TURKISH MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000052 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, JANUARY 13, 2010 Highlights: Israeli Apology Reported; US Implicated in Nuke Scientist Death; Turkey Scores with Freedom House; US Science Envoy Visits; Israel-Turkey 'Diplomatic Crisis' Rages; MFA Statement; Barak Visit in Limbo; Turkish Pundits on Breach; CHP, MHP Reaction to Israel; Armenian Court Approves Protocols with Turkey; US Soldiers Killed on Yemeni Border; TV Spotlight Breaking News: Mainstream Hurriyet website reported Israel has "officially apologized" from Turkey over the mistreatment of Turkey's Ambasador in Tel Aviv. "PM Netanyahu 'intervened' when Ankara did not find sufficient the explanations of Ayalon, and now Turkey's MFA is looking into the statement from the Israeli PM that carries a disapproving tone of Avalon's attitude and expresses regret" says Zeynep Gurganli on Hurriyet OnLine. How the US is Playing Iran - US Implicated Nuclear Scientist's Death: "Fourth One in Nuclear Mystery" (Hurriyet) Turkish media give prominent play to the killing of an Iranian nuclear scientist, calling it "mysterious" and linking it to US plans in Iran. "Mysterious Assassination" headlined liberal Radikal, which also spotlighted State Department spokesman Mark Toner's remarks regarding the "absurd accusations" from the Iranian regime. "Assassination Against Nuclear Professor in Tehran" announces leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet and notes "it was mind blowing that the killing happened two days after General Petreaus remarks on the US readiness plans for a strike against Iran," and notes the upcoming UNSC debates on sanctions against Iran. Islamist Yeni Safak's front page story says "Lots of Secrets About the Killing of Nuclear Physicist" noting he supported the opposition candidate during the recent presidential elections. Washington Cautious on Turkish-Israeli Tension: Tension between Turkey and Israel continues to be a dominating story in television, web sites as well as in wire services. Turkey's ATV channel Washington reported that an official at the State Department commented: "what happens diplomatically in Turkish-Israeli relations is a matter between the two countries." The station's reporter interpreted this as "Washington closely watches the issue but remains cautious. Turkey's Scores in Freedom House Report (Hurriyet) Turkey scored a "three" in political and civilian rights in this year's Freedom House human rights report. Responding to Anatolia News Agency, the organization's research director Puddington said "We think that the Turkish government's democratic opening initiative to integrate Kurds into the Turkish public is very important. However, we were disappointed to see the closure of DTP by the Constitutional Court. We think that PM Erdogan is acting within democratic rules, but we are not happy about the tax fine case initiated against Dogan Media Group. The company was fined to pay for more than its value. We are following this case closely, because we consider this case as a way to threaten opposition media." US "Science Envoy" Dr. Zewail Visits Turkey Hurriyet, Sabah and CNNTurk report that Dr. Ahmed Zewail, one of three "science envoys" appointed by Secretary Clinton, is visiting Turkey this week. "A statement from the US Ankara Embassy said Zewail would visit Turkey under a regional tour which covers Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, and that he would visit Middle East Technical University, Bilkent University and Scientific and Technical Research Organization TUBITAK," reported Hurriyet. In the Headlines Turkey-Israel Tensions Rage: "Ties with Israel Breaking" (Cumhuriyet) All media outlets give extensive and very angry front-page coverage ANKARA 00000052 002 OF 003 to the Israeli snub of Turkey's Ambassador Oguz Celikkol over Ankara's persistent criticism of the Jewish state, focusing on Deputy FM Danny Ayalon refusal to shake Celikkol's hand and making him sit on a lower seat at a meeting after waiting in the hallway. "One Minute Mr Ayalon" reads a banner headline in mainstream Hurriyet, which lashes out at the Israeli Deputy FM for "disregarding all protocol rules." Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet warns in a banner headline "Ties with Israel Breaking," and quotes FM Davutoglu as saying "under such conditions, there will be no dialogue with Israel." Mainstream Milliyet headlines "Silliness" and points out that Israeli Deputy FM "actually ridiculed himself" while trying to shame Celikkol. Liberal Radikal says the snubbing of Celikkol amounts to a "Middle Ages Style Reaction." Tabloid Aksam headlines "The Israeli Trap" and claims Israel was still in "shock" over PM Erdogan's "One Minute!" outburst in Davos last year. "Shall We Swallow This Humiliation?" screams nationalist-conservative Tercuman, while Leftist Taraf says Ayalon is "the Bumpkin of Tel Aviv" and adds that the Israeli Deputy FM who humiliated Turkey's ambassador is the "laughingstock of the world." Mainstream Haberturk says "rascal" Ayalon should apologize or Turkey's ambassador should be withdrawn from Israel. Islamist-oriented Zaman says the Turkish MFA issued a stern warning to Israel: "Know Your Limits." Meanwhile, "Vile and Vicious" reads the headline in Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak, which reports PM Erdogan said Israel's "wrong attitudes" against Turkey would always be "reciprocated." MFA Statement: All papers report the MFA said in a statement, "Turkey denounces the treatment and waits for an apology from Israel." The Turkish MFA summoned the Israeli ambassador