TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000191 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 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010 Media Highlights US Embassy Ankara - Turkey Media Reaction - February 4, as prepared by the Public Affairs Information Office How the US is Playing Police Arrest Six after Shots Fired at US Adana Consulate (Hurriyet) Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet, mainstream Hurriyet online and several television channels report police arrested six suspects Wednesday, believed to be members of al-Qaeda, over shots fired at the US Consulate in the city of Adana "with long range weapons" on Monday evening. Police found documents belonging to al-Qaeda in the suspects' homes, says Hurriyet. General Odierno's Visit In "Reminding General Odierno of Concrete Action," mainstream Hurriyet reported that Interior Minister Besir Atalay during the meeting with the General, reminded the US to take concrete actions for the elimination of the PKK presence in Iraq and extradition of PKK leaders to Turkey. The paper adds that during the meeting at the Interior Ministry, Odierno was briefed about Turkey's preparations for the evacuation of the Makhmour Camp. Mainstreams Milliyet, Vatan and Aksam in similar headlines referred to the General as sack "Sack Commander". Aksam notes that after meeting the Turkish officials to discuss the evacuation of Makhmour camp, elimination of PKK activities in Northern Iraq, the situation of US Forces in Northern Iraq and future deployment plans, Odierno left Ankara in the evening for Iraq. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak headlines "Makhmour Activity of US Commander" and after referring to the General as the architect of the "sack crisis," reports that Odierno met with the Turkish officials to discuss Makhmour Camp. While the other papers do not mention it, leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports that General Odierno met with FM Davutoglu in the evening hours. Fikret Ertan in Islamist/pro-government Zaman characterized General Odierno as an "iron fist" and focused on his personal profile: "Turkey has to know this strong man in Iraq very well, as he is not only in charge of ending the PKK activity in Iraq, but he is also fully responsible for the US withdrawal. When a similar meeting was organized two years ago to discuss methods for eliminating PKK presence in Iraq, Turkish officials did not express contentment, and it remains to be seen what concrete results will come out this time." Ambassador Jeffrey: "The Coup Syndrome, Like Turkey, Has Changed" (Sabah) Mainstream Sabah under the headline above, published the second part of columnist Nur Batur's extensive interview with Ambassador Jeffrey. Responding to a question regarding Turkish military's role in the politics and the coup syndrome in Turkey, Ambassador Jeffrey said "Turkey is a very stable country now. The need for the military to follow internal issues strongly has decreased. General Basbug is a democratic leader." Responding to a question on whether anti-Americanism has increased in Turkey, Ambassador said "I don't really think so. Turkish media's attitude towards us is much better than that of many other allies. In general, I cannot say that there is anti-Americanism in Turkey. Turks are usually skeptical about the big and powerful partners which they have close defense ties with. Because this means mutual dependency. We are very close and dependent on Turkey. Likewise, Turkey is dependent on the US. That is why we are getting lots of criticism. Because, we have a lot of mutual expectations." Regarding the religious leader Fethullah Gulen's 'Green Card' issue, the Ambassador said "Gulen did not receive his green card by the government's decision but by US Court decision. He was not protected by the US government. When the US government rejected his request for a green card, he, personally, went to a US court and got his green card with the court decision." ANKARA 00000191 002 OF 003 "Holbrooke Praises Turkey's Unique Role in ISAF" (Hurriyet online) Mainstream Hurriyet online highlights US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke's Foreign Press Center event and his remarks about Turkey's role in ISAF: "I cannot think of any country other than Turkey who plays an important role in ISAF regarding operations in this country. Turkey is certainly one of the countries with legitimate security and strategic interests in Afghanistan." Yildiz Hosts American, Iranian Guests (Sabah); US Wants to Build Nuclear Plant in Sinop (CNN Turk online) Mainstream Sabah says that on Wednesday, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz conducted "energy diplomacy" by meeting first with Ambassador Jeffrey and then visiting Iranian FM Manuchehr Muttaki. During his meeting with Yildiz, Ambassador Jeffrey reportedly said the US was interested in building a nuclear plant in Sinop, and added the US government would encourage American companies to participate if Turkey announces a contract. Following the meeting, Jeffrey told reporters the US was not "warm" to Turkey's energy cooperation with Iran "as long as the problems stemming from Iran's nuclear program continue." In response to a question, Jeffrey said "Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq" could be the "suppliers" for