TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000847 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 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009 In Today's Papers AKP Files Judicial Complaint over Alleged Anti-Government Plot All papers and TV Channels: Following his meeting with Chief of General Staff General Basbug, PM Erdogan addressed his party group in the parliament to call on military and civilian judicial authorities to investigate the alleged military plot to overthrow the civilian AKP government, which was brought to light by leftist Taraf last Friday. Erdogan also said, "If the allegations are false and the aim of the allegations is to cause provocation and confrontation between state institutions, it would create a grave situation. If the allegations are true, that would be even more serious." Mainstream Sabah reports that the meeting between Erdogan and Basbug "helped defuse tensions" and Erdogan gave the message that "the state institutions trust each other." Yesterday evening, AKP deputy parliamentary group leader Bekir Bozdag and the party's general secretary Idris Naim Sahin submitted a petition to the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office, requesting a probe into the allegations and legal action against anyone involved. Mainstream Vatan reports that the names of the General Staff or the army were mentioned only in the excerpts from Taraf daily, otherwise these names were not mentioned in the petition. Islamist-oriented and pro-AKP government Zaman says the AKP filed its complaint through the civilian judicial system because "past military investigations have not yielded satisfactory results." In a related story, mainstream pro-government Sabah reports that General Basbug left Ankara yesterday for Macedonia and Albania and he'll be away until Saturday. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of General Staff General Hasan Igsiz will conduct all administrative activities at the TGS Headquarters. Reaction From the Opposition to the Anti-Government Plot Sabah reports main opposition party CHP's leader Deniz Baykal told his party group meeting yesterday, "We all know that the Ergenekon case contains plenty of documents like the current one in question. This is a vital issue. There are three theoretical possibilities - first, TGS ordered such a plan to be prepared, second, some officers in the TGS prepared the document on their own and without informing their commanders, or third, this is a fake document. We want to know as soon as possible which theory out of these three is the truth." Opposition party MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said "If this document is real, it is a major threat to politics. If it is fake, it still creates serious problems. The allegations puts TGS under serious blame. It is necessary for the civilian judiciary to intervene to protect democracy and for the prestige of the Turkish Armed Forces." Editorial Commentaries on the Anti-Government Plot and Iran Erdal Safak wrote in mainstream Sabah: "For a country to become a power, it needs a political and economic stability, as well as a powerful military. If Turkey can't overcome the latest developments, it will face a bigger crisis. Hence, Turkey's aim to become 'a global power' and to protect its 'regional power' status will be in danger." Taha Akyol in mainstream Milliyet: "Democracy and law are becoming superior values in Turkey. And digesting democracy and law is very important for politicians, legal professionals, and the rest of us. What is also important is to reform the military's principals in line with the values of democracy and the rule of law." Mehmet Barlas in mainstream Sabah: "The right thing is to seek the truth, not to argue. Everybody must wait for the result of the investigation into the allegations." UK's The Times: Oil Exports from Northern Iraq Could End The Conflict between Turkey and the PKK Mainstreams Sabah and Milliyet, Islamist-oriented Zaman: Media draw attention to an article in the UK daily The Times which claims that ANKARA 00000847 002 OF 003 "talks are under way between Turkey and the PKK." The paper says that companies including OMV and Sinopec are plotting billion-dollar takeovers of companies that claim titles to Kurdish oil and gas in northern Iraq. And yet these investments are being made despite continued warnings from Baghdad that the Kurdish regional government had no right to issue oil exploration licences without federal approval. The explanation may be that Turkey is offering reassurance that the Kurdish regional government is providing good title to oil from beneath Iraqi soil. Turkey showed its commercial hand last month when Genel Enerji agreed to a #1.5 billion takeover of Heritage Oil, reversing its interests into the London-quoted Heritage. It is unlikely that Turkey's biggest private enterprise would have done so without assurances from Ankara and from the Kurdish politicians in Erbil. Talks are under way between Turkey and the Kurdish separatist PKK, which has been waging an armed rebellion in the east of the country for a quarter of a century. If the talks are successful, it would be the first time in history that oil had ended a conflict. RTUK Chair Zahid Akman's Document is Fake Mainstream Hurriyet gives extensive front page coverage to reports from September 2008 indicating that the Radio