ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001461 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, MARCH 6, 2003 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEALS Military Decree-Hurriyet TGS Chief Ozkok Supports the Decree-Sabah Gen.Ozkok: We share view of the Government regarding the decree-Turkiye Approval from the military for a Northern Front-Aksam Gen.Ozkok: The worst alternative is to remain out of developments-Milliyet Denktas will go to The Hague to say No-Milliyet Denktas: Annan Plan Can Not be completed by March 30- Hurriyet OPINION MAKERS 5 Historic Messages from TGS Chief Ozkok-Zaman Triple Veto to the US-Yeni Safak Does the US Know Something We don't?-Radikal Support for the Government from the Military-Cumhuriyet Denktas: Annan Plan is a Fait Accompli FINANCIAL JOURNALS Morale boost to the Markets by General Ozkok-Finansal Forum PM Gul: Iraq Should increase Cooperation with the UN-Dunya BRIEFING Iraq: Turkish Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok expressed full support for the operational plans that were rejected by the parliament last weekend. General Ozkok clarified charges that `the Turkish military is not supporting the northern front option at this stage' by saying `the Turkish military's view is the same as that expressed in the authorization decree.' The General's statement became the headline story in every Turkish paper. He approached the Iraq issue as follows: "The Turkish military is also against the war, but we should act realistically and take the side of the US in the name of national interests and to compensate Turkey's losses." General Ozkok also emphasized that staying out of the inevitable war will only ensure that Turkey will not receive any compensation for its losses and will prevent Turkey from having a say in the post-war period. General Ozkok's remarks were well-received by the AKP government. AKP party officials commented that the clarification of the military's position on the issue will be very helpful in passing the authorization decree from the parliament. The timing of the second decision from parliament receives a lot of speculation in the Turkish press. Papers mostly have reached a consensus that the issue will be taken up by the new government right after the March 9 special election, under Tayyip Erdogan's premiership. There is no set date for this action, however, and Erdogan said that the party will wait to see a second UNSC resolution as part of the evaluation process. Stories also highlight that markets are calm now as the Turkish parliamentary approval is expected following the announcement of support by the military. "Radikal" features the continuing base modernization efforts on Turkish bases and ports, and asks the readers: "The US is continuing its efforts and military work in spite of the Turkish rejection of troop deployments. Is there something the US knows that we don't?" A story in "Radikal" talks about MFA work on minor revisions to the current authorization decree, which might reduce the duration for U.S. troops from 6 to 3 months, and decrease the number of American soldiers in Turkey. In the meantime, "Hurriyet" carries an analysis highlighting the dialogue between Turkey and the US. There is even an alternate plan in the absence of Turkish approval for US ground troops, "Hurriyet" writes. The story claims that Ambassador Pearson mentioned to Prime Minister Gul the possible use of air bases only. Depending of the outcome of the Turkish-American dialogue, Ankara might host a delegation from the State Department next week. "Yeni Safak" writes that due to the Turkish parliament's denial of permission for US ground troops, the Bush administration is sending a Congressional delegation headed by Representative Wexler to Turkey for a series of high- level appointments. The story reminds readers that Wexler was among the group of 38 congressmen who wrote a letter to PM Gul asking Turkey to approve the deployment of ground troops on Turkish soil. Cyprus: "Milliyet" reports that Denktas arrived in Ankara for meetings with Turkish officials prior to his trip to the Hague. Denktas will hold a summit meeting today at the Presidential Palace with Turkish officials to discuss the revised Annan plan and the `March 30 Referandum offer.' Responding to questions of journalists yesterday, Annan was quoted as saying that `The new plan is a fait accompli. Annan told us to go to the Hague whether we have a positive or negative response. Therefore, I am going to the Hague to say `no' and to explain the reasons for it.' Meanwhile, "Milliyet" reports that during his meetings in Ankara, Denktas will exert efforts to secure support for the economic aid package. Denktas says that the goal of the package is to give support to Turkish Cypriot youth. It is reported that Denktas will meet with parliamentary speaker Arinc and with PM Gul. He will also address the parliament. EDITORIAL OPINION: Iraq "Washington's calendar" Cengiz Candar of conservative "Dunden Bugune Tercuman" details the timing of the US operation plans (3/6): "The latest information coming from General Myers shows that the upcoming Iraq operation, from the standpoint of military tactics, will be very different from the Gulf war. . Leaked information indicates that 3,000 guided missiles will begin the strike, followed in 48 hours by a massive air bombardment and an immediate ground operation. General Myers confirmed the use of a northern front, which will happen with or without Turkey. . Currently the number of US troops stationed in the Gulf is 200,000. This force will be enhanced with an additional 60,000 now on their way to the region. Myers is now ready to take the action, and is waiting for the order from President Bush. The order could come at any time. General Tommy Franks has already presented the final plan to President Bush. Washington sources tell me that next week the US will declare a 2 or 3-day deadline to Saddam Hussein. During that period, the UN inspectors and the press corps will be able to leave the country so that the operation can begin sometime between March 12 and ¶13. Based on this calendar, we can conclude that the US might not even wait for the second decree to be presented for Turkish parliamentary approval." "Clarification of the goals" Sami Kohen analyzed in mass appeal Milliyet (3/6): "According to recent statements coming from Iraqi opposition figures, their main goal is to preserve Iraq's territorial integrity and form a democratic and federal structure. Seeking to address Turkish concerns, they are also denying any intention of establishing an independent Kurdish state. It is now Ankara's turn to clarify what are the acceptable and unacceptable limits in Iraq for Turkey during the post- Saddam era. This should be a very clear message. We all know well Turkey's objection to an independent state. However, the Turkish policy on a federal structure in Iraq requires clarification. . Ankara should formulate a policy based on realistic assessments. During this assessment procedure, it is absolutely necessary to maintain channels of dialogue with Kurdish and other Iraqi groups so that there will be no more misunderstandings." PEARSON