ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 008156 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 13, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEALS International community hopeful about Cyprus plan - Sabah Denktas: Constructive; Simitis: Hopeful - Turkiye New map for Cyprus - Milliyet CIA, Talabani summit at MIT - Vatan Nerve gas doubts - Hurriyet Parliament considering `political ethics' law - Aksam OPINION MAKERS Hope for compromise before Copenhagen - Cumhuriyet Surprise: All parties positive to Annan plan - Radikal Turkey cold to refugee, territorial issues - Zaman Talabani: Ready for full cooperation - Cumhuriyet Nation wants Erdogan as Prime Minister - Yeni Safak FINANCIAL JOURNALS Unemployment soars in urban areas: 14 percent - Dunya Turkish NGOs in Sweden for EU - Finansal Forum BRIEFING Cyprus: Dailies report positive first impressions from Ankara to the Cyprus plan put forward by UN Secretary General Annan. Ankara has welcomed provisions on sovereignty, but was skeptical about the return of refugees and the issues of territory and property restitution, papers say. MFA says the plan provides a basis for negotiations. The U.S. and EU believe the plan to be a `historic opportunity' for ending the Cyprus dispute, reports note. Papers highlight the fact that the plan granted constitutional advantages to Turkish Cypriots, and advantages to Greek Cypriots on refugees and territorial issues. A rotating presidency is welcomed as a significant gain for the Turkish side. Turks would not be seen as a minority, and would enjoy sovereign rights to make cultural and trade agreements with third countries. Turks currently hold 35.6 percent of Cyprus, a territorial share that the Greek Cypriots want to reduce to 24 percent. Greek Cypriot papers are cited as expecting the return of 40-80,000 refugees to the Turkish sector. This might create new problems on the island similar to those in the Middle East, papers stress. The plan foresees that the ghost town of Varosha and part of Morphou would be given to Greek Cypriots. MFA is not pessimistic, and believes that the plan acknowledged the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). TGS reportedly welcomed the plan, which has eased Turkey's concern about security of Turks on the island, papers note. Erdogan: AKP leader Erdogan begins his EU tour today in Italy, papers report. Erdogan will be given a top-level reception in Italy, and Prime Minister Berlusconi will host a luncheon today in his honor. Facing opposition from CHP, AKP has decided not to force a constitutional change to lift the ban on Erdogan's political activity, papers say. AKP intends to amend regulations to allow an early by-election, which would pave the way for Erdogan to enter parliament. Meanwhile, President Sezer is expected to receive Erdogan on Friday to discuss the issue of the AKP candidate for Prime Minister. Iraq: Papers report the Iraqi Parliament rejected the UN resolution on arms inspection, but that Saddam Hussein will most likely accept it. The visiting Northern Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Talabani welcomed the resolution as positive for Iraq and the region. Responding to questions from the Turkish press, Talabani said the Northern Iraqi constitution could be redrafted in response to Turkish concerns. In a meeting with Talabani on Wednesday, MFA U/S Ziyal is expected to urge Talabani to invite the Turkomens to the November 22-25 meeting of the Iraqi opposition in Brussels, papers report. Papers claim Talabani and CIA Deputy Director McLaughlin have discussed the issue of training of peshmerges in a secret meeting at the Turkish intelligence (MIT) headquarters. Reports say Turkish officials have conveyed to the CIA their concern about peshmerges being transferred to Northern Iraq via Syria and Jordan. Ankara is worried that arming and training the peshmerges could jeopardize Turkey's security in the future, papers note. The U.S. delegation is expected to hold meetings at the TGS on Wednesday, papers report. All papers carry a NYT article about Iraq trying to purchase over one million doses of atropine from a Turkish company. The U.S., worried that this might indicate Iraq's willingness to use nerve gas in a conflict, has pressured Ankara to prevent the sale, reports claim. EU: Dailies quote the EU term president Denmark's ambassador to Ankara, Christian Hoppe, as saying that the EU is a democratic club, and that an AKP government will not be seen as a hurdle against Turkey's EU accession. Hoppe reminded about AKP pledges about secularism and democratization, and urged further reforms to ensure freedom of expression and action to prevent torture. Papers also report that the EU's expansion commissioner Verheugen welcomed the UN sponsored Cyprus plan as a well-balanced proposal in line with EU criteria. Verheugen reportedly said he preferred that no date be given to Turkey at the Copenhagen Summit. EU foreign policy chief Solana welcomed the Cyprus plan as well, and urged Turkey to exert further effort for a solution as it continues on the way to EU membership. EDITORIAL OPINION: UN Plan on Cyprus "The Blending of Models" Sami Kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (11/13): "The UNSG seems to have found a middle way between `federation and confederation' as well as between the Swiss model and the Belgian model for Cyprus. Therefore, both sides will find certain elements of this plan acceptable, and certain parts unacceptable. . From our side, it is very important that the Annan document complies with Turkey's longstanding insistence on partnership and equality in Cyprus. . Yet there are some negative points which the Turkish side might not like very much, such as giving away some territory, the migration and settlement issues, and the disarmament of the island. However, a constructive approach can solve these issues through fair and just bargaining." "Turkey should not miss this chance" Mehmet Ali Birand supports the plan in mass appeal/sensational Posta (11/13): "Turkey faces a final historic opportunity. Though it does not fully satisfy the Turkish side, the Cyprus package offers extremely important gains. Casting aside the `We will not give away even a pebble' rhetoric, we must take the most we can and close this file. If we allow ourselves to be slaves to our old habits, we will lose Cyprus legally on the day after the upcoming Copenhagen summit. . In that case, everyone will be bound to suffer from the harmful effects." "The Annan Plan" Semih Idiz opined in mass appeal Aksam (11/13): "It seems that the Turkish Cypriot leadership will not burn his bridges, but instead will continue to discuss the plan, which is described by Turkey as `a plan with a glass of water, half empty and half full.' That means the two sides will negotiate the plan and work on the nuances. . The two Cypriot sides will also feel pressured, because the US and UK are strongly supporting the Annan plan behind the scenes."