ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ANKARA 005483

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 21, 2005

THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:

HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
-------------- --

HEADLINES


MASS APPEAL
Gul: Greek Cypriots Take the EU Hostage - Aksam
EU a `Toy' of the Greek Cypriots - Milliyet
Lagendijk: Military, Nationalists and the PKK Toughen
Turkey's EU Drive - Aksam
Non-Muslim Minorities: Turkey Treats Us Like `Outsiders' -
Milliyet
PKK Checkpoints in Talabani-Controlled Areas in Northern
Iraq - Vatan
Basrans Revolt, Set to Fire British Tanks - Star
Merkel Under Pressure to Resign - Vatan
Merkel Invites Schroeder to Coalition - Sabah
The Guardian: Merkel's Turkey Policy a `Disgrace' - Star
Americans Flee Rita after Katrina - Sabah
Vatican Shelters War Criminal Croat General Gotovina -
Hurriyet

OPINION MAKERS
EU Surrenders to the Greek Cypriots - Radikal
Talat: EU Disregards Turkish Cypriots - Cumhuriyet
The Waning of Merkel's CDU in Germany - Zaman
The Independent: The US is Behind Suicide Attacks in Iraq -
Yeni Safak
Four Iraqis Wounded in Tuzhurmatu Brought to Turkey for
Medical Treatment - Zaman
PKK Kills 11 Troops in One Month - Zaman
Al-Zawahiri: Taliban Still Strong in Afghanistan -
Cumhuriyet
EU to Take Iran's Nuclear Program to UN - Cumhuriyet
A Second Hurricane Alarm in the US - Yeni Safak
Nazi `Hunter' Wiesenthal Dies - Cumhuriyet


BRIEFING

Rice-Gul Discuss the PKK, EU/Turkey, Cyprus: Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul discussed with US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice Iraq, the PKK and Cyprus at a meeting in
New York yesterday, Turkish diplomatic sources told the semi-
official "Anatolian Agency" (AA). Secretary Rice told Gul
that intervention against the PKK in northern Iraq is a
matter of `timing, not principle,' saying that the US shared
the views of Turkey regarding the terrorist organization.
The US is more prepared to take concrete steps against the
PKK, diplomatic sources said, adding that both the US and
Turkey underlined that they have been engaged in a
`comprehensive partnership.' Rice assured Gul that the US
will maintain support to Turkey's EU membership bid. The
two sides also discussed steps to be taken to remove
international sanctions against Turkish Cyprus. On the
other hand, FM Gul did not attend the reception hosted by
the foreign ministers of the EU and NATO in New York, says
the AA.

Military Vehicles in Iskenderun Port Belong to Iraqi Army:
The first transfer of weapons to Iraq through Turkey's
Mediterranean port city of Iskenderun was made in April 18,
2004, reports "Cumhuriyet." Among the many vehicles that
were ferried into Iraq in the last 1.5 years were 1,193
jeeps, 453 trailers and 42 cranes. Also, 72 panzers were
sent to the Iraqi army by an unknown donor. The Iskenderun
Port customs officials said the transfers were made after
approval by Turkish security units. The Iskenderun Maritime
Trade Chamber chairman Bulent Kavsak said that the military
vehicles in the port belonged to the Iraqi army, not to the
US. Vehicles come from Ukraine, and they are being
transferred to the newly structured Iraqi army, Kavsak said.
He noted that explosives, acid anhydride and dynamite were
imported by four Turkish companies, which distribute them to
Ankara, Bursa and Kayseri in Turkey.
CHP Submits Motion on US Materiel that Passes through
Iskenderun Port: The main opposition CHP lawmaker from
Hatay, Gokhan Durgun, asked in a motion to the parliament if
the US has been transporting military vehicles, equipment
and explosives from the Iskenderun Port to Iraq under the
`disguise of' humanitarian aid, the semi-official "Anatolian
Agency" (AA) reported Tuesday. Durgun said that such
shipment would been illegal given the Turkish parliament's
March 1, 2003, decision, asking whether the materiel
transported from Iskenderun was used in the massacre of
civilians in Iraq.

PKK Sets Up Checkpoint near Suleymaniye: Turkish papers
report the "Turkmeneli TV" as saying that PKK members have
established checkpoints near the town of Sengeser in
Suleymaniye province in northern Iraq, stopping vehicles and
checking identifications. The sign `Democratic Solution
Party of Kurdistan' and posters of the PKK's imprisoned
leader Ocalan hang in a PKK camp near Sengeser. Vehicles
are checked by the peshmerge loyal to Talabani and later by
PKK members before they enter the area. "Turkmeneli TV"
showed the footage of the PKK checkpoint set up in a region
controlled by the PUK, say papers.

