ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 001888 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 30, 2008 In Today's Papers Republic Day Celebrations across Turkey All media outlets feature prominent and flashy front page coverage of the celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Reports highlight that although people celebrated the anniversary across the country with great enthusiasm, some members of the opposition parties Republican People's Party (CHP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) boycotted official ceremonies. CHP leader Deniz Baykal and most CHP deputies, along with DSP leader Zeki Sezer and all deputies of the DSP, were absent from as President Gul received visitors following ceremonies to mark the 85th anniversary. In addition, the parliamentarians did not attend an additional reception at presidential palace hosted by Gul and his wife. Most of the pro-Kurdish opposition party DTP parliamentarians attended both official events in Ankara. Meanwhile, local ceremonies in various provinces were boycotted by mayors from the DTP. The only CHP deputy who was present at a later reception at the presidential palace in Cankaya was Sukru Elekdag, a retired ambassador. High ranking military attended the official events. Diplomatic mission representatives were present at the presidential palace reception along with the prime minister of Pakistan Gilani, who is on an official visit to Turkey. Mainstream Hurriyet carries the front-page headline, "Our Spirits Were Enlightened by the Republic's Values," while Islamist Zaman commented "On this 85th Anniversary We All Are Longing For a First-Class Democracy." Mass appeal Aksam highlights under the headline, "One Republic and Three Receptions" that in response to President Gul's reception, which allowed no spouses, at the presidential palace, General Basbug, the Chief of General Staff, hosted a separate reception at the Officers' Club where spouses were welcome to attend. In Islamist leaning Zaman, Huseyin Gulerce commented: "Let's tip our hats one more time to another year for the Republic, and let's note that our military is one of the best in the world and is a great source of pride for our country. But let's also remember that this is not a regime of the elites." Mainstream Sabah's Erdal Safak commented about this booklet: "In an effort to solve the Kurdish problem, the DTP has suggested a 'Democratic Autonomy Project' in a 64-page booklet in three languages (Turkish, English and Kurdish) and the cover is decorated in green, red, and yellow. Strong reactions have come from deputies, including CHP's Mustafa Ozyurek, who says the proposal 'appears to divide the Turkish federation.' We believe in nurturing every kind of proposal for Turkish democracy's solution to the Kurdish problem. Proposing a Kurdish autonomous region is not a new idea. The 7th president Kenan Evren and 8th president Ozal and even the late PM Bulent Ecevit in the 1970s called for reviews of the democratic system and talked about regional governing system. Even though DTP uses the 1921 Constitution as a basis for its autonomous region suggestion, that constitution itself cannot be a precedent for the Democratic Autonomy Project. Nevertheless all of the suggestions should be discussed and we should not be afraid of the debate. Already TGS Chief General Basbug at the Council of Ministers meeting said, 'In order to finish off terror, we must try everything, everyone must be met with in order to support the efforts.' We want to see this as a first step." EU Progress Report on Turkey Media outlets report the EU's latest report on Turkey criticized the performance of the government in many areas, but praised President Gul for his reformist profile. Mainstream Milliyet writes "The report says the government failed to prepare a stable and comprehensive reform program despite its huge political power. The government is criticized for its failure to prepare a comprehensive ANKARA 00001888 002 OF 004 strategy to fight corruption and for making partisan appointments in the bureaucracy." Milliyet's columnist Semih Idiz concludes that "The EU expects more direct engagement from President Gul in order to compensate for the government's negligence." Idiz notes that the report "not only praised President Gul's performance but also emphasized the importance of his efforts to mediate between political actors and civil society." Mainstream Sabah writes the report "draws attention to the AKP closure case process" and the European Commission will ask Turkey "to change the law of political parties as per AIHM decisions and the Venice criteria." The religious freedoms for Alevis were raised in the report as well and Turkey was criticized for the unfair treatment of Alevis. Semih Idiz wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "As the report states, the government did not move forward with reforms and Turkey is still being remembered with an increasing number of torture stories. This in and of itself is a huge shame for the AKP government because of prior claims of 'zero tolerance for torture.' Given the government's negligence, the EU obviously expects Gul will take a more direct role in the EU negotiation process." Karabakh Summit in Moscow News outlets report with a tinge of skepticism regarding Sunday's Moscow summit between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan regarding the disputed region of Karabakh. Mainstream Milliyet reports in "An Armenian-Azeri Summit in Moscow," that "on Sunday, Russian President Medvedev will host Armenian President Sargsyan and Azeri President Aliyev for the sole purpose of solving the crisis in Karabakh." Liberal Radikal reports "The Russian leader wants a solution to the disputed mountainous region." In "A Russian-Azeri-Armenian Summit for Karabakh," leftist Taraf reports, "During Azeri President Aliyev's October 24th official swearing-in ceremony, Aliyev promised that his first visit outside of his country would be to Turkey because of the strong ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Instead, his first trip is to Russia." In addition, the paper notes, "Since the Georgia-Russia war broke out and Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, their activities in the Caucasus have increased," and "while the Karabakh crisis is not likely to be solved in this summit, the meeting can be a step towards decreasing the tensions in the region." