TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ANKARA 000222 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 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010 Media Highlights US Embassy Ankara - Turkey Media Reaction - February 10, 2010 as prepared by the Public Affairs Information Office How the US is Playing Ambassador Jeffrey Visits Tarsus (Hurriyet online) Mainstreams Aksam, Haberturk and Hurriyet online report Ambassador Jeffrey, accompanied by his wife Gudrun, paid a visit to the Tarsus American High School in south Turkey. Aksam and Hurriyet say Ambassador Jeffrey did not comment on internal developments such as military coup allegations and the 'Ergenekon' investigation. On the developments in the Middle East, Jeffrey said, "Turkey will play an important role not only in the Middle East, but in the areas from the Balkans to Asia, from Asia to Africa, especially in the Middle East and India. Because Turkey is the most successful and the leading country in this vast region. It is a member of NATO, and has become a temporary member of the UN Security Council. Turkey is big, and plays a useful role for us; it will continue playing this role in the future." On Israel: Hurriyet quotes Jeffrey as saying, "I want the problems Turkey has with Israel resolved. Diplomats are doing whatever is necessary for the resolution of tensions. There can be a problem between Turkey and Israel every week, what matters is being able to resolve these problems." Jeffrey also noted cooperation between the US, Turkey and Israel was essential for the resolution of terror problems in the Middle East. "Obama Thanks for Al-Qaeda Captures" (Haberturk) In an unconfirmed report, mainstream Haberturk writes that President Obama phoned Prime Minister Erdogan to express his gratitude for the security operations against al-Qaeda suspects, staged recently in 20 Turkish provinces. Police have captured 140 suspects in the operations, who allegedly were plotting attacks on the US bases and American war vessels in Turkey. Police have also captured six al-Qaeda militants who fired shots at the US Consulate in Adana last week to protest the widespread operations against the terror organization, says Haberturk. In the Headlines Sargsian: "Time For Progress in Turkey-Armenia Rapprochement" (Vatan) Mainstream Vatan reports that Armenian President Serge Sargsian sent a message to President Gul regarding the protocols, while flying to Britain over Turkish airspace. In a written, official statement, Sargsian said "I extend my good wishes to you and to the Turkish people. The foreign mediation efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia are useful. However, that should not be overplayed and the final step mutually should be taken by our administrations and by our people. Ttime is running against us. If we continue to lose time, the process between us will lose its meaning. Moreover, hostile rhetoric and actions along with opposition to the process may emerge. Neither country will benefit from such development. Today, is the time to move forward for Turkey and Armenia." Op-Eds on Armenia-Turkey Several columnists comment on a possible Armenian Genocide Resolution in the US Congress. Veteran columnist Sami Kohen in mainstream Milliyet hopes for a last-minute intervention by President Obama: "Just like every year, Armenian lobbies are working very hard for AGR in the Congress, however President Obama is believed to be making a last minute efforts to stop the process even as it passes from the Congressional committee. Turkey is of growing strategic importance and Washington appreciates that value." In English language Today's Zaman, Amanda Paul is advising both Turkey and Armenia to work for finalizing protocols: "Allowing the protocols to remain in a desk drawer forever would be a terrible tragedy -- not just for Turkey and Armenia but for the entire ANKARA 00000222 002 OF 004 region. Turkey's ambitious foreign policy, with its goal of becoming the key power in its region, would face a serious setback and, with a fresh Armenian genocide resolution to be taken up by a US congressional panel early next month, throw Turkey's relationship with the US into jeopardy. Turkey and Armenia need to finish what they started. They need to take new brave steps and they need to take them now." Iran: Danger of War (Milliyet) In "Tehran Pushes the Button," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet points out "despite the warnings of Western nations and even of Russia," Iran is going ahead with its 20 percent enrichment process." Mainstream Milliyet calls it "Danger of War," and highlights "Russia pointed to the danger of war while President Obama said new sanctions will be imposed over the next several weeks." In "Iran Challenges, Russian Supports the US," liberal Radikal reports "Iran faces new UN Security Council sanctions due to its uranium enrichment work that Western nations believe is designed to develop a nuclear bomb. Gates signals new sanctions in a couple of weeks while Russia warns of a possible war." Mainstream Hurriyet's Cuneyt Ulsever wonders if Iran is serious about Turkey's mediation or using it as a tactical way to maintain its nuclear program on the side: "At this point FM Davutoglu's upcoming trip to Tehran becomes more important than ever, and we shall see whether he can persuade the Iranian regime to lower its enrichment ratio on the eve of possible sanctions." In liberal Radikal, Akif Beki observes a "power game" between Tehran and Washington: "Both sides are willing to sit and negotiate but they are in a power game and reshuffle their cards before starting to play." Islamist Yeni Safak opines: "There is a deliberate effort by Israel and others to disseminate fear about Iran. The Iranian nuclear program is under IAEA supervision while Israel rejects to even sign NPT -- but nobody remembers that." In "Basij Militants Attack Italian Embassy," CNNTurk reports that some100 members of Iran's religious Basij militants had tried to attack Italian embassy in Tehran, but Iranian media described the incident as a student protest and did not mention any violence. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said "militants dressed as civilians tried to assault the embassy shouting 'Death to Italy' and 'Death to Berlusconi'." Afghanistan Turkish media extensively report on the press tour for some 40 Turkish journalists to Kabul by the Turkish military General Staff (TGS),zeroing in on comments by ISAF's Kabul Regional Commander General Levent Colak that Turkey has no plans to send combat troops, but "if arms are pointed at us, then it is our right to use weapons to defend ourselves." Colak noted Turkey's 1700 troops in Afghanistan but said "it's not how many, but what we do here." In "We Are Not Engaging in Hot Pursuit," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet says "General Colak emphasized that Turkish forces in Afghanistan do not engage in combat, mine sweeping or anti-narcotics missions. They go on joint patrolling missions with the Afghan army, but would never point their weapons at people. Their weapons are always pointed down." Mainstream Sabah highlights "the US uses Turkish forces as a model to prevent clashes between the local forces and the people of Afghanistan and, as a result, now forbids 'warning shots.'" A Turkish TV Drama Receives Penalty Turkey's Radio Television Supreme Board (known as RTUK) has issued a warning penalty against the producers of popular Turkish television drama "Ask-i Memnu" (Forbidden Love) for "undermining moral values by picturing adultury as an acceptable form." This becomes a second penalty for Kanal D, which airs the drama, was before cited because of the movie pictures a "deep on-screen kiss." "Forbidden Love" is a modern day adaptation of Turkish author Halit Ziya Usakligil's 1923 novel. Several columnists in mainstream Hurriyet criticized the Board's decision. Tufan Turenc asks the board to "remember that this is only a movie" and warns: "Have you ever considered the consequences of your action? Where is Turkey going to with this kind of mentality?" Yalcin Dogan also asks "if this is going to be ANKARA 00000222 003 OF 004 the dominant approach for moral values, we will never ever catch up to EU standards." A Theatre Closed After Its Play Received Threats for Indecency Authorities in Istanbul closed a theatre running an off-Broadway kind of play this week, under the guise that it was the target of threats from religious fanatics. "Theatre was closed, while actors seek police protection" says Hurriyet. Aksam headlines "A stage play stirs controversy." The play "Lick It but Don't Swallow" is certified for audiences age 18 and above, and centers around the transition of a former porn star into an angel. The play has been facing criticism from fundamentalist circles and in ultra-Islamist media groups. As a result, players applied for police protection due to security threats. Meanwhile Beyoglu Municipality, which closed the theatre, said "the theatre did not have fire escapes" and "the closure decision is not related to ongoing criticism." TV Spotlight (CNN Turk) The relatives of intellectuals and prominent figures assassinated over the last 60 years demand the establishment of a parliamentary investigation committee to probe the murders. PM Erdogan strongly rejected CHP allegations that former French President Chirac had asked Erdogan to not bring his wife to Paris on a formal visit. French Embassy in Ankara, too, denied CHP's allegations. PM Erdogan has denounced a ruling of the Council of State (Danistay) to suspend a government regulation that brought advantages to the graduates of theology (Imam-Hatip) high schools in university entrance exams. Deputy PM Cemil Cicek said the government would narrow the scope of the regulation regarding children facing trial for throwing stones at the police. In the third day of his visit to India, President Gul said Turkey was planning to open three new consulates in the country. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Davutoglu will visit Kazakhstan to meet his Kazakh counterpart Kanat Suadabayev. On Wednesday, the Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee headed by the AKP MP Murat Mercan will visit Sweden. Prime Minister Erdogan will visit Qatar on February 13-14 as the guest of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani. Opposition CHP leader Baykal has offered to pay 300-lira monthly wage to the unemployed. PM Erdogan said the proposal was "unrealistic." Kurdish BDP leader Selahattin Demirtas says the AK Party attempts for constitutional reforms was a move to influence voters. The US House of Representatives senior Senator John Murtha passed away at the age of 77. Murtha was known for his support of immediate US withdrawal from Iraq and his objection to the Armenian Genocide issue to be included in the House agenda. The Serbian and Bosnian foreign ministers, Vuk Jeremic and Sven Alkalaj, who have met in Ankara for the fifth time with the mediation of FM Davutoglu, agreed to restore diplomatic relations, with Bosnia-Herzegovina to open an embassy in Serbia. Belgium prepares to ban the wearing of chadors over concerns of security risks. A German dentist has apologized for having refused to treat a ANKARA 00000222 004 OF 004 16-year-old Turkish teenager because his first name was Cihad (Holy War, Jihad). JEFFREY