ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001081 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 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2008 In Today's Papers Constitutional Court Decision Creates Rifts in Parliament All papers report Prime Minister Erdogan criticized the Constitutional Court's ruling on turban reforms, saying the court "overstepped its authority." Erdogan was speaking to his party group meeting yesterday when he called on the Constitutional Court to release their justification for their decision to annul the headscarf reforms. "The judiciary is watching the mistakes of the legislature and the executive branches, but who will watch the mistakes of the judiciary," asked Erdogan. Erdogan also slammed the CHP for cultivating tensions between the legislative and the judiciary; he warned that such an approach harms Turkey's interests. Erdogan announced the parliament would not go into summer recess before the Constitutional Court announces its verdict in the closure case against the AKP. A column in mainstream Vatan sees this as an indication that Erdogan will propose early elections if the AKP is closed. According to the columnist, a bi-chamber parliament or restrictions on the powers of the Constitutional Court cannot help resolve these problems; Turkey needs a comprehensive program that addresses freedoms. The main opposition CHP leader Deniz Baykal told his party group that "furious reactions" to the headscarf ruling resulted from "the judiciary's ability to block attempts to infringe the principle of secularism." In "Baykal Urges Erdogan to Accept the Situation," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports Baykal warned Erdogan he should not attempt to propose new constitutional changes. "Don't try to establish justice that is fit only for you. Politics is a long term process. Don't attempt to take over the judiciary, the parliament or the Constitutional Court. Know the place and limits assigned to you in the constitution," stated Baykal. Baykal said, "The AKP did not attempt to change Turkey's secularist principles, but they made changes that by-passed those principles and rendered them ineffective," which the Constitutional Court did not allow. Addressing his party group, opposition MHP leader Devlet Bahceli slammed the Constitutional Court, saying it was acting as "parliament's guardian." Specifically, Bahceli noted, "The annulment of the headscarf reforms did not end the debate. Turban is a sociological fact in Turkish society. The bleeding wound has worsened into gangrene." Nevertheless, Bahceli noted that all should respect the decisions to come out of courts. Bahceli said the "mismanaged political crisis" could escalate further and develop into a "regime crisis jeopardizing the future of the democracy." In addition, he stressed, "No political ideology or agenda is more important than saving our democratic regime. The greatest responsibility here falls on PM Erdogan and his party, the addressee of the closure case," said Bahceli. Bahceli said his party was ready to consider any proposal from Prime Minister Erdogan in order to save the political regime from crisis and contribute to the normalization of politics. "Erdogan blames the CHP, Baykal blames the AKP; Bahceli blames both the AKP and CHP," says liberal Radikal on its front page, criticizing the leaders that none of them were talking about structural changes. Under the headline "Parliament Tells Court to Stay in Its Place," leftist Taraf writes on page one both Erdogan and Bahceli warned the parliament wouldn't accept "judicial tutelage," and that only the elected parliaments could use the legislative authority. EDITORIAL OPINION: The Aftermath of the Constitutional Court Decision "Protecting Checks and Balances" Mehmet Yilmaz wrote in mainstream Hurriyet (6/11): "When the government spokesperson emphasized the need to clarify the checks and balances system in Turkey, he was right. Nevertheless, this observation should have been noted before the Constitutional Court ANKARA 00001081 002 OF 003 decision regarding the headscarf ban. This message goes out not only to the ruling AKP, but to the CHP, MHP and all others. We would not be in our current predicament if someone had acted earlier to resolve the problems in Turkey's checks and balances system. Today's system mandates power-sharing between three powers, namely the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Currently, the debate revolves around accusations the judiciary overrode the legislative branch's mandate. However, it also is important to note the lack of checks and balances that currently exists between the legislative branch and the executive branch. In reality, both of them function under one leader's authority, which right now is Prime Minister Erdogan. Turkey's current Political Parties Law allows the legislative and executive branches to become one. This system helps a party leader garner power over two out of three branches, which paves