Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ANKARA9015
2002-12-17 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 009015
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, DECEMBER 17, 2002
THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
--------------
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Turkey Wants to Deploy more Troops than the US in Northern
Iraq - Hurriyet
Denktas: We are ready for negotiations - Turkiye
IMF is not happy with tender law and tax law amendments -
Hurriyet
OPINION MAKERS
US Military Delegation comes to Turkey this week -
Cumhuriyet
Turkey Deploys Troops at Iraq Border - Zaman
PM Gul: We did not promise on Cyprus - Yeni Safak
TRNC President Denktas seeks new formulas for rejecting
settlement - Radikal
FINANCIAL JOURNALS
The Main Bargaining with IMF starts in January - Dunya
BRIEFING
Iraq: "Hurriyet" reports that Turkey has started evaluating
US' demands for a possible operation against Iraq. If the
US were to deploy 60,000 troops in Northern Iraq, according
to the report, Turkey will deploy even a larger number of
troops to show its intention to prevent the establishment of
a Kurdish State there. Turkey is reportedly against the
deployment of British troops in Northern Iraq under any
circumstances. "Cumhuriyet" reports that discussions
between the US and Turkey about the use of Turkish resources
in a possible war are continuing. Within this framework, a
US military-technical delegation will be coming to Turkey
this week to examine the airports in Diyarbakir, Mus,
Batman, and Malatya. "Yeni Safak" reports that during the
Iraqi opposition meeting in London, opposition leaders
agreed that they are against the presence of a foreign
military power in Iraq after the fall of Saddam.
Cyprus: "Radikal" reports that TRNC president Denktas is
seeking new ways to prevent a settlement in Cyprus. Denktas
met with TRNC officials in Ankara yesterday to discuss a new
strategy to counteract pressure for a settlement. The paper
adds that the EU decision to open the accession doors to the
Greek Cypriots has created tension in the TRNC. Opposition
parties in the TRNC have asked Denktas to step down and
transfer his responsibilities as negotiator to someone else.
"Sabah" reports that there are rumors in Cyprus that Denktas
will resign. "Hurriyet" reports that Turkey has started
work to achieve a settlement in Cyprus by February 28.
Turkish officials have already informed the UN about their
intention to support talks for settlement, and they will be
meeting with TRNC president Denktas today.
IMF: "Hurriyet" reports that a visiting IMF delegation will
hold contacts in Turkey until the end of this week. The IMF
has been bothered by some aspects of the government's Urgent
Action Plan, a proposed package on tax amnesty, high
hazelnut support prices, and the public tender law. The IMF
delegation will return to Turkey in January.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Cyprus
"Time for a solution"
Sami Kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (12/17):
"Following the Copenhagen summit, it is inevitable that
negotiations on Cyprus will begin based on the Annan plan.
A settlement within the next 2.5 months will make both sides
of Cyprus a member of the EU. . There are two opposing views
in both Turkey and in Northern Cyprus. One view calls for a
settlement before the EU deadline, while the other advocates
a process of integration with Turkey. . The AKP government
seems to favor a settlement to the issue. This is certainly
the best option for both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
It is indeed the time for a settlement on the island. It is
time to look ahead with a broad horizon, and to leave
skepticism and old mentalities behind us."
"The Cyprus test for AKP"
Cengiz Candar wrote in Islamic-intellectual Yeni Safak
(12/17): "The Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas should be given
a last chance for a settlement. He should feel obliged to
declare that he considers the Annan plan as a basis for an
agreement, not only a basis for negotiations. If he is
reluctant to do that, and if the AKP really wants to be in
charge, Turkey should withdraw its support for Denktas, and
the Turkish Cypriots should go to either an election or a
referendum. . Cyprus is very much Turkey's business, thus
Ankara does not have the luxury of saying to Denktas: `do
whatever you think is right.' The Cyprus policy should be
formulated in Ankara, and implemented accordingly."
