ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002719 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 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2007 SPECIAL EDITION ON IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS MINISTERIAL MEETING IN ISTANBUL Media Coverage: November 4, 2007 All Sunday papers report that Saturday's Iraqi Neighbors Ministerial Meeting, including foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbors, permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the G-8 countries, ended with a strong condemnation of "all kinds of terrorist activities." In addition, the participants urged for more efforts from the Iraqi government to fight against terrorism and prevent the Iraqi territory from being used as a base for terror attacks against neighboring countries. Attendees included representatives from Turkey, Iraq, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Bahrain, Iran, Italy, Japan, Canada, Kuwait, Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the European Commission, the Arab League, the United Nations and the OIC. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, US Secretary of State Rice and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Iraq, and Iran were among the key guests of the conference. A final statement released at the end of the meetings endorsed the establishment of a "support mechanism" in Baghdad to help continuation of the talks. It highlighted "the richness of the multi-cultural, multi-sectarian, and multiethnic structure of Iraq and the importance of securing a peaceful coexistence of all communities." It also noted the next meeting would be held in Kuwait. Prime Minister Erdogan said the final communiqu incorporated practical elements pertaining to the implementation of the principles. "The fact that the final communiqu includes strong chapters on counterterrorism, over which we should all cooperate, has pleased us. We find it useful and beneficial to continue the Iraq neighboring countries process at the expanded level," Erdogan said. Papers report Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki pledged in the talks that all PKK offices would be shut down in Iraq, logistical support going to the PKK would be cut, and that Iraq would not allow its territory be used for attacks against its neighbors. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan reportedly explained to his counterparts in Istanbul that Turkey keeps all options on the table, and that a possible Turkish military operation into north of Iraq would not be an "invasion" but rather an "incursion" designed to target the terrorist camps. Mainstream Milliyet says in bilateral talks with Babacan at the Istanbul meetings, the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany warned Turkey against cross-border operations into northern Iraq. Sunday papers also reported Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Secretary Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari had a trilateral meeting during the summit talks. In a joint press conference with Babacan after the trilateral, Zebari said they took several tangible measures to neutralize the PKK, and stressed that all countries should respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zebari said that prior to the Istanbul conference, three working groups were established in the areas of security, energy, and displaced people, adding that a center would be established in Baghdad to continue the activities of these working groups. Zebari also voiced pleasure with the results of the Istanbul conference. Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh pledged in Istanbul to increase the number of checkpoints along the border between Iraq and Turkey. Following these pledges, three offices of the PKK-affiliated Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party were closed in Erbil and Suleymaniye, papers report, however columnists claim the closures were merely a cosmetic measure. Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the regional Kurdish government in Iraq, told an exclusive interview with the private NTV news channel that they are unhappy with the PKK's using the Iraqi territory to attack Turkey, stressing that, for a solution, the Kurdish government has to be at the negotiating table as well. Papers report that Turkey was "relatively satisfied" with the ANKARA 00002719 002 OF 003 measures the Iraqis have promised to take against the PKK, but that these measures are still "insufficient," and all possibilities remain open. Mainstream Hurriyet says many pledges were made at the summit talks without any commitment for capturing the PKK terrorists. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet claims Turkey could not get what it wanted from the Iraq summit and that the final declaration stressed non-intervention in Iraq's internal affairs. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak and Zaman believe that Turkey, displaying a stern attitude, got what it wanted from the talks in Istanbul. Zaman says the Istanbul talks stressed Iraq's territorial integrity and that it called on the UN to play an active role in Iraq. Editorial Commentary on the Iraqi Neighbors Conference: In the mainstream daily Milliyet, columnist Taha Akyol says PM Erdogan is on the way to Washington with Iraqi summit backing: "The United States felt uneasy when Turkey organized the Iraqi Neighboring Countries Conference prior to the war in Iraq. It believed that it was able to deal with all the problems and did not want anyone to interfere. Although the United States is a superpower, the tragic situation in Iraq has made it realize that its might is limited! It is looking for allies and friends in the area. Of course, countries like Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have friendly relations with the United States. In fact, they are its allies. However, all the allies of that country in the area, except Israel, are opposed to its policy on Iraq -- particularly to the support it gives to KDP leader Barzani, which increases the danger of division in that country. That is what has caused problems in Turkey's relations the United States. The neighboring countries have become more important because of the deadlock the United States is confronted with in Iraq. The regional countries being more involved in matters related to Iraq will strengthen Iraq's integrity. The statement the Arab League issued two days ago to the effect that the 'PKK must move out of Iraq' is a typical example. The draft final communiqu of the Second Expanded Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iraqi Neighboring Countries contains many important points on that subject. Article 9 calls for the disbanding of all the militia (peshmerge) forces and armed groups without exception. Article 10 says that multicultural cities should not be placed under the control of only one group and that the Iraqi government should be advised to agree to a committee that will be established with the participation of UNESCO and the neighboring countries for that purpose. Article 17 criticizes all terrorist activities and calls for the establishment of a mechanism for the obstruction of terrorist activities that are carried out from outside the borders of a target country. Article 18 recalls that in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1546, no country should allow terrorist activities in its territory. Article 19 stresses the importance of the effective control of borders. Prime Minister Erdogan will visit the United States after he secures an important regional diplomatic support from the neighboring countries. The 'Iraqi neighboring countries' are now waiting to see what the United States will do. They want to establish whether or not it will support separatism and whether or not Northern Iraq will become a place which does not shelter the PKK." In the mainstream daily Hurriyet, Oktay Eksi stresses the unkept promises of Iraqi Kurdish leaders: "Iraqi PM Maliki made some remarks at the Istanbul summit, asking Turkey not to allow the PKK issue to harm the ties between Turkey and Iraq. We've had enough of good will statements, and we have heard too many promises to fight against PKK in Iraq. It is certain that the Iraqi administration is not capable of doing anything against the PKK, nor does it have any intention to take action. Therefore Maliki's statement 'we will not allow anybody to use our soil for attacking other neighbors' is nothing but nice words." In the liberal daily Radikal, Murat Yetkin writes: "Because of Turkey's initiative, the Iraqi Neighbors Conference put terrorism, ANKARA 00002719 003 OF 003 particularly the fight against terrorism stemming from Iraqi soil, on the agenda, which is a major accomplishment for Ankara. The recent terrorist attacks put Turkey in the spotlight and helped secure high level participation to the conference. It was a very good move to persuade the UN Secretary General to attend the Iraqi Neighbors Conference, which in turn paved the way for emphasis on the UN's role to the Iraq process. Turkey could not get any concrete step against the PKK out of the Istanbul meetings, however Turkey achieved a great deal in diplomacy. The PKK attacks are on international agenda. On the international level, Turkey has gained significant international sympathy and support for its struggle against PKK terror." WILSON