ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000564

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DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
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TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU PREL KPAO
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2009

In Today's Papers

Balancing the Normalization of Turkey-Armenian Ties with
Azerbaijan's Concerns
Media outlets report the Azerbaijani President Aliyev's advisor,
Nevruz Muhammedov, told APA news agency "Azerbaijan understands
Turkey's position," but that Ankara should carry out the process
with Armenia "through other paths." "In principle, we are not
against the opening of Turkey's border with Armenia," says
Muhammedov. "But we demand the question to be resolved through the
path that was followed by Turkey's former presidents Turgut Ozal,
Suleyman Demirel and Ahmet Necdet Sezer," he stressed. Mainstream
Haberturk reports the Azerbaijani lawmaker Nizami Jafarov, the head
of the Turkey-Azerbaijan friendship group, as saying that giant gas
and oil projects would be "frozen" if Turkey opens its border with
Armenia. Papers also report Armenian President Sargsian told
Mediamax news agency, "We are ready to normalize the ties with
Turkey without setting preconditions, but it seems that Turkey is
not." Sargsian added their desire for normalization doesn't mean
Yerevan has changed its views on the genocide question.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan went to Yerevan to attend
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) foreign ministers' meeting
on Thursday. "We want a comprehensive solution and full
normalization," Babacan was quoted by CNN-Turk as telling reporters
aboard his plane en route to Yerevan. Babacan noted "the road to a
solution must definitely run parallel with talks between Azerbaijan
and Armenia."

Papers carry an opinion survey by the Ararat Strategic Research
Center, according to which 61 percent of Armenians oppose closer
ties with Turkey. Only 11 percent support the Armenian
administration's policy toward normalization with Turkey. 74
percent of those whose views were canvassed were Armenian citizens
whereas 26 percent of them were Armenians living in Diaspora.

Editorial Commentary on Turkey-Armenia-Azerbaijan

Erdal Safak wrote in mainstream Sabah: "The U.S., Russia and France
co-chair the Minsk Group. Unfortunately, the Minsk Group was unable
to end the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia during the last
17 years. In order to normalize the ties between Turkey and Armenia
and to create the right atmosphere for the Turkish and Azeri
publics, we suggest Turkey take a more active role and become the
fourth co-chair of the group. As a co-chair, Turkey can initiate a
new negotiation process that is based on win-win principles within
a limited timeframe, just like the one in Cyprus."

Ibrahim Karagul wrote in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak: "Normalized
relations between Turkey and Armenia will not only be to Armenia's
interest but will be to Turkey and Azerbaijan's interest as well.
The issues of opening the Armenian border and ending the occupation
of Azeri territory should advance parallel to each other. This
whole issue is the result of a power struggle between Russia and the
West. If Russia loses Armenia, all energy projects will be
re-arranged and a new position will be determined for the Caucasus.
This is why the Azeri government and the public has been provoked by
Russia and its allies. If Azeri president Aliyev gets closer to
Russia and turns his back to the West, this will be a major mistake.
Armenia is definitely very important for the West, however,
Azerbaijan is much more important. For the time being, Azerbaijan
is being tested by Russia, Iran and others against the possibilities
of Armenia moving towards the West. Therefore, Turkey should
immediately eliminate this crisis in trust."

Clinton and Talat Meet in Washington
Media outlets are pleased to note that Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet
Ali Talat was able to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary
Clinton and discuss a solution process for the divided island.

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Mainstream Haberturk reports "Talat Met with Clinton," and notes
"Previously, the Greek lobby postponed his meetings," in the U.S.
but "Talat was also able meet members of Congress and other civil
society organizations." Mainstream Hurriyet reports "The U.S. Gives
Support to the Solution Process," as "Talat met with Clinton."
Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Clinton Promises to Talat Support
for a Solution in Cyprus." CNN Turk comments, "The U.S. Is Warm to
Turkish Cyprus," and notes, "The Obama administration regards the
Turkish Cypriots warmly," as "Clinton and Talat had positive
meetings."

Iraq's al-Hashimi: Green Light to Turkish Base in northern Iraq
Mainstream Sabah reports the Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi
told al-Hurra television that Iraq should either eliminate the PKK
or allow Turkey to set up a "temporary base" in the region to
"cleanse" terrorism in the mountains. Hashimi said Turkey was right
in its concerns, and noted the three-side mechanism of Turkey, Iraq
and the U.S. continued its work. Sabah says the PKK-affiliated
Firat News Agency reported April 7 that Turkey would set up a base
in Diyana, which was to be built by the Mak-Yol company in Turkey.


Selected Media Criticize the Stoning of Female Demonstrators in
Afghanistan
Mainstream secularist, along with liberal and leftist outlets,
criticize the attack on women protestors yesterday in Afghanistan.
Islamist outlets refrain from reporting on the incident. Mainstream
Milliyet lauds the women protestors' efforts in the headline "300
Women Heroes," and the paper reports "The women's protest was
peaceful," but "Afghan men attacked the women." Leftist Taraf
headlines "Stoning to Those Who Say 'No' To Rape," and notes " male
protestors threw stones and shouted 'Death to Christian Slavery' at
the three hundred women who protested against marital rape."
Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports "Stones Rained on Women" as
"a peaceful women's protest was attacked by stone-throwing religious
fundamentalists," and "women police formed a barricade between the
two protests." Liberal Radikal reports "Men Stone Afghan Women
Calling for Rights," Mainstream Haberturk reports "Women Are Stoned
As They Protest a Rape Law." Mainstream NTV headlines, "Women Who
Want Rights Are Stoned" in Afghanistan.