PEARSON
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, DECEMBER 17, 2002
THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
--------------
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Turkey Wants to Deploy more Troops than the US in Northern
Iraq - Hurriyet
Denktas: We are ready for negotiations - Turkiye
IMF is not happy with tender law and tax law amendments -
Hurriyet
OPINION MAKERS
US Military Delegation comes to Turkey this week -
Cumhuriyet
Turkey Deploys Troops at Iraq Border - Zaman
PM Gul: We did not promise on Cyprus - Yeni Safak
TRNC President Denktas seeks new formulas for rejecting
settlement - Radikal
FINANCIAL JOURNALS
The Main Bargaining with IMF starts in January - Dunya
BRIEFING
Iraq: "Hurriyet" reports that Turkey has started evaluating
US' demands for a possible operation against Iraq. If the
US were to deploy 60,000 troops in Northern Iraq, according
to the report, Turkey will deploy even a larger number of
troops to show its intention to prevent the establishment of
a Kurdish State there. Turkey is reportedly against the
deployment of British troops in Northern Iraq under any
circumstances. "Cumhuriyet" reports that discussions
between the US and Turkey about the use of Turkish resources
in a possible war are continuing. Within this framework, a
US military-technical delegation will be coming to Turkey
this week to examine the airports in Diyarbakir, Mus,
Batman, and Malatya. "Yeni Safak" reports that during the
Iraqi opposition meeting in London, opposition leaders
agreed that they are against the presence of a foreign
military power in Iraq after the fall of Saddam.
Cyprus: "Radikal" reports that TRNC president Denktas is
seeking new ways to prevent a settlement in Cyprus. Denktas
met with TRNC officials in Ankara yesterday to discuss a new
strategy to counteract pressure for a settlement. The paper
adds that the EU decision to open the accession doors to the
Greek Cypriots has created tension in the TRNC. Opposition
parties in the TRNC have asked Denktas to step down and
transfer his responsibilities as negotiator to someone else.
"Sabah" reports that there are rumors in Cyprus that Denktas
will resign. "Hurriyet" reports that Turkey has started
work to achieve a settlement in Cyprus by February 28.
Turkish officials have already informed the UN about their
intention to support talks for settlement, and they will be
meeting with TRNC president Denktas today.
IMF: "Hurriyet" reports that a visiting IMF delegation will
hold contacts in Turkey until the end of this week. The IMF
has been bothered by some aspects of the government's Urgent
Action Plan, a proposed package on tax amnesty, high
hazelnut support prices, and the public tender law. The IMF
delegation will return to Turkey in January.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Cyprus
"Time for a solution"
Sami Kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (12/17):
"Following the Copenhagen summit, it is inevitable that
negotiations on Cyprus will begin based on the Annan plan.
A settlement within the next 2.5 months will make both sides
of Cyprus a member of the EU. . There are two opposing views
in both Turkey and in Northern Cyprus. One view calls for a
settlement before the EU deadline, while the other advocates
a process of integration with Turkey. . The AKP government
seems to favor a settlement to the issue. This is certainly
the best option for both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
It is indeed the time for a settlement on the island. It is
time to look ahead with a broad horizon, and to leave
skepticism and old mentalities behind us."
"The Cyprus test for AKP"
Cengiz Candar wrote in Islamic-intellectual Yeni Safak
(12/17): "The Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas should be given
a last chance for a settlement. He should feel obliged to
declare that he considers the Annan plan as a basis for an
agreement, not only a basis for negotiations. If he is
reluctant to do that, and if the AKP really wants to be in
charge, Turkey should withdraw its support for Denktas, and
the Turkish Cypriots should go to either an election or a
referendum. . Cyprus is very much Turkey's business, thus
Ankara does not have the luxury of saying to Denktas: `do
whatever you think is right.' The Cyprus policy should be
formulated in Ankara, and implemented accordingly."
PEARSON