ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

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