TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000176 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 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2010 Media Highlights US Embassy Ankara - Turkey Media Reaction - February 3, as prepared by the Public Affairs Information Office How the US is Playing US Ambassador: "Turkey Does Not Distance Itself From the West" Mainstream Sabah dedicates its front page lead story, as well as a two page spread inside, to a comprehensive interview with US Ambassador James Jeffrey by Sabah columnist Nur Batur. In "Turkey is Not Breaking from the West," Jeffrey stresses that Turkey is an integral part of the Western alliance. He adds that Turkish ties with the Arab world should not be viewed as an alternative as "the majority of the Arab countries are allies of the West." Ambassador Jeffrey describes PM Erdogan as a "smart politician," and adds that TGS General Basbug was committed to democracy. He observed that the need for army supervision in foreign politics has declined. General Odierno: Arrives in Ankara for Talks All media report General Ray Odierno arrived Feb 2 for a three-party meeting with Turkish and Iraqi officials and will also hold talks with TGS General Basbug, Interior Minister Atalay and FM Davutoglu. In a message released upon his arrival that was widely replayed in all major Turkish media, Odierno condemned PKK activities, emphasizing that Turkey is a strong ally of the US. He said that the US was supporting Turkey in fighting terror and protecting Turkish citizens. Several media play up the Turkish slang term "cuvalci" or "sackman;" mainstream Sabah headlines "Hood Incident General in Ankara" and mainstream Haberturk observes that "the general, who once placed bags on the heads of detained Turkish special forces, now denounces PKK activities." According to Cumhuriyet, Odierno's Ankara talks will focus on developments related to the closure of Makhmur refugee camp in Northern Iraq. Aksam adds that the liquidation of PKK also will be taken up in discussions. Hurriyet Daily News notes that Gen. Odierno said in his written statement that "in 2008 the three countries, Turkey, US, and Iraq, set up a three-way committee to enact measures against the PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and much of the international community. Within this trilateral framework, the United States is working with the government of Turkey and the government of Iraq ... to ensure cross-border 
security and an end to PKK terrorism." US Defense Secretary Comes to Turkey Cumhuriyet reports that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrives in Turkey this week to join informal NATO meetings in Istanbul before heading to Ankara for bilateral talks on regional and global issues including Afghanistan, the exit of US troops from Iraq and Iran's nuclear program. Aksam says that in Ankara Gates is expected to hold meetings with Defense Minister Vecdi Gn|l and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and will discuss the liquidation of PKK and the evacuation of refugees from Makhmur camp in Northern Iraq. US to Turkey-Armenia: Ratify the Protocols (NTVMSNBC online) Several papers and dailies' web pages report that Assistant Secretary Philip Gordon, who gathered with reporters at Foreign Press Center in Washington, called on Turkey and Armenia to ratify the "normalization protocols" and continue the process independent of other issues. Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports Gordon also said the missile defense system would be set up in the northern and southern parts of Europe in a way that will cover all NATO allies. Gordon added talks with different countries continued as to where the system will be deployed. In "US Fails to Hit Iranian Missile," mainstream Hurriyet says, it was the first time that the US had tested its air defense against a simulated attack from Iran and the attempt to shoot down a ballistic missile mimicking an attack from Iran failed because of radar problems. The Missile Defense Agency said that a missile was fired from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and an anti-aircraft missile ANKARA 00000176 002 OF 004 from Vandenberg Air Force base in California. The missile represented "the type of technology Iran might have." Obama Passes Bush with Defense-Oriented Budget (Yeni Safak) Media outlets report President Obama has asked for a record defense spending budget for the 2011 fiscal year including USD 159 billion for the "missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet headlined "Obama Opens the Wallet" and "Plenty of Money for War." A First from Obama: Press Conference on YouTube (Hurriyet online) Mainstreams Hurriyet and Milliyet report Barack Obama became the first US President to hold a press conference on YouTube when he answered questions submitted via a YouTube moderator. American May Day Convict (NTVMSNBC online) Media outlets report one American and three Turkish citizens have been indicted on charges of property damage and resisting arrest for their actions during the May 1 demonstrations in Istanbul, with the prosecutors requesting up to 55 years of imprisonment for all. An arrest warrant had been issued for the American national Christopher ¶W. S., a student at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, who is in the US, says NTVMSNBC online. In the Headlines First Consultation Following Protocol Crisis With Armenia (Hurriyet) Mainstream Hurriyet reports that Ankara is initiating a diplomatic attack after the Armenian Constitutional Court decision regarding the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia. Foreign Ministry Counselor Feridun Sinirlioglu will travel to Switzerland tomorrow to explain the contradictions between the protocols and the Armenian court decision to his Swiss counterpart. He'll also stress that if Yerevan doesn't give guarantees that they will abide by the protocols, then