PKK Extends Cease-Fire until October 3: The PKK on
Wednesday extended a one-month suspension of its unilateral
cease-fire until October 3, the date set for Ankara to begin
talks on joining the European Union, the Germany-based
"Mesopotamian News Agency" reported. The PKK called for a
one-month long `inaction' on August 20 after Prime Minister
Erdogan acknowledged in a speech in Diyarbakir the existence
of a `Kurdish problem' in Turkey. The Turkish military
ignored the PKK call and operations against the rebels have
continued. `We call on the PM to evaluate the period until
October 3 for a democratic solution,' a PKK statement said.

Gul Criticizes the EU for Tolerating Nicosia: On Tuesday,
the Greek Cypriot administration pulled back its support for
the EU declaration to counter Turkey's refusal to recognize
Cyprus, insisting on adding references regarding the
declaration to the EU framework document that outlined a
negotiation plan for Turkey, papers report. By doing so,
Nicosia wants to make the EU counter-declaration legally
binding for Turkey. If no agreement is worked out today,
the discussions will continue at a special meeting of EU
foreign ministers on September 26. Ankara is concerned that
the discussions may be delayed until October 3 if a
compromise is not reached on September 26. Foreign Minister
Gul criticized the EU for allowing Cyprus to dictate policy
toward Turkey, adding that the UN is the venue to seek a
resolution of the Cyprus problem. `The results of the twin
referenda last year showed that it is the Greek Cypriots who
do not want a compromise and solution in Cyprus,' Gul
stressed. The FM accused the Greek Cypriots of attempting
to `by-pass' the UN.

Controversial Armenian Conference to be Held in Istanbul: A
controversial conference on Armenians in the decline of the
Ottoman Empire, previously scheduled to happen on May 25,
will be held at Istanbul's Bogazici University September 23-
25, papers report. It was postponed after receiving
criticism, the strongest coming from the government
spokesman Cemil Cicek who defined the gathering as being
equal to `stabbing' Turkey in the back. Prominent Turkish
academics, writers and researchers Serif Mardin, Murat
Belge, Halil Berktay, Ustun Erguder, Nazan Maksudyan and
Hrant Dink are among the participants of the conference.
Several workshops will discuss issues such as `Order before
the Balkan Wars,' `Breaking Point: 1912-1915,' `Relocation
and Aftermath,' `Disaster and Stories of Rescue' and
`Memoirs.' Two panel discussions will be held on the last
day of the conference on `Press Freedom' and `Today and the
Future'.

Turkey Sends 400,000 USD of Humanitarian Aid to Tal Afar:
Turkey sent ten trucks of humanitarian aid to the northern
Iraqi city of Tal Afar, the Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA)
said on Tuesday. Food, potable water, medicine, tents and
medical equipment worth 400,000 USD were sent to Tal Afar in
cooperation with the MFA, Turkish Cooperation and
Development Agency (TIKA) and the Turkish Red Crescent
Society (Kizilay).

Gul to Chair Anti-Terror Board Meeting: Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul will chair the meeting of the `High Board for
Combating Terrorism' scheduled to take place on Tuesday,
papers report. Gul, in New York for the UN General Assembly
meetings, will return to Turkey on Sunday. Reports say that
the structure of the board has been changed in response to a
proposal from the Turkish General Staff (TGS) to set up a
special center to coordinate the struggle against terrorism.
A special channel for communication among intelligence and
security institutions will be formed in the council. The
deputy chief of the TGS, General Isik Kosaner, and the
interior, justice and defense ministers as well as Prime
Ministry U/S Omer Dincer, jandarma commander, the Turkish
Intelligence Organization (MIT) U/S and the Turkish police
chief will join the discussions on Tuesday.

Kurdish Representatives Want Federation in Turkey:
Representatives of the Kurdish party `Hak-Par' and Kurdish
association `Kurt-Der' paid visits to the EU mission, the
parliament and the British Embassy in Ankara to voice
demands for a federation in Turkey, papers report. A lawyer
in the group said that a democratic, pluralistic and federal
system would fit Turkey better, adding that their campaign
had been based on such demands.

ECHR to Hear Case on Non-Muslim Foundations in Turkey: The
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday took up a
complaint by two non-Muslim minority foundations saying that
the Turkish state should give back foundation assets seized
in the 1990s, "Radikal" reports. Foundation lawyers claimed
that Turkey violated the Lausanne Treaty and treated its
nationals like `aliens.' Turkey will be cornered if the
ECHR rules that the provision on non-discrimination was
violated, says the report.

