MASS APPEALS Military objects to U.S. loan conditions - Hurriyet Robert Wexler urges Turkey to send troops to Iraq - Milliyet PM Erdogan: We'll decide on Iraq fast - Aksam Iraqi Intifadah: Unemployed Iraqis revolt - Hurriyet EU's Patten: Turkey essential for Iraqi rebuilding - Milliyet F-16 technology crisis between U.S., Turkey - Turkiye Verheugen: Turkey will become occupier if Cyprus is not resolved - Milliyet Israel continues construction of security barrier - Sabah
OPINION MAKERS Rumsfeld defends $87 billion additional Iraq budget at Congress - Radikal Jobless in Baghdad revolt, attack police - Radikal Military uneasy over U.S. loan conditions - Cumhuriyet U.S. hawks halt technology transfer to Turkey - Zaman Ret. Gen. Zinni: Heads must roll at the Pentagon - Yeni Safak Annan: Baath members should be in Iraqi government - Cumhuriyet Americans close Turkmen newspaper in Telafer - Zaman Chechens lose 400,000 victims in four years - Yeni Safak
BRIEFING
Military concerned about U.S. loan conditions: Turkey's military leadership has grown uneasy that the $8.5 billion U.S. loan for Turkey is linked to Turkish military activity in Northern Iraq. TGS Chief General Ozkok said at a reception to mark the reopening of the parliament Wednesday that he is not happy that the government has pledged to the U.S. that Turkey will stay out of Northern Iraq in return for a loan deal worth $8.5 billion. The ruling party did not consult the military before agreeing to the condition, Ozkok said. Other top military commanders said that economic agreements should not be linked to political conditions. State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan responded by saying that the conditions the U.S. Congress placed on the loan had been announced on April 16, and that the text of the agreement was available on the Internet. Ambassador Cofer Black and delegation in Ankara: An American delegation led by State Department counter- terrorism coordinator Ambassador Cofer Black arrived in Ankara late Wednesday for talks with MFA officials on regional terrorism issues. Ankara is expected to give the Americans the message that Turkey will take unilateral action if the U.S. fails to make concrete moves to eliminate the threat posed by the PKK/KADEK in Northern Iraq. Ankara wants to retain the right of `hot pursuit' against the PKK. The Turks will ask the Americans to refrain from statements which might create an impression that Turkey is acting under U.S. pressure regarding the Iraq issue. The Turks are also expected to press the Americans for a written agreement on the issue. President Sezer addresses the reopening of parliament: President Sezer addressed lawmakers at the reopening of the parliament on Wednesday, and noted that the Turkish Parliament that will decide about the deployment of peacekeepers abroad. Sezer urged the effective implementation of EU reforms. He said that the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) should not be ignored if a solution is to be reached in Cyprus. Sezer encouraged the government in its fight against corruption, and urged a transparent administration. Parliamentary immunity for lawmakers should be restricted, he noted. Sezer also urged the government to adopt effective measures to renew trust in the banking system. He dwelled on the significance of a pluralistic democracy, and warned the government to show restraint in using its authority. Dailies write that Sezer has `drawn a roadmap' for the AK Party by warning the government against overreaching in his 90-minute speech. Pentagon blocking F-16 technology transfer to Turkey: Dailies cite U.S.-based "Defense News" in claiming that the Pentagon has warned BAE Systems North America not to transfer a state-of-the-art F-16 defense technology to Turkey. Turkish defense industry officials and the military have grown uneasy over the attitude of the Pentagon on the issue. Papers regard the U.S. policy as an economic sanction against Turkey, and believe that the U.S. is attempting to punish Ankara for its reluctance to deploy peacekeepers in Iraq.
EDITORIAL OPINION: A) Mideast B) Iraq/US-Turkey
"Israeli Pilots Are Rebelling" Zafer Atay commented in the economic-political "Dunya" (10/2): "A group of Israeli war pilots protested an order to attack civilian targets and criticized the Israeli occupation. Both the wording and the nature of the protest require a careful analysis, and this is much too important to be called as an isolated action by individuals. . The Israeli government's current policy in dealing with terrorism is only serving to undermine peace and stability. Israel is keeping up its `war against terrorism' rhetoric, yet its policy is harming civilians, not terrorists. . Moreover, as a result of Israeli policy, Arafat has gained in prestige and become even more influential than before. Israel continues to make a big mistake by dreaming of eliminating terror by murdering Arafat. Given the circumstances, the protest voiced by the Israeli pilots is extremely significant."
"Humanitarian assistance or deployment of troops?" Soli Ozel wrote in the mass appeal "Sabah" (10/2): "The ruling AKP has so far failed to provide a tangible vision about Turkey's future in both domestic and foreign affairs. Urgent foreign policy issues highlight this inefficiency in a striking way. The Cyprus issue continues to suffer from irrelevant remarks and inconsistent policies. The Iraq issue is another example. Turkey's Foreign Minister went to the US for consultations without being accompanied by the MFA's Undersecretary. FM Gul's remarks from the US are reason to be frightened about the future. We still don't understand whether or not the government wants to send troops to Iraq? It is even unclear if the troop decision will be made before or after a UN resolution. . The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister should feel obliged to tell to Turkish public about their strategy, their policy approach, and their analysis of the situation."
Home
Cables mirror and Afghan War Diary
Privacy
how-to