Cablegate: Media Reaction Report - International Terrorism -

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 PARIS 006756

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INR/R/MR; IIP/RW; IIP/RNY; BBG/VOA; IIP/WEU; AF/PA;
EUR/WE /P/SP; D/C (MCCOO); EUR/PA; INR/P; INR/EUC; PM; OSC ISA
FOR ILN; NEA; WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC/WEUROPE; DOC FOR ITA/EUR/FR
AND PASS USTR/PA; USINCEUR FOR PAO; NATO/PA; MOSCOW/PA;
ROME/PA; USVIENNA FOR USDEL OSCE.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR FR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION REPORT - International Terrorism -
Bali European Issues - Turkey
PARIS - Monday, October 03, 2005

(A) SUBJECTS COVERED IN TODAY'S REPORT:

International Terrorism - Bali
European Issues - Turkey

B) SUMMARY OF COVERAGE:

The overwhelming majority of today's front pages anticipates
on tomorrow's day of general strikes and devotes their lead
stories to the degree of chaos commuters will be facing and to
PM Villepin's first test of social unrest since taking office
as Prime Minister. "Test by Fire" is the headline chosen by
both economic papers Les Echos and La Tribune, while popular
France Soir titles: "Villepin in the Eye of the Storm."
Liberation headlines: "If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Conflict."
Le Parisien headlines "Black Tuesday" and L'Humanite
announces: "74 Percent of the French Support the Day of
Protest." Le Figaro chooses to concentrate on the tug-of-war
between Corsican unions and the government over the
privatization of the SNCM Ferry company, always in light of a
"a difficult social week" for the government.

Catholic La Croix differs with a front page and editorial
devoted to "Europe's Hesitations Over Turkey." Editorialist
Dominique Quinio suggests Europe needs to re-assess its own
definition, while in Le Figaro political analyst Luc de
Barochez concentrates on the "clandestine relationship between
Paris and Ankara." (See Part C) Le Journal du Dimanche
interviews former French President Valery Giscard d' Estaing
who reiterates his position: "I want Europe to establish high
level and mutually satisfying relations with Turkey - as with
Russia. These can be called a `privileged partnership'. But
inviting Turkey to participate in Europe's political
institutions is not desirable."

The terrorist attack in Bali is the object of two editorials
in Liberation and Le Figaro. While Liberation contends that
international terrorism "has not achieved its objective of
changing the West's habits" Le Figaro comments: "These attacks
have nothing in common with attacks by al-Qaeda. Attacks from
Jemaah Islamiyah are sporadic attacks on symbolic dates. They
are acts of war." (See Part C)
An interview with Hamid Karzai in Le Figaro is titled:
"Karzai: `Unifying International Forces in Afghanistan.'"
"Afghanistan continues to work hand in hand with the U.S. in
the fight against terror. But the Bonn process is now over.
Maybe we should consider giving our cooperation a political
dimension. Fighting terrorism involves fighting against its
financing and training in Afghanistan and neighboring
countries. In time we will have a single command of the two
operations underway in Afghanistan placed under the NATO
banner."

Separately Le Figaro devotes a full page to France's new Rapid
Reaction Force Headquarters, "where American officers will be
welcomed with open arms" and the role France will be able to
play in NATO operations. Arnaud de La Grange comments: "In the
midst of the diplomatic guerrilla war over Iraq, achieving
this feat was not easy. Pentagon civilians, like Rumsfeld,
dragged their feet, while American generals appreciated
France's growing military strength."

Left-of-center Liberation reports on a new transatlantic
network, the "Committee for a Strong Europe" being developed
in Washington by neo-conservatives of the PNAC think tank.

(C) SUPPORTING TEXT/BLOCK QUOTES:

International Terrorism - Bali

"The Asian Front"
Pierre Rousselin in right-of-center Le Figaro (10/03): "In
Asia, the emerging middle class is engaged in a wild consumer
race which goes hand in hand with the Westernization of its
values. But the majority of the population cannot escape
poverty and is the target of underground Islamization efforts.
Indonesia is threatened by the Balkanization of its society.
Saturday's terrorist attack reminds us that terrorism does not
target only the West and the Arab world. Asia, where the
biggest changes are operating and where our future lies, is
also a primary target. We must stop Al-Qaeda from fomenting
anti-western resentment in this region of the world, so
crucial for our survival. And the Indonesian authorities must
be more determined in dealing with terrorists."

"In Vain"
Patrick Sabatier in left-of-center Liberation (10/03):
"Djihadists have no choice but to incessantly repeat their
deadly attacks but with decreasing results. Their strategy and
methods are well-known. Yet this mechanical repetition leads
them nowhere. They have not managed to change the West's
habits, to keep tourists away or to topple local regimes.
Their propaganda has not awakened new martyrs among the
Muslims. While we must not underestimate them, neither should
we give in to the temptation of a `war of civilizations' which
the terrorists are trying in vain to provoke."

European Issues - Turkey

"Fragile Foundation"
Dominique Quinio in Catholic La Croix (10/03): "Until the end
Europe will have been divided on Turkey. These last minute
discussions illustrate the hesitations of many governments,
not only Austria, and the reticence of many a public opinion
on Turkey's EU membership, which is not a given. Many
arguments are put forward against Turkey, including its
position on the Armenian genocide and Cyprus. But many fear
the membership of a Muslim country: without it being said, it
is a fact that people fear Islam. The EU-25 has learned the
hard way that Europe's expansion, if implemented too quickly
and without consulting public opinion, exposes them to
dangers. But mostly the questions surrounding Turkey's
membership reveal Europe's psychological fragility: its
foundation is not strong enough to absorb Turkey. If Europe
were stronger, more united about a joint project, it would see
Turkey's membership as a wonderful and peaceful challenge.
Because Europe has not reached this point it needs more time.
And so do the future potential candidates."

"The Clandestine Relationship Between Paris and Ankara"
Luc de Barochez in right-of-center Le Figaro (10/03): "Never
has France's diplomacy been so out of tune with its public
opinion. And rarely has France's foreign policy been decided
by only one man, the President, as it is today. Is France
encouraging the negotiations with Turkey in good faith? France
continues to be Turkey's major ally within the EU. But like a
forbidden relationship, the relationship between Ankara and
Paris remains discreet. Chirac continues to believe that the
West's interests, Europe's role in world affairs, and its
relationship to Islam. will be better served with Turkey. Yet,
officially, nothing is being stated. And Istanbul and Ankara
do not appreciate this lack of clarity. Turkey's elite is
distancing itself from a partner it no longer fully trusts.
France's previous attitude towards Poland led to a loss of
credit in Poland. The same could happen today with Turkey."
STAPLETON

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