Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2419
2007-09-27 13:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002419
SIPDIS
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
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007
In Today's Papers
Turkey-Iraq to Sign Anti-Terror Deal Thursday
All papers report that Turkey and Iraq are expected to sign an
anti-terror agreement today as a follow up to the memorandum of
understanding that was agreed on in an August visit to Turkey by
Prime Minister al-Maliki. The agreement is expected to include
Turkey's right to "hot pursuit" of PKK terrorists across the border.
Milliyet says the deal will also include the establishment of
liaison offices in the Iraqi Embassy in Turkey and the Turkish
Embassy in Iraq for anti-terrorism coordination. Vatan and
Cumhuriyet say "coordination offices" will be set up on the
Turkey-Iraq border. Cumhuriyet also says that in order to implement
a "hot pursuit" operation, Ankara will have to get permission from
President Talabani and regional Kurdish administration leader
Massoud Barzani. Visiting Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani
and his Turkish counterpart Besir Atalay are expected to sign the
deal Thursday.
Meanwhile, Zaman reports Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told
his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in New York that the Iraqi
government supports the memorandum. Zebari also welcomed Turkish
plans to open a consulate in Basra.
The two foreign ministers have agreed to work for the success of the
expanded Iraq neighbors' meeting to take place in Istanbul in
October.
Erdogan Meets Ahmadinejad, Livni in New York
All papers report Prime Minister Erdogan was invited to join a
"roundtable meeting of democracy partners" held under the auspices
of President Bush. Turkish diplomatic sources said Turkey was
invited to join the meeting of countries with "fledgling
democracies" as an "exemplary model of democracy." Erdogan also met
with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and asked her to convince
Washington to invite Turkey to the Middle East conference to be held
in November. Radikal says Livni gave Erdogan details about a recent
Israeli air attack against Syria. Erdogan also came together with
Iranian President Ahmadinejad to discuss Iraq and Iran's nuclear
program. Papers point to the fact that the meeting took place the
day US House adopted a decision to sanction international companies
that invest in Iran. Several papers note that Turkey and Iran have
recently agreed that the state-owned Turkish oil company TPAO would
invest around USD 12 billion in Iran. Sabah says the two leaders
also discussed the US reaction to Iran-Turkey energy cooperation.
Before meeting with Ahmadinejad, Erdogan came together with a
delegation of Jewish representatives, from whom the PM asked support
against the Armenian genocide bill in the US Congress, papers
report.
US Senate Adopts Bill for a 'Loose Federation' in Iraq
Sabah, Vatan, Cumhuriyet, Yeni Safak and others report that US
Senate has approved a bill submitted by Senator Joe Biden, which
calls for a "loose federation" of three semi-autonomous regions in
Iraq. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet says even though the bill is
not binding, it paves the way for the disintegration of Iraq in the
future.
Paper: Turkish Military Wants a Prospective Kurdish State Blocked
Tabloid Aksam, commenting on recent remarks by Turkish Land Forces
Commander General Ilker Basbug who had issued "tough" messages to
the US on the PKK, says the military sees prevention of the
establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq as a top priority
for Turkey. The military is ready to take all risks including
fighting with the US to prevent such a development, according to the
paper. Basbug also warned the US that in combating the PKK Turkey
wanted to see US action and not words.
ANKARA 00002419 002 OF 003
Editorial Commentary on US-Turkey Relations and the PKK
Fikret Bila writes in the mainstream daily Milliyet: "When the Land
Forces Commander General Basbug made those very harsh remarks
against the US, he was trying to underline the ongoing uneasiness
with the situation in Iraq and with cooperation with the US against
the PKK. The Turkish military expects to see tangible signs of
sincerity from the US regarding Iraqi territorial integrity and the
fight against terrorism. Iraq's territorial integrity is an issue
related to the threat assessment of the Turkish military. The
military considers an independent state in Iraq's north as a primary
threat from a strategic point of view. Such a development is
assessed as a 'vital threat against the Turkish state' and the army
remains committed to reacting at a whatever-it-takes level.
Regarding threat assessments, Kirkuk is number two and PKK is the
third, in the Turkish military's priority order. The Turkish
military continues operations against the PKK in the region yet
absolute success has not been achieved. The military is aware of
the fact that this problem cannot be resolved through only military
means. In this context, it is also aware of the fact that a
military operation by the US against the PKK will not be able to end
the problem, either. However both Ankara and the military are
waiting to see a clear stance from the US against the PKK, such as
the capture of few chieftains to hand over to Turkey. An action as
such that will not only restore the US image in Turkey, but will
also diminish PKK members' hopes for US help. Some events are
important simply because they happen, just like concrete action by
the US against the PKK. Otherwise the Turkish army is not happy
with the fact that Iraq and PKK issues are driving a wedge between
Turkey and the US."
