Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA7100
2003-11-14 14:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007100
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, NOVEMBER 14, 2003
THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER
THREE THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Erdogan Plans `Friendship Message' in Greek Cyprus -
Hurriyet
Investigation of Four Former Ministers - Hurriyet
Biometrics introduced for US Visa - Hurriyet
First Step into South Cyprus - Milliyet
Italians Mourn their Dead - Turkiye
Afghan Model for Iraq - Turkiye
Italy's September 11 - Aksam
OPINION MAKERS
TRNC Celebrates 20th Anniversary - Cumhuriyet
Washington Changes Its Iraq Plans - Yeni Safak
PKK in Search of A New Name - Yeni Safak
Chaos in Iraq Scares Off Japan - Zaman
Reuters Poll: Turkey Will not be Admitted to EU Before 2014
- Radikal
BRIEFING
Erdogan's Cyprus Visit: "Hurriyet" reports that in during
his visit to Cyprus tomorrow, PM Erdogan wants to go cross
into Greek Cyprus to deliver a `message of goodwill.'
Turkish Foreign Ministry officials are holding contacts with
both Greece and the Greek Cypriots to arrange the visit.
During his meetings with Denktas and opposition parties,
Erdogan will stress that the Annan plan can be used as a
basis for discussion toward a solution in Cyprus.
"Cumhuriyet" reports that CHP leader Deniz Baykal and many
deputies and diplomats will go to TRNC to mark the entity's
20th anniversary. "Turkiye" says that Foreign Minister Gul
has developed a new Turkish plan to resolve the Cyprus
issue. According to the plan, Turkey will offer concessions
to settle the Maras issue and agree to reduce the Turkish
military presence on the island.
Ambassador Edelman Rejects Allegations for PKK-US Hostage
Exchange: "Hurriyet" and "Zaman" report that US Ambassador
Eric Edelman met with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur
Ziyal yesterday at the request of Turkey. Reportedly, Amb.
Edelman gave details on the clash between PKK/KADEK
militants and US forces with Kurdish peshmerge. Edelman
reportedly said that the clash was not the result of a
planned operation, and added that the US had not exchanged
any prisoners with the PKK/KADEK.
Italian Reaction to Nasiriye Attack: Italy is mourning the
loss of 18 Italian soldiers killed in Wednesday's bomb
attack in the Southern Iraqi city of Nasiriye. The Italian
press describes the attack as `Italy's September 11.' After
the attack, Italian opposition parties have demanded that
their troops be withdrawn from Iraq. "Zaman" reports that
the attack has frightened Japan, and a Japanese government
spokesman announced the government's decision to postpone a
possible Japanese troop deployment in Iraq.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Iraq
"Saddam Takes Revenge"
Sami Kohen observed in mass appeal Milliyet (11/14): "The
situation in Iraq increasingly makes clear that Saddam
Hussein has started to take his revenge on the US. The
magnitude and style of the attacks against the occupation
forces indicate an organized guerilla war, if not a popular
resistance. . Following these developments, the US
administration felt the need to reevaluate its Iraq policy.
According to Washington-based reports, the Bush
administration has now decided to transfer authority from
Americans to Iraqis as quickly as possible. If that is
really the case, it indicates a complete U-turn in US
policy for Iraq. The Bush administration has pursued a
policy based on the belief that it has all the capabilities
to finish the job alone. This miscalculation has come at a
high cost. Things would have been different had the US
acted along with an international peacekeeping force and
under UN authority."
"American Puzzle"
Hasan Bulent Kahraman opined in the liberal-intellectual
Radikal (11/14): "It seems that the US policy for Iraq as
well as its theories about Iraq's future have totally
collapsed. It is unlikely that the Bush administration can
overcome the consequences in the foreseeable future. Yet
there is an unanswered question that remains in the air:
Will President Bush be re-elected after all of these
failures? Not only it is early to talk about the election,
but it is also difficult to draw a conclusion based on the
current situation. The opposition has not yet presented a
strong case for itself in the upcoming campaign. Moreover,
Democrats are not suggesting any new policy guidance for
Iraq - they have limited themselves to criticizing the
administration. Let's not forget the impact of patriotic
feelings, which helped the Bush administration gain needed
support from the Congress, including support from Democrats.
. The gist of the issue is probably not about Republicans
and Democrats, who are saying almost the same thing. The
real issue is about the lack of US creativity in coming up
with new ideas. The situation is like a complex American
puzzle for which even the US doesn't have the answer."
