ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001801 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 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008 In Today's Papers Harsh Messages from the Military All papers give extensive front page coverage to Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug's press statement following a military ceremony in Balikesir. Basbug responded harshly to news reports indicating the military had prior knowledge of a potential PKK attack against the Aktutun military outpost, but did nothing to prevent the attack. General Basbug said "we have launched legal action against those who leaked classified information and used it in their reports. The attack in Bayraktepe was a suicide attack for the terrorist organization but an epic of heroism for the Turkish soldiers who fought there. Those who praise the terrorist organization are responsible for the blood that has been and will be shed. I want all to understand this. The Armed Forces are stronger, more determined and resolute than ever. Therefore, my final say on the matter is: I am warning everyone to be careful know their place." Leftist Taraf says the warnings issued by Basbug were "incompatible with democracy." Liberal Radikal notes that that the hard-line attitude of Basbug was "not fitting with his position as Chief of the General Staff." Islamist oriented Yeni Safak says "Basbug should respond the allegations for neglect in Aktutun outpost instead of criticizing the media." Milliyet editor Sedat Ergin says "Basbug can use such an approach in army headquarters but not with the public." Meanwhile, CNN Turk, Radikal, Milliyet and Sabah report that the Military Court declared a news blackout for the reports regarding Aktutun attack until the military has completed their internal investigation. The news blackout will be valid until the military completes its investigation on the issue. Editorial Commentary on Basbug's Response to Criticism of the Military Ergun Babahan wrote in mainstream Sabah: "It is a very serious issue that reports on the Aktutun attack were leaked from TGS headquarters to the press. It might look like an example of successful journalism, but it is very troubling information can leak from TGS headquarters this often. It is understandable for General Basbug to defend his institution, however, I believe that he must respect press freedom." Dogan Heper wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "General Basbug used a very harsh tone in his statement yesterday and everyone found this harshness to be rather strange. Of course, It was his duty to respond to the allegations about the Aktutun attack but couldn't he explain the facts in a different tone?" Gungor Mengi wrote in mainstream Vatan: "While we were expecting clarification from General Basbug (regarding Taraf's claims of negligence),instead Basbug responded with an extreme reaction and the press received this as some sort of warning or threat. The Chief of General Staff should understand that the media will report news. I respect the commander's sensitivities on this issue however I object to the tone and his style in his statement." 19 Policemen Could Be Sentenced to Life in Prison for Ceber Torture Case Media outlets report 19 police officers charged with causing the death of leftist activist Engin Ceber said they used "proportionate force" against Ceber. Engin Ceber died after a brain hemorrhage sustained as a result of torture he experienced during police custody and later in prison. Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said the inspectors' report about the death of an inmate in jail will be submitted to the prosecutor. Sahin is quoted as saying article 94 of the penal code envisages life sentence for officials responsible for the death of a citizen as a result of torture. Poll: Ruling AKP's Popularity on Decline ANKARA 00001801 002 OF 002 Mainstream Vatan carries the results of a survey conducted by Metropol polling company, known to be close to the ruling AKP. The survey shows the AKP's popularity dove from 50.9 percent in September to 35 percent in October, marking a 31 percent decline in the number of voters baking the party. Support for CHP has risen by 6 points, and for MHP by 2 points. The distribution public support for the political parties in October is as follows: AKP 35.0 percent, CHP 15.5, MHP 8.6, DTP 3.4, others 3.8, and indecisive 13.9. Turkish Warship on its way to Somalia to Fight Pirates Sabah, Radikal, Cumhuriyet and Zaman report NATO European Command (SHAPE) sent a seven-vessel NATO alliance fleet, including Turkish warship Gokova, to the Indian Ocean to protect shipping from the growing threat of pirates along offshore Somalia. According to NATO's 2004 Istanbul Summit, the "deterrent" fleet will also visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE. Editorial Commentary on Barzani-Turkey, PKK Mustafa Balbay writes in leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet: "Massoud Barzani says Turkey should look within for a resolution to the Kurdish problem, and makes a genial suggestion such to lower the election threshold. Barzani has already begun political operations against Turkey while we're talking about operations into northern Iraq. Erdogan's disregard of this fact and his statement that Turkey has been late in talking to Barzani and Talabani prove that the PM is not looking at the struggle against terror through the eyes of Ankara. The AKP has already set up a buffer zone between the opposition and state institutions in Ankara." Mumtazer Turkone opines in Islamist-oriented Zaman: "You cannot reach perfection without criticism. A military that is not criticized will lose credibility in the eyes of the public. But, an army must not be alienated from the people it seeks to protect. The PM asked during his party group address earlier this week whether the PKK was an enemy or merely criminals. If the PKK is an enemy, it must be destroyed. If the PKK are only guilty criminals, they must be apprehended and tried in line with judicial procedures." TV News: NTV Domestic News - A 51-year old man, identified later as Yasa Rashidov of Uzbekistan, aboard a Turkish airliner en route to St Petersburg, tried to hijack the plane. Rashidov, obviously drunk, was captured and restrained by passengers. - Turkey's state-owned oil company TPAO said after meetings in London it was close to an agreement with Shell for joint natural gas operations in Iraq. - Renowned Turkish poet Fazil Husnu Daglarca dies at 94. International News - Greece pledges up to 28 billion Euro to help its banking sector weather the financial crisis. - Georgia's President Saakashvili said Russia has walked out of negotiations in Geneva on two breakaway Georgian regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. - Nobel laureate Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk joins the opening of the annual International Frankfurt Book Fair. WILSON