Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA5264
2006-09-13 14:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 005264
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
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
In Today's Papers
Bomb Kills 10 in Diyarbakir
A bomb blast killed 10 people, including six children, on Tuesday
evening near a park in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir. The
explosion was triggered by a mobile phone. There was no immediate
claim of responsibility. The explosion came only one day after
Turkey's main Kurdish political party DTP called on the PKK to
declare a ceasefire unilaterally.
European Parliament Hosts PKK Conference
All papers report some PKK members held a press conference in the
European Parliament under the auspices of EU lawmakers, issuing
calls for the release of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the
PKK. EU Parliament member and ethnic Kurd Feleknaz Uca has called
on the PKK to announce a ceasefire, and for talks between the sides
for a settlement. A top PKK official in Europe Ahmet Gulabi Dere
stressed the organization would not give up its armed struggle.
Meanwhile, more than 200 Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals, former
parliamentarians, and lawyers and doctors from the southeast issued
yesterday the "strongest" call on the PKK to lay down arms
unconditionally. Cumhuriyet predicts that the PKK, losing
grassroots support, was preparing to accept a ceasefire call that
had been made by Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP soon.
Ralston in Ankara for Talks on the PKK
All papers report the US Special Envoy for Countering the PKK,
retired General Joseph Ralston, arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to hold
talks today with the Prime Minister, Turkish General Staff (TGS,)
intelligence officials, and his counterpart Edip Baser. Papers
expect the Turks to tell Ralston that Turkey will not send
additional troops to Afghanistan while the PKK threat continued in
the country. Cumhuriyet says Ankara would ask Ralston to handover
to Turkey the PKK terrorists sought by Interpol. Zaman reports that
three-party meetings for fighting the PKK could be resumed after the
visit of Ralston to Turkey. Several papers report the ruling AK
Party government waited until the last minute to appoint retired
general Edip Baser as Ralston's counterpart. Cumhuriyet says the
Turkish military had been uneasy with the idea of PKK coordinators,
fearing such a mechanism could pave the way for holding talks with
the terrorist organization. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul told the press before traveling to attend an intercultural
meeting in Paris that Washington had been expected to take more
meaningful steps against the PKK. Zaman reports Gul as saying that
even if backed by no one, Turkey would still do whatever necessary
to beat the PKK problem.
Yalcin Dogan argued in the mass appeal Hurriyet that the appointment
of PKK "coordinators" will lead to the "politicization of the PKK":
"The US appointed a coordinator for the PKK despite the fact that
the Turkish military, the MFA and the President were all against
such an appointment. This appointment unleashes the US short- and
long-term intentions regarding the PKK issue. The concept of the
coordinator implies someone who acts as mediator or a problem
solver. Here the US wants to establish coordination with a terror
organization. However, Retired General Edip Baser, who was named
the coordinator for the Turkish side was quoted as objecting to this
term and explained his mission as coordinator in the fight against
terrorism. It is obvious that once we use the words 'PKK
coordinator' to define this mission, it will end up with the
politicization of the PKK. Americans had better not use the term
'PKK Coordinator.'"
Mehmet Ali Birand, optimistic about the appointment of the special
envoys, suggests in the tabloid Posta that the PKK problem is "not
something that can be solved solely through military means": "What
will these two retired generals do? The special coordinators will
talk about politics. The PKK problem is not something that can be
solved solely through military means. I believe this development
will lead to a new era. The US will be able to better understand
ANKARA 00005264 002 OF 003
Turkey's sensitivities as well as its ability to wage an
antiterrorism campaign. Turkey, on the other hand, will see what the
real intentions of the United States are and how much the two
countries can cooperate. A solution depends on both Turkish and
regional developments. There is a need for political, cultural,
economic and social reforms. We looked at the matter from a solely
security-related perspective at a time when even the military was
warning that security measures alone cannot be the solution.
Nothing has been done to find ways to win over the region's people.
The media, the government and NGOs just stood silently by and did
nothing. Even the tiniest of measures were seen as treason. We
transformed our funerals into party rallies. We always blamed
outside powers for what was happening. This dangerous escalation
took us to the state of affairs we face today. There is only one
way to escape this vicious circle. All state institutions must come
together and prepare a joint long-term policy. If not, it will be
harder to escape this trap."
