ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 007942 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, NOVEMBER 6, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEALS Gen. Ozkok: U.S. need not worry - Hurriyet Erdogan, Baykal hand in hand for EU - Sabah Elections boost markets' morale - Turkiye Erdogan: We'll benefit from Yilmaz's EU experience - Vatan AKP vows to abolish `financial year zero' - Milliyet Stock markets hit record high - Aksam OPINION MAKERS Erdogan's first gaffe - Cumhuriyet U.S. Administration congratulates AKP - Radikal Erdogan: No puppet Prime Minister - Radikal General Ozkok: Election outcome will of nation - Yeni Safak Erdogan vows to fight poverty, corruption - Yeni Safak AJC cautious on AKP, will wait-and-see - Zaman FINANCIAL JOURNALS Business community says `Gul' -- Dunya AKP's priority trade, agriculture, transport, tourism - Finansal Forum BRIEFING Erdogan: Papers report that the AKP party administration has authorized Erdogan to name a candidate for Prime Minister. All papers believe that Abdullah Gul, a moderate supported by the West, is the favorite candidate. A survey of 500 businessmen conducted by the economic daily "Dunya" shows that 40 percent wanted Gul as Prime Minister. Erdogan is expected to present President Sezer with a list of five candidates tomorrow. Papers quote AKP sources as claiming that the new Prime Minister would only stay in office for 60 days, as the ban on Erdogan will be removed in January 2003. Some reports claim Erdogan will consider party balances by including in the cabinet a mixture of Islamist figures and names close to center-right. An AKP delegation led by Erdogan will tour European capitals to lobby for Turkey's EU drive, reports note. Markets: Papers report interest rates drop by 10 points, accompanied by a record increase in stock markets. Dailies speculate that AKP will receive a genuine vote of confidence from the markets when AKP works out a compromise with the IMF in the fourth review work and the 2003 budget, and achieves a breakthrough in talks with the EU. Ali Coskun, the AKP official responsible for the economy, said that the IMF wants an end to `financial year zero' implementation, which Coskun sees as a controversial regulation that has chased domestic money abroad. Coskun added that in talks with the IMF, AKP would put the emphasis on social aspects of the program. Tax rates will be reduced, and the state will be restructured with authority on the economy under one minister, Coskun said. Cyprus: Dailies expect the UN to present to Cypriots on the island a new peace plan next week, and urge for a resolution before the Copenhagen Summit in December. "Hurriyet" claims that President Bush is supporting the new initiative. Thomas Weston is expected in Ankara this weekend. Speaking to a Greek TV channel, Erdogan said his party supported the Belgian model for Cyprus. Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou said Greece favored the Belgian model as well, with Cyprus having a united international representation with prevailing EU resolutions. "Cumhuriyet" characterized Erdogan's Cyprus remarks as a `gaffe' because he made reference to `communities' on the island instead of two separate `states.' Outgoing Foreign Minister Gurel denounced Erdogan's remarks as an `example of ignorance' which came at a time Turkey was striving for recognition of the Turkish Cypriot state. MFA has urgently decided to brief Erdogan on foreign policy matters to prevent further gaffes, "Cumhuriyet" notes. Papers report Athens as welcoming Erdogan replacing Ecevit, who was a hard-liner on Cyprus issue. Ambassador Pearson on polls, U.S.-Turkey ties: Dailies report U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson voicing U.S. support for the cabinet to be formed by AKP. Appearing on NTV on Tuesday, Ambassador Pearson congratulated AKP on its election victory, and vowed continued U.S. backing for Turkey's democratization effort, economic reforms and EU drive. Pearson said he expected no change in U.S.-Turkey relations under the new AKP government. He also emphasized the U.S. expectation for strong Turkish support regarding problems with Iraq. General Ozkok in U.S.: Papers and broadcasters report that TGS Chief General Ozkok was received at the highest level at the Pentagon, State Department and the White House, and met with Powell, Rice and Cheney. "Hurriyet" says General Ozkok eased concerns of the U.S. Administration by welcoming the AKP election victory as an indication of the Turkish nation's will, and assuring that Washington should not worry about the new situation in Turkey. Ozkok is also quoted as saying that Turkey prefers a non-military solution to the Iraqi problem. EDITORIAL OPINION: Turkish Elections "Closure of an era" Cuneyt Ulsever wrote in mass appeal Hurriyet (11/6): "The great victory of the AKP, and its stance helped the Turkish public opinion to forget about the past era. We are discussing about future easily now. Yet shaping Turkey's future requires a clear description and understanding the past. What we have just put behind us, with the result of election, was the era of corruption economy, favoritism as well as abusing economy for personal interests. The Turkish people has simply wiped out that during November 3 elections." "Doesn't have to be like me; ruling the country decently is enough" Fatih Altayli comments in mass appeal Hurriyet (11/6): "There are some pre-conceived ideas or judgements about the AKP and its leader Erdogan. Turkey should get rid of this spirit particularly now as the country is going toward a new era. Otherwise, the members of the AKP will feel themselves `different' and `alienated' while they are about to start ruling the country. . What matters is that Turkey deserves to have good rulers, not necessarily the people that I can see parallel lifestyles with mine." "A good start" Sami kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (11/6): "The messages coming from Brussels show that the EU has opened a `credit account' for the AKP. The EU is willing to cooperate with the AKP government. It clearly indicates that remarks by Erdogan on Turkey's EU commitment were encouraging enough for the EU. Yet it is also clear that the EU will wait a little while to see the actual implementation of the obligations in Turkey. That means the upcoming Copenhagen summit will not give Turkey a clear and precise date for the negotiations. This has nothing to do with the AKP government, because the same stance was the fact for the previous government as well. . If Turkey works diligently, June 2003 might be a more realistic time to expect a date from EU for negotiations."