Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA4687
2006-08-11 14:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 004687
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, AUGUST 11, 2006
In Today's Papers
Britain Foils Terrorist Plot to Blow Up Planes
All papers give extensive front-page coverage to a major terrorist
plot to blow up aircraft midair between Britain and the United
States, a simultaneous attempt thwarted by British police Thursday
morning. Twenty-four suspects, all of them Muslim British nationals
have been arrested by British police. Turkish papers say the plot,
thought to have been connected to al-Qaeda, was the worst terrorist
threat since the September 11 attacks in the US. The terrorist plot
has had an impact across global stock markets, including the
Istanbul Stock Exchange. The Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA)
released a statement lauding the British security forces for their
success in foiling a bloody attack. A commentary in Vatan says
Turkey had earlier become the target of al-Qaeda attacks, and warns
the country to prepare for new terrorist attempts.
Mottaki Visits Turkey
Sabah and Yeni Safak carry a report by the Iranian state-run news
agency IRNA saying
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki is to arrive in Istanbul
on Friday to discuss with Turks the situation in Lebanon and
Palestine as well as Tehran's nuclear activities. Mottaki is to
meet with Foreign Minister Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan. Sabah
says the request for Mottaki's visit came from the Iranians, and
Foreign Minister Gul accepted it.
Turkey Seeks Broad Consensus before Kirkuk Referendum Next Year
Sabah, Zaman and Yeni Safak report Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met
with Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi and seven Sunni and
Shiite Turkmen lawmakers in Istanbul yesterday. Gul told Hashimi
and the Turkmen that the upcoming referendum on Kirkuk would not
help solve the problems, and that a broader compromise was needed
before holding the referendum next year. An unidentified Turkish
official told Zaman Turkey was seeking special status for Kirkuk.
Zapsu Defends Ties with al-Qadi
All papers: Cuneyd Zapsu, former businessman who became advisor to
Prime Minister Erdogan, responded to press questions regarding his
ties with Yasin al-Qadi, the Saudi financier accused of sponsoring
international terrorism. "The United States has been unfair to
al-Qadi," Zapsu said, "Saudi Arabia has applied to the US, demanding
al-Qadi be dropped from the list of terrorism sponsors, since no
charges have been filed against him thus far." On his business ties
with the Saudi businessman, Zapsu said besides al-Qadi, Merrill
Lynch and Bank of America were partners in BIM Corp., a Turkish
chain of supermarkets owned by the Zapsu family. "I came under
heavy criticism for my partnership with al-Qadi, but no one ever
asked my American partners Merrill Lynch and Bank of America
anything. I wonder why," Zapsu emphasized.
Ministry Bans Loud Music in Bars after Midnight
Hurriyet reports Turkish Environment Ministry said control of bars
and restaurants along the Bosphorus causing noise pollution by
playing high-volume music will be expanded to other major cities and
coastal tourist towns. Earlier this week, the ministry had closed
some bars in Istanbul playing extremely loud music, saying nearby
residents complained that they could not sleep. Some opposition CHP
lawmakers said noise pollution had been a pretext for the
conservative ruling AK Party to close restaurants serving alcohol.
Editorial Commentary: Turkey and Israel; US Middle East Policy
Ibrahim Karagul argues in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak that while
officials condemn Israel's actions, Turkey's close economic and
military ties with that country make the condemnations hypocritical:
"As the second best friend of Israel, let us discuss Turkey's role
in the US-Israel attacks against Lebanon. Why has the military
ANKARA 00004687 002 OF 003
partnership between Turkey and Israel never been questioned as the
Israeli attacks on Lebanon are being criticized by the whole world,
including Turkish public? Why it is not highlighted that Turkey
continues to give full support to Israel in every way? While Israel
is criticized in politicians' messages to the Turkish people, why
has no one thought of canceling any of the military/security
agreements with Israel? Why is no one questioning the Israeli
electronic devices built on our borders, or our partnership in the
missile defense project? Israeli pilots, who have been trained at
Konya air base, are massacring civilians in Lebanon now. Were the
military exercises by the US-Turkey-Israel in the east Mediterranean
preparations for these attacks? Can someone explain the reason for
Turkish Special Forces' presence in Lebanon, and tell me what kind
of operations they are being used for? The truth is, Turkey has a
role in the Israeli massacres in Lebanon, as well! Turkey is
responsible too! While cursing Israel, we all are responsible for
this massacre!"
