ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000266 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 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009 In Today's Papers Holiday Inn Jihad Media report a conference entitled "Victory in Gaza," was held this weekend at the Istanbul Airport Holiday Inn in which Islamist leaders called for a jihad against Israel because of their actions in Gaza. Mainstream Milliyet calls the meeting, "A Jihad Summit in Istanbul" and notes, "Hamas leaders met with 200 religious conservatives and Sunni religious leaders from the Middle East, Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, and Indonesia to call for 'A Third Front in the Jihad'" as "The conference rained praise on Erdogan." Mainstream CNN Turk reports, "Up to 200 religious scholars and clerics met with senior Hamas officials in Istanbul this weekend to plot a new jihad centered on Gaza." Mainstream Milliyet says the delegates focused on the creation of the "third front" -- the first two being Afghanistan and Iraq -- in closed meetings after sessions. Mohammed Nazzal, a senior Hamas leader based in Damascus, urged the Arab governments to "open their borders and allow fighters into Gaza." Milliyet quoted BBC reporter Bill Law, who was the only Western journalist to attend the gathering, who said "More importantly, this conference represented something of a coup for Hamas. They were promised weapons, money and fighters." In addition, Law noted, "At the very least this statement of intent from Sunni hardliners poses new challenges, not just to the Israelis and to Western efforts to broker a peace deal but to Arab regimes as well." Milliyet also notes most media outlets in Turkey were not invited to the conference. Professor Ahmet Agirakca, a former Istanbul University fellow, told the conference in Arabic, "We are happy to host you in Istanbul, the capital of the caliphate." The final communiqu of the conference called for a boycott against American and Israeli goods, and stressed Jerusalem could be saved only by jihad, reports Milliyet. Editorial Commentary on the Middle East Peace Erdal Safak wrote in mainstream Sabah: "Senator John Kerry's visit to Damascus marked an important step toward changing the U.S. game plan in the Middle East. Now U.S. Congressman Howard Birman, the mastermind behind the Syria Accountability Act, will also visit Syria. These developments indicate a serious change in the U.S. attitude toward Syria, and Turkey also has an important role to play in this process. Like Ankara has always said, 'Washington realizes that no peace in the Middle East can be long-lasting without the involvement of Syria.'" Kadri Gursel wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "When PM Erdogan said his harsh attitude toward Israel 'has found its place,' he probably meant that his criticism of Israel's Gaza operations is likely to play a role in Turkey's upcoming local elections. Gaza is a political propaganda tool for Erdogan, just like it was a tool for right-wing politicians during Israel's recent elections. Erdogan's Gaza stance will likely improve political Islam's chances for victory in Turkey's upcoming local elections." Erdogan and Olmert Continue to Spar as Wexler Advocates for Reconciliation Media feature the continuing row between the prime ministers of Israel and Turkey amid U.S. Congressman Wexler's visit to Ankara to call for reconciliation in Turk-Israeli bilateral ties. Despite Israeli PM Olmert's weekend attempt to clarify why he did not inform PM Erdogan of the Gaza operations prior to their launch, Erdogan nevertheless slammed Olmert on charges of "creating a crisis in trust." Mainstream CNN Turk reports in "Olmert's Explanation Angers Erdogan" that PM Olmert told a meeting of American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem this weekend that "The Turkish prime ministry was angry that I visited Erdogan on Monday and didn't tell him we were going to attack Gaza on Saturday. I didn't tell him we were going to attack on Saturday because how could I have known? ANKARA 00000266 002 OF 004 How could I have known that Hamas was going to shoot 50, 60, 70 rockets into Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday?" In addition, liberal Radikal, and mainstream Vatan note Olmert pointed out, "I didn't call my good friend George Bush either to tell him we were going to attack Gaza, I didn't call my good friends Gordon Brown or Angela Merkel or Nicholas Sarkozy either," as Olmert asked, "Why should I tell any other prime minister about Israel's military plans to defend its citizens?" Mainstream NTV quotes Olmert in the headline, "I Didn't Even Call George Bush, Why Should I Have Called Erdogan?" Islamist-oriented Zaman reports "Erdogan Criticized Olmert" for his explanation and Erdogan accused Olmert of "Creating a Crisis in Trust." Zaman quotes Erdogan's response to Olmert's statement, "First he says he was not aware of the plans to attack, but then he says he did not have to alert anyone to the plans." In a related story, mainstream NTV reports U.S. Congressman Robert Wexler spoke to the press after his meeting with Erdogan last night. NTV notes Wexler emphasized, "Relations between Turkey and Israel are very important and must be restored." In addition, Wexler praised President Gul for his diplomatic efforts with Armenia and noted, "Our support for Ankara will continue." A Syrian Olive Branch Extended to Obama Media report Syrian President Assad spoke to The Guardian in a call for reconciliation with the U.S. and Israel. CNN Turk reports in, "Warm Messages from Assad to the U.S. and Israel" that "Syria is encouraged by the positive messages" from the Obama administration. Leftist Taraf quotes Assad's plea in the headline, "America, Send an Ambassador to Damascus." