Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA1675
2009-11-20 11:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
how-toVZCZCXRO3938 OO RUEHDA DE RUEHAK #1675/01 3241144 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 201144Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1291 RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC//PA RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 0157 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 6558 RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 4286 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 7659 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 7565 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4159 RUEUITH/DET 1 39LG ANKARA TU RHMFIUU/39OS INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 523 IZMIR TU RHMFIUU/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFIUU/AFOSI DET 522 INCIRLIK AB TU RUEUITH/AFLO ANKARA TU
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001675
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, NOVEMBER 20, 2009
Media Highlights
Anti Turkey President for EU (Cumhuriyet): Turkish media unanimously
decry the EU's election of "anti-Turkey" Herman van Rompuy for its
top job and wonder what it means for Turkey's EU aspirations. In a
banner headline, mainstream Vatan shouts "His Only Asset is His
Hostility Against Turkey" and replays van Rompuy's 2004 quip that
"Turkey is not part of Europe and will never be part of Europe."
Major TV channels like NTV, CNNTurk report that van Rompuy views the
EU "as a Christian club with no room for a large Muslim country such
as Turkey." In "Anti-Turkey President for EU," leftist-nationalist
Cumhuriyet notes that the "Belgian PM took the EU top job with the
strong support of France and Germany." Liberal Radikal headline
reads, "EU Picks Anti-Turkey and Low Key President," noting, "EU
leaders named Belgian PM van Rompuy, a known anti-Turkey figure, as
the first EU president." Mainstream Hurriyet, in "President of the
Privileged Partners," emphasizes, "EU's new leader was chosen with
the support of French and German leaders who have opposed Turkish
membership and called for a privileged partnership instead."
Hurriyet-on-Line notes that "New EU Leaders Cold to Turkey."
IRAN: Davutoglu Left After Talking With Clinton (HaberTurk):
Media outlets highlight "last minute" diplomacy effort vis-`-vis
Iran by Foreign Minister Davutoglu after an extensive talk with
Secretary Clinton while both were attending the swearing in ceremony
in Afghanistan, ending in Davutoglu's sudden departure for Tabriz
where he is expected to meet with Iranian leaders. Mainstream
Hurriyet calls it a "surprise uranium visit" and expects that
Davutoglu will press Iran to reverse its decision to not send its
uranium to a third country. Mainstream Sabah depicts the surprise
visit as "Davutoglu acts as a bridge between Iran and the West"
while Islamist oriented Zaman notes "a long chat with Secretary
Clinton" and concludes Turkey "once again is engaging in active
diplomacy on the nuclear crisis." Mainstream Milliyet also reminds
that Davutoglu expressed Turkey's willingness to continue diplomacy
with Iran even after the 'storing uranium in Turkey' proposal was
not accepted by Tehran. "In a complete mediator spirit, Davutoglu
will do his best to convince Iran on this formula" the report adds.
Zaman predicts Davutoglu will use "telephone diplomacy" from Tabriz
as his visit coincides with the P5+1 meetings today in Brussels.
FBI Mueller's Press for Biometrics
Turkish commentators digest FBI Director Mueller's Ankara visit from
different angles today. "70 Million People Will Be Screened" says
Ibrahim Karagul in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak who is bothered by
biometrics. Noting the widespread speculation that Mueller asked
Turkish authorities for biometric data on the personal and private
information of Turks, the writer opines that the effort is "just
like the way the US is imposing on the EU." The writer hopes
"Ankara will say no regardless of Washington's continuous pressure"
because once the security agreement is signed between the EU and the
US "Washington will turn to Ankara again for permission" and that
means "70 million Turks will be treated as potential terrorists."
In "Gifts Are on the Way, Vatan columnist Mustafa Mutlu sees the
FBI Director's visit "as a gift-on-the-way for the ruling AKP."
Based on the meetings that Mueller had, he argues "Washington seems
to be working on a favor for AKP by handing over the three PKK
names" which were listed as drug traffickers by the US Treasury.
Yilmaz Oztuna of conservative daily Turkiye has a different take.
