Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA547
2006-02-08 15:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000547
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, FEBRUARY 8, 2006
In Today's Papers
Cartoon Crisis
All papers: Violent protests continue all around the world
over the political cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.
Turkish PM Erdogan sent letters to 80 world leaders urging
them to protect sacred values from insults but also to show
restraint, adding that violence cannot be justified.
Italian PM Berlusconi and US Assistant Secretary of State
Daniel Fried extended support for the joint statement issued
Monday by the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Spain in an
effort to ease the tension. Responding to questions after
his meeting with the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges (TOBB),US Ambassador to Turkey Ross
Wilson was quoted as saying that "publishing cartoons of the
prophet Mohammed was an ugly act; however, responding to
different opinions with violence is very wrong, too."
Commenting in the mainstream daily Milliyet, Sami Kohen
writes that the crisis has broadened the gap between the
Islamic world and the West and has helped "resurrect" the
hate and rage of the past in the Islamic world toward the
Western world. Kohen states that despite the religions
origins of the crisis, there are political, ideological and
cultural factors as well, concluding that, "anyone sensible
in both the Islamic and the Western world is aware of the
fact that this crisis must be settled before it grows even
more."
Iran Reacts to the Cartoon Crisis; Nuclear Pressure
Hurriyet, Vatan, Milliyet: In reaction to cartoons
depicting Mohammed, Iran retaliated by announcing a
holocaust cartoon contest. Iranian newspaper Hamshahri
decided to launch a contest for cartoons on the holocaust to
test whether the west will apply the principle of freedom of
expression to the Nazi genocide in the same way that it is
applied to the Mohammed cartoons. Iran also announced
yesterday the suspension of all trade and economic ties with
Denmark, and banned Danish products from entering the
country.
Cumhuriyet and Turkish Daily News reported that Iran has
asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to remove their
surveillance equipment from its nuclear facilities by mid
February.
Priest Murder Suspect Captured
All papers: A 16-year-old high school student was detained
yesterday as the suspected murderer of an Italian priest in
Turkey's Black Sea province of Trabzon. The suspect
reportedly said that he was disturbed by the cartoons of
Mohammed published by the western media. Although the
interrogation of the suspect continues, most papers believe
that the murder was linked to the cartoon crises.
US-Turkey Rice Dispute
Sabah, Vatan: US Trade Representative Rob Portman requested
that the World Trade Organization appoint a dispute
settlement panel to hear US allegations against Turkey for
restricting imports of US rice. Portman stressed that
American farmers were being denied access to Turkey's rice
market because of Turkey's unfair import restrictions. "We
still hope that a solution can be reached and that Turkey
will allow US producers to compete fairly in the Turkish
market, Portman said.
US Budget Proposal: Increase for Defense, Cuts to VOA
Radikal, Milliyet: Among proposals in President Bush's
draft US budget for 2007 was the elimination of Turkish
ANKARA 00000547 002 OF 002
broadcasting of the Voice of America (VOA). If the budget
is approved, starting from October 1, VOA's 12-hour weekly
radio broadcasts, half-hour TV broadcasts and the Turkish
Internet page will be eliminated. Moreover, 14 VOA Turkish
service staff members in Washington and other staff
overseas, including those in Istanbul and Ankara, will be
lose their jobs. VOA officials stated that the reason for
this decision is the need for additional spending on other
areas such as the Iraq war and reconstruction of the areas
hit by Hurricane Katerina. Meanwhile, the White House,
after decreasing education and health expenses, requested a
6.9 percent increase for the Pentagon in its draft budget
for 2007. If the Congress approves the budget, military
spending will have increased 48 percent since 2001.
TV Highlights
(NTV, 8 AM)
Domestic News
- The suspect in the killing of a priest in Trabzon
confessed, saying that he was affected by the Danish
cartoons.
- While on a reward trip to Italy for successful Turkish
Ford dealers, twelve Turks were killed and 18 others injured
when their tour bus crashed in Rome.
- Former Naval Commander Admiral Erdil was sentenced to
nearly three years in prison for corruption and abuse of
authority
- Five journalists appeared in court to face charges of
violating Article 301. The hearing was postponed until April
11.
International News
- Cartoon Crisis: Four dead in demonstrations in
Afghanistan; protests in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Palestine
continue.
