ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000568 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 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2006 In Today's Papers Investigation into Priest Killing Continues Sabah, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Yeni Safak and others: Papers continue to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the murder of an Italian Catolic priest in Trabzon as the investigation moves forward. Radikal highlights the suspect's father's remarks that his son received medical treatment two years ago for psychological problems. According to Hurriyet, the suspect's father said his son received instructions to carry out the murder through the internet, and claimed that the real murderers were the ones who had given the gun to his son. There are also allegations that the suspect belonged to a religious sect, which had manipulated him into the atack. Vatan says the suspect's father denied allegations that his son had murdered the priest. Protests over Cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed: All papers: While violent protests continue over the published cartoons of Mohammed, UN Secretary General Annan, OIC General Secretary Ihsanoglu, and the EU's Javier Solana appealed for calm. There were small, peaceful protests in many provinces of Turkey yesterday. Speaking to reporters yesterday, MFA spokesman Namik Tan said that people should remember their responsibilities while they are enjoying the freedom of expression. Presidents Bush and Putin called for calm and restraint. Columnists Akif Emre and Ibrahim Karagul, writing in the Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak, commented the cartoon crisis is an indication of strong Islamophobia in Europe and the US. In the mainstream daily Milliyet, Melih Asik draws attention to the fact that the cartoon crisis started in Denmark. After reminding about Denmark's participation in the Iraq coalition, the commentator said, "the Danish paper is not testing freedom of expression. The cartoon issue has nothing to do with that. In reality, it is attacking the spiritual values of the Muslim world, which results in indirect support for the occupiers of the Middle East." Ambassador Wilson Remarks in Zaman: Visiting the Ankara bureau of the Islamist-oriented daily Zaman, US Ambassador Ross Wilson explained US views on issues of mutual concern. Zaman highlighted Wilson's remarks on Iran as a front-page story under the headline "US is pleased with Turkey's stance on Iran." Ambassador Wilson said Iran should be persuaded to abandon its nuclear weapons and negotiate with the international community. "This is what Turkey has been calling for as well." Responding to a question on the cartoon crisis, Ambassador Wilson criticized the cartoons as "repugnant" while emphasizing that the violent protests are "unacceptable." Zaman carried Wilson's remarks on other issues, including Cyprus, the PKK and Hamas. He noted the importance the US attaches to an effective solution to the PKK problem. Regarding Hamas, Wilson said that Turkish PM Erdogan had given the right messages to Hamas when he called on the organization to renounce terrorism and recognize Israel. The Zaman story mentioned that the Ambassador did not want to speak in detail on domestic political issues, but emphasized that Turkey's democratic system remains an assurance for stability and good US-Turkish relations. Iran: All papers carried the statement by MFA spokesman on Iran pointing to diplomacy for the settlement of the Iran issue. Tan said that Iran has until March 6 to decide to pursue ANKARA 00000568 002 OF 002 diplomacy, and urged Iran to make use of this opportunity. Commenting on the Iran issue, Yilmaz Oztuna wrote in the conservative Turkiye about the growing American support for war with Iran. "A recent opinion poll showed that 57 percent of Americans support a possible military operation against Iran. The figure is horrifyingly high considering the fact that this is about another cross-Atlantic war. The result can be interpreted as evidence that Washington's project on Iran has attained a national consensus despite the negative aspects of the current Iraq operation. If we remember the Israeli air attack in 1981 against a nuclear facility in Iraq, we can expect that the US will benefit from that experience and repeat it on a larger scale" the writer observed. In the mainstream Hurriyet, columnist Cuneyt Ulsever thinks Iran has a broader goal in escalating the tension. "The quest for global Islamic hegemony has become an ideological fixation in Iran. By defying the US and Israel, Iran hopes to gain more of a footing in the Islamic world and to play a leadership role in the region. Given the current international circumstances, particularly the situation in the Middle East, Iran seems to be carried away with imagining itself as the pioneer for a global Islamic hegemony free from Western imperialism. It is possible that Iran is interpreting the current environment as suitable for playing this kind of chess game" the writer argued. Television (NTV, 7:00) Focus on Turkey: Turkey's Supreme Court (Danistay) ruled that a primary school principal should not be allowed to wear a headscarf as she approaches and departs from the school each day. The court argued that wearing a headscarf in close proximity to the school would set a bad example for the students. Focus on the United States: Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler spoke to the press in Washington before his meeting with Energy Secretary Bodman. Guler described Turkey's long-term energy needs, and said the development of a nuclear power industry would be part of meeting those needs. He added that Turkey is ready to work with the Iraqi authorities on joint development of oil resources in northern Iraq. EUCOM Commander General James Jones made positive comments in Washington on the state of the US-Turkish military rlationship, and praised the leadership shown by Turkish Chief of General Staff General Hilmi Ozkok. WILSON