TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000782 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 WENESDAY, JUNE 3, 2009 In Today's Papers General Basbug Calls for a Boost in US Cooperation Against Terrorism All papers: Today's papers extensively cover the speech Turkish Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug at the American-Turkish Council (ATC). Islamist-oriented Zaman reports that General Basbug asked the US for more cooperation than just intelligence sharing against the PKK by saying "We believe that the common vision of our two countries needs to bring our cooperation to a whole new level which goes beyond intelligence sharing." Mainstream Milliyet notes that General Basbug said that the Turkish military has come to a special point to eradicate the PKK. Mainstream Hurriyet quotes General Basbug saying "security, economic and socio-cultural policies must be used simultaneously to counter the PKK but that these measures alone could not put an end to terrorism. Therefore, we are very determined to fight against the terrorist organization until it is totally eliminated." The paper notes that Admiral Mullen spoke after Basbug, and said that US-Turkish relations were exceptionally strong now and that both sides should work to sustain this relationship. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports that the PKK and the situation in Pakistan were the top issues on the agenda of the ATC. Main Opposition Party CHP is Determined Not to Support De-mining Law Hurriyet reports the opposition said yesterday that it was determined not to support the law on de-mining the Syrian border if the government insists the job be done through the build-operate-transfer model. CHP leader Deniz Baykal said "we will do everything to stop this law in Parliament. We are not against de-mining, but against leasing these lands to foreigners. The cost of clearing the area will be paid to foreign companies if we cannot do it ourselves. But afterwards this land should be given to its real owners." DTP Leader Ahmet Turk Asks President Gul to Arrange Summit on Kurdish Issue Milliyet reports that during his address to DTP deputies yesterday, Turk said "The PKK's decision to suspend its activities for a while is a chance for Turkish politics and for democratic civil society." He urged President Gul to arrange a summit meeting with leaders of political parties to discuss the Kurdish issue. Editorial Commentary on the PKK, Northern Iraq, Turkey's Kurdish Question Okay Gonensin comments in mainstream Vatan (6/3): "The PKK, too, must see that Turkey has made some progress in the Kurdish question. Turkey's Kurds want an end to this war. The PKK must declare that it will withdraw its militants into Iraq, and that it will end armed attacks in Turkey indefinitely. The moment the PKK announces it will lay down weapons, a new Turkey will emerge. No one, including the PKK, has the right to waste this opportunity." Mehmet Barlas opines in mainstream Sabah (6/3): "It's against the nature of politics that Prime Minister Erdogan still refuses to meet with the pro-Kurdish DTP leader Ahmet Turk while the internal and external conjunctures are pushing for a solution to Turkey's Kurdish problem." Avni Ozgurel writes in liberal Radikal (6/3): "The basis on which Ankara conducts its Kurdish policies is a report written by the national intelligence (MIT) chief Emre Taner. A solution strategy by the government would have to be approved by the National Security Council (MGK) as well. Two main topics are highlighted in the solution efforts: The expansion of the 'return home' law for the militants in the mountains, and the fate of the PKK leadership as well as the improvement of Abdullah Ocalan's prison conditions. For the first time, Ankara has adopted a realistic view for the ANKARA 00000782 002 OF 003 elimination of the PKK -- the aim is set as reducing terror to a level that can be controlled rather than ending it completely, as well as cutting the organization's ties with people." Murat Yetkin writes in liberal Radikal (6/3): "The speech TGS chief General Ilker Basbug delivered at the ATC's Washington meetings yesterday has many common points with CHP leader Deniz Baykal's and PM Erdogan's advisors' stance on the resolution of the PKK problem. Basbug said it would be wrong to think terror could be finished only by using economic and social-cultural measures alone while the PKK maintains its armed terrorists, that the struggle against terror should be consistent with the existing legal system, that the destruction of the PKK would not be possible without ending the organization's presence in northern Iraq, and that Turkey welcomes the cooperation with the US but sees necessary a 'new phase of cooperation' which would go