bagis hosted the
meeting on behalf of PM Erdogan. "Sabah" says the meeting
represents an important step for peace in Middle East.
"Radikal" claims that the meeting was the result of a `two-
year'effort' by Prime Minister Erdogan to mediate open
diplomatic contact between the two countries. "Vatan" also
praises Turkey's role as a mediator' between two countries
that have remained hostile to one another 57 years. Papers
highlight international press coverage of the meeting,
stressing in particular the role played by Turkey as a
`bridge of peace' in the Middle East.

Orhan Pamuk Case: "Hurriyet" reports that Turkey is facing
growing criticism over its decision to bring criminal
charges against the renowned novelist Orhan Pamuk. The
International Writers' Union (PEN) said in an open letter
that `this is not the proper approach for a country trying
to gain access to the European Union.' Meanwhile,
"Hurriyet" reports that Pamuk will likely be tried under the
Turkey's old criminal code, as his comments were made before
the recent changes took effect. Consequently, he would face
a maximum of one year in prison if convicted, not three
years as initially reported.

EDITORIAL OPINION: Hurricane Katrina; Egypt Elections

"More Powerful than the Superpower"
Sami Kohen commented in the mass appeal "Milliyet" (9/2):
"Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the power of nature, and
left even the US superpower helpless. But the US has enough
resources and the capability to limit the effects of the
hurricane. It is expected that the country's wealth will
lay the ground for the victims to return to their normal
lives within a reasonable time frame. . On the other hand,
hurricane Katrina has had a serious impact on the US
economy. The estimated cost of damage is around 25-30
billion dollars, enough to create a negative impact on the
US economy, which is already going through a difficult
period because of the Iraq war. The Bush administration has
decided to use some of the strategic oil reserves, but a
significant decline of oil prices from the current 70 dollar
level seems unlikely. The impact of the hurricane on the
American economy will create aftershocks on the world
economy, including in Turkey. . The hurricane has also
revealed another side of the US as well -- the country's
overlooked problems of poverty and unemployment. Global
warming is also a problem that the Bush administration
continues to ignore. There is one more fact that should
tell something: Washington could not answer the calls from
the three hardest-hit states for more security personnel to
serve in the disaster area, because most of these units'
personnel are currently serving in Iraq."

"The Disaster Teaches Many Lessons"
Hakan Celik argued in the mass appeal-sensational "Posta"
(9/2): "Hurricane Katrina has left the superpower in a
helpless situation. The only thing the US could do was to
give an early warning for evacuation. There are many
lessons to take from this, especially for those who force
ecological change in nature. The US is one of them.
Rapidly growing industrialization causes atmospheric gas
emissions, which turn the global climate balance upside-
down. . The Bush administration refused to sign the Kyoto
agreement, and seemed not eager to join steps for
environmental protection until hurricane Katrina. If the
hurricane cannot push the Bush administration to change its
environmental policy, there will be more environmental
disasters ahead for humanity."

"Mubarak and Egypt"
Erhan Basyurt wrote in the Islamist-intellectual "Zaman"
(9/2): "Egypt continues to be the most influential and the
most strategically-located Arab country in the Middle East.
With its 3,000 years of history, Egypt is currently on the
verge of organizing a presidential election with multiple
candidates for the first time in its history. . The
democratization goal of the BMENAI is one of the reasons for
this development in Egypt. A democratic transformation in
Egypt could create an impact on the entire Arab, and
ultimately lead to an acceleration of the democratization
process. The September elections in Egypt will be historic
both for that country and for the Middle East. But it will
be disappointing both for Egyptians and the international
community if Hosni Mubarak were to be reelected."

MCELDOWNEY

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