ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000100 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, JANUARY 17, 2008 ANKARA 00000100 001.2 OF 003 In Today's Papers President Gul on Turkey-EU Relations All papers report President Abdullah Gul told Turkish journalists Wednesday that 2007 was a year of domestic debates in Turkey. Gul said Turkey wasted precious time because of the presidential elections, the general elections, and budget debates. Furthermore, he emphasized there is no reason to delay EU reforms in 2008. "2008 must be the year of the European Union in Turkey. We have a roadmap. The positions of those opposed to Turkey's accession will be weakened," Gul said. In addition, Gul pointed out that the ninth EU harmonization package would be passed by parliament soon. Erdogan: Constitutional Change Is Not Necessary to Lift Headscarf Ban All papers report Prime Minister Erdogan said there is no need to wait for constitutional reforms to resolve the headscarf debate. Erdogan told the press on his return from Spain that the issue could be resolved with the support of opposition party MHP. "We want to settle the matter through solidarity, not by escalating tensions," Erdogan emphasized. On whether the headscarf was a political symbol, Erdogan said, "It would be a political symbol if it was worn only by AKP members. There are, however, women wearing the headdress in other political parties in Turkey. We can work out a solution with the MHP; they have announced they were ready to contribute to a solution," said Erdogan. Opposition CHP leader Deniz Baykal said the turban is a political symbol. "Turban has nothing to do with the traditional headwear in Anatolia. If it's put into the constitution, it means Turkey has become a male-dominant society which pushes its women to cover their heads," stressed Baykal. Prior to his return home, Erdogan participated in a business forum in Madrid. Responding to a question on whether Turkey's Kurds would be given a 'special status' or would be subjected to 'minority' regulations, Erdogan said Turkey's Kurds have no wish to be classified as an ethnic minority, and asserted that they have the same rights as other citizens of Turkey. When asked about EU-Turkey relations, Erdogan said Turkey's membership to the EU will benefit both Turkey and the EU. The PM also said the EU has responsibility for Cyprus because it is a member of the EU, despite the fact that Nicosia rejected the UN Secretary General Kofi Anan's Plan for reunification. Editorial Commentary on Turban Ban in Turkey Okay Gonensin commented in mainstream Vatan (1/17): "PM Erdogan recently admitted that the turban can be a political symbol. This argument is exactly the reason for not allowing the turban at universities. It may seem innocent to argue that anyone should be free to wear the turban, whether for religious or political reasons. However, this argument entirely contradicts the fundamental basis of secularism because this argument accepts that religion can be a basis for politics. Banning turban in public places aims at protecting those who do not want to wear the turban. Once it is set free, the social pressure system will work perfectly and the issue will eventually go from the turban-wearing debate to the good Muslim and bad Muslim debate. The ruling AKP insists on the turban issue and justifies it with freedoms. Yet it is a sheer contradiction that the same government does nothing to change article 301 to pave the way for full freedom of expression. There is an act of insincerity here, and AKP's sole focus is bringing the turban back. This will harm the process of the constitutional debate and the possibility for social consensus on the most problematic issues." New Bill to Return Assets of Non-Muslim Foundations Sabah, Radikal, and Cumhuriyet report the Turkish Parliament's justice commission approved a draft law to return assets seized by the state which belonged to non-Muslim minority foundations. Nine provisions of the bill were vetoed by former President Ahmet Necdet ANKARA 00000100 002.2 OF 003 Sezer. In 1974, 28 immovable assets of minority foundations were seized by the General Directorate for Foundations, and 114 others were seized by the Treasury. The new bill envisages an 18-month period for the return of the properties; if that is not possible, minority foundations will be paid compensation. Karamanlis to Visit Turkey in Late January Mainstream Milliyet reports an unidentified high-ranking Greek official told AFP news agency that Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will visit Turkey this month. Karamanlis' uncle, Constantin, was the last Greek PM to visit Turkey in an official capacity in May 1959. Karamanlis is to meet Erdogan, his Turkish counterpart, in Ankara on January 23. "The goal is to improve Greek-Turkish relations. The climate has improved, especially on economic issues, but progress is still needed on political matters," the Greek official said. In addition, the official said continental shelf and airspace disputes in the Aegean Sea will also be discussed during the visit. Decision Day for New F-16s Liberal Radikal reports that the General Staff, Air Forces Command and Defense Industry Secretariat will decide whether to install Turkish-made or foreign-made software in 30 new F-16s. Their decision will be submitted to the Defense Industry executive board, which is comprised of PM Erdogan, Chief of General Staff General Buyukanit, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul and Defense Undersecretary Murad Bayar. US Market Fears Hits Turkish Stock Market Sabah, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Radikal, Vatan, Yeni Safak and others: Due to fears of recession in the US, Turkey's main shares index, Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) made a sharp decline in the opening session on Wednesday. This was the second drastic fall in two days in a row. Mainstream Sabah reports that the increase in inflation in the US was at its highest for the last 17 years. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak writes in "Fear of Collapse on Wall Street" that "some countries are mobilizing forces within US finance establishments in order to stop the blood loss," as fears of "a second great depression grow." Mainstream Vatan, in "Turkey Will Also Be Pulled Under the Global Wave," notes that "Turkish firms lost twenty-five billion dollars in the past two weeks due to the Dow Jones dropping." Editorial Commentary on Sarkozy in the Middle East Sami Kohen commented in mainstream Milliyet (1/17): "President Bush's tour of the Middle East almost coincided with the French President's visit to the region. It is clear that French leader Sarkozy gained more diplomatic and economic ground from visiting the region than President Bush. Because of Sarkozy's visit, France is now able to establish a military base in Abu Dhabi. This means France now has the capability to demonstrate its military and diplomatic presence in the Gulf. Additionally, Sarkozy made some very profitable deals with Arabs. President Bush's plans were more ambitious than Sarkozy's but Bush's trip did not end on a high note. President Bush appeared like a "demander" as he made a lot of demands to the leaders he visited. Meanwhile, President Sarkozy appeared the "provider" because leaders he saw requested nuclear technology, weapons and profitable contracts from him. This proves Arab leaders are more sympathetic toward the French president than the US president." TV Highlights NTV Domestic News - Turkish security forces have launched land and air operations against the PKK in the Cudi Mountains. - Constitutional Court President Hasim Kilic said it would better to ANKARA 00000100 003.2 OF 003 reform some of the provisions of the constitution instead of adopting a new constitution. - Alparslan Arslan, the key suspect in prison for the murder of a prominent judge in the Council of State attack, cannot meet with visitors until June 18 because he violated discipline rules in the court. - In February, the Defense Industry Undersecretariat will hold a meeting with local defense companies to discuss production of Turkish warships. International News - The Greek Parliament has approved a bill authorizing Turkish foundations in Western Thrace to elect their own administrators. - The Atlantic Monthly has on its cover a map which shows Kurdistan stretching from northern Iraq to Turkey's eastern Black Sea areas. - President Bush wrapped up his Middle East tour with a visit to Sharm al-Sheikh to meet with President Hosni Mubarak. - Russia declares 2008 as 'Turkish Cultural Year.' Festivities will be kicked off April 8 in Moscow and will be followed by other events in St Petersburg, Kazan, and Sochi. WILSON