Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA1511
2009-10-20 13:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 001511
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
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2009
Media Highlights: PKK Returnees; PM Erdogan on Foreign Policy;
Wexler on Turkey-Israel Tensions; Turkey-Israel
Dispute Deepens; Davutoglu on Turkey-Azerbaijan; Iran Nukes
PKK's 'Peace Group' Returns to Turkey
Following the dramatic Oct. 19th border crossing of 34 PKK
affiliated individuals, Minister of Interior Besir Atalay today gave
details about the event and told the press that it was only the
beginning of a process and that more - "around 100 to 150" - are
expected to return Turkey in the near future. At a morning press
conference, which followed a breakfast for all Ankara-based TV and
print outlets, Atalay said the Turkish government "was ready and
prepared to end terrorism" and that "we will hear more good news in
the upcoming days." The Minister explained that the "homecoming"
from the mountains by these terrorists is only a first phase of the
democratic initiative, noting that those who return know that their
way is "a dead-end street."
Milliyet also reports Undersecretary of Turkish intelligence agency
(MIT) Emre Taner and Deputy Director of Security Mustafa Gulcu
visited southeast of Turkey in order to evaluate possible events to
take place after the arrival of the "peace group." Taner met with
civic and intelligence authorities in the region, and briefed the
Prime Minister on his return Monday afternoon.
All media outlets reported that a "Peace Group" of eight PKK
militants from Kandil Mountains and 26 people from Makhmur refugee
camp arrived Monday at Habur border crossing to turn themselves in.
Papers report the "Peace Group" was welcomed by the Kurdish DTP
officials and 50,000 other party supporters in Silopi. The PKK
group was welcomed with placards saluting them as "peace envoys" and
"peace doves." Twenty-nine of the 34 PKK members who returned were
released. Leftist Taraf says the return of the PKK group to Turkey
was a "historic turning point." The meeting in Habur has fueled
hopes for peace, comments Taraf. Liberal Radikal daily newspaper
views the return of the PKK group to Turkey as a "critical
beginning." Mainstream Hurriyet says the "reaction" of Turkish
officials to the return of the first PKK group would influence the
decision of other militants planning to return. Conservative Bugun
says the other militants in the mountains were "hopeful" that they
will be able to go back home. Before crossing the border, one of
the members of the group told mainstream Milliyet they were not
going to Turkey to "surrender," but to take a democratic step for
lasting peace. Milliyet expects the government to take "radical
steps" after the return of the first PKK group to Turkey. The paper
says that families living in the Makhmur refugee camp, who have not
been involved in crimes against Turkey, were expected to return.
Around 12,000 Turkish Kurds live in the UN-controlled Makhmur Camp
in northern Iraq.
Commentary: While papers across the board proclaim the historic
event, commentary is mixed. In "Implementation Begins," mainstream
Hurriyet's Oktay Eksi sounds a sour note by blaming the US for
taking belated action against the PKK: "This is a result of an
obvious collective effort by the US, Iraq and Turkey because it was
the right time for the US to eliminate the PKK problem on the eve of
their withdrawal from Iraq. Otherwise no one can buy the argument
that the US woke up after 25 years and realized that the financing
for PKK was coming from drug trafficking." Mainstream Vatan's
Gungor Mengi talks about "making the most of this historic
opportunity and the need to encourage more to return." Liberal
Radikal's Murat Yetkin notes "the next step is very important
because the way the returned militants are treated will shape the
future: it will encourage more to come or just the opposite."
Leftist Taraf's Yasemin Congar considers the event as an indication
of "politics winning over weapons" and similarly mainstream
Milliyet's Hasan Cemal warns: "all should pay utmost attention to
this process not to ruin it and be encouraging." Islamist leaning
Yeni Safak's Fehmi Koru notes the importance of "being smooth and
speedy" regarding the treatment of the returnees.
