ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002516 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, OCTOBER 11, 2007 In Today's Papers US House Committee Approves Armenian Genocide Resolution All papers report that despite the warnings issued by US President Bush and his Administration, the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs approved a resolution concerning the incidents of 1915 27 votes to 21. Papers highlighted the last minute efforts by President Bush and his Administration to prevent passage of the resolution. President Bush appeared on CNN just 2 hours before the voting and urged the Committee to oppose the resolution. Secretary Rice also made a statement saying that the resolution would have a destabilizing effect on US interests in the Middle East. Secretary of Defense Gates said that the US needs the logistical support of Turkey in Iraq. Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the meeting of the Committee was opened with prayers of Armenian Patriarch Karekin II. President Gul termed the decision of the House Committee as unacceptable and added that Turkish people do not respect it. Motion for Cross-Border Operation Ready to be Sent to Parliament All papers cite PM Erdogan's CNN Turk interview as a source to report that the motion asking authorization from Parliament for a cross-border operation into Iraq would be presented to Parliament either today or following the long holiday weekend. PM said that the duration of the authorization will be one year. "Turkey is not aiming at the territorial integrity of Iraq, however, neither the Iraqi administration nor the US have done anything. Turkey has run out of patience and needs to see actions rather than words," added PM Erdogan. Meanwhile, papers report that operations against PKK terrorists continue intensively in Sirnak. Tanks have been sent to the region. F-16, F-4 and Cobra helicopters are bombing the area between Kupeli and Gabar mountains. And demonstrations to protest terrorist incidents have been held in Denizli, Mersin, Zonguldak, Adana, Antalya, Sanli Urfa, Izmir and Rize. "CBO and Question Marks" Ergun Babahan wrote in mainstream daily Sabah (10/11): "Turkey should be careful not to present the image that it is planning an operation against all Kurds, rather than just the PKK. Such perceptions will help the terrorist organization to garner more support in the region. In fact, this may be a reason for some deliberate efforts by the PKK to drag Turkey into Northern Iraq. The ADP parliamentary deputies from Turkey's southeast region are talking about the disadvantages of a cross border operation, and their voices should definitely be taken into account." "Don't Leave Everything to the Hands of Military" Hasan Cemal wrote in the mainstream daily Milliyet (10/11): "This issue is too complex to wait for a miracle solution or an overnight solution. This is not a solely PKK or terrorism issue. The roots of the problem go way back - much earlier and deeper - and we can simply call it the Kurdish problem. The problem is gaining more international prominence with the help of the Iraqi Kurdish entity. We should be thinking about minimal goals to work towards, including a comprehensive reform process, and take steps towards civilian initiatives to marginalize violence and terror. Civilian initiatives must be the key for solution. We should not leave everything in the hands of military." "Terror Is a Game By Itself" Fehmi Koru wrote in the Islamist-leaning daily Yeni Safak (10/11): "The mounting PKK terror is leading us to address the situation in Northern Iraq in a way which advocates anger and calls for cross border operations. Especially in times such as this, it is better to think twice and in an unemotional manner. Looking at the issue from a distance, it is clear that the PKK is trying to drag us into Northern Iraq and once we go ahead with the cross border operation, ANKARA 00002516 002 OF 002 the terrorists will be even happier. We better realize the game being played and think outside the box before we are hit by another terror wave." TV Highlights NTV Domestic News - One policeman was killed and four others were injured in explosion caused by hand-grenade thrown into a tailor shop in Diyarbakir - The wedding of President Abdullah Gul's daughter is scheduled for Sunday in Istanbul - Government has completed preparations for Social Security reforms which will be enforced by the end of the year - PM Erdogan demands a lower increase on electricity prices. Ministers have demanded 26 percent increase International News - The US Military released about 1400 Iraqi detainees to mark the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan - The Kurdish Administration in Northern Iraq has been alarmed by Turkish preparations for a cross-border operation against the PKK in Iraq - The EU Commission and Russia urged restraint from Turkey in dealing with PKK terrorists WILSON