Writing in the mainstream Milliyet, Taha Akyol says that Israeli
militarism is "feeding terrorism": "Each time Condoleezza Rice
heard comments about the US occupation of Iraq provoking terrorism,
she reiterated that the US was neither in Iraq nor Afghanistan when
terrorists attacked the twin towers on September 11. There is one
fact that Secretary Rice either misses or wants to ignore: the US
may not have been occupying Iraq and Afghanistan before September
11, but Israel was occupying East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza
Strip and the Golan Heights, and was torturing people in these
areas. And this occupation has fed today's insurgency, conflicts
and terrorism. The Israeli military has been the winner of each war
so far but they couldn't manage to handle organizations like Hamas
and Hezbollah, using special war tactics. This is a historic chain,
and the terror plot against the US that was thwarted in London
yesterday, is one of the links in this chain. Israeli militarism is
feeding terrorism once again by its cruelty in Lebanon. It is
necessary to oppose Israeli militarism as well as Hezbollah and
Hamas activities, otherwise terror attempts, like the one in
Heathrow yesterday, unfortunately will continue."
TV Highlights
NTV (8 a.m.)
Domestic News
- Turkish Second Army Commander General Sukru Sariisik said PKK
terrorism sponsored by the West and fundamentalist activities were
main threats for Turkey. Sariisik is to become the commander of
Aegean Army on August 30.
- King Abdullah said Turkey and Saudi Arabia should cooperate in
developing new business projects, with Saudi businessmen planning to
invest in Turkey in real estate and health sectors. Prime Minister
Erdogan also invited Saudi businessmen to invest in Turkey.
- 100 members of the Human Rights Association (IHD),Amnesty
International and the Association of Oppressed People gathered
before the Lebanese Consulate General in Istanbul. The protestors
held a 2-hour sit-in during which they condemned Israel for its
human rights violations and massacres of civilians in Lebanon.
- The trial of Arslan Alparslan, the main suspect in the deadly
Council of State shooting, and four of his accomplices begins today.
The Prosecutor is demanding life sentences for Arslan and friends
who are charged with attempting to undermine the constitutional
order.
- The US-based international investment bank Merrill Lynch is in
negotiations to buy Turkey's Tat Investment Bank at USD 6 million.
ANKARA 00004687 003 OF 003
International News
- Israeli warplanes dropped leaflets over downtown Beirut on
Thursday, warning residents of three southern suburbs to evacuate
immediately.
- US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said Secretary Rice
was looking for the right person to appoint as the special
coordinator under the framework of the three-party mechanism to
fight against the PKK.
- Iranian President Ahmadinejad said hatred of President Bush
increased every day around the world.
- A suicide bomb attack near a Shiite shrine in the Iraqi city of
Najaf killed 35 and wounded more than 50 others.
- Venezuelan opposition parties agreed to support a single candidate
in an effort to challenge Hugo Chavez in December's presidential
election.
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
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2006
In Today's Papers
Britain Foils Terrorist Plot to Blow Up Planes
All papers give extensive front-page coverage to a major terrorist
plot to blow up aircraft midair between Britain and the United
States, a simultaneous attempt thwarted by British police Thursday
morning. Twenty-four suspects, all of them Muslim British nationals
have been arrested by British police. Turkish papers say the plot,
thought to have been connected to al-Qaeda, was the worst terrorist
threat since the September 11 attacks in the US. The terrorist plot
has had an impact across global stock markets, including the
Istanbul Stock Exchange. The Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA)
released a statement lauding the British security forces for their
success in foiling a bloody attack. A commentary in Vatan says
Turkey had earlier become the target of al-Qaeda attacks, and warns
the country to prepare for new terrorist attempts.
Mottaki Visits Turkey
Sabah and Yeni Safak carry a report by the Iranian state-run news
agency IRNA saying
Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki is to arrive in Istanbul
on Friday to discuss with Turks the situation in Lebanon and
Palestine as well as Tehran's nuclear activities. Mottaki is to
meet with Foreign Minister Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan. Sabah
says the request for Mottaki's visit came from the Iranians, and
Foreign Minister Gul accepted it.
Turkey Seeks Broad Consensus before Kirkuk Referendum Next Year
Sabah, Zaman and Yeni Safak report Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met
with Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi and seven Sunni and
Shiite Turkmen lawmakers in Istanbul yesterday. Gul told Hashimi
and the Turkmen that the upcoming referendum on Kirkuk would not
help solve the problems, and that a broader compromise was needed
before holding the referendum next year. An unidentified Turkish
official told Zaman Turkey was seeking special status for Kirkuk.
Zapsu Defends Ties with al-Qadi
All papers: Cuneyd Zapsu, former businessman who became advisor to
Prime Minister Erdogan, responded to press questions regarding his
ties with Yasin al-Qadi, the Saudi financier accused of sponsoring
international terrorism. "The United States has been unfair to
al-Qadi," Zapsu said, "Saudi Arabia has applied to the US, demanding
al-Qadi be dropped from the list of terrorism sponsors, since no
charges have been filed against him thus far." On his business ties
with the Saudi businessman, Zapsu said besides al-Qadi, Merrill
Lynch and Bank of America were partners in BIM Corp., a Turkish
chain of supermarkets owned by the Zapsu family. "I came under
heavy criticism for my partnership with al-Qadi, but no one ever
asked my American partners Merrill Lynch and Bank of America
anything. I wonder why," Zapsu emphasized.
