ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000508 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, APRIL 3, 2009 In Today's Papers Scowcroft: "Turkey and the US Must Move Beyond A Military Alliance." Mainstream Aksam interviewed Brent Scowcroft, the head of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) and former presidential advisor to former President George Bush. Scowcroft said "the U.S. turned a blind eye to the PKK" and "encouraged PJAK against Iran." "Now, however, the situation has changed. We want Iran on our side," said Scowcroft. He added that during the war in Iraq, the U.S. was not willing to waste its energy to fight against the PKK. "Now the U.S. will adopt a new policy in the Middle East. There's a huge need for Turkey; this region is your backyard," emphasized Scowcroft. He noted, "President Obama sees the regional importance of Turkey, and thinks the ties need revision. We must move beyond a mere military alliance." Turkey and IMF Expected to Strike a Deal Soon Media outlets report Prime Minister Erdogan, who is in London for the G-20 Summit, held a meeting with the IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn during which the two sides agreed in principle to resume direct talks. Turkey's Central Bank Governor Durmus Yilmaz told a conference yesterday, "a deal must be signed with the IMF as soon as possible." The IMF and Turkey are expected to sign a three-year stand-by deal after the G-20 summit in London. An IMF team will pay a visit to Turkey within two weeks to work on the new deal. The stand-by loan accord could be worth as much as USD 20 billion, according to reports. TRT Kicks off Armenian, Kurdish Radio Broadcasts Media outlets report that prior to President Obama's visit to Turkey, the state-run broadcaster TRT has launched radio broadcasts in Kurdish and Armenian. The 24-hour Kurdish radio broadcasts comprised of news and music programs are aired by Radio 6. The Armenian-language programs will be aired by The Voice of Turkey radio twice in a day at 07:00-07:30 and 18:00-18:30 local time. Mainstream Aksam says the broadcasts will be in the eastern Armenian dialect, not the western dialect which is used by the Armenians living in Diaspora. Erdogan Meets Obama at G-20 London Summit Media outlets report that Prime Minister Erdogan held brief talks with President Obama in London during the G-20 Summit meetings. He also met with German Chancellor Merkel, Spanish PM Zapatero and the Dutch PM Balkenende. Erdogan and Obama talked about the U.S. President's upcoming state visit to Turkey, report papers and televisions. Mainstream Hurriyet writes the G-20 leaders have agreed on "a new world order," based on "transparency and control." Mainstream Aksam says the summit marked the end of an era of "unbridled global capitalism." Cicek: My Remarks on the DTP's Election Success Misinterpreted Papers report Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said Thursday that his statements over the pro-Kurdish DTP's success in the local elections were "misinterpreted." Cicek stated he just wanted to draw attention to the rise of "ethnicity-based politics," which, he said, was "wrong." Cicek told private broadcaster NTV that he was facing a "lynching campaign" over his remarks. Cicek's remarks had drawn reactions from the DTP and his own party, including Prime Minister Erdogan. Talabani Backtracks on PKK Remarks Media outlets report Iraqi President Jalal Talabani rejected press reports that he had called on the PKK to lay down its arms. Talabani said his words that the PKK should "lay down its weapons or leave Iraq" were in fact the approach of Turkey. "I have just tried to give the message that the period of waging armed struggle was over," Talabani said. Mainstream Vatan writes Talabani could stand ANKARA 00000508 002 OF 002 behind his words only for 11 days. TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - An investigation by police reveals the power supply in some districts in Ankara had been sabotaged during vote counting in Sunday's local elections. - Five MPs from the opposition DSP will be expelled from their party for campaigning in support of the CHP candidate in Istanbul, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, during March 29 local elections. - Following the claim of far right-Islamist oriented BBP that the helicopter carrying party leader Muhsin Yazicioglu crashed as a result of sabotage, Kanal D television says Yazicioglu was a "secret witness" giving the prosecutor documents and information about the Ergenekon network. - More than 50 people have been taken into custody in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir for alleged market manipulation at the Istanbul Stock Exchange. World - The G-20 London summit pledged in a joint communiqu they will provide USD 1.1 trillion in additional support to the IMF, and for trade finance. - President Abdullah Gul will attend the NATO's 60th Anniversary Summit in Strasbourg-France and Kehl-Germany on April 3-4. He will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul. - The Wall Street Journal writes, "Turkey and Armenia could soon announce a deal aimed at reopening their border and restoring relations." - Israel's new foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, facing allegations of fraud, money laundering, and bribery is subjected to a marathon questioning Thursday. JEFFREY