ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000700 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 MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2008 In Today's Papers Murder of Italian Peace Activist in Turkey All news outlets report over the weekend and today the murder of Giuseppina Pasqualino di Marineo, an Italian artist and peace activist also known as, "Pippa Bacci." Marieno was hitchhiking from Italy to Palestine in order to promote world peace, but went missing on March 31 south of Istanbul. Over the weekend, her body was discovered and a Turkish truck driver has been arrested for her rape and murder. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak carries the banner headline, "We Are Ashamed." Sunday's mainstream Sabah carries the headline, "Forgive Us Pippa," and Islamist-oriented Zaman wrote, "Her murder shocked all of Turkey." Mainstream Vatan carries a photo of the murder suspect with the headline, "Here's the Pervert." Mainstream Aksam's banner headline reads, "Disgrace." Prime Minister Erdogan expressed regret for the murder of Pasqualino, and offered his condolences to her family. Erdogan said, "I believe the Turkish justice system will reach the fairest verdict." Meanwhile, Marineo's family insists they hold nothing against Turkey or Turks; her sister told the press, "Things like this can happen anywhere." Oral Calislar wrote in leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet (4/14): "Male aggression in a society coordinates to the society's level of development. In developed countries, male aggression is less common. In under-developed countries, male aggression is more common. On that note, the murder of this Italian artist is quite shameful for Turkey. While ultimately the murderer is responsible for this heinous crime, Turkey's culture of male aggression carries some of the blame." Ferai Tinc wrote in mainstream Hurriyet (4/14): "The Bacca murder is the result of a culture of violence against women. In this country, women's issues are overlooked as the problems of women. On paper there is gender equality, but there is no law enforcement or cultural guarantee. It's not enough to feel ashamed of this crime. This event should be a starting point for all artists in Turkey to advocate a culture of peace and gender equality." Can Dundar wrote in mainstream Milliyet (4/14): "The rape and murder of an Italian peace activist created deep shame among the Turkish public. Why do such things happen in Turkey more than elsewhere in Europe? We have to realize that the system in Turkey indirectly protects such criminal acts. Rapists, even in cases of incest, can enjoy certain deductions in their punishments due to an archaic macho mentality that exists in Turkish culture and in the Turkish judicial system. Even honor killings fall within a legal category of 'being provoked by the victim.' Our cultural and legal history favors the harassment of women, rape and domestic violence against women. We are doomed to see more stories like this one unless we change our laws and then change our mentality." Semih Idiz wrote in mainstream Milliyet (4/14): "Given the quantity as well as the nature of crimes, including rape and murder, it is hard to claim that the brutal murder of Italian artist Pippa Bacci is an isolated incident. The series of events that led to this murder, unfortunately, indicate a serious social pathology in Turkey. Turkey has a long way to go to reach contemporary civilization. Poor Pippa should have done a little research on Turkey before coming here. At least she could have decided to skip Turkey after understanding the hate-and-fight culture among people here." Barroso Visits Istanbul before Departing Turkey All papers reported this weekend the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, visited the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Mufti's Office in Istanbul. Barroso spoke to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport before he departed. He said, "Turkey is debating political, economic and social reforms." In addition, he said, "The EU is committed to full membership negotiations with Turkey. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak writes, ANKARA 00000700 002 OF 003 "Barroso said it was the responsibility of the EU to follow developments in Turkey." Mainstream Sabah reports Barroso pointed out to Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, "The European Commission closely follows economic, social and political developments in Turkey. Observations should not be seen as interventions into Turkey's domestic affairs." Meanwhile, criticisms of Barroso's visit came from many sides of the political and social spectrum. Right-wing Tercuman pointed out that, "21 other countries have joined the EU during Turkey's fifty-year EU bid." In addition, the paper notes, "Barroso forgot the European Human Rights Court ruling regarding headscarves," and "Barroso wants to clear the way for insulting Turkishness." Mainstream Milliyet's Saturday edition reports, "Women's groups were infuriated by Barroso's insistence that women should make their own decisions about wearing a headscarf." Milliyet says the organizations insist, "Barroso does not understand the reality of Turkey," where, "many women are forced to wear the headscarf and thus the headscarf is not an expression of individual freedom." Mainstream Milliyet columnist Meral Tamer pointed out, "There is a rapid increase in the number of women who are forced to cover their heads," and "this pressure comes from their families and/or their neighbors." Tamer also emphasized, "The headscarf does not represent women's freedoms. The headscarf is a symbol that offends secularism." Milliyet columnist Semih Idiz expressed his disappointment that, "Barroso did not extend any messages to women who are not willing to wear the headscarf," and "this could be interpreted as Barroso's support for the headscarf." PM Erdogan Accuses Opposition All papers carry excerpts from AKP's "Youth Branch" meeting in Ankara this weekend where Prime Minister Erdogan accused the main opposition party CHP for hiding behind Ataturk and doing nothing for politics. Erdogan invited CHP Leader Baykal to recognize that, "The Turkish Republic was founded by the people under Ataturk's leadership." He added, "Secularism entered into our constitutions not with the CHP's imposition but by our people's will." Meanwhile, the largest pro-secularist and anti-AKP rally since last year's July elections was held in Ankara on Saturday. According to papers, between 25,000 and 50,000 secularist protestors attended the rally. All papers note the protestors accused the ruling AKP of undermining secularism. Protestors carried banners saying, "Turkey is secular and will remain secular" and, "No Fundamentalist Movements." Justice Minister: Article 301 in Parliament's Hands Radikal, Yeni Safak, Hurriyet, Milliyet and other major new outlets carried excerpts from an interview by Kanal 24 television station with Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin. The minister said the revision in Penal Code Article 301 will be sent to parliament's Justice Committee this week. Reports note that Justice Minister Sahin wanted the Justice Minister to be the authority who decided on whether or not a 301 case could proceed. However, in the current proposal this authority lies with the president. Minister Sahin said he understands that some in Turkey criticize such authority for the presidency, but added, "Apparently when the draft was shown to the president, the president did not object." Turkey-Iran Discuss Measures against PKK, PJAK Yeni Safak reports a five-day meeting between Turkey and Iran in Ankara begins today. The bilateral discussions include security measures against the PKK and PJAK. The last meeting of this nature was held in Tehran on February 2006 and concluded with a signed memorandum of understanding on active cooperation against terrorism. TV News: CNN Turk ANKARA 00000700 003 OF 003 Domestic News - Turkish security forces carried out operations against PKK terrorists in the province of Sirnak. Six terrorists fleeing from the PKK surrendered to the security forces at the Habur border crossing. - Turkish Cyprus leader Mehmet Ali Talat will visit Turkey April 24 to discuss the developments in the divided island with President Abdullah Gul. - The Turkish government is trying to prevent the execution of a Turk charged with blasphemy in Saudi Arabia. International News - The Iraqi government has sacked 1,300 soldiers and policemen for refusing to fight against Shiite militias in the south of the country. - Twelve people are killed and 202 injured in an explosion at a mosque in Iran's southern city of Shiraz. - The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) says Israel uses psychological torture against some Palestinian detainees. DEBLAUW