He notes the growing visitors traffic between Ankara and Washington,
including the Mueller visit, which is "setting the ground" for the
upcoming Obama-Erdogan summit in Washington, DC.
Progress Towards Republic of United Cyprus
Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the parties in Cyprus are making
progress in their talks for the unification of the divided island.
The paper says at their 51st meeting, Turkish-Cypriot leader Talat
and Greek Cypriot leader Christofias agreed to declare a news
blackout until the finalization of the talks. According to
diplomatic sources, if the parties reach compromise on an united
Cyprus, the new cabinet will have six Greek and three Turkish
ANKARA 00001675 002 OF 002
members. Hurriyet also reports that united Cyprus will not have an
army and the police force will be the only armed force on the
island; that passports will be the same; and that Turkish and
Greek will be accepted as official languages, among other proposals.
Hurriyet says that property issue remains the major problem at the
talks and that the Greek Cypriots have "signaled to the EU that
settlement was unlikely." The paper opines that the Greek Cypriot
goal is to "sabotage the possible positive results of the EU summit
for the assessment of Turkey on December 10-11. "
Senator Kerry Initiates Investigation into Blackwater's Middle East
Arm Sales
Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the chairman of the US Foreign
Relations Committee Senator John Kerry has demanded an investigation
against the international security company Blackwater, saying that
the company violated US laws prohibiting the sale of military
technology and expertise to the foreign countries, such as Iraq.
Hurriyet reports that the Committee will also look into allegations
that some of these illegally imported weapons were sold to the PKK
in the black market.
Upcoming events
- November 20: The 5th Turkey-Africa Congress in Istanbul
- November 23-25: PM Erdogan will visit Libya with a large
delegation of ministers, parliamentarians and businessmen
- November 25: Public sector employees will go on one day strike to
protest the 2.5 percent wage increase
- November 26: Turkey-EU Troika meeting in Istanbul
TV News (CNN Turk)
Domestic
- Death toll in the swine flu outbreak reaches 93
- Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said a decision on the nuclear plant
bids was possible before November 24
- Emine Ulker Tarhan is elected the new head of YARSAV, union of
judges and prosecutors
- Dogan Yayin holding sells 29 percent of its shares to German
publisher Axel Springer
World
- Five permanent members of UN Security Council will meet in
Brussels today to discuss Iran's nuclear energy
- Palestinian President Abbas said that a Middle East peace deal
could not be reached before the end of his term
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
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009
Media Highlights
Anti Turkey President for EU (Cumhuriyet): Turkish media unanimously
decry the EU's election of "anti-Turkey" Herman van Rompuy for its
top job and wonder what it means for Turkey's EU aspirations. In a
banner headline, mainstream Vatan shouts "His Only Asset is His
Hostility Against Turkey" and replays van Rompuy's 2004 quip that
"Turkey is not part of Europe and will never be part of Europe."
Major TV channels like NTV, CNNTurk report that van Rompuy views the
EU "as a Christian club with no room for a large Muslim country such
as Turkey." In "Anti-Turkey President for EU," leftist-nationalist
Cumhuriyet notes that the "Belgian PM took the EU top job with the
strong support of France and Germany." Liberal Radikal headline
reads, "EU Picks Anti-Turkey and Low Key President," noting, "EU
leaders named Belgian PM van Rompuy, a known anti-Turkey figure, as
the first EU president." Mainstream Hurriyet, in "President of the
Privileged Partners," emphasizes, "EU's new leader was chosen with
the support of French and German leaders who have opposed Turkish
membership and called for a privileged partnership instead."
Hurriyet-on-Line notes that "New EU Leaders Cold to Turkey."
IRAN: Davutoglu Left After Talking With Clinton (HaberTurk):
Media outlets highlight "last minute" diplomacy effort vis-`-vis
Iran by Foreign Minister Davutoglu after an extensive talk with
Secretary Clinton while both were attending the swearing in ceremony
in Afghanistan, ending in Davutoglu's sudden departure for Tabriz
where he is expected to meet with Iranian leaders. Mainstream
Hurriyet calls it a "surprise uranium visit" and expects that
Davutoglu will press Iran to reverse its decision to not send its
uranium to a third country. Mainstream Sabah depicts the surprise
visit as "Davutoglu acts as a bridge between Iran and the West"
while Islamist oriented Zaman notes "a long chat with Secretary
Clinton" and concludes Turkey "once again is engaging in active
diplomacy on the nuclear crisis." Mainstream Milliyet also reminds
that Davutoglu expressed Turkey's willingness to continue diplomacy
with Iran even after the 'storing uranium in Turkey' proposal was
not accepted by Tehran. "In a complete mediator spirit, Davutoglu
will do his best to convince Iran on this formula" the report adds.
