Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report

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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
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2005

THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER THREE
THEMES:

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

MASS APPEAL
Ankara Chief State Prosecutor Launches Investigation into
the Statements of Baykal,
Investigation Against Koc - Aksam
Blow to Greek-Cypriot Dream of 40 Billion Euro - Hurriyet
Shocking News for Greek-Cypriots - Milliyet
Denktas Brings Leaders together at a Conference - Hurriyet
General Ozkok Warns Against Fundamentalist Activities -
Hurriyet
Ozkok: "Fundamentalism is the Biggest Threat" - Posta
Bribery at the Kapikule Border Gate - Sabah
Operation in Kapikule - Sabah
Israeli Army Chief Halutz in Ankara - Sabah
TGS Criticizes Internet Attacks - Sabah
Harsh Reaction from Military - Milliyet
Noel Message from PM Erdogan - Aksam

OPINION MAKERS
Victims of Article 301 - Radikal
Intense Military Traffic with Israel - Radikal
ECHR Directs Greek-Cypriot Complaints to the Turkish-Cypriot
Commission - Cumhuriyet
Operation at Kapikule - Cumhuriyet
Former US Ambassador Parris Praises Turkey - Yeni Safak
TUSIAD and YOK become Targets of Investigation - Zaman
Two Authors Convicted in Line with Article 301 - Zaman

BRIEFING

Investigation Against Baykal, Tezic, and Koc: All papers
covered extensively the investigation initiated by Ankara
Chief State Prosecutor into comments made about the trial of
Van University Rector Yucel Askin. Earlier, PM Erdogan had
accused CHP leader Baykal, Chairman of the Higher Education
Board Tezic and business leader Mustafa Koc, of committing a
constitutional crime by taking sides and commenting on the
ongoing trial. "Aksam" reports that the prosecutor could
demand up to eight and half years in prison for those under
investigation according articles 277 and 288 of the
constitution. "Sabah" says Baykal is protected by
parliamentary immunity against trials and Tezic, as the head
of the Higher Education Board, also benefits from partial
immunity before the law. The investigation initiated by the
prosecutor shocked the business world, adds the paper.

The Victims of Freedom of Expression Laws (aka Article 301):
Several papers, including "Radikal," "Yeni Safak" and
"Zaman" fronted that writers of books and articles might all
be subject to imprisonment as writer Zulkuf Kisanak and
journalist Aziz Ozer were found guilty by the court for
violating Article 301 of the penal code by insulting the
republic or the government. "Radikal" stresses that the
courts continue convicting people for their publications
despite the recent statement of FM Gul that nobody has been
given a prison sentence in Turkey for expressing his/her
thoughts.

ECHR Ruling on Property Rights: The European Court of Human
Rights ruled on Thursday in the case of Greek Cypriot
Xenides Arestis. Portraying the decision as a victory for

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Turkey, press reported that the court ruled that Turkey had
violated property rights but there was no need for any
compensation payment for the time being. "Cumhuriyet" notes
that this ruling showed that the ECHR was inclined to ask
the Greek Cypriots to apply to the Turkish Cypriot
Commission with future complaints.

EDITORIAL OPINION: Afghanistan; Middle East

"A Different Vision of Kabul"
Sami Kohen commented in the mainstream daily "Milliyet"
(12/23): "With a new constitution in place, Afghanistan has
entered into a political structuring process, with a new
parliament as well as a president elected by the people. Is
this going to give new hope to the 30 million Afghanis after
32 years of blood and tears under Soviet occupation and
Taliban rule? Can this new process provide hope for unity,
security and better lives for Afghanistan? Such questions
can easily be asked about Iraq as well. However, a close
look reveals some differences between the two situations.
Afghanistan does not suffer from ethic and religious
conflict. The new Afghan parliament has proportional
representation of the population from different ethnic
backgrounds. President Karzai is a strong figure in the
country and is popular. Afghanistan, even with different
ethic groups, does not have any separatist movement.
Moreover, unlike in Iraq, there is no anti-Americanism in
Afghanistan. The US military presence came with UN approval
and NATO's contribution. Afghanis now are in need of social
and economic support along with peace and security. An
upcoming meeting in London will try to address these issues
and prepare a `road-map' for Afghanistan for the next 5
years. Afghanistan has presented a very good example in the
political field and it remains to be seen if the success
will carry over into other areas."

"Bush and Sharon Style Democracy"
Husnu Mahalli argued in the mass appeal "Aksam" (12/23):
"The last leg of Palestinian local elections was held and
radical-Islamist Hammas won a significant victory despite
all kinds of threats coming from the US, Israel and the
European Union. This result, even though the elections were
held under occupation conditions, is very important and
hints at the result of parliamentary elections scheduled for
January 25. According to opinion polls, Hammas is the
favorite in the parliamentary elections as well. There is a
strong possibility of a coalition government between
Arafat's Al Fatah and Hammas. Interestingly, enough both
Bush and Sharon started saying that they will not let this
happen. In other words, President Bush, who promotes
democracy with his Greater Middle East initiative, is now
standing against a government with popular votes. This is
just like what happened in Algeria 15 years ago. It is very
obvious what President Bush wants: a Palestinian government
which will not resist against the Israeli occupation --
ongoing for the last 38 years. He wants to see every regime
in the Middle East serving nothing but US interests."

WILSON

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