EDELMAN
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, NOVEMBER 14, 2003
THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER
THREE THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Erdogan Plans `Friendship Message' in Greek Cyprus -
Hurriyet
Investigation of Four Former Ministers - Hurriyet
Biometrics introduced for US Visa - Hurriyet
First Step into South Cyprus - Milliyet
Italians Mourn their Dead - Turkiye
Afghan Model for Iraq - Turkiye
Italy's September 11 - Aksam
OPINION MAKERS
TRNC Celebrates 20th Anniversary - Cumhuriyet
Washington Changes Its Iraq Plans - Yeni Safak
PKK in Search of A New Name - Yeni Safak
Chaos in Iraq Scares Off Japan - Zaman
Reuters Poll: Turkey Will not be Admitted to EU Before 2014
- Radikal
BRIEFING
Erdogan's Cyprus Visit: "Hurriyet" reports that in during
his visit to Cyprus tomorrow, PM Erdogan wants to go cross
into Greek Cyprus to deliver a `message of goodwill.'
Turkish Foreign Ministry officials are holding contacts with
both Greece and the Greek Cypriots to arrange the visit.
During his meetings with Denktas and opposition parties,
Erdogan will stress that the Annan plan can be used as a
basis for discussion toward a solution in Cyprus.
"Cumhuriyet" reports that CHP leader Deniz Baykal and many
deputies and diplomats will go to TRNC to mark the entity's
20th anniversary. "Turkiye" says that Foreign Minister Gul
has developed a new Turkish plan to resolve the Cyprus
issue. According to the plan, Turkey will offer concessions
to settle the Maras issue and agree to reduce the Turkish
military presence on the island.
Ambassador Edelman Rejects Allegations for PKK-US Hostage
Exchange: "Hurriyet" and "Zaman" report that US Ambassador
Eric Edelman met with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur
Ziyal yesterday at the request of Turkey. Reportedly, Amb.
Edelman gave details on the clash between PKK/KADEK
militants and US forces with Kurdish peshmerge. Edelman
reportedly said that the clash was not the result of a
planned operation, and added that the US had not exchanged
any prisoners with the PKK/KADEK.
Italian Reaction to Nasiriye Attack: Italy is mourning the
loss of 18 Italian soldiers killed in Wednesday's bomb
attack in the Southern Iraqi city of Nasiriye. The Italian
press describes the attack as `Italy's September 11.' After
the attack, Italian opposition parties have demanded that
their troops be withdrawn from Iraq. "Zaman" reports that
the attack has frightened Japan, and a Japanese government
spokesman announced the government's decision to postpone a
possible Japanese troop deployment in Iraq.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Iraq
"Saddam Takes Revenge"
Sami Kohen observed in mass appeal Milliyet (11/14): "The
situation in Iraq increasingly makes clear that Saddam
Hussein has started to take his revenge on the US. The
magnitude and style of the attacks against the occupation
forces indicate an organized guerilla war, if not a popular
resistance. . Following these developments, the US
administration felt the need to reevaluate its Iraq policy.
According to Washington-based reports, the Bush
administration has now decided to transfer authority from
Americans to Iraqis as quickly as possible. If that is
really the case, it indicates a complete U-turn in US
policy for Iraq. The Bush administration has pursued a
policy based on the belief that it has all the capabilities
to finish the job alone. This miscalculation has come at a
high cost. Things would have been different had the US
acted along with an international peacekeeping force and
under UN authority."
"American Puzzle"
Hasan Bulent Kahraman opined in the liberal-intellectual
Radikal (11/14): "It seems that the US policy for Iraq as
well as its theories about Iraq's future have totally
collapsed. It is unlikely that the Bush administration can
overcome the consequences in the foreseeable future. Yet
there is an unanswered question that remains in the air:
Will President Bush be re-elected after all of these
failures? Not only it is early to talk about the election,
but it is also difficult to draw a conclusion based on the
current situation. The opposition has not yet presented a
strong case for itself in the upcoming campaign. Moreover,
Democrats are not suggesting any new policy guidance for
Iraq - they have limited themselves to criticizing the
administration. Let's not forget the impact of patriotic
feelings, which helped the Bush administration gain needed
support from the Congress, including support from Democrats.
. The gist of the issue is probably not about Republicans
and Democrats, who are saying almost the same thing. The
real issue is about the lack of US creativity in coming up
with new ideas. The situation is like a complex American
puzzle for which even the US doesn't have the answer."
EDELMAN