the Nabucco project. Iranian FM Muttaki held a meeting with Foreign Minister Davutoglu to discuss Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan as well as the latest regarding Tehran's nuclear program following his meetings with Energy Minister Yildiz. At a joint press briefing with the Iranian FM, Davutoglu said Turkey defended Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear technology, but reiterated Turkey's opposition to nuclear weapons in its region. Liberal Radikal notes Muttaki came to Turkey when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved a formula for sending 3.5 percent enriched Iranian uranium abroad in return for research reactor fuel rods. Diplomatic sources said a Turkish delegation would go to Tehran soon to discuss storing Iranian uranium in Turkey, says Radikal. US Sends Its Izmir-Experienced Diplomat to Damascus (Hurriyet) Mainstream Hurriyet reports Robert Ford will soon be the US Ambassador to Syria and reminds its readers that Ambassador Ford began his career in Turkey, served in Izmir in 1985 and speaks both Arabic and Turkish. Damascus is expected to give its consent to his appointment, the report adds. Al-Qaeda Makes CIA Chief Lose Sleep (Milliyet) Mainstream Milliyet and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet report that "US intelligence chiefs" said they believe it was inevitable that al-Qaeda will attempt an attack on the US over the next three to six months. Papers report that the CIA and FBI chiefs as well as the US National Intelligence Director and other intelligence officials responded to Senators' questions in a hearing held at the US Senate Intelligence Committee. In the Headlines Iran For the First Time Welcomes Nuclear Deal (Radikal) Liberal Radikal highlights recent developments on Iran: "Iranian President Ahmadinejad says Iran's enriched uranium could be processed outside the country, a deal Iran once rejected. The US and Western countries are wary of the offer." In "Both Compromise and Threat from Iran," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet emphasizes that "Iran has declared its openness to accepting an enriched-uranium deal but also its readiness to act alone if the promises are not kept." Mainstream Aksam reports there is a "Green Light to Uranium Exchange." Meanwhile, mainstream Hurriyet notes "Turkey Becomes a Strong Option for Iran's Uranium Delivery" and says "it was noteworthy that the Iranian President's statement on the nuclear deal was on the agenda of Iranian FM Mottaki's meeting with Turkish FM Davutoglu. Turkish media have fun with the news that Iran sent up its first rocket with animals on board, underlining the fact that ANKARA 00000191 003 OF 003 the fate of the animals is unclear." Hurriyet headlines "Iran Fires A Turtle into Space," while mainstream Sabah calls it "Rats and Worms into Space." MFA: Ambassador Celikkol Will Remain in Tel Aviv (Cumhuriyet) Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) Spokesman Burak Ozugergin told reporters yesterday that Turkey's Ambassador in Israel, Oguz Celikkol, would remain in Tel Aviv, and that the Ambassador did not request appointment elsewhere. Iraq Gives Ankara 8 Diplomatic Notes in 4 Months (Sabah) Mainstream Sabah notes the intensity of diplomatic note exchange between Iraq and Turkey due to Baghdad's discomfort and complaints about the "Turkish military's artillery shots and air raids in Iraq border areas." Quoting Bayazid Hasan, a member of Iraqi Parliament, the story says that "In a statement he released, Hasan said Iraq gave 8 notes to Turkey in the January 12, 2009 to May 4, 2009 period because there were 57 border violations by Turkish military in the Kurdistan region." TV Spotlight (CNN Turk) On Thursday, two million public servants and workers will go on general strike countrywide. The Civil Servants' Trade Union, Memur-Sen, has announced they will not participate in the countrywide strike. The parliament will debate Thursday a draft for the establishment of Public Order and Security Undersecretariat. Turkey-Eurasia Business Council meeting will be held in Ankara on Thursday with the participation of Foreign Minister Davutoglu, Energy Minister Yildiz and State Minister Caglayan. President Gul will visit India and Bangladesh from February 7-13. Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) Spokesman Burak Ozugergin said Turkey wanted the EU to exempt Turkish nationals from visa requirements, not to just facilitate visa procedures. Outgoing European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen has sent warm messages to Turkey, saying that the EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU. Bulgarian Parliament has ratified the intergovernmental agreement on the Nabucco Project, which was signed in Istanbul last year. Israel has launched air strikes on southern Gaza. Haitian PM Bellerive said "more than 200,000" people died in the catastrophic January 12 earthquake. Iranian opposition leader Karroubi called for peaceful demonstrations in Iran on the 31st anniversary of the Islamist revolution. A White House spokesman said Iran's launch of a rocket capable of carrying a satellite was a "provocative act." US General Petraeus said a military strike on Iran could have the unintended consequence of stirring nationalist sentiment to the benefit of Tehran's hard-line government. JEFFREY