ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000309 SIPDIS 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 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008 In Today's Papers Turkey Recognizes Kosovo All papers report Minister Ali Babacan announced on Monday Turkey's recognition of Kosovo. Turkey's decision followed the recognition by the US, Britain and France. Prime Minister Erdogan phoned Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to emphasize his hopes that independence will yield positive results. Erdogan added that Turkey valued peace and stability in the Balkans. Turkish Cyprus leader Mehmet Ali Talat voiced hopes that Kosovo's independence will have a positive impact on security and cooperation in the Balkans. "Those who object to the independence of Kosovo should remember that no nation can be forced to live under the sovereignty of another nation," Talat said. Mainstream Hurriyet expects Turkey to open an embassy in Pristina. A group of protesters yesterday threw stones at the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade in reaction to Ankara's recognition of Kosovo's independence, papers report. "A free Kosovo has divided the world," says a headline in mainstream Hurriyet's page one, adding "Turkey waited for the US to move first before recognizing Kosovo." Liberal Radikal says while the US and Turkey recognize Kosovo, Russia and China are strongly opposed to recognition. Radikal notes that Greeks living abroad warn this could be "a precedent for northern Cyprus." A commentary in economic-oriented Referans says with the 'birth' of Kosovo as an independent state, we see a new brother for Turkey in the Balkans and Europe. "Kosovo's survival chances are largely dependent on the EU; it has an attribute that will automatically facilitate Turkey's membership claims in the EU." Another commentary in mainstream Milliyet voices hope that "Serbian nationalists learned their lesson in the 1990s that Serbian nationalism does not spread peace, it spreads conflict." Editorial Commentray on Kosovo Sami Kohen commented in mainstream Milliyet (2/19): "Kosovo, as expected, declared its independence this weekend. At the same time, Papadopoulos was defeated in the first round of Cyprus' elections. According to the vote, Greek Cypriots are seeking a positive approach to finding a settlement on the island; 2/3 of the electorate voted for a settlement by voting for the moderate candidates. A victory for Papadopoulos would have made Turkish ;Cypriots consider Kosovo's road to independence as a model for northern Cyprus. However, now that a moderate figure will likely be the new leader of the Greek Cypriot administration, it will be hard to draw parallels between Kosovo and Cyprus. In fact, a moderate Cypriot leader can work toward the unification of the island and the peaceful coexistence of Turks and Greek Cypriots. Equality will likely become the new model for discussions regarding the future of Cyprus. But if attempts at a settlement fail again, our discussions will revisit the precedent set by Kosovo." Ali Sirmen wrote in leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet (2/19): "Russia and Serbia strongly stand against an independent Kosovo. However, their stance will not be strong enough to change the course of Kosovo's actions. With Kosovo's declaration of independence, the Age of Tito in Yugoslavia has completely come to an end; the division of the former Yugoslavia is complete. The ethnic majority of Kosovo will be very happy with this outcome. On the other hand, it is impossible to claim that Albanians are more democratic and less chauvinistic than Serbs. Therefore, the small Turkish minority living in this region should not expect anything more democratic than before." Nuray Mert wrote in the liberal-intellectual Radikal (2/19): "Kosovo's declaration of independence has paved the way for military interventions by the US or the United Nations. It is not a coincidence that the architects of the occupation of Iraq always refer to the Bosnia example when they are held accountable for the ANKARA 00000309 002 OF 003 Iraq invasion. This is not a naove game of liberation and independence. In today's world, this is only about having a share of the big pie. Kosovo's independence is a good example of exchanging one influence for another. In the midst of the cheerful notes, Kosovars liberated themselves from Serbia and Russia in exchange for their new master, the United States." Erdogan Issues Soothing Messages on Turban Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, Taraf, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others report Prime Minister Erdogan told a private television channel over the weekend there could be "provocative attempts" in the future regarding the headscarf issue. Erdogan blamed "some media outlets" for being involved in such preparations. "Those who wear headscarves and those who don't are all my sisters; I wouldn't discriminate among them, because upholding secularism requires respect and protection for all faiths and practices," said Erdogan. Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay joined the debate by saying it would create chaos if public sector workers were allowed to wear the headscarf. The ruling AKP deputy group Chief Nihat Ergun responded to reporters' questions regarding the main opposition CHP's concern that rights and freedoms are gradually restricted. "Turkey's constitution has guaranteed mechanisms against such threats. It's possible to work with the CHP and other political parties to end such concerns," Ergun emphasized. Meanwhile, liberal Radikal points to the fact that Constitutional Court President Hasim Kilic has so far remained silent in the ongoing turban debates. Kilic told Radikal that he could not elaborate on how the high court will proceed before he sees a possible application against the AKP-MHP sponsored headscarf amendments. Greek Cypriots Vote for a New President Zaman, Milliyet, Sabah, Hurriyet, Taraf and others: Papers report that the two presidential candidates, Communist party leader Christofias and former Foreign Minister Kasoulides managed to knock Papadopulous out of the race during the first round of elections. Since there was no clear winner at Sunday's elections, a runoff will be held on February 24. Mainstream Milliyet reports that the defeat of Papadopoulos was seen by Greek and Greek Cypriot media as expression of the will of Greek Cypriot people to revive talks for settlement in the island. Mainstream Sabah writes that the supporters of settlement in Cyprus have prevailed at the elections. Islamist-oriented Zaman reports that many circles in Europe have welcomed the defeat of Papadopoulos and said that the elections offer an opportunity for a breakthrough in Cyprus. Zaman reminds that four years ago 76 percent of the Greek Cypriots rejected Annan's settlement plan, however, at Sunday's elections 67 percent of the voters gave support to the candidates who supported settlement in Cyprus. Education Ministry Official Resigns due to Disagreement with the Minister Milliyet, Sabah, Aksam, Posta, Cumhuriyet and others: Prof. Irfan Erdogan resigned from his post as chairman of Education Ministry's Teaching and Discipline board due to his disagreement with the minister. Mainstream Posta says that Prof. Erdogan is known for his support for Ataturk's principles and for his efforts to close the Imam-hatip schools. Mainstream Milliyet reports that in his resignation Prof. Erdogan said he had acted with his conscience while he administered an institution of the Republic. A Letter from Intellectuals to President Gul All papers report that 100 intellectuals, including Prof. Baskin Oran, Prof. Serif Mardin, Prof. Mete Tuncay, Ibrahim Betil and Orhan Pamuk sent a letter titled "We Miss Brotherly Living" to President Gul and asked him to assume an active role in finding a peaceful solution to the Kurdish problem. The letter said "if DTP (mainly Kurdish political party) is closed down, tensions in the country ANKARA 00000309 003 OF 003 will escalate. A solution should be found through political determination not by judicial decision." TV News: NTV Domestic News - Tough winter conditions affect daily life across Turkey. Schools were closed in many cities. 350 road accidents were reported in Ankara. - Responding to journalists' questions on ATV, Prime Minister Erdogan said state broadcaster TRT would soon begin broadcasts in Kurdish, Farsi and Arabic. - On Monday, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan marked the 56th anniversary of Turkey's NATO membership. Toptan emphasized that Turkey has played an important role in enhancing regional and global security. Turkey has been an allied member of NATO since February 18, 1952. International News - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said the government of Spain "will not recognize the unilateral act proclaimed yesterday by the assembly of Kosovo." - Chancellor Angela Merkel said Prime Minister Erdogan's statement that "assimilation is a crime against humanity" was misunderstood in Germany. - Former President George H.W. Bush endorsed Senator John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination. WILSON