ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002985 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, DECEMBER 17, 2007 In Today's Papers Turkish Warplanes Attack PKK Bases All papers report that Turkish F-4 and F-16 fighter jets attacked four PKK bases in northern Iraq. According to a statement posted on the Turkish General Staff (TGS) website early Sunday, the air strike lasted approximately three hours, followed by four hours of long-range artillery shelling. Mainstream Hurriyet reports that Turkish warplanes destroyed several PKK camps and eight anti-aircraft batteries in the Kandil Mountains, Zap, Avasin and Hakurk. Tabloid Aksam writes that Turkish fighter jets flew as far as 100 kilometers into Iraq. Hurriyet writes that "the US opened Iraqi air space and turned off the electrical instruments used to jam Iranian air communications" in order for Turkey to complete its mission. Mainstream Milliyet reports that TGS officials deny claims that Iran also took part in shelling PKK targets. Papers carry an announcement from the northern Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) that the PKK "suffered heavy losses in the strikes." However, other Iraqi authorities claim one woman was killed and 140 families fled their homes. Mainstream Vatan and the Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak speculate that top PKK leaders Murat Karayilan and Bahoz Erdal might have been killed in the strikes. Mainstream Sabah quotes an unidentified Turkish officer as saying that the destruction of some "75-80 percent of the PKK command has triggered a process of psychological collapse in the PKK." Papers also say that Iraq delivered a diplomatic note to Turkey concerning the assessment of civilian damage. Papers emphasize that it was "not a note of protest." The chief of the TGS, General Yasar Buyukanit, told Kanal D on Sunday, "I can categorically state that not a single civilian target, not a single village was hit. Only previously identified PKK camps were hit. There is no question of any accident." Buyukanit also said, "by opening Iraqi airspace to us last night, America gave its approval to the operation," Papers also report US Embassy Spokesperson Kathy Schalow's comments that "we have not approved any decision, it is not for us to approve. We were, however, informed before the event." Prime Minister Erdogan said the operation was very successful and congratulated the pilots and other military personnel who carried it out. "We will continue to wage this battle, both inside and outside Turkey, for our nation's unity and peace," Erdogan said. Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek, too, congratulated the military for the success of the operations, and called on PKK members to surrender. The DTP, Turkey's main Kurdish party, said that violence will not resolve the Kurdish problem. Papers also quote US State Department official Chase Beamer that the Turkish air operation was Ankara's decision. He also said Washington respects Turkey's right to defend itself and that the target of the operation was the PKK, not the civilian villages in northern Iraq. Editorial Commentary on Turkish Air Attacks on the PKK in Northern Iraq Murat Yetkin commented in the liberal-intellectual daily Radikal: "Due to harsh weather conditions and the debate over the 'returning home' legislation, the PKK surprised by this weekend's air strikes. Turkey engaged in midnight air strikes after the US cleared Iraqi air space. This kind of international cooperation demonstrates a serious show of force. This operation's psychological effects outshine its military results. With this operation, we see the fruits of Turkish-American cooperation. This operation would not be possible without the efforts of the United States. The US, who controls Iraqi airspace, approved this operation. This weekend's developments indicate that the November 5th Bush-Erdogan MEETING marked a turning point for implementing political and military dialogue. The likely next step will be Ankara's recognition of the ANKARA 00002985 002 OF 002 Kurdish Federation. As Chief of General Staff Buyukanit recently said, Turkey would consider a modern federation in Iraq "rather preferable." We may see cooperation emerge between the US, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdish administration." Washington-based Ali Aslan commented in the Islamist leaning daily Zaman: "Two points were cleared during the November 5th Bush-Erdogan meeting: The US will provide intelligence and will turn a blind eye to Turkey's use of this intelligence in its limited military operations. In return, Turkey will not engage in large scale ground operations into northern Iraq and will not target civilians. Also, the US asked Turkey to look for ways to reach a political settlement, to which Turkey agreed. This strike was possible because of this agreement between Turkey and the US. The Turkish government, on the other hand, is working on plans for a comprehensive amnesty. In addition, Ankara has expressed its desire to engage with northern Iraqi leaders more, which also can be considered as an effort toward a more political and diplomatic solution." Yilmaz Oztuna wrote in the conservative daily Turkiye: "According to initial reports, the air strike included 50 planes and demonstrated Turkey's military power. No country in the Middle East, except Israel, has such a technical capacity. This operation carries political importance because the US provided intelligence and clearance to use Iraqi airspace, which is practically American soil. With this air strike, we have witnessed an exemplary harmonious relationship." Priest Stabbed in Izmir All papers report that Italian Roman Catholic priest Adriano Franchini was stabbed Sunday at his church in Izmir. Franchini sustained non-life-threatening stab wounds to his stomach, was taken to the hospital, treated and released. Police detained Ramazan Bay, a 19-year-old suspect from the nearby city of Balikesir, who attacked the priest following the mass. Liberal Radikal reports that the assailant allegedly said he was influenced by the popular Turkish series "The Valley of the Wolves," which touched on Christian missionary activities in Turkey. TV News: NTV Domestic News - Prime Minister Erdogan will travel to Madrid to join the First Alliance of Civilizations Forum on January 15-16. - Renowned Turkish pianist Fazil Say has become a target of the Islamist-oriented media and groups after saying that Turkey is becoming "increasingly Islamist." - Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP leader, Nurettin Demirtas, is expected to return to Turkey from Europe on Monday. International News - The cooperation agreement between Turkey and Iran against the PKK went into effect yesterday. - Two Turkish pilgrims died in SAUDI Arabia during "hajj" in the last two days, raising the number of Turkish pilgrims who died this year to 32. - Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary elections were marred by allegations of vote-rigging and tensions between rival political parties. WILSON