OBAMA'S POSITIVE MESSAGES RESONATE WITH TURKISH MEDIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000519 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: OBAMA'S POSITIVE MESSAGES RESONATE WITH TURKISH MEDIA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009 In Today's Papers Obama's Visit Marks the End of One Era and opens a New Page in U.S. Ties With Turkey (Zaman) Media outlets continue to praise the messages given by U.S. President Barack Obama during his visit to Turkey. Outlets also note that Obama's visit has put Turkey back on the global map. Mainstream Hurriyet's banner front page headline reads, "It's a Different World With Obama," as "The Bush Period in Turkey Is Brought to An End," and "Obama's messages broke the ice between Christians and Muslims," as "Obama took the first steps to heal the damage inflicted upon Turkey during the eight years of the Bush administration." Mainstream Sabah comments in its banner headline, "One Visit, 1000 Headlines," and notes, "Obama's historic visit has made Turkey the focus of international attention." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports, "Obama Came to Correct the Bush Administration's Damage to Turkey and the Islamic World." Mainstream Aksam headlines, "Obama Opens a New Page with The Islamic World." President Obama's roundtable with students generated a lot of media attention over Obama's positive messages to the youth. Mainstream Vatan reports, "The Agenda is Turkey" now that Obama has paid a visit and "met with modern Turkish youth to say that Turkey is a modern Western country." Mainstream Sabah notes Obama told the youth town hall meeting, "The world is what you make of it." In "Obama Conquers the Youth," mainstream Milliyet points out Obama repeated his support for Turkey's EU entry to his roundtable with Turkish youth "Obama once again offers support to Turkey's EU bid" and says that "as a NATO member, Turkey should be accepted into the EU." Leftist Taraf notes Obama told Turkish youth, "Turkey sends its troops into harm's way in Afghanistan as a member of NATO, and as a NATO ally, Turkey should be given the right to sell apricots to Europe and travel freely in the EU." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet headlines with a quote from Obama, "You Can Create New Bridges." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak and Zaman both note "Obama ended the youth discussion prior to the Islamic call to prayer" out of "respect to practicing Muslim students." Columnists Remain Pleased with The Effects of Obama's Visit Sedat Ergin wrote in mainstream Milliyet, "President Obama has given an end to the debate surrounding the Bush administration's characterization of Turkey as a "moderate Islamic state." Obama emphasized Turkey's secular democratic principles and emphasized the influence of Turkey's founder Ataturk and Ataturk's secular values. Turkey, with all of its qualities as expressed by Obama, has become distinguished throughout the U.S." Sami Kohen wrote in mainstream Milliyet, "President Obama signaled he would not use the 'G word' on April 24, Armenian Remembrance Day, but he also urged for the speedy normalization of ties between Armenia and Turkey. Since the issue has some other strings attached to it, such as Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh, normalization is still a matter of time. In any case, Obama's approach gives opportunities and advantages to Turkey which we should be able to use in the spirit of our model partnership." Ali Bayramoglu wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak, "Obama's visit demonstrates that Turkey has two choices - either we can act courageously toward a better future or we can continue to live through fears and taboos." Mehmet Barlas wrote in mainstream Sabah, "Obama emphasized change in a constantly changing world, and as such there are two options ahead of us - either Turkey can be a modern democracy or Turkey will become like Saddam's Iraq or today's Iran." Hamit Bilici wrote in Islamist-oriented Zaman, "Unlike the U.S. under the Obama administration, the Europeans are acting out of pride and unilateralism. In this new era, it looks like Turkey and the U.S. will become even more closer, while the EU is increasingly starting to resemble the George W. Bush administration." Oktay Eksi wrote in mainstream Hurriyet, "Turkey was chosen as the location for Obama's Muslim outreach, and very rightly so." Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal, "As explained by President Obama, the whole world is turning toward a new order both politically and ANKARA 00000519 002 OF 003 economically. And, Obama has demonstrated that Turkey should stand in an important place in the new world order." Turkey-Armenia to Open Borders, Normalize Ties Papers report Turkey and Armenia are in the "final stage" of negotiations regarding border openings, and the two nations agreed on a protocol which will not be made public before April 24. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet writes that before April 24, Ankara would implement an 'action plan' to open the border and open diplomatic representations in both countries. The protocol will be signed at the April 16 Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit talks in Yerevan, says Cumhuriyet. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told reporters yesterday Turkey was "determined to continue talks with Armenia which aim to normalize ties with Yerevan as well as open the borders." Mainstream Hurriyet reports that at President Gul's request, Obama phoned Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, assuring him that the U.S. would work for the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Mainstream Sabah reports that in a brief meeting on Monday evening with the Turkish, Armenian and Swiss foreign ministers, President Obama expressed support for Turkey-Armenia talks and encouraged the sides to "progress" in their talks. The two countries will discuss the Kars Agreement regarding the border between Turkey and Armenia so that Yerevan will cease its territorial claims from Turkey. The border will be reopened and trade will start between the two countries. Allegations Abound Regarding a New Turkish Base in Northern Iraq Mainstream Sabah cites the report on the Kurdistan Strategic Research Center's internet site www.liekolin.org which claims that Turkey, in addition to its base in Amediye town in northern Iraq, is preparing to open a new base between Diyana-Sideka regions in northern Iraq. Sabah reports that this base will also serve as the headquarters for the tripartite mechanism between the US, Turkey and Iraq against the PKK. Sabah says the website notes "The PKK was disturbed by the news because their camps in Hakurk and Hinere regions are going to be very close to the region picked for the new Turkish base." Kurdish Conference in Erbil Put Off until May Mainstream Aksam reports the international Kurdish conference to be held in Erbil in northern Iraq has been postponed until May, mainly due to the rejection of the PKK to lay down its weapons. Turkey, reluctant to be at the same table with the PKK, is expected to join the gathering as an observer, says Aksam. French FM Kouchner Withdraws Support for Turkey's EU Entry Mainstreams Milliyet and Vatan report that speaking to German RTL TV, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that he no longer supports Turkey's EU membership bid. He said "I am concerned that Turkey is advancing towards a more Islamic direction while secularism is weakening in the country. I was shocked to see Turkey's stance at the NATO summit and I do not support Turkey's EU membership any longer." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - Turkey considers sending 19 Russian Mi-17 helicopters it has acquired from Russia in the 1990s to the Afghan military. - Opposition DSP leader Zeki Sezer says he might quit chairmanship at a party meeting over the weekend, following his failure in the local elections. - Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said there were plans to curb natural gas prices in May. ANKARA 00000519 003 OF 003 - On April 10-11, World Turkish Investors Assembly will be held in Istanbul with the participation of 2,000 Turkish entrepreneurs from 80 countries. -Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartolomeos says, following his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, that he is "hopeful about the reopening of Halki Seminary." World - At least 207 people are confirmed dead in the worst quake to strike Italy in 30 years, says PM Berlusconi. Tremors are impeding rescue efforts. Tens of thousands of victims are seeking shelter in makeshift tents while reports of looting add to the crisis. - Violent protests erupt in the Moldovan capital Kishinev as anti-Communist student demonstrators break into the parliament. - At a panel discussion at the UN Alliance of Civilizations forum talks, the head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, and the foreign ministers of Spain and Luxembourg called on Israel to stop new settlements and work with Palestinians for a two-state solution. - A US congressional delegation met on Monday with Cuban President Raul Castro in his first talks with US officials since taking office last year. JEFFREY