ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001173 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 25, 2008 In Today's Papers Erdogan-Basbug Hold Surprise Meeting All papers report that on Tuesday, Prime Minister Erdogan met Land Forces Commander General Basbug. The meeting was held on Erdogan's invitation. A statement by the Prime Ministry said Erdogan and Basbug discussed some recent developments and the measures to be taken against the PKK in the following period. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet says the two also discussed the recent slander campaign against Basbug and the forthcoming High Military Council (YAS) meetings in August. High Court Acquits Gulen All news outlets report Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen has been acquitted of charges filed in 2000 that he conspired to turn Turkey into an Islamic state. The Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier lower court ruling that had acquitted Gulen, paving the way for his return from exile in the United States. The Court of Appeals upheld the decision to acquit Gulen despite objections from the prosecutor in the case. Papers point out that Gulen, living in the US since 1999, can now freely return to Turkey. Gul, Erdogan to Basel for Turkey-Germany Soccer Game The Turkish national soccer team's match against Germany in Basel, Switzerland tonight dominates front pages of all dailies. President Abdullah Gul will go to Basel to watch the semi-final match of the Euro 2008 Soccer Championship. Prime Minister Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also are expected to attend the match. Despite several injured and suspended player, the Turkish team hopes to beat Germany to reach the finals on Saturday. Meanwhile, papers also report Armenian President Sarkisian, in Moscow for talks with Armenian community members, said he plans to invite President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan on September 6 to watch a soccer game between the Armenian and Turkish national teams. Germany Bans Kurdish Satellite Broadcaster Roj TV Milliyet, Hurriyet, Zaman, Cumhuriyet, Vatan: Papers report that the German Interior Ministry has banned the Danish-based Kurdish broadcaster Roj TV as well as "Mesopotamia Broadcast", a Danish-based broadcasting company. Mainstream Vatan reports that the German Interior Ministry claimed Roj TV is a mouthpiece of the PKK terrorist organization which supports violence against Turkey. Mainstream Hurriyet reports that Germany has frozen the financial assets of Roj TV, Mesopotamia Broadcasting and VIKO production company, which works on behalf of Roj TV in Germany. General Buyukanit Responds to Barzani Comments on PKK Liberal Radikal and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet report Chief of General Staff General Buyukanit responded to a journalist question about Masoud Barzani's recent comment that the PKK is not a terrorist organization simply said "you all know what I've been saying. This shows I was right. The PKK is the bloodiest terrorist organization." Editorial Commentary on Iraq, Iran "Strategic Relations with Iraq" Sami Kohen wrote in mainstream Milliyet (6/25): "Efforts are underway for Prime Minister Erdogan's trip to Baghdad. It will be the first official visit to Iraq by a Turkish PM since the Saddam regime's overthrow. Turkey has made some direct contacts with the Iraqi regime, but these were mostly through visits to Ankara from Baghdad officials. Despite visits by leaders of other neighboring countries such as Iran, Turkish leadership has preferred not to visit Baghdad. Turkish diplomats have been making contact with the new Iraqi regime at various levels. The Turkish PM's visit to Baghdad will certainly provide a new impetus in bilateral ties. The main purpose of this visit is to lay a strategic groundwork for future Turkey-Iraq relations. It is expected that a Strategic ANKARA 00001173 002 OF 002 Cooperation Committee will be established which will help sustain relations in many fields, from diplomacy to security and energy to trade. Ankara's sensitivity toward northern Iraq will certainly be part of the discussion. The Prime Minister and his delegation will meet with politicians of Kurdish origin, including Talabani and Zabari. Ankara has recently made efforts to open up to the Northern Iraqi administration. Massoud Barzani's latest statement indicates that his views on PKK have not changed and this is the very reason for Turkey's disappointment with him. However, a strategic cooperation between Turkey and Iraq is important and should not be overshadowed by negative statements such as Barzani's." "Iran" Yilmaz Oztuna wrote in conservative Turkiye (6/25): "Israel is working intensively against an Iranian threat. Along with Israel's recent statement saying a strike against Iran is inevitable if Iran continues with its nuclear program, there are also speculations about Israel and Greece military cooperation against Iran. Meanwhile, Washington is preparing to lift the ban of F-22 sales to Israel. Given the threatening statements against both Israel and the United States from Iranian leader Ahmedinejad, it all comes down to apocalyptic scenarios. The IAEA Chairman alBaradei made an important assessment by saying Iran will use an atomic bomb in reprisal if it is attacked by the United States. It is entirely in the hands of Iran to eliminate all apocalyptic scenarios. Iran accepting the UN's full control over its nuclear research is an adequate measure to prevent these apocalyptic scenarios." A Cartoon in Hurriyet daily: Erdogan to Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat: "Thanks to you, we've found a name for the new party." On top of the party logo reads, 'Justice and Trauma Party' TV News: NTV Domestic News - Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of Turkey-EU joint Parliamentary Commission, said the closure of the ruling AKP would be difficult to understand, but added the ban would not lead to suspending Turkey's EU membership talks. - A prosecutor demanded a maximum 10 year prison sentence for former DTP leader Nurettin Demirtas and 70 other suspects accused of forging official documents to avoid compulsory military service. - Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) is to meet on June 26. International News - A Belgian court annulled an earlier Anvers court verdict which acquitted terrorist DHKP-C members Dursun Karatas, Zerrin Sari, Sukriye Akar and Bahar Kimyongur in February, and designated DHKP-C as "terrorist and crime organization, and gang." - Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton said Israel will immediately attack Iran's nuclear facilities if Barack Obama wins the upcoming US presidential election. - EU Agency for Fundamental Rights says in its annual report racist violence and discrimination persist across the European Union, and most members of the 27-nation bloc aren't using tough legislation to crack down on racism. WILSON