Sukru Kucuksahin writes in the mainstream daily Hurriyet: "General
Basbug gave very a serious message to the US when he called for
'deeds not words.' It is no secret that the Turkish military is
highly disappointed by the lack of the expected level of support
from the US regarding the fight against the PKK. Such concrete
support would have a positive impact on restoring the US image in
Turkey which is as low as 7 percent. Currently the US is being
presented with a very big opportunity to do that. Ongoing
operations against the PKK by the Turkish army can be supported by
concrete action of the US. For example if the US captures a few PKK
leaders and hands them over to Turkey, this will create significant
demoralization within the terrorist organization. Such an action
will certainly not end the PKK problem but it will definitely be a
morale boost for the Turkish army. The Turkish army is also very
clear about taking every possible action at all costs if a separate
state in Northern Iraq is established, and wants this to be known by
the entire world, including by the US. If the US makes a gesture
like handing over PKK leaders, it will ease things and help to
create a positive image among the Turkish public. A restored
American image in Turkey will make the Turkish military very happy,
for sure."
US State Senators Group Visits Istanbul
Mainstream Sabah reports 22 US state senators have arrived in
Istanbul September 24 in a tour organized by Senate Presidents'
Forum for meetings with business leaders such as elite business
grouping TUSIAD's honorary chair Rahmi Koc, TOBB Chairman Rifat
Hisarciklioglu and TUSIAD deputy chairperson Umit Boyner. Fred
Risser (Wisconsin,) John Revens (Rhode Island,) David Williams
(Kentucky,) and Rosa Franklin (Washington) are among the members of
the group which also has some 30 representatives of US food,
medicine and liquor companies such as Novartis, Unilever,
Anheuser-Busch, and Tyco. The delegation is to leave Istanbul
September 30.
TV Highlights
NTV
Domestic News
ANKARA 00002419 003 OF 003
- AKP deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat said in response to a
motion his party has not made any payments to the scholars who
prepared a draft constitution on behalf of the AKP.
- Kurdish party DTP complained in a statement that heated
controversy and increasing polarization over the draft new
constitution has made the DTP a target.
- Turkey ranks 64 in Transparency International's anti-corruption
index based on perceptions of public sector corruption in 180
countries and territories.
- State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said oil and natural gas imports for
2008 were expected to amount to USD 35 billion.
International News
- Fighting between demonstrators and riot police in Myanmar have
left five people dead and many more injured.
- The German Interior Minister said fuses intended for use in a
suspected plot to bomb US installations in Germany came from Syria
through Turkey.
- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said a census was needed before
holding a referendum in Kirkuk.
- European Union lawmakers on Wednesday backed plans for an EU-wide
work permit to attract skilled workers to offset labor shortages in
the 27-nation bloc due to falling birth rates and demographic
shifts.
WILSON
SIPDIS
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
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007
In Today's Papers
Turkey-Iraq to Sign Anti-Terror Deal Thursday
All papers report that Turkey and Iraq are expected to sign an
anti-terror agreement today as a follow up to the memorandum of
understanding that was agreed on in an August visit to Turkey by
Prime Minister al-Maliki. The agreement is expected to include
Turkey's right to "hot pursuit" of PKK terrorists across the border.
Milliyet says the deal will also include the establishment of
liaison offices in the Iraqi Embassy in Turkey and the Turkish
Embassy in Iraq for anti-terrorism coordination. Vatan and
Cumhuriyet say "coordination offices" will be set up on the
Turkey-Iraq border. Cumhuriyet also says that in order to implement
a "hot pursuit" operation, Ankara will have to get permission from
President Talabani and regional Kurdish administration leader
Massoud Barzani. Visiting Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani
and his Turkish counterpart Besir Atalay are expected to sign the
deal Thursday.
Meanwhile, Zaman reports Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told
his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in New York that the Iraqi
government supports the memorandum. Zebari also welcomed Turkish
plans to open a consulate in Basra.
The two foreign ministers have agreed to work for the success of the
expanded Iraq neighbors' meeting to take place in Istanbul in
October.
Erdogan Meets Ahmadinejad, Livni in New York
All papers report Prime Minister Erdogan was invited to join a
"roundtable meeting of democracy partners" held under the auspices
of President Bush. Turkish diplomatic sources said Turkey was
invited to join the meeting of countries with "fledgling
democracies" as an "exemplary model of democracy." Erdogan also met
with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and asked her to convince
Washington to invite Turkey to the Middle East conference to be held
in November. Radikal says Livni gave Erdogan details about a recent
Israeli air attack against Syria. Erdogan also came together with
Iranian President Ahmadinejad to discuss Iraq and Iran's nuclear
program. Papers point to the fact that the meeting took place the
day US House adopted a decision to sanction international companies
that invest in Iran. Several papers note that Turkey and Iran have
recently agreed that the state-owned Turkish oil company TPAO would
invest around USD 12 billion in Iran. Sabah says the two leaders
also discussed the US reaction to Iran-Turkey energy cooperation.
Before meeting with Ahmadinejad, Erdogan came together with a
delegation of Jewish representatives, from whom the PM asked support
against the Armenian genocide bill in the US Congress, papers
report.
