ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 005892 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 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2003 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL We Asked for Action from US regarding PKK, Not Promises - Hurriyet Germany is not Given Guarantee over Kaplan Trial - Hurriyet We Would Go into Iraq during Ecevit Administration - Milliyet EU Doesn't Include KADEK in Its Terrorist List - Milliyet The Secret Decree for the Use of Turkish Air Space is in Action - Milliyet US Soldiers Want Turkish Soldiers in Iraq Urgently - Sabah Tense Dialog at the First Meeting, PM Meets with Amb.Edelman - Sabah The Permission for US to Use Turkish Air Space Ends on September 20 - Turkiye OPINION MAKERS KADEK is not on EU's Terror List - Cumhuriyet PKK/KADEK Warning from PM Erdogan to Ambassador Edelman - Cumhuriyet Ankara's Iraq Plan Ready - Radikal Barzani: "Yes to European Troops, No to Turkish Troops - Radikal Washington Post: "To Play Turkish Card in Iraq is Risky for Both Sides" - Yeni Safak US Troops Wait for Turkish Troops in Order to Go Home - Zaman "Troop " Message from Edelman to Erdogan - Zaman BRIEFING Ambassador Edelman's Visit to PM Erdogan: All papers and TV channels cover Ambassador Edelman's visit to PM Erdogan. "Hurriyet" reports that the meeting had originally been planned for 45 minutes, however, it lasted for almost an hour and half, and caused a French delegation, waiting to see PM, to wait longer. "Hurriyet" notes that at the meeting, US could not give clear responses on PKK/KADEK issue. The Prime Ministry statement, issued after the meeting, said `Mr. Prime Minister stressed that fighting terrorism should not remain rhetorical, instead, it should be supported by concrete steps. PM stressed that providing stability in Iraq would benefit both Turkey and US. Therefore, Turkey wants to understand clearly what will be done in this process, by whom, how, where and when.' "Zaman" reports that Amb. Edelman said that `the US respects Turkey's decision process for the troop deployment in Iraq.' Barzani Remarks: In an interview with a German paper, KDP leader Barzani said that they have no objections to the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Iraq, however, they were against the troop deployment from the neighboring countries, including Turkey. Use of Turkish Air Space by the US: "Turkiye" reports that the permission for the use of Turkish air space for the US expires on September 20. Since the parliament is on recess until October 1, the government is looking for possibilities to extend the permission without passing a new motion by parliament. According to "Milliyet" the government has already made the necessary arrangements and with a secret decree issued by FM Gul on June 23, US planes will be allowed to use Turkish airspace for humanitarian purposes only. EU Declines to Add KADEK to its Terror List: All papers report that the EU had declined to add KADEK to its terrorist list with the reason that KADEK had not carried out any terror attacks yet. EDITORIAL OPINION: "Would Turkish troops face attack in Iraq?" Cengiz Candar opined in mass appeal DB-Tercuman (9/17): "A large majority of the Iraqis are against Turkish troop presence in Iraq. However, Americans want Turks in Iraq. . Remnants of the old Iraqi regime, Baath followers, and fundamentalists including the Wahabi will not hesitate to attack Turkish soldiers. . Each attack resulting in a Turkish injury is likely to cause new cracks in Turkey - U.S. relations and in domestic Turkish politics. . It is not that important whether the Iraqis want Turkish troops or not. No matter if our politicians like it or not, Turkish soldiers will go to Iraq as a police force. . Iraq currently needs a peacemaking mission, not a peacekeeping task. . As David Ignatius of the WP put it, the old Turkey - U.S. relationship was a remnant of the Cold War and died on March 1. With their decisions regarding Iraq, the two countries are now outlining the principles of a new relationship." "U.S. ought to intervene on PKK" Mustafa Karaalioglu commented in Islamist intellectual Yeni Safak (9/17): "U.S. cannot talk the PKK into benefiting from the Repentance Law. U.S. must physically intervene on the PKK and remove it from being a threat in Northern Iraq. . U.S., UK, Poland, Bulgaria and, although indirectly, Israel are in Iraq, and we cannot simply watch and do nothing, says Foreign Minister Gul. . Groups that have political interests in Iraq are uncomfortable that Turkey will be going to Iraq not as an ordinary member of the international community, but as a neighbor sharing the same religion and culture. They won't be able to enjoy a comfortable margin of movement while Turkey is there, and are concerned that a Turkey interested in the current situation in Iraq will not remain aloof to the country's future. . Turkey's duration of stay under a roadmap in Iraq is equally as important as the decision to deploy troops." EDELMAN