Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report

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SIPDIS

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
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2005

THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:

HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
--------------------------------------------- --
HEADLINES

MASS APPEAL
Intellectuals Demand Article 301 be Abolished - Hurriyet
President Sezer in Egypt - Hurriyet
Middle East is on Sezer's Agenda - Milliyet
YOK Fights against Controversial Regulation for Imam Hatip
Graduates - Hurriyet
American Consulate in Erbil - Milliyet
Bush Out, Rice in - Sabah
Surprising Support from Iran to Turkey - Sabah
Judiciary Summit - Turkiye
General Pace: We shall Withdraw from Iraq, but not yet -
Turkiye
RTUK will decide on Kurdish Broadcasting Today - Aksam
Radical Reforms Planned for Teaching Foreign Language -
Hurriyet (12/26)
Ambassador Wilson Praises Turkey's Economic Success -
Turkiye (12/26)

OPINION MAKERS
Sezer in Egypt - Radikal
Hadley: "We have to Stay in Iraq for the Sake of Israel" -
Yeni Safak
Rice will Visit Turkey in February - Cumhuriyet
The First Visit from Afghanistan after Half a Century -
Zaman
Declaration by the Intellectuals - Radikal
First Anniversary of Tsunami Disaster in South Asia -
Cumhuriyet
Feudalism is the Main Reason for Honor Killings - Cumhuriyet
Tensions Escalate during Budget Debates in Parliament -
Cumhuriyet (12/26)
Support for US President Bush Declines - Radikal (12/26)

BRIEFING

Ambassador Wilson's Remarks on Turkish Economy: Monday's
"Turkiye" quoted Ambassador Wilson as saying that "Turkey's
economic performance has been remarkable. No other European
country has been this successful. Turkey is one of the
world's emerging markets. This attracts not only Americans,
but businesspeople from all around the world. General
Electric is preparing to invest $1.8 billion in Turkey,
reflecting confidence in the Turkish economy and its
future."

President Sezer's Visit to Egypt: "Milliyet" reports that
President Sezer is in Egypt for a two-day working visit.
Sezer and Mubarak, reportedly, will be discussing Iraq,
Syria and Cyprus issues. Accompanied by Foreign Minister
Gul and State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Sezer is expected to
sign a free trade agreement with Egypt today to improve the
economic relationship between the two countries.

Intellectuals Demand the Annulment of Article 301: Today's
papers report on the joint statement released by 169
intellectuals yesterday protesting two articles of the new
penal code. In the statement, the intellectuals demanded
the annulment of articles 301 and 305.

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According to the intellectuals, these two articles thwart
freedom of thought and expression. The declaration stated
that there has been an increase recently in the number of
trials based on article 301.

YOK Struggle Against the New Regulation for Imam-Hatip
Graduates: The Higher Education Board (YOK) filed a suit
yesterday to cancel a decree making university access easier
for graduates of Imam-Hatip schools. "Cumhuriyet" says that
the recent decree damages Turkey's secular system.

Opening of a New American Consulate in Erbil: "Milliyet"
reports that US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, told
Zagros TV that the Iraqi Kurds are the US's strategic allies
and the US is going to open a Consulate in Erbil in the very
near future.

Secretary Rice's Upcoming Visit to Turkey: "Cumhuriyet,"

SIPDIS
citing diplomatic sources, says that Secretary Rice will be
coming to Turkey at the beginning of February to discuss
Iran, Syria, Iraq and PKK issues. According to same
diplomatic sources, visiting Turkey after the CIA and FBI
leaders, Rice will present Turkey with more concrete
evidence on Syria and Iraq and will ask Ankara to take a
tougher stance against the two countries.

US Assistant Secretary E. Anthony Wayne's Op-ed: The
December 26 edition of "Sabah" carried an op-ed piece
written by E Anthony Wayne, Assistant Secretary of State for
Economy and Business Relations, about countering terrorism
by cutting off terrorist financing.

EDITORIAL OPINION: US-Turkey; GWOT

"Awaiting Secretary Rice"
Yilmaz Oztuna observed in the conservative daily "Turkiye"
(12/27): "The visit of the FBI and CIA directors to Ankara
received significant attention in the European press.
Turkey now expects to host Secretary Rice in Ankara in early
January. She is going to engage in serious discussions with
Turkey about regional and strategic topics, in which Turkey
has a very important role. During the talks with Secretary
Rice, Ankara is expected to bring up the elimination of
terrorist organizations, like the PKK and Armenian ASALA.
Ankara will also ask the US to pressure the Greek Cypriots
toward a peaceful settlement. According to the German
press, Secretary Rice will ask in return for Turkey's
strategic help in a strike against Iran. Iran currently
poses a threat against the entire western system, not only
to the US. Nevertheless, interestingly Iran did not accept
the recent offer from Russia to cooperate on a uranium
enrichment program. The developments regarding Iran require
close analysis and Turkey should be prepared for
comprehensive talks with Secretary Rice."

"The Decline of Bush's Popularity"
Oral Calislar wrote in the leftist-nationalist "Cumhuriyet"
(12/27): "Recent news from the United States clearly
indicates that the image of Bush as a hero is gone, as he is
losing popularity very quickly. The occupation of Iraq did
not bring any power and prestige for President Bush. The
resistance of the Iraqi people has become a main factor in
the collapse of the image of a `powerful' war machine. The
partners of President Bush are currently leaving Iraq. It
was unacceptable to begin with that the US could invade a
country, violating international laws and justifying its
action with lies. The US thought that it could because it
was so powerful. President Bush is not a trustworthy figure

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in the eyes of the American people. The clock is tickling
against him. In this atmosphere, there is additional
speculation about the possibility of an American operation
against Iran. If that happens, it will only bring more
disaster. However, President Bush might consider taking
such an insane action in hopes of restoring his image.
Elections are the most significant indicators in American
politics. Can conservative Republicans engage in insane
acts on the eve of presidential elections? It is very
difficult but it is not impossible either."

WILSON

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