Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006472

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, NOVEMBER 21, 2006

In Today's Papers

Women's Role in the Development of OIC States
All papers: The first ministerial level international conference
sponsored by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) started in
Istanbul with PM Erdogan's giving opening remarks. Themed as
'Women's Role in the Development of OIC States,' PM Erdogan talked
about the danger of discriminatory attitudes against women in Muslim
societies and blamed the misinterpretation of Islam as opposed to
the religion itself. He characterized the discrimination against
women as unacceptable and more dangerously primitive than racism.
On the issue of honor killings, PM Erdogan said, 'This is a problem
in Muslim societies. These killings may be considered isolated
cases instead of a systemic problem, however, we can't downplay
these inhumane killings which are caused by ignorance. Deputies,
parties, NGO's, academic institutions, the private sector should all
take responsibility. As the Turkish government we are open to all
sorts of contributions in this regard.'

Iraq and the PKK
All papers: Papers predominantly carry excerpts from a Washington
Post article regarding the Pentagon's three option Iraq plan.
Reportedly, the Pentagon is working on 'go big' 'go long' and 'go
home' options for Iraq and making assessments of each. Intellectual
Radikal notes that the Bush administration is likely to adopt a
hybrid plan, a combination of the second and the third option.
Several Iraq-related stories are also highlighting a German Marshall
Fund report on Iraq 'Rediscovering NATO' written by former
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and GMF Director Ronald Asmus. The
report suggests that a NATO force stationed in Iraq can be a
facilitator for the country's stability. Mass appeal Hurriyet calls
the report 'strange' because it advises that deployment of NATO in
Iraq can also be a deterrent against Turkey making a cross-border
operation.

Cumhuriyet carried another follow-up story on the PKK's strong
financial links in Europe by detailing some of the concerned
businesses in France, Belgium and Germany. The story highlights
that some EU nations are applying a double standard on the fight
against terrorism and giving clear support for PKK's survival in
their homeland. The story notes that all of these links were
unleashed after Principal Deputy Coordinator Frank Urbancic's
efforts and his recent contacts in Europe.

Survey Calls for a United Left-Wing Front
Cumhuriyet gives front page coverage to a survey carried out by
polling company SONAR. The survey shows that if the three main
left-wing parties act together in the upcoming elections, they can
garner up to 30 percent votes - more than the ruling AKP could get.
A united left-wing and social democrat platform with DSP, CHP and
SHP would receive 29.36 percent, with AKP receiving only 27.61
percent of votes. If there is no unification in the left-wing,
there will be four parties represented in the next parliament, the
SONAR survey concluded: AKP (24.35%), CHP (16.15%), DYP (11.69%) and
MHP (11.49%).

Meanwhile Milliyet asserts that CHP leader Baykal is very happy with
remarks by MHP's re-elected leader Bahceli. Baykal told the paper
that it was important to hear an approach from the MHP that is
nationalistic without ethnic discrimination. Praising MHP's stance
on preserving fundamental principles of the Turkish Republic, Baykal
says it was good to hear a call for both the right and left wings to
protect values which AKP constantly and deliberately erodes. Given
the remarks of Baykal, Guneri Civaoglu, a Milliyet columnist,
wonders if the CHP and MHP are going to form a coalition after the
next elections, and he concludes that nothing is impossible in
politics.

Bilgi University-Laureate Education
Hurriyet, Vatan, Sabah, Yeni Safak, Aksam: An Istanbul University,

ANKARA 00006472 002 OF 002

Bilgi, sold its 50 percent rights to American Laureate Education,
Inc. According to Turkish law, private universities are run by
non-profit foundations. Bilgi University Foundation Board has eight
members and with this sale half of the executive board members will
be represented by Laureate Education. Aksam says Laureate has
already named two representing members, associates of ARI Group (a
Turkish NGO with US branches). The other two names will also have
to be Turkish origin, according to the regulation.

TV Highlights
NTV (7 am)

Police arrested 29 leftist activists after breaking into the
Associated Press office in Ankara to protest alleged mistreatment of
prisoners in Turkey. There were no reported injuries. The
activists are known for campaigning on behalf of families of jailed
members of the DHKP-C, an outlawed Marxist group.

The EU set a deadline of December 6 for Turkey to allow Turkish
ports for Greek Cypriot vessels. Government spokesman Cemil Cicek
spoke negatively about this deadline and mentioned that the
isolation against Turkish Cypriots must end first.

The police have reported an alarming increase in juvenile
delinquency. The number of crimes committed by children in the last
six years has climbed to 400,000. Issuing a statement for the
World Children Rights Day, President Sezer asked for effective
measures against the abuse of children.

Prime Minister Erdogan emphasized that the elections would be held
at the scheduled time and ruled out possibilities for early
elections.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at

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

WILSON

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