Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA4623
2006-08-10 14:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
how-toVZCZCXRO7825 OO RUEHDA DE RUEHAK #4623/01 2221443 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 101443Z AUG 06 ZDK CTG HCB SVC 1676 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7832 RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC//PA RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 7341 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1070 RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1003 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 5378 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 5081 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1706 RUEUITH/DET 1 39LG ANKARA TU RHMFISS/USDOCO 6ATAF IZMIR TU RHMFIUU/39OS INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 523 IZMIR TU RHMFIUU/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 522 INCIRLIK AB TU RUEUITH/AFLO ANKARA TU
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 004623
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, AUGUST 10, 2006
ANKARA 00004623 001.3 OF 002
In Today's Papers
CHP Slams AKP Conduct on PKK, Lebanon
Sabah, Milliyet, Cumhuriyet and Yeni Safak: The main opposition
CHP leader Deniz Baykal criticized the ruling AK Party government's
policy in the struggle against terrorism. With regard to the
ongoing debate about the issue of American and Turkish special PKK
coordinators, Baykal said the real purpose of the coordinator is to
bring Turkey to the negotiating table with the PKK. On the Lebanon
crisis, Baykal said the Turkish parliament must convene to adopt a
policy regarding the growing violence in the region. "Things are
moving toward a dangerous point for Americans. Anti-American
sentiments are growing in the Islamic world. It is unacceptable for
Turkey to dispatch troops to join an international force for Lebanon
before a cease-fire is secured," Baykal said. CHP lawmaker Tacidar
Seyhan asked in a motion submitted to the parliament whether weapons
had been ferried to Israel from Incirlik Airbase, and whether Turkey
had promised the US to support the Israeli operations in the region.
CHP deputy chairman Onur Oymen said Incirlik was a NATO base, not
an American base, and that the alleged transfer of ammunition from
the base to the Middle East should not be allowed. "Turkey must
pursue a more active policy. Where was the Turkish foreign minister
when several of his colleagues paid visits to Israel and Lebanon?"
Oymen maintained.
Erdogan, Hashimi Discuss the PKK, Kirkuk
Sabah, Radikal and Zaman report Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned
during a meeting yesterday with visiting Iraqi Vice President Tariq
al-Hashimi that northern Iraq must not be a shelter for the PKK
organization. Erdogan urged Hashimi to take "satisfactory" measures
against the terrorist organization. Erdogan also stressed that
Arabs must prevent a sectarian conflict between the Sunnis and
Shiites in Iraq. Erdogan maintained that the oil-rich city of
Kirkuk must be given special status. Erdogan and Hashimi also
discussed opening two more border crossings between the two
countries.
Commenting in mainstream Milliyet, Guneri Civaoglu suggests that,
instead of democracy, the US should work for stability in the Middle
East: "After the recent developments in the Middle East, the US
should shelve its Greater Middle East Project, started after the
September 11 attacks in the name of democratization. With each
election in the Middle East either radical Islam gets the highest
votes or, as happened in Iraq, elections lead to chaos. In the next
phase, the US should try to establish more pragmatic and realistic
relations in order to create stable administrations, rather than
democracies."
Soli Ozel writing in mainstream Sabah argues that Turkey should play
an active role in helping to stabilize the region: "As an important
regional power and NATO member on its way to EU membership, Turkey
can guarantee Iraq's sovereignty better than the Arab countries.
Prior to the Iraqi war, Turkey had concerns that the responsibility
for controlling Iran's strategic stability would end up with Turkey,
instead of war-tired Iraq. Now, the question is 'Will Turkey
willingly assume responsibility for the stability of the Gulf
Region?'
Turkey to Downsize Ground Troops
Hurriyet, Sabah, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others: Turkey's
new Chief of General Staff appointee General Yasar Buyukanit told
Turkish Defense and Aerospace magazine that the land forces will be
downsized by 30 percent over the coming years as part of a
restructuring effort under a plan entitled "Force 2014." Buyukanit
said the plan envisages a reduction in size but greater
modernization of the land forces.
Paramount Pictures to Build Disneyland in Ankara
Sabah, Milliyet and Turkiye report Paramount Pictures offered to
ANKARA 00004623 002 OF 002
build a giant amusement park, a "Disneyland," on a 3 million square
meter parcel of land in Ankara. Prime Minister Erdogan instructed
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and other related state
institutions to facilitate the process. Construction of the USD 1
billion theme park will be kicked off in 2007, creating 30,000 jobs.
TV Highlights
NTV, 8.00 a.m
Domestic News
- Prime Minister Erdogan hosted a banquet yesterday for visiting
Saudi King Abdullah in Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. King Abdullah
praised Turkey's efforts to defuse the conflict in Lebanon.
Abdullah plans to invest USD 7-10 billion in Turkey.
- Turkish military buildup on the border with Iraq continues with
hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles moving toward the border
towns of Yuksekova, Semdinli, and Cukurca.
- Turkey will buy 50 SLAM-ER missiles from the US at USD 139
million, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said.
- A construction company drilled too close to Istanbul's subway
system during an excavation, nearly causing iron rods that run
through the subway system to fall on trains below near the crowded
Taksim Square metro station. The company was performing
unauthorized drilling.
International News
- The Israeli cabinet has decided to expand its ground offensive in
Lebanon. The US and France continue to disagree over an Israeli
troop pull out of Lebanon, further delaying a UN resolution that
could lead to a cease-fire.
- Israeli attacks on Lebanon increase the popularity of Hezbollah
leader Nasrallah in Damascus where Hezbollah flags and Nasrallah
t-shirts are the best selling items in the Syrian capital.
