ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002454 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 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2007 In Today's Papers Buyukanit on Turkey's Unitary, Secular Structure All papers report that in a speech at the opening of the new academic year at the Military Academy, Turkish General Staff (TGS) chief General Yasar Buyukanit gave three messages: no power could divide Turkey, change its secular structure, or shake the Turkish nation's confidence in its military. On the Kurdish question and terrorist actions, Buyukanit said it was concerning that some circles were calling the PKK terrorists "brothers," and stressed that Turkey had to resolve this problem "within the law." He said "action, not words is what counts in the fight against terrorism," in remarks interpreted by the papers as "a message to the US." Buyukanit also said Iraq was moving toward a federal structure and that it "posed a risk" for Turkey. On the draft new constitution prepared by the ruling AKP, Buyukanit said the military would express its view on the constitutional changes when the draft is published. Gul Calls for Compromise at Opening of New Legislative Year All papers report President Abdullah Gul and Speaker Koksal Toptan addressed the opening session of the Turkish Parliament in the new legislative year. In his opening speech, President Gul said democracy requires respect for radical and marginal views. He called for "consensus" and "compromise" on the new constitution, and lauded the government's work to that end. Gul urged the parliament to approve more EU-sought reforms. He also called for more investment in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast region, saying infrastructure projects there could help the fight against terrorism. Speaker Toptan said that there would be no change in the first three articles of the constitution, which are related to secularism, territorial integrity and the rule of law. Toptan pointed to the parliament as being the place to seek reconciliation. Meanwhile, papers report President Abdullah Gul will travel to Strasbourg today to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Gul will be the first Turkish President to address PACE. Kurdish Administration Reacts to Turkey-Iraq Security Agreement Islamist oriented Yeni Safak reports that the deputy chairman of the Kurdish Parliament in Northern Iraq Kemal Kerkuki condemn the security agreement signed by Turkey and Iraq and said that they cannot accept any border violation in the Kurdish region in Northern Iraq, based on agreements signed with any country. Dink Murder Case Continues Sabah, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others: Papers report that during his trial yesterday, Ogun Samast, the murderer of Hrant Dink, said that he used ecstasy pills and other drugs for courage before the murder. Samast claimed in court that Yasin Hayal threatened to kill Samast's family if he did not kill Dink. Meanwhile, papers highlight that the prison vehicle that brought Ogun Samast to the court had an extreme nationalist sticker on it saying "love it or leave it." The gendarmerie covered the sticker after the public noticed it. ECHR Rejects Judges Nominated by Turkey Sabah, Milliyet, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others report the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has rejected all the three candidates nominated by Turkey to fill the post vacated by the Turkish Judge Riza Turmen in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR),saying there were stark differences between their levels of expertise. During a visit to Turkey in April, the head of the ECHR, Jean Paul Costa, had criticized the Turkish government for its unwillingness to extend the mandate of Turmen. There was speculation that the AKP government declined to back Turmen because of his support for headscarf restrictions in Turkey. ANKARA 00002454 002 OF 003 Editorial Commentary on Turkey-US, Turkey-Iran Relations Haluk Ulman observes in the business and political daily Dunya: "Press reports were filled with positive stories about PM Erdogan's visit to the US and the successful atmosphere of the meetings he attended or where he gave speeches. This is very good as far as appearance is concerned. However, if we have to speak about the bare truth, despite all the exchange of goodwill messages between the US and Turkey, all efforts are to no avail. For the ruling AKP, this relationship does not go beyond a domestic public relations effort. Let's face it: the views of Turkey and the US do not match any longer, nor do their interests. We just do not have similar views about the future of Iraq, about the Armenian Genocide or about the fight against PKK. Iran has just been added to the list areas where the views of Turkey differ from those of the US. Even though we express concern about the Iranian nuclear program, it mainly stems from the fear of consequences after possible American operations against Iran. Moreover we are engaging in energy cooperation with Iran. As proven by PM Erdogan's trip to the US, there is still a bilateral dialog mechanism but it can only be called a dialog between the deaf. And it will remain so unless or until Turkey agrees to act within the unilateral policy line of the US." Enis Berberoglu writes in the mainstream daily Hurriyet: "Despite obvious warnings from the US about not engaging in business with Iran, Turkey moves forward on energy deals as well as a transportation project. When PM Erdogan met with Iranian leader Ahmedinejad, it was actually the Iranian side who expressed concern about whether Turkey wants to move forward on the natural gas deal project. The Iranian leader wanted to make sure whether or not Turkey had some concerns about going ahead. The Turkish side expressed commitment to go until the bitter end on this project. A rapid rail system between Istanbul and Tehran was also brought up as an effort to further cooperation. The Turkish Ministry of Transportation assumed responsibility for moving forward on construction and management processes. The two sides also talked about cooperation on defense particularly on recent operations against PKK at the borders. Iranians explained their operations against the PKK in the Kandil Mountain area in detail. In sum, the Iranian leader Ahmedinejad has every reason to be happy about his relationship with Turkey." TV News: NTV Domestic News - Government spokesman Cemil Cicek has signaled Turkey might still use its right to hot pursuit even though the security agreement signed with Iraq does not envisage provisions for chasing terrorists across the border. - The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly President Rene van den Linden said Turkey's membership in the European Union would be a fantasy if the country became an Islamic state. - German Greens Party co-chair Claudia Roth says Turkish penal code article 301, related to freedom of expression, was the reason for the murder of Dink. - Prime Minister Erdogan will host a Ramadan fast-breaking "Iftar" dinner for AKP lawmakers Tuesday evening. International News - Syrian President Bashar Assad told the BBC that Syria reserved the right to respond to the Israeli air strike in northern Syria early in September. ANKARA 00002454 003 OF 003 - Dr. Hussein al Shahristani, Iraq's Oil Minister, says Iraq's neighbors will not allow shipment of Kurdish oil across their borders. - Myanmar's protests have lost steam as security forces clampdown, killing over a dozen and arresting as many as 1,000 people involved in the street protests. - The New Yorker's Seymour Hersh reports that "in a series of public statements in recent months, President Bush and members of his Administration have redefined the war in Iraq as a strategic battle between the US and Iran." WILSON