ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 003544 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, JUNE 15, 2006 In Today's Papers MFA Denies Turkey Helped CIA Rendition Flights Hurriyet, Milliyet, Cumhuriyet, Radikal, Zaman and others: Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) Spokesman Namik Tan said yesterday at a weekly press briefing that "Turkey has never played a role" in the covert transfer of terrorism suspects to third countries or US-run detention centers, in response to a Council of Europe report listing Turkey among the European countries that helped the US in rendition flights. Last week's report by Swiss parliamentarian Dick Marty finding a "spider's web" of bases around the world used by the US for "extraordinary rendition," held Turkey responsible along with14 European countries for violations of the rights of specific persons. London-based Amnesty International (AI) also said Turkey, along with Britain, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was implicated in six rendition cases. Tan recalled that in an interview with Turkey's semi-official Anatolian News Agency in December, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had strongly denied reports that terror suspects were brought to Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport and interrogated by foreign officials. Tan also said it was out of the question that CIA planes might have used Incirlik Airbase in south Turkey during the transfer of suspects, without notifying the Turkish government. Ambiguity over a Possible Gul Visit to Iran Hurriyet, Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Radikal, Zaman and others: At a weekly press conference on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) Spokesman Namik Tan denied work was underway to schedule a visit by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to Tehran. "However," Tan added, "in the coming days, if it is considered necessary, then such a visit would be very natural." Tan reminded the press that Turkey was in close contact with the relevant parties, but underlined that Ankara's efforts should be considered as something "less than intermediation." On Tuesday, Hurriyet had claimed that Gul could stop over in Tehran on his way back from trips to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan that will kick off over the weekend. The paper said when in Iran, Gul would meet with Iran's spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "If it will serve to achieve a result, needless to say I will go, but we haven't made a decision yet," Gul was quoted as saying. Erdogan to Visit Cyprus in July Bugun, Yeni Safak: Prime Minister Erdogan is planning to pay a visit to Cyprus on July 20 (32nd anniversary of Turkish Military invasion of the island) for Peace and Freedom celebrations. While he is on the Island, Erdogan will urge the world for a concrete solution. Turkey, US Stress Cooperation in Central Asia, Afghanistan Cumhuriyet reports at a meeting in Ankara yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher underlined ongoing cooperation and common interests in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Boucher praised Turkey's contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and stressed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline to carry Caspian oil to western markets was an opportunity for the Central Asian countries. Boucher said the BTC route should also carry natural gas, and that they were working for more oil to be pumped into the BTC to Turkey. Pew Survey: Only 12 Percent of Turks Support Global War on Terror All papers carry a PEW poll carried out in 14 countries including Turkey, which shows America's global image has again slipped with support for the war on terror declining even among US allies. The survey shows that Turkey has the most negative attitudes toward the US with only 12 percent of Turks favorable. It says that Europeans and Turks view the situation in Iraq as a bigger threat to world peace than Iran's nuclear activities. Only three percent of Turks hold a favorable view of President Bush, the lowest among all the countries surveyed. Iranian President Ahmedinejad has the support of 25 percent. More than three-quarters of Turks, 77 percent, ANKARA 00003544 002 OF 003 oppose the US-led war on terror, up from 56 percent in 2004. The Pew survey finds that the US-led war on terror draws majority support in just two countries, India and Russia. US Marine Video Clip Scandal Sabah, Milliyet, Radikal say that following the Haditha killings, another scandal broke out when a video clip posted on the Internet showing a US Marine singing a song called "Hadji Girl," to a cheering crowd. The song is about massacring a Muslim family when their daughter resisted him with a gun. The alleged singer, Corporal Joshua Belile, said in the face of reactions that the song was a joke, and apologized to the Muslims in the US. The American Islamic Relations Council demanded an investigation. FM Gul Praises Turkish Military Support in EU Process Radikal: Columnist Murat Yetkin reports that Foreign Minister Gul has said that the government received immense support from the Turkish military in the EU process. Gul was quoted as saying that "implementing EU harmonization reforms would be impossible without the military's support. The Military's strategic vision played an important role in this process." Gul noted that the change in Turkey's Cyprus policy would not be possible without the support of the military. Turkish diplomats coordinated with the military at every point to determine Turkey's Cyprus policy. Gul stressed that it would be wrong to attribute the military's support only to Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, because the support had come from the military as an institution. Gul added that the support extended by the military to the government in the EU membership process was much stronger than the support extended by some civilian organizations. Editorial Comment on Palestine Ertugrul Ozkok commented in mass appeal Hurriyet: "We kept hearing the same rhetoric following the election results in Palestine: Hamas is the elected representative of the Palestinian people. Recent developments in Palestine have proved just the opposite. By making a decision to ask the people about recognition of Israel, Palestinian President Abbas took a very realistic and important step toward ending the chaos and economic strife of his people. And at this point the so-called elected representatives - Hamas - are now standing against the idea of getting the people's opinion. Abbas made a historic decision which may change the entire course of the Middle East. We should wish him every success in this mission which will transfer the fate of peace from a terrorist organization directly into the hands of the people." TV Highlights NTV, 8.00 a.m. Domestic News - Prime Minister Erdogan told the press aboard the plane returning home from Macedonia that the current parliament has the representational capability to elect the next president of Turkey, and that his party will nominate someone with "leadership characteristics" for the office. - The trial of the suspected killer of Andrea Santoro, the Italian priest murdered at the Santa Maria Church in the Black Sea city of Trabzon in February, was adjourned until 13 July. The 16-year-old suspect faces life in prison. - Turkey said it was likely to seek financial compensation from Greece following a mid-air collision between two F-16 jetfighters on May 23. Turkish Foreign Ministry said a report is being prepared by the authorities, and if it is in favor of Turkey, compensation will be demanded. - Turkish troops killed two PKK members during an operation in the ANKARA 00003544 003 OF 003 eastern Tunceli province. - In May, Turkey's budget showed a surplus for the first time since 1984, said Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, stressing that the government is determined to maintain financial discipline, and that no dramatic fluctuations were expected in exchange rate. - Fitch Ratings said it may revise Turkey's credit rating downward if the country's economic and fiscal position deteriorates further. "If there are further policy slippages or negative shocks then Fitch may revise the outlook on Turkey's 'BB-' foreign currency and local currency Issuer Default ratings to stable from positive," Fitch said in a statement. International News - Prime Minister al-Maliki has launched a security crackdown against insurgents in Baghdad, but also extended an olive branch to Sunni rebels who want to join the political process in an effort to end violence. - Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said a new international offer of incentives to encourage Tehran to stop uranium enrichment was "very positive" and would be examined seriously. - Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah's advisor told Haaretz Hamas is prepared to offer a 50 or 60-year cease-fire if Israel withdraws to the 1967 borders. - UNSYG Annan said he was "shocked and saddened" by the latest Israeli missile attack into Gaza, which killed nine people and wounded 40. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON