ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001918 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 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008 In Today's Papers In Today's Papers Americans Voters Elect Barack Obama Broadcast and internet news outlets this morning feature Barack Obama's electoral victory as their feature story. NTV reports in, "The First Black President," that "The dream came true." CNN Turk headlines with "The Dream Comes True," as "Obama writes history," but notes, "While Barack Obama is the first black person to be elected president, racial discrimination still continues in the U.S." Mainstream Hurriyet carries the headlines, "The American Dream Comes True," and "Obama: The World's New Boss," on its website. Islamist-oriented Zaman carries the headline, "Change Has Come to America," on its website. In a related story, Zaman reports in "The Dark Picture of Racism in America," that "despite the fact that Obama is elected the first African-American President, racism still continues against African-Americans in healthcare, the economy, and the court system." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak carries the headline, "A Black President Goes to the White House," on their website. Liberal Radikal carries the headline, "They Said This Day Would Never Come," on their website. Mainstream Sabah's website quotes from the President Elect's victory speech in the headline, "We Will Build a New Country." Far-right Ortadogu reports on its website, "Obama owes his victory to votes from African-Americans, women, Hispanics and young people." Conservative Turkiye reports, "The U.S. Salutes its First Black President." Economic daily Referans reports, "The New U.S. President is taking control of a country with a ruined economy." The World's New Boss: From mainstream Hurriyet's web page; www.hurriyet.com.tr Cartoon from today's mainstream Sabah entitled, "The World Rejoices," as ONE man asks "Are you happy that America has a new President?" and the answer is "No, it's that the old President is going." Editorial Opinion on President Elect Barack Obama Hasan Cemal wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "Let's hope Barack Obama makes history in the White House by bringing change, which is very important not only for Americans but also for the entire world. Let's hope his policy approach includes diplomacy and dialogue, as opposed to the Bush administration's unilateral and know-it-all approach. It seems there will be a better future with a Barack Obama presidency." Hasan Bulent Kahraman wrote in mainstream Sabah: "The Bush administration undoubtedly will leave a black mark on American history. Yet what matters now is what will happen after the elections. Had McCain been elected, the world would have suffered even more from neo-conservative globalization and the use of force. With Obama's victory, the main question is - how much will the United States actually change? That is important about America's future as well." Kursat Bumin wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "The most meaningful part of the election results comes with the fact that citizens of a country had the capacity to change themselves. They elected a black person as their leader while the same country and the same citizens are remembered for serious racism issues not so long ago." Cengiz Candar wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "Obama is an American but he has characteristics from all of us in the world. He is a reflection of us and he is aware of this capacity. And this very American has been elected President of the United States, which is the best news of 2008." ANKARA 00001918 002 OF 003 PM Erdogan's Remarks Stir Controversy During his trip to the largely Kurdish Southeast of Turkey over the weekend, PM Erdogan angered many Kurds when he said, "Those who reject the concept of ONE flag and ONE nation are free to leave and go anywhere they want," which many media outlets translated as "Turkey - love it or leave it." In the front page headline "The Sheriff" Vatan mocked Prime Minister Erdogan's approach to the issue. Leftist Taraf characterized the words as "horrifying." Referring to PM Erdogan's comment that "citizens armed with pump-action rifles had the right to defend themselves," main opposition leader Baykal said, "If people are left to defend themselves, there is no reason for a prime minister and a government. Erdogan has no right to say 'Turkey - love it or leave it.' He should leave if he fails to fulfill his responsibilities, but we will all continue living together." Daily Taraf notes "even Baykal tells the truth." All papers report CHP leader Baykal's reactions to PM Erdogan's comment and they also add DTP leader Ahmet Turk's further reaction. During his party group meeting at parliament, Chairman Turk expressed concern that PM Erdogan is encouraging attacks against the DTP. Almost a Fist Fight at Parliament Due to Radio Television Supreme Board (RTUK) Chairman Zahid Akman's inclusion in the controversial Deniz Feneri corruption case in Germany, the CHP members of the RTUK commission refused to let Akman present a budget to the Commission, which nearly resulted in a fist fight between AKP and CHP members. In fact, bodyguards and security officials had to intervene to end the fighting. Radikal carries the headline, "Fist Fight for Akman" and Hurriyet says "AKP Assaults CHP for Akman's Sake" while both draw attention to the escalated tension in Parliament regarding RTUK. The EU Calls for a Free Press in Turkey Mainstreams Hurriyet and Milliyet report that EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn told the European Parliament, "The freedom of the press and the freedom of expression should be included in Turkey's reform process." Rehn also noted, "The negative stance towards the media in Turkey has become a serious source of concern. Reforms should be made immediately." Duchess of York: "I had no Political Goals" Liberal Radikal and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet report that Sarah Ferguson, theDuchess of York, responded to criticism from the Turkish government for secretly taking photos of poor conditions in Turkish orphanages. She told the press, "I had no political goals or bad intentions." TV News: CNN Turk Domestic News - The Parliament's Human Rights Commission report says that protests staged during Nevruz celebrations were aimed at spreading PKK propaganda. - The directors of DTP branches in Istanbul and Fatih were arrested for attempting to stage illegal protests during the weekend. - The Privatization Administration invites bids for the sale of the National Lottery. International News EU Commissioner Olli Rehn told the European Parliament, "The AKP closure case consumed valuable time and energy that otherwise could have been used to advance Turkey's EU entry bid." ANKARA 00001918 003 OF 003 Following his contacts in the U.S., the leader of Iraq's Kurdish region, Massoud Barzani will pay a visit to France. WILSON