Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA151
2009-01-30 14:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000151
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: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009
In Today's Papers
Q Erdogan - 'The Conqueror of Davos' or Just 'a Train Wreck?'
Q Erdogan Calls on Obama to Re-evaluate Definition of "Terror"
Q Constitutional Court Annuls PM's Authority to Tap Phones
Q Al-Qaeda Clash with Police at a Post Office in Istanbul
Q Erdogan: Not the End of the World if No IMF Deal Reached
Erdogan - Greeted By Cheering Crowds as 'The Conqueror of Davos'
(Vatan) but is he 'Just a Train Wreck?' (Milliyet) THE story of the
day is that of Prime Minister Erdogan's antics yesterday during a
panel on Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Many Islamist,
conservative, nationalist papers applaud Erdogan for standing up to
the Israeli president. Conservative-nationalist Turkiye reports in,
"An Historic Lesson for Peres" that "Peres boldly defended Israel's
operations in Gaza" and Erdogan responded by saying "You know very
well how to kill." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak calls Erdogan's
harsh criticism against Peres, "An Historic Gaza Slap," and the
paper calls Erdogan, "The Heroic Knight" who "sharply criticized the
killing of civilians in Gaza" and "shouted at Peres 'you are
guilty!'" Yeni Safak also reports, "Erdogan exposed Israel's
guilt." Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Peres Apologized to
Erdogan" for the tensions on the panel and the paper calls Peres'
remarks during the panel "biased." Zaman also notes Prime Minister
Erdogan said later, "Peres must learn how to properly speak to the
Turkish Prime Minister." Extreme right Tercuman reports, "Erdogan
Deserves Applause," for his reaction to Peres.
Conservative-nationalist Bugun headlines, "Erdogan Deals a Blow to
The Arrogant Israeli President Peres." Mainstream Vatan reports
crowds greeted Erdogan upon his 3:00 am return to the Istanbul
airport by cheering "Damn Israel" and "Erdogan - the Conqueror of
Davos!" Mainstream Aksam reports the crowds hailed Erdogan as "the
new leader of the world."
Meanwhile, many mainstream and liberal outlets are more skeptical of
the impact Erdogan's outburst will have on Turkey's global
reputation. In a reference to Kasimpasa slum in Istanbul, liberal
Radikal headlines, "A Climate Like Kasimpasa in Davos," and
criticizes Erdogan's "street-boy behavior" in front of an elite
audience in Davos as he "foamed at the mouth," and "clashed with
Peres" and vowed "to never return to Davos." Radikal columnist
Murat Yetkin asks, "Will Erdogan's antics damage relations between
the U.S. and Turkey?" Mainstream Milliyet carries the banner
headline, "Shock in Davos" and reports the reactions of several
retired Turkish diplomats who say, "the incident will fuel tensions
between Israel and Turkey" and "Erdogan has damaged Turkey's status
as an impartial mediator in the Middle East." Milliyet also reports
an opposition leader said, "this spat constitutes the end of
Erdogan's standing in the civilized world" while the paper also
quotes a former foreign minister who called the incident "a train
wreck." Columnist Rusen Cakir of mainstream Vatan comments, "The
tensions created by Erdogan in Davos may harm the AKP's legitimacy
on the international stage," but "his popularity in the Muslim world
will rise," and "this will raise further concerns that Turkey is
estranging itself from the West." Finally, mainstream Hurriyet
declares on its front page, "The Spirit of Davos is Dead."
In a developing story, NTV is reporting that Hamas has announced,
"We respectfully welcome Erdogan's courageous response" to Peres.
Today's liberal Radikal headlines, "A Kasimpasa (Slum) Climate in
Davos" as Erdogan "foams at the mouth."
Today's extreme right Turkiye headlines, "An Historic Lesson from
Erdogan to Peres."
Editorial Opinion on Erdogan's Stance in Davos Oktay Eksi wrote in
mainstream Hurriyet: "The entire world has watched our leader
ANKARA 00000151 002 OF 003
exercise no sign of anger management. This incident is a scandal
and proves that Erdogan is no statesman."
Gungor Mengi wrote in mainstream Vatan: "PM Erdogan has an
uncontrollable temper. His scandolus acts contradict the efforts of
the President and the Foreign Minister to temper Turkey's rhetoric
regarding Israel's operations in Gaza. Erdogan defends Hamas more
vigorously than most Arabs."
Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "This
Erdogan-Peres crisis was forshadowed prior to the panel debate in
Davos yesterday. The PM began this crisis yesterday afternoon by
calling on U.S. President Obama to redefine the terms 'terror' and
'terrorist organizations' in the Middle East. People did try to
calm the PM down, but clearly their efforts were in vain. Now,
Turkish diplomacy will have to start from scratch."
Erdogan Calls on Obama to Re-evaluate Definitions of "Terror" and
"Terrorist."
