ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 007590 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 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2005 THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE THEMES: HEADLINES BRIEFING EDITORIAL OPINION -------------- -- HEADLINES MASS APPEAL Intellectuals Demand Article 301 be Abolished - Hurriyet President Sezer in Egypt - Hurriyet Middle East is on Sezer's Agenda - Milliyet YOK Fights against Controversial Regulation for Imam Hatip Graduates - Hurriyet American Consulate in Erbil - Milliyet Bush Out, Rice in - Sabah Surprising Support from Iran to Turkey - Sabah Judiciary Summit - Turkiye General Pace: We shall Withdraw from Iraq, but not yet - Turkiye RTUK will decide on Kurdish Broadcasting Today - Aksam Radical Reforms Planned for Teaching Foreign Language - Hurriyet (12/26) Ambassador Wilson Praises Turkey's Economic Success - Turkiye (12/26) OPINION MAKERS Sezer in Egypt - Radikal Hadley: "We have to Stay in Iraq for the Sake of Israel" - Yeni Safak Rice will Visit Turkey in February - Cumhuriyet The First Visit from Afghanistan after Half a Century - Zaman Declaration by the Intellectuals - Radikal First Anniversary of Tsunami Disaster in South Asia - Cumhuriyet Feudalism is the Main Reason for Honor Killings - Cumhuriyet Tensions Escalate during Budget Debates in Parliament - Cumhuriyet (12/26) Support for US President Bush Declines - Radikal (12/26) BRIEFING Ambassador Wilson's Remarks on Turkish Economy: Monday's "Turkiye" quoted Ambassador Wilson as saying that "Turkey's economic performance has been remarkable. No other European country has been this successful. Turkey is one of the world's emerging markets. This attracts not only Americans, but businesspeople from all around the world. General Electric is preparing to invest $1.8 billion in Turkey, reflecting confidence in the Turkish economy and its future." President Sezer's Visit to Egypt: "Milliyet" reports that President Sezer is in Egypt for a two-day working visit. Sezer and Mubarak, reportedly, will be discussing Iraq, Syria and Cyprus issues. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Gul and State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Sezer is expected to sign a free trade agreement with Egypt today to improve the economic relationship between the two countries. Intellectuals Demand the Annulment of Article 301: Today's papers report on the joint statement released by 169 intellectuals yesterday protesting two articles of the new penal code. In the statement, the intellectuals demanded the annulment of articles 301 and 305. ANKARA 00007590 002 OF 003 According to the intellectuals, these two articles thwart freedom of thought and expression. The declaration stated that there has been an increase recently in the number of trials based on article 301. YOK Struggle Against the New Regulation for Imam-Hatip Graduates: The Higher Education Board (YOK) filed a suit yesterday to cancel a decree making university access easier for graduates of Imam-Hatip schools. "Cumhuriyet" says that the recent decree damages Turkey's secular system. Opening of a New American Consulate in Erbil: "Milliyet" reports that US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, told Zagros TV that the Iraqi Kurds are the US's strategic allies and the US is going to open a Consulate in Erbil in the very near future. Secretary Rice's Upcoming Visit to Turkey: "Cumhuriyet," SIPDIS citing diplomatic sources, says that Secretary Rice will be coming to Turkey at the beginning of February to discuss Iran, Syria, Iraq and PKK issues. According to same diplomatic sources, visiting Turkey after the CIA and FBI leaders, Rice will present Turkey with more concrete evidence on Syria and Iraq and will ask Ankara to take a tougher stance against the two countries. US Assistant Secretary E. Anthony Wayne's Op-ed: The December 26 edition of "Sabah" carried an op-ed piece written by E Anthony Wayne, Assistant Secretary of State for Economy and Business Relations, about countering terrorism by cutting off terrorist financing. EDITORIAL OPINION: US-Turkey; GWOT "Awaiting Secretary Rice" Yilmaz Oztuna observed in the conservative daily "Turkiye" (12/27): "The visit of the FBI and CIA directors to Ankara received significant attention in the European press. Turkey now expects to host Secretary Rice in Ankara in early January. She is going to engage in serious discussions with Turkey about regional and strategic topics, in which Turkey has a very important role. During the talks with Secretary Rice, Ankara is expected to bring up the elimination of terrorist organizations, like the PKK and Armenian ASALA. Ankara will also ask the US to pressure the Greek Cypriots toward a peaceful settlement. According to the German press, Secretary Rice will ask in return for Turkey's strategic help in a strike against Iran. Iran currently poses a threat against the entire western system, not only to the US. Nevertheless, interestingly Iran did not accept the recent offer from Russia to cooperate on a uranium enrichment program. The developments regarding Iran require close analysis and Turkey should be prepared for comprehensive talks with Secretary Rice." "The Decline of Bush's Popularity" Oral Calislar wrote in the leftist-nationalist "Cumhuriyet" (12/27): "Recent news from the United States clearly indicates that the image of Bush as a hero is gone, as he is losing popularity very quickly. The occupation of Iraq did not bring any power and prestige for President Bush. The resistance of the Iraqi people has become a main factor in the collapse of the image of a `powerful' war machine. The partners of President Bush are currently leaving Iraq. It was unacceptable to begin with that the US could invade a country, violating international laws and justifying its action with lies. The US thought that it could because it was so powerful. President Bush is not a trustworthy figure ANKARA 00007590 003 OF 003 in the eyes of the American people. The clock is tickling against him. In this atmosphere, there is additional speculation about the possibility of an American operation against Iran. If that happens, it will only bring more disaster. However, President Bush might consider taking such an insane action in hopes of restoring his image. Elections are the most significant indicators in American politics. Can conservative Republicans engage in insane acts on the eve of presidential elections? It is very difficult but it is not impossible either." WILSON