ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002915 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 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2007 In Today's Papers Ambassador Wilson: "The Exchange of Information is Producing Good Results" Aksam, Sabah, Cumhuriyet: While answering journalists' questions at the reception celebrating Finland's national day, US Ambassador Ross Wilson said that the "exchange of information is producing good results. We have been working very hard and very closely with Turkey since the meeting at the Oval Office in the beginning of November. Turkey and the US exchanged a lot of information before the November meeting, but since then, we have worked more intensively and I think it is producing good results." When asked why he had not met with DTP deputies, the Ambassador said that "officials from the Embassy in Ankara have been meeting with many people in different levels. As a separate matter, I think it is important for DTP's members in the parliament to separate themselves more clearly from terrorism." Cumhuriyet reported the same news under the headline "No Concrete Stance from Washington. Wilson did not say 'I won't talk with DTP.'" When asked for his opinion on the draft constitution, Ambassador Wilson said "I am having meetings with some MPs and academics regarding the draft constitution and am trying to learn more about the topics on Turkey's agenda." DTP Chairman Nurettin Demirtas Postpones his Return from Europe Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Aksam, Hurriyet, Milliyet and others: In a written statement, DTP Chairman Nurettin Demirtas said that, due to programs organized by DTP offices in Europe, he will not be able to return to Turkey until the end of December. In response to DTP deputy Sirri Sakik's remarks that it is not easy for them to accept a chairman from outside the parliament, Demirtas said "those who cannot accept my chairmanship are those who could not adopt democracy". Meanwhile, Milliyet and Sabah report that the DTP's Erzincan branch chairman Huseyin Bektasoglu was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for using the honorific (sayin) while referring to jailed PKK leader Ocalan. Foreign Minister Gul in Turkmenistan All papers report that President Abdullah Gul visited Turkmenistan. This is the first exchange between the two nations since 2002. Vatan says that the visit opened a new chapter in ties between Turkey and Turkmenistan. Milliyet says that the visit led to important developments in natural gas products, namely that the Turkmenistan president responded positively to the Turkish proposal for transporting Turkmen natural gas from Turkey to Europe. Meanwhile, Sabah reports that the White House is making the necessary arrangements to host President Gul and the official date for the visit will be announced by the White House. Coca Cola's New Turkish CEO All papers report that the Coca Cola company, which has a market value of $140 billion, announced that Turkish businessman Murat Kent will become the company's CEO as of July 2008. Kent became president and chief operating officer of the company's North Asia, Eurasia and Middle East group in May 2005 and became president of Coca Cola International in February 2006. He started serving as chief operating officer of the company in December 2006. With this assignment, Kent became the first Turk to be assigned to such a high-level post in a global company. New Controversy in Malatya Murder Case Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, Taraf, Yeni Safak: Papers highlight a new controversy in the murder of three missionaries in Malatya. It was recently discovered that key suspect Emre Gunaydin's gun was seized by the police the day before the murders took place. Nevertheless, the same gun was found at the murder sight. Following this new development, the prosecutor initiated a new investigation into the murder. ANKARA 00002915 002 OF 002 Sale of Sabah-ATV Media Group: Turkey's TSMF (Savings Deposits and Insurance Fund) approved the sale of Sabah daily and ATV television to Calik Group for $1.1 billion. Final approval from the Radio-Television Supreme Board and the Competition Board is still pending. Cumhuriyet highlights a significant rise of pro-government media share with this sale. Along with the sale of Sabah media group, newspapers controlled by the government or pro-government entities reach 43.1 percent of the newspaper market share and 32.7 percent of the television market. EDITORIAL OPINION: Iran "Eyes Blinded By Oil" Haluk Ulman commented in economic-political daily Dunya (12/7): "The NIE report on Iran's nuclear program creates intense debates about the virtue of Bush administration's policy on Iran. The NIE report this time clearly tells differently than previous ones, and also makes a projection for the future by saying that Iran cannot reach a level of nuclear weapon producing capability before 2010-2015. All of this is good enough to invalidate President Bush's argument about the need to strike Iran. On the other hand, the possibility of a strike against Iran cannot be considered as completely out of the question. Given President Bush's unilateral tendency, Iran might be turning into another Iraq. Despite the lack of proof of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Bush was so determined to invade Iraq that he did it anyway. Even when the WMD allegation was proven false, he played normal. Unfortunately due to the advice and push by the neo-cons, the administration is eager to gain control over Iranian and Iraqi oil reserves." TV Highlights NTV, 7.00 A.M. Domestic News An inmate started a fire in Bayrampasa prison in Istanbul. Some prisoners were affected by the smoke. Military operations continue in the Sirnak and Hakkari regions to capture 300 PKK terrorists who crossed the border. PM Erdogan released a message to mark the Jewish festival of Hannukah. International News Greek media criticized Turkish FM Babacan's visit to Western Thrace. A parcel bomb explosion has killed one person and injured at least five others at law offices in central Paris. Iran plans to set up police stations run by women officers in Tehran to deal only with offences committed by women. WILSON