ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000378 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 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008 In Today's Papers Iraqi Parliament and Iraqi Kurds Condemn Turkish Offensive in Northern Iraq All papers report Turkey's military General Staff (TGS) said on Tuesday two more Turkish soldiers were killed during a ground offensive against the PKK in northern Iraq. This raises the Turkish military death toll to 19. TGS said the total PKK death toll is at ¶153. TGS also said heavy snowfall was hampering the troops' advance toward PKK camps in the mountainous region. Mainstream Hurriyet reports the PKK were heard during radio exchanges saying they were "stuck" in the area as Turkish troops close in on their bases. Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek told reporters yesterday there were no civilians in the area affected by the Turkish military's operation. Cicek said Turkey has taken economic, social and cultural measures to improve development in the mostly Kurdish southeastern region over the last five years. Prime Minister Erdogan told his ruling AKP group meeting yesterday the ground offensive does not target the north of Iraq, but the terrorist organization PKK itself. "We appreciate the stance of the Iraqi government in cooperating with us," said Erdogan. "We appreciate the intelligence information about the terrorists in northern Iraq provided to us by our strategic partner the United States." The main opposition CHP leader Deniz Baykal told his party group yesterday the Turkish military should carry on operations until the targets are achieved. "The greatest problem that might arise in the future would be probable international interventions aiming to stop the Turkish military," Baykal emphasized. Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the opposition MHP, said Turkey should prevent the Peshmerge from helping the escaping PKK terrorists seeking shelter. "Turkish troops should stay in northern Iraq, and the government must impose economic and political sanctions on the region," Bahceli said, stressing the Iraqi government should ensure the security for the Turkmen in the region. The Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement, "The cabinet expresses its condemnation for the Turkish military interference, which is considered a violation of Iraq's sovereignty." Dabbagh also noted a Turkish envoy would meet Iraqi President Talabani and senior government leaders including Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in Baghdad on Wednesday. Papers report that on Tuesday, the regional Kurdish Parliament held a meeting to discuss the Turkish operation. A report prepared by a Peshmerge commission urged the Turkish government to pay compensations for the material losses sustained as a result of the incursion. The report also suggested Iraq shut down the Turkish bases in northern Iraq. US Officials on Turkish Operations in Northern Iraq Hurriyet, Sabah, Radikal, Taraf, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others report US Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Director, General Carter Ham, said Turkey did not need permission from the US for the cross border operations. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected "to ask Turkey to withdraw at least some of its troops from northern Iraq." Addressing the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR,) State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns "warned Kurdish leaders to take responsibility against the PKK," say papers. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is due in Ankara on Thursday, warned the Turks to make this operation as short as possible, "a week or two," and to be mindful of Iraqi sovereignty. Turkish Delegation Travels to Baghdad Turkish televisions report a Turkish special delegation traveled to Baghdad Wednesday morning to hold talks with "the Iraqi president, his two aides, and the foreign minister to boost bilateral ties under the decisions taken at a recent Turkish National Security Council (MGK) meeting." A statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) says the delegation includes deputy Turkish envoy to ANKARA 00000378 002 OF 004 Iraq Murat Ozcelik, PM Erdogan's foreign policy advisor Ahmet Davutoglu, and Prime Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Hakan Fidan. Editorial Commentary on Turkish Land Offensive in Northern Iraq "Success for Operation Sun and Its Prime Target" Fikret Bila is a senior figure in Ankara's journalistic core and the author of books on the Iraq war as well as Turkish-American relations. He often relies on his high-level military sources when commenting on current issues. He wrote in mainstream Milliyet (2/27): "This operation comes as a surprise given the severe weather conditions. The surprising nature of this timing undoubtedly dealt a serious blow to the PKK. There were around 400 PKK living in the mountain camps that are currently surrounded by Turkish military. Half of them were killed and the rest are on the run. Operation Sun also succeeded in eliminating the PKK's communications and logistical nerve center. However, the Turkish military's intentions are clear; the military has no intention of maintaining a permanent presence in northern Iraq. In addition, the military has no ambitions regarding Kirkuk or Mosul. The PKK is the only target of this mission. This goal was conveyed very clearly to both American and Iraqi officials. In sum, Operation Sun hopes to prove the Turkish military's capability to operate, regardless of climate conditions, and to achieve the goal of rendering the PKK ineffective." "Three Dangers" Erdal Safak is a senior columnist for mainstream Sabah. He is a liberal, and often treats US foreign policy in a broader context free from prejudice. He wrote in mainstream Sabah (2/27): "Turkey clearly stated its full respect for Iraqi territorial integrity during this operation. In addition, Turkey has promised an immediate withdrawal once the job is done. This approach has garnered understanding and support from the international community. It is also very important that Turkish authorities clearly separate the fight against the PKK from the need to develop the largely Kurdish southeastern region of Turkey. However, there are three potential threats to this road map. First, some circles in Turkey have called for a buffer zone between northern Iraq and Turkey, but Turkey should not even consider this. Such an effort will be interpreted as invasion of Iraq or, at the minimum, a violation of Iraq's territorial integrity. The second danger is to use the fight against the PKK as an excuse to defer the reform process. Several Turkish officials have expressed reluctance to pursue reforms and this is very wrong. The third danger is the most challenging one. This operation may create a negative impact on our Kurdish citizens and they may feel alienated. This week's protests against the operations are disturbing, as are the alarming attitudes communicated by politicians of Kurdish origin. They are talking about 'resistance' and 'new approaches.' We have to take immediate action to enhance brotherly ties with Kurds, and this action should be honest and courageous." Headscarf Controversy Continues in Universities All papers report confusion continues in Turkey's universities after the decision to lift a ban on students wearing the headscarf on campus. Opposition MHP Leader Devlet Bahceli, whose party voted with the AKP on the headscarf amendments under the condition the Higher Education (YOK) Law was changed, reminded the AKP that their agreement was made "in honor" and criticized the AKP for recent comments that the constitutional changes are enough and the higher education law does not need to be changed. Many academics and rectors also say the government must amend the Higher Education Board (YOK) Law while others say the current reform is sufficient. Following the presidential approval of the reforms, YOK President Yusuf Ziya Ozcan distributed a written order to university rectors to allow students wearing headscarves to enter classes. Ozcan said he will seek disciplinary action against the rectors barring ANKARA 00000378 003 OF 004 students wearing the headscarf from universities. On Thursday, the inter-university board of rectors will hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the headscarf controversy. The head of the board, Mustafa Akaydin, blames the YOK president for the troubles in universities and has asked him to apologize for "infringing upon secularism." On Tuesday, some universities allowed students with headscarves while others did not. The Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak sees the situation in universities as "calm," noting "girls wearing headscarves and those who don't walk hand-in-hand in the universities that have removed the unlawful ban." On Wednesday, opposition CHP will apply to the Constitutional Court to demand the annulment of constitutional reforms relating to the headscarf ban in universities. DTP Rally in Van; DTP Group Chairman Ahmet Turk Comments on the CBO Sabah, Milliyet, Radikal, Hurriyet, Yeni Safak and others: Following the pro-Kurdish DTP rally in Diyarbakir, around 200 people gathered in front of the DTP building in Van yesterday to protest the land operation to northern Iraq. While chanting slogans against the AKP and PM Erdogan, the group clashed with police. Four policemen and several protestors were injured. Liberal Radikal reports that nine protestors were detained. Meanwhile, at the DTP parliamentary group meeting, deputies carried banners saying "no to war". In his speech, DTP group chairman Ahmet Turk criticized the operation of the Turkish Military. He termed the operation as a "war" and claimed that the target of the operation is not the PKK but the oil in Mosul and Kirkuk. Britain Deports PKK Financial Manager Sabah, Yeni Safak, Cumhuriyet, Hurriyet, and others: Papers report that British Intelligence agency M15 deported Selman Bozkur, the PKK member in charge of the financial activities of the organization in Europe. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak says Bozkur, whose property was seized, is thought to have gone to France. Nevsehir University to Open Armenian Language Department Mainstream Hurriyet reports that Nevsehir University Faculty of Science and Literature dean Prof. Metin Hulagu said that they had applied to Higher Education Board (YOK) for permission to open departments of Armenian, Greek and Jewish and noted that they can invite academicians from Armenia. TV Highlights NTV Domestic News - Six new suspects including a professor, a journalist and a writer have been arrested as part of a widening investigation into the far-right "Ergenekon" gang. The gang is believed to have been plotting a series of bombings and assassinations in an attempt to force a military coup in Turkey. - President Abdullah Gul has approved the Foundations Law enacted by parliament last week, which allows foreigners to set up new foundations in Turkey. The reform is criticized for being too restrictive because it does not allow the return of properties confiscated by the Turkish state and then sold on to third parties. - Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay said cross-border military operations into northern Iraq would not have a negative impact on Turkish tourism. International News ANKARA 00000378 004 OF 004 - Several political figures and government officials who declared their support for former President Levon Ter-Petrosian have been arrested in Armenia. - Turkish Cyprus leader Mehmet Ali Talat said Cyprus peace talks might resume in April. UN Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller is to meet Talat on February 28. - On Tuesday, some 10,000 Bosnian Serb rioters tried to storm the US consulate in Banja Luka after protests against Kosovo's independence. WILSON