and TV Supreme Council (RTUK) chairman Zahid Akman was banned from entering Germany because he was named in the Deniz Feneri charity corruption case. In his own defense, Akman distributed a document to the press saying that such news was not real. However, it was revealed yesterday that Akman's document denying his ban from traveling to Germany was fake. A spokesperson for the Main Taunus district of Germany said that the "document distributed by Akman was not the original document prepared by German authorities." As a result, the prosecutor's office in Frankfurt has launched an investigation into the issue. Election Aftermath in Iran Media feature the instability in Iran as a major front-page story. Coverage is largely focusing on the plight of the Musavi supporters, a government ban on foreign media, and the Guardian Council's refusal to redo the elections. In "In The End, Blood Flowed," mainstream Hurriyet asks, "How could 39.2 million votes be counted so quickly?" Far right Ortadogu carries the front-page headline, "Iran Turns Into A War Zone," and the paper notes, "Ahmadinejad supporters on motorcycles attacked Musavi supporters with clubs." Liberal Radikal notes, "The killings of eight Musavi supporters shocked the opposition, and (demonstrators) again filled the streets." Meanwhile, Radikal says, "Khomeini, the 'mediator,' has called a meeting of the Guardian Council to discuss the recount of some of the votes." The paper also points out, "It's a Riddle How 40 Million Votes Were Counted By Hand in 12 Hours," and "Communications have been cut," and "foreign press was banned," so "they clung to Twitter" for information. Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "women were among those who were protesting in the streets yesterday and throwing stones at the police." Leftist Taraf headlines, "No New Election in Iran," and the paper reports, "The Guardian Council has said they will not redo the elections," and "the Cultural Ministry banned foreign press from watching the demonstrations." Mainstream Milliyet headlines, "Iran Closes Up," and notes, "The Tehran administration sent letters to foreign media telling them they are banned and have no permission to photograph or watch the demonstrations." Columnist Sami Kohen of Milliyet writes in "Anything Is Possible in Iran," that "the public protests show that Iran is in need of reform. The religious and civilian leaders shall not ignore this reality. The decision to recount the votes is a positive step regarding this." Obama's Reactions to Demonstrations in Iran Media note Obama "cannot remain silent" regarding the violence in Iran, but some point out Obama's reactions are not received well by the Iranian parliamentary speaker. Mainstream Hurriyet headlines, "Obama Is Not Comfortable," as he says "It would be a mistake to remain silent regarding the images of violence we've seen in Iran over the past few days," and the paper notes Obama "emphasized that ANKARA 00000847 003 OF 003 an investigation is necessary so no more blood is shed." In "A Call from Obama," far right Ortadogu reports, "Obama indicated that he and all of America are uncomfortable with the violence that has erupted after the elections in Iran and he said it's necessary to find ways to prevent further violence." Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Iran is angry at Obama's response to the elections," as "Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Ali Laricani said "It's not necessary for Americans to be concerned about the elections." Leftist Taraf reports "Laricani didn't delay in answering Obama." Carter on Peace Mission in Gaza Media draw attention to former President Jimmy Carter's visit to Gaza, in particular the focus is on his tour of Gaza and his meetings with Hamas. Liberal Radikal quotes former President Jimmy Carter in the headline, "The Palestinian Public Is Treated Like Animals," and the paper notes, "Carter toured Gaza during a peace mission to the region and he condemned the aftermath of the tragic (Israeli) operations and the embargo." In "Carter Is Moved in Gaza," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet notes, "The former president said it was hard to hold back his tears," as he "toured the areas most affected" by Israel's military operations in December and January." Mainstream Sabah quotes Hamas leader Ismael Haniye in the headline, "We Recognize The 1967 Borders," and the paper notes "Former President Carter went to Gaza for Mid East peace meetings," and Haniye and Carter "agreed to support a Palestinian state." In "Former President Carter Met with Hamas," leftist Taraf reports, "Carter and Haniya held a joint press conference where Carter said "This is holy land for all of us. We are all children of Abraham." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - President Gul signed the controversial mine-clearing bill, passed by parliament, into law. - Eight people were injured in clashes between municipality officials and bus drivers in Diyarbakir. - U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey visits officials in Diyarbakir. World - A Russian news agency says a Turkish military delegation has come to Russia to discuss the possible acquisition of Mi-28 attack helicopters. - Due to a Russian veto, the Security Council fails to extend the presence of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia JEFFREY