Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA478
2006-02-06 15:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

Tags:  OPRC KMDR TU 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000478

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
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2006


A QUICK LOOK AT THE TURKISH PRESS
February 6, 2006

In Today's Papers

Reaction Grows Against Cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed
All papers: Muslims around the world continued
demonstrations to protest against the publishing of cartoons
of the Prophet Mohammed. Demonstrators set fire to the
Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Damascus and Danish
Consulate in Beirut. In an effort to reduce tensions over
the issue, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul launched an
initiative to bring the Islamic world and European countries
together in a common forum for dialogue. Turkish Embassies
in Europe will convey this call to the relevant countries.
Meanwhile, protests in Turkey against the cartoons is also
growing. Small-scale (less than 1,000) demonstrations were
held in Ankara, Izmir, Sivas, Batman, Sirnak, and Istanbul,
where about 700 demonstrators threw eggs at the Danish
Consulate. The Danish editor of the paper that initially
published the cartoons has again refused to apologize,
saying that 'cartoons of Jesus in a very unfavorable light
were published by Turkish papers in the past.' Prime
Minister Erdogan criticized the violence, saying that `the
publication of these cartoons was wrong, but burning and
destroying is just as wrong. This issue can only be
resolved at the table.' PM Erdogan and Spanish PM Zapatero
published a joint letter in todays International Herald
Tribune calling for calm and moderation.

Commenting on the issue, Yilmaz Oztuna wrote in the
conservative Turkiye: "It was very important and pleasing to
see the reactions from western world, from the Pope to the
US president and the German PM, who made a distinction
between insulting sacred values and freedom of expression.
The remedy is mutual tolerance and empathy. Otherwise, we
will be led to a war based on religion, which the
international community cannot possibly bear."

Yasemin Congar reported from Washington in the mainstream
Milliyet: "Muslims in North America have showed a relatively
calm reaction against the cartoons published in the European
dailies. They must have been thinking about what the
Prophet Mohammad would do."

Erdal Safak observed in the mass appeal Sabah "The cartoon

crisis has indeed helped the despotic regimes of the Middle
East. This is clearly seen if you take a close look at the
events in Syria and Lebanon. All of this indicates the
importance of secularism more than ever before."

Fehmi Koru observed in the Islamist opinion maker Yeni
Safak: "This is a campaign intended to elicit a backlash
from the Islamic world. This is a disgusting and demonic
ploy. Remaining silent and copping out in the face of this
insult or taking to the streets and engaging in riots will
make the project successful. Are we going to fall into this
trap?"


Catholic Priest Murdered in Trabzon
Milliyet, Vatan, Posta, Sabah, Hurriyet and others: An
Italian priest at the Roman Catholic Church in the
northeastern port city of Trabzon was shot dead at the door
of his Church by a young man yesterday afternoon. Some
papers are connecting the murder with protests against
cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published in European
papers. He killing of the priest is referred to as a `huge

ANKARA 00000478 002 OF 002


provocation.' Turkish government spokesman Minister Cicek
said 'the government is deeply sorry about the assault.
Such acts cannot be considered legitimate, no matter what
the reason and who the perpetrators are.' The investigation
into the murder continues, but there have been no arrests.

Iran Ends Cooperation with IAEA
All papers: Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki announced on
Sunday that Iran had ended all voluntary cooperation with
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) because of the
IAEA decision to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over
its nuclear program. The announcement means that Iran will
no longer allow IAEA inspectors to its nuclear facilities.

Secretary Rice Postpones Visit to Turkey

SIPDIS
Vatan, Hurriyet: The visit of Secretary Rice to Turkey,
which was expected to take place in February, has reportedly
been postponed until the spring. According to Vatan, the
visit has been postponed because of the Iran issue and the
recent release of the the Turkish movie 'Valley of the
Wolves-Iraq,' which depicts alleged atrocities by US forces
in Iraq.

Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir's Visit to the US:
Sabah(2/5),Hurriyet, Vatan, The New Anatolian: Diyarbakir
Mayor Osman Baydemir's visit to the US has caused some
controversy in diplomatic circles. According to a US
Embassy spokesman, Baydemir is not visiting the US as the
official guest of the US Government, but is participating at
a conference on municipal administration. Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul warned Baydemir against `political shows' and
urged him to concentrate on his primary duties as mayor -
addressing the needs of the people of Diyarbakir. The US
Embassy spokesman denied reports that Mayor Baydemir will be
hosted at `high levels' by the US State Department.


TV HIGHLIGHTS
NTV News (0700)

Focus on Turkey

- The Italian priest at a Catholic church in Trabzon was
killed by an unknown gunman. Government ministers strongly
condemn the attack, and efforts continue to find the
perpetrator.
- Scenes of protest from around Turkey as anger grows over
the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.
Nationalists headed a demonstration of several hundred in
Istanbul, hurling eggs at the Danish Consulate.

- AKP parliamentarian Faruk Celik was shot and wounded in
Bursa. The wound is not serious, and the motive for the
attack does not appear to be political.

Focus on the United States

Protesters demonstrated in Washington, calling for President
Bush to resign. The protesters are shown burning an
American flag, as a commentator describes the `continued
plunge' in popular support for President Bush.

US Republican Senator Arlen Specter said that wiretapping of
American citizens without a court order is `a violation of
the law,' thereby escalating the `eavesdropping scandal' for
the Bush Administration.

WILSON