Gaby Levy, and warned him that "everyone should know his limits." MFA U/S Feridun Sinirlioglu was quoted extensively that "the treatment of Turkey's ambassador was extremely impolite. Mainstream Haberturk reports Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said he was not planning to apologize, and that the Turks had to apologize for the worlds of Erdogan and the controversial TV serial "The Valley of the Wolves." Papers also carry the Israeli Industry Minister Ben Eliezer's comments to Israeli Radio: "I am not happy about what's happening with Turkey. Israel will not benefit from pushing Turkey into the anti-Israeli camp." Barak Jan. 17-18 Visit in Limbo: Several papers, basing their comments on a Ha'aretz report, claim the scene was "planned" by Israeli FM Lieberman, who is plotting to block the forthcoming official Turkey visit of the Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Zaman and others report Benjamin Netanyahu supported Lieberman in the controversy, and that the Israeli PM also said he was concerned of the developing Turkish ties with Iran and Syria. Papers and televisions report PM Erdogan as saying he would not meet with Barak. Papers report Barak's office said a meeting with PM Erdogan was not on the schedule of the Israeli Defense Minister while in Turkey on January 17-18. All-news channel NTV speculated Celikkol would come to Ankara for consultations before Barak arrives, and that the Ambassador's stay in Turkey might be "extended." Commentary: "Diplomatic Crisis" with Israel Pundits across the board call Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister's attitude toward the Turkish Ambassador as "undiplomatic and unacceptable." Noting the internal fight within Israeli's coalition government, columnist Cengiz Candar in liberal Radikal says: "A faction in Israeli government is trying to defame Turkey especially after Ankara's regional accomplishments." Radikal's Murat Yetkin agrees: "Foreign Minister Lieberman represents a radical wing and he seemed to have a deliberate act for sabotaging the upcoming Israeli Defense Minister visit to Turkey." Mainstream Milliyet's Asli Aydintasbas joins the choir by saying "The brutal style of Israeli Foreign Ministry significantly damaged bilateral ties and also undermined already the upcoming visit of Ehud Barak." Islamist Yeni Safak writers Ibrahim Karagul as well as Fehmi Koru consider the recent tension "because of Israel's growing uneasiness about Turkey's diplomacy successes in the entire region." Mainstream Sabah's Mehmet Barlas draws attention to Turkey's close friendship ANKARA 00000052 003 OF 003 with the Middle East world while Israel's growing isolation in the region. Leftist nationalist Cumhuriyet's senior editor Orhan Birgit has a different approach: "PM Erdogan is in a deliberate act by constantly making tension-building statements against Israel. These messages are aiming at the fundamental party root of AKP which is well known anti-Jewish." The writer says "this might be a public relations effort on the eve of a possible early election." CHP, MHP Reactions to Snub of Turkish Ambassador Mainstream Aksam reports opposition CHP deputy chairman Onur Oymen said the term "diplomatic scandal" was not enough to describe the incident, and stressed no one around the world could give "second-class treatment" to a Turkish envoy. MHP lawmaker Deniz Bolukbasi, a former diplomat at MFA, said Ankara should withdraw Ambassador Celikkol, suspend military ties with Israel and also cancel the visit of Ehud Barak. Armenian Constitutional Court "Presses the Button" for the Border Mainstream Hurriyet reports that the Armenian Constitutional Court validated the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia in October. The protocols will be sent to the Foreign Relations Committee in Armenian Parliament. Hurriyet notes that "Armenia in recent weeks has expressed growing frustration over the Turkish Parliament's failure to ratify the protocols although the Armenian parliament has also yet to ratify the accord." Mainstream Sabah headline reads "Yerevan: "Protocols abide With the Constitution." Saudi Soldiers were Killed at Yemeni Border (Sabah) Media reported that four Saudi soldiers were among the dead following a Saudi Arabia force clash with Shiite militants at the Yemeni border. Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Halid Bin Sultan said that the total death toll reached 82. According to Sabah, Minister Sultan stressed that the militants were given 48 hours to evacuate the village, however, they did not abide with the ultimatum, and "that is why all of them been exterminated." TV Spotlight (CNN Turk) Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir was interrogated Tuesday by the prosecutor for five hours in connection with an investigation against the PKK arm KCK. Two lawmakers -- Harun Ozturk (Izmir) and Huseyin Pazarci (Balikesir) -- have resigned from their party DSP. Labor union Turk-Is will stage a protest rally in Ankara on January ¶16. Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said the problems related to the delivery of Israeli drones were resolved, and that a Turkish delegation went to Israel on Monday to check the technical characteristics of each plane. Saudi television reported a clash with Shiite militants at Yemeni border and announced that 82 Saudi soldiers were killed. French Industry Minister Christian Estrosi says his he government won't let Renault shift production of its Clio city car to Turkey. A lawmaker from President Sarkozy's conservative party has filed legislation to bar Muslim women in France from appearing in public wearing veils. SILLIMAN