ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 008343 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, NOVEMBER 15, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL Gurel, the outgoing hawk - Milliyet Gurel: UN plan leaked to Greek Cypriots beforehand - Hurriyet Denktas cautious about Cyprus plan - Turkiye Verheugen: Too early for EU accession date - Sabah Erdogan's positive messages to Europe - Vatan OPINION MAKERS Military has concerns about Annan's Cyprus plan - Cumhuriyet Last convulsion of the hawks: Gurel slams all - Radikal Gen. Ozkok: Won't let Turkey's rights be violated in Cyprus - Zaman Solana: We want Turkey close to the EU - Yeni Safak FINANCIAL JOURNALS AKP vows to continue structural reform - Dunya TRNC businessmen: Not ready for the EU - Finansal Forum BRIEFING Erdogan: AKP leader Erdogan will be received by President Sezer on Friday for consultations on the new Prime Minister and cabinet members. Erdogan will meet with TGS Chief General Ozkok Friday afternoon. Papers remind that the "caretaker" Prime Minister appointed by Sezer will remain in office until Erdogan enters the parliament via by-elections before March. Papers see AKP deputy chairman Abdullah Gul as the strongest candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Erdogan is due to travel to the TRNC this weekend, and will commence his European tour next week. Cyprus: Dailies report that UN Secretary General Annan has sent a letter to Cypriot leaders Denktas and Clerides, urging them to compromise before the EU Copenhagen Summit, and advising them to discuss `details of secondary importance' in February. TGS Chief General Ozkok said Turkey would not allow developments that would threaten peace and tranquility in Cyprus, reports say. Ozkok warned that Greek Cypriots' EU accession would harm peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. "Cumhuriyet" carries an extensive front-page article about TGS concerns about the Cyprus plan: TGS believes that territorial concessions expected from the Turkish side are too big, that the settlement of Greek Cypriots in Turkish territory will gradually transform Cyprus into a Greek Cypriot island, and that the displacement of about 80,000 Turkish Cypriots will damage the social and economic structure of the island, Cumhuriyet stresses. In a last minute `hawkish struggle,' outgoing Foreign Minister Gurel strongly criticized the UN Cyprus plan, saying that aspects of the plan dealing with territory and the return of displaced Cypriots were unacceptable, papers report. Gurel blamed the UN for allegedly preparing the plan together with the Greek Cypriots. "Sabah" finds such as intervention by the outgoing government to be unacceptable. Iraq: Dailies report that the international community was `temporarily relieved' by Saddam Hussein's unconditional acceptance of UNSC Resolution 1441 for arms inspection in Iraq. Papers report the UN inspection team headed by Hans Blix will go to Baghad on Monday to begin the `largest weapons inspection operation in history.' Two Turkish officers will take part in the delegation, reports say. Meanwhile, dailies report that visiting Northern Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Talabani was unable to get an appointment with AKP leader Erdogan and CHP leader Baykal. "Cumhuriyet" reports that KDP leader Barzani has turned down Ankara's invitation for consultations, saying he had a pre-scheduled program in Syria. Ambassador Pearson on TDN: The English daily Turkish Daily News (TDN) carries an op-ed by the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Robert Pearson on U.S.-Turkey relations. In his article `American-Turkish relations after November 3: Continuity and partnership,' Ambassador Pearson briefly outlines the evolution of bilateral relations, and discussed the key policy issues for Turkey such as the EU, Cyprus, Iraq, political and economic reforms, and human rights. EDITORIAL OPINION: Cyprus Peace Plan "Kofi Annan's Cyprus Plan" Kamuran Ozbir wrote in nationalist Ortadogu (11/15): "Sources close to diplomatic circles tell us that the initial evaluation of Kofi Annan's Cyprus plan was deemed positive, particularly because of its recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. There are, however, certain elements which cause serious concern, such as territorial concessions, property issues, and demographic movements. . It seems that the Turkish Foreign Ministry will have to conduct a comprehensive study of the plan, which might take at least a couple of days, and leave the matter for a final decision at the upcoming National Security Council meeting at the end of November." "Style is important on the Cyprus issue" Ferai Tinc wrote in mass appeal Hurriyet (11/15): "The current situation calls for a diplomatic juggling act. . The upcoming Copenhagen summit is not only going to evaluate the Cyprus situation in light of current developments, but also make more binding decisions for Turkey. The EU's Accession Partnership Document clearly draws a direct link between Turkey's EU process and Cyprus issue. . We do not mean to say `let's give away Cyprus and get rid of this issue.' Yet we don't have to reject efforts for a settlement with crude rhetoric either. The Turkish side should announce its readiness to negotiate the Annan plan." "What is Ankara's position?" Sami Kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (11/15): "There are certain parts to which the Turkish side would object, such as the territorial concessions and demographic movements. Yet the plan, very positively, verifies the equality and sovereignty of the two sides -- something that we have been working for years to achieve. Now is the time to think realistically and act pragmatically. Rejection of the plan will definitely work against the interests of Turkey as well as Turkish Cypriots."