Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA375
2009-03-13 13:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000375
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, MARCH 13, 2009
In Today's Papers
The European Parliament's Latest Report Calls for Reforms and
Criticizes Restrictions on Internet Access, Government Pressure on
Media
Vatan, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Aksam, Zaman: Yesterday the European
Parliament (PACE) approved the latest report on Turkey by a vote of
528 to 52. Mainstream Hurriyet notes that this report criticized
"Turkey's restrictions on internet access and the government's
pressure against the media." Mainstream Aksam says the report
"urged Turkey to accelerate reforms." Islamist-oriented Zaman
highlights the report also "warned against the closure of political
parties." Mainstream Vatan notes, "Following in the footsteps of
the U.S., Europe is now drawing attention to the role of secularism
in Turkey" because the report "highlights the importance of
secularism."
Turkish and Greek Business Leaders Call for Peace In Cyprus
Mainstreams Hurriyet and Vatan report that business leaders from
Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus released a joint declaration in Nicosia
that extended full support towards a peace process in Cyprus. The
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association
(TUSIAD)chairperson Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag said that if a solution
was reached in Cyprus, the economy on the island would develop.
Speculations Swirl Around Obama's Visit to Turkey
Media outlets are fiercely competing to see who can predict what
President Obama will do and what it will mean during his visit to
Turkey next month. Islamist-oriented Zaman, which is known for its
close ties to the government, reports, "In a gesture to Ankara,
Obama will address the parliament." Mainstream Milliyet's Athens
correspondent reports, "Obama's last stop in Turkey will be a visit
to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos." Meanwhile,
leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet chimes in a new theory on the meaning
of the visit. In "Why is Obama Coming to Turkey?" the paper notes
that "Washington Institute Turkey expert Soner Cagaptay says Obama
is trying to prevent Turkey from distancing itself from the West."
Liberal Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin writes, "Obama is trying to
ease the climate of tension that was created by his predecessor."
Obama's PKK Plan (Sabah)
Mainstream Sabah reports that the U.S. sent a diplomatic delegation
prior to Secretary Clinton's visit in order to discuss political
initiatives to disarm the PKK. The delegation met with politicians
of Kurdish descent such as Esat Canan, Serafettin Elci and Orhan
Miroglu. The delegation discussed the possibility of an amnesty
program and addressed the topic of TRT's new Kurdish broadcasting
stateion, TRT-Ses.
IMF Eases Terms on New Deal with Turkey
Media outlets report the IMF "changed its mind" due to the
"resolute" attitude of the Turkish government, and came up with more
flexible terms for a possible stand-by deal with Turkey. State
Minister Mehmet Simsek told reporters, "The IMF showed flexibility
on tax administration, a matter on which we could not agree." The
IMF later made new loan proposals to Turkey, and now awaits an
invitation from Ankara to meet for negotiations, say papers.
A "Surprise" Energy Summit
Mainstream Sabah reports in "A Surprise Energy Summit" that Energy
Minister Guler met with Ambassador James Jeffrey and Deputy
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza
yesterday "in order to discuss the Nabucco pipeline project." CNN
Turk reports Bryza told the 8th Turkish Oil & Gas Conference that
"from the topic of energy to the topic of the Middle East, Turkey is
one of the closest allies to the U.S."
Aksam and Cumhuriyet report Bryza said the U.S. relationship with
Russia needs to be "rearranged." In "The U.S. Opposes Iranian Gas,"
leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports the U.S. sent "warm messages
ANKARA 00000375 002 OF 002
to Russia," but was aloof toward Tehran. "The diversification of
natural gas pipelines is important, but the inclusion of Iran in the
existing projects is not in line with U.S. interests," said Bryza.
In the face of President Obama's call on Tehran to "unclench its
fist," Bryza said "The international sanctions against Iran are
clear," reports Cumhuriyet.
Editorial Commentary on President Gul-Iran-U.S.
Fehmi Koru wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "When Gul says
'good things are about to happen' he means good things will happen
regarding the ongoing process toward finding a solution to the
southeast problem. As the president confirms, there is perfect
harmony at the state's top level and there is an overall psychology
to work toward settlement."
Cengiz Candar wrote in business daily Referans: "There is an overall
understanding that terrorism does not solve problems. President
Gul's visit to Iran also signals that important developments can
happen after the Obama visit, particularly regarding Iran and the
Azerbaijan/Armenia issues."
Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "Just as stated
by U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey, Turkey is helping with the Iranian
dispute by expressing the American side's sincerity to the Iranian
regime. A high level MFA official recently said, 'Turkey has never
tried to act as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, but wanted to
facilitate a better understanding on both sides to solve their
problems through dialogue.' It is important that Gul expressed the
sincere desire in the new American administration for dialogue and
diplomacy, and the Iranian side listened to him very carefully."
TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic
- In Silopi in the province of Sirnak, security forces found
Thursday more bones and human hair in excavations launched to find
the remains of people who disappeared in the 1990s.
- Nihat Ergun, deputy chairman of AKP parliamentary group, says the
government will be reshuffled if support for the ruling party
declines by 10 percent in comparison to the general elections in
2007.
- Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP invited Iraqi President Jalal
Talabani and Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud
Barzani to join Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakir.
World
- President Obama has extended sanctions against Iran for another
year, saying it continues to pose a threat to U.S. national
security.
- Iraqi President Talabani, whose term ends at the end of this year,
says he won't run for office again.
- "We all have the right to self determination. That is the
aspiration of all the Kurds and it is a natural right," says KRG
President Massoud Barzani.
- Muntazar al-Zaydi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes to
former US President Bush, was sentenced to three years in prison for
assaulting a visiting head of state.
