ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 002792 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 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2007 In Today's Papers Secretary Bodman Joins Azerbaijan-Turkey-Greece Natural Gas Pipeline SIPDIS Opening All papers report that yesterday, Prime Minister Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis inaugurated a pipeline that will carry Azeri natural gas from Turkey to Greece. US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri joined the inaugural ceremony. Erdogan and Karamanlis, in a symbolic gesture, shook hands on the bridge over the River Meric (Evros),which divides the two countries. Eventually, the pipeline will carry12 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Greece from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field. The rest will be prepared for re-export to the rest of Europe. The cost of the Turkish part of the pipeline is estimated at USD 144 million. Papers describe the opening of the pipeline as "historic," underlining that it was the second most important Turkish step in energy after the opening of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. The pipeline will be extended to Italy, transforming Turkey into an energy bridge for transporting natural gas to Europe. Erdogan said in his speech at the ceremony that the project is an important step for building one of the four main routes for shipping natural gas to the EU. He emphasized that the energy projects would boost welfare, peace and stability in the region, along with strengthening the ongoing rapprochement between Turkey and Greece. "Our goal is to contribute, mainly with the Nabucco Project, to Europe's energy security with projects to be developed in the future," Erdogan said. Karamanlis praised the "harmonious cooperation" between Greece and Turkey, and reiterated support for Turkey's EU entry bid. Aliyev said Azerbaijan would join the European common market for the first time, and added he believed this cooperation project would serve as a model for other countries in the region. Bodman hailed the pipeline as "a significant development, one that builds a new energy bridge between East and West." Bodman said the pipeline provides "diversification" for consumers and suppliers who will all benefit from the resulting competition and noted the project was a great success for Turkey, Greece and Azerbaijan and will provide new job opportunities in Central Asia. Liberal Radikal and Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak claim Secretary Bodman was included in the ceremony upon the insistence of the Turks, and also that he suggested Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan should eventually be included in future natural gas talks. On Saturday, mainstream Hurriyet reported on Secretary Bodman's comments to the Turkish-American Business Council in Istanbul on Friday. Bodman said Turkey's regional leadership role was of great significance and that the country has become a critical transit point for energy in the world. He noted the US would continue to support Turkey as an important transit line for oil and natural gas. Bodman also emphasized Turkey's great opportunities to develop new and clean types of energy, including solar energy. The Secretary said he hoped Turkey would become a full member of Global Nuclear Energy Partnership. Closure Case against DTP Protested All papers report 25 people were detained when 6,000 pro-Kurdish DTP supporters clashed with riot police during a rally held in the southeastern province of Batman. The demonstration was organized to protest a lawsuit seeking to shut down the DTP. Former Kurdish DEP deputy Leyla Zana, referring to the PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, stated "I know that one day he will join us and you will be able to listen to him." In Sanliurfa, a group of 200 DTP supporters also taged a peaceful demonstration. In Istanbul, a small group of Freedom and Democracy Party (ODP) members held a short protest march to denounce the case against DTP. ANKARA 00002792 002 OF 003 Weekend papers report the chief prosecutor's office has filed a lawsuit asking for the closure of Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP. The 121 page indictment directs 141 accusations against party officials. The prosecutor claimed the DTP has become "a focal point of activities against the sovereignty of the state and unity of the country." The prosecutor asked for five year political bans for 221 DTP activists, including eight members of parliament. The indictment cites the abduction of eight soldiers by the PKK, saying the incident was used by the DTP for propaganda purposes and warns that "ethnic civil strife" could break out if the party is not shut down. The prosecutor needs the support of seven of the 11 Constitutional Court justices to carry out the ban. Editorial Commentary on DTP Closure Ferai Tinc commented in mainstream Hurriyet (11/19): "Following the investigation against the pro-Kurdish DTP, Prime Minister Erdogan clarified the government's position that the party should not be closed and democratic discussions should continue. Certainly, it is the duty of a government to expand and extend democratic platforms as much as possible. Yet, it is also very difficult for the government to deal with a party that has set itself up for closure. This weekend's nationwide DTP rallies demonstrate an intentional strategy to increase tension; the DTP is deliberately provoking a closure even while both the opposition and the government do not support a party closure. At this point, the DTP parliamentarians have a vital task and responsibility. They better take advantage of the government's constructive attitude and be helpful and positive in this process." Hasan Bulent Kahraman commented in mainstream Sabah (11/19): "After the recent elections, Kurdish politics have come to an historic turning point. Kurdish voters, by preferring the ruling AKP, demonstrated their desire for new approaches that seek democratic solutions, thereby dismissing the Ocalan/PKK factor. However, in the aftermath of the election, the pro-Kurdish DTP has made a lot of mistakes. Evidently, Ocalan was trying to corner the AKP government by radicalizing the Kurdish issue. The connection between the DTP and PKK is certainly not a secret, but it is disturbing. The DTP failed to work for democratization and failed to distance itself from terrorism. Nevertheless, this party should remain in the political arena and should not be closed. Turkey is capable of making some significant steps to settle the Kurdish issue despite the DTP's connections to the PKK. The judiciary process is one thing to watch, but the political process should continue." Northern Iraqi Administration will not Object to a Limited Operation Milliyet, Hurriyet, Radikal, and Yeni Safak report that, following a meeting between Massoud Barzani and representatives of other northern Iraqi political parties who had visited Turkey recently, Secretary General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union Selahaddin Muhammed SIPDIS Bahaddin told the media that they will not interfere in a possible Turkish operation into northern Iraq on the condition that the operation will be limited and will not threaten civilian areas. Turkish General Staff Denies the Ban on Retired Generals Sabah, Milliyet, Vatan, Radikal, Zaman, Cumhuriyet and others: Following reports over the weekend claiming that retired generals are banned from making comments or giving interviews to the media, the Turkish General Staff (TGS) issued a press statement on its web-site on Sunday. The press statement said that 'an amendment on this issue was sent to the Defense Ministry on April 30, 2007 and it has no link with recent developments. The change that was introduced does not impose a general restriction on retired military personnel, but aims to preserve the tradition of loyalty in the Turkish military. The statement also said that "the Turkish military cannot hold any sentiments other than respect and gratitude to its retired personnel. However, certain individuals, though few in number, attack the Turkish Military with an unacceptable hatred ANKARA 00002792 003 OF 003 and hostility through the media. Many times this is under the influence of fundamental views. Keeping such individuals away from the Turkish military is a natural institutional protective measure." TV News: NTV Domestic News - Opposition CHP leader Deniz Baykal said a cross-border operation into northern Iraq must be conducted; otherwise Turkey will be lose its credibility. - On November 23, Prime Minister Erdogan and AKP lawmakers will hold a three-day meeting to discuss constitutional reforms. - Interior Minister Besir Atalay, in a meeting with the governors of 11 provinces in southeast Turkey, stressed democracy will not be sacrificed to combat terror. - Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said Turkey has to make USD 130 billion energy investments in the next ten years. International News - The opposition Democratic Party of former ethnic Albanian guerrilla leader Hashim Thaci won the November 17 parliamentary elections in Kosovo. - US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said President Musharraf must lift the state of emergency he declared this month and release all political detainees in Pakistan. - The death toll from a cyclone that devastated Bangladesh has surpassed 2,200 officials said Sunday. - Over the weekend, Iraq's parliament ordered an inquiry into the delay of a referendum over whether the oil-rich city of Kirkuk will join the Kurdish region in the north. WILSON