TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001300 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, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 In Today's Papers 'Security Summit' on Kurdish Democratic Initiative Media outlets report Prime Minister Erdogan came together Thursday with army chief General Ilker Basbug, force commanders and the related cabinet ministers at a "security summit" in connection with the government's Kurdish democratic initiative. Interior Minister Besir Atalay briefed the meeting on the steps taken by the government regarding the initiative. A statement released at the end of the meeting said internal and external security measures and anti-terror policies to be pursued in the new period were reviewed. Islamist-oriented Zaman says the meeting focused on legal reforms that will be raised in the parliament during the autumn session. Armenian Opposition Asks for Referendum on Diplomatic Ties With Turkey Yeni Safak, Zaman, Vatan, Sabah, Milliyet, Hurriyet, and others: Islamist oriented Yeni Safak and main stream Sabah report that Armenian opposition party The Heritage launched a campaign for holding a referendum on the two protocols agreed on between Turkey and Armenia for normalization of bilateral relations. Sabah also reports that European Armenian Federation, which is considered as Armenian Diaspora in Europe, was disturbed by recent normalization initiative between Turkey and Armenia. Releasing a statement, the federation said "Turkey is imposing pre-conditions which are violating the basic principles of the international law." Islamist oriented Zaman and mainstream Milliyet report that Baku, once again, reminded Turkey to keep its promise regarding the border opening with Armenia not to realize unless Armenian occupation ends in Upper Karabakh. Editorial Debate on Government's Armenia and Kurdish Initiatives Mehmet Yilmaz wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "It was very wrong from the beginning to attach bilateral relations with Armenia to the relationship with a third country, i.e. Azerbaijan. All previous governments continued this mistake just like the current one. Turkey's opposition parties should feel responsible to offer a solution instead of standing against the initiative by sticking on the mistaken approach." Sami Kohen wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "There cannot be an overnight settlement to the long standing Karabakh problem. However it is possible and likely that after successful effort from the Minsk Group, Armenian forces may be withdrawing from the seven areas surrounding Karabakh. Any progress in the Turkish-Armenian ties will be beneficial for Azerbaijan as well." Okay Gonensin wrote in mainstream Vatan: "There is always an ongoing phobia in Turkey. Regardless of any fundamental initiative, Kurdish problem or relations with Armenian, some in Turkey always come up with 'foreign powers are imposing their terms' phobia. Unfortunately, this has been the case before and it is now too." Ferai Tinc wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "After the announcement of the normalization process with Armenia, there is a growingly upset voice coming from the Diaspora. This clearly indicates that the initiative is a very right thing to do and government should not hesitate to proceed." Ali Bayramoglu wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "A successful outcome of the Kurdish initiative requires Kurdish people's support, and that's what the government's plan already has. The efforts from some pro-Kurdish groups, such as DTP should not be disappointing or discouraging. They are still under the influence of PKK's imprisoned leader and stick with his thinking. However, Kurds in Turkey are supportive of the approach and this is what Ankara has to watch for." Freedom for the Terrorists Coming Down the Mountains and 11 Years Prison Sentence for Throwing Stones to Police (Vatan) ANKARA 00001300 002 OF 003 Mainstreams Vatan, Sabah, Milliyet and Hurriyet report that two people who threw stones to the police in Sirnak, Cizre on October 18 in order to protest Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Diyarbakir, were sentenced to 11 year in prison each. Vatan reminds TGS statement of August 26 saying that 12 PKK terrorists were freed during the month of July who were surrendered to security forces. First Female Minister After 30 Years. (Sabah) Both Female and a Terrorist in the Cabinet. (Milliyet) Media emphasize Iran's parliament approved all but three of 21 nominees for the cabinet including the first female minister since the 1979 revolution. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak, writes in "Female Minister After 30 Years," that "the cabinet will have its first female minister Vahid Dastjerdi overseeing health who defended gender discrimination at hospitals and other health institutes." Mainstream Milliyet carries the headline, "Both A Female and A Terrorist in New Iranian Government" and notes, "While Dastjerdi becomes the first female minister, Ahmad Vahidi, who is wanted by Interpol on charges that he helped organize the bombing of a Jewish center in Argentina, is approved as the defense minister." Mainstream Hurriyet headlines, "Terrorism Suspect Minister," and notes, "speaking to AFP after he was approved, Vahidi said that his assignment was a slap to Israel." Kaidanow Visits Ankara US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, visited the Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) on Thursday. Kaidanow met with Deputy Undersecretaries Unal Cevikoz and Haydar Berk. In "Bryza's Successor Discusses with MFA Armenia and Cyprus," mass appeal Aksam says Ankara has asked Kaidanow to do her best for the resolution of the Karabakh question. Kaidanow said the US would continue encouraging the sides in Cyprus to see that the peace process in the divided island will not be disrupted, reports Aksam. Water Summit: Turkey-Iraq-Syria Vatan reports on the Sept. 3 water summit in Ankara with Syrian and Iraqi delegations. Iraq and Syria are asking for more water from rivers which are shared by three countries. In rejecting Iraqi pleas for increased water supply, Turkish Environment Minister Eroglu emphasized that the "Ataturk Dam in the southeast was emptied in order to provide water for neighbors." The summit ended, however, with a signed protocol for continued water supply. TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn called on the AKP government to take concrete steps in connection with the Kurdish democratic initiative. - On September 4-5, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will join a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Stockholm. - On September 7, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will go to Georgia to press for the release of a Turkish captain who was sentenced to 24-years in prison. - President Abdullah Gul hosted Thursday night a fast breaking Iftar dinner for the representatives of the Iraqi Turkmen groups at Cankaya Presidential Palace. - Energy Market Regulatory Board has approved a 10 percent increase in electricity prices. World - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki challenges Syria to explain why it shelters armed groups which Iraq blames for staging bomb ANKARA 00001300 003 OF 003 attacks in its territory. - Saeed Jalili, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator says Tehran has prepared an updated nuclear proposal and is ready to discuss it with international powers. - The early elections in Greece will be held on October 4, outgoing Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said. - Iran's parliament has approved the first woman minister in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic. - Hundreds of mourners have attended a ceremony in memory of the 334 people who died in a Chechen raid on a school in Beslan five years ago. JEFFREY