ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006472 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 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006 In Today's Papers Women's Role in the Development of OIC States All papers: The first ministerial level international conference sponsored by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) started in Istanbul with PM Erdogan's giving opening remarks. Themed as 'Women's Role in the Development of OIC States,' PM Erdogan talked about the danger of discriminatory attitudes against women in Muslim societies and blamed the misinterpretation of Islam as opposed to the religion itself. He characterized the discrimination against women as unacceptable and more dangerously primitive than racism. On the issue of honor killings, PM Erdogan said, 'This is a problem in Muslim societies. These killings may be considered isolated cases instead of a systemic problem, however, we can't downplay these inhumane killings which are caused by ignorance. Deputies, parties, NGO's, academic institutions, the private sector should all take responsibility. As the Turkish government we are open to all sorts of contributions in this regard.' Iraq and the PKK All papers: Papers predominantly carry excerpts from a Washington Post article regarding the Pentagon's three option Iraq plan. Reportedly, the Pentagon is working on 'go big' 'go long' and 'go home' options for Iraq and making assessments of each. Intellectual Radikal notes that the Bush administration is likely to adopt a hybrid plan, a combination of the second and the third option. Several Iraq-related stories are also highlighting a German Marshall Fund report on Iraq 'Rediscovering NATO' written by former Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and GMF Director Ronald Asmus. The report suggests that a NATO force stationed in Iraq can be a facilitator for the country's stability. Mass appeal Hurriyet calls the report 'strange' because it advises that deployment of NATO in Iraq can also be a deterrent against Turkey making a cross-border operation. Cumhuriyet carried another follow-up story on the PKK's strong financial links in Europe by detailing some of the concerned businesses in France, Belgium and Germany. The story highlights that some EU nations are applying a double standard on the fight against terrorism and giving clear support for PKK's survival in their homeland. The story notes that all of these links were unleashed after Principal Deputy Coordinator Frank Urbancic's efforts and his recent contacts in Europe. Survey Calls for a United Left-Wing Front Cumhuriyet gives front page coverage to a survey carried out by polling company SONAR. The survey shows that if the three main left-wing parties act together in the upcoming elections, they can garner up to 30 percent votes - more than the ruling AKP could get. A united left-wing and social democrat platform with DSP, CHP and SHP would receive 29.36 percent, with AKP receiving only 27.61 percent of votes. If there is no unification in the left-wing, there will be four parties represented in the next parliament, the SONAR survey concluded: AKP (24.35%),CHP (16.15%),DYP (11.69%) and MHP (11.49%). Meanwhile Milliyet asserts that CHP leader Baykal is very happy with remarks by MHP's re-elected leader Bahceli. Baykal told the paper that it was important to hear an approach from the MHP that is nationalistic without ethnic discrimination. Praising MHP's stance on preserving fundamental principles of the Turkish Republic, Baykal says it was good to hear a call for both the right and left wings to protect values which AKP constantly and deliberately erodes. Given the remarks of Baykal, Guneri Civaoglu, a Milliyet columnist, wonders if the CHP and MHP are going to form a coalition after the next elections, and he concludes that nothing is impossible in politics. Bilgi University-Laureate Education Hurriyet, Vatan, Sabah, Yeni Safak, Aksam: An Istanbul University, ANKARA 00006472 002 OF 002 Bilgi, sold its 50 percent rights to American Laureate Education, Inc. According to Turkish law, private universities are run by non-profit foundations. Bilgi University Foundation Board has eight members and with this sale half of the executive board members will be represented by Laureate Education. Aksam says Laureate has already named two representing members, associates of ARI Group (a Turkish NGO with US branches). The other two names will also have to be Turkish origin, according to the regulation. TV Highlights NTV (7 am) Police arrested 29 leftist activists after breaking into the Associated Press office in Ankara to protest alleged mistreatment of prisoners in Turkey. There were no reported injuries. The activists are known for campaigning on behalf of families of jailed members of the DHKP-C, an outlawed Marxist group. The EU set a deadline of December 6 for Turkey to allow Turkish ports for Greek Cypriot vessels. Government spokesman Cemil Cicek spoke negatively about this deadline and mentioned that the isolation against Turkish Cypriots must end first. The police have reported an alarming increase in juvenile delinquency. The number of crimes committed by children in the last six years has climbed to 400,000. Issuing a statement for the World Children Rights Day, President Sezer asked for effective measures against the abuse of children. Prime Minister Erdogan emphasized that the elections would be held at the scheduled time and ruled out possibilities for early elections. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON