TURKISH LEADERS DEPLORE BOMB ATTACK

UNCLAS ANKARA 001265 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV TU SUBJECT: TURKISH LEADERS DEPLORE BOMB ATTACK REF: ANKARA 1249 ¶1. (U) Summary and comment. Turkish leaders, including, notably, pro-Kurdish politicians, roundly condemned the May 22 bombing in downtown Ankara that killed six and injured over 90 persons (reftel). PM Erdogan denounced terrorism and called for solidarity, as did main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. President Sezer issued a strong statement condemning the attack and terrorism. Chief of General Staff General Buyukanit, along with Erdogan and Baykal, was among the first to arrive at the scene after the bombing and spoke to the press about the likelihood of terrorism; it was the first time a CHOD had surveyed the scene of such a bombing. Turkey's Human Rights Association (HRA) and other NGOs and labor unions have come out with forceful condemnations. The HRA organized a commemoration May 23 in Istanbul, noteworthy in that many in the state apparatus have long suspected the HRA of sympathy for the terrorist PKK. The tragedy may have the unintended consequence of unifying, at least briefly, Turkey's polarized society. End summary and comment. ¶2. (U) During May 23 remarks in Istanbul, a haggard-looking Erdogan stressed the tragedy's impact on the entire nation. "Terrorism is our common problem," he said, urging Turks to respond with unity and togetherness. Parliament's speaker Bulent Arinc echoed the call for unity, "It is time to leave aside political strife and fights; the fight against terrorism is a common fight..." Center-right True Path Party (DYP) chairman Mehmet Agar called the attack a "hideous action aimed at innocent people," and said Turkey should not be pulled into domestic strife. CHOD Buyukanit impliedly fingered the PKK, directing questioners to look at the institutions behind the terror organization. Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli alone opted for partisan politics, warning that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would pay a heavy price for what he termed "weakening Turkey's fight against terrorism", and pitched his extreme nationalist party as the one that would eradicate terrorism and prevent the country's division. ¶3. (SBU) Pro-Kurdish politicians spoke out as well. Diyarbakir's mayor Osman Baydemir was quick to deplore the bombing and conveyed his condolences to all Turks. Mass killings and blind violence will accomplish nothing, he said, adding, "What they wanted to create was chaos, instability and terror..." On May 23, pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk joined with several leftist party leaders at a press conference, "protesting" the explosion as an "inhumane violent act". Media present characterized the group as having condemned the bombing. They also urged the government to ensure the July 22 elections take place peacefully, despite provocations and anti-democratic actions. ¶4. (U) Several labor unions and NGOs strongly condemned the bombing. After visiting the site, HRA president Yusuf Alatas said, on behalf of HRA and four other human rights NGOs, "...the fight against terrorism should be conducted through democracy, supremacy of law, human rights and social peace." Methods that increase tension and harm democracy should be avoided. Five labor unions issued separate statements labeling the attack as an attempt to destabilize the country and calling for unity. During this election period, "our political parties and NGOs should leave aside their own interests, expectations, election tactics, individual and party views and insistently and courageously challenge terrorism...," the Confederation of Turkish employers' Union (TISK) declared. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON