ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000733 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 16, 2006 -------------- In Today's Papers New Photos from Abu Ghraib All papers: An Australian TV broadcasted new photographs and video clips from Abu Ghraib. Reportedly, these photos were the unpublished images of the abuse of Iraqis by the US military at Abu Ghraib prison which were taken in late 2003. The tone of the reporting highlights that the torture was systematic and despite evidence no high ranking officials have been punished yet. Turkey Gets Tough on Iran; US Ambassador Schulte in Ankara Radikal, Hurriyet, Zaman and Yeni Safak: The Turkish Foreign Ministry decided to get tougher on its statements related to Iran's nuclear program. The Foreign Ministry stated that Iran was hiding information and failed to win the trust of the international community. Papers note that comments come just ahead of meetings in Ankara today and tomorrow with US Permanent Representative to the IAEA Gregory Schulte. Murat Yetkin commenting in Radikal says focus on the Iranian issue increased especially after the visit of German FM and leading up to the meetings in Ankara of US Representative to the IAEA, Greg Schulte. Yetkin, reading between the lines of the latest statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, believes Ankara's message to Tehran was a "warning not to provide any pretext to the US for a strike against Iran." He continues, "an operation against Iran will not be like the Iraq operation, rather it is likely that a series of unprecedented air strikes will be carried out to cut off Iran's nuclear capability for at least another decade." Iraq and the Region Aksam, Yeni Safak: Highlighting a trade fair to be held in Jordan, papers talk about an economic "competition war" as Turkey and many countries in the region are going to participate in re-constructing Iraq by bidding at the fair in Amman on May 8-11. In a Sabah, Soli Ozel comments on the importance of establishing a national identity in Iraq, saying that the Kurds will play a crucial role. Ozel writes, "There is potential tension ahead between secular Kurds and pro- Islamist Arab parties. Therefore, the stance of the Kurds is very important for the future shape of Iraq." Ozel concludes, "It is in the interest of everyone -- including Turkey, the US and the countries in the region -- to preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq and convince Kurds to remain a part of an integrated Iraq," urging Turkey to make this fact "an essential pillar of its Iraq policy." Turkish Press Covers US Reaction to the 'Valley of the Wolves-Iraq' Hurriyet, Yeni Safak, Vatan: American media continues to pay attention to the Turkish movie, Valley of the Wolves- Iraq. American ABC TV criticized the box office success of the film in Turkey calling it a "victory of Anti- Americanism." The Washington Times carried a story criticizing the wife of the Turkish PM, wondering "how Turs would like it if Laura Bush watched the movie 'Midnight Express' and praised it afterwards" As the Turkish PM's wife did in the case of "Valley of the Wolves, Iraq." Pentagon's "Long War" Strategy Milliyet: The Pentagon designed a new war strategy based on a longstanding war against terrorist networks and rouge states. Worried about the strategy turning into a cold war- ANKARA 00000733 002 OF 002 like atmosphere, the Democrats and liberal media as well as some conservative circles have started a debate on the Pentagon's assessment, focusing on the disadvantages. US Security Blacklist Radikal, Yeni Safak, Sabah: US Center for Counterterrorism has broadened its list of potential suspects. Collecting names from CIA, FBI, Homeland Security and other relevant agencies, the list now contains 325,000 names, mostly foreigners. Papers took excerpts from a Washington Post story and highlighted that most of the names listed might even be innocent people. Turkish Parliament Rejects Censure Motion Against Finance Minister Unakitan All papers: Turkish Parliament rejected a censure motion submitted by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) against Finance Minister Unakitan. The motion submitted against Unakitan was for abusing his power in the Galataport tender, asset declaration and bank accounts, corruption in tenders, violating commercial and banking confidentiality rules, defaming other persons and SIPDIS institutions and for causing state losses. Television (NTV, 7:00 AM) The Energy Ministry announced that Turkey is determined to establish a nuclear power plant. Reportedly the National Security Council will pick a place among seven different areas, to build the plant. 11:00 AM - NTV reported that a five-person Hamas delegation headed by Khalid Mishal arrived in Ankara for meetings with officials of the ruling AK Party. WILSON