ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 008377 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 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL Erdogan finds Cyprus maps `ugly' - Hurriyet Simitis to lay `red carpet' for Erdogan - Hurriyet American press finds Gul warm, gentle - Milliyet Erdogan: Political bans will be removed in a month - Milliyet 11/17 EU officials congratulate Gul - Sabah Erdogan: Full confidence in Gul - Aksam Erdogan: My political ban a torture - Turkiye AKP support to families on brink of hunger - Hurriyet 11/17 Hijacking panic on Israeli plane - Vatan OPINION MAKERS Baykal: EU not well-intentioned - Cumhuriyet Erdogan: Cyprus problem must be resolved - Cumhuriyet 11/17 Inspectors return to Baghdad - Radikal AKP will make fast start - Radikal Secret agents save Israeli plane - Zaman SIPDIS Council of Europe: Gul experienced statesman - Yeni Safak 11/17 AKP measures to lure back offshore money - Yeni Safak Pentagon's `Total Information Awareness' draws criticism - Cumhuriyet 11/17 FINANCIAL JOURNALS Business world: AKP compromise with EU necessary - Dunya AKP wants transparency in public spending - Finansal Forum BRIEFING Cyprus: Papers report EU accession commissioner Verheugen's office reacting to AKP leader Erdogan's remarks that Turkey and Cyprus should simultaneously join the EU. Monday's "Hurriyet" carries an exclusive interview with Erdogan, who is quoted as voicing displeasure with the maps offered in the UN-sponsored Cyprus plan. Erdogan said that the UN was demanding too much in territorial concessions from the Turkish side, and stressed that the document needs adjustment with regard to land and sovereignty issues. He welcomed the fact that the plan calls for a partnership of two equal, sovereign states. Hurriyet believes that Erdogan is determined to demonstrate a constructive approach on the Cyprus issue before the EU Copenhagen Summit in December. Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas has reportedly found inclusion of the maps in the plan a `mistake,' but has said that he will still go to the negotiating table. Erdogan: AKP leader Erdogan said he would not interfere with the authority of the Prime Minister, as the success of the new government would bring credit to the AKP. Prime Minister-designate Gul said he did not expect problems to result from the arrangement. Sunday papers believe that Gul will step down as Prime Minister once the parliament lifts the political ban on Erdogan. CHP leader Baykal on Sunday welcomed the appointment of Gul as Prime Minister, but added that it would have been more appropriate to give the post to Erdogan himself. Erdogan on Saturday unveiled the one-year emergency action plan for the new government: the IMF program will be reviewed, public spending will be controlled under a single budget, and poor families will be provided financial aid. Sunday's papers expect the AKP to outline a new privatization timetable. The party vows to fight graft and corruption. The new government will move to prevent torture, papers say. Dailies report a positive reaction from the business community to the action plan, though some pointed out that additional funds would be necessary to fulfill the ambitious promises by AKP. Monday's "Hurriyet" claims that the U.S. Administration kept its distance to Erdogan during his visit to Washington last January by denying him access to high-level officials. Before the elections, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara preferred to hold contacts with Gul instead of Erdogan, Hurriyet claims. The paper speculates that the U.S. Administration was being careful not to former the former coalition government by forging closer ties with Erdogan. EU: AKP leader Erdogan will tour Greece and Spain in a day trip on Monday, papers report. Erdogan will be given the `red carpet' treatment in Athens, where he will meet with Prime Minister Simitis to discuss Cyprus and the EU, reports say. Accompanied by NGO leaders, Erdogan will proceed to Madrid in the afternoon to meet with Prime Minister Aznar. In an exclusive to Monday's "Cumhuriyet," CHP leader Baykal said that the EU's vision of Turkey should not be based merely on Cyprus and ESDP. Baykal criticized what he viewed as the `ill intentions' of some in the EU who are now raising the issue of military-civilian relations as an obstacle to Turkey's gaining a date for accession talks. Baykal attended the European Socialists Party meetings in Warsaw over weekend, where EU expansion commissioner Verheugen complained to him about the influence of military in Turkish politics. EDITORIAL OPINION: The new Turkish government/U.S-Turkey Relations "New Prime Minister Gul and the Old Problem Cyprus" Yasemin Congar writes from Washington in mass appeal Milliyet (11/18): "The new prime minister, Abdullah Gul, is the best known AKP official in the US. A US diplomat who previously served in Turkey tells me that Washington has noticed the moderate messages coming from Gul. The US diplomat also adds that Abdullah Gul is seen here as a politician who wants a positive and constructive dialogue with the US. . The US considers Gul a powerful figure in Turkish politics as well as in Turkish-US relations. On the other hand, Washington is also convinced that a constitutional amendment to pave the way for Erdogan to become prime minister will increase Turkey's political stability. Turkey must take a series of important decisions before Erdogan takes charge, and Washington believes that Abdullah Gul has a key role to play. . In the eyes of Washington, there are two conflicting positions in Ankara on the Cyprus issue: one group wants a settlement on Cyprus, while another stands completely against a solution. Washington considers the no-solution approach as a potential danger, which will put an end Turkey's EU process. . Washington is very eager to see whether the new AKP government will really press for a settlement in Cyprus. The Washington administration will watch every step taken and every statement made by Ankara on this issue." "A View from Washington" Asli Aydintasbas writes from Washington in mass appeal Sabah (11/18): "The rhetoric pursued by AKP to this point has been a relief for Washington. The AKP's stated goal of becoming the Muslim version of the Christian Democrats sounds very attractive to the Bush administration, which currently is in trouble with Islamic countries. . The new Turkish prime minister is a well-known figure both in Washington's official circles and in international financial institutions. He very much deserves to be called a Muslim Democrat, so the Americans depict the current situation in Turkey as `so far so good.' . In addition, the recent visit of the Turkish Chief of General Staff increased optimism in Washington. General Ozkok's statement on Cyprus and his approach in favor of a solution brought new relief to Washington following years of a `no solution is best' approach. . Nowadays, the Washington administration is looking forward to discussing the issues with Turkey's new government, particularly Iraq, Cyprus and the EU."