ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 008991 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, DECEMBER 16, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL US Administration Wants Urgent Response - Hurriyet Turkey is Against the Deployment of US Troops - Milliyet Iraq heats up - Turkiye The Secret of the last-minute Gesture: Turkey promises to solve the Cyprus issue by February 28 - Hurriyet One-Person Victory, Agar is the new DYP chairman - Hurriyet (12/15) Russian Secret Service: Turkish tarikat works for the CIA - Hurriyet Greek-Cypriot Administration to offer Greek Passports to Turkish-Cypriots - Milliyet OPINION MAKERS Government Feels the Breath of Iraq War-Cumhuriyet US Distributes Dollars in Northern Iraq - Yeni Safak FM Yakis: Compromise in Cyprus is likely before February 28 - Radikal BRIEFING: Iraq: Weekend papers and TV Channels reported that 50 trucks carrying US military equipment from Incirlik have passed into Northern Iraq through the Habur border gate. "Cumhuriyet" reports that the equipment will be distributed to Peshmerges by the 500 US intelligence officials already positioned in Iraq. "Milliyet" reports that the US Administration expects to hear Turkish response to its military demands this week. The deployment of thousands of troops in Turkey, and the use of Turkish Air bases and ports are among those demands. "Milliyet" notes that the Turkish government will decide on the issue after consulting with the parliament, the NSC, and the General Staff. The Military is positive about coordination and cooperation with the US, but is against the deployment of US troops on Turkish territory. The US Administration is reportedly expected to send a delegation from the Pentagon to Turkey in order to examine the military bases for possible upgrades. EU/Cyprus: Citing the German paper "Welt am Sontag", "Hurriyet" reports that in the Copenhagen declaration, a sentence was added saying that the entry talks with Turkey should begin without delay following the EU criteria review in December 2004. In exchange for this sentence, Turkey had to promise to resolve the Cyprus issue by February 28. "Radikal" reports Turkish Foreign Minister Yakis's comments that `a settlement in Cyprus is inevitable.' Without a settlement, Yakis warned, the Greek Cypriots will enter the EU on their own, making the Turkish armed forces an `occupier' of EU territory. The FM added that a settlement on the island will be reached with the participation of the parliament, the public, NGOs, and the TRNC administration. "Cumhuriyet" reports that Erdogan and Gul were rather pushy in their lobbying for EU support in Copenhagen. In the end, the EU was tired of the Turkish pressure. The Turkish government was wrong to publish some cheap advertisements in the papers, to hide behind US support, and to threaten the EU with the proposal to enter NAFTA. "Cumhuriyet" notes that Erdogan's unrealistic threats undermined his credibility at the summit. DYP: All papers report that parliamentary deputy Mehmet Agar was elected as the new chairman of DYP at a party congress on Saturday. Sunday's "Milliyet" reports that Agar has made his career in politics despite his controversial role in the Susurluk scandal, which uncovered a web of state-mafia links. CIA-Turkish Tarikat connection: "Hurriyet" reports that the Russian Secret Service has charged Fethullah Gulen's Nurcular Tarikat with espionage, and linked the group to the CIA through various foundations and private businesses. ¶C. EDITORIAL OPINION: US-Turkey "A new alliance between US and AKP" Washington correspondent of mass appeal "Milliyet" Yasemin Congar wrote (12/16): "The way the AKP government tried to sell the Copenhagen decision to the Turkish public and the fact that it did not hesitate to continue the reforms brought optimism to the US administration. Washington is pleased to see that the AKP prefers determination on the EU goal as opposed to cheap populism and nationalism. . The Bush administration, on the other hand, believes that with the Copenhagen decision of December 12, not only the EU but also Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have missed a chance. The US was expecting a breakthrough on Cyprus as a result of the Annan plan, and had hoped to see an agreement reached by December 12. . Now Washington's deadline for Cyprus is February 28, and it very much believes that a settlement of the Cyprus issue will pave the way for important opportunities before the AKP government. . Iraq was another key issue during Erdogan's meetings in the US. Erdogan has made no commitments, but US officials believe that they have ensured a `common understanding.' With the help of Erdogan's visit, the AKP and the US laid the groundwork for a new alliance. Previous Turkish leaders had to strive for months and years to establish a warm relationship with the US, but Erdogan managed to do this even before the expiration of his political ban. . Washington wants to trust Turkey in its efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, and to enlist Turkey's cooperation in the fight against Saddam Hussein. February 28 stands as an important date for a Cyprus settlement. But in fact the strike against Iraq might take place before that." "Behind the scenes" Washington reporter Asli Aydintasbas wrote in mass appeal Sabah (12/16): "It remains to be seen whether Ankara will manage to achieve its economic demands from the US now that Washington is caught up in a `pre-war' atmosphere. . Turkey has not given a clear response to the US demands for military cooperation presented by the Pentagon and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz. Ankara still waits to what kind of SIPDIS economic assistance package it can get from Washington. . Ankara should not make colossal demands to the US, because they are simply not realistic. A realistic portrayal of a Turkey compensation plan is required. Let's take Pakistan for example. Pakistan asked the US to see customs tariffs lowered and quotas lifted on textiles in exchange of its support for the Afghan operation. It simply did not happen the way Pakistan desired. Turkey is not Pakistan, but there are certain things which might not be realistic for Turkey either, including the lifting of textile quotas and the expansion of the QIZ structure." PEARSON