TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 001229 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 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009 In Today's Papers Erdogan: "We Will be Integrated Under The Citizenship of The Turkish Republic" (Milliyet) All papers: Speaking at the opening of "D-Marin", a marina in Didim (Aegean province of Aydin),Erdogan said that some did not want Turkey to improve and strengthen further, and those people were trying to divide the country. Erdogan said those people would not achieve anything. "We will be integrated under the citizenship of the Turkish Republic. Investments continue in the western and northern regions of the country and some parts of the south. Unfortunately, the entrepreneurs cannot invest in the east and the southeast because of a lack of stability and confidence there. An atmosphere of confidence, stability, tranquility and peace are among the fundamental needs of an economy. The democratic move will also have a positive impact on the economy," Erdogan said. CHP Says It's Ready to Discuss AKP Government's Kurdish Initiative Papers report main opposition CHP said it will "evaluate" the AKP requests for a meeting to discuss the ruling party's 'Kurdish Initiative.' Earlier, the CHP had turned down calls from Interior Minister Besir Atalay for talks on the AKP's 'democratic move' for a settlement regarding Turkey's Kurdish question. CHP deputy chairman Onur Oymen said they did not rule out talks with the government, but added that first, the ruling AKP should put forth its demands clearly, and unveil a "concrete action plan" on its so-called "democratic initiative." Meanwhile, liberal Radikal reports CHP leader Deniz Baykal told his party board meeting that it was a "disgrace" that Turkey still lacks 'Kurdish institutes' at its universities. "It is a total necessity that Turkey teaches Kurdish language, history and folklore at its universities. We, however, totally reject the universities to be used as a mechanism to merely educate teachers of the Kurdish language," emphasized Baykal. Editorials on 'Kurdish Initiative' Oktay Eksi wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "If the government prefers to call it a 'democratic initiative,' the substance should be properly filled. A democratic initiative requires a start from scratch, including a fully independent judiciary system, fair representation of all views in parliament and a new party law to allow political freedom. We haven't seen any steps regarding that but we can only hope at this point." Ismet Berkan wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "What Turkey really needs is a full scale democratic republic as opposed to 'half democracy' as we have today. The implementation of full democratic rights is the correct approach to discourage people from going to the mountains and encouraging them work through the political process instead." Mehmet Barlas wrote in mainstream Sabah: "At least some in Turkey are surrounded by an interesting psychology as they live with conspiracy theories and blame foreigners for everything. Let's not forget that conspiracies are basically scape goats to avoid reality. When it comes to the Kurdish initiative it is happening once again that the U.S. and the EU are the ones to blame. Those who oppose the Kurdish initiative want to hide every problem underneath the carpet as they always do and miss the chance to advancing Turkey." Kurdish Sermons in Mosques Mainstream Hurriyet reports Interior Minister Besir Atalay, who coordinates the ruling AKP's government's "democratic opening," will meet next week with the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) head Professor Ali Bardakoglu to discuss arranging for Kurdish-language sermons in mosques. Diyanet will stick to the current arrangement of delivering Turkish-language sermons in key Kurdish provinces such as Diyarbakir, Mardin and Batman. Kurdish-language sermons are expected to be introduced in remote provinces where the majority of ANKARA 00001229 002 OF 004 mosque attendants are Kurds, and local imams will be allowed to choose the sermon language. Diyanet is also preparing to air Kurdish-language religious broadcasts on the state owned Kurdish TRT-6 television during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, reports Hurriyet. Third Alevi Workshop Held in Ankara Mainstreams Milliyet and Vatan report the third Alevi Workshop was held Wednesday with the participation of theologians and officials from the High Board for Religious Affairs. At the meeting held in Ankara, Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) board chair Hamza Aktan voiced objections to the proposals for recognizing the Alevis' gathering places (Cemevi) as "temple." "Alevis are Muslims, and Muslims meet in mosques," said Aktan, noting that the recognition of cemevi as temple would "pave the way for division in Islam." Milliyet says the stance of Diyanet regarding Cemevis remains unchanged. Germany Wants Former Turkish Intelligence Member Arrested Mainstream Vatan reports Germany has issued an arrest warrant for a former informant, Mevlut K., who worked for the Turkish intelligence service MIT in connection with Germany's largest anti-terror investigation. Mevlut K. is believed to have provided a detonation device for four al-Qaeda militants captured in 2007 and 2008 in Germany and Turkey. German police found 400 kilograms of TNT that they believed would be used by the militants, of whom two of them were Turkish nationals, in planned attacks on the U.S. military bases in Germany and at the Frankfurt International Airport. Vatan claims MIT has "unofficially confirmed" that Mevlut K. had worked for the organization until 2002. FM