TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

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SUBJECT: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION
THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009

In Today's Papers

MFA Press Briefing Touches on Relations with Armenia, Iran, and
Syria
All media report Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Burak Ozugergin
told a press briefing Wednesday that Turkey and Armenia "were
continuing their negotiations in various levels." Ozugergin noted,
"We are discussing all issues with Armenia, and what is important
are the principles we set in place." Ozugergin said that there was
also an ongoing process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and both
processes were affecting each other. The spokesperson referred to
recent remarks of the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia that they
had reached a compromise that progress was necessary and that the
shuttle democracy should be maintained. Ozugergin said that Turkey
was supporting a solution to the Upper Karabakh dispute through
peaceful means, and a positive course of the process would
contribute to the peace and stability in the Caucasus. The spokesman
also said that Turkey would support any positive development or step
in the Minsk process. "The Settlement of Upper Karabakh problem will
restore stability in the region, and make it sustainable," Ozugergin
said. Also, Ozugergin said that Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu might meet foreign ministers of other countries, including
his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian, in the Greek island of
Corfu during an informal meeting of the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) this weekend. Ozugergin said that
Davutoglu would meet his Greek counterpart on the sidelines of the
meeting. Regarding Iran, Ozugergin expressed Ankara's belief that
Iran was capable of solving its problems. "Iran can keep the means
to seek its rights, and is capable of solving its problems and
discussions." Ozugergin underlined Iran's importance for the region,
and said Turkey was closely monitoring developments in that country.
"We hope this process will contribute to the improvement of
democratic institutions and rules in Iran," Ozugergin said.
Ozugergin said that Turkey believed Iran could satisfactorily end
the political discussions within its territories. The spokesperson
also said Turkey would respect any decision of Iran.

Regarding the Israeli-Syria relations Ozugergin said the
Israeli-Syrian negotiations under mediation could resume upon the
common will of the two countries, "Turkey has conveyed to the two
parties that it is ready (for talks)." Ozugergin also said that
Turkey was in close cooperation with the U.S. administration, and
had told the administration that it would go on mediating when
necessary conditions occurred.

FM Davutoglu: "We Will not Pursue Any Policies Without Azerbaijan's
Participation"
Mainstream Hurriyet reports that Davutoglu for the first time as the
Foreign Minister, attended the Parliament's Foreign Relations
Committee meeting and said that "Turkey will never pursue policies
without taking Azerbaijan into consideration." Davutoglu added
"Some circles show the closure of the Turkey-Armenia border as a
problem, but the border gate was open until 1993. Our active roles
in the Caucasus, Middle East, North Africa, and Center Asia will
continue."

President Gul Travels to China Together With 90 Businessmen
Mainstreams Hurriyet and Sabah report that in an interview prior to
his visit to China, President Gul said "China is a natural partner
and Turkey wants to increase business with China. Turkey and China
are in a good position to overcome new challenges and pursue greater
prosperity through cooperation. The cooperation between Turkey and
China is of importance not only to our two countries, but also to
the international community." Sabah notes that the businessmen
travelling with President Gul will sign business deals and projects
worth $2.9 billion.

In a related story, mainstream Vatan reports that while there are
tensions between the PM and the DTP over scheduling an appointment
for a meeting, the Presidential Palace made a gesture to DTP and
added a representative from the party to the President's visit to

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China. The Deputy Chairman of DTP Selahattin Demirtas was on Gul's
plane to represent the DTP during the presidential visit to China.

Military Prosecutor's Office: "The Anti-Government Plan was not
Prepared at the TGS Headquarters"
All papers: The Turkish military ruled out Wednesday the
prosecution of a senior navy officer Albay Dursun Gigek suspected of
allegedly drafting a plan to destroy the ruling AKP. The Military
Prosecutor's Office said it has confirmed that the alleged document
was not prepared in the General Staff headquarters. The case file
was sent to Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office. The Military
Prosecutor also indicated that there was no need to investigate the
navy colonel. The office sent the file to Istanbul Chief
Prosecutor's Office.

Editorial Commentary on the Military Court Decision
Fikret Bila wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "The Military Prosecutor's
decision invalidates claims of a coup plotting organization within
the Turkish General Staff. At this point, is seems likely that the
document in question is a fake. There will be a civilian judicial
process as well, but at the same time, it is difficult not to
believe this document was deliberately prepared in order to ruin the
army's prestige."

Oktay Eksi wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "The military prosecutor
did the right thing and reached its verdict based on evidence,
instead of suspicion or speculation. There was no concrete proof
that warranted a military investigation, therefore the case was
forwarded to the hands of the civilian judicial authority. This is
very normal."

Ali Bayramoglu wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "The military
court decision is an effort to close the case completely or at least
put it on hold. The investigation started and concluded within the
military ranks. Regardless of this decision, the political
ramifications of this case will continue and will FORCE the military
to change."