ANKARA 00001511 002 OF 003
Erdogan at the Istanbul Forum: "No Shift in Turkey's Foreign
Policy"
Mainstream Sabah and liberal Radikal headlines read "There is no
Shift in Turkey's Foreign Policy" and report that PM Erdogan
described Turkish Foreign policy as "zero problems with neighboring
countries" and said that Turkey wants only peace, not terror in the
region. Speaking at the ongoing Istanbul Forum, Erdogan said "we
determine our foreign policy after evaluating every issue and every
detail. We realize that it is not possible to have peace and
prosperity in the region until after the problems end in Palestine,
Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon." Conservative-nationalist Turkiye
quotes PM Erdogan saying "Terror has no religion, nation or
homeland. Common struggle against terrorism is a must. We want to
create a Middle East which is not a center of clashes but rather a
center of peace and tranquility." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet
headline reads "Nuclear Message From Erdogan" and says Erdogan
commented on Iran's nuclear program by saying that Iran should clear
doubts in the international arena and made an implicit reference to
Israel's nuclear weapons and said "not just Iran but all countries
that possess nuclear capabilities in the region should be
discussed." Sabah and Hurriyet's web page notes that Turkey's
deteriorating relations with Israel have dominated talks at the
Istanbul Forum Conference. Participants tried to decide whether
Turkey is losing its leverage over Israel by leveling open criticism
against Israeli policies on Palestinians. The participants also
discussed whether Turkey's increasing presence in the Middle East
and its diplomatic efforts are overestimated, as well as whether the
current government's focus on its eastern neighborhood implies a
shift away from Europe.
US Congressman Wexler on Turkey-Israel Tension: For U.S.
Congressmen Robert Wexler, the current situation is the best of
times but also the worst of times. For Wexler, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
is to be applauded as "one of the brightest minds in the Middle
East" due to his desire to have "zero problems" with his neighbors.
"Turkey's close relations with Syria do not frighten me," he said.
Yet he said there was one exception to the zero problems with
neighbors and that is Israel; his main message suggested that Turkey
should not improve its relations with the Arab world at the expense
of Israel. Wexler also accused Europe of letting Turkey look east.
"How many speeches does the Turkish public have to endure from the
French and the Germans that no matter what Turkey will do it will
never become a member of the EU. It is not so bewildering an outcome
if the Turkish public takes a different course. Stop thinking in
five years terms, examine your own behavior, Europe," he said.
Turkish-Israeli Dispute Deepens
Media outlets focus on the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel
following Turkey's removal of Israel from planned military exercises
in Turkish air space. In "Israel's Reception Boycott," liberal
Radikal says, "Israel will show its reaction to Turkey by boycotting
the National Day reception." In its front page headline,
leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet writes, "Tensions with Israel Don't
Calm Down." Mainstream Milliyet says, "Israel's Protest of Turkey,"
and notes, "Israeli ministers boycotted the invitation to the
National Day reception in the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv on October
29." Mainstream Hurriyet says, "National Day Reception Splits the
Israeli Cabinet." Moreover, mainstream Sabah and Hurriyet's web
page notes that Turkey's deteriorating relations with Israel have
dominated talks at the Istanbul Forum Conference. Participants
tried to decide whether Turkey is losing its leverage over Israel by
leveling open criticism against Israeli policies on Palestinians.
The participants also discussed whether Turkey's increasing presence
in the Middle East and its diplomatic efforts are overestimated, as
well as whether the current government's focus on its eastern
neighborhood implies a shift away from Europe. For U.S. Congressmen
Robert Wexler, the current situation is the best of times but also
the worst of times. For Wexler, Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan is to be
applauded as one of the brightest minds in the Middle East due to
his desire to have "zero problems" with his neighbors.
ANKARA 00001511 003 OF 003
Davutoglu sends a message to Azerbaijan
All papers focus on the warm message Foreign Minister Davutoglu gave
to Azerbaijan during a joint press conference with Czech counterpart
Jan Kohout. Sabah headline reads "Ending the occupation in Karabakh
is one of Turkey's basic issues', Cumhuriyet, Milliyet and Hurriyet
headlines read "Turkish Policies on Karabakh will not change even if
the skies crumble." Davutoglu responded a question regarding the
removal of Turkish flags from a monument in Baku saying "Turkish and
Azerbaijani flags are equally sacred for Turkey. Turkey attaches
great importance to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Occupied
territories in Karabakh is one of the top priorities of Turkey and
Turkey's position on this issue would never change."
Iran: Nuclear Marathon Starts in Tension and Calls for
Extraditions: (Radikal) Media note the first day of talks in Vienna
with Iranian officials aimed at reaching an agreement "to get Iran
to send most of its enriched uranium abroad" ended inconclusively.
In "Uranium Talks Getting Hotter," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet
says, "Iran says it will produce its own enriched uranium in case
the talks don't meet Iranian demands." In a related story, in "This
Time Iran-Pakistan Tension," liberal Radikal says, "Iran accuses the
US, Britain and neighboring Pakistan of backing Jundollah militants
who blew up six Revolutionary Guards commanders." The paper adds,
"Iran closed its border asking the Jundollah leader to be
extradited." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet writes, "Tehran Accuses
Pakistan," and says, "Iran claims US and Britain provide equipment
to the attackers and accuses Pakistan of training Jundollah
militants."