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: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009
In Today's Papers
The European Parliament's Latest Report Calls for Reforms and
Criticizes Restrictions on Internet Access, Government Pressure on
Media
Vatan, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Aksam, Zaman: Yesterday the European
Parliament (PACE) approved the latest report on Turkey by a vote of
528 to 52. Mainstream Hurriyet notes that this report criticized
"Turkey's restrictions on internet access and the government's
pressure against the media." Mainstream Aksam says the report
"urged Turkey to accelerate reforms." Islamist-oriented Zaman
highlights the report also "warned against the closure of political
parties." Mainstream Vatan notes, "Following in the footsteps of
the U.S., Europe is now drawing attention to the role of secularism
in Turkey" because the report "highlights the importance of
secularism."
Turkish and Greek Business Leaders Call for Peace In Cyprus
Mainstreams Hurriyet and Vatan report that business leaders from
Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus released a joint declaration in Nicosia
that extended full support towards a peace process in Cyprus. The
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association
(TUSIAD)chairperson Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag said that if a solution
was reached in Cyprus, the economy on the island would develop.
Speculations Swirl Around Obama's Visit to Turkey
Media outlets are fiercely competing to see who can predict what
President Obama will do and what it will mean during his visit to
Turkey next month. Islamist-oriented Zaman, which is known for its
close ties to the government, reports, "In a gesture to Ankara,
Obama will address the parliament." Mainstream Milliyet's Athens
correspondent reports, "Obama's last stop in Turkey will be a visit
to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos." Meanwhile,
leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet chimes in a new theory on the meaning
of the visit. In "Why is Obama Coming to Turkey?" the paper notes
that "Washington Institute Turkey expert Soner Cagaptay says Obama
is trying to prevent Turkey from distancing itself from the West."
Liberal Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin writes, "Obama is trying to
ease the climate of tension that was created by his predecessor."
Obama's PKK Plan (Sabah)
Mainstream Sabah reports that the U.S. sent a diplomatic delegation
prior to Secretary Clinton's visit in order to discuss political
initiatives to disarm the PKK. The delegation met with politicians
of Kurdish descent such as Esat Canan, Serafettin Elci and Orhan
Miroglu. The delegation discussed the possibility of an amnesty
program and addressed the topic of TRT's new Kurdish broadcasting
stateion, TRT-Ses.
IMF Eases Terms on New Deal with Turkey
Media outlets report the IMF "changed its mind" due to the
"resolute" attitude of the Turkish government, and came up with more
flexible terms for a possible stand-by deal with Turkey. State
Minister Mehmet Simsek told reporters, "The IMF showed flexibility
on tax administration, a matter on which we could not agree." The
IMF later made new loan proposals to Turkey, and now awaits an
invitation from Ankara to meet for negotiations, say papers.
A "Surprise" Energy Summit
Mainstream Sabah reports in "A Surprise Energy Summit" that Energy
Minister Guler met with Ambassador James Jeffrey and Deputy
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza
yesterday "in order to discuss the Nabucco pipeline project." CNN
Turk reports Bryza told the 8th Turkish Oil & Gas Conference that
"from the topic of energy to the topic of the Middle East, Turkey is
one of the closest allies to the U.S."
Aksam and Cumhuriyet report Bryza said the U.S. relationship with
Russia needs to be "rearranged." In "The U.S. Opposes Iranian Gas,"
leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports the U.S. sent "warm messages
ANKARA 00000375 002 OF 002
to Russia," but was aloof toward Tehran. "The diversification of
natural gas pipelines is important, but the inclusion of Iran in the
existing projects is not in line with U.S. interests," said Bryza.
In the face of President Obama's call on Tehran to "unclench its
fist," Bryza said "The international sanctions against Iran are
clear," reports Cumhuriyet.
Editorial Commentary on President Gul-Iran-U.S.
Fehmi Koru wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "When Gul says
'good things are about to happen' he means good things will happen
regarding the ongoing process toward finding a solution to the
southeast problem. As the president confirms, there is perfect
harmony at the state's top level and there is an overall psychology
to work toward settlement."
Cengiz Candar wrote in business daily Referans: "There is an overall
understanding that terrorism does not solve problems. President
Gul's visit to Iran also signals that important developments can
happen after the Obama visit, particularly regarding Iran and the
Azerbaijan/Armenia issues."
Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "Just as stated
by U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey, Turkey is helping with the Iranian
dispute by expressing the American side's sincerity to the Iranian
regime. A high level MFA official recently said, 'Turkey has never
tried to act as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, but wanted to
facilitate a better understanding on both sides to solve their
problems through dialogue.' It is important that Gul expressed the
sincere desire in the new American administration for dialogue and
diplomacy, and the Iranian side listened to him very carefully."
TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic
- In Silopi in the province of Sirnak, security forces found
Thursday more bones and human hair in excavations launched to find
the remains of people who disappeared in the 1990s.
- Nihat Ergun, deputy chairman of AKP parliamentary group, says the
government will be reshuffled if support for the ruling party
declines by 10 percent in comparison to the general elections in
2007.
- Turkey's main Kurdish party DTP invited Iraqi President Jalal
Talabani and Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud
Barzani to join Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakir.
World
- President Obama has extended sanctions against Iran for another
year, saying it continues to pose a threat to U.S. national
security.
- Iraqi President Talabani, whose term ends at the end of this year,
says he won't run for office again.
- "We all have the right to self determination. That is the
aspiration of all the Kurds and it is a natural right," says KRG
President Massoud Barzani.
- Muntazar al-Zaydi, the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes to
former US President Bush, was sentenced to three years in prison for
assaulting a visiting head of state.
JEFFREY