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak headlines, "Assad Extends an Olive Branch to Obama." Mainstream Sabah reports, "The Syrian President Says He Is Ready to Talk Peace With the U.S." Mainstream NTV reports, "Syrian Is Hopeful for the Obama Era." Heavy Tax Fine for Dogan Group Sabah, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Vatan, Radikal, Posta, Zaman and others: The Ministry of Finance fined Dogan Media Group 826 million TL (approximately $488million),for allegedly not paying value added tax (VAT) during the sale of its shares to a German media giant. Liberal Radikal explains that the fine was related with the sale of 25 percent shares of Dogan TV to German media giant, Axel Springer Group. Although the sale was finalized on January 2, 2007 and the taxes were paid within the same year, the Finance Ministry claims that the sales took place in 2006 and thus imposed the fine on the Turkish media giant. Dogan Media Group issued a statement of its own, which said, "According to Turkish Commercial Code, the sales of shares are completed when the shares are endorsed and handed over. This fine was given regardless of actual law and we will exercise our legal rights." Mainstream Vatan calls this fine "the AKP government's revenge" for the Dogan Media Group's criticism of PM Erdogan. Education Ministry Withdraws Anti-Armenian Documentary from Schools Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet and mainstream Hurriyet report the Education Ministry has stopped the distribution of a documentary film about the Armenian issue to elementary schools due to negative reactions from academics and intellectuals. The Education Ministry distributed a documentary developed by the military General Staff (TGS) entitled, "Sari Gelin -- The True Face of the Armenian Question," to all schools around the country. On Wednesday, the Education ministry released a public statement which said the film was sent "to the teachers, not the students." This documentary drew criticism from academics for reflecting the official ideology of the Turkish Republic on the 1915 incidents. Earlier this week, 500 Armenians and intellectuals sent an official letter of protest to the prime minister and requested that Armenian schools and Armenian students be exempted from watching it in order to "prevent feelings of guilt, shame and discrimination." Silopi Prosecutor Initiates Search for Human Remains in BOTAS' Alleged "Acid Wells" ANKARA 00000266 003 OF 004 Hurriyet, Sabah, Zaman, Taraf: A chief prosecutor in the Southeastern town of Silopi is looking for the human remains of people who were allegedly buried in acid wells after they were killed by JITEM in the 1990s. The prosecutor initiated an investigation after PKK defector Huseyin Aygan (who allegedly worked for JITEM in the 1990s) and Tuncay Guney (of 'Ergenekon' fame) claimed that JITEM had killed many people and dumped their bodies in oil company BOTAS' acid wells in Silopi. Relatives and lawyers of the victims are also attending the examination of the wells. Ambassador Jeffrey: A Deal with The IMF Will Benefit Turkey Media outlets report Wednesday Ambassador James Jeffrey told the Turkish-American Businessmen's Association (TABA) that "cooperation between Turkey and the U.S. will continue under the presidency of Barack Obama." In addition, Jeffrey said "a new program with the IMF will benefit Turkey" in the face of the global economic downturn. Jeffrey called Turkey "an attractive destination for American investors," and noted Turkey "should do more to lure foreign investors." Jeffrey also mentioned that the energy cooperation between Turkey and the U.S. would continue, and he emphasized that the transport of energy resources via Turkey to Western countries would make a huge contribution to Turkey and the region. Editorial Commentary on Pakistan's Approval of Sheria Law in Svat Oktay Eksi wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke expressed discontent concerning Pakistan's decision to allow a Sharia regime in the country's Svat region. Let's hope that the Svat example will become a wake-up call to Washington about the dangerous consequences of exploiting religion for political affairs. Washington has allowed this exploitation of Islam for political means in the region, including Turkey, and the new American administration should see the danger in it." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic News - The prosecutor's office for Frankfurt, Germany said the file concerning the fraud case in the Germany-based, Islamist-oriented charity Deniz Feneri was sent to the Turkish embassy in Berlin. The file is expected to be sent to the Turkish Justice Ministry next week. - 22 suspected Hizbullah members, including five women, were taken into custody in Istanbul. - 48,650,000 voters are registered to go the polls for municipality elections on March 29. - The Turkish Central Bank monetary policy committee will hold a meeting Thursday to decide on interest rates. International News - In Baghdad, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told Turkey's Iraq envoy Murat Ozcelik, "The PKK cannot disrupt the strategic ties between Turkey and Iraq." Talabani also said he looks forward to President Gul's upcoming visit to Iraq. - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier opens a German consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil. - Iran's defense minister visits Moscow regarding the sale of an S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Tehran. - Foreign Minister Franco Frattini says Italy may send an additional 250 troops to Afghanistan during the elections in August. ANKARA 00000266 004 OF 004 JEFFREY