Upcoming events:
Q October 21: Kazakhstan 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
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
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2009
Media Highlights: PKK Returnees; PM Erdogan on Foreign Policy;
Wexler on Turkey-Israel Tensions; Turkey-Israel
Dispute Deepens; Davutoglu on Turkey-Azerbaijan; Iran Nukes
PKK's 'Peace Group' Returns to Turkey
Following the dramatic Oct. 19th border crossing of 34 PKK
affiliated individuals, Minister of Interior Besir Atalay today gave
details about the event and told the press that it was only the
beginning of a process and that more - "around 100 to 150" - are
expected to return Turkey in the near future. At a morning press
conference, which followed a breakfast for all Ankara-based TV and
print outlets, Atalay said the Turkish government "was ready and
prepared to end terrorism" and that "we will hear more good news in
the upcoming days." The Minister explained that the "homecoming"
from the mountains by these terrorists is only a first phase of the
democratic initiative, noting that those who return know that their
way is "a dead-end street."
Milliyet also reports Undersecretary of Turkish intelligence agency
(MIT) Emre Taner and Deputy Director of Security Mustafa Gulcu
visited southeast of Turkey in order to evaluate possible events to
take place after the arrival of the "peace group." Taner met with
civic and intelligence authorities in the region, and briefed the
Prime Minister on his return Monday afternoon.
All media outlets reported that a "Peace Group" of eight PKK
militants from Kandil Mountains and 26 people from Makhmur refugee
camp arrived Monday at Habur border crossing to turn themselves in.
Papers report the "Peace Group" was welcomed by the Kurdish DTP
officials and 50,000 other party supporters in Silopi. The PKK
group was welcomed with placards saluting them as "peace envoys" and
"peace doves." Twenty-nine of the 34 PKK members who returned were
released. Leftist Taraf says the return of the PKK group to Turkey
was a "historic turning point." The meeting in Habur has fueled
hopes for peace, comments Taraf. Liberal Radikal daily newspaper
views the return of the PKK group to Turkey as a "critical
beginning." Mainstream Hurriyet says the "reaction" of Turkish
officials to the return of the first PKK group would influence the
decision of other militants planning to return. Conservative Bugun
says the other militants in the mountains were "hopeful" that they
will be able to go back home. Before crossing the border, one of
the members of the group told mainstream Milliyet they were not
going to Turkey to "surrender," but to take a democratic step for
lasting peace. Milliyet expects the government to take "radical
steps" after the return of the first PKK group to Turkey. The paper
says that families living in the Makhmur refugee camp, who have not
been involved in crimes against Turkey, were expected to return.
Around 12,000 Turkish Kurds live in the UN-controlled Makhmur Camp
in northern Iraq.
Commentary: While papers across the board proclaim the historic
event, commentary is mixed. In "Implementation Begins," mainstream
Hurriyet's Oktay Eksi sounds a sour note by blaming the US for
taking belated action against the PKK: "This is a result of an
obvious collective effort by the US, Iraq and Turkey because it was
the right time for the US to eliminate the PKK problem on the eve of
their withdrawal from Iraq. Otherwise no one can buy the argument
that the US woke up after 25 years and realized that the financing
for PKK was coming from drug trafficking." Mainstream Vatan's
Gungor Mengi talks about "making the most of this historic
opportunity and the need to encourage more to return." Liberal
Radikal's Murat Yetkin notes "the next step is very important
because the way the returned militants are treated will shape the
future: it will encourage more to come or just the opposite."
Leftist Taraf's Yasemin Congar considers the event as an indication
of "politics winning over weapons" and similarly mainstream
Milliyet's Hasan Cemal warns: "all should pay utmost attention to
this process not to ruin it and be encouraging." Islamist leaning
Yeni Safak's Fehmi Koru notes the importance of "being smooth and
speedy" regarding the treatment of the returnees.
ANKARA 00001511 002 OF 003
Erdogan at the Istanbul Forum: "No Shift in Turkey's Foreign
Policy"
Mainstream Sabah and liberal Radikal headlines read "There is no
Shift in Turkey's Foreign Policy" and report that PM Erdogan
described Turkish Foreign policy as "zero problems with neighboring
countries" and said that Turkey wants only peace, not terror in the
region. Speaking at the ongoing Istanbul Forum, Erdogan said "we
determine our foreign policy after evaluating every issue and every
detail. We realize that it is not possible to have peace and
prosperity in the region until after the problems end in Palestine,
Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon." Conservative-nationalist Turkiye
quotes PM Erdogan saying "Terror has no religion, nation or
homeland. Common struggle against terrorism is a must. We want to
create a Middle East which is not a center of clashes but rather a
center of peace and tranquility." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet
headline reads "Nuclear Message From Erdogan" and says Erdogan
commented on Iran's nuclear program by saying that Iran should clear
doubts in the international arena and made an implicit reference to
Israel's nuclear weapons and said "not just Iran but all countries
that possess nuclear capabilities in the region should be
discussed." Sabah and Hurriyet's web page notes that Turkey's
deteriorating relations with Israel have dominated talks at the
Istanbul Forum Conference. Participants tried to decide whether
Turkey is losing its leverage over Israel by leveling open criticism
against Israeli policies on Palestinians. The participants also
discussed whether Turkey's increasing presence in the Middle East
and its diplomatic efforts are overestimated, as well as whether the
current government's focus on its eastern neighborhood implies a
shift away from Europe.
