ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000971 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, FEBRUARY 7, 2003 THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL 308 votes in support of base renovation, 193 votes against - Hurriyet Ankara Palas Agreement-We'll meet in Baghdat-Milliyet Kurdish Groups Promise not to Establish Independent Kurdish State-Turkiye Historic Decision-Tercuman US Adds Germany to its Black List for Opposition to the War Against Iraq-Aksam Erdogan is Officially a Candidate from Siirt-Hurriyet OPINION MAKERS 200 US Troops for Iraq-Cumhuriyet Parliament approves first Resolution: US will renovate Turkish Bases-Zaman Turkey Presses For Peace-Yeni Safak Closed session at the Parliament --- Radikal BRIEFING Iraq: All papers and TV channels gave extensive coverage to Parliament voting on the renovation of Turkish bases by the US. Despite fierce protests by the opposition, the parliament voted to approve the resolution in a closed session by a count of 308 to 193. 44 AKP deputies did not support the decision for upgrading the Bases. Papers note that the decision was praised by President Bush, who described Turkey as `a brave friend and loyal NATO ally.' "Hurriyet" led with a story about military planning for a `third front' in Jordan. General Aytac Yalman, Commander of Turkish Land Forces, recently went to Jordan to represent Turkey in a series of official meetings. The story claims that, as part of the long-term plan, there might be a third front opened from Jordan in the event that a second front from Turkey is approved. Northern Iraq meeting: All papers carry extensive details of the meeting in Ankara between Turkey, the US, and representatives of Iraqi Kurdish groups (PUK, KDP) and the Turkomen. The importance of Iraq's territorial integrity is the main highlight. "Hurriyet" notes a disagreement on a possible post-Saddam structure in Iraq. Reportedly, Turkey and the Turkomen emphasized a strong central authority, while the Kurdish groups favor a `loose, federal structure.' Papers highlight that the KDP opposes the possible military presence of Turkey in northern Iraq, even for the humanitarian purposes. In a statement following the meeting, Ali Tuygan, Deputy U/S at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, said that efforts to work out a peaceful solution to the problem in Iraq will continue. "Milliyet" reports that during the meeting, Tuygan said that Turkish troops in the region should be regarded as a friendly force. He warned the Kurdish groups not to try to benefit from Iraq's current turmoil. US special envoy Khalilzad in turn urged the Kurdish groups to consider these warnings seriously. John Taylor: Papers and television news highlight the visit of US Treasury Undersecretary John Taylor to Ankara. Reports speculate that Turkey and the US are about to finalize a `compensation plan' for Turkey. Turkey seeks a binding commitment from the US side. Sedat Ergin of the mass appeal Hurriyet argued that Taylor has a concrete plan in hand, and that the two delegations will work on the fine tuning. According to his estimate, the US will provide 4 billion dollars in grants and 10 billion dollars in `conditional credits.' Erdogan to run for parliament: "Hurriyet" reports that AKP leader Erdogan applied to the Higher Electoral Board yesterday to stand as a candidate in the Siirt election next month. The election could pave the way for Erdogan to win a seat in Parliament and take up the post of Prime Minister. EDITORIAL OPINION: Powell's presentation to the UNSC "Powell proved Washington's determination to strike" Sami Kohen wrote in mass appeal Milliyet (2/7): "As expected, Secretary Powell's presentation to the UN divided world opinion. Yet those who consider the proof `unconvincing' constitute a larger group than those who take it as credible evidence. In addition, the overall majority considers the documents not sufficient to justify a war. In fact, what Powell proved with his presentation was the determination of Washington to strike Iraq. . Following the second report by UNMOVIC to the UNSC, we shall see if there will be a second resolution, which would set the legal basis for the US military operation." "Cold peace" Omer Celik, a deputy from AKP wrote in tabloid Star (2/7): "The September 11 events brought a new political era which can be called a `cold peace', i.e. the reversal of the cold war era's equilibrium. As can be seen by the US reaction to the 9/11 events, the cold peace requires an activist approach to protection as well as a new international law and order. In this new era, the world system must be able to cope with crises so that the global power equilibrium is not shaken. The clear indication of this danger can be seen within the European Union, particularly about their stance on the Iraq crisis. . The Iraqi regime failed to comprehend the parameters of the cold peace, and neglected to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction. The Iraqi regime has completely lost its credibility, especially in view of its history of using WMD against Iran and its own people. Nobody considers Saddam's regime as legitimate. Currently, the question centers on how to get rid of this regime in Iraq. . The UN has failed to be influential in the crisis, and the EU has proven incompetent in its effort to resolve it. Thus the US is inclined to act and use force unilaterally. Actually, Saddam Hussein is doing his best to provoke this process. There is only one option left to stop the process: Saddam Hussein must undertake active cooperation with the UN." PEARSON