it will become impossible for Turkey to pursue this process. It was learned that Turkey is planning to meet with the Minsk Group as well, after the meetings with the officials in Switzerland. Israeli Press Claim Ambassador Celikkol is Leaving Israel (Hurriyet) Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth claimed that the Turkish Ambassador to Tel-Aviv wants to leave his post following the recent crisis between Turkey and Israel. Gelikkol was the subject of much attention after being treated with deliberate disrespect by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon. Even though Ankara denies the allegations, the paper cited a telegram sent by the Israel Embassy in Ankara to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, as a source. Moreover, a senior official at the foreign ministry confirmed Tuesday that Gelikkol put in a request with the Turkish Foreign Ministry to leave his current post. Jerusalem believes that the ambassador's reasons for leaving are personal. The same paper also reported that sources at the Israeli foreign Ministry predicted that Gelikkol would assume a post as ambassador in one of the European countries. Public Servants, Workers to Go on General Strike Media outlets report that on Thursday around two million public servants and workers are expected to go on a nationwide strike in support of the "Tekel" workers on a hunger strike to protest the reluctance of the government to compromise. Prime Minister Erdogan said the protests have turned into a campaign against the government. Erdogan warned the workers to end their illegal protests by the end of the month, or the government would take legal action. Op-Eds on London Conference, Iranian FM in Turkey, UNSYG in Cyprus London Conference. In pro-government/mainstream Sabah, Bulent Aras expresses contentment about the outcome of the London conference which he sees as a demonstration of Turkey's growing influence: "The London summit marked the end of a solely military approach, ANKARA 00000176 003 OF 004 which was a dominating approach during Bush era. The Obama administration's priority on Afghanistan problem includes flexibility and rationality. Turkey showed a strong political determination and influence both on the eve of and during the conference. There is a need for domestic reconciliation in Afghanistan and given its influence as well as its close dialogue with everybody, Turkey can achieve this goal." Iranian FM in Turkey. Yilmaz Oztuna of conservative and pro-government Turkiye daily sees a timely reason for the Iranian FM's visit: "The Us continues to provide high-tech weapons to the Gulf monarchies which Tehran considers a major potential threat against itself. Muttaki most likely came to express these concerns. Ankara continues to advocate solutions through diplomacy and peaceful methods. If we gave this advice to Muttaki, we will certainly do the same to the US. However Iran and the US do not seem to be giving up on 'accusing each other' diplomacy." UNSG in Cyprus. Columnist Sami Kohen of mainstream Milliyet considers the visit of the UN Secretary General a positive step for a solution for Cyprus: "Ban Ki-Mon was careful and sensitive enough to treat both sides equally and understand both sides. His positive attitude provided ground for a good potential to move forward toward a comprehensive solution in the island. At least this is the case as far as Turkish Cypriots are concerned." Turkey Will Open Its Arms to 700 Haitian Children (Hurriyet, NTV) Mainstream Hurriyet and all-news broadcaster NTV report that with the intermediation of Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA),and the approval of the State Ministry for Women and Family, Turkey has decided to take care of 700 Haitian children orphaned in a recent devastating earthquake. The children will be settled in "warm" cities such as Antalya and will be educated in English. Turkey Becomes Refuge for Fleeing Iranians (Hurriyet online) Mainstream Hurriyet's website reports Iranians fleeing the Tehran government's crackdown on its opponents are increasingly seeking refuge in Turkey, in an article citing the Sofia Echo Website. "Analysts say the growing number of Iranians seeking refuge in Turkey is an embarrassment to Turkish leaders who have been courting the Iranian leadership. But, analysts point out there are other pressures, including the fact that Ankara wants closer ties and eventual membership in the European Union which will be watching Turkey's treatment of Iranians who flee repression at home," reports Hurriyet. TV Spotlight (CNN Turk) Turkish Parliament extended Tuesday a mandate for another year for the naval forces to take part in an international effort to fight-off piracy in the Gulf of Aden. A human rights delegation from the Council of Europe visited the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan on Imrali prison island to examine the conditions of his detention. Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, in Ankara on an official visit, met Tuesday President Gul. President Gul will host Wednesday a luncheon for university rectors and the members of the Higher Education Board (YOK). Sakir Ercan Gul is named the head of TMSF state banking fund after the end of the mandate of his predecessor Ahmet Erturk. Prime Minister Erdogan will receive Wednesday a delegation of the representatives of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. According to a new government arrangement, shopping malls will be opened on Sunday, but will have to close two hours earlier. ANKARA 00000176 004 OF 004 The Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeated its protest of US arms sales to Taiwan, saying it "seriously damages China's core interests, as well as China-US relations." President Obama will meet the Dalai Lama, despite warnings from China. Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi says Israel's future belongs in the European Union. JEFFREY