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports, "Russia, following the war with Georgia, is dressing itself up like a mediator in the Caucasus." Barzani's Meetings in Washington Mainstream Sabah reports, "Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud Barzani met with President Bush about the bilateral security agreement (SOFA) and the fight against the PKK, but that no statement was made after the meeting." Leftist Taraf reports "Barzani met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and with Vice President Cheney," in order to discuss, "Iraq's general situation, the bilateral security agreement, the future of Iraq's Kurds, U.S. policy in Iraq during the new administration, and relations between the Iraqi Kurds and Turkey." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet carries the headline, "Barzani Presents Thanks," as the KRG President told U.S. President Bush the "Kurdish people are grateful to the U.S. people and to the men and women in the U.S. armed forces." Syria Attack Complicates SOFA Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "The Syria Attack Challenges the Security Agreement," noting, "Iran has again raised concerns that the agreement with the U.S. would not bring security," as "experts argue that because of the attack against Syria, Iranian Shiite leaders have increased pressure against the agreement by saying that control over Iraq's domestic arena is not in the hands of the Iraqis." In a related article, Zaman also reports, "Damascus Demands an Apology and Compensation from the U.S." for the cross-border attack. Liberal Radikal reports "Following the U.S. attack in Syria on Sunday, Baghdad shared with the public that sections of the SOFA provisions proposed by Iraq specifically state ANKARA 00001888 003 OF 004 that no attacks against Iraq's neighbors can be staged from bases in Iraq." CNN Turk reports, "Syria demands that the U.S. apologize for an American raid launched from Iraqi territory into Syrian territory that killed eight people." Davutoglu's Warnings for the Next U.S. President News outlets cover the prime minister's foreign affairs advisor Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoglu's visit to the U.S. to meet with the two presidential campaigns. Mainstream Milliyet reports in "A Warning from Davutoglu to Obama," that Davutoglu warned Barack Obama against "taking the wrong step" regarding recognition of the events of 1915 as a genocide. Mainstream Hurriyet reports in "A Warning from Ankara to Obama," that Davutoglu warned the presidential candidate against the recognition of claims of an Armenian genocide, "Do not offend us and do not to pose a potential risk to the strategic relationship with Turkey." Liberal Radikal calls Davutoglu "The lead architect of Turkey's foreign policy" and notes he warned "If you want to see the continuation of relations between Turkey and Armenia, steps must not be taken to offend us." Leftist Taraf reports, "Davutoglu expressed concern over the demands of the Armenian diaspora to Barack Obama's foreign policy advisors," and said, "In the interest of keeping Turkey as an important global and regional ally, you must not pose this potential risk to the Turkish public," by recognizing the genocide claims. In "Don't Offend Turkey," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports, "Davetoglu went to Washington in order to prevent the likely crisis," over recognition of the genocide claims. Milliyet also added that adviser Davutoglu, along with the Obama and McCain foreign policy advisers, met with NSC Adviser Stephen Hadley and Jim Jeffrey, the new Ambassador to Turkey. U.S. Elections Based on observations from the ongoing election campaign, Radikal's editorial board carried the banner front page headline, "Here Comes Obama" and the paper's columnist Cengiz Candar wrote from Washington: "Being in Washington to check the pulse in upcoming presidential elections provided a valuable insight - clearly Barack Obama is leading the presidential race. Despite fabricated stories regarding his origin as well as his faith, Obama managed to turn these speculations into opportunities. There is now less than a week before we learn who will be the next leader of America, and of the world. The world wants Obama and America wants Obama." TV News: NTV Domestic News Turkey celebrates the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. The governor of Adana has warned that the parents of children who participated in violent protests against security forces will lose their access to free medical services. Civil organizations in Antalya staged protests against the killing of Cagdas Gemik, 18, who refused to stop at a police checkpoint. DTP distributes to members of parliament a booklet containing details about the "democratic autonomy project" of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Vakit journalist Huseyin Uzmez, facing trial for raping a minor girl, appears on TV to reject all accusations. CHP leader Deniz Baykal says the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic is celebrated while republican values are worn out. International News At least 170 people are killed and many other are injured after an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hits western Pakistan. US President Bush meets Massoud Barzani, the president of the ANKARA 00001888 004 OF 004 semiautonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. Iraq's national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie says the security pact between Iraq and the U.S. would prevent the U.S. military from launching attacks on Iraq's neighbors. WILSON