ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001452 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 FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2007 In Today's Papers Tension on the Iraqi Border All papers report that tension remains high on Turkey-Iraq border while the Turkish military increases security measures against further infiltration of the PKK. Commenting on the media reports of a cross-border operation, Chief of the Turkish General Staff (TGS) General Yasar Buyukanit said "we need a government decision for an operation. The Turkish military is not the neighborhood bully" and reiterated the Turkish military's determination in the fight against terrorism. Meanwhile, in a statement posted on its website last night, the TGS drew attention to increased terror attacks in recent days and called on the Turkish nation to display a "mass resistance against terrorism." Mainstream Milliyet, leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet and others report that Kurdish leaders Barzani and Talabani held a press conference in Suleymaniye in Northern Iraq yesterday and said that they would consider "any Turkish incursion into Northern Iraq as an attack against the whole of Iraq." Barzani added "Ankara asks us to launch an operation against the PKK, but we will not fight with the PKK, we want a peaceful solution to the issue." Meanwhile, outlets report that four soldiers were killed and six were injured when a remote-control land mine went off as military vehicles carrying reinforcement troops were driving on the Siirt-Sirvan highway in the southeast. Editorial Comment: Stopping the PKK Hakan Celik writes in the tabloid daily Posta: "The US encourages the trilateral mechanism between Turkey, the US and Iraq for the settlement of the PKK problem and is opposed to a cross-border operation. One wonders what good can come out of the trilateral mechanism while Barzani and Talabani decline to fight against the PKK. The current situation poses a deadlock, and it is the US administration's responsibility to break it by taking immediate and concrete measures. Otherwise the developments in the region will spin out of Washington's control." Sami Kohen writes in the mainstream daily Milliyet: "Turkish diplomacy has intensified its efforts to make others aware of the PKK terrorism issue and to gain support for the struggle against terrorism. Recently there has been a series of meetings arranged by Turkish diplomats in the international arena -- from NATO to the United Nations -- who have explained Turkey's suffering from terrorism, emphasized the role of Northern Iraq in Turkey's terrorism problem and also asked for international support. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials bring up the same subjects with counterparts every time they go to a foreign country. The leaders of Turkey-friendly countries should go beyond the 'we are with you' rhetoric. Action that validates their empathy is needed. Otherwise they might end up getting some unwanted surprises given the fact that even a small story about a military operation is enough to create a frenzy." DP-ANAP Cooperation Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Zaman, Yeni Safak and others: The Democrat Party (DP) and Anavatan Party (ANAP),having failed in their attempts to create an alliance earlier, decided to revive the unification process. ANAP will not officially participate in the elections but will run under the DP ticket and ANAP leader Erkan Mumcu will not be a candidate. Sarkozy Attempt to Block Turkey's EU Entry Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Vatan and others: In an interview with Le Figaro daily, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that he had not changed his mind; Turkey has no place in Europe. Reportedly, Sarkozy will propose a strategy at the EU summit in December aimed at ending Turkey's EU membership bid. ANKARA 00001452 002 OF 002 President Sezer Vetoes Parts of Foreign Work Permit Law Sabah, Cumhuriyet: President Sezer vetoed two provisions of a bill permitting foreigners to work in Turkey. Sezer said "considering that the amendment encourages foreigners to work in fields that don't relate to their specializations and that this in turn will contribute to the longstanding problem of unemployment in Turkey, it has been determined that the amendment doesn't fit with the constitutional rules and public interest." TV Highlights NTV, 7.00 A.M. Domestic News - Italian Foreign Minister D'Alema will visit Turkey on June 12-13. - The number of people killed in PKK bombing in Ankara last month increased to seven, as one of the seriously injured victims has died. - PM Erdogan and MHP Leader Bahceli will start their pre-election campaigns on Saturday. International News - G-8 nears deal on Greenhouse gas cuts. - US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack rebuked Greek journalist Lambros Papantoniou for referring to Turkish Chief of Staff General Buyukanit as a "dictator-to-be." WILSON