Brits Express Support for Turkey in EU
Milliyet, Sabah, Radikal report British Prime Minister Blair said
Turkey's exclusion from the EU would make "earthquake-like
repercussions" across the world. British minister for European
affairs, Geoffrey Hoon, said French Interior Minister Sarkozy's
statement that Turkey should be kept out of the European bloc was
one meant for domestic political consumption before the upcoming
general elections in the country. Papers also cite the British
Guardian as saying the West needed Turkey, but that European leaders
broke Turkey's enthusiasm to join the bloc.
cientific American to Give Turkey Supplement inJanuary
Turkiye reports Ambassador Ross Wilson told an Istanbul gathering to
celebrate a special Turkey supplement in the January 2007 issue of
Scientific American that Turkey and the United States should act
together to beat terrorism. Prime Minister Erdogan's advisor Egemen
Bagis, the journal's editor Bruce Brandon, and Bilkent University
Rector Ali Dogramaci were among the participants in the meeting held
yesterday at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.
TV Highlights
NTV (7 A.M.)
Domestic News
- Demonstrators laid a black wreath at the US Embassy in Ankara to
protest the September 12, 1980 military takeover in Turkey.
- In a meeting with German Integration Minister Maria Bohmer, Prime
Minister Erdogan denounced culture tests conducted in the country
for Muslims who want to acquire German nationality.
- Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is to visit Paris as the guest of
President Jacques Chirac on September 12-14. Gul will take part in
a conference on "Dialog between Peoples and Cultures" sponsored by
the French Foreign Ministry.
- Turkey, for the first time, reported a budget surplus in the first
eight months of the year.
International News
- Several terrorists tried to blow up a vehicle outside the US
Embassy in Damascus on Tuesday morning; three attackers were killed
in fighting with Embassy guards.
- Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the Palestinian government must
fulfill the conditions set by the international community --
renouncing violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist.
- Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki met Iran's President Ahmadinejad in
ANKARA 00005264 003 OF 003
his first state visit to Iran. The two leaders issued messages for
cooperation.
- Kurdish students burned an Iraqi flag during protests in front of
the regional Kurdish Parliament in Erbil.
- Addressing the nation on the anniversary of 9/11, President Bush
made it clear that he would not allow a nuclear-armed Iran.
- Many of the NATO countries have ignored an urgent NATO request for
reinforcement in fighting a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan.
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
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
In Today's Papers
Bomb Kills 10 in Diyarbakir
A bomb blast killed 10 people, including six children, on Tuesday
evening near a park in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir. The
explosion was triggered by a mobile phone. There was no immediate
claim of responsibility. The explosion came only one day after
Turkey's main Kurdish political party DTP called on the PKK to
declare a ceasefire unilaterally.
European Parliament Hosts PKK Conference
All papers report some PKK members held a press conference in the
European Parliament under the auspices of EU lawmakers, issuing
calls for the release of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the
PKK. EU Parliament member and ethnic Kurd Feleknaz Uca has called
on the PKK to announce a ceasefire, and for talks between the sides
for a settlement. A top PKK official in Europe Ahmet Gulabi Dere
stressed the organization would not give up its armed struggle.
Meanwhile, more than 200 Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals, former
parliamentarians, and lawyers and doctors from the southeast issued
yesterday the "strongest" call on the PKK to lay down arms
unconditionally. Cumhuriyet predicts that the PKK, losing
grassroots support, was preparing to accept a ceasefire call that
had been made by Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP soon.
Ralston in Ankara for Talks on the PKK
All papers report the US Special Envoy for Countering the PKK,
retired General Joseph Ralston, arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to hold
talks today with the Prime Minister, Turkish General Staff (TGS,)
intelligence officials, and his counterpart Edip Baser. Papers
expect the Turks to tell Ralston that Turkey will not send
additional troops to Afghanistan while the PKK threat continued in
the country. Cumhuriyet says Ankara would ask Ralston to handover
to Turkey the PKK terrorists sought by Interpol. Zaman reports that
three-party meetings for fighting the PKK could be resumed after the
visit of Ralston to Turkey. Several papers report the ruling AK
Party government waited until the last minute to appoint retired
general Edip Baser as Ralston's counterpart. Cumhuriyet says the
Turkish military had been uneasy with the idea of PKK coordinators,
fearing such a mechanism could pave the way for holding talks with
the terrorist organization. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gul told the press before traveling to attend an intercultural
meeting in Paris that Washington had been expected to take more
meaningful steps against the PKK. Zaman reports Gul as saying that
even if backed by no one, Turkey would still do whatever necessary
to beat the PKK problem.
