ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000256 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 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009 In Today's Papers Unemployment Reaches Highest Point in Five Years Papers report the Turkish Statistics Institute announced unemployment figures for November 2008 reached 12.3 percent, which marks the highest figure over the last five years. 524,000 people lost their jobs in the last quarter of 2008, and one in four young people have no jobs. The total number of unemployed seeking benefits stands at 2,995,000, while two million more remain unemployed and have lost hope in their search for jobs. Mainstream Milliyet and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet say the actual unemployment figure stands closer to 20 percent. Hundreds Detained in Demonstrations Marking the Anniversary of the Capture of PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan Media outlets reported over the weekend and today that on February 15, protestors across the mainly Kurdish southeastern cities such as Diyarbakir, Batman, Sirnak, and Hakkari as well as the southern cities of Adana and Mersin clashed with police on the tenth anniversary of the capture of the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports about 400 demonstrators were detained and more than 70 others wounded. The pro-Kurdish DTP leader Ahmet Turk told the press yesterday that police used "disproportionate force" during "brutal" efforts to quell the demonstrations. "Erdogan, who showed off in Davos with his traditional but fake anti-Israel and anti-violence speech, is the one who is responsible for the February 15 incidents," said Turk. IDF: Mizrahi's Remarks on Turkey and Erdogan Reflect Mizrahi's Personal Views, Not Those of the IDF All papers reported over the weekend and today that an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said criticism of Turkey made by the Land Forces Commander, Major General Avi Mizrahi, "does not reflect the official position of the Israeli military." Saturday papers reported Mizrahi said Prime Minister Erdogan should "look at himself" before accusing Israel of killing civilians in Gaza. Mizrahi accused Turkey of "massacring the Armenians many years ago, and massacring the Kurds today." Mizrahi also criticized, "Turkey's occupation of northern Cyprus." On Erdogan's call to expel Israel from the UN, Mizrahi said "in such a case, the international organization should expel Turkey as well." The Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) protested Mizrahi's comments via diplomatic note on Saturday. In a separate statement, the Turkish military said the general's remarks "could harm bilateral ties," and called on the Israeli military to "clarify Mizrahi's statement." Abant Platform Convenes for a Conference in Erbil Media outlets report academics, journalists, writers and researches met in Erbil for a two-day conference entitled, "The Kurdish Question - a Joint Search for Peace and the Future," which was organized by the Abant Platform. Discussions during the meeting called on Turkey to open a consulate in Erbil and name a special envoy for the region. Huseyin Avni Botsali, Turkey's consul general in Mosul, said Turkey was "Iraq's gate to Europe," and noted, "This door will never be closed." Around 100 Turkish intellectuals joined their Kurdish interlocutors in northern Iraq to discuss the various aspects of the ties between Turkey and the regional administration in northern Iraq, according to papers. Editorial Commentary on the Abant Platform and the Kurdish Issue Emre Akoz wrote in mainstream Sabah: "Kurdish attendees at the Abant Platform meeting in Erbil were concerned about the name of the territory in northern Iraq. Around 100 Turkish intellectuals refer to this territory as "northern Iraq" while some call it the "Kurdish Autonomous Region." Moreover, Kurdish intellectuals call it "Kurdistan." Ankara considers the name "Kurdistan" sensitive and Ankara thinks that if "Kurdistan" is used, then, it will mean that Kurds are being recognized as a nation in Iraq and that will also mean that Kurds in Turkey will also be considered as a nation. This ANKARA 00000256 002 OF 004 is against our principles of a single state, a single flag and a single nation. Therefore, we should ignore the name "Kurdistan." However, Turkish intellectuals who attended the platform did not think like this, as a matter of fact, they criticized this kind of mentality. Nevertheless, Ankara's stance against the Kurds is changing gradually. In addition, Ankara is also starting to see the Kurdish region as more of an opportunity than a threat." Mumtazer Turkone wrote in Islamist-oriented Zaman: " In order to establish a future with peace and stability, Turkey should learn to trust its own Kurds and the Kurds across its borders. The Abant Platform Meeting in Erbil was a very beneficial start which will trigger many important developments." President Gul Visit to Russia Media outlets reported yesterday President Abdullah Gul returned home Sunday from a state visit to Russia and Tartarstan. Gul told journalists, "The Russian and Turkish policies and viewpoints are similar. President Medvedev and I signed a joint declaration aimed at bringing our ties to a new level, covering all areas of the bilateral cooperation." Gul described his meetings in Moscow and Kazan as "very useful for trade and bilateral economic ties." Gul added that in recent past, Ankara and Moscow had certain trade disagreements, including Turkish fruit and vegetable exports delayed at Russian customs, but an "efficient solution" would be found soon, according to papers. Double Praise for Ankara (Sabah) In top feature stories, media proudly report that U.S. President Barack Obama called both President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan to praise them for Turkey's role as a regional leader. Mainstream NTV reports, "Obama Called Gul and Erdogan to praise Turkey's regional leadership." Mainstream Milliyet reports, "Obama Initiates First Official Contacts with Gul and Erdogan." Mainstream Hurriyet headlines, "Obama's First Messages to Turkey" and reports, "Obama emphasized Turkey's leadership in the region and U.S. support for Turkey's EU bid." Liberal Radikal reports, "Praise to Turkey from Obama" for "Turkey's regional leadership regarding the Middle East and Armenia." Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Obama emphasized that he wants to work with Turkey on peace in the Middle East, ending PKK terror, and improving bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak notes, "Obama emphasized the importance he places on relations with Turkey." Editorial Commentary on Domestic Political Debates; Talks with the IMF Taha Akyol wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "During the AKP's second term in power, PM Erdogan has shown his temper very often. Even circles within the AKP complain that they miss Erdogan's open attitude when he was first elected PM, when he embraced everyone. Let me remind Erdogan of Lenin's wise words "Temper is a bad advisor." Erdogan's temper is pushing him in the wrong direction on a variety of issues. He must suppress his temper and avoid inciting tensions within the public; he should instead attempt to carry the public towards calm." Sukru Kizilot wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "Since no agreement has been reached with the IMF yet, we understand that there are many serious problems with the negotiations. The most important problem is the IMF has requested that the government implement new measures to require explanations about the sources of one's financial wealth. Unfortunately, the AKP government, and mostly PM Erdogan, do not approach this condition warmly. Moreover, due to upcoming local elections, the government has postponed an agreement with the IMF." Sharia Takes Hold in Pakistan (Cumhuriyet) Non-Islamist media report with alarm that a deal reached between the ANKARA 00000256 003 OF 004 government of Pakistan and the Taliban allows for Sharia law in the northwestern region of Svat. Mainstream Milliyet reports, "The Taliban and Pakistan reached an agreement in which the winter resort area of Svat will be administered under Sharia law." Mainstream Hurriyet reports in "A Molla Coup" that "the Pakistan Administration has handed over the northwestern region to Molla Mevlana Fazlullah of the Taliban, who attack girls' schools, cut off heads, and confine women to the home." In addition, Hurriyet says, "The Zerdari Administration has accepted the application of Sharia law in a former tourism center in order to put an end to armed insurgencies." Mainstream Sabah reports, "Pakistan makes a risky decision in order to end the radical Islamist insurgency - Sharia law is allowed in one region of the country." Under the headline, "America Strikes Pakistan Again with an Unmanned Plane, 28 Dead," Islamist-oriented Zaman reports "In the interest of ending the clashes between state security forces and the Taliban, Pakistan accepted the application of Sharia law in one region of the country," while, "Zerdari is expecting reactions from the U.S. which reflect anxiety that this will strengthen the hands of Al Qaeda and the Taliban." This Song Won't End, This Chavez Won't Go (Hurriyet) Media note that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is celebrating over a public referendum to end constitutionally-mandated term limits for the president. Leftist Taraf headlines, "A Lifelong Dictator Is Elected." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet headlines, "Chavez's Huge Victory," and reports, "The Venezuelan leader wins approval for constitutional changes so he can run as a presidential candidate again and again." Mainstream Milliyet reports, "Chavez Opens the Way to Lifelong Presidency." Mainstream Sabah reports, "The Opposition Chokes Back Their Tears," as "The results of the referendum secures what Chavez wanted." Islamist-oriented Zaman headlines, "The Venezuelan Public Opens The Way to Chavez for an Endless Presidency." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak headlines, "Chavez - The President for All Time." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - On Wednesday, Turkey will dispatch a frigate, TCG Giresun, with six commandoes aboard, to the Gulf of Aden to protect vessels from pirate attacks. - Opposition CHP's Hakki Suha Okay says his party will not support constitutional reforms proposed by "a government which is the focal point of activities against secularism." - The DTP Mayor of Batman, Huseyin Kalkan, is sentenced to 15 months in prison for "inciting hatred" when he voiced support last year to the DTP provincial head who said that any Turkish military attack on Kirkuk would be seen as one made on Diyarbakir. - Murat Tetik is sentenced to 13 years in prison on charges he acted as an "al-Qaeda commander in Turkey." World - On February 18, Kosovo will mark the first anniversary of the declaration of its independence. "Serbia will never recognize an independent Kosovo," Serbian President Tadic is reported by the Serbian media as saying. - In his first reshuffle since 2005, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia dismissed two influential religious figures and appoints the first woman to a senior government post. - Secretary Clinton begins a one-week Asia trip with a visit to ANKARA 00000256 004 OF 004 Japan. - Turkish Cyprus Airlines is to start in April regular fights to Tehran. JEFFREY