TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000262 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 17, 2010 Media Highlights US Embassy Ankara-Turkey Media Reaction, as prepared by the Public Affairs Information Office How the US is Playing Armenian Genocide Resolution (AGR) Tensions with the US Ambassador (Zaman) Media outlets report extensively on Ambassador Jeffrey's interaction with members of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee on 2/16, emphasizing that the "US gives full support to the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia," and, regarding the AGR, that "Congress is an independent institution, we do not know the final outcome." Like most media, Milliyet in its front page story reports that CHP and MHP members of the committee criticized the US for bringing Armenian genocide drafts to the agenda every April and exerting pressure on Turkey, saying that the AGR was hanging as a "Damocles' sword" over Turkey. "We told the Ambassador that Turkey-US ties could suffer a great blow if the bill on the events of 1915 was adopted by the House of Representatives," Murat Mercan, head of the Turkish parliament's foreign relations committee told reporters. In "Veiled Threats from Jeffrey," Cumhuriyet notes that Jeffrey commented: "As President Obama told PM Erdogan on December 7, the best way out is the approval of normalization protocols with Armenia." The paper also reports that opposition MHP lawmaker Deniz Bolukbasi reacted strongly to Ambassador Jeffrey, saying the US Ambassador's remarks constituted a "veiled threat." In "Cold Shower for US at Foreign Relations Committee," mainstream Vatan reports Jeffrey said he also wished the bill wouldn't be adopted. "We have been giving the same message to Armenia," said Jeffrey, stressing that the best way would be the continuation of the normalization process between the two countries." All papers note that the Ambassador agreed to pass the committee's views back to Washington. Security Training Confession from the US Consulate (Sabah) Mainstream Sabah reports that the US Consulate in Istanbul has confirmed the allegations of Saadet Party (SP) leader Prof. Dr. Numan Kurtulmus regarding security training given to religious minorities. US Consul-General Sharon Wiener said that the Consulate was responding positively to occasional security consultancy requests from organizations with American employees or visitors and that the informal consultancy service was launched in 2004, following terror attacks on the British Consulate, HSBC bank and a synagogue in Istanbul. She added that the training was given to some religious groups, schools, hotels, private companies and Turkish governmental organizations that were visited by US citizens. She noted that the goal of the consultancy service was to increase security perceptions in areas visited by Americans, to improve ties between security officials and to improve the capacity of these organizations to cope with terror threats. Also, the training was related only to defensive issues, and did not include any practices with arms. Secretary Clinton: "Missile Shield Will Protect Turkey as Well" (Hurriyet) Mainstream Hurriyet reports that during her visit to Qatar, Secretary Clinton gave an interview to al-Jazeerah TV and responded to a question on missile shield by saying, "The missile shield will provide a right defense for Turkey and the Caucasus region and will provide an additional guarantee against any threatening stance. We are discussing the details with our friends in the Gulf, including what else will be needed from a defense angle, in case Iran pursues its nuclear goals." Hurriyet adds that the US changed its mind about establishing a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, and instead, has decided to sail its specially equipped war ships into the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. In the Headlines "Four Critical Messages to Iran" (Sabah) ANKARA 00000262 002 OF 003 Turkish media report that FM Davutoglu asked Iran during a visit there on 2/16 to suspend its uranium enrichment program for a while in order to "reduce already heightened tensions." Mainstream Sabah reports that Turkey put forward new proposals "which can facilitate breaking the deadlock" and summarized Davutoglu's four critical messages as "The fate of the region is in Iran's hands. The Arab world is worried while the Western world is getting tougher. Iran should take steps to reduce tension. Postpone the uranium enrichment program for a while." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet highlights Iranian FM calling Turkey "a consultant to Iran." Mainstream HaberTurk notes Davutoglu "conveyed the Western world's messages to Tehran" while Islamist and pro-government Zaman characterizes the efforts as "Nuclear Diplomacy in Tehran." All papers quote Iranian FM as saying "we consider Turkey to be a good friend and a good adviser. We also believe Turkey can help us in making the world understand better about Iran's peaceful nuclear program." Columnist Soli Ozel in mainstream HaberTurk underscores that Turkey is in a diplomacy effort "even though it does not have direct control of its dynamics." Given the current situation, "it is entirely up to Iran's attitude" says the writer, concluding: "If Iran chooses not to change then it will face serious consequences that are completely out of Turkey's control." At the Turkish parliament on 2/16, Ambassador Jeffrey responded to questions related to FM Davutoglu's talks in Tehran. Ambassador Jeffrey outlined ongoing consultations between the US and Turkish diplomats but recalled that Iran had yet to give a satisfactory or concrete answer to the offer made by the UN Security Council. "Hopefully, an answer will come thanks to mediation by Mr. Davutoglu," said Jeffrey. TV Spotlight (CNN Turk) On Tuesday, police detained Erzincan Chief Prosecutor Ilhan Cihaner after a thorough search at his office and house as part of the ongoing probe into 'Ergenekon.' Cihaner is accused of "membership in a terrorist organization," "falsifying documents" and "slander, insult and threats against individuals." Special units of the fourth Commando Brigade in Tunceli launched operations against the PKK in Mazgirt in the province, which is expected to stage spectacular attacks in the country on the anniversary of Abdullah Ocalan's capture. `Professional soldiers` join the operation. Opposition CHP will file a censure motion against the government in connection with alleged irregularities in the return of the PKK militants to Turkey from northern Iraq last October. An editor and a correspondent for daily Radikal face trial for making terror propaganda in an interview with the former DTP lawmaker Emine Ayna. Prime Minister Erdogan will pay a formal visit to Spain between February 21-23 for the second intergovernmental summit to take place in Madrid. Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim announced Turkey's decision to increase flights to Libya during a meeting with Muhammad Ali Zidane, Libyan communications secretary. President Abdullah Gul sent a congratulatory message to President Fatmir Seydiu of Kosovo to mark the second anniversary of the country's independence. The British high commissioner to the Greek Cypriot administration, Peter Millet, said the permanent members of the UN Security Council welcome the progress in ongoing Cyprus negotiations. A ranking by global analyst Maplecroft says Iraq is the country most at risk from terrorist attacks for the second straight year, while ANKARA 00000262 003 OF 003 Turkey is 14th on the list. JEFFREY