Obama Gets Tough Against Iran (Haberturk, Ortadogu, CNN Turk)
Media draw attention to U.S. President Obama's toughened stance
against Iran. Far right Ortadogu, mainstream Haberturk, and
mainstream CNN Turk all carry the same headline, "Obama Gets Tough
Against Iran." Leftist Taraf reports, "Following days of criticism
from Republicans in the U.S.," Obama, "spoke out against the use of
violence against protestors in Tehran." Liberal Radikal notes,
"Obama exploded at charges he was acting too softly toward Iran," as
he emphasized, "What's important is whether the government is seen
as legitimate in the eyes of the Iranian public, not in the eyes of
the U.S." Meanwhile, NTV reports in "Crisis in Iran," that
Ahmadinejad has said, "U.S. President Obama, don't interfere in our
internal affairs."

"Another Blood Bath" in Iraq (Radikal, Yeni Safak)
Media note the bomb attack in Baghdad yesterday came during the days
prior to the beginning of the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Haberturk
headlines, "As U.S. Soldiers Withdraw, Baghdad Gets Rough."
Mainstream Hurriyet reports "Baghdad Is Rocked By A Bomb," and the
paper notes, "U.S. troops will begin their withdrawal from Iraq in a
few days," and yet, "the bomb attacks are increasing." Liberal
Radikal and Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak call the attack "Another
Iraqi Blood Bath." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet calls the attack,
"One of the bloodiest attacks in the Shiite neighborhoods of
Baghdad," and "the bomb set off fires throughout the marketplace."
The paper also reports, "The government of Iraq has declared June
30th a holiday," as "U.S. troops begin the process of their
withdrawal on that day."

Drone Attack on Taliban Funeral Kills 70 (CNN Turk)
Most media report the U.S. drone attack targeted and killed 70
Taliban in Pakistan, while the Islamist media either didn't report
on the story or when they did, omitted the part about the dead being

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Taliban militants. Far right Ortadogu reports "America Kills 70
Taliban with A 'Heron.'" Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet calls the
strike, "An Attack on The Heart of The Taliban." Islamist-oriented
Yeni Safak ignores reports Taliban were the target of the strike and
headlines, "The U.S. Hits Another Funeral: 70 Dead," and the paper
reports, "A U.S. spy plane attacked Pakistan's South Waziristan
region and killed 70 people." In addition, the paper points out,
"Last year the U.S. has launched 43 AIR attacks in the region" and
"killed 400 people." Islamist-oriented Zaman did not report on the
strike at all in its paper or on its website.

U.S. Decides to Send Ambassador to Damascus
Media are positive about the announcement the U.S. will appoint a
new ambassador to Damascus. Mainstream Haberturk reports in, "An
Ambassador from the U.S. to Syria," that "after a four-year break,
the U.S. will send an Ambassador to Syria," and "The U.S. withdrew
its Ambassador in Damascus following the assassination of Lebanese
PM Rafik Hariri." Far right Ortadogu reports, "The appointment is
part of Obama's goal of improving relations with the Middle East and
a sign of Syria's growing role in the region." Leftist-nationalist
Cumhuriyet reports, "It's still not known who will be appointed as
ambassador." Liberal Radikal reports, "Turkey is pleased," about
the appointment as MFA Spokesperson Burak Ozurgergin "welcomed the
decision of the United States to appoint an ambassador to the Syrian
capital of Damascus, and expressed pleasure with further improvement
of relations between Syria and the United States." Mainstream Sabah
comments, "Relations came to a halt after the U.S. said Syria of
supported terror and played a role in (Lebanese PM) Hariri's
assassination, relations are back on track with the appointment of a
new ambassador."

U.S. Armenian Diaspora Pleased with New Appointment of Israeli
Ambassador to the U.S.
Mainstream Hurriyet reports "The new Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.,
Michale B. Oren, refers to the events of 1915 as 'genocide,'" and
the paper adds, "the Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. is pleased," with
the appointment.


TV News (CNN Turk)

Domestic

- After waiting two months for a response to a request for a
meeting with PM Erdogan, the largely pro-Kurdish opposition party
DTP decided to withdraw its request.

- Today PM Erdogan will travel to Albania and Brussels.

- The Parliament approves a bill for the restructuring of credit
card debts.


World

- British Foreign Secretary Milliband cancels his trip to Cyprus as
the Greek Cypriots voice objections to Milliband's plans to visit
TRNC President Talat in his office.

- While Iran continues to boil, President Abdullah Gul stresses that
stability in Iran is very important for Turkey.

- A bomb exploded in a market in Sadr city of Baghdad killing 72
people injuring 150 others.

SILLIMAN