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