Prior to Erdogan's blowup in Davos yesterday, television outlets
reported the PM recorded a video message posted on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szRc0eZO6hA that asks the new Obama
administration to "redefine 'terror' and 'terrorist organizations,'"
and Erdogan said, "America must create a new policy in the Middle
East based on these new definitions." Islamist-oriented Zaman
comments that this message "refers to America's classification of
Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations."
Constitutional Court Annuls Prime Minister's Authority to Tap Phones
Today's papers report that the Constitutional Court ruled that the
prime minister must coordinate with the president and the
transportation minister to appoint a president to the
Telecommunication board. In addition, the court annulled the prime
minister's power to assign a commission to supervise wire tapping by
the intelligence agency (MIT),police and gendarmerie. The ruling
on the prime minister's authority came three years after former
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had asked for cancellation of the
authority, notes mainstream Hurriyet.
Al-Qaeda Clash with Police at a Post Office in Istanbul Sabah,
Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, Zaman: Istanbul police followed six
members of Al-Qaeda to a Post office in Sultanbeyli-Fatih yesterday.
Fighting broke out between the police and the terrorists when they
attempted to rob the post office. During the clashes one terrorist
was killed, three were injured and one was arrested. The last
terrorist, who was waiting in a getaway van outside, managed to
escape from the area.
Erdogan: Not the End of the World if No IMF Deal Reached Vatan,
Hurriyet, Yeni Safak, Aksam, Hurriyet, Sabah: Following his meeting
with deputy chair of the IMF Lipsky in Davos yesterday, PM Erdogan
told the journalists, "There are two IMF demands that cannot be
accepted by Turkey." He added that Turkey wants to make a deal with
the IMF but "it is not the end of the world if there is no deal."
Mainstream Vatan reports that despite Erdogan's comments, State
Minister Mehmet Simsek said, "disagreements on the major issues have
been resolved" and "the IMF delegation will be invited to Turkey
within a few weeks."
TV News: CNN Turk
Domestic News
- A survey conducted by Middle East Technical University shows that
free coal distributed by AKP-run Ankara Municipality has the highest
content of arsenic and sulphur in the world.
- Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas decided not to use official vehicles
ANKARA 00000151 003 OF 003
till the elections on March 29.
- State Minister Mehmet Aydin refused to answer a question from a
Roj TV correspondent during a press conference at the European
Parliament.
International News
- Iran is ready to cooperate with Obama Administration if the US
changes its policies and practices in the Middle East, Iran's FM
Mottaki said.
- Ties between the KRG and Turkey are among the priorities of the
Obama Administration. Speaking on the phone to Iraqi President
Talabani, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said they will work for
the improvement of ties between northern Iraq and Turkey.
JEFFREY
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: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009
In Today's Papers
Q Erdogan - 'The Conqueror of Davos' or Just 'a Train Wreck?'
Q Erdogan Calls on Obama to Re-evaluate Definition of "Terror"
Q Constitutional Court Annuls PM's Authority to Tap Phones
Q Al-Qaeda Clash with Police at a Post Office in Istanbul
Q Erdogan: Not the End of the World if No IMF Deal Reached
Erdogan - Greeted By Cheering Crowds as 'The Conqueror of Davos'
(Vatan) but is he 'Just a Train Wreck?' (Milliyet) THE story of the
day is that of Prime Minister Erdogan's antics yesterday during a
panel on Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Many Islamist,
conservative, nationalist papers applaud Erdogan for standing up to
the Israeli president. Conservative-nationalist Turkiye reports in,
"An Historic Lesson for Peres" that "Peres boldly defended Israel's
operations in Gaza" and Erdogan responded by saying "You know very
well how to kill." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak calls Erdogan's
harsh criticism against Peres, "An Historic Gaza Slap," and the
paper calls Erdogan, "The Heroic Knight" who "sharply criticized the
killing of civilians in Gaza" and "shouted at Peres 'you are
guilty!'" Yeni Safak also reports, "Erdogan exposed Israel's
guilt." Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Peres Apologized to
Erdogan" for the tensions on the panel and the paper calls Peres'
remarks during the panel "biased." Zaman also notes Prime Minister
Erdogan said later, "Peres must learn how to properly speak to the
Turkish Prime Minister." Extreme right Tercuman reports, "Erdogan
Deserves Applause," for his reaction to Peres.
Conservative-nationalist Bugun headlines, "Erdogan Deals a Blow to
The Arrogant Israeli President Peres." Mainstream Vatan reports
crowds greeted Erdogan upon his 3:00 am return to the Istanbul
airport by cheering "Damn Israel" and "Erdogan - the Conqueror of
Davos!" Mainstream Aksam reports the crowds hailed Erdogan as "the
new leader of the world."