Davutoglu: Israel must show will for peace, Palestinian Factions must Unite Hurriyet web page reports that while emphasizing that the upcoming four or five months are very critical for the region, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Wednesday that Israel should act responsibly to ensure the revival of peace negotiations. "It is time for Israel to show the will for peace," Davutoglu told a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart, Nasser Judeh. The foreign minister said Ankara was closely following the efforts of the U.S. administration's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, in the region and warned that negative consequences would be seen if the opportunity was missed. Also at this press conference, Minister Davutoglu urged Palestinian factions to act for unity for a prospect for peace in the Middle East. "Our Palestinian brothers should come together with a common attitude and find a common ground of reconciliation in the shortest possible time. Otherwise, peace process in the Middle East cannot move ahead," he said. A Nightmare in Baghdad (Yeni Safak) Media outlets note Iraq experienced its "bloodiest day" yesterday, soon after U.S. forces transferred security responsibility over to local Iraqi officials. Liberal Radikal headlines, "Instead of Turning Normal, The Iraqi Capital Turned Into a Fire Zone." In, "Terror Strikes In the Heart of Baghdad," mainstream Milliyet reports, "As U.S. troops withdraw from cities in Iraq," Baghdad, "experiences its bloodiest day." Mainstream Haberturk reports in "An Anniversary Bomb in Baghdad," that "on August 20, 2003 a bomb ripped through the UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing over a hundred," and "yesterday's bombing came as security is being transferred from U.S. forces to local forces." Mainstream Hurriyet calls yesterday, "The Bloodiest Day in Baghdad," as, "After U.S. troops began to withdraw from cities on June 30th, yesterday was the country's bloodiest day." Leftist Taraf calls the attack, "The largest attack on the Green Zone." In "This Time Terror in Iraq Targeted the Government," Islamist-oriented Zaman notes the attack occurred "as soon as Iraqi security forces took control of security." The Afghan Government Orders A Blackout of Foreign and Domestic Media on Coverage of Violence During Thursday's Polls (Milliyet) ANKARA 00001229 003 OF 004 Today's media coverage focuses on the possibility that violent attacks could interrupt today's elections in Afghanistan. Mainstream Hurriyet headlines, "All preparations for fraud in Afghan elections are completed" and the paper reports there is "chaos and fraud" everywhere in Afghanistan, as "Ballots are being sold on the streets," and, "There is even a ballot in the name of Britney Spears on the Internet." Meanwhile, Milliyet notes the Taliban have increased their threats and "the fear of big clashes" has grown among the people. Milliyet also reports, "The government wants the day to pass with no news of an attack." Mainstream Sabah headlines, "The Taliban Claims 20 Suicide Bombers Already Infiltrated Kabul," and the paper reports "The violence won't stop in Afghanistan." Editorials on Afghan Elections Fikret Ertan wrote in Islamist oriented Zaman: "The Afghan elections mark a historical turning point in country's political history. However the recent polls show no candidate is strong enough to go beyond a 50 percent hurdle in the first phase which means lots of potential new problems are ahead. Along with security issues, there are already other serious problems like the Taliban threat and the actual conditions in election ballots which might be a questioning point regarding the election's health. Nevertheless, the realization of an election is an important event and a turning point by itself." Yasemin Congar wrote in leftist Taraf: "It looks like if Karzai is relected, he will focus on ending the violence mutually. Karzai will invite to talk with the Taliban's Molla Birader and opposition leader Hikmetyar, in other words he will sit with his enemies to negotiate. End of violence remains an urgent priority while other issues like government reform, constitutional changes and withdrawal of foreign forces will be at the very bottom of the to-do list." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - Prime Minister Erdogan said the Kurdish opening would lead to a "boom in Turkey's economy." - Islamist Saadet Party (SP) said it will release a report on Turkey's Kurdish question. - Diyarbakir Governor's Office has opted to not object to a request for restoring the Kurdish name of a village in the province. - Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said the new Bosphorus bridge would connect the districts of Beykoz and Tarabya. - NATO Secretary-General Andres Fogh Rasmussen will visit Turkey at the end of August. - In October, Turkey and the IMF will hold in Istanbul bi-annual meetings as uncertainty about talks on a new stand-by deal with the IMF continues. - Two British tourists touring the world on their bicycles have been attacked by the villagers in the Black Sea province of Ordu. World - Muslims' holy month of Ramadan begins on Friday. - Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has asked Jordan to open a 'liaison office' in Turkish Cyprus. - Taliban fighters attack a state-owned bank in Kabul and exchange fire with the police on the eve of Afghanistan's presidential election on Thursday. ANKARA 00001229 004 OF 004 - Bulgaria will send a contingent of 210 troops to Afghanistan to guard Kabul's international airport. - South Korea's first rocket launch has been delayed because of technical failure. - Markets worldwide drop amid uncertainty about the global economy. SILLIMAN