TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000903 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 FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009 In Today's Papers The Subject of Terrorism Was on The Table During DTP's Dinner for EU Diplomats Islamist-oriented Zaman, leftist Taraf, and mainstream Sabah report that, following PM Erdogan's recent dinner with EU ambassadors, the largely pro-Kurdish opposition party DTP hosted the EU ambassadors for dinner on Wednesday night. Zaman says the EU ambassadors emphasized they "could not help the DTP unless the party takes steps to distance themselves from the PKK." In addition, Sabah notes, the EU ambassadors "reminded (DTP Chairman) Ahmet Turk that the PKK has been declared a terrorist organization." Meanwhile, Turk emphasized during his speech that "The government keeps silent when the army speaks," which he said "means the Kurdish issue cannot be solved under these circumstances." Taraf notes Turk pointed out, "Millions of people are crying 'Long live the PKK and Ocalan,'" and he noted, "The PKK is a reality." Zaman reports Turk "dismissed calls for disarmament" of the PKK by saying, "The people in the mountains ask whether they will be sent to jail after they lay down their weapons. There are 17,000 unresolved murders. If the people are expected to forgive these murders, the state also needs to outline a project for dealing with the issue." Nevertheless, Turk also emphasized his support for Turkey's territorial integrity when he said, "I am a Kurd, but I want to live here in a democratic environment, not in an independent Kurdistan in Iraq." Finally, DTP Deputy and Vice Chair Emine Ayna spoke out to say the DTP "condemns terror" and she pointed out, "there is a difference between the PKK and terror." Retired General Cevik Bir Testifies Under Ergenekon Investigation All papers: Today's papers widely cover that former deputy chief of staff retired General Cevik Bir, who played a major role in February 28 process and a former high-level intelligence officer of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Nuri Gundes testified to Zekeriya Oz concerning the Ergenekon investigation in Istanbul. Mainstream Hurriyet notes that both General Bir and Gundes were summoned to the prosecutor's office as suspects for planning an assassination against PM Erdogan. PM Erdogan: "We are Determined" Mainstream Sabah reports that PM Erdogan made some statements in regard to the decision of the military prosecutor's office which said that the action plan to fight reactionary movement was not prepared at the General Staff headquarters. Replying to questions on the matter prior to his departure for Albania Erdogan said the prosecutor's office, the government and the Turkish Armed Forces "will do what is necessary." Erdogan said "We are determined to find the origin of this plan. There is a need to investigate whether there was such an effort or not in the Armed Forces." Editorial Commentary on Military-Civilian Relations and The Coup-Plotting Debate Ali Bayramoglu wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "The essence of this debate is the improvement of our democracy. It is a process and it has to continue regardless of consequences." Mustafa Unal wrote in Islamist oriented Zaman: "When military court decided to send the case to civilian authority it was more out of self-defense than anything else. Let's hope that General Basbug clears the fog when he meets with press today." Yasemin Congar wrote in leftist Taraf: "PM Erdogan's recent approach to the document debate indicated that he believes in the existence of a coup-plotter group within the army, excluding Chief of General Staff Basbug. Therefore, when General Basbug meets with press, he better address this concern and persuade public opinion about the steps he is going to take in order to eliminate such groups from the army." Nazli Ilicak wrote in mainstream Sabah: "The coup-plotter document is in the hands of civilian judiciary. The prosecutors of the ANKARA 00000903 002 OF 002 Ergenekon case should immediately take up this case in their portfolio." Former Coup General Defies Trial Prospects Mainstream Hurriyet reports that Kenan Evren, leader of the military junta of a 1980 coup in Turkey and a former president, has strongly reacted to prospects of facing trial for taking over. He said "go to a referendum and ask the people. If they want me to be tried, then I promise, I will take my life with my own hands without waiting for a court decision." The main opposition party CHP has proposed recently to amend an article of the Turkish Constitution which prevented the members of 1980 military junta from prosecution. Editorial Commentary on Removal of Article 15 Mehmet Y. Yilmaz wrote in mainstream Hurriyet: "Efforts to remove article 15 from the constitution demonstrates insincerity for both the ruling party and the opposition. Even though it is presented as paving the way for bringing military coup leaders before the judiciary, the ruling AKP is enjoying this until the bitter end, when the foundation and the structure shaped by the military leaders is completely finished. And the opposition CHP has done nothing to abolish the overall military character of the constitution. Turkey needs a brand new constitution and such individual changes will not take us anywhere." TV News (CNN Turk) Domestic - The mandate of Koksal Toptan as Parliament Speaker expires in August. On August 4 the parliament will hold a meeting to elect a new speaker. - Chief of General Staff General Cevik Bir will hold a press conference at 11 today. - Deputy PM Ali Babacan says bargaining with the IMF continues. World - Israeli PM Netanyahu meets French PM and FM to discuss ME peace process. - Krgyzistan's Parliament ratified an agreement on Thursday to allow the United States to maintain operations at the Manas Air Base. - Iranian President Ahmedinejad calls on Obama not to interfere in Iran's internal affairs after the US president said he was appalled and outraged by post election violence in the Islamic state. SILLIMAN