US Congressman Wexler on Turkey-Israel Tension: For U.S.
Congressmen Robert Wexler, the current situation is the best of
times but also the worst of times. For Wexler, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
is to be applauded as "one of the brightest minds in the Middle
East" due to his desire to have "zero problems" with his neighbors.
"Turkey's close relations with Syria do not frighten me," he said.
Yet he said there was one exception to the zero problems with
neighbors and that is Israel; his main message suggested that Turkey
should not improve its relations with the Arab world at the expense
of Israel. Wexler also accused Europe of letting Turkey look east.
"How many speeches does the Turkish public have to endure from the
French and the Germans that no matter what Turkey will do it will
never become a member of the EU. It is not so bewildering an outcome
if the Turkish public takes a different course. Stop thinking in
five years terms, examine your own behavior, Europe," he said.
Turkish-Israeli Dispute Deepens
Media outlets focus on the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel
following Turkey's removal of Israel from planned military exercises
in Turkish air space. In "Israel's Reception Boycott," liberal
Radikal says, "Israel will show its reaction to Turkey by boycotting
the National Day reception." In its front page headline,
leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet writes, "Tensions with Israel Don't
Calm Down." Mainstream Milliyet says, "Israel's Protest of Turkey,"
and notes, "Israeli ministers boycotted the invitation to the
National Day reception in the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv on October
29." Mainstream Hurriyet says, "National Day Reception Splits the
Israeli Cabinet." Moreover, mainstream Sabah and Hurriyet's web
page notes that Turkey's deteriorating relations with Israel have
dominated talks at the Istanbul Forum Conference. Participants
tried to decide whether Turkey is losing its leverage over Israel by
leveling open criticism against Israeli policies on Palestinians.
The participants also discussed whether Turkey's increasing presence
in the Middle East and its diplomatic efforts are overestimated, as
well as whether the current government's focus on its eastern
neighborhood implies a shift away from Europe. For U.S. Congressmen
Robert Wexler, the current situation is the best of times but also
the worst of times. For Wexler, Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan is to be
applauded as one of the brightest minds in the Middle East due to
his desire to have "zero problems" with his neighbors.
ANKARA 00001511 003 OF 003
Davutoglu sends a message to Azerbaijan
All papers focus on the warm message Foreign Minister Davutoglu gave
to Azerbaijan during a joint press conference with Czech counterpart
Jan Kohout. Sabah headline reads "Ending the occupation in Karabakh
is one of Turkey's basic issues', Cumhuriyet, Milliyet and Hurriyet
headlines read "Turkish Policies on Karabakh will not change even if
the skies crumble." Davutoglu responded a question regarding the
removal of Turkish flags from a monument in Baku saying "Turkish and
Azerbaijani flags are equally sacred for Turkey. Turkey attaches
great importance to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Occupied
territories in Karabakh is one of the top priorities of Turkey and
Turkey's position on this issue would never change."
Iran: Nuclear Marathon Starts in Tension and Calls for
Extraditions: (Radikal) Media note the first day of talks in Vienna
with Iranian officials aimed at reaching an agreement "to get Iran
to send most of its enriched uranium abroad" ended inconclusively.
In "Uranium Talks Getting Hotter," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet
says, "Iran says it will produce its own enriched uranium in case
the talks don't meet Iranian demands." In a related story, in "This
Time Iran-Pakistan Tension," liberal Radikal says, "Iran accuses the
US, Britain and neighboring Pakistan of backing Jundollah militants
who blew up six Revolutionary Guards commanders." The paper adds,
"Iran closed its border asking the Jundollah leader to be
extradited." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet writes, "Tehran Accuses
Pakistan," and says, "Iran claims US and Britain provide equipment
to the attackers and accuses Pakistan of training Jundollah
militants."
Upcoming events:
Q October 21: Kazakhstan 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