TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

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DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
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TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU PREL KPAO
SUBJECT: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

In Today's Papers

FM Davutoglu Hopeful of a Peaceful Solution to Avoid Hot Pursuit
All papers: Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spoke to journalists
Monday regarding the government's top foreign policy priorities.
Davutoglu stressed that the EU and Cyprus are top priorities for
Turkish foreign policy and he noted that the current and upcoming EU
term presidencies (currently held by Sweden and then Spain and
Belgium) is an opportunity for Turkey. Regarding Cyprus, Davutoglu
said, "The Talat-Christofias meetings are of critical importance. I
think these talks are the last chance. I hope these talks would be a
basis for a strategic peace in Cyprus." Regarding ties with the
U.S., Davutoglu said, Turkey and the U.S. have parallel views about
many regional issues and they two countries have established the
necessary mechanisms for consultations, the improvement of these
mechanisms would continue. Commenting on Turkish ties with Russia,
the Turkish Foreign Minister says that Russia was not just a
neighbor, but also a country sharing a number of common interests
with Turkey in Eurasia.

Davutoglu also said that Turkey was considering joint measures with
Iraqi authorities that would avoid incursions into Iraqi territory
to fight the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' party, or PKK. "We hope
that developments that do not require military solutions will take
place in the near future," Davutoglu said, without going into detail
of a so-called road map for a solution to the Kurdish issue. "Turkey
is determined to take all measures to maintain security along all
its borders. We hope in the near future developments do not require
hot pursuits into neighboring territories. Most important is to set
conditions to avoid cross-border activities," Davutoglu said at a
breakfast with journalists in Ankara. Despite recent reports in the
Turkish media that implied the possible involvement of the PKK
leader Abdullah Ocalan in the solution process with a declaration
expected mid-August, Davutoglu pointed to the state mechanism to
find a solution. "Turkey creates solutions with its own willpower.
We have the Cabinet and the MGK [National Security Council] to
discuss those issues. There is no need to search for another path,"
Davutoglu said. He emphasized that, instead of sole military
measures, Turkey would rather work on a comprehensive solution
package that would both preserve the country's national unity and
widen the scope of freedoms and democracy.

Editorial Commentary on Davutoglu Comments
Fikret Bila wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "Foreign Minister
Davutoglu attaches great importance not only to his foreign policy
framework but also to the way it is perceived by public opinion. He
believes a solution to the Kurdish problem can be found through the
cabinet and the National Security Council, which basically rules out
any involvement of the PKK's imprisoned leader."

Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "Davutoglu made
a careful analysis of Turkey's relationship with Iraq. He
characterized the relationship as 'a brotherhood by fate' which was
very important. Equally important is that he said there are no
difference for Turkey between Baghdad and Erbil, and thus the
Foreign Minister indicated that Ankara remains equidistant to all
parties in Iraq."

Mustafa Unal wrote in Islamist oriented Zaman: "Foreign Minister
Davutoglu highlighted the importance of the normalization of
Armenia-Azerbaijan relations which he considers as 'a national
matter for Turkey and compatible with Turkey's interests.'
Davutoglu mentioned that the normalization process between Turkey
and Armenia also continues and there is a possibility for some
progress before the Turkey-Armenia football match in October.
Stating Turkey's will to solve problems, Davutoglu says the opening
of Turkey's border with Armenia and a solution to the Nagorno
Karabakh dispute are not alternate matters to each other."

Erdal Saglam wrote in Hurriyet: "It was an example of populism when
Davutoglu commented that Turkey's interference and reaction in

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international affairs, such as the China/Uighur crisis was welcomed
by Turkish people 'because Turks want to see Turkey interfering and
this is a healthy thing' as he put it. This is not the right
approach. Just like with economic policies, once you begin shaping
policy according to populism, there is a strong chance of failure in
the long term."

According to DTP, Solution for the Kurdish Issue is Close
Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports that mainly Kurdish
opposition party DTP decided to evaluate the road map for the
solution of the Kurdish issue to be announced by jailed PKK leader
Abdullah Ocalan and also to send the report they prepared on the
same issue to Imrali where Ocalan is serving a life sentence. DTP
deputy Sirri Sakik said "Ocalan's road map should not be evaluated
with prejudices. We are very close to a solution."

President Gul Orders Supervision of Forensic Science
Sabah, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Radikal, Zaman, Cumhuriyet and other:
President Gul ordered the State Supervisory Council to supervise
Forensic Science Institute that made controversial decisions on
several publicly sensitive issues. President Gul took action
following several negative reports about the Institution. Mainstream
Milliyet reports that State Supervisory Council will investigate
activities of the institute for the past three years.

Trilateral Mechanism Corners the PKK
Mainstream Milliyet reports that Turkey is close to settlement in
talks with the U.S. and Iraq for ending PKK presence in northern
Iraq. Milliyet reports the parties made major progress in the talks
after the northern Iraqi Kurdish Administration was included in the
talks. The paper notes that the parties are preparing to implement
a project for ending PKK activities in Northern Iraq and the
contacts between FM Davutoglu and Baghdad have started to produce
results.

TV News (CNN Turk)

Domestic

Q An Academic from Hacettepe University illegally entered Incirlik
Air Base after cutting the fence and ran towards U.S. troops
shouting that he had a bomb in his bag. He injured ONE U.S. soldier
with his wire cutters and when he was caught he said that he wanted
to be killed by the soldiers. After he was subdued by the U.S.
soldiers, he was handed over to Turkish national police.

Q The trial of Ergenekon suspects will continue on August 6. The
prosecutor has ordered the arrest of Ankara Chamber of Trade's
President Sinan Aygun and lawyer Levent Temiz. Meanwhile, the third
indictment on the case was submitted to the court.

Q President Gul held a meeting with Court of Appeal President Hasan
Gerceker yesterday.

Q The Head of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors Omer Faruk
Eminagaoglu said there are efforts to put pressure on the
judiciary.


World

Q Greek-Cypriot Foreign Minister Kyprianu said that they will give
no consent to the opening of energy chapter in Turkey's EU accession
negotiations as long as Turkey continues to block oil exploration
off Cyprus.

Q Greek Cypriots staged protests in front of the Turkish Embassy in
London to denounce 1974 Turkish operations in Cyprus.

Q Palestinian President Abbas said Israel intends to eliminate
Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian character.

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Q Iranian reformist former President Khatami calls for a referendum
on the legitimacy of the government.

JEFFREY