ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000009 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 SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2009 In Today's Papers Economic Crisis Affects 190,000 Workers in Turkey Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports a survey commissioned by Allied Metal Workers' Union says some employers see the global economic crisis as "an opportunity to layoff workers." The survey shows total employment was reduced by 44,000 jobs in October 2008, including the job losses in the construction sector. The metal and ready-wear sectors were affected most by the crisis. In October, 9,000 registered workers lost their jobs in Istanbul, 7,000 in Izmir, 6,000 in Bursa, and 2,000 in Aydin and Kocaeli, according to the survey. "Savagery" (Sabah) Media outlets unanimously criticize Israel's ground invasion into Gaza with sensational headlines. Particular attention is paid to the "baby-killing" aspect of the story, as TVs and papers use sensational headlines and photos of Palestinian children who were either injured or killed during the operations. Leftist Taraf carries the headline, "Israel Goes Completely Mad over Its Fear of Obama," as "Israel launches ground operations into Gaza during the few remaining days of the Bush administration, its ally." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak carries the headline, "Divide and Destroy," as "Cluster bombs are used and the world just sits back and watches," but "Turkey Curses This Barbarism." Mainstream Vatan uses the headline, "Humanitarian Drama," as "Once again, the U.S. supports Israel at the U.N.," while "Israel hits everything, including ambulances." Islamist-oriented Zaman reports, "Gaza Weeps Blood," and reports, "Norwegian doctors have found uranium in some of the bodies of the dead (from depleted-uranium ordinance)." Liberal Radikal reports, "Israeli Tanks Move into the Belly of Gaza." Mainstream Milliyet reports, "Death Rains on Civilians in Gaza." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports, "Israel Burns Gaza," as "Turkey's role as a mediator is proposed by some in the Western press, including David Ignatius of the Washington Post." Columnists predict Israel will pay for its actions in Gaza for a long time to come. Ferai Tinc wrote in mainstream Hurriyet, "Israel wants to take Gaza completely out of Hamas' control. In the end however, the Israeli operations will legitimize Hamas even more than ever before." Ergin Yildizoglu wrote in leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet, "Israel hopes to get rid of Hamas before Bush leaves office, but the current Israeli attack is providing more fuel to radicalism especially in Iran, Syria and Palestine." Tamer Korkmaz wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "Israel, which attacks mosques and kills children, is a terrorist state and its sponsor is the United States." Ceyda Karan wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal, "Even if Israel defeats Hamas, this will not help Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas get politically stronger. Future steps toward peace will always be overshadowed by Israeli's actions, which will provide an advantage to Hamas regardless of the situation." Omer Taspinar wrote in mainstream Sabah: "Obama will continue to support Israel, but unlike the Bush administration, he is expected to make diplomatic inroads toward the main Israel-rejecting bloc, namely Iran and Syria." "Noteworthy Donations" Ordu MHP Deputy Ridvan Yalcin made a formal request to the government about the financing of several Turkish foundations. In response, the Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister in charge of foundations, Hayati Yazici, presented a list of 39 foundations and donations to them from foreign sources including the EU, the U.S. and Japan. Mainstream Milliyet reports that often, foreign actors are thought to use their financial support to manipulate in the domestic agendas of certain countries through financial support. In addition, Milliyet notes that 39 private non-profit foundations in Turkey receive upwards of $40 million aid from foreign charity organizations and foreign government institutes. Milliyet notes ANKARA 00000009 002 OF 002 that the U.S. Embassy in Ankara gave $129,000 to the Ensar Foundation, which is known for its Islamist religious activities and $175,000 to the Open Society Institute (TESEV),which was formed by George Soros. The U.S. Embassy also donated $12,280 to International Blue Crescent Humanitarian Aid and Development Foundation. TV News: CNN Turk Domestic News - On Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem will visit Ankara to discuss Israel's assault on Gaza with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan as well as President Gul and PM Erdogan. - An IMF delegation will visit Turkey in January to hold talks for a new stand-by deal. - On Monday, the Turkish Parliament will discuss the Kyoto Protocol. International News - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdraws as President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for commerce secretary. - The oldest Soviet spy Anatoly Gurevich has died in St. Petersburg at the age of 95. JEFFREY