ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 007558 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 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2005 THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- -- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL Ankara Chief State Prosecutor Launches Investigation into the Statements of Baykal, Investigation Against Koc - Aksam Blow to Greek-Cypriot Dream of 40 Billion Euro - Hurriyet Shocking News for Greek-Cypriots - Milliyet Denktas Brings Leaders together at a Conference - Hurriyet General Ozkok Warns Against Fundamentalist Activities - Hurriyet Ozkok: "Fundamentalism is the Biggest Threat" - Posta Bribery at the Kapikule Border Gate - Sabah Operation in Kapikule - Sabah Israeli Army Chief Halutz in Ankara - Sabah TGS Criticizes Internet Attacks - Sabah Harsh Reaction from Military - Milliyet Noel Message from PM Erdogan - Aksam OPINION MAKERS Victims of Article 301 - Radikal Intense Military Traffic with Israel - Radikal ECHR Directs Greek-Cypriot Complaints to the Turkish-Cypriot Commission - Cumhuriyet Operation at Kapikule - Cumhuriyet Former US Ambassador Parris Praises Turkey - Yeni Safak TUSIAD and YOK become Targets of Investigation - Zaman Two Authors Convicted in Line with Article 301 - Zaman BRIEFING Investigation Against Baykal, Tezic, and Koc: All papers covered extensively the investigation initiated by Ankara Chief State Prosecutor into comments made about the trial of Van University Rector Yucel Askin. Earlier, PM Erdogan had accused CHP leader Baykal, Chairman of the Higher Education Board Tezic and business leader Mustafa Koc, of committing a constitutional crime by taking sides and commenting on the ongoing trial. "Aksam" reports that the prosecutor could demand up to eight and half years in prison for those under investigation according articles 277 and 288 of the constitution. "Sabah" says Baykal is protected by parliamentary immunity against trials and Tezic, as the head of the Higher Education Board, also benefits from partial immunity before the law. The investigation initiated by the prosecutor shocked the business world, adds the paper. The Victims of Freedom of Expression Laws (aka Article 301): Several papers, including "Radikal," "Yeni Safak" and "Zaman" fronted that writers of books and articles might all be subject to imprisonment as writer Zulkuf Kisanak and journalist Aziz Ozer were found guilty by the court for violating Article 301 of the penal code by insulting the republic or the government. "Radikal" stresses that the courts continue convicting people for their publications despite the recent statement of FM Gul that nobody has been given a prison sentence in Turkey for expressing his/her thoughts. ECHR Ruling on Property Rights: The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday in the case of Greek Cypriot Xenides Arestis. Portraying the decision as a victory for ANKARA 00007558 002 OF 002 Turkey, press reported that the court ruled that Turkey had violated property rights but there was no need for any compensation payment for the time being. "Cumhuriyet" notes that this ruling showed that the ECHR was inclined to ask the Greek Cypriots to apply to the Turkish Cypriot Commission with future complaints. EDITORIAL OPINION: Afghanistan; Middle East "A Different Vision of Kabul" Sami Kohen commented in the mainstream daily "Milliyet" (12/23): "With a new constitution in place, Afghanistan has entered into a political structuring process, with a new parliament as well as a president elected by the people. Is this going to give new hope to the 30 million Afghanis after 32 years of blood and tears under Soviet occupation and Taliban rule? Can this new process provide hope for unity, security and better lives for Afghanistan? Such questions can easily be asked about Iraq as well. However, a close look reveals some differences between the two situations. Afghanistan does not suffer from ethic and religious conflict. The new Afghan parliament has proportional representation of the population from different ethnic backgrounds. President Karzai is a strong figure in the country and is popular. Afghanistan, even with different ethic groups, does not have any separatist movement. Moreover, unlike in Iraq, there is no anti-Americanism in Afghanistan. The US military presence came with UN approval and NATO's contribution. Afghanis now are in need of social and economic support along with peace and security. An upcoming meeting in London will try to address these issues and prepare a `road-map' for Afghanistan for the next 5 years. Afghanistan has presented a very good example in the political field and it remains to be seen if the success will carry over into other areas." "Bush and Sharon Style Democracy" Husnu Mahalli argued in the mass appeal "Aksam" (12/23): "The last leg of Palestinian local elections was held and radical-Islamist Hammas won a significant victory despite all kinds of threats coming from the US, Israel and the European Union. This result, even though the elections were held under occupation conditions, is very important and hints at the result of parliamentary elections scheduled for January 25. According to opinion polls, Hammas is the favorite in the parliamentary elections as well. There is a strong possibility of a coalition government between Arafat's Al Fatah and Hammas. Interestingly, enough both Bush and Sharon started saying that they will not let this happen. In other words, President Bush, who promotes democracy with his Greater Middle East initiative, is now standing against a government with popular votes. This is just like what happened in Algeria 15 years ago. It is very obvious what President Bush wants: a Palestinian government which will not resist against the Israeli occupation -- ongoing for the last 38 years. He wants to see every regime in the Middle East serving nothing but US interests." WILSON