TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000835 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 TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009 In Today's Papers Alleged Military Plan to Combat Religious Reaction Triggers Heated Debates All papers: Today's papers give extensive front-page coverage to reactions to a controversial document which leftist Taraf said on Friday indicated a military plot to overthrow the civilian government. The April 2009 plan was allegedly prepared by Naval Colonel Dursun Cicek and the plan indicated unease in the military ranks due to the Ergenekon investigation. After the document was revealed by Taraf, the military prosecutor said that the document "was not prepared by the General Staff" and the military announced that it would "not harbor any conspirators." Mainstream Milliyet reports that Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek commented on the case when he said, "The government will turn to the Public Prosecutor's office and take all necessary actions to enlighten the details of the issue." Mainstream Vatan notes that yesterday the military prosecutor and the General Staff issued statements in connection with the document. The military prosecutor said "following the publication of reports about the document in Taraf daily last Friday, the General Staff immediately initiated an investigation in connection with the allegations. So far there is no evidence to indicate that the document was prepared by the General Staff." The prosecutor added that the final decision will be made when he acquires the document and completes an investigation. Following the statement of the prosecutor, the General Staff posted a statement on its web site saying, "The Turkish Armed Forces is committed to the rule of law and the principles of the state and has not one single reservation on these. Moreover, the legal process implemented so far by the independent Military Judiciary is also apparent. The Turkish Armed Forces cannot harbor any personnel who take on attitudes and views that do not correspond with the principles of democracy and rule of law. The Military Prosecution has not been able to reach any conclusion that the alleged document was prepared in any unit of the General Staff. The Military Prosecution will be able to reach a final conclusion as to whether the document is real or counterfeit. The Turkish Armed Forces will follow up this issue closely until the end." Today's papers report that the weekly meeting between the Prime Minister and the Chief of General Staff was move up from Thursday to today. TV Channels report at this hour that PM Erdogan and General Basbug met at the Prime Ministry at 10 am and the meeting still continues. General Basbug Answers Questions About Controversial Document Mainstream Hurriyet interviewed General Basbug regarding a controversial document which leftist Taraf said on Friday indicated a military plot to overthrow the civilian government. When Hurriyet asked Basbug if he gave the order for the plot, Basbug called the question "insulting." According to Basbug, Col. Dursun Cicek, who is accused of drafting the plan against the AKP government, denied he had any role in the document and noted the signature at the end of the document was not his. Basbug added that the army examined all of its computers onsite at TGS, but could not find any evidence of the document. In response to a question about vague expressions in the army statement issued yesterday, Basbug said "If it becomes clear that the document is authentic, the army will act with utmost sensitivity and will undertake all necessary steps." When asked what the military will do if the document is authentic, Basbug replied, "Then everyone will see what we will do." Editorial Commentary on the Alleged Military Coup Plot Document Mehmet Y. Yilmaz wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "I wish there were a way to take all of this seriously. The way this alleged coup plan was designed looks as if it was drafted by a group of college kids. It seems there will be lots of talk and time wasted in the days ahead." Ertugrul Ozkok wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "A speedy investigation process is needed so that we can clearly see if this was a plot against the civilian authority or a plot against the military and ANKARA 00000835 002 OF 003 its prestige." Fikret Bila wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "The statement from TGS is clear enough to eliminate clouds of doubt. The military is demonstrating it takes the issue seriously by starting an immediate investigation. It is also very important that the military expresses readiness for any legal action in this regard as well. Meanwhile, the civilian authority should be very careful not to present this case as a proven fact before the legal process is concluded." Fehmi Koru wrote in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak: "The military's statement was not satisfactory and convincing at all. The only concrete thing was the denial that the document was prepared at TGS headquarters. We need more than that because the military's image is weakening day by day. Ali Bayramoglu wrote in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak: "Even after all of the statements yesterday, the military still owes an explanation regarding why it has become a coup-plotter institution. It will be interesting to see the developments in the months ahead. The government should even think of firing General Basbug if necessary." Credit Card Debts to be Paid in Installments All papers: Mainstreams Hurriyet, Milliyet and Vatan report that State Minister for Economy and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan announced yesterday that the government has prepared a new repayment plan for credit card debtors who fail to meet their financial obligations and who are pursued by the banks. Under this plan, a credit card debtor will be able to pay his /her debt in installments up to 36 months with low interest rate. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet notes that 1.3 million citizens who are in default as of May 31st , 2009 will benefit from the plan. U.S. Ambassador Goes to Diyarbakir Mainstream Vatan reports that U.S. Ambassador James Jeffrey will visit Diyarbakir tomorrow, marking his first visit to Southeast as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. Following his meetings with Diyarbakir Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu and Mayor Osman Baydemir, Ambassador Jeffrey will have lunch with the head of Southeastern Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (GUNSIAD),the head of Diyarbakir Chamber of Trade and Industry and the head of Diyarbakir Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (DISIAD). Following his meetings with Diyarbakir Bar of Lawyers and Human Rights Association, in the evening Amb.Jeffrey will join a reception organized by GUNSIAD. At the reception Jeffrey is expected to address the guests in Turkish. The observer says that Jeffrey has played key role in shaping Washington's policies regarding Turkey, Iraq and the Kurdish issue. Therefore, his contacts in Diyarbakir will have an impact on American foreign policy. Blood Is Spilled in Iran, but The Reformists Are Not Intimidated (Radikal) Media are closely following the demonstrations after disputes over the election results in Iran. Some media are covering the story from the angle that yesterday's protests are reminiscent of the civil upheaval during the 1979 revolution. Mainstream Vatan reports in "Rebellion," that "Two million Iranians filled Independence Square when the Shah was overthrown," and "Yesterday two million supporters for the reformist candidate Musavi filled the same squared and chanted "Death To The Dictator." Islamist-oriented Zaman headlines, "Blood Stains Election Protests in Iran," as "Supporters of Musavi filled the streets despite a ban on demonstrations and the country's spiritual leader Khomeini's call for calm." Mainstream Sabah headlines on its front page, "Hundreds of Thousands of Faces Fill the Streets of Iran," and notes, "1.5 million people turned out to protest the election results in Freedom Square." CNN Turk reports in, "Did Ahmadinejad Not Win The Election in Iran?" that ,"Leaked election results show Musavi won ANKARA 00000835 003 OF 003 with a total of 19.1 million votes, which is three times the amount of votes won by Ahmadinejad." Liberal Radikal notes there is no end in sight for the demonstrations as "A call has been made for a general strike today." Netanyahu Can't Please Anyone (Taraf) Media are skeptical of Netanyahu's conditional acceptance of a Palestinian state. Liberal Radikal headlines, "Bibi Angers Both the Arabs and the Israeli Right." Islamist-oriented Zaman headlines, "Only a Flag And a National Anthem," and notes, "Netanyahu answered U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts for a two-state solution by placing conditions on the creation of a Palestinian state - only in a flag and a national anthem." Zaman posits that, "this appears to be an advancement in Netanyahu's acceptance of a Palestinian state, but it highlights the tensions in the peace process." In "Netanyahu Is Playing With The Media," mainstream Sabah writes, "Netanyahu gave a 'conditional yes' to a Palestinian state during his speech on Sunday and outlined preconditions including a non-militarized Palestinian state and the Palestinians' official recognition of Israel as a Jewish state." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet headlines, "Netanyahu's Palestinian State," and reports, "the Israeli Prime Minister's speech is being criticized in Arab capitals, but met with positive responses from the U.S. and Europe," and "Jewish settlers are put at ease by the speech." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak notes, "the Palestinian side is stirred up by Netanyahu's promise to recognize a 'non-militarized' Palestinian state." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - The MHP administration rejects demands for holding an extraordinary party convention. - The relative of a martyred soldier is taken into custody while attempting to make a press statement in front of the Prime Ministry. - The two-month Parliamentary recess begins on July 1. - Turkish Security Forces carry out operations against PKK terrorists in northern Iraq. World - Moldova's President Vladimir Voronin dissolves the parliament and calls fresh elections. JEFFREY