ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 008132 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 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL 30 hot days for Cyprus - Hurriyet Swiss model for Cyprus - Aksam Land for Greek Cypriots, autonomy for Turks - Vatan Bargaining on Iraq with CIA delegation - Milliyet CIA delegation lands in Ankara - Aksam Erdogan: We will use authority given by the nation - Turkiye OPINION MAKERS Erdogan-Sezer polemic - Radikal Toward `solution' in Cyprus - Radikal Annan plan brings territorial advantage to Greek Cypriots - Yeni Safak World eyes on Baghdad - Cumhuriyet Iraq reacts negatively to UN resolution - Zaman FINANCIAL JOURNALS AKP: We will encourage production - Dunya Central Bank urges no concession on economic program - Finansal Forum BRIEFING Cyprus: All dailies carry details of the UN-sponsored peace plan for Cyprus. If the Greek and Turkish sides reach a compromise before the EU Copenhagen Summit on December 12, the agreement for a new Cyprus Constitution will be taken to referendum in both Cypriot zones in the island in March. In that case, a united Cyprus would sign agreement for EU accession on April 16. A senior MFA official reportedly said Ankara would not hurry to react to the draft, which he saw as `long and confusing.' The AKP official responsible for foreign policy, retired ambassador Yasar Yakis, voiced the suspicion that the plan was earlier presented to the Greek Cypriots for some `adjustments.' The envisioned Cyprus state would have a single international identity, but would be composed of two autonomous Cyprus states. The island would be demilitarized, and paramilitary units would be abolished. "Cumhuriyet" says the plan contained points close to the Turkish thesis. "Radikal" reports a positive first reaction from both Cypriot leaders. Iraq: Papers say that despite angry reaction from the Iraqi parliament, Baghdad is expected to accept UNSC resolution ¶1441. Dailies report National Security Advisor Rice saying U.S. would show `zero tolerance' to Iraq. Andrew Card of the White House reportedly said if Baghdad violated UNSC resolutions, the U.S. would not necessarily seek permission from the UN to take military action. Meanwhile, papers report Northern Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Talabani's visit to Ankara before the November 22 Iraqi opposition meeting in Brussels. Talabani, scheduled to meet with MFA and TGS, may pay a courtesy visit to AKP leader Erdogan as well, reports say. Papers claim that MFA and TGS have warned AKP and CHP to refrain from receiving Talabani. Erdogan: AKP leader Erdogan responded to President Sezer's remarks that the Constitution could not be amended merely to meet the specific needs of an individual by saying that AKP was tasked by the people to represent the national will, and that AKP would not share that authority with others. AKP is not seeking to politicize laws, Erdogan said. Mainstream media believe Erdogan has hardened his stance. However, reaction from President Sezer and CHP leader Baykal has forced Erdogan to look for solutions other than constitutional change, papers note. With a minor constitutional change, AKP will hold by-elections within three months after the opening of parliament, thus paving the way for Erdogan to become prime minister. AKP persistence in seeking constitutional changes might encourage radical elements in the party to propose further amendments on controversial issues like the headscarf ban and religious schools, papers comment. CIA delegation in Ankara: A 25-member CIA delegation, led by the agency's deputy director John McLaughlin, arrived in Ankara Monday evening, papers report. McLaughlin is expected to discuss the Iraq problem and the fight against terrorism with the TGS, MFA and Turkish intelligence (MIT), reports say. McLaughlin will try to convince Turkey to allow the use of Northern Iraqi peshmerges in the Iraqi operation. Ankara is concerned that the Northern Iraqi KDP and PUK might extract concessions from the U.S. if peshmerges are included in Washington's Iraq plans. The groups will be given military training and arms, and might pose a threat for Turkey in the future, dailies note. EDITORIAL OPINION: a) UN Resolution on Iraq b) US-Turkey Relations "The UN resolution will also topple Saddam" Ferai Tinc wrote in mass appeal Hurriyet (11/10): "The UN resolution not only establishes a mechanism for serious control over weapons of mass destruction, but also, and more importantly, paves the way for a regime change in Iraq without the need of war. With the help of this resolution, the Iraqi opposition will now be able to make its presence felt. . Looking at the resolution's rhetoric, one can conclude that the authority provided to the inspectors is strong enough to shake Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. . Baghdad is obliged to comply fully with the UN resolution or else pay the consequences of a U.S. military action. Under these strict conditions and obligations, Iraq must cooperate. Let's not forget that the UN resolution has Syrian approval as well. What happens if the Baghdad regime chooses not to comply? It will not make much difference for the fate of Saddam's regime anyway." "The US and AKP" New York correspondent for mass appeal Sabah, Asli Aydintasbas wrote (11/12): "On the eve of a possible Iraq operation, the AKP election victory is very much of interest to Washington. AKP has gained huge importance for the US in this regard. AKP was not the best alternative for the US, but Washington is relieved by recent soft messages by AKP leader Erdogan and other party officials. . Prior to the election, AKP had sent some messages to Washington in order to reassure the US administration on its stance on Iraq, willingness to cooperate with the IMF, willingness to become part of the EU, and willingness to work for a solution on Cyprus. . Iraq, Cyprus, and EU membership will be the major issues in US-Turkish relations in the immediate future. US officials welcome the positive messages by AKP on these important issues following the party's election victory. Uncertainty about who is to be the Prime Minister of Turkey, concerns about the Islamic roots of AKP, and speculation about possible tension between the AKP and the military are now of secondary importance for the US. . It appears that the nature of relations between the AKP and the US administration will be shaped significantly by developments in Iraq."