ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001424 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 MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008 In Today's Papers Conflict in the Caucasus All news outlets report Tbilisi's military action against Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia last week triggered a military clash with Russia. Monday papers report the dispute threatens to spiral into a major conflict because Russian strikes continued despite a Georgian withdrawal of South Ossetia. Papers quote White House Deputy National Security Advisor James Jeffrey's warning that Russia's continued "disproportionate and dangerous escalation" could well result in a "significant long term impact on the U.S.-Russian relations." On Sunday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) said in a statement Foreign Minister Ali Babacan spoke on the telephone with the Georgian and Russian foreign ministers. Babacan invited Russia to calm during his talk with Sergei Lavrov, and stressed the importance of preserving Georgia's territorial integrity. The statement noted Babacan spoke on the telephone with Secretary Rice as well. Mainstream Sabah writes, "The press in Russia also hold Turkey responsible for the war in Ossetia, as Putin did not return Ankara's call," and, "Prime Minister Erdogan called Georgian leader Saakashvili and Russian PM Putin on Friday in order to make a call for a peaceful solution," but while "Saakashvili spoke with Erdogan, Putin did not return Erdogan's phone call." Liberal Radikal said on Sunday Turkey was concerned that it might face a large wave of incoming refugees and increased risks for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline. Mainstream Vatan reported Sunday Russian warplanes fired on the BTC pipeline but missed it. Monday's leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet says in a news commentary that Turkey was afraid the conflict in South Ossetia might harm the projects carried out in cooperation with Georgia, which include the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad project, and the Black Sea Highway Project. Cumhuriyet calls Russia's actions in South Ossetia, "Russia's Kosovo Re-Match," meaning Russia was defeated over world recognition of Kosovo's independence, so "Ossetia is Russia's return game in response to this defeat." Vatan writes, "Russia responds to Georgia's call for an unconditional ceasefire by telling Georgia 'End the war and withdraw your troops.'" Mainstream Milliyet carries photos of Russian tanks and other military vehicles in Georgia under the headline, "Georgia Is under Siege," and notes, "while Georgia wants a ceasefire," the Russians, "continue to increase their attacks." Mainstream Hurriyet writes, "They gave up when the Russians were 65 kilometers from Tbilisi," as the Georgians "make a call for a ceasefire," while the Russians say, "We are ready to talk," and the Americans accuse Russia of "using disproportionate force." In addition, mainstream Sabah notes, "The Russian press accuses the U.S. and Turkey of supplying military assistance to Georgia." Liberal Radikal writes in "This Time the Kosovo and Genocide Card is in Putin's Hand," as, "Putin answered the recognition of Kosovo's recently declared independence by accusing Georgia of genocide in South Ossetia." Islamist-oriented Zaman writes, "Turkish Journalists Are Targeted," as, "a Kanalturk TV correspondent, an NTV correspondent, and an NTV cameraman were injured when their vehicle was attacked with gunfire." Leftist Taraf writes, "Despite the Ceasefire, The War Continues," as the Russians form "a blockade in the Black Sea," and "reject Georgia's calls for a cease fire." A commentary in mainstream Sabah says, "As a result of the Southeast European Stability Pact, today the Balkans are much more stable both politically and economically. Why can't this magic formula that brought democracy, stability and welfare to the Balkans, be used in the Caucasus as well?" Editorial Commentary on Georgia "The Lessons from Georgia" ANKARA 00001424 002 OF 003 Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal (8/11): "Saakashvili made a serious tactical error regarding Ossetia. In order to gain Ossetia, he aggravated Russia to the point of attack and failed to win the U.S. support he hoped for. In the end, it seems Saakasvili is going to lose both his leadership position and Abkhazia at the same time. Given the current situation, Turkey has to take a lesson out of these developments and recalculate its policy on energy and security in the region. Otherwise we may end up with another natural gas supply crisis this winter." "Who Pushed Saakashvili?" Ferai Tinc wrote in mainstream Hurriyet (8/11): "Out of nowhere, Saakasvili stirred up the Ossetia tensions, even though the problem lay dormant for 13 years. It looks like he was provoked to attack with the hope of claiming Southern Ossetia for Georgia. Before this, things were going really well for Georgia. Their NATO membership bid was proceeding and possible EU membership was not a distant dream. It is obvious that he was being encouraged by some foreign powers to go ahead with the South Ossetia plan; otherwise he would not have enough power to act alone. There are speculations that the U.S. made a secret deal with Russia swapping Russian support for sanctions against Iran in exchange for U.S. neutrality regarding South Ossetia. Time will show what really happened, but the sad fact is that the people will continue to pay for the consequences." "The End of Chauvinism" Hakan Albayrak wrote in Islamist leaning Yeni Safak (8/11): "Both Turkey and the United States provide military support to Georgia. This support is part of a common goal to prevent Russian expansion in the region. That said, it does not mean Ankara and Washington have a joint policy on Georgia. Ankara considers Georgia a security buffer against Russia. However in the eyes of Washington, Georgia is an instrument to get a greater share of the Caucasus pie. Saakashvili made a big mistake and invaded South Ossetia. He is acting like a missionary imposing a Christian Georgian identity upon the entire region. The reaction in South Ossetia, as well as the lack of American support, has wound up making him beg for mercy. Under the current circumstances, this is the very time to call Saakashvili to act with common sense regarding both Abkhazia and South Ossetia." PM Erdogan Fined for not Enforcing Court Ruling Mainstream Milliyet's weekend edition reported that the Supreme Court of Appeals (Yargitay) ruled that PM Erdogan, along with some of his administrators, must pay a fine for allowing the U.S.-owned Cargill starch factory in Bursa to continue construction despite a previous court decision to the contrary. Despite the court order, PM Erdogan personally instructed that work continue on the construction of the factory. Turkey's Missile Shield Program Vatan, Milliyet, Sabah, Turkiye and others: Milliyet reports that Defense Industry Undersecretary Murat Bayar said that Turkey aims to establish a missile defense shield by implementing a Long Range Regional Defense and Missile Defense System Project. Bayar added that within the scope of this project, initially four missile batteries will be purchased for the Air Force command and a total of 8 anti-missile systems will be established. Turkey is considering the purchase of missile defense systems from four countries - the U.S., Russia, China and Israel. Conservative-nationalist Turkiye reports that two out of eight missiles will be deployed in Ankara and Istanbul. Thousands Join Funeral of Soldier Killed by the PKK Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others report on Sunday, around 10,000 people joined the funeral ceremony of a private killed in a PKK attack on a gendarme outpost in the eastern province of Elazig. The martyred gendarme Private Cem Havale was scheduled to be discharged from army in 10 days. ANKARA 00001424 003 OF 003 TV News: CNN Turk Domestic News - The ruling AKP government has launched a program for tackling poverty, unemployment and migration in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region. - The state-owned broadcaster TRT will launch Kurdish language broadcasts in 2009. - Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said daylight savings time implementation in Turkey will be scrapped in two years. International News - Russian media accuses Turkey of instigating war in the Caucasus by extending military support to Georgia. - Around half of Georgia's 2,000-strong contingent in Iraq returns home to redeploy in the conflict in its province of South Ossetia. - U.S. and Iraqi negotiators reportedly are "very close" to reaching a long-term security pact that will decide the fate of American troops in Iraq. SILLIMAN