Yalcin Dogan argued in the mass appeal Hurriyet that the appointment
of PKK "coordinators" will lead to the "politicization of the PKK":
"The US appointed a coordinator for the PKK despite the fact that
the Turkish military, the MFA and the President were all against
such an appointment. This appointment unleashes the US short- and
long-term intentions regarding the PKK issue. The concept of the
coordinator implies someone who acts as mediator or a problem
solver. Here the US wants to establish coordination with a terror
organization. However, Retired General Edip Baser, who was named
the coordinator for the Turkish side was quoted as objecting to this
term and explained his mission as coordinator in the fight against
terrorism. It is obvious that once we use the words 'PKK
coordinator' to define this mission, it will end up with the
politicization of the PKK. Americans had better not use the term
'PKK Coordinator.'"
Mehmet Ali Birand, optimistic about the appointment of the special
envoys, suggests in the tabloid Posta that the PKK problem is "not
something that can be solved solely through military means": "What
will these two retired generals do? The special coordinators will
talk about politics. The PKK problem is not something that can be
solved solely through military means. I believe this development
will lead to a new era. The US will be able to better understand
ANKARA 00005264 002 OF 003
Turkey's sensitivities as well as its ability to wage an
antiterrorism campaign. Turkey, on the other hand, will see what the
real intentions of the United States are and how much the two
countries can cooperate. A solution depends on both Turkish and
regional developments. There is a need for political, cultural,
economic and social reforms. We looked at the matter from a solely
security-related perspective at a time when even the military was
warning that security measures alone cannot be the solution.
Nothing has been done to find ways to win over the region's people.
The media, the government and NGOs just stood silently by and did
nothing. Even the tiniest of measures were seen as treason. We
transformed our funerals into party rallies. We always blamed
outside powers for what was happening. This dangerous escalation
took us to the state of affairs we face today. There is only one
way to escape this vicious circle. All state institutions must come
together and prepare a joint long-term policy. If not, it will be
harder to escape this trap."
Brits Express Support for Turkey in EU
Milliyet, Sabah, Radikal report British Prime Minister Blair said
Turkey's exclusion from the EU would make "earthquake-like
repercussions" across the world. British minister for European
affairs, Geoffrey Hoon, said French Interior Minister Sarkozy's
statement that Turkey should be kept out of the European bloc was
one meant for domestic political consumption before the upcoming
general elections in the country. Papers also cite the British
Guardian as saying the West needed Turkey, but that European leaders
broke Turkey's enthusiasm to join the bloc.
cientific American to Give Turkey Supplement inJanuary
Turkiye reports Ambassador Ross Wilson told an Istanbul gathering to
celebrate a special Turkey supplement in the January 2007 issue of
Scientific American that Turkey and the United States should act
together to beat terrorism. Prime Minister Erdogan's advisor Egemen
Bagis, the journal's editor Bruce Brandon, and Bilkent University
Rector Ali Dogramaci were among the participants in the meeting held
yesterday at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.
TV Highlights
NTV (7 A.M.)
Domestic News
- Demonstrators laid a black wreath at the US Embassy in Ankara to
protest the September 12, 1980 military takeover in Turkey.
- In a meeting with German Integration Minister Maria Bohmer, Prime
Minister Erdogan denounced culture tests conducted in the country
for Muslims who want to acquire German nationality.
- Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is to visit Paris as the guest of
President Jacques Chirac on September 12-14. Gul will take part in
a conference on "Dialog between Peoples and Cultures" sponsored by
the French Foreign Ministry.
- Turkey, for the first time, reported a budget surplus in the first
eight months of the year.
International News
- Several terrorists tried to blow up a vehicle outside the US
Embassy in Damascus on Tuesday morning; three attackers were killed
in fighting with Embassy guards.
- Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the Palestinian government must
fulfill the conditions set by the international community --
renouncing violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist.
- Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki met Iran's President Ahmadinejad in
ANKARA 00005264 003 OF 003
his first state visit to Iran. The two leaders issued messages for
cooperation.
- Kurdish students burned an Iraqi flag during protests in front of
the regional Kurdish Parliament in Erbil.
- Addressing the nation on the anniversary of 9/11, President Bush
made it clear that he would not allow a nuclear-armed Iran.
- Many of the NATO countries have ignored an urgent NATO request for
reinforcement in fighting a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
WILSON