TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001274 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 FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009 In Today's Papers Erdogan Calls On Nation To Support His Government's 'Democratic Move' on Kurdish Issue Media outlets report that in Thursday's televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Erdogan said his government's "democratic move" aimed to bring peace to the entire country. "We are working to establish a democratic atmosphere where everyone can freely express himself," said Erdogan. Erdogan said Turkey, conducting a long-term fight against terrorism, has experienced great losses due to terrorism. He stressed that terror was not an issue that could be solved only through military measures. He noted, "The point we reached today is a result of the common will of our state and nation. Erdogan urged political parties, all civic organizations, academics and media to support his government's Kurdish initiative, saying, "everybody should be a part of the solution." Editorial Commentary on the PM's Address to the Nation/AKP's Kurdish Initiative Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal Radikal: "Prime Minister Erdogan's address to the nation did not give a new angle to the Kurdish opening. There are salad and side dishes ready on the table, however, the main dish is still not there. The mistake in the choice of methods. If Erdogan had included the CHP in efforts for a solution, debates would be more healthy and the existing shadow over the process would be removed. It is never too late in the politics." Cengiz Candar wrote in liberal Radikal: "The Kurdish opening cannot be blocked by military statements. It will continue to be debated and the process will not stop. As is seen, we all are debating the issue." Rusen Cakir wrote in mainstream Vatan: "In his address to the nation PM Erdogan said 'we are not claiming that we will do everything on our own or establish all the rules on our own. We are not representing the whole of Turkey. We have to work together.' I really wish that during their last seven years in power, the AKP government's acts were based on this principle. If that were so, Turkey would not face such unnecessary polarization and clashes." Fikret Bila wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "In his address to the nation PM Erdogan said 'we'll never allow any action to damage Turkey's unitary structure.' So far, it seems that all debates on the Kurdish issue took place between the government and the opposition. However, the main obstacle was the PKK and DTP's demands in this process. None of their demands could fit in the framework of article 3 of the Constitution. Therefore, it doesn't reflect the facts to say that the Government and the DTP are in agreement on a solution and the opposition and the TGS have prevented it." Mehmet Yilmaz wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "The last 25 years of terror have damaged Turks trust in the Kurds while suppressing pro-democracy Kurds. If Turkey were successful in eliminating PKK terrorism, and only supporters of democracy were allowed the talk, Turkey would not have this trust problem. In order to reach a solution, first of all, these suppressed Kurds should be separated from the PKK. A comprehensive democratization initiative is the most important step to marginalize the PKK. Being aware of this fact, the PKK and its leaders do not want to be left out of the process. That is why DTP members are trying to spoil the peaceful atmosphere." Ihsan Dagi wrote in the Islamist-oriented/intellectual Zaman: "There are many points to be covered regarding Turkey's Kurdish issue. However, the public's stance towards those opposing the (government's) opening is not very warm. On the other hand, the public cautiously supports the initiative for a solution." ANKARA 00001274 002 OF 003 Basbug: We Are All Brothers, Let's Keep This Unity Media outlets report that on Thursday, the chief of the general staff (TGS) General Ilker Basbug delivered messages of "unity and brotherhood" to the nation. Basbug warned against any attempts to subvert that aim, while visiting the Fallen Soldiers' Tomb in Cigiltepe, Afyon, as part of Turkey's Victory Week celebrations. Accompanied by air, navy, land and gendarme force commanders, Basbug was welcomed by a group of students from the Kurdish towns of Kulp and Lice in the province of Diyarbakir. "All our martyrs are laying side by side here. We are all brothers and sisters. We should not allow those who want to spoil this unity," said Basbug. Rasmussen Pledges To Work For Better Ties Between NATO-Muslim Countries Papers report NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen joined Turkish leaders at a Ramadan fast-breaking iftar on Thursday. "Please see my presence here tonight as a clear manifestation of my respect for Islam as one of the world's great religions," Rasmussen