TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001000 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 PREL KPAO SUBJECT: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION MONDAY, JULY 13, 2009 In Today's Papers A Historic Day in Ankara (Milliyet) All papers: The multinational Nabucco project deal, which will carry Caspian gas to Europe through Turkey, will be signed today. Mainstream Vatan notes, "The Nabucco Pipeline project will increase Turkey's strategic importance," and "will end the EU's dependence on Russia," for natural gas resources. Mainstream Hurriyet headlines, "A Verdi Blessing of Abundance," and notes, "Nabucco, a project named after Verdi's famous opera, will carry natural gas from the Caspian Sea region and the Middle East via Turkey to the heart of Europe, will be signed in Ankara today." Hurriyet also reports that 4.5 billion Euro of investments will be made in Turkey. Mainstream Milliyet reports in, "A Historic Day in Ankara," that "An inter-governmental agreement for the construction of a pipeline to carry Caspian gas to Europe via Turkey will be signed in Ankara today." In addition, the Milliyet notes, "The project means 5 billion Euro of investment and 5,000 jobs." Mainstream Sabah reports the project will create "serious geo-political gains" for Turkey. Sunday's Sabah says the pipeline "will change the future of the Middle East and the EU." Islamist-oriented Zaman headlines, "The Project of the Century Will Transform Turkey into A Natural Gas Bridge," and the paper notes "the project will increase Turkey's international influence." Zaman columnist Mehmet Yilmaz, however, asks, "Why isn't Iran a part of Nabucco," as "Iran has the second largest gas reserves in the world." Mainstream Sabah says leaders of Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria will sign an intergovernmental agreement in Ankara. A surprising name, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki will also be in attendance of the ceremony. Islamist oriented Zaman notes that the ceremony will be hosted by Prime Minister Erdogan. Anatolian Agency (AA) reports that Nabucco is planned to be an alternative route to transport gas from Turkey to Austria through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. It is also an alternative source to the Russian supply. The pipeline will carry natural gas from mainly Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz fields, as well as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran. Construction of the 3300 km pipeline is scheduled to start in 2011 and first deliveries are expected in 2014. Reuters quoted Energy Minister Taner Yildiz as saying that Turkey gave up on its request to get 15 percent of the natural gas. Later Minister Yildiz told AA that there was no such pledge to Turkey to begin with. He noted that 15 percent meant 4.5 billion cubic units but Turkey had the right to use even more than that. Zaman quotes Energy Minister Yildiz as saying that Nabucco project will have positive impact on Turkish ties with the EU. Erdal Saglam commented in mainstream Hurriyet: "There are question marks about the future prospects of the Nabucco project. Even today as the intergovernmental agreement is being concluded, there is no clarity regarding which countries will provide the gas. Aside from Azerbiajian, there is a talk about potential Russian participation which bring a question to one's mind: How can this project can be an alternative energy source if Russia becomes a part of it? Also Turkey does not play the energy game very well. Turkey's desire to get gas with a 15 percent discount was not accepted. Despite the Turkish government's earlier ambition to become an important player of energy game, Turkey has ended up being only a transit route. The Turkish government did not realize the importance of bipartisan nature of energy policy and the strong need for shaping a national policy for energy. Instead of focusing on it, government circles are engaged in micro business games to favor their party sympathizers. At the end of the day, Turkey's long-term interests suffer due to mismanagement." PM Erdogan Describes the Incidents in Xinxiang, China as Genocide Saturday's mainstream Vatan gives front page coverage to the words of PM Erdogan describing the killings of hundreds of ethnic Turk Uighurs in China's Xinjiang province as "genocide." Erdogan said "We respect China's territorial integrity, but we ask the Chinese government to protect the rights of our kin there." Saturday's ANKARA 00001000 002 OF 002 liberal-intellectual Radikal says in contrast to the harsh words of Erdogan, the Foreign Ministry issued a milder statement saying that "Turkey had no intention to meddle in China's internal affairs." Today's Hurriyet reports that FM Davutoglu held a 70 minute phone call with his Chinese counterpart Yang to discuss the violence in Xinjiang. Davutoglu expressed Turkish sensitivity about the issue and drew attention to growing public reactions in Turkey. The Chinese Minister on his part noted that those responsible for the bloodshed will stand trial without taking into account any ethnic considerations. Barbarians at Topkapi Palace (Radikal) Members of Alperen Ocaklari (ultranationalist political group) protested the concert of the world-famous pianist Idil Biret at Topkapi Palace on Saturday. The group protested the concert in front of Topkapi Palace because wine was being served during the concert. The protesters tried to get into the concert hall, but they were blocked by the police. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports that Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay reacted strongly to the group's intervention at the concert and said "it is a fairly saddening behavior. An impertinent group disrespected both Istanbul and our pianist. We cannot ignore this incident. Nobody will tolerate unreasonable behaviors." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - The Saadet Party organized a rally in Caglayan-Istanbul to protest unrest in China's Xinjiang region. - One police officer was killed by gunmen in Diyarbakir. - The Economy Coordination Board will hold a meeting to discuss steps for the more effective utilization of credit guarantee fund. - Tensions between the Turkish Cypriot Government and President Mehmet Ali Talat came to daylight as FM Huseyin Ozgurgun refuses to accompany Talat in his trip to Turkey. World - EU foreign policy chief Solana calls for the UN Security Council to push forward and recognize a Palestinian state even without a final-status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. - A car bomb explodes outside a church in eastern Baghdad and kills four people. "JEFFREY