Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2006

In Today's Papers

Lockheed Martin Gets Contract to Upgrade Turkey's F-16s
Hurriyet, Zaman, Cumhuriyet, Sabah and others: Lockheed Martin, the
world's largest defense company, announced Tuesday that it has won
an $800 million contract to upgrade Turkey's fleet of F-16 fighter
jets. In a written statement Lockheed Martin said that the company
will provide 216 modernization kits to upgrade Turkish F-16C and D
model aircrafts in the Turkish Air Force inventory. This contract
is the continuation of the initial contract signed in April 2005
between the governments of Turkey and the US. Sabah underlines that
the US Special envoy for countering PKK terrorism Joseph Ralston is
member of Lockheed Martin's Board of Director.

Preventive Measures Package from the Interior Ministry for Honor
Killings
Zaman reports that the Interior Ministry launched an initiative to
prevent honor killings and domestic violence. A circular under the
signature of Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu, already sent to the
governors of all provinces, stating that every province should
establish a committee headed by the governor. This committee should
establish a special fund to meet the victims' needs. Moreover, the
municipalities should open up shelters for women and children. The
committees are also directed to ensure security units dealing with
the honor killings should definitely be trained by the academicians
and intellectuals.

FM Gul: Turkey Reserves the Right to Conduct Cross-Border
Operations to Iraq
Milliyet, Sabah, Yeni Safak and others: Responding to a question
from CHP deputy Erdal Karademir, FM Gul said Turkey had signed no
memorandum of understanding in 2003 with the then US Secretary of
State Colin Powell. Talks with Powell had focused on possible
developments after the US intervention in Iraq, but, Turkey never
signed any document saying that Turkey would abstain from
cross-border operations into Iraq or would ask the US permission for
security operations. Gul also denied the allegations that Turkish
operations against the PKK were monitored by US observers to control
possible abuse of force during the operations.

Editorial Opinion: Saddam's Verdict
Derya Sazak comments in the mainstream Milliyet that Saddam should
be held accountable for his crimes, but the perpetrators of current
crimes should be accountable too: "Iraq is going through the most
terrible period of its history as the civil war costs hundreds of
lives every day. Given the current situation in Iraq, the murder of
148 Shiites in 1982 has become like a routine daily event. Saddam
was held accountable for his crimes during the dictatorship period.
How about those who make up the rest of the picture in the
post-Saddam period? Will they also be held accountable for their
crimes in the name of bringing democracy to Iraq? Let's remember
that the Bush administration has started pondering the ways of
exiting Iraq since the civil war creates an impossible situation.
The Baker report might be a chance in this regard. Today even the
US media is mocking Bush and Cheney about their failure in Iraq. Is
there another way of defining the current situation besides a crime
against humanity?"

Hakan Celik argues in the tabloid Posta that the execution of Saddam
will incite even more violence: "Talabani is under pressure from
Kurds to approve the death verdict. Some Shiite groups are also
demanding the execution of the death sentence immediately.
Talabani's hesitation is not a surprise because he knows the people
of Iraq well. By looking at the bigger picture, he realizes the
serious consequences that would result from the hanging of Saddam.
It is certain that Talabani will try everything to not be a part of
this decision. The death of Saddam will not bring any solution to
Iraq's problems moreover it will only help to make it worse. Iraq
is currently going through economic poverty and serious instability.
The main reason for Iraq's occupation was the alleged link between

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Al Qaeda and Saddam which was never proved. Even though the
official US policy line is about the territorial integrity of Iraq,
there is a de facto division of Iraq. Given the current situation,
the execution of the death sentence will incite hatred between
Sunnis and Shiites even more. Saddam should suffer with a life
sentence but should not be hanged."

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Namik Tan Comments on the so-called
Armenian Genocide Issue
All papers: At his final press briefing before taking up his
assignment as Ambassador to Israel, MFA spokesperson Namik Tan
called on the US Administration to act with common sense against
increasing prospects for adoption of an Armenian genocide resolution
by US Congress now controlled by Democrats. Tan expressed Ankara's
displeasure at the Armenian diaspora's efforts to take advantage of
recent political developments in the US and have their genocide
claims recognized in Congress.

Sanliurfa Villagers Acquitted for Throwing Eggs at US Soldiers
Star, Aksam and others: The Sanliurfa Penal Court acquitted
Sanliurfa villagers for throwing eggs at US soldiers during their
visit to the village in 2003 to collect an unexploded missile that
accidentally landed in the village.

TV Highlights
NTV, 6.00 A.M.

Domestic News

-CHP Leader Deniz Baykal said his party will not participate in the
voting if Erdogan decides to run for President

-PM Erdogan will travel to Lebanon on January 3

-Higher Education Board (YOK) draws strong reaction in Ankara
University for ignoring the preferences of academics in the
appointment of new Medical Faculty dean.

International News

-A spokesman for President Talabani says the appeals court order for
Saddam's death sentence might not require Talabani's approval to
carry out the execution

-Turkish Cypriot President Talat says he wants to see a settlement
in Cyprus in 2007

-Former US President Gerald Ford, 93, died on Tuesday in
California.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON

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