ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000158 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 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009 In Today's Papers Q Erdogan Rocks the World by Storming Out of Gaza Panel Q Domestic Reactions to Erdogan's Actions in Davos Q ADL Reacts to Davos Panel Q Armenians Issue Apology Campaign Q Turkey Atlantic Council Meeting in Antalya "Erdogan Rocks The World by Storming Out of The Gaza Panel" (Aksam) Media continue to digest the impact of PM Erdogan's row with Israeli President Peres in Davos last week. The camp that is in favor of the PM's actions include Islamists and extreme nationalists who contend the PM stood up for the Turkish people's opposition to Israel's unpopular military operations into Gaza. Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Prime Minister Erdogan is given strong support for his reactions in Davos." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports in, "Lonely Man Out," that "After pouring bombs on women and children in Gaza for weeks, Israel is left alone after the strong reactions voiced by Turkey in Davos." Yeni Safak also notes a Metropoll survey concluded that 78 percent of Turkish voters approved of the PM's actions in Davos. Conservative-nationalist Bugun reports, "Erdogan receives international support after putting Peres in his place." Far right Tercuman reports Erdogan "sent a harsh warning to the EU" when he said upon his return to Turkey, "Think what others would do without Turkey." Meanwhile, criticism of the PM's actions in Davos stems from the potential impact on Turkey's role as a regional mediator, damage to Turkish-Israeli bilateral relations, and the potential loss of the American Jewish lobby's opposition to the Armenian genocide resolution, which is likely to the floor of the U.S. Congress this spring. Mainstream Milliyet writes, "There are continuing aftershocks after the tremor in Gaza" and "The strongest response comes from the Jewish lobby" in the U.S." Milliyet reports the American Jewish Committee said, "We cannot remain indifferent to these developments" Milliyet also notes, "Turkish diplomats were infuriated by Erdogan's comments," which "caused damage that will require hard work in order to repair." Mainstream Vatan reports Erdogan was "welcomed as a hero" after the crisis in Davos, but the paper warned, "tensions with the Jewish lobby could harm Turkey's interests," and "Erdogan's support for Hamas could empower concerns that Turkey is turning away from the West." Economic Daily Referans reports the Davos crisis "could harm Turkey's role as a Mid East mediator." Mainstream Aksam echoes this view when they quote an anonymous Israeli diplomat who says, "Turkey has lost its credibility as a Middle East mediator," and "is no longer seen as a reliable partner." Mainstream Hurriyet Editor-in-Chief Ertugrul Ozkok commented, "Erdogan's defense of Gaza will cost Turkey its long-standing interests," unless Erdogan "moves fast to call on Hamas reject terror, recognize Israel's existence, and come to the table for peace talks." Domestic Reactions to Erdogan's Actions in Davos Saturday's mainstream Milliyet reports retired Turkish Ambassadors criticized the PM for his criticism of Foreign Ministry officials upon his return from Davos. Retired ambassadors and diplomats expressed concern on Friday that Erdogan's actions in Davos could cost Turkey its impartiality and its role as a regional moderator. Former President Suleyman Demirel also commented on the issue by saying "Ihese kinds of incidents are not very common at international meetings. I regret that such an incident happened. Because of this incident, Turkey, as well as the world, is now divided in two. Diplomacy doesn't like fights. If one wants to resolve international issues through dialogue and diplomacy, one must exercise patience. Otherwise, before you understand what is happening, you'll be asked to pay the bill. I hope that Turkey will not be asked to pay the bill for this latest incident." ANKARA 00000158 002 OF 004 On the other hand, a survey commissioned by the pro-government Star daily and conducted by MetroPoll company concludes 78.3 percent of Turkish people feel Erdogan's storming out of the panel meeting in Davos is a "positive" development. Only 13.7 percent have a negative view of Erdogan's behavior. 55.7 percent believe Erdogan's behavior has been for the good of Turkey while 21 percent disagree. Sunday's mainstream Vatan reports that DTP Leader Emine Ayna echoed Erdogan's criticism against Peres ("You know well how to kill children") against Erdogan's AKP government. Ayna told a gathering in Elazig, "PM Erdogan criticized Peres for killing children. 11 people, including 4 children, died during the government's crackdown during Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakir in 2006. Now we say to the government: 'you too know well how to kill children.' The Kurds' suffering is the same as the Palestinians' suffering. Kurds in Turkey are dying under same kind of conditions as those in Gaza. Instead of advising others, you must first clean the filth from your own home." Far right opposition party MHP threw their support behind Erdogan and Sunday's mainstream Sabah reports that MHP leader Bahceli urged Erdogan to stand against the EU and the US on issues such as Cyprus, Iraq and terrorism. Main opposition party CHP leader Baykal also extended support to Erdogan saying "They were unfair to the PM at that panel. Unjust acts like this always offends us. It is natural to show a reaction against such acts." Baykal added that the AKP government should not exploit this issue in domestic politics. Meanwhile, today's Vatan reports the "Friends of Palestine Platform" in Ankara hosted a panel discussion over the weekend. During the panel a member of Hamas' political office, Ziyad Abu Zeyd, said "We gave 1400 martyrs during 23 days but at the same time we had miracles during that period. 