THE TURKISH PRESS DEBATES THE PKK ISSUE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004258

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PTER PREL TU PKK
SUBJECT: THE TURKISH PRESS DEBATES THE PKK ISSUE


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) The increase in PKK violence in Turkey, culminating
in the July 16 bus bombing in the Turkish resort of
Kusadasi, has accelerated the public debate over how best to
deal with the PKK. The dominant view continues to blame the
violence on the perceived US failure to fulfill its
commitment to eliminate the PKK camps in northern Iraq. A
majority of columnists accuse the United States of
protecting the PKK to use later as a "trump card" against
Turkey. However, a small minority (perhaps 10 percent) of
commentators, however, has broadened the debate to consider
the government's responsibility to handle - and solve - the
PKK problem. End Summary.

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BLAMING THE US
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2. (U) Not surprisingly, Turkey's public debate over the
increase in PKK violence over the past year has focused on
the continued PKK presence in Iraq, and the failure of the
United States to take military action against the PKK. Many
commentators have speculated that the US has ulterior
motives for not moving against the PKK.

Mustafa Mutlu's column in the daily "Vatan" on July 20 is a
typical example of this view: "On June 11, it was reported
that the US military in Iraq had distributed a list of 150
`wanted' PKK militants to its troops. This was seen as a
gesture by the US following the visit of Prime Minister
Erdogan to Washington. But it is very well known where each
of these 150 people are, what they are doing, even what they
are eating and drinking. Our intelligence and security
forces have this information, as do US troops, from whom
they have asked help many times. There is nobody being
`chased' and nobody `chasing' anyone. So now 40 days have
passed. Within those 40 days, what has the US done besides
encouraging the rabbit to run away? A huge nothing! You
might say `well, didn't the US hand over Ocalan to us?'
Yes, that's true. But the relationship was different then.
I have serious doubts about whether the United States is
sincere on the question of capturing PKK leaders."

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SEEING A BIGGER PICTURE
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3. (U) Although Mutlu's commentary is indicative of the
dominant perspective in the Turkish press, a small minority
(perhaps 10 percent) of columnists writing on the PKK
controversy has broadened the debate. They are questioning
whether the government has a policy in the southeast, and
what Turkey could do differently to undercut the PKK at
home. Several examples are given below:

Ferai Tinc, foreign news editor of Turkey's leading daily
"Hurriyet" wrote on July 18: "The enemy is at home. It is
very important to understand that in the struggle against
terrorism. After September 11, everyone started to believe
that the roots of terrorism lay somewhere else, so some went
looking for them in Iraq and Afghanistan. And we are caught
up in the belief that the only effective solution to our
terrorism problem is through a military operation in
northern Iraq. But to strike a blow against terror, we
don't have to go so far away. The enemy is here at home.
We need to start the struggle against terrorism in Turkey."

Hasan Cemal, writing in the daily "Milliyet" on July 21:
"The Southeast is at a critical turning point. The people
don't want to hear the sound of weapons or to watch the same
horror film again. This is why the PKK base of support is
gradually shrinking. The emergence of a peace movement is
possible in spite of the PKK. But just like on the Cyprus
issue, the Southeast requires political courage, political
will, and determination. It is needed for an amnesty, for
the implementation of reforms, and for the opening of social
and economic initiatives. It is also necessary for using
new approaches and new terminology, to open new windows for
the Kurdish-origin citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
There were bad memories in Cyprus, but they were erased
through political determination. The world didn't come to
an end. There are many bad memories in the Southeast as
well. Some of them have also been erased, but others
remain. If Turkey, through courage and determination, could
erase these remaining memories in the Southeast, it will
open the way not to separatism and instability, but to peace
and tranquility."

Conservative Islamist columnist Ahmet Tasgetiren, a
reference point for the AKP, challenged the Government in
his July 11 column in the Islamist-oriented "Yeni Safak:"
"A few words for the AKP Government: Where are you on this
issue? When are you going to begin your initiative in the
East and Southeast? Once again, security measures are
coming to dominate that region. What have you done to
prevent that from happening over the past two and a half
years? The people of the region gave you a bonus (in last
year's municipal elections). What have you done to pursue a
more vigorous dialogue with those people? And if the tense
security situation in the Southeast begins to affect
developments in Ankara, who will be to blame then?"

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COMMENT
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4. (SBU) The voices quoted in para 3 are a rational
alternative to the general anti-American, anti-EU tone that
predominates in the Turkish media. These columnists face an
uphill struggle, however, as their arguments fly in the face
of a strongly nationalist political climate and an
entrenched press establishment with a tendency to blame
America (or Europe) first. End Comment.

MCELDOWNEY