TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001505 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 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009 Media Highlights: PKK Returns to Turkey; Iran Attacks; US-Turkey Presidents Talk PKK as Well?; Turkey-Azerbaijan Rift Grows; Turkey-Israel Tensions; Kazakstan President to Visit; President Gul's Offer to Opposition; Another Penalty for Dogan; H1N1 in Turkey PKK Groups to Return to Turkey Monday Papers report over the weekend and Monday that acting on the PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan's instructions, three groups of PKK militants will come to Turkey to surrender. On Monday, two groups will come from the Kandil Mountains and from the Makhmur Camp in northern Iraq, and another group will come from Europe. Islamist and mainstream alike, papers strike a straightforward tone in reporting "The return of the PKK militants from northern Iraq was about to begin." Monday's Milliyet says the groups' return would be a demonstration of "goodwill" in line with the call of Ocalan. Sunday's Taraf says the first group of the PKK militants to return would include only militants who did not participate in attacks against Turkey. The paper expects them to be released in a couple hours after a brief questioning at the border. Taraf says Monday that the young Kurds might leave the mountains if Turkish officials decide to set free the 34 people who surrender. Sunday's Radikal expects the returns to continue, unless the process is "sabotaged." All Monday papers report Kurdish party DTP was preparing a "grand welcome" for the PKK groups at the border, and also preparing to stage big celebrations in Diyarbakir. Revolutionary Guard Commanders Killed in Iran Attack The suicidal attack on Iran's Revolutionary Guards dominates international news headlines. Media focus on Iran's claims that the US and Britain were involved in the attack. In "Heavy Blow on Revolutionary Guards," mainstream Milliyet says "a suicide bomber killed seven senior commanders and 42 members of the Revolutionary Guards," adding, "Iranian officials accused foreign enemies of supporting the attack." Liberal Radikal headlines "Suicide to Iran's Guards," and observes that " the Revolutionary Guards are hit badly just before Iran is set to meet for another round of talks on its nuclear program with several Western countries." Mainstream Hurriyet writes "Bomb to the Guard," and speculates on "how the attack will affect critical nuclear talks." In "Attack in Iran," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet notes "the State Department denied Iran's accusation." US and Turkish Presidents Talk PKK as Well? On Sunday, mainstream Hurriyet and other outlets fronted stories on the phone call between the Turkish and American presidents noting that "President Gul asked President Obama for his help and more engagement on the two important pending issues; namely the Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh and the solution to Cyprus issue. Mentioning the recent normalization effort with Armenia, President Gul told Obama that a solution for the Karabakh issue will play a vital role in future developments so President Obama should be more engaging in Minsk group's effort." The Hurriyet report also notes that President Obama said "Your points are well taken and I will continue to do my best" in return. PKK Discussion? In a follow up story on Monday, Hurriyet columnist Fatih Cekirge believes there were more than the two mentioned issues between Obama and Gul phone call: "The U.S. also gave a tangible start regarding the dissolving of PKK. The designation of PKK leadership as part of the Kingpin Act provided a new impetus on bilateral ties between Washington and Ankara. And with Gul's phone call, Turkey also wanted to enhance an image as strongly peace seeking country. There is another important chain in bilateral ties: PM Erdogan's upcoming visit to the US. Washington wants to host him as early as possible which indicates that there are some important messages to come, such as recent tension with Israel, PM Erdogan's trip to Iraq and Iran. Given the timing of Erdogan's visit to Iran which will happen right before Washington trip, there is a strong possibility of Turkey assuming an important role between the US and Iran." ANKARA 00001505 002 OF 003 Rift Grows Between Turkey and Azerbaijan Weekend papers continued reporting the growing rift between Turkey and Azerbaijan over the Turkey-Armenia rapprochement. Following the ban of Azeri flags during the soccer game between Turkish and Armenian national soccer teams, Azerbaijan, in retaliation, removed all Turkish flags from the monument of Turkish martyrs in Baku. Mainstream Vatan notes that even though Azeri officials said that the Turkish flags at the monument violated Azeri laws, Vatan reminded that the flags have been there for ten years. At the weekend also, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev signaled an increase on the natural gas sold to Turkey by saying "Turkey is paying one-third of the market value for Azerbaijani gas, and this makes no sense." Today's mainstream Hurriyet headline reads "One Nation is Separating" and reports that the rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia damaged the 'Two states, one nation' belief between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The paper quotes Aliyev as saying "Turkey is creating problems in the shipment of Shahdeniz gas to Europe,that is why we are looking for alternative routes and working on a Georgia-Bulgaria-Romania route for the shipment of gas to Europe." Editorials on Turkey-Azerbaijan "Aliyev is right, but...": Semih Idiz notes "this is the time to test Azerbaijan's true friendship." In mainstream Milliyet, he wrote: "Aliyev's reaction to Turkey and his reprisal attitude will not bring any solution to the main problem, i.e. Karabakh. He has to realize the fact that Azerbaijan's close friend Russia is behind the Karabakh problem." "Empty Rhetoric": In mainstream Sabah, Mehmet Barlas wonders if the "two states one nation" rhetoric was an empty one: "Azerbaijan's reaction does not make any sense." If Turkey's normalization with Armenia is now a reason to get upset, he writes, then why Baku hasn't been upset over long-term Russian and Iranian ties with Armenia. "Emotional Reaction": Mehmet Yilmaz is worried about Azerbaijan leadership's emotional reaction. In mainstream Hurriyet he says: "Emotionalism is not a good method for statesmen. Azerbaijan leader Aliyev should put emotionalism aside and see the protocol between turkey and Armenia as an opportunity to provide settlement to the Karabakh problem." Israel Continues to React to Anatolian Eagle's Clipped Wings Mainstream Milliyet cites Israeli daily Haaretz's reporting that Israeli PM Netanyahu commented that "Turkey cannot be a honest moderator" when it comes to mediating with Syria. The paper comments that following the incident in Davos, the cancellation of Anatolian Eagle exercises and finally the airing of a highly critical Turkish TV series, the tension between Israel and Turkey is growing deeper. In a related story, mainstream Sabah reports that Turkey is participating in "Bright Star 2009" military exercises in Egypt with three F-16s and 59 personnel. Egypt, the US, Pakistan, Germany, and France are participating at the exercises. Even though, Israel is a member of the exercises, they are not participating in the exercises this year. Editorials on Turkey-Israel Tension "The Israel Crisis" Columnist Nuray Mert draws attention to the potential ramifications of populism. In mainstream Hurriyet she writes: "Neither reacting to Israel nor empathy with Palestine justifies populism. In a Muslim country such populism inevitably provokes anti-Semitism. And the worst of all, anti-Semitism in this nature eventually turns into full scale discrimination on everything." "Reasons for the Crisis with Israel" Liberal daily Radikal's Ceyda ANKARA 00001505 003 OF 003 Karan however thinks there is a lesson for Israel to take: "Turkey's new position vis-`-vis Israel can be interpreted as 'I am your true friend and I should be able to pronounce your mistakes.' Keeping a blind eye on serious mistakes does not work between real friends." Nazarbayev to visit Turkey October 21 Prior to his official visit to Turkey on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev made remarks to Turkish dailies. Islamist-oriented Zaman quotes Nazarbayev as supportive of the "positive developments" between Turkey and Armenia. Nazarbayev stated that in five years, Azerbaijani oil would dwindle, and that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline would need Kazakh oil. Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan was willing to "contribute more" to the BTC pipeline. Main opposition party opening from President Gul Mainstreams Sabah and Hurriyet report that participating in TRT1's "Political Opening" program live from the Presidential Palace, President Gul said "the National Security Council should also include members of the main opposition party. The most important issues of Turkey are discussed at the NSC meetings and it will help the opposition to understand the issues fully." President Gul urged that political differences should not ruin the atmosphere of working together for Turkey and said "It is very important. In this respect, I follow the ongoing tensions in politics with concern." Dogan Group's broadcasting license may be cancelled Monday papers report "irregularities" in the transfer of Dogan Media Group shares to its partner, German media group Axel Springer. According to existing regulations in Turkey, the Dogan Group had the right to sell only a 25 percent stake of his shares, but made a transaction for the sale of 28 companies to Axel Springer. Papers report Turkey's media watchdog RTUK has given the DG three months to correct the irregularities with its German partner; otherwise, the DG's broadcasting license would be cancelled. 'Swine Flu' cases on the rise in Turkey Media outlets report over 30 "swine flu" cases were seen in Ankara, seven in Diyarbakir, including six students, and one in Erzurum. Two schools were closed in Diyarbakir for five days. The first patch of swine flu vaccines would arrive in Istanbul and Ankara today, report papers and televisions. Upcoming events: Q Today: Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Iranian Expediency Council, will be received by President Gul. Q Today: Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout visits Turkey Q October 21: Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev visits Turkey. Q October 22-23: Turkish Investment Summit in London. Q October 24: President Gul visits Serbia. Q October 24-25: Central and Eastern Europe Energy Forum in Istanbul. JEFFREY