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 ANKARA 00001673 002 OF 002 - Israeli forces killed 12 Palestinians in a raid in Gaza WILSON