beyond intelligence sharing. Basbug's speech gave us the first clues that all the sides in this problem may arrive at a common understanding to resolve the Kurdish question." Obama's Upcoming Cairo Speech. Media outlets carry excerpts of U.S. President Barack Obama's recent interview with French Canal Plus, with most interpreting his comment "If you actually took the number of Muslims Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world ," as "The U.S. is one of the largest Muslim countries." In "Obama Says the U.S. Is One of The World's Largest Muslim Countries, " mainstream Milliyet reports, "Obama is calling on the West and the Islamic world to dialogue," in order to "better understand" each other's issues. Mainstream Sabah reports, "The U.S. Is One of The World's Largest Muslim Countries," and notes, "Obama said the Western World and the Muslim World must get to know each other better." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports in "The U.S. Cannot Impose Its Values," that Obama "seeks a better understanding between the West and the Islamic world." Liberal Radikal reports in "Critical Messages from Obama," that "Obama is hopeful for a solution in the Middle East." In a related article, Islamist-oriented Zaman headlines, "Obama's Likely Test Will Be Palestine," and reports, "Tomorrow Obama will deliver a speech to the Muslim world from the Middle East's most prestigious university," and "he is likely to emphasize that the U.S. is not at war with the Islamic world," as "The Islamic world wants more than sweet talk about peace and instead awaits radical changes regarding Palestine." In addition, Zaman carries a commentary article entitled "There Are Many Reasons for Arabs' Anti-Americanism," and notes, "The U.S. gives complete support to Israel," and "American's only interest in the region (i.e. the Middle East) is oil," and "the U.S. spreads fears about Iran, which leads to regional countries arming themselves," and finally, "from Sudan to Somalia, from Iraq to Lebanon, the public perception is that these countries' territorial integrity is in danger because of the U.S." July 4th Invitations to Iranian diplomats. Media outlets are widely interested in the AP report yesterday indicating U.S. embassies around the world have been instructed by the Obama Administration to invite Iranian diplomats to their July 4th celebrations. Liberal Radikal reports, "In an effort to reach out to Iran, Obama has instructed embassies to invite Iranian diplomats to July 4th celebrations." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports "A July 4th Invitation to Iran," and notes, "The U.S. is seeking to broaden its relations with Iran." Mainstream Sabah reports straightforwardly, "The U.S. has also invited Iranian diplomats to its July 4th celebrations." Editorial Commentary on Possible Closure Case against the AKP Ismet Demirdogen writes in leftist Taraf (6/3): "Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya, in a new attempt to outlaw the AKP, reportedly examines the Deniz Feneri file sent by German officials ANKARA 00000782 003 OF 003 to Turkey to find evidence for banning the ruling party. The AKP managed to escape an earlier ban for activities against secularism, but now there is speculation that the party will not be able to survive the new assault. CHP leader Deniz Baykal has recently said that over the last ten years, the funds raised by the German-based Islamist Deniz Feneri charity amounted to Euro 900 million. CHP also said the money was used to sponsor the establishment of the AKP. According to Turkish laws, political parties are not allowed to accept funds from foreign countries, international organizations or individuals, and the parties are automatically banned if they do so. The chief prosecutor started to examine the Deniz Feneri file over the weekend, but could not find any evidence against the AKP so far." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - A 38 year old man is arrested for killing eight of his relatives in the southern city of Adana - Conservative parties DP and ANAP push the button for possible merger - Farming Minister Mehdi Eker said Turkey not made any deal with any country or company including Israel to clear mines in the area along the Turkey-Syria border - PM Erdogan signals that the parliament recess might be delayed till the end of July World - The British army claims that they killed an alleged Taliban leader Mullah Mansur in southern Afghanistan - The Commander of US Forces in Iraq General Odierno says US combat forces will vacate all Iraqi cities on schedule by the end of this month - Brazilian Air Force say they found airplane seats and other debris floating in the Atlantic Ocean along the path that the missing Air France jet was flying SILLIMAN