Ministry Bans Loud Music in Bars after Midnight
Hurriyet reports Turkish Environment Ministry said control of bars
and restaurants along the Bosphorus causing noise pollution by
playing high-volume music will be expanded to other major cities and
coastal tourist towns. Earlier this week, the ministry had closed
some bars in Istanbul playing extremely loud music, saying nearby
residents complained that they could not sleep. Some opposition CHP
lawmakers said noise pollution had been a pretext for the
conservative ruling AK Party to close restaurants serving alcohol.
Editorial Commentary: Turkey and Israel; US Middle East Policy
Ibrahim Karagul argues in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak that while
officials condemn Israel's actions, Turkey's close economic and
military ties with that country make the condemnations hypocritical:
"As the second best friend of Israel, let us discuss Turkey's role
in the US-Israel attacks against Lebanon. Why has the military
ANKARA 00004687 002 OF 003
partnership between Turkey and Israel never been questioned as the
Israeli attacks on Lebanon are being criticized by the whole world,
including Turkish public? Why it is not highlighted that Turkey
continues to give full support to Israel in every way? While Israel
is criticized in politicians' messages to the Turkish people, why
has no one thought of canceling any of the military/security
agreements with Israel? Why is no one questioning the Israeli
electronic devices built on our borders, or our partnership in the
missile defense project? Israeli pilots, who have been trained at
Konya air base, are massacring civilians in Lebanon now. Were the
military exercises by the US-Turkey-Israel in the east Mediterranean
preparations for these attacks? Can someone explain the reason for
Turkish Special Forces' presence in Lebanon, and tell me what kind
of operations they are being used for? The truth is, Turkey has a
role in the Israeli massacres in Lebanon, as well! Turkey is
responsible too! While cursing Israel, we all are responsible for
this massacre!"
Writing in the mainstream Milliyet, Taha Akyol says that Israeli
militarism is "feeding terrorism": "Each time Condoleezza Rice
heard comments about the US occupation of Iraq provoking terrorism,
she reiterated that the US was neither in Iraq nor Afghanistan when
terrorists attacked the twin towers on September 11. There is one
fact that Secretary Rice either misses or wants to ignore: the US
may not have been occupying Iraq and Afghanistan before September
11, but Israel was occupying East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza
Strip and the Golan Heights, and was torturing people in these
areas. And this occupation has fed today's insurgency, conflicts
and terrorism. The Israeli military has been the winner of each war
so far but they couldn't manage to handle organizations like Hamas
and Hezbollah, using special war tactics. This is a historic chain,
and the terror plot against the US that was thwarted in London
yesterday, is one of the links in this chain. Israeli militarism is
feeding terrorism once again by its cruelty in Lebanon. It is
necessary to oppose Israeli militarism as well as Hezbollah and
Hamas activities, otherwise terror attempts, like the one in
Heathrow yesterday, unfortunately will continue."
TV Highlights
NTV (8 a.m.)
Domestic News
- Turkish Second Army Commander General Sukru Sariisik said PKK
terrorism sponsored by the West and fundamentalist activities were
main threats for Turkey. Sariisik is to become the commander of
Aegean Army on August 30.
- King Abdullah said Turkey and Saudi Arabia should cooperate in
developing new business projects, with Saudi businessmen planning to
invest in Turkey in real estate and health sectors. Prime Minister
Erdogan also invited Saudi businessmen to invest in Turkey.
- 100 members of the Human Rights Association (IHD),Amnesty
International and the Association of Oppressed People gathered
before the Lebanese Consulate General in Istanbul. The protestors
held a 2-hour sit-in during which they condemned Israel for its
human rights violations and massacres of civilians in Lebanon.
- The trial of Arslan Alparslan, the main suspect in the deadly
Council of State shooting, and four of his accomplices begins today.
The Prosecutor is demanding life sentences for Arslan and friends
who are charged with attempting to undermine the constitutional
order.
- The US-based international investment bank Merrill Lynch is in
negotiations to buy Turkey's Tat Investment Bank at USD 6 million.
ANKARA 00004687 003 OF 003
International News
- Israeli warplanes dropped leaflets over downtown Beirut on
Thursday, warning residents of three southern suburbs to evacuate
immediately.
- US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said Secretary Rice
was looking for the right person to appoint as the special
coordinator under the framework of the three-party mechanism to
fight against the PKK.
- Iranian President Ahmadinejad said hatred of President Bush
increased every day around the world.
- A suicide bomb attack near a Shiite shrine in the Iraqi city of
Najaf killed 35 and wounded more than 50 others.
- Venezuelan opposition parties agreed to support a single candidate
in an effort to challenge Hugo Chavez in December's presidential
election.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON