ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001296 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 FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008 In Today's Papers NSA Hadley Visits Ankara All news outlets report on Thursday, US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley paid a one-day visit to Ankara for meetings with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Erdogan, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, and the military General Staff (TGS). Speaking to the press following his meeting with Erdogan, Hadley said the US would continue cooperating with Turkey in the fight against the "common enemy PKK." Hadley said Turkey was a "close friend and ally and a powerful strategic partner," and expressed gratitude for Turkey's support. Hadley also noted the US would continue to support Turkey's EU entry process. Mainstream Sabah claims Hadley told Ankara negotiations with Iran would not happen unless Tehran gives up its uranium enrichment program. Mainstream Hurriyet says Hadley warned the Turks that Iran was a threat for Turkey. Ankara, however, suggested dialogue to avoid a new crisis in the region which would add on to the turmoil in Iraq. Sabah and the all-news broadcaster NTV say Hadley sent messages to Iran in advance of the talks in Geneva, and also held a "secret meeting" with the security advisors of 11 NATO countries. The meeting was hosted by Prime Minister Erdogan's foreign policy advisor, Ahmet Davutoglu. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet and some mainstream papers underline the Hadley visit came two days in advance of the Geneva talks to discuss Iran's nuclear program, and ask whether Ankara was mediating in a new diplomatic process, as it did with Israel and Syria. Leftist Taraf sees a "change" in the US approach toward Iran, adding Turkey was supporting the new US strategy of seeking solutions to the problems at the negotiating table. EDITORIAL OPINION: NSA Hadley Visit "Reason for Hadley Visit" Nagehan Alci wrote in mainstream Aksam (7/18): "Some might think that there is a link between the timing of Hadley visit and the problems such as the Ergenekon investigation and the AKP closure case that Turkey is going through. The fact of the matter is Iran was the main and almost sole reason for Hadley's visit to Ankara. There were certainly some other topics on the table, but mainly Washington wanted to get Ankara's take on the Iran issue. Interestingly enough, there are some in Turkey who seek the 'American finger' in every problem that Turkey faces. All of these speculations are based on the assumption that the United States Administration acts in a unified manner and that's its focus on Turkey is organized. This isn't true, in fact, this Washington Administration is not only nearing the end of its term, but it also is not consistently unified about Turkey. Therefore, any Turkish official can receive different messages about Turkey from Secretary Rice's and Vice President Cheney's office. That said, there's simply no room for creating conspiracies here." "Ankara's Message from Hadley to Mottaki" Yasemin Congar wrote in leftist Taraf (7/18): "Chances for persuading Iran to freeze its uranium enrichment program are higher than ever. And it comes with a 'carrot' on the table which will be the reestablishment of ties between the United States and Iran after some 30 years. First of all, Washington has made a major policy change by agreeing to send a high-level diplomat to talks with Iran. Such an opportunity happened primarily because of the European Union's efforts and despite those in the Bush Administration who support a strike against Iran. This new move is compatible with the ruling AKP's approach on Iran, and it also serves Turkey's interests. Iran was one of the main topics during the discussions with NSA Hadley in Ankara. An American diplomat knowledgeable about these meetings said Hadley gave an extensive brief about the US' current stance on Iran and added 'There is a strong proposal here as we send an important diplomat to Geneva. That shows seriousness of the proposal. It is up to Iran to decide whether or not they use this chance.' Turkey is hosting the Iranian Foreign Minister and this will be the message to Iran. Iranian FM Mottaki, who had ANKARA 00001296 002 OF 003 previously served in Ankara as the Iranian Ambassador, will be told that Iran should use this important chance to both resolve its international dispute and to normalize its ties with the US." Iran's Mottaki in Ankara for Talks All papers report Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Ankara Thursday evening for talks with his Turkish counterpart, Ali Babacan, and with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan. Leftist Taraf expects Turks to urge Mottaki "not to miss the opportunity for a peaceful settlement" with regard to Tehran's nuclear program. Babacan said in response to a press question after meeting Hadley yesterday, "We are in close dialogue with the six countries who have made a new offer to Tehran, as well as with our friend and neighbor Iran. Turkey is ready to undertake every necessary move to ensure the peaceful settlement of the dispute." Islamist-oriented Zaman claims Babacan will pay visits to the US and Iran later this month. Paper: Turkey-Armenia Kick Off 'Secret Talks' Mainstream Hurriyet reports on July 8, Turkey and Armenia kicked off a series of "secret talks" in the Swiss capital of Bern. The Turkish delegation was chaired by an unidentified senior Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) official. The US and some EU countries have been notified about the talks in Bern. Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan said after his election in February, as well as in a recent coomentary published in The Wall Street Journal, he was ready for "unconditional" talks with Turkey to normalize bilateral ties and the reopen the border between the two countries. Sarksyan's messages were claimed to have been influenced by the US. Sarksyan also invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan to watch a World Soccer Cup qualifier between Turkey and Armenia on September ¶6. The Turkish MFA says Gul could go to Yerevan since such a visit would not be an official one, reports Hurriyet. Green Card Possibility for Fethullah Gulen Mainstream Hurriyet reports that although the "US Immigration Department" and their sub-office "Appeal Department" turned down Fethullah Gulen's green card application, the Federal Court in Pennsylvania decided in favor of Gulen for the review of the decision. GENAR Poll Results Islamist oriented Yeni Safak gives extensive front-page coverage to a survey conducted by GENAR polling company. The survey is based on interviews with 2020 people in 14 provinces between July 7 and 17. According to the survey, the majority of Turkish people support the Ergenekon operation. 65.1 percent of the people interviewed in the survey don't believe that Ergenekon investigation was a politically motivated operation. 37 percent described Ergenekon as a terror organization and 61 percent said it is a criminal organization. 60 percent of the interviewed objected to the closure of the AKP and 45 percent said the ban of the AKP and the PM would lead to a political crisis in Turkey. According to the survey, the most trusted institution in Turkey is the national soccer team and the least trusted is the media. The survey also contains questions about Islamic leader Fethullah Gulen. 47.4 percent of Turkish people say Gulen should return to Turkey, while 45.3 percent are against his return. Barzani Threatens Baghdad Regarding Kirkuk Referendum Liberal Radikal reports that at his party group meeting, KRG President Mesud Barzani said that 'if article 140 of the constitution, which states that Kirkuk's status should be determined by a referendum, is postponed, Iraq will be divided. According to the Iraqi Constitution, the referendum should take place by the end of 2007. However, in search of a political solution, the UN had suggested a census prior to the referendum, and that is why the referendum was postponed. ANKARA 00001296 003 OF 003 TV Highlights NTV Domestic News - Prime Minister Erdogan is to lead a delegation to northern Cyprus on Friday to participate in the July 20 celebrations marking the founding of Turkish Cyprus. - Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP is to hold a convention on July 20 to pick a new party leader. Ahmet Turk of the "moderates" is expected to be elected the new chairman, and "hawkish" Emine Ayna his co-chair. - Turkey has been convicted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a lawsuit filed by 11 teachers who were punished for participating in a one-day strike in 2000. International News - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will visit Germany and Italy next week to encourage European investment in Iraq. Mailki will also come together with Pope Benedict 16. - The US plans to build a military airport near the northern Iraqi town of Halabja in Suleymaniye which borders Iran. - New York City's yellow taxi fleet will go green. WILSON