TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001039 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 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 ANKARA 00001039 002 OF 003 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. ANKARA 00001039 003 OF 003 Q Iranian reformist former President Khatami calls for a referendum on the legitimacy of the government. JEFFREY