DTP Protests Tuesday's PKK Detentions
Papers report that on Wednesday in several cities in the mainly
Kurdish southeast Turkey, the pro-Kurdish DTP staged demonstrations
to protest the detention of party members in recent operations
against the PKK. On Tuesday, 52 suspects including three DTP
provincial deputy chairs were taken into custody in police
operations in 12 provinces across Turkey. In Van, DTP lawmaker
Ozdal Ucer said they would be "on the streets" until their friends
are released. In Diyarbakir, DTP lawmakers joined by mayor Osman
Baydemir staged a protest march that included 10,000, papers report.


Jobless Rate Reaches Record High in Turkey
Media outlets report the Turkish Statistics Institution (TUIK)
released on its webpage the unemployment rate in Turkey made a
"peak," soaring to 15.5 percent in January, marking the highest
point in the history of Turkey. The number of the unemployed for
January rose by 1,059,000 and reached 3.65 million.

Mainstream Vatan says these figures make Turkey the "unemployment
champion" in Europe, and on a global scale, rank second behind South
Africa. Liberal Radikal underlines the unemployment rate among
young people went up from 21.2 percent to 27.9 percent, which means
one out of every three young people is unemployed. Analysts predict
further rises in unemployment in the months, adding to the pressure
on the AKP government to finalize fast a new loan accord with the
IMF.

Ambassador Jeffrey Responds to Students at 'Model UN Conference' in
Istanbul

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Mainstream Milliyet reports Ambassador Jeffrey spoke at the opening
of the "International Model UN Conference" held at Istanbul's Robert
College to which 700 students from 13 countries participated. "Over
the coming 60-70 years, the most important issue you will face in
international politics will be the world's resources," said Jeffrey.
Ambassador Jeffrey answered a question about North Korea's nuclear
weapons and noted that these weapons posed a threat to the U.S. and
the entire world. Jeffrey recalled the U.S. has not used nuclear
weapons since WW II, and underlined that President Obama announced a
target to reduce nukes by 2012. On another question regarding U.S.
intentions over the natural resources in the Middle East, Jeffrey
said "We want energy independence for all countries."

Editorial Commentary on General Basbug's Annual Speech

Fehmi Koru wrote in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak: "I have
difficulty understanding Basbug's concerns for religious sects.
Some people open Turkish language schools all over the world and fly
the Turkish flag in these places and yet, they are considered as a
"threat" in Turkey. Democratic states, if they are truly
democratic, do not get scared of individuals or groups."

Kadri Gursel wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "Why is Turkish media
attaching such a big importance to the TGS Chief's speech? The
answer is this: the Turkish military is a Turkish reality which has
a negative impact on the country by intervening in politics and it
has a negative influence on the Kurdish issue. However, Basbug's
speech reflected many positive changes in the Turkish reality."

Murat Yetkin wrote in liberal Radikal: "With his speech, General
Basbug, in a way, shared his thoughts regarding the constitutional
change and a partial amnesty with the government and the public.
His milder approach was noticed regarding many issues but not
regarding the religious sects. I wonder if this could be an issue
between PM Erdogan and General Basbug? It is hard to guess, whether
Basbug will mention this issue at his next week's press conference
but it will be foolish to think that the timing of such a speech was
just a coincidence."

TV News (CNN Turk)

Domestic

- Ankara Prosecutor's Office saw "no need for investigation" against
the pro-Kurdish DTP leader Ahmet Turk and party deputy Selahattin
Demirtas who addressed in Kurdish a recent DTP party group meeting
in the parliament.

- Labor unions and professional associations including DISK, KESK,
TMMOB and TTB announced they were determined to celebrate May Day in
Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul. DISK chairman Suleyman
Celebi said Taksim was identified with Labor Day after the killing
of 36 people in Taksim on May 1 in 1977.

- The pro-reunification CTP and the UBP are expected to race in the
April 19 general elections in Turkish Cyprus. Recent surveys show
the CTP loses votes. The UBP supports negotiations but opposes a
federation to reunite the island.

- Turkish markets expect Thursday's meeting of the Central Bank
Monetary Board to curb interest rates by 50 points. The curbing of
the rates is expected to have a positive effect on markets hit by
the economic crisis.

World

- President Gul addressed Wednesday the Parliament of Bahrain.
"Turkey takes the new US administration's call on disarmament and
the joint statements made by the US and Russian Presidents early
this month very seriously," said Gul.


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- US special Middle East envoy George Mitchell kicks off his first
peace mission to Israel and the Palestinian territories since PM
Benjamin Netanyahu took office.

- President Ahmadinejad says Tehran is preparing new proposals to
break the deadlock over its nuclear program.

- NATO says it plans to hold military exercises next month in
Georgia.

- The US State Department says North Korea has asked US experts
overseeing the disablement of its Yongbyon nuclear plant to leave
the country.

JEFFREY