ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 009122 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 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2002 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEALS "Red line" around Mosul, Kirkuk - Hurriyet U.S. offers $20 billion - Sabah Ankara, reluctant, heads to war - Aksam U.S. asks for logistical support - Milliyet Siirt elections: Erdogan's path cleared - Sabah OPINION MAKERS U.S. bribe for war: $5 billion - Cumhuriyet Business world: War will delay economic revival - Yeni Safak Grand fear: War refugees - Radikal KDP against Turkey's conditions for Northern Iraq - Zaman Pope's Christmas message: Refrain from war in Iraq - Zaman FINANCIAL JOURNALS Investment continues despite Iraq crisis - Dunya Iraq war will cost Turkey $150 billion in coming decade - Finansal Forum BRIEFING Iraq: Dailies quote Foreign Minister Yakis as saying Turkey has not yet made any commitment regarding Iraq. Some of the details leaked to the press are correct, some are wrong, Yakis said. Prime Minister Gul said that Turkey would wait to see the report by UN arms inspectors. Ankara's decision will be shaped at the Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting today, and the National Security Council (MGK) meeting tomorrow, papers agree. "Milliyet" claims the U.S. has asked for Turkey's support on logistics, communication, and intelligence. The U.S. has also asked that Turkish troops speaking Kurdish and Arabic should guide them in Northern Iraq. The U.S. is planning to use Turkish railroads to transport personnel and armored vehicles, according to Milliyet. "Vatan" reported that the U.S. is pressuring Ankara to allow deployment of 80,000 U.S. troops in the southeastern towns Sirnak and Silopi, whereas Ankara is inclined to permit only small special teams. Vatan also notes that Ankara has agreed to allow the U.S. access to three Turkish ports in the Mediterranean. According to "Yeni Safak," the U.S. wants to establish military rule in Northern Iraq, where it is planning to stay for at least five years to ensure political stability in the region. "Cumhuriyet" reports on its front page that the U.S. has offered Turkey a "war bribe" of $5 billion in the short-term, and $15-20 billion in the long term in exchange for cooperation. In an effort to keep the Kurds and British troops away from Mosul and Kirkuk, Turkey wants to establish "red lines" around the two Northern Iraqi towns, "Hurriyet" claims. Safeen Dizayee, the KDP representative in Ankara, criticized Turkey in "Zaman" on Wednesday by saying that Ankara exaggerated the situation in Northern Iraq. Dizayee warned that regional countries would not remain indifferent to a unilateral Turkish intervention, which could draw Iran into the conflict. He noted that KDP leader Barzani would visit Turkey next week. A "Radikal" commentary claimed that Ankara will give passive support to the U.S. by opening its airbases, airspace, and territory. The town of Silopi is expected to become the operational headquarters and the point for processing refugees. Turkey is considering setting up a buffer zone 30-40 km. deep in Northern Iraq; this zone would ease the passage of U.S. and allied troops and facilitate Turkish control over the region. Ankara's official position will be finalized at the NSC meeting on Friday, and the government will seek parliamentary approval for the deployment of foreign troops, the paper reported. Constitutional amendments: While the parliament is searching for ways to override the president's veto and enact constitutional changes, the High Election Board (YSK) has announced the calendar for the Siirt elections. Elections are set for February 9, and the deadline for candidate applications is January 23. President Sezer will have to sign the constitutional amendments by that time. EDITORIAL OPINION: Iraq "The 80 thousand US soldiers" Chief Columist of mass appeal Hurriyet, Oktay Eksi opined (12/26): "It would be very foolish to believe that the US intention is to bring democracy to Iraq and to the region. When Kuwait was saved from the Iraq occupation in 1991, the US did not care about democracy at all. This is simply because the operation was meant to prevent Iraq's control of Kuwaiti oil reserves. . This is the very time to be realistic and act accordingly. Turkey, under the current circumstances, has no chance to refuse to support the US. Yet we better design Turkey's support to be as limited as possible. For instance, plans to station US soldiers in Turkey and have them stay here for 5 years are totally unacceptable." "Saddam should go" Editor-in-Chief of mass appeal Milliyet, Mehmet Yakup Yilmaz wrote (12/26): "Turkey's interest is in lasting stability and a peaceful atmosphere in the region. Yet this goal cannot be achieved as long as Saddam remains in charge. . Opposing a war is certainly correct from the humanitarian point of view, but when the situation makes war inevitable there is no room for emotionalism. Romantic stances do not work, particularly in international relations. . Let's hope that Saddam realizes the fact that war is imminent and will cost a colossal number of Iraqi lives." "The Permanent Trouble" Fehmi Koru argued in Islamic-intellectual Yeni Safak (12/26): "A close look at Afghanistan will give us a clue about US intentions in Iraq. The US plans to remain in the region permanently. The Afghan operation helped the US to expand its military presence from Pakistan to the Philippines and Georgia. In the event of an Iraq operation, Turkey will be assuming Pakistan's role. The roles of the Philippines and Georgia will be given to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE. . All organs of the Turkish state mechanism, particularly the parliament, should pay utmost attention to US intentions for this region. Turkey should not be put in the position of introducing a `permanent' problem into the region." PEARSON