Meanwhile, many mainstream and liberal outlets are more skeptical of
the impact Erdogan's outburst will have on Turkey's global
reputation. In a reference to Kasimpasa slum in Istanbul, liberal
Radikal headlines, "A Climate Like Kasimpasa in Davos," and
criticizes Erdogan's "street-boy behavior" in front of an elite
audience in Davos as he "foamed at the mouth," and "clashed with
Peres" and vowed "to never return to Davos." Radikal columnist
Murat Yetkin asks, "Will Erdogan's antics damage relations between
the U.S. and Turkey?" Mainstream Milliyet carries the banner
headline, "Shock in Davos" and reports the reactions of several
retired Turkish diplomats who say, "the incident will fuel tensions
between Israel and Turkey" and "Erdogan has damaged Turkey's status
as an impartial mediator in the Middle East." Milliyet also reports
an opposition leader said, "this spat constitutes the end of
Erdogan's standing in the civilized world" while the paper also
quotes a former foreign minister who called the incident "a train
wreck." Columnist Rusen Cakir of mainstream Vatan comments, "The
tensions created by Erdogan in Davos may harm the AKP's legitimacy
on the international stage," but "his popularity in the Muslim world
will rise," and "this will raise further concerns that Turkey is
estranging itself from the West." Finally, mainstream Hurriyet
declares on its front page, "The Spirit of Davos is Dead."
In a developing story, NTV is reporting that Hamas has announced,
"We respectfully welcome Erdogan's courageous response" to Peres.
Today's liberal Radikal headlines, "A Kasimpasa (Slum) Climate in
Davos" as Erdogan "foams at the mouth."
Today's extreme right Turkiye headlines, "An Historic Lesson from
Erdogan to Peres."
Editorial Opinion on Erdogan's Stance in Davos Oktay Eksi wrote in
mainstream Hurriyet: "The entire world has watched our leader
ANKARA 00000151 002 OF 003
exercise no sign of anger management. This incident is a scandal
and proves that Erdogan is no statesman."
Gungor Mengi wrote in mainstream Vatan: "PM Erdogan has an
uncontrollable temper. His scandolus acts contradict the efforts of
the President and the Foreign Minister to temper Turkey's rhetoric
regarding Israel's operations in Gaza. Erdogan defends Hamas more
vigorously than most Arabs."
Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "This
Erdogan-Peres crisis was forshadowed prior to the panel debate in
Davos yesterday. The PM began this crisis yesterday afternoon by
calling on U.S. President Obama to redefine the terms 'terror' and
'terrorist organizations' in the Middle East. People did try to
calm the PM down, but clearly their efforts were in vain. Now,
Turkish diplomacy will have to start from scratch."
Erdogan Calls on Obama to Re-evaluate Definitions of "Terror" and
"Terrorist."
Prior to Erdogan's blowup in Davos yesterday, television outlets
reported the PM recorded a video message posted on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szRc0eZO6hA that asks the new Obama
administration to "redefine 'terror' and 'terrorist organizations,'"
and Erdogan said, "America must create a new policy in the Middle
East based on these new definitions." Islamist-oriented Zaman
comments that this message "refers to America's classification of
Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations."
Constitutional Court Annuls Prime Minister's Authority to Tap Phones
Today's papers report that the Constitutional Court ruled that the
prime minister must coordinate with the president and the
transportation minister to appoint a president to the
Telecommunication board. In addition, the court annulled the prime
minister's power to assign a commission to supervise wire tapping by
the intelligence agency (MIT),police and gendarmerie. The ruling
on the prime minister's authority came three years after former
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had asked for cancellation of the
authority, notes mainstream Hurriyet.
Al-Qaeda Clash with Police at a Post Office in Istanbul Sabah,
Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, Zaman: Istanbul police followed six
members of Al-Qaeda to a Post office in Sultanbeyli-Fatih yesterday.
Fighting broke out between the police and the terrorists when they
attempted to rob the post office. During the clashes one terrorist
was killed, three were injured and one was arrested. The last
terrorist, who was waiting in a getaway van outside, managed to
escape from the area.
Erdogan: Not the End of the World if No IMF Deal Reached Vatan,
Hurriyet, Yeni Safak, Aksam, Hurriyet, Sabah: Following his meeting
with deputy chair of the IMF Lipsky in Davos yesterday, PM Erdogan
told the journalists, "There are two IMF demands that cannot be
accepted by Turkey." He added that Turkey wants to make a deal with
the IMF but "it is not the end of the world if there is no deal."
Mainstream Vatan reports that despite Erdogan's comments, State
Minister Mehmet Simsek said, "disagreements on the major issues have
been resolved" and "the IMF delegation will be invited to Turkey
within a few weeks."
TV News: CNN Turk
Domestic News
- A survey conducted by Middle East Technical University shows that
free coal distributed by AKP-run Ankara Municipality has the highest
content of arsenic and sulphur in the world.
- Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas decided not to use official vehicles
ANKARA 00000151 003 OF 003
till the elections on March 29.
- State Minister Mehmet Aydin refused to answer a question from a
Roj TV correspondent during a press conference at the European
Parliament.
International News
- Iran is ready to cooperate with Obama Administration if the US
changes its policies and practices in the Middle East, Iran's FM
Mottaki said.
- Ties between the KRG and Turkey are among the priorities of the
Obama Administration. Speaking on the phone to Iraqi President
Talabani, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said they will work for
the improvement of ties between northern Iraq and Turkey.
JEFFREY