ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

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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
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2006

In Today's Papers

The Cartoon Crisis
Hurriyet, Sabah, Milliyet, Radikal, Cumhuriyet and others:
Violent protests continued yesterday over the cartoons
depicting the Prophet Mohammed, claiming the lives of
protesters in Afghanistan, Somali and Lebanon. Turkish PM
Erdogan and Spanish PM Zapatero issued a joint statement
yesterday calling for calm and respect. Turkey is holding
talks with the UN, EU and OIC to defuse the tension. The
OIC's Parliamentary Union is scheduled to meet in Turkey in
April to discuss ways to prevent similar controversies.
Foreign Minister Gul raised concerns by stating 'I am sad to
say during the past few years hostility against Muslims
started replacing anti-Semitism. Freedom of the press
exists in Turkey but that does not mean that everyone can
write without limits and insult others'. Meanwhile, UN
Secretary General Annan called on Muslims to accept

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apologies offered over published cartoons and act with calm
and dignity. The US Embassy in Ankara released a press
statement yesterday saying that cartoons depicting the
Prophet Mohammed were offensive and morally repugnant. The
press release also emphasized the US recognition of freedom
of expression.

Commenting on the ongoing cartoon crisis, Turkish writers
expressed varied opinions. In mainstream Milliyet, Hasan
Cemal emphasized that fanatics have gained momentum after
the events. "Any radical trying to create a clash between
Islam and the West must be very happy now. The cartoon
issue demonstrates that freedom can sometimes manifest
itself as a form of racism against a particular faith. But
the incidents taking place in the Islamic world also show
that the reaction has been hijacked by those willing to use
violence," he noted.

In Radikal retired diplomat Gunduz Aktan observed the
essence of the issue as racism. "In the aftermath of 9/11,
racist sentiment against Muslims, and in this context Turks,
soared dangerously in Europe due to Al-Qaeda's terrorism.
Politicians and the press adopted disparaging rhetoric
toward Muslims, and far-right parties gained ground.
European societies and politics have shifted toward racism.
Denmark has been no exception to this," he commented.

Examining the complexities of the issue, Yeni Safak
columnist Kursat Bumin wrote that it would be unnecessary to
wait for an apology from Danish government. "Many people in
Islamic countries are protesting against the cartoons by
burning Danish diplomatic facilities. Can we really say
that the Danish government is being punished by this type of
action? Why should the government be held responsible for
an irresponsible act of the media? Similarly, the fact that
the British media decided not to print the cartoons was not
a decision made at the recommendation of the British
government," the columnist asserted.

Investigation of Priest's Killing in Turkey
All papers: Turkey intensified its efforts to find the
murderer of a Catholic priest in Trabzon. Police
distributed the drawings of the suspect widely. It is not
clear yet whether the shooting is linked to the publishing
of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Foreign Minister Gul
said yesterday that he thinksthe two incidents are not
linked and it was etirely an individual act. However,
while expressing sadness over the killing, PM Erdogan
suggested there could be a link. Responding to press
questions after a meeting of the Council of Ministers,

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government spokesman and Justice Minister Cicek was quoted
as saying "we don't approve of the exercise of freedom of
expression in an irresponsible way but nor do we approve of
violent reactions against the cartoons offending Islam.
These violent reactions do not comply with Islam because
Islam stands for peace." Minister Cicek urged the Turkish
people to remain calm and called on international
organizations to meet their responsibilities in ending this
tension.

Iran: Tehran Remarks/Rumsfeld Remarks
Cumhuriyet, Milliyet: Tehran announced on Monday after Iran
was reported by the UN's nuclear watch dog to the UN
Security Council that his country does not foresee entering
into nuclear negotiations with the US. In an interview with
the German financial newspaper Handelsblatt, Rumsfeld said
that the US does not rule out using military force against
Iran; all options, including military ones, are on the
table.

Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir's Visit to the US
In Radikal, veteran columnist Hakki Devrim criticized press
reporting on the visit of the mayor of Diyarbakir to the US,
calling it unprofessional journalism and sensationalistic.
Meanwhile, television reports Mayor Baydemir's statement to
press in Washington that his visit was not sponsored by the
US Government and that he did not travel to the US to
express any complaints about Turkey but rather to express
his views on the Kurdish issue.


TV Highlights:

In the case of the murder of a Catholic priest in Trabzon, a
16-year old boy was taken for interrogation.

In the midst of ongoing debate, Prime Minister Erdogan has
decided to disclose his and Mrs. Erdogan's assets. The
information was placed on the Prime Ministry's web site.

Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir says he is in the US to express
his views on Kurdish issue.

WILSON