TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000769

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: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2009

In Today's Papers

Oil from Iraqi's Kurdistan Regional Gover to Flow to World Markets
Through Turkey (Taraf)
Papers report northern Iraqi oil will today, for the first time,
begin to flow to world markets through the Ceyhan port on Turkey's
Mediterranean coast. Mainstream Aksam reports Turkey's Genel
Enerji, which is partnered with the Canada-based Addax Petroleum,
today began the shipment of oil from the Taq-Taq field in the
province of Erbil in northern Iraq to Turkey. Initial exports will
be between 40,000-60,000 barrels per day, and 17 percent of the
revenues Iraq makes out of the oil sales will be given to the
Kurdish Regional Government, according to papers. Aksam also says
the oil facilities will provide hundreds of jobs in Erbil and
Suleymaniye in northern Iraq.

ATC to Begin Meetings in Washington June 1
Media outlets report senior Turkish and American officials will
begin meetings in Washington on Monday to discuss several aspects of
the bilateral relationship during an annual two-day conference. The
Turkish and American army chiefs, General Ilker Basbug and Admiral
Michael Mullen, will address the gathering at a dinner this evening.
Tomorrow, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutioglu will deliver a
speech during the conference. Davutoglu will also meet with
Secretary Clinton later this week, papers report.

Papers also report Turkey will take over the rotating presidency of
the UN Security Council as of June 1. Mainstream Hurriyet comments
Turkey's task comes during a critical period because of North
Korea's recent nuclear bomb testing. Other issues Turkey will have
to deal with as the UNSC head include Sri Lanka, the Middle East,
Iraq, Iran, the Caucasus and the Cyprus question, according to
papers.

Erdogan: Turkey Will Sign a Deal Once the IMF Accepts Our Demands
Media outlets report Prime Minister Erdogan said Turkey would sign a
new deal with the IMF only when the IMF "accepts Turkish demands."
"Talks over Turkey making a new stand-by deal with the IMF have been
continuing for almost a year," said Erdogan. Erdogan criticized
those pressing his government to make a deal with IMF "at any
price," and stressed he would not sacrifice the interests of Turkey.
"We will sign an agreement after the IMF accepts our demands. If
our demands are rejected, we will not sign an agreement," emphasized
Erdogan.

Meanwhile, papers reported over the weekend that the IMF's Turkey
representative Hussein Samei said Turkey and the IMF reached a
compromise in principle, but added that talks would continue for an
agreement in all topics.

Turkish Cypriot Leader Talat: "We May Have to Give Up Land"
Yeni Safak, Sabah, Vatan: Mainstream Sabah reports that Turkish
Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat said, "A settlement regarding the
Cyprus issue is very near. But, the Turkish side might have to give
some land to the Greek Cypriots for a lasting settlement." Islamist
oriented Yeni Safak reports that Talat said "the main problem will
be the land issue. During the recent talks the Turkish side
accepted the '29 percent plus' formula and because of this formula
we may have to give up some land."

Sabah: PKK-Linked Holdings in Germany Sponsor Terrorist Activities
Sabah reports that a Ministry of Intelligence report accuses the
German-based international Kurdish Businessmen's union (KARSAZ) of
being involved in drug money laundering. The organization has 1000
member companies and the allegations stem from suspicious that loans
are being extended to companies with funds gained through drug
smuggling. According to the claim, the money accumulated from money
laundering is sent to banks in Armenia and southern Cyprus to be
used to fund the PKK's arms purchases. The arms are shipped to PKK
camps in northern Iraq, Sabah notes.

ANKARA 00000769 002 OF 004



In a related story, Sabah reports that a cultural festival in
Diyarbakir which was arranged by the Diyarbakir Municipality, was
broadcasted live by the ROJ TV. Police intervened and tried to stop
it, however, Diyarbakir mayor Osman Baydemir intervened and allowed
the ROJ TV to continue broadcasting.

Clashes Flare Up Again Between Hamas and Fatah (Taraf)
Media note that clashes have broken out between Hamas and Fatah,
with some papers referring to Hamas as 'militants' and some simply
referring to Hamas 'members' or 'supporters.' Mainstream Milliyet
headlines, "High Tensions Between Fatah and Hamas," and reports,
"six died when clashes broke out between Palestinian police and
Hamas militants." Mainstream Haberturk headlines, "Hamas Gets Into
Clashes With Police in The West Bank," and the paper notes,
"Tensions are rising in the Palestinian administration of the West
Bank city of Kalkiliye." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak reports in
"Bloody Clashes in the West Bank," that "clashes broke out between
Palestinian security forces and Hamas members." Islamist-oriented
Zaman reports, "Palestinian police tied to Fatah clashed with Hamas
members" when, "Fatah security forces surrounded a Hamas hideout
just days after Palestinian President Abbas promised Washington that
he would fulfill his security commitments." Leftist-nationalist
Cumhuriyet notes, "Hamas militants reacted to the raid harshly," and
said, ""We are confronting two enemies, the Israeli occupier and the
agency that serves the agenda of Washington and Tel Aviv."