3500 babies were born during that period and most mothers gave birth to twins and triplets. None of the Hamas missile bases were hit. The tunnels are still in action, and moreover, we have managed to bring in more powerful and effective weapons into Gaza." ADL Reaction to the Davos Panel Media outlets report that in interviews with Newsweek magazine and the Washington Post, Prime Minister Erdogan criticized Israel for its offensive in Gaza. Liberal Radikal headlines, "Erdogan Tells the World of Hamas' Legitimacy," and the paper notes the PM "criticizee the world for not respecting the political will of the Palestinian people." In "American Jews Are Pleased with Erdogan's Statements," Islamist-oriented Zaman says today on its front page the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed Erdogan's clarification that his criticism of the state of Israel did not target the Israeli people or those of the Jewish faith. However, ADL National Director Abraham Foxman said, "We believe that a more moderate tone in the prime minister's criticism of Israel would help to tamp down the recent outpouring of anti-Semitism in Turkey." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet, however, says in "The Jewish Lobby Praises Peres, Criticizes Erdogan" that Foxman lauded the attitude of Peres, saying he gave a "reasoned and principled response" to Erdogan's criticism of Israel. Editorial Commentary on Erdogan-Peres at Davos Ertugrul Ozkok wrote in mainstream Hurriyet (1/31): "What's done is done, and at this point we better think about turning this crisis into an opportunity. PM Erdogan should work to convince Hamas to give up terrorism and recognize Israel." Yasin Aktay wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "As expressed by PM Erdogan, Turkey has nothing against Jews or the Jewish population of Turkey. Jewish lobbies in the U.S. must realize the fact that most of the problems in the region will be settled once the state of ANKARA 00000158 003 OF 004 Israel agrees on the 1967 borders." Mehmet Barlas wrote in mainstream Sabah: "The prime minister has gained influence and power vis-`-vis the Arab nations. From now on he should pressure Hamas to stop the violence and recognize Israel." Semih Idiz wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "Hamas was given a strategic opportunity by Turkey's Prime Minister and received direct support from a NATO county. If Turkey cannot succeed on softening Hamas to abandon terror and reconciliation on its Israel policy, there will be serious consequences for Ankara in the long run." Omer Taspinar wrote in mainstream Sabah: "Since Turkey has become a symbol in the Islamic world, Ankara must use this as an opportunity. Both Ankara and the Turkish Embassy in Washington should work toward a U.S. presidential visit to Istanbul for Obama's planned address to the Islamic world." Tarhan Erdem wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "There is a very basic fact that Turkish people hopefully will realize sooner or later: Most of the problems related to the Middle East, contrary to common belief, stem from undemocratic regimes who have no genuine contact with their people. And that very well includes Palestinian Al Fatah and Hamas." Armenians Initiate 'Apology' Campaign for Turks Liberal Radikal said on its front page Sunday that in a positive response to a recent apology campaign launched by Turkish intellectuals for the Armenians, a draft declaration by Professor Armen Gakavian, an Armenian living in Sydney, expresses regret for crimes committed on behalf of Armenians against the Ottomans and the Turks. Gakavian told Radikal their aim was to apologize for crimes committed by Armenian gangs and the nationalist Asala organization. "We reject violence from the past and violence that might come in the future. I hope we will succeed," said Gakavian. Turkish Atlantic Council Meeting In Antalya Media outlets note Ambassador Jeffrey tackled tough issues ranging from efforts in Afghanistan to the postponement of George Mitchell's trip to Turkey, to Turkey's orientation to the West during the Turkish Atlantic Council meeting in Antalya Friday. Mainstream Hurriyet reports, "U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey said military operations in Afghanistan will increase in importance, "Of course we need a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan, but the Iraq experience shows us that military security comes first. Before you can do anything, political, economic, diplomatic, you have to secure the population. Second, you have to deter, defeat and deny areas to your foe. No matter what you call this, war, peace operation, for the soldiers on the ground this is a combat operation. We need to do more. We have already decided to send another combat brigade to Afghanistan to increase the force population ratio," he said. "Turkey has made a large contribution to Afghanistan" and "Turkey's participation inspires other nations, too." Islamist Zaman reports Ambassador Jeffrey clarified Friday that the postponement of a scheduled visit to Turkey by the new US envoy for the Middle East, George Mitchell, had nothing to do with Erdogan's and Peres' row in Davos. Zaman notes that, when asked if he shares opinions that Turkey is moving away from the West, Ambassador Jeffrey replied, "I do not share them." TV News: CNN Turk Domestic News - Two pilots died when a Health Ministry helicopter crashed in Bolu Mountains over the weekend. - IMF's John Lipsky says the IMF and Turkey achieved "significant progress" in talks for sealing a deal. ANKARA 00000158 004 OF 004 - Energy Minister Hilmi Guler says curbs in the price of natural gas would continue over the coming months. International News - Gaza militants launch two rockets and several mortar shells into southern Israel, wounding three people. - In a letter to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, President Obama expresses confidence that the U.S. can work together with the OIC. - A group of unidentified assailants vandalize a synagogue in Venezuela. JEFFREY