Economic News
- The US has requested the WTO Resolution Board review its
complaint against Turkey related to rice import restrictions
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, FEBRUARY 8, 2006
In Today's Papers
Cartoon Crisis
All papers: Violent protests continue all around the world
over the political cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.
Turkish PM Erdogan sent letters to 80 world leaders urging
them to protect sacred values from insults but also to show
restraint, adding that violence cannot be justified.
Italian PM Berlusconi and US Assistant Secretary of State
Daniel Fried extended support for the joint statement issued
Monday by the Prime Ministers of Turkey and Spain in an
effort to ease the tension. Responding to questions after
his meeting with the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and
Commodity Exchanges (TOBB),US Ambassador to Turkey Ross
Wilson was quoted as saying that "publishing cartoons of the
prophet Mohammed was an ugly act; however, responding to
different opinions with violence is very wrong, too."
Commenting in the mainstream daily Milliyet, Sami Kohen
writes that the crisis has broadened the gap between the
Islamic world and the West and has helped "resurrect" the
hate and rage of the past in the Islamic world toward the
Western world. Kohen states that despite the religions
origins of the crisis, there are political, ideological and
cultural factors as well, concluding that, "anyone sensible
in both the Islamic and the Western world is aware of the
fact that this crisis must be settled before it grows even
more."
Iran Reacts to the Cartoon Crisis; Nuclear Pressure
Hurriyet, Vatan, Milliyet: In reaction to cartoons
depicting Mohammed, Iran retaliated by announcing a
holocaust cartoon contest. Iranian newspaper Hamshahri
decided to launch a contest for cartoons on the holocaust to
test whether the west will apply the principle of freedom of
expression to the Nazi genocide in the same way that it is
applied to the Mohammed cartoons. Iran also announced
yesterday the suspension of all trade and economic ties with
Denmark, and banned Danish products from entering the
country.
Cumhuriyet and Turkish Daily News reported that Iran has
asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to remove their
surveillance equipment from its nuclear facilities by mid
February.
Priest Murder Suspect Captured
All papers: A 16-year-old high school student was detained
yesterday as the suspected murderer of an Italian priest in
Turkey's Black Sea province of Trabzon. The suspect
reportedly said that he was disturbed by the cartoons of
Mohammed published by the western media. Although the
interrogation of the suspect continues, most papers believe
that the murder was linked to the cartoon crises.
US-Turkey Rice Dispute
Sabah, Vatan: US Trade Representative Rob Portman requested
that the World Trade Organization appoint a dispute
settlement panel to hear US allegations against Turkey for
restricting imports of US rice. Portman stressed that
American farmers were being denied access to Turkey's rice
market because of Turkey's unfair import restrictions. "We
still hope that a solution can be reached and that Turkey
will allow US producers to compete fairly in the Turkish
market, Portman said.
US Budget Proposal: Increase for Defense, Cuts to VOA
Radikal, Milliyet: Among proposals in President Bush's
draft US budget for 2007 was the elimination of Turkish
ANKARA 00000547 002 OF 002
broadcasting of the Voice of America (VOA). If the budget
is approved, starting from October 1, VOA's 12-hour weekly
radio broadcasts, half-hour TV broadcasts and the Turkish
Internet page will be eliminated. Moreover, 14 VOA Turkish
service staff members in Washington and other staff
overseas, including those in Istanbul and Ankara, will be
lose their jobs. VOA officials stated that the reason for
this decision is the need for additional spending on other
areas such as the Iraq war and reconstruction of the areas
hit by Hurricane Katerina. Meanwhile, the White House,
after decreasing education and health expenses, requested a
6.9 percent increase for the Pentagon in its draft budget
for 2007. If the Congress approves the budget, military
spending will have increased 48 percent since 2001.
TV Highlights
(NTV, 8 AM)
Domestic News
- The suspect in the killing of a priest in Trabzon
confessed, saying that he was affected by the Danish
cartoons.
- While on a reward trip to Italy for successful Turkish
Ford dealers, twelve Turks were killed and 18 others injured
when their tour bus crashed in Rome.
- Former Naval Commander Admiral Erdil was sentenced to
nearly three years in prison for corruption and abuse of
authority
- Five journalists appeared in court to face charges of
violating Article 301. The hearing was postponed until April
11.
International News
- Cartoon Crisis: Four dead in demonstrations in
Afghanistan; protests in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Palestine
continue.
Economic News
- The US has requested the WTO Resolution Board review its
complaint against Turkey related to rice import restrictions
WILSON