Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ANKARA9
2009-01-05 15:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
how-toVZCZCXRO9853 OO RUEHDA DE RUEHAK #0009/01 0051509 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 051509Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8372 RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC//PA RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 9387 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 5179 RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 3487 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 7040 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 6898 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 3479 RUEUITH/DET 1 39LG ANKARA TU RHMFISS/USDOCO 6ATAF IZMIR TU RHMFISS/39OS INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFISS/AFOSI DET 523 IZMIR TU RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU RHMFISS/AFOSI DET 522 INCIRLIK AB TU RUEUITH/AFLO ANKARA TU
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
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