Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA1831
2007-07-18 13:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001831
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
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2007
In Today's Papers
Erdogan Vows to Quit Politics if Not Returned to Power
All papers: Addressing people at an AKP rally in Isparta, PM
Erdogan said that he would quit politics if his party does not
receive enough votes to form a single party government. He
challenged CHP leader Deniz Baykal and MHP leader Devlet Bahceli to
do the same. Bahceli, campaigning in Iskenderun, responded to
Erdogan's remarks saying "Erdogan has realized that his time in
politics is over; his statement was not a challenge but rather an
acceptance of one's own political death." Mainstream Sabah reports
that Baykal responded by saying "good-bye" to Erdogan. Answering
questions on NTV, DP leader Agar criticized Erdogan's statement and
said "one should accept remaining in opposition as well as coming to
power."
Meanwhile, Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports an AKP-sponsored
survey by Pollmark shows that AKP will get 42 percent, CHP 22
percent, MHP 12 percent, and independents 24 percent of the votes
in the general elections.
Tension Increases over Turkey-Iran Gas Deal
Yeni Safak, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Zaman, Cumhuriyet and others:
Controversy continues regarding the gas deal between Turkey and
Iran. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports that although the US
reminded Turkey that the agreement violates the UN sanctions against
Iran, PM Erdogan and FM Gul supported the deal, saying 'Turkey is
not doing anything wrong." Meanwhile, the undersecretary for
economic and commercial affairs at the Iranian Embassy in Ankara,
Ahmad Noorani said at a press conference that the "people in the
region are entitled to make decisions about the future of the
region."
Sami Kohen writes in the mainstream Milliyet: "Changing
circumstances create an impact on changing government policies.
Turkey used to place more importance on countries other than Iran
but the recent gas agreement wfQX3