ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001673

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, JUNE 28, 2007


In Today's Papers

Restructuring of Turkish Military against the PKK
All papers report that as part of the media tour to Commando
Training School in Isparta-Egirdir yesterday, TGS Chief Buyukanit
and Land Forces Commander General Ilker Basbug answered questions at
a press conference. General Basbug said at the press conference
that the fight against PKK terrorists will be carried out by Special
Forces which will consist of all professionals. Mainstream Hurriyet
reports that the six commando brigade members, which are responsible
for domestic security, will be replaced by professional commandos by


2009.

General Buyukanit Comments on Cross-Border Operation
All papers report that at the press conference at Egirdir, TGS Chief
General Buyukanit reiterated the need for a cross-border operation
into northern Iraq. General Buyukanit was quoted as saying "we
cannot say that we will enter the north of Iraq and eradicate the
PKK, but such a move will be a serious blow to the terrorist
organization." Responding to a question General Buyukanit said
"obviously, we had various requests and demands from the US. At
this point, we cannot say that the US extended sufficient support to
our fight against PKK." While PM Erdogan told reporters that he
could not comment on General Buyukanit remarks until evaluating
them, in an exclusive interview with Islamic oriented Yeni Safak
Foreign Minister Gul said "all options are on the table and I
couldn't say that a cross border operation wouldn't take place
before the elections."

Papers and TV channels report that US State Department Spokesman
Sean McCormack said that "the US doesn't think an operation into
Iraq from Turkey is going to help the situation, either in the
short, medium, or long term" and that "the solution here is to have
the Turkish Government and the Iraqi Government work together to
address what is a common threat."

Iraqi PM Maliki will not Come to Turkey in the near Future
Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports that while attending the
energy conference in Istanbul, Maliki's spokesperson Ali-al-Debbag
said that PM Nouri Al-Maliki would not be able to pay a visit to
Turkey in the near future. This message disturbed the AKP
government since they were hoping to host Maliki before June 30.

Turkey to Pay Back Assets to an Armenian Foundation
Mainstream Milliyet reports that the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR) ruled that Turkey should return the assets of Yedikule Surp
Pirgic Armenian Hospital Foundation, seized in 1998. The ECHR
ordered Turkey to pay 15,000 Euro court expenses as well.


TV Highlights
NTV

Domestic News

- Two people in Turkey died yesterday due to excessive heat

- 8 PKK terrorists were killed in Sirnak during security
operations.

- Council of State member Zehra Ayla Perktas was appointed to the
Constitutional Court by President Sezer

- An explosion in Gaziantep damaged the last car of a freight train
bound for Syria from Adana


International News

- Gordon Brown took over Britain's leadership from Tony Blair

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- Israeli forces killed 12 Palestinians in a raid in Gaza
WILSON