ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002542 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 FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2003 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL Housing Minister Ergezen: US shed blood, killed children in Iraq-Hurriyet Hans Blix: There are no WMD in Iraq-Hurriyet Grossman: There is business in Iraq for Turkish companies- Hurriyet Powell on EU: Never without Turkey-Sabah US asked for Turkish troops in Iraq-Sabah Denktas: EU made a big mistake-Sabah To avoid hurting Turkey, EU did not use the word `occupier'- Milliyet Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul: Turkey should take part in Iraq's reconstruction-Milliyet Gul to Denktash: AKP government's position on Cyprus is different - Milliyet US sends missionaries to Iraq to spread Christianity-Turkiye OPINION MAKERS Barzani:We won't bargain over Kirkuk-Yeni Safak Barzani Provokes Again-Cumhuriyet Greek Cypriots' membership stirred Turkish side-Cumhuriyet An island divided by the EU-Radikal Neighboring Countries discuss Iraq in Riyadh - Zaman Papadopulos: Turkish Cypriots will benefit from EU opportunities-Zaman Powell plans to go to Damascus-Zaman FINANCIAL JOURNALS US: UN embargo on Iraq should be lifted-Finansal Forum Private Sector prepares a Rapid Action Plan for Iraq-Dunya BRIEFING Iraq: Todays's papers report on conflicting statements from Turkish officials yesterday regarding a US request for Turkish troops in Iraq. "Sabah" carries Defense Minister Gonul's statement saying that the US had asked Turkey for troops and technical staff to be sent to Iraq. However, "Hurriyet" reports that FM Gul denied Gonul's statement by saying that Turkey had not received any requests from the US. "Hurriyet" reports that the MFA issued a statement last evening saying that `on March 26, the US asked coalition countries to give details on possible contributions they could make to the reconstruction of Iraq. Turkey closely follows developments regarding the reconstruction and stabilization of Iraq, and will exert every effort to meet its responsibilities.' All papers report that Iraq's six neighboring countries will meet in Riyadh today to debate the future of Iraq. Turkish FM Gul will attend the meeting. "Hurriyet" reports that A/S Grossman, responding Hurriyet's questions in Washington, said that `Kurdish leaders should be careful about their stance against Turkey. They should be conscious of their words and behavior. Turkey is Iraq's neighbor. Therefore, Iraqi Kurds should be transparent regarding the issue of PKK-KADEK terrorism.' Grossman added that there are no obstacles to the $1 billion aid package, and that it is only natural that Turkey will have a role in Iraq's reconstruction. "Radikal" reports that Secretary of State Colin Powell is planning a trip to Syria to learn the truth about allegations that Syria is sheltering Iraqi leaders and to ask for their extradition. Cyprus: "Sabah" reports on Powell's comments that the EU should begin accession negotiations with Turkey in 2004 if Turkey meets the Copenhagen Criteria. Speaking at a reception at the Greek Embassy in Washington, Powell welcomed the EU expansion and said the US will exert every effort for a solution of the Cyprus issue. "Sabah" also reports on EU diplomats' comments at the EU summit in Athens that the accession negotiations could begin before 2004, depending on Turkey's efforts to meet the criteria. "Milliyet" reports that the EU was extra careful not to upset Turkey by using the word "occupier," instead referring to Northern Cyprus as an `uncontrolled-zone.' "Radikal" notes that the signing of the treaty with the Greek Cypriot side has divided the island, triggering happiness and excitement in the south and disappointment and chaos in the north. EDITORIAL OPINION "Pride, dignity, reason" Yagmur Atsiz noted in mass appeal HO-Tercuman (4/18): "By pursuing an idiotic and awkward policy during the Iraq campaign, Ankara has managed to degrade Turkey from the position of `regional superpower and strategic partner' to `potential adversary.' The White House will never forget it, and will not hesitate a moment to dupe Turkey when the time becomes ripe for revenge. Contrary to claims by some incautious anti-Americans, Ankara has not carried out an honorable policy, but totally upset American plans and wasted the opportunity to become a real player in Northern Iraq, then by assisting the war indirectly, has drawn the fury of the Arabs. . Washington has not closed the Turkey chapter, because Americans need Turkey for Syria and Iran, Central Asia and the Caucasus. However, this is merely a `geographical' need. The conflict has shown the `quality' of our politicians, that they are not a `team,' but rather a bunch of opportunists lying in wait to annihilate each other. . The U.S. does not want a Kurdish state, not in deference to Turkish interests, but simply to avoid Kurds massacring each other when they are given independence. It is unlikely that Turkey's Kurds would prefer to integrate with the Iraqi Kurds. Would Turks want to join Turkmenistan?" "AKP renounces a Cyprus solution" Metin Munir observed in mass appeal Sabah (4/18): "The AKP leadership is very afraid of Denktas and is not willing to get into a fight with the military on Cyprus. Furthermore, the AKP believes the EU won't admit Turkey even if the Cyprus problem is resolved. . If two rightist parties fully supportive of Denktas emerge as winners from the general election in Northern Cyprus this year, current policies will continue unchanged. The situation might change if the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) wins the elections. They have declared their intention to sack Denktas as negotiator, and to re-start talks within the framework of the UN plan for Cyprus. . However, even if it took power in the Turkish sector, the CTP will see that Ankara has the last word. Moreover, Turkey cannot, as before, depend on U.S. support on Cyprus. The AKP has alienated Turkey in the international arena." "Irony of war" Etyen Mahcupyan defends in Islamic/intellectual Zaman (4/18): "A realistic point of view shows that Turkey is not actually powerful enough, that nobody trusted Turkey, that our troops are not welcome in Northern Iraq, and that the Northern Iraqi (Kurdish) administration has a more legitimate position than we do. . Being too dependent on the U.S. might bring tension for the Kurds in relation to the Shiites. It will be problematic to produce `autonomy' from a war that was viewed as illegitimate around the world. The Kurds are stuck between their national dreams and the legitimacy of making this dream a reality. Maybe this war was the final irony for the illusion of a Kurdish `nation- state.' PEARSON