ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002587 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, MAY 9, 2006 In Today's Papers Larijani Holds Talks in Ankara All papers: On Monday, visiting Iranian national security advisor and chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani met with Prime Minister Erdogan, Foreign Minister Gul, and National Security Council (MGK) Secretary-General Alpogan. Following his meetings, Larijani told the press the US was not honest with Turkey regarding the anti-terror fight against the PKK, claiming US officials have been holding talks with PKK officials in Mosul and Kirkuk. Vatan reports the US Embassy rejected the claims, saying the US would never engage in talks with the PKK or any terrorist organization. Larijani proposed cooperation among Turkey, Iran and Syria to fight against the PKK. In an interview with the all-news broadcaster NTV, Larijani underlined the importance of the letter sent by Iranian President Ahmadinejad to President Bush, one which could reduce the tension surrounding the issue. "Iran is not like Iraq," Larijani said, warning that a US attack would be a big mistake. He called on Turkey to resist efforts of Western countries to deprive Muslim countries of nuclear technology. Larijani also noted that Iran had been striving for six months to discuss the issue of Iraq with the US. Ankara warned Larijani to "remember the Iraq example," urging him to take into account world reactions and cooperate with the international community. Ankara also said Iranian statements against Israel further deteriorated the image of Tehran. "How can you convince others that Iran has peaceful purposes when you have not been able to convince the head of the IAEA, al-Baradei? The world has formed a united bloc against Iran, and Turkey will move together with the international community. Iran should not rely merely on Russia and China while making evaluations," Ankara reportedly told Larijani. Papers say Larijani signaled that Iran was ready to sit at the table with the US to resolve the nuclear crisis, and that he asked Turkey to mediate between Iran and the West by explaining Iranian positions. Papers say Ankara turned down the proposal. In a move seen by the papers as a US response to the visit of Larijani to Ankara, Ambassador Gregory Schulte briefed Turkish reporters from Vienna through a digital video conference held by the US Embassy. Schulte said the visit of Larijani to Turkey was an attempt to break the international consensus against Iran's nuclear program. Turkey supports the international consensus against Iranian nuclear aspirations, Schulte said, adding that Iran would pose a big threat for the Middle East if it produced nuclear weapons. A delegation of US Congressmen met Foreign Minister Gul and MGK Secretary General Alpogan on Monday, urging the Turks not to issue messages that would encourage Larijani. Gul told the Congressmen Turkey did not want a new crisis in the region, assuring them strong messages urging for transparency were conveyed to Larijani. US Abandons Plans of Military Presence in Black Sea Washington has canceled plans for extending the NATO-led Mediterranean mission Operation Active Endeavor into the Black Sea, Sabah and Yeni Safak report. Secretary Rice told Ankara during a recent visit that the US abandoned its plan to deploy vessels into the Black Sea to prevent arms and human trafficking and to enhance security in the region. Commenting on the balance of power in the region, Erdal Safak notes in Sabah that Russian leader Putin has developed a new doctrine: "using the power that comes with possessing ANKARA 00002587 002 OF 003 huge amounts of oil and natural gas to be a superpower again." Safak believes that the US has developed a policy to counter that doctrine with three primary goals: "First, the US aims to establish bases in the former East block countries, an aim which has largely been achieved. Secondly, the US has looked for ways to divert Caucasus and Asian energy resources to European destinations in order to minimize Russian influence. This has also been achieved to a great extend. The third goal is to gain control over Russian energy routes which calls for gaining control of the Black Sea. The US proposed that Turkey expand NATO missions in the Black Sea, using fighting human trafficking and terrorism as pretexts for the expansion. Turkey kept a significant distance from this proposal because of concerns about possible violation of the Montreaux Treaty. Now the US has withdrawn its proposal so the undeclared cold war between the two allies regarding the Black Sea has ended. However this does not necessarily mean all is well and the Black Sea debate is over; there will be new tactics to gain control of the Black Sea corridor." Turkey Recalls Ambassadors to Paris, Ottawa over Armenian Genocide Bill All papers: Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan stated yesterday that both Turkish Ambassador to France Osman Koruturk and Turkish Ambassador to Canada Aydemir Erman have been recalled for consultations concerning the French Parliament's possible approval of the Armenian bill and Canada's move to recognize the 1915 events as "genocide." The two Ambassadors are expected to return to their posts after the consultations, Tan added. Vatan quotes the chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee Mehmet Dulger as saying, "If the bill is approved by the French Parliament, Turkey will consider applying sanctions to French companies and goods." Livni to Visit Turkey, Sezer to Israel Cumhuriyet reports Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will visit Turkey in the third week of May to discuss Hamas and the role of Turkey in the region. President Sezer is expected to pay a state visit to Israel on June 7. Sources said the visit of Livni before Sezer's trip to Israel will help the efforts for a total normalization of bilateral ties. Greek EFG Purchases 70 percent of Tekfenbank Vatan, Sabah, Referans, Dunya and others: The Greek EFG Eurobank purchased 70 percent of Turkish Tekfenbank shares at a price of $182 million. According to the agreement signed by the two banks, Eurobank EFG will purchase 70 percent of Tekfenbank shares together with Tekfen financial leasing owned by Tekfen group. Tekfen group will keep the remaining shares and continue with its strategic partnership in the bank. "Dangerous Developments" In Iraq Columnist Gunduz Aktan observed in Radikal: "A US Senator and an American foreign policy analyst held up Bosnia- Herzegovina as a model for the future of Iraq. In a recent article they suggested that Iraq be divided into three regions in a loose federation. Given such statements, it is hard to believe America is sincere in its efforts to bring democracy to the region. If those suggestions prove true, US prestige will experience a serious blow, making true all the speculation that the real US goal is to divide Iraq and control Kirkuk oil. Even more seriously, such a development will enhance the hand of those who have been saying that the US is acting with anti-Islam motivations. The Turkish parliament rejected the March 1 motion despite all its consequences and the consequences are now becoming obvious." ANKARA 00002587 003 OF 003 TV Highlights NTV (8 a.m) Domestic News - The main opposition CHP leader Deniz Baykal said Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc should not be allowed to run for president. - Extreme nationalist party MHP and the leftist/nationalist Workers' Party members have staged a protest against the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew's participation in a sermon held in a church in Bergama near the Aegean city of Izmir. International News - Iraqi President Talabani said US Secretaries Rice and Rumsfeld had promised to prevent Turkish military incursions into northern Iraq. - President Bush has picked Air Force General Michael Hayden as the new CIA chief. Economy News - Turkey is ranked 13th in foreign investment trust index with direct foreign investments predicted to exceed USD 1 billion in 13 years. State Minister for Economy, Ali Babacan said investments in Turkey had increased by 3.5 percent in the past year. - Council of State (Danistay) has rejected a request to annul the privatization of 51 percent stake of Turkish oil refiner Tupras. - Financial Times reported Sabanci Group, one of Turkey's largest industrial conglomerates, plans to spend up to USD 3 billion over the next five years building new power stations and electricity distribution systems to help feed Turkey's growing economy. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON