ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002110 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, AUGUST 15, 2007 In Today's Papers Candidate Gul Seeks Support for Presidency All papers report Abdullah Gul in a press conference Tuesday pledged to uphold Turkey's secularist principles and work for democracy if elected president. Gul said he will quit the ruling AKP the day he becomes president and act as an impartial head of state for all Turks. Mainstream papers stress that Gul's first message was to the military, when he said that "the constitution is binding for all institutions." Mainstream Milliyet reports Gul is seeking broad support for his presidency and plans meetings with NGOs Wednesday. Leading opposition CHP said in a statement that Gul's Islamic roots and some past statements raise concerns with regard to his sincere commitment to democracy and the secular republic. CHP stressed Gul's presidency would speed up transforming Turkey into an Islamic state. "Tension in the Capital," reads a banner headline in the leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet, reporting the main opposition CHP's warning that it will boycott receptions and other state events if Gul becomes president. The Kurdish DTP is expected to support Gul with its 20 seats in the parliament. The extreme nationalist MHP earlier stated it will participate in the presidential election; however, papers don't expect the MHP to vote for Gul. Liberal Radikal says Turkey is back to square one, 3.5 months after Gul first entered the race to become president, triggering a political crisis and early parliamentary elections. The paper says the basic problem remains the same - Gul's wife's headscarf. The participation of 367 lawmakers is required in the first two rounds of parliamentary voting -- August 20 and 24. Gul is expected to be elected in the third round of voting on August 28, when only a simple majority is required. Turkish Markets React Calmly to Gul's Presidential Candidacy All papers report Turkish financial markets weakened on Wednesday due to global factors as well as uncertainty over reaction from the secular elite and military. The Turkish Lira fell to its weakest level in two months against the dollar and stocks also declined. Business analysts, however, do not expect a strong negative reaction. Business daily Referans reports that an Istanbul investment expert said Gul's presidency would bring economic 
stability. Gul is a well-respected, moderate and liberal politician in international circles, the expert said, expressing belief that international investment inflow will continue. The Islamist-oriented papers Zaman and Yeni Safak report that several business leaders welcomed the idea of Gul as president. Editorial Commentary on Gul's Presidential Nomination Oktay Eksi writes in the mainstream daily Hurriyet: "As the opposition party [CHP] indicated, Gul comes from a strong religious sectarian background with constant vindictive feelings against the fundamental values of the Turkish republic. We can track down many statements he made in parliament about commitment to democracy, yet it is not possible to find statements of commitment to the Republican values and spirit, except for rhetoric necessary for protocol. After he is elected, all eyes will be on Gul watching for whether he really has committed himself to the fundamental philosophy of the Turkish Republic. One cannot afford to be 'neutral' to those values. Whoever occupies the position of president should either commit to these values or leave." Gungor Mengi writes in the mainstream daily Vatan: "Believing in democracy requires respect for the majority's will whether we like it or not. Gul acknowledged the skepticism over his intentions by making a strong statement of commitment to Republican values with an emphasis on secularism. We have to give him some credit in a democratic fashion so that he can, with his deeds, win the hearts of those with skeptical minds. What's done is done, now it's the time to be patient. The presidency is the highest rank and it tolerates ANKARA 00002110 002 OF 003 zero mistakes, unlike in the case of politicians. Let's hope that Gul proves that he has statesmanship qualities to match this highest rank." Tamer Korkmaz writes in the Islamist-oriented daily Zaman: "Gul's candidacy is the most important step toward the new age. Gul will be a president embracing all sectors of the society. He will create harmony among the state institutions. It is no secret that there are some in Turkey who look for and work toward a regime crisis. They are doomed to lose. Turkey is moving ahead and there is no way to divert its course on the road to democracy." Changes Expected in Erdogan's New Cabinet All papers speculate with regard to the shape of the new cabinet list to be submitted to outgoing President Sezer by Prime Minister Erdogan on Tursday. Mainstream Hurriyet believes up to 16 ministers could change in Prime Minister Erdogan's new cabinet. The paper expects the number of ministers with an Islamic background to be reduced. Hurriyet predicts former Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan will be named deputy PM responsible for coordinating the economy. Former Ankara Chamber of Industry chairman Zafer Caglayan will likely become Industry Minister, and veteran politician Mehmet Saglam will be Education Minister. The paper expects changes in the ministries of culture, farming, and interior as well. Papers say Ali Babacan is likely to become foreign minister if Abdullah Gul is elected president. Saban Disli is another candidate Erdogan has in mind for the post. Vatan claims Erdogan will withdraw his list if Sezer vetoes even a single name, and will resubmit it to the new president on August 29. Turkey-US-Israel to Hold 'Reliant Mermaid 8' Exercise Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports Turkey, the US and Israel are to hold joint search and rescue exercises, "Reliant Mermaid 8," off Turkey's southern coast in the in international waters in the Mediterranean in late August. The exercises will be staged with ten military vessels, four helicopters and four search and rescue airplanes from the three countries. TV Highlights NTV (7 A.M.) Domestic News - Two people were killed and 32 others injured when a truck carrying illegal immigrants crashed in the southeastern province of Van. - Two PKK terrorists were captured in the northwestern city of Duzce and the southeastern city of Mardin. One PKK terrorist died in clashes with the security forces in the southeastern city of Sirnak. - Collective bargaining negotiations between public servants' labor union KESK and the government kicks off Wednesday. - Turkey signed a 1.2 billion Euro loan with Swiss, German, French, Austrian, and Turkish financiers Tuesday for the controversial Ilisu dam project which will produce an annual 3.8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity. The Ilisu dam to be completed in 2014 will put approximately 80 villages under water as well as submerge the remains of an ancient city, provoking strong criticism of the project from environmentalists. International News - Controversial statements by Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Markoulli have narrowed chances for arranging a meeting of Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders Talat and Papadopoulos. - Four Palestinians have been killed and 12 others wounded in ANKARA 00002110 003 OF 003 clashes with Israeli forces in Gaza Strip. - Russian prosecutors are investigating a video posted on several ultranationalist websites which shows the brutal execution of two men from Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the beheading of one of them. - US Comptroller General David Walker said America is pursuing unsustainable public and foreign policies and compared modern America to the decline of ancient Rome. MCELDOWNEY