ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000319 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 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2009 In Today's Papers 5 Turks, 4 Americans Killed in THY Plane Crash in Amsterdam Media outlets report the nationalities of the nine passengers killed in the Turkish Airlines (THY) passenger jet crash in Amsterdam on Wednesday were disclosed as "five Turks and four Americans." Dutch officials said the names of the victims would not be released until the bodies have been "identified," and unless their families approve the names to be made public. Experts suspect engine trouble might have caused the crash. In "A Lesson from Dutch Authorities," mainstream Hurriyet reports that following the THY plane crash in Amsterdam, Turkey's prime minister, transportation minister and THY director general made some contradicting statements on the numbers of casualties. Dutch officials, however, did not issue any statements hastily, and they plan to hold a meeting Saturday with the relatives of those killed in the crash, says Hurriyet. Editorial Commentary on THY Plane Crash in Amsterdam Yasemin Congar wrote in leftist Taraf: "The Turkish Airlines accident in Holland demonstrates the great differences in how the Turkish government functions differently from the Dutch government. After the crash, the Council of Ministers for the Netherlands called an emergency meeting to ensure coordination in dealing with the catastrophe and to initiate an investigation into the crash. Thus, the main concern of the Dutch government in this situation is to serve its people. In Turkey, the government does not care about the feelings or honor of the people. Turkish officials do not care about the devastating impact of incorrect statements about a plane crash. Instead, Turkish officials only care about themselves in such emergency situations." George Mitchell Visits Ankara to Discuss Mideast Peace Media outlets report U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell visited Ankara this week in order to discuss the Middle East peace process with Turkish leaders. Most of the coverage focuses on the messages Turkish leaders gave to Mitchell. Mainstream Milliyet headlines, "Erdogan Delivers a Hamas Message to the U.S." Mainstream Sabah reports, "Erdogan told Mitchell that Hamas has changed due to Turkey's influence," because Erdogan emphasized, "Turkey's messages to Hamas have had a positive impact." Sabah also notes, "Erdogan noted that there is uncertainty regarding the peace negotiations after the result of the Israeli elections, but that Turkey would fulfill its responsibilities." Meanwhile, leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet criticized Erdogan for advocating for Hamas in, "Erdogan Said 'Hamas' Again." Liberal Radikal and mainstream Aksam both headline with one of Erdogan's messages to Mitchell, "Don't Leave Out Hamas." Radikal notes Erdogan emphasized, "You cannot leave out Hamas, who was brought to power with one million votes." Islamist-oriented Zaman quotes Mitchell in the front-page headline, "We Expect Turkey's Leadership on the Topic of Gaza," but the paper also carries a report entitled, "Experienced Mediators Says that Hamas Must Sit At the Table." However, Zaman also notes that Mitchell told Erdogan "Turkey should exert efforts for the continuation of peace talks between Syria and Israel." Far Right Ortadogu headlines, "Hamas Is The Key to The Deadlock between Israel and Palestine" but notes, "The U.S. wants to be close to Turkey when it comes to the topic of the Middle East." Mainstream Hurriyet quotes Hamas Leader Meshal in their banner headline, "Hamas Must Be Included," in Mideast Peace negotiations. Editorials on Mitchell Visit to Ankara Ferai Tinc wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "Mitchell emphasized the importance of Turkey's good relations with countries in the region, but he put particular emphasis on the situation between Israel and Palestine. This is a key aspect for Turkey's role in Middle East peace efforts. However we see the two different approaches when it comes to Ankara's relations with Israel. The Turkish President is sending a messenger to pave the way for a state visit to Israel in ANKARA 00000319 002 OF 003 late 2009, while the country's PM is using anti-Israeli rhetoric as a key note of his election campaign." Hasan Cemal wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "George Mitchell's continuing efforts, including his visit to Ankara, demonstrate the Obama administration's emphasis and priority for efforts toward a stable and peaceful Middle East. On Iran, diplomacy will prevail over tension-building efforts. In that regard, Iraq's stability is also very important for Washington. Therefore the Washington-Ankara-Erbil cooperation has begun in order to deal with the PKK issue. This is good momentum for Turkey to address the PKK issue through political determination in line with taking steps toward reform. Unless the government shows this determination, this trilateral cooperation between Ankara, Washington, and Erbil will be in vain." Ahmadinejad, Talabani, Assad to Join World Water Forum in Istanbul Media outlets report Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will participate in the World Water Forum (WWF) to be held in Istanbul from March 16-22. The heads of state of 15 countries, 200 cabinet ministers and about 20,000 "water experts" are expected to join the meeting. Iraq's President Jalal Talabani, Syrian Head of State Bashar Assad and Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman will also partake in the talks. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports Ahmadinejad plans to spend a couple days in Istanbul for a brief vacation after the forum talks are wrapped up. Jewish Community Head Warns President Gul on Rising Anti-Semitism in Turkey Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet and mainstream Sabah report the head of the Jewish congregation in Turkey, Silvyo Ovadya, met Wednesday with President Abdulllah Gul in Ankara. Ovadya reportedly warned Gul about the "rising anti-Semitism" in Turkey, as seen in the increasing number of anti-Semitic reports in the media over the last two months. Ovadya asked Gul for "increased penalties" for the anti-Jewish reports and columns in the papers. "What we see in Turkey is not isolated incidents; and there is clear hostility. Insulting expressions targeting the Jews should be regarded crime. New legal arrangements could be made like that of Austria, Germany and France," said Ovadya. He noted such media reports put Turkey in a difficult position in the international arena. Gul gave Ovadya a positive response, and said the Jewish community in Turkey was "right" in displaying sensitivities on the matter, reports Cumhuriyet. President Gul's Upcoming Foreign Travels Zaman, Radikal, Vatan, Sabah, Hurriyet: Mainstream Vatan reports that President Gul will travel to Tehran on March 10 to attend the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit on March 11. Mainstream Hurriyet cites Israeli daily Haaretz and reports that during his recent visit to Israel, Turkish-Jewish businessman Jak Kamhi gave the message that President Gul is planning to visit Israel sometime this summer. The paper noted that the presidential sources also confirmed that President Gul is planning a visit to Israel this summer. Liberal Radikal reports that President Gul is planning to go to Iraq in March. Risk Management Summit: 'Economic Meltdown will Deepen in Turkey' Hurriyet, Milliyet, Cumhuriyet, Radikal and Zaman report an Istanbul gathering of the '3rd International Risk Management Summit' warned the economic crisis in Turkey could "deepen," making the ongoing crisis "worse than the economic downturn in Turkey in 2001." "Turkey will face a growing unemployment problem; new jobs must be created," said the World Bank Turkey Director Ulrich Zachau. IMF's Turkey representative Huseyin Sami pointed to the diminishing growth rate in Turkey. "Turkey's gross national product will continue to decrease. Year-end inflation could happen lower than expected. Turkey must refrain from expensive rescue programs, it can increase its performance considerably by finding new markets," emphasized Sami. ANKARA 00000319 003 OF 003 Worldopinion.org Survey on Anti-Americanism in Some Muslim Countries Mainstream Milliyet reports that www.worldopinion.org web site conducted a survey among six thousand people in Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Palestine. This survey, clearly showed once again the levels of anti-Americanism in Turkey. 89 percent of Turks said "the U.S. is seeking to rule the oil producing regions;" 82 percent of Turks said "the U.S. is trying to divide the Islamic World;" and 79 percent said "the U.S. is trying to spread Christianity." 53 percent of Turks said "Yes" to when they were asked if Islamic groups should form a political party and join politics, while 30 percent said "No." Obama Announces Iraq Withdrawal Policy Today Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak calls today "The Decision Day for U.S. Soldiers," in Iraq as "it is expected that the U.S. will withdraw its troops within nineteen months." Leftist Taraf carries the headline, "A Military Withdrawal from Iraq Will Decrease the U.S. Military Budget." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - Turkey's Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) head Tevfik Bilgin said Turkish people have USD 60 billion "in only one bank in northern Europe." Bilgin said some Turks who were not given loans by Turkish banks could easily borrow money from outside the country, thanks to their assets in Europe. - Turkey's Constitutional Court rejects an application for the annulment of two legal provisions envisaging heavy penalties for child molesters. - Police detained Thursday 16 suspects, mostly university students in Ankara, for trying to organize "youth branches" for the PKK on the eve of 'Nevruz' celebrations in late March. - Japanese car producer Honda plans to reduce its production capacity in Turkey. World - A UN war crimes tribunal acquitted Serbia's former President Milan Milutinovic on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Kosovo. - The Financial Times reports France, Germany and Britain propose additional sanctions to be imposed on Iran over its nuclear program. - A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the laws prohibiting female teachers from wearing the Islamic headscarf in parts of Germany violate the rights of Muslim women. - In Pakistan, thousands of angry supporters of the main opposition party protested the government over a ban on former PM Nawaz Sharif. JEFFREY