said at the iftar. Rasmussen praised Turkey as "a bridge between Europe, the Arab world and Central Asia," and pledged to work for better ties between NATO and Muslim countries. Prime Minister Erdogan said the NATO chief's participation was a "meaningful message to the people of my country and the Muslim world." Erdogan also said that his government will not step back in its Kurdish opening regardless of the costs. RTUK To Remove Limitations On Private Kurdish Broadcasters Islamist-oriented Zaman reports Turkey's radio and television watchdog RTUK has begun work to allow private television and radio stations to broadcast in Kurdish 24 hours a day. RTUK will reportedly remove the limitations on duration and content of programs. According to the existing regulations accepted in 2006, private channels are allowed to broadcast in Kurdish for 45 minutes a day. "On the one hand, we have the state broadcasting for 24 hours a day, and on the other, the limitations on private broadcasters. This is senseless." said RTUK chairman Davut Dursun. Poll: AKP, CHP Lose Votes, MHP, DTP On The Rise Mainstream Vatan and Aksam carry a public opinion poll conducted by the A&G company in which 1,260 people were asked who they would vote for if elections were held today. The distribution of votes, after splitting the 16.7 percent of the "Undecided" votes among the parties, was: AKP 35.3 percent, CHP 21.1, MHP 19.0, DTP 7.1, DP 4.1, and SP 2.9. Armenian Diaspora Believes Peace Talks With Turkey Have Ended 'In Fiasco' (Hurriyet) Mainstream Hurriyet reports the Armenian diaspora does not want President Sargsyan to travel to Turkey for the October 14 soccer game between the two countries, saying the "peace talks" have ended "in fiasco." The Armenian nationalist Dashnaksutyun Party sees Foreign Minister Nalbandyan as "responsible" for this outcome of Armenia's "flirting" with Turkey, and urged him to resign, according to Hurriyet. Friendly Warning From Wexler (Sabah) Mainstream Sabah reports U.S. House of Representatives' Turkey Caucus co-head Robert Wexler said in his Thursday meeting with President Gul that the dialogue process with Armenia should be sped up. "If the dialogue process is not continued, the bill on Armenian allegations will be submitted to the U.S. Congress; and this time, it will pass," said Wexler. Wexler also promised he will work for the improvement of economic ties between Turkey and the U.S., reports Sabah. U.S. Missile Defense Shield in Turkey (Milliyet) Media outlets pay close attention to a recent story in the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza that reported that the US missile shield might be based in Israel or Turkey instead of Eastern Europe as planned previously. Mainstream Sabah headlines "The Claim that the ANKARA 00001274 003 OF 003 Shield's Destination is Turkey," and reports, "US officials speaking to the Polish press said the alternatives for the missile defense shield against the threat of Iran have shifted from the Czech Republic and Poland to Turkey and Israel. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet writes "the US administration considers using bases in Turkey and Israel and vessels deployed in the region instead of establishing the missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic." The paper notes "Russia's strong objections produced this shift." Papers report the US State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley as saying that "the report was not true." Liberal Radikal reports "the Obama administration thinks that cooperation with Russia will help in solving most of the global conflicts. In turn, the US will have some tough bargaining with Russia." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - Five people were killed and 17 others injured Thursday when an Istanbul-bound train collided with construction machinery near the town of Bilecik. - The AKP mayor of Kars has removed three sculptures of women in the city, saying that it was not appropriate to have sculptures of women in front of state offices. - Higher Education Board (YOK) decision regarding the opening of a Kurdish language department in Mardin's Artuklu University has been put off until September 10 on the grounds that the matter should be evaluated through in-depth analysis. - Housing sales in Turkey increase by 78.9 percent in the second quarter of the year in comparison to the first quarter. World - Iraqi Shiite leader Abdulaziz al-Hakim will be laid to rest in the Iraqi city of Najaf today. - Unidentified people robbed the Turkish Airlines office in Baghdad, and took more than USD 160,000. - The U.S. military in Afghanistan admits to keeping files on journalists and classifying reporting on the war as "positive, negative and neutral." - China calls on the US to halt air and sea military surveillance close to its shores. - Turkish soccer players in Germany have recently become the targets of racist attacks. SILLIMAN