ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000119 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 TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008 ANKARA 00000119 001.2 OF 002 In Today's Papers Controversial Sudanese Guest in Turkey Hurriyet, Milliyet, Zaman, Yeni Safak, Sabah, Vatan and others: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's visit to Turkey is criticized by many in the international community. Mainstream Vatan writes 'the world's bloodiest dictator has come to Ankara.' At the joint press conference following the presidents' meeting, President Gul said "we want to solve the problem within the framework of Sudanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, through peaceful means. We will continue to give the necessary support to Sudan." President Gul described the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians in Darfur as a "humanitarian drama" instead of using the term 'genocide.' Cumhuriyet and Hurriyet report the visit with a headline 'world's most controversial leader is in Ankara.' The Sudanese President will travel to Istanbul today to hold meetings with Turkish and Sudanese businessmen. Gungor Mengi comments in mainstream Vatan (1/22): "Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's previous requests to visit Turkey were kindly declined by former president Sezer. Omar al-Bashir is held responsible for the massacre of 200,000 people. He is considered the bloodiest dictator in the world today. This very dictator was in Turkey as an official guest of the president of Turkey. Once Gul took over the presidency from Sezer, the composition of foreign visitors changed. A close look at al-Bashir's past record makes the situation even more interesting. He led a coup in 1989. Soon after, he banned all political parties and declared Sheria law. He declared a new constitution to limit the opposition's power and launched a coup against the parliament when they criticized him. All of this tells us one thing: al-Bashir is the kind of leader the ruling AKP likes very much. It is good to keep in mind the old Anatolian saying, 'crows fly with crows.'" Mehmet Y. Yilmaz comments in mainstream Hurriyet (1/22): "Omar al-Bashir is no ordinary guest. When the Sudanese President comes to Turkey as an official guest of the Turkish president, it means he is a guest of Turkish Republic. However, there is a problem here. This guest is accused, by respected institutions around the world, of genocide. He is held responsible for the deaths of 200,000 people and the displacement of more than 2 million people in Darfur. Why and how can Omar al-Bashir enjoy official treatment here while he is alienated internationally because of his crimes against humanity? Let's bear in mind that al-Bashir also brought Islamist fundamentalism and Sheria law to Sudan. I can't help but wonder if this warm relationship between Presidents al-Bashir and Gul could be based on a feeling of Islamic brotherhood?" Parliament Speaker Toptan: "There is No Power Superior to Parliament" Sabah, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Yeni Safak, Zaman and others: In a press conference, Parliamentary Speaker Koksal Toptan criticized statements from Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya, Chief Public Prosecutor of Supreme Court and Council of State, about turban and said that "the judiciary does not have the right to resist against the decisions that the legislative power makes. No institution or person has the right to put itself in parliament's place." Intelligence Sharing with Israel to be Increased Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak will come to Turkey in February to meet with Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul. Diplomatic circles note that the purpose of Barak's visit is to continue bilateral dialogue concerning defense. Intelligence sharing, defense industry coordination, terrorism and regional security is on the agenda of the meetings. TGS Chief Buyukanit in London Sabah, Milliyet, Vatan, Hurriyet, Yeni Safak: Chief of General Staff (TGS) General Yasar Buyukanit met with his British counterpart ANKARA 00000119 002.2 OF 002 General Richard Dannet yesterday in London. Their talks focused on Turkish air operations against the PKK in northern Iraq. Mainstream Sabah reports that around 200 PKK supporters in London staged protests against the visit and the cross border operations. Armenian Deputy FM Calls Turkey for Dialogue: In an interview with nationalist-oriented Cumhuriyet, (January 20),Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian expressed hope for the normalization of bilateral ties with Turkey. Emphasizing that Armenia does not have any preconditions to the start a dialogue, Kirakosian said Turkey and Armenia are capable of addressing a series of issues. Regarding the Armenian Diaspora, the Deputy FM said that Armenia does not have any power to exert pressure on the Diaspora. He also added that the Black Sea Economic Cooperation could be a proper forum for Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to normalize their ties. Greek PM Karamanlis to come to Turkey January 23 Sabah, Milliyet, Hurriyet: Greek PM Karamanlis will arrive in Ankara tomorrow on an official visit. Hurriyet reports that Karamanlis will visit Anitkabir, despite the objections of the political right wing in his country. Milliyet reports that main opposition party CHP leader Deniz Baykal will meet with Karamanlis on Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel. Karamanlis will be received by President Gul before he goes to Istanbul to meet with Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos. TV News: NTV Domestic News Interior Minister Besir Atalay announced Turkey's population, according to the latest census, is 70.5 million, which is 3.5 million lower than the 2000 census. MHP proposed reducing military service requirements, for vocational school graduates, from 15 months to nine months. DTP officials in Adana announced that they will go to Gabar mountain on February 4 to rally for a democratic settlement in the Southeast. CHP filed a complaint against Finance Minister Unakitan because he did not appeal a court ruling related to the disbanded Welfare Party's mission funds. International News US Presidential candidate Barack Obama vowed to recognize Armenian genocide charges if elected president. The top US commander General Petraeus is being considered for the position as the next head of NATO. Stocks fell sharply worldwide Monday. This follows last week's Wall Street declines, which were due in part to investor pessimism over the Bush Administration's package for preventing recession. WILSON