Zaman predicts Davutoglu will use "telephone diplomacy" from Tabriz
as his visit coincides with the P5+1 meetings today in Brussels.
FBI Mueller's Press for Biometrics
Turkish commentators digest FBI Director Mueller's Ankara visit from
different angles today. "70 Million People Will Be Screened" says
Ibrahim Karagul in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak who is bothered by
biometrics. Noting the widespread speculation that Mueller asked
Turkish authorities for biometric data on the personal and private
information of Turks, the writer opines that the effort is "just
like the way the US is imposing on the EU." The writer hopes
"Ankara will say no regardless of Washington's continuous pressure"
because once the security agreement is signed between the EU and the
US "Washington will turn to Ankara again for permission" and that
means "70 million Turks will be treated as potential terrorists."
In "Gifts Are on the Way, Vatan columnist Mustafa Mutlu sees the
FBI Director's visit "as a gift-on-the-way for the ruling AKP."
Based on the meetings that Mueller had, he argues "Washington seems
to be working on a favor for AKP by handing over the three PKK
names" which were listed as drug traffickers by the US Treasury.
Yilmaz Oztuna of conservative daily Turkiye has a different take.
He notes the growing visitors traffic between Ankara and Washington,
including the Mueller visit, which is "setting the ground" for the
upcoming Obama-Erdogan summit in Washington, DC.
Progress Towards Republic of United Cyprus
Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the parties in Cyprus are making
progress in their talks for the unification of the divided island.
The paper says at their 51st meeting, Turkish-Cypriot leader Talat
and Greek Cypriot leader Christofias agreed to declare a news
blackout until the finalization of the talks. According to
diplomatic sources, if the parties reach compromise on an united
Cyprus, the new cabinet will have six Greek and three Turkish
ANKARA 00001675 002 OF 002
members. Hurriyet also reports that united Cyprus will not have an
army and the police force will be the only armed force on the
island; that passports will be the same; and that Turkish and
Greek will be accepted as official languages, among other proposals.
Hurriyet says that property issue remains the major problem at the
talks and that the Greek Cypriots have "signaled to the EU that
settlement was unlikely." The paper opines that the Greek Cypriot
goal is to "sabotage the possible positive results of the EU summit
for the assessment of Turkey on December 10-11. "
Senator Kerry Initiates Investigation into Blackwater's Middle East
Arm Sales
Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the chairman of the US Foreign
Relations Committee Senator John Kerry has demanded an investigation
against the international security company Blackwater, saying that
the company violated US laws prohibiting the sale of military
technology and expertise to the foreign countries, such as Iraq.
Hurriyet reports that the Committee will also look into allegations
that some of these illegally imported weapons were sold to the PKK
in the black market.
Upcoming events
- November 20: The 5th Turkey-Africa Congress in Istanbul
- November 23-25: PM Erdogan will visit Libya with a large
delegation of ministers, parliamentarians and businessmen
- November 25: Public sector employees will go on one day strike to
protest the 2.5 percent wage increase
- November 26: Turkey-EU Troika meeting in Istanbul
TV News (CNN Turk)
Domestic
- Death toll in the swine flu outbreak reaches 93
- Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said a decision on the nuclear plant
bids was possible before November 24
- Emine Ulker Tarhan is elected the new head of YARSAV, union of
judges and prosecutors
- Dogan Yayin holding sells 29 percent of its shares to German
publisher Axel Springer
World
- Five permanent members of UN Security Council will meet in
Brussels today to discuss Iran's nuclear energy
- Palestinian President Abbas said that a Middle East peace deal
could not be reached before the end of his term
JEFFREY