MGPKO2: TURKEY CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION,

UNCLAS ANKARA 003052 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PK TU SUBJECT: MGPKO2: TURKEY CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION, URGES UNITY REF: SECSTATE 17045 ¶1. (U) Turkey has strongly condemned the assassination of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto and called for unity in the face of terrorism and extremism. In its December 27 statement, the MFA greeted the news of Bhutto's death with great sorrow and went on to state, "There is no doubt that these heinous attacks aim at dragging Pakistan into chaos and instability. We believe the Pakistani people, by acting with common sense and reason, will not allow these terrorist acts to achieve their goals of destroying the democratization process and the basis for reconciliation in the country...Despite the rightful feelings of anger and fury, all political groups' joining forces, first and foremost the Pakistan Peoples Party, against our common enemies of terrorism and extremism, is of vital importance and priority for the well-being of Pakistan...Turkey will continue to support and contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in Pakistan through reconciliation." ¶2. (U) President Gul, who had recently met with Bhutto and other opposition leaders during an early December official visit to Islamabad, expressed his deep sorrow and urged the Pakistani people to act in the best interests of their own country. Both he and PM Erdogan called President Musharraf to convey their condolences. PM Erdogan reportedly also called Bhutto's husband. ¶3. (U) Bhutto's assassination resulted in a rare moment of political unity in Ankara. The Turkish parliament issued a joint declaration signed by all political parties stating the attack was aimed at the unity and stability of "brotherly" Pakistan; Turkish MPs wholeheartedly felt the sorrow of the Pakistani people. Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) representative Nurettin Canikli added Pakistan was a country that had always supported Turkey without expecting anything in return, and reiterated support for Pakistan's unity. ¶4. (U) While condemning the assassination and noting the risks to Turkey from broader instability in the region, a number of leading Turkish columnists quickly drew lessons for Turkish democracy from the tragic event. Murat Yetkin, writing in liberal "Radikal," argued that Turkey was the only example of a pluralistic democracy in the Muslim world, no matter how fragile, thanks to secularism. Mainstream "Milliyet" columnist Fikra Bila opined that the Pakistan example proved secularism is vitally important in democracies. Ergun Babahan, in mainstream "Sabah," noted developments in Pakistan allow Turks to have a greater appreciation for the virtue of democracy. Mainstream "Hurriyet" writer Oktay Eksi drew a lesson for Turkey, contrasting the Indian and Pakistani experiences since independence, and suggesting that India's embrace of democracy has been the key to its economic development and political stability. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON