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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002915
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
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2007
In Today's Papers
Ambassador Wilson: "The Exchange of Information is Producing Good
Results"
Aksam, Sabah, Cumhuriyet: While answering journalists' questions at
the reception celebrating Finland's national day, US Ambassador Ross
Wilson said that the "exchange of information is producing good
results. We have been working very hard and very closely with
Turkey since the meeting at the Oval Office in the beginning of
November. Turkey and the US exchanged a lot of information before
the November meeting, but since then, we have worked more
intensively and I think it is producing good results." When asked
why he had not met with DTP deputies, the Ambassador said that
"officials from the Embassy in Ankara have been meeting with many
people in different levels. As a separate matter, I think it is
important for DTP's members in the parliament to separate themselves
more clearly from terrorism." Cumhuriyet reported the same news
under the headline "No Concrete Stance from Washington. Wilson did
not say 'I won't talk with DTP.'" When asked for his opinion on the
draft constitution, Ambassador Wilson said "I am having meetings
with some MPs and academics regarding the draft constitution and am
trying to learn more about the topics on Turkey's agenda."
DTP Chairman Nurettin Demirtas Postpones his Return from Europe
Sabah, Cumhuriyet, Aksam, Hurriyet, Milliyet and others: In a
written statement, DTP Chairman Nurettin Demirtas said that, due to
programs organized by DTP offices in Europe, he will not be able to
return to Turkey until the end of December. In response to DTP
deputy Sirri Sakik's remarks that it is not easy for them to accept
a chairman from outside the parliament, Demirtas said "those who
cannot accept my chairmanship are those who could not adopt
democracy".
Meanwhile, Milliyet and Sabah report that the DTP's Erzincan branch
chairman Huseyin Bektasoglu was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison for
using the honorific (sayin) while referring to jailed PKK leader
Ocalan.
Foreign Minister Gul in Turkmenistan
All papers report that President Abdullah Gul visited Turkmenistan.
This is the first exchange between the two nations since 2002.
Vatan says that the visit opened a new chapter in ties between
Turkey and Turkmenistan. Milliyet says that the visit led to
important developments in natural gas products, namely that the
Turkmenistan president responded positively to the Turkish proposal
for transporting Turkmen natural gas from Turkey to Europe.
Meanwhile, Sabah reports that the White House is making the
necessary arrangements to host President Gul and the official date
for the visit will be announced by the White House.
Coca Cola's New Turkish CEO
All papers report that the Coca Cola company, which has a market
value of $140 billion, announced that Turkish businessman Murat Kent
will become the company's CEO as of July 2008. Kent became
president and chief operating officer of the company's North Asia,
Eurasia and Middle East group in May 2005 and became president of
Coca Cola International in February 2006. He started serving as
chief operating officer of the company in December 2006. With this
assignment, Kent became the first Turk to be assigned to such a
high-level post in a global company.
New Controversy in Malatya Murder Case
Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, Vatan, Taraf, Yeni Safak: Papers highlight a
new controversy in the murder of three missionaries in Malatya. It
was recently discovered that key suspect Emre Gunaydin's gun was
seized by the police the day before the murders took place.
Nevertheless, the same gun was found at the murder sight. Following
this new development, the prosecutor initiated a new investigation
into the murder.
ANKARA 00002915 002 OF 002
Sale of Sabah-ATV Media Group: Turkey's TSMF (Savings Deposits and
Insurance Fund) approved the sale of Sabah daily and ATV television
to Calik Group for $1.1 billion. Final approval from the
Radio-Television Supreme Board and the Competition Board is still
pending.
Cumhuriyet highlights a significant rise of pro-government media
share with this sale. Along with the sale of Sabah media group,
newspapers controlled by the government or pro-government entities
reach 43.1 percent of the newspaper market share and 32.7 percent of
the television market.
EDITORIAL OPINION: Iran
"Eyes Blinded By Oil"
Haluk Ulman commented in economic-political daily Dunya (12/7):
"The NIE report on Iran's nuclear program creates intense debates
about the virtue of Bush administration's policy on Iran. The NIE
report this time clearly tells differently than previous ones, and
also makes a projection for the future by saying that Iran cannot
reach a level of nuclear weapon producing capability before
2010-2015. All of this is good enough to invalidate President
Bush's argument about the need to strike Iran. On the other hand,
the possibility of a strike against Iran cannot be considered as
completely out of the question. Given President Bush's unilateral
tendency, Iran might be turning into another Iraq. Despite the lack
of proof of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Bush was
so determined to invade Iraq that he did it anyway. Even when the
WMD allegation was proven false, he played normal. Unfortunately
due to the advice and push by the neo-cons, the administration is
eager to gain control over Iranian and Iraqi oil reserves."
TV Highlights
NTV, 7.00 A.M.
Domestic News
An inmate started a fire in Bayrampasa prison in Istanbul. Some
prisoners were affected by the smoke.
Military operations continue in the Sirnak and Hakkari regions to
capture 300 PKK terrorists who crossed the border.
PM Erdogan released a message to mark the Jewish festival of
Hannukah.
International News
Greek media criticized Turkish FM Babacan's visit to Western
Thrace.
A parcel bomb explosion has killed one person and injured at least
five others at law offices in central Paris.
Iran plans to set up police stations run by women officers in Tehran
to deal only with offences committed by women.
WILSON