Pope Will Not be Allowed to Pray at Ayasofya: A senior
Turkish official said Tuesday that Pope Benedict XVI will
not be allowed to pray at Istanbul's Hagia Sofia museum
(Ayasofya),which was used formerly as a church and then as
a mosque, stressing that such a move will trigger demands
from Muslims to do likewise. Ankara has invited the Pope to
visit Turkey next year. Turkish TV reports US State
Department Spokesman Adam Ereli as saying that a visit by
the Vatican to Turkey is a matter `that concerns the
Government of Turkey and the Holy See.' `I leave it to
those two parties to talk about their plans or their
intentions to have visits. I am not in the position to do
that,' Ereli said.

International PEN Calls for an End to Publisher Zarakolu's
Trials: The "Armenian News Network" (ANN) reported that the
members of International PEN, the world association of
writers, protested the decision to take to court one of
Turkey's most prominent authors, Orhan Pamuk, for
`insulting' comments against the Turkish state. His trial
is due to open in mid-December. A Turkish human rights
activist, publisher Ragip Zarakolu, will be brought before
courts three times in three separate cases. On September 20
an Istanbul court will hear arguments against Zarakolu's
publication of George Jerjian's book `History Will Free All
of Us/Turkish-Armenian Conciliation.' The book is said to
be `insulting' to the memory of Kemal Ataturk by suggesting
that leading government figures close to Ataturk were
responsible for the mass deportation of Armenians in 1915.
The next day, another hearing will be held, this time for
Zarakolu's publication of a book by Professor Dora Sakayan,
`An Armenian Doctor in Turkey: Garabed Hatcherian: My Smyrna
Ordeal of 1922.' On October 11, Zarakolu will again appear
in court for an article published in 2003 entitled, `Sana
Ne' (Of No Interest) that criticized Turkey's policy towards
the Kurds in Iraq. International PEN is deeply disappointed
that, despite further changes to the Penal Code, there
remains repression of freedom of expression in Turkey. PEN
calls on the Turkish authorities to make further
reviews of articles contained in the Penal Code that breach
the international standards to which Turkey is committed.
ANN calls readers to send appeals to PM Erdogan and Justice
Minister Cemil Cicek, protesting the fact that Zarakolu is
on trial in direct denial of his rights as guaranteed under
the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, to which
the Turkish government is a signatory.

Turkey to Give Wounded Iraqis Medical Treatment: On
Tuesday, four Iraqis wounded in a bomb attack in Tuzhurmatu
near Kirkuk in northern Iraq were sent to Turkey via the
southeastern Habur border-crossing to receive medical
treatment, papers report. The Iraqis were wounded in a
blast which killed 11 and injured 24 after Friday prayers in
Tuzhurmatu on September 16. Turks keep several ambulances
at Habur waiting to treat other Iraqis whom may be sent to
Turkey, say reports.


EDITORIAL OPINION: German Election

"The Division of Germany"
Mim Kemal Oke argued in the conservative "Tercuman" (9/21):
"Merkel's election strategy was based on `Turkey-phobia.'
It did not work, and even had a backlash for her. Schroeder
has managed to attract Turkish votes, which helped him to
gain some additional votes. . Generally speaking, the
election results indicate a real political division in
Germany. In the post 9/11 period, neo-con militarist
policies in the US caused a clear division in America both
philosophically and culturally. Similarly, in the aftermath
of the general elections, Germany faces a division because
of the culturally racist politics pursued by the Christian
Democrats. Just like in the US, Germany now has two blocs:
Those who are supportive of multi-cultural and democratic
values and those who are insisting on having a new identity
shaped by racist and religious concepts. Germany is now
going through a new kind of Berlin Wall situation, not a
physical one but a wall in the minds of its people."

"Elections Brought a Chance"
Hadi Uluengin commented in the mass appeal "Hurriyet"
(9/21): "The election results in Germany caused uncertainty
not only to the country's future but to all of Europe as
well. The current political picture of Germany makes it
more difficult than before to bring clarity to the fate of
the European Constitution, which has already been rejected
by France and the Netherlands, in either the short or mid
term. The nature of the German coalition unfortunately will
not change this fact regardless of who comes to power. In
the current situation, the EU engine--a combination of
Germany and France--will not be as strong as it used to be.
. On the other hand, the current situation gives a chance to
Turkey in the upcoming negotiations with the EU. The EU is
set to start the negotiation process with Turkey on October
3, as scheduled. It is very likely that the negotiation
process will go smoothly without major up and downs until
the elections in France in 2007. In any case, Turkey should
be patient, tolerant and determined during this process, and
should refrain from acting emotionally at all times."

MCELDOWNEY