Pakistan: Victory is Near
Media note the Pakistani military claims they are close to victory
against the Taliban. Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Pakistan Says
The Taliban Will Supposedly Be Defeated." Leftist-nationalist
Cumhuriyet is more optimistic in "Pakistan Says Victory Against the
Taliban is Near," and notes, "The Pakistani military is within 2-3
days of defeating the Taliban in the Swat region." Mainstream
Haberturk reports in "Pakistan Is Preparing for Victory," that, "The
Pakistani military is preparing to declare victory against the
Taliban in the next 2-3 days."

Iran Elections
Media report that candidates in presidential elections in Iran are
appealing to women, youth, and sports fans. Mainstream Haberturk
headlines, "For Women in Iran, Their Hope Is In Musevei," and
reports, "One woman attending a meeting of the reform presidential
candidate Hussein Musevi wrote 'men and women are equal' on her
hands in Farsi." CNN Turk reports in "Support for Ahmadinejad from
The Strongest Man in The World," that "Weightlifter Hussein
Rizazade, who is revered by youth and by sports fans, has given his
support to Ahmadinejad for president."

Obama's Speech to The Islamic World
Expectations run high in the media for President Obama's speech to
the Muslim World from Cairo on Thursday; particularly, media hope
President Obama's actions will speak louder than his words. Far
right Ortadogu reports, "Obama Is Hopeful in The Middle East," as
President Obama said, "There is not doubt that there can be
developments in the Mid East Peace Process." Islamist-oriented
Zaman reports, "Obama is expected to bring messages of peace to the
Islamic World," but, "However, the Islamic world wants to see more
than promises of important changes, in particular it is necessary
that he takes some action regarding the Palestinian problem." CNN
Turk reports in "What Do Muslims Expect from Obama?" that "The
Muslim world wants more than lovely words and promises," and notes,
"Muslims want real action to follow Obama's promises of important
change." Omer Taspinar of mainstream Sabah comments, "The general
idea in Europe is that the people of the Islamist world are not well
educated and well integrated into society, but this view is changing
as second and third generation Muslim immigrants in Europe are being
educated," and "this process, along with democratization in the
Middle East, is bringing forth a more moderate approach and will
marginalize Islamic radicalism," and "We hope that Obama's speech in

ANKARA 00000769 003 OF 004


Cairo touches on these points."

Editorial Commentary on Turkey-Kurdish Issue

Cengiz Candar wrote in business daily Referans (5/31): "Establishing
peace requires giving Kurds their due beyond the silencing of guns.
This needs to be started, before all, by forgiving each other in
order to make Kurds feel that we, at least, understand the suffering
they have been through. The constitutional recognition of cultural
identities and cultural rights is needed, while easing up on Kurds'
political representation and taking steps for administrative
decentralization is also required. Lasting peace is not possible
without these measures. Other socio-economical precautions would not
bear fruit without these measures. Turkey's health in general is
related to the health of Kurds. Turkey cannot reach peace and
prosperity before the Kurds do. Turkey cannot become free before the
Kurds become free."

Fatih Cekirge wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "There is a correlation
between President Gul's initiative to talk about the Kurdish issue
with opposition leaders and the recent stories regarding Iraqi
President Talabani's role in convincing the PKK to lay down arms.
The Turkish president is trying to get support from all parties for
the potential solution process to the Kurdish issue. In this
regard, Iraqi President Talabani's invitation to CHP leader Baykal
is very important."

Editorial Commentary on President Obama and U.S. Middle East Policy

Ceyda Karan wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "There is a
significant degree of expectation for President Obama's upcoming
trip to Egypt and the speech he is going to make. The common
expectation is that he will announce a new initiative for Middle
East peace. Given the current issues that the region is facing as
well as the Israeli Prime Minister's reluctance, difficult and
challenging days lie ahead of President Obama. His initiative will
certainly bring hope, even though chances for success cannot be
taken for granted."

TV News (CNN Turk)

Domestic

- Prime Minister Erdogan says his ruling AKP government will
disclose Thursday details about a new incentives package targeting
whole Turkey.

- Former Kurdish lawmaker Leyla Zana called for all fighting in
Turkey to end.

- A State Planning Organization (DPT) report says the state-owned
Ziraat Bank should cut support for farmers within the framework of
EU harmonization.

- The travel supplement of the British daily The Observer says the
Turkish Mediterranean city of Antalya has become the "new Dubai."

- Industry Minister Nihat Ergun expects the Turkish economy to
stabilize in 2010.

World

- Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis welcomes the "brave"
statements made by Prime Minister Erdogan in connection with
minorities in Turkey.

- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband says the guarantorship in
Cyprus should be discussed when the parties agree about the future
of the island.


ANKARA 00000769 004 OF 004


- From June 4-7, European voters will go to the polls to elect 785
new members of the European Parliament.

- The Afghan defense ministry says around 250 Taliban militants were
killed in fighting with Afghan and international forces over the
past ten days.

- According to the World Health Organization, 53 countries reported
15,510 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 99 deaths as
of May 29.

SILLIMAN