the way for a party leader to create his own puppets in the parliament. This is the very reason for the current deadlock in the Turkish system, and it covers all parties." "Getting Ready for Closure" Gungor Mengi wrote in mainstream Vatan (6/11): "During his speech to his party group yesterday, Prime Minister Erdogan did not attempt to lead his party towards a solution to the current political crisis. Instead, he tried to boost his party's morale in the lead up to the potential closure of the AKP. Turkey's political problems stem from the fact that the system of checks and balances is not functioning. Two of the three branches of the system, the executive and legislative branches, do not work. Meanwhile, the executive is also trying to control the judiciary's power. Had the system functioned properly, the Constitutional amendments regarding the headscarf would have been turned down either by Parliament or by the President because they clearly contradicted the unchangeable foundations of the Turkish Constitution." Cartoons in June 11 Sabah: CHP leader Deniz Baykal is dancing aboard a sinking ship named "Politics," and singing "The AKP is sinking, sinking" while PM Erdogan and others look on. The ship is sinking because it was attacked by the ship in the rear named "Constitutional Court," and the ship has a smoking gun. CHP Leader Baykal is depicted as tattling on Erdogan to a justice. Iraq: PM Erdogan to Visit Iraq Soon Liberal Radikal reports the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday Turkey's Special Iraq Envoy Ambassador Murat Ozcelik said Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's intends to visit Iraq soon. The statement also noted, "Turkey has decided to send the country's leading companies to contribute to the rebuilding and development of Iraq." In addition, a Turkish trade delegation is scheduled to visit Iraq soon to assess their needs and priorities. Babacan Meets with Foreign Policy Teams of US Presidential Candidates Milliyet, Cumhuriyet, Yeni Safak: Mainstream Milliyet reports that during his visit to the US, Foreign Minister Babacan met with the foreign policy teams of the Presidential candidates. During his meeting with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Babacan complained that the definition of secularism is not clear in the Turkish Constitution. Responding to Albright's question regarding the AKP closure case, Babacan said "We don't know when and what kind of decision will be taken." Milliyet also reports that the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) decided to include the topic of "functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey" as an urgent agenda item at its general assembly sessions at the end of June. PACE invited FM Babacan to join the meeting as a presenter. ANKARA 00001081 003 OF 003 Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports in "Babacan Makes A Confession to Rice: The EU Won't Take Us," that FM Babacan asked Secretary Rice for US support against France's stance on Turkey's EU membership. President Bush Supports Turkey's EU Bid All media outlets report President Bush rallied behind Turkey's EU Bid during the US-EU Summit yesterday. Coverage is straightforward, and positive. NTV reports, "Bush joined the 27 nation summit and declared, 'I believe Turkey's full membership to the EU is necessary.'" CNN Turk notes Bush also "expressed appreciate for Turkey's EU reforms." Leftist Taraf carries the headline, "Bush Sends a Nice Gesture to Turkey." In a rare occasion, Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet carry the same headline, "Bush Tells EU They Must Accept Turkey's Full Membership." In addition, Cumhuriyet's front page headline notes, "Foreign Minister Ali Babacan Confesses to Secretary Rice: The EU Will Not Take Us." Islamist-oriented Zaman writes, "Bush Supports Turkey's Full Membership to the EU." Liberal Radikal call says, "Bush Supports Turkey." Mainstream Sabah's front page carries the headline, "Bush Tells the EU to Take Turkey." Mainstream Hurriyet carries the headline, "Bush's Farewell Message to the EU: Turkey Must Become One of Your Members." TV News: NTV Domestic News - The pro-Kurdish DTP's acting chairwoman Emine Ayna said Turkey has "structural problems," and that the 86-year old Turkish republic "lacks democracy." - Six al-Qaeda suspects were captured in the eastern province of Bingol. - Prime Minister Erdogan will address the 3rd Turkey-Arab Economic Forum in Istanbul. Nearly 400 investors from Arab and Gulf countries will attend the forum. International News - Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias said statements made by Turkish military officials harm efforts that seek a settlement on the divided island. - Greek Ambassador to Baghdad Panagiotis Makris visited northern Iraq to meet the Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud Barzani. - A German language test for foreigners willing to obtain German citizenship will be compulsory as of September 1. WILSON