US Senate Adopts Bill for a 'Loose Federation' in Iraq
Sabah, Vatan, Cumhuriyet, Yeni Safak and others report that US
Senate has approved a bill submitted by Senator Joe Biden, which
calls for a "loose federation" of three semi-autonomous regions in
Iraq. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet says even though the bill is
not binding, it paves the way for the disintegration of Iraq in the
future.
Paper: Turkish Military Wants a Prospective Kurdish State Blocked
Tabloid Aksam, commenting on recent remarks by Turkish Land Forces
Commander General Ilker Basbug who had issued "tough" messages to
the US on the PKK, says the military sees prevention of the
establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq as a top priority
for Turkey. The military is ready to take all risks including
fighting with the US to prevent such a development, according to the
paper. Basbug also warned the US that in combating the PKK Turkey
wanted to see US action and not words.
ANKARA 00002419 002 OF 003
Editorial Commentary on US-Turkey Relations and the PKK
Fikret Bila writes in the mainstream daily Milliyet: "When the Land
Forces Commander General Basbug made those very harsh remarks
against the US, he was trying to underline the ongoing uneasiness
with the situation in Iraq and with cooperation with the US against
the PKK. The Turkish military expects to see tangible signs of
sincerity from the US regarding Iraqi territorial integrity and the
fight against terrorism. Iraq's territorial integrity is an issue
related to the threat assessment of the Turkish military. The
military considers an independent state in Iraq's north as a primary
threat from a strategic point of view. Such a development is
assessed as a 'vital threat against the Turkish state' and the army
remains committed to reacting at a whatever-it-takes level.
Regarding threat assessments, Kirkuk is number two and PKK is the
third, in the Turkish military's priority order. The Turkish
military continues operations against the PKK in the region yet
absolute success has not been achieved. The military is aware of
the fact that this problem cannot be resolved through only military
means. In this context, it is also aware of the fact that a
military operation by the US against the PKK will not be able to end
the problem, either. However both Ankara and the military are
waiting to see a clear stance from the US against the PKK, such as
the capture of few chieftains to hand over to Turkey. An action as
such that will not only restore the US image in Turkey, but will
also diminish PKK members' hopes for US help. Some events are
important simply because they happen, just like concrete action by
the US against the PKK. Otherwise the Turkish army is not happy
with the fact that Iraq and PKK issues are driving a wedge between
Turkey and the US."
Sukru Kucuksahin writes in the mainstream daily Hurriyet: "General
Basbug gave very a serious message to the US when he called for
'deeds not words.' It is no secret that the Turkish military is
highly disappointed by the lack of the expected level of support
from the US regarding the fight against the PKK. Such concrete
support would have a positive impact on restoring the US image in
Turkey which is as low as 7 percent. Currently the US is being
presented with a very big opportunity to do that. Ongoing
operations against the PKK by the Turkish army can be supported by
concrete action of the US. For example if the US captures a few PKK
leaders and hands them over to Turkey, this will create significant
demoralization within the terrorist organization. Such an action
will certainly not end the PKK problem but it will definitely be a
morale boost for the Turkish army. The Turkish army is also very
clear about taking every possible action at all costs if a separate
state in Northern Iraq is established, and wants this to be known by
the entire world, including by the US. If the US makes a gesture
like handing over PKK leaders, it will ease things and help to
create a positive image among the Turkish public. A restored
American image in Turkey will make the Turkish military very happy,
for sure."
US State Senators Group Visits Istanbul
Mainstream Sabah reports 22 US state senators have arrived in
Istanbul September 24 in a tour organized by Senate Presidents'
Forum for meetings with business leaders such as elite business
grouping TUSIAD's honorary chair Rahmi Koc, TOBB Chairman Rifat
Hisarciklioglu and TUSIAD deputy chairperson Umit Boyner. Fred
Risser (Wisconsin,) John Revens (Rhode Island,) David Williams
(Kentucky,) and Rosa Franklin (Washington) are among the members of
the group which also has some 30 representatives of US food,
medicine and liquor companies such as Novartis, Unilever,
Anheuser-Busch, and Tyco. The delegation is to leave Istanbul
September 30.
TV Highlights
NTV
Domestic News
ANKARA 00002419 003 OF 003
- AKP deputy chairman Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat said in response to a
motion his party has not made any payments to the scholars who
prepared a draft constitution on behalf of the AKP.
- Kurdish party DTP complained in a statement that heated
controversy and increasing polarization over the draft new
constitution has made the DTP a target.
- Turkey ranks 64 in Transparency International's anti-corruption
index based on perceptions of public sector corruption in 180
countries and territories.
- State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said oil and natural gas imports for
2008 were expected to amount to USD 35 billion.
International News
- Fighting between demonstrators and riot police in Myanmar have
left five people dead and many more injured.
- The German Interior Minister said fuses intended for use in a
suspected plot to bomb US installations in Germany came from Syria
through Turkey.
- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said a census was needed before
holding a referendum in Kirkuk.
- European Union lawmakers on Wednesday backed plans for an EU-wide
work permit to attract skilled workers to offset labor shortages in
the 27-nation bloc due to falling birth rates and demographic
shifts.
WILSON