- Turkish Cypriot officials slammed the UN special Cyprus
representative Michael Moller for siding with the Greek Cypriots and
refusing to meet with Turkish officials in the north of the divided
island.
- Terrorist organization PKK reportedly decided to close its offices
in Iraq.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON
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, AUGUST 10, 2006
ANKARA 00004623 001.3 OF 002
In Today's Papers
CHP Slams AKP Conduct on PKK, Lebanon
Sabah, Milliyet, Cumhuriyet and Yeni Safak: The main opposition
CHP leader Deniz Baykal criticized the ruling AK Party government's
policy in the struggle against terrorism. With regard to the
ongoing debate about the issue of American and Turkish special PKK
coordinators, Baykal said the real purpose of the coordinator is to
bring Turkey to the negotiating table with the PKK. On the Lebanon
crisis, Baykal said the Turkish parliament must convene to adopt a
policy regarding the growing violence in the region. "Things are
moving toward a dangerous point for Americans. Anti-American
sentiments are growing in the Islamic world. It is unacceptable for
Turkey to dispatch troops to join an international force for Lebanon
before a cease-fire is secured," Baykal said. CHP lawmaker Tacidar
Seyhan asked in a motion submitted to the parliament whether weapons
had been ferried to Israel from Incirlik Airbase, and whether Turkey
had promised the US to support the Israeli operations in the region.
CHP deputy chairman Onur Oymen said Incirlik was a NATO base, not
an American base, and that the alleged transfer of ammunition from
the base to the Middle East should not be allowed. "Turkey must
pursue a more active policy. Where was the Turkish foreign minister
when several of his colleagues paid visits to Israel and Lebanon?"
Oymen maintained.
Erdogan, Hashimi Discuss the PKK, Kirkuk
Sabah, Radikal and Zaman report Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned
during a meeting yesterday with visiting Iraqi Vice President Tariq
al-Hashimi that northern Iraq must not be a shelter for the PKK
organization. Erdogan urged Hashimi to take "satisfactory" measures
against the terrorist organization. Erdogan also stressed that
Arabs must prevent a sectarian conflict between the Sunnis and
Shiites in Iraq. Erdogan maintained that the oil-rich city of
Kirkuk must be given special status. Erdogan and Hashimi also
discussed opening two more border crossings between the two
countries.
Commenting in mainstream Milliyet, Guneri Civaoglu suggests that,
instead of democracy, the US should work for stability in the Middle
East: "After the recent developments in the Middle East, the US
should shelve its Greater Middle East Project, started after the
September 11 attacks in the name of democratization. With each
election in the Middle East either radical Islam gets the highest
votes or, as happened in Iraq, elections lead to chaos. In the next
phase, the US should try to establish more pragmatic and realistic
relations in order to create stable administrations, rather than
democracies."
Soli Ozel writing in mainstream Sabah argues that Turkey should play
an active role in helping to stabilize the region: "As an important
regional power and NATO member on its way to EU membership, Turkey
can guarantee Iraq's sovereignty better than the Arab countries.
Prior to the Iraqi war, Turkey had concerns that the responsibility
for controlling Iran's strategic stability would end up with Turkey,
instead of war-tired Iraq. Now, the question is 'Will Turkey
willingly assume responsibility for the stability of the Gulf
Region?'
Turkey to Downsize Ground Troops
Hurriyet, Sabah, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others: Turkey's
new Chief of General Staff appointee General Yasar Buyukanit told
Turkish Defense and Aerospace magazine that the land forces will be
downsized by 30 percent over the coming years as part of a
restructuring effort under a plan entitled "Force 2014." Buyukanit
said the plan envisages a reduction in size but greater
modernization of the land forces.
Paramount Pictures to Build Disneyland in Ankara
Sabah, Milliyet and Turkiye report Paramount Pictures offered to
ANKARA 00004623 002 OF 002
build a giant amusement park, a "Disneyland," on a 3 million square
meter parcel of land in Ankara. Prime Minister Erdogan instructed
Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and other related state
institutions to facilitate the process. Construction of the USD 1
billion theme park will be kicked off in 2007, creating 30,000 jobs.
TV Highlights
NTV, 8.00 a.m
Domestic News
- Prime Minister Erdogan hosted a banquet yesterday for visiting
Saudi King Abdullah in Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. King Abdullah
praised Turkey's efforts to defuse the conflict in Lebanon.
Abdullah plans to invest USD 7-10 billion in Turkey.
- Turkish military buildup on the border with Iraq continues with
hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles moving toward the border
towns of Yuksekova, Semdinli, and Cukurca.
- Turkey will buy 50 SLAM-ER missiles from the US at USD 139
million, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said.
- A construction company drilled too close to Istanbul's subway
system during an excavation, nearly causing iron rods that run
through the subway system to fall on trains below near the crowded
Taksim Square metro station. The company was performing
unauthorized drilling.
International News
- The Israeli cabinet has decided to expand its ground offensive in
Lebanon. The US and France continue to disagree over an Israeli
troop pull out of Lebanon, further delaying a UN resolution that
could lead to a cease-fire.
- Israeli attacks on Lebanon increase the popularity of Hezbollah
leader Nasrallah in Damascus where Hezbollah flags and Nasrallah
t-shirts are the best selling items in the Syrian capital.
- Turkish Cypriot officials slammed the UN special Cyprus
representative Michael Moller for siding with the Greek Cypriots and
refusing to meet with Turkish officials in the north of the divided
island.
- Terrorist organization PKK reportedly decided to close its offices
in Iraq.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON