Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008

In Today's Papers

In Today's Papers

Americans Voters Elect Barack Obama
Broadcast and internet news outlets this morning feature Barack
Obama's electoral victory as their feature story. NTV reports in,
"The First Black President," that "The dream came true." CNN Turk
headlines with "The Dream Comes True," as "Obama writes history,"
but notes, "While Barack Obama is the first black person to be
elected president, racial discrimination still continues in the
U.S." Mainstream Hurriyet carries the headlines, "The American
Dream Comes True," and "Obama: The World's New Boss," on its
website. Islamist-oriented Zaman carries the headline, "Change Has
Come to America," on its website. In a related story, Zaman reports
in "The Dark Picture of Racism in America," that "despite the fact
that Obama is elected the first African-American President, racism
still continues against African-Americans in healthcare, the
economy, and the court system." Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak
carries the headline, "A Black President Goes to the White House,"
on their website. Liberal Radikal carries the headline, "They Said
This Day Would Never Come," on their website. Mainstream Sabah's
website quotes from the President Elect's victory speech in the
headline, "We Will Build a New Country." Far-right Ortadogu reports
on its website, "Obama owes his victory to votes from
African-Americans, women, Hispanics and young people." Conservative
Turkiye reports, "The U.S. Salutes its First Black President."
Economic daily Referans reports, "The New U.S. President is taking
control of a country with a ruined economy."

The World's New Boss: From mainstream Hurriyet's web page;
www.hurriyet.com.tr

Cartoon from today's mainstream Sabah entitled, "The World
Rejoices," as one man asks "Are you happy that America has a new
President?" and the answer is "No, it's that the old President is
going."

Editorial Opinion on President Elect Barack Obama
Hasan Cemal wrote in mainstream Milliyet: "Let's hope Barack Obama
makes history in the White House by bringing change, which is very
important not only for Americans but also for the entire world.
Let's hope his policy approach includes diplomacy and dialogue, as
opposed to the Bush administration's unilateral and know-it-all
approach. It seems there will be a better future with a Barack
Obama presidency."

Hasan Bulent Kahraman wrote in mainstream Sabah: "The Bush
administration undoubtedly will leave a black mark on American
history. Yet what matters now is what will happen after the
elections. Had McCain been elected, the world would have suffered
even more from neo-conservative globalization and the use of force.
With Obama's victory, the main question is - how much will the
United States actually change? That is important about America's
future as well."

Kursat Bumin wrote in Islamist oriented Yeni Safak: "The most
meaningful part of the election results comes with the fact that
citizens of a country had the capacity to change themselves. They
elected a black person as their leader while the same country and
the same citizens are remembered for serious racism issues not so
long ago."

Cengiz Candar wrote in liberal-intellectual Radikal: "Obama is an
American but he has characteristics from all of us in the world. He
is a reflection of us and he is aware of this capacity. And this
very American has been elected President of the United States, which
is the best news of 2008."

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PM Erdogan's Remarks Stir Controversy
During his trip to the largely Kurdish Southeast of Turkey over the
weekend, PM Erdogan angered many Kurds when he said, "Those who
reject the concept of one flag and one nation are free to leave and
go anywhere they want," which many media outlets translated as
"Turkey - love it or leave it." In the front page headline "The
Sheriff" Vatan mocked Prime Minister Erdogan's approach to the
issue. Leftist Taraf characterized the words as "horrifying."
Referring to PM Erdogan's comment that "citizens armed with
pump-action rifles had the right to defend themselves," main
opposition leader Baykal said, "If people are left to defend
themselves, there is no reason for a prime minister and a
government. Erdogan has no right to say 'Turkey - love it or leave
it.' He should leave if he fails to fulfill his responsibilities,
but we will all continue living together." Daily Taraf notes "even
Baykal tells the truth."

All papers report CHP leader Baykal's reactions to PM Erdogan's
comment and they also add DTP leader Ahmet Turk's further reaction.
During his party group meeting at parliament, Chairman Turk
expressed concern that PM Erdogan is encouraging attacks against the
DTP.

Almost a Fist Fight at Parliament
Due to Radio Television Supreme Board (RTUK) Chairman Zahid Akman's
inclusion in the controversial Deniz Feneri corruption case in
Germany, the CHP members of the RTUK commission refused to let Akman
present a budget to the Commission, which nearly resulted in a fist
fight between AKP and CHP members. In fact, bodyguards and security
officials had to intervene to end the fighting. Radikal carries the
headline, "Fist Fight for Akman" and Hurriyet says "AKP Assaults CHP
for Akman's Sake" while both draw attention to the escalated tension
in Parliament regarding RTUK.

The EU Calls for a Free Press in Turkey
Mainstreams Hurriyet and Milliyet report that EU Commissioner for
Enlargement Olli Rehn told the European Parliament, "The freedom of
the press and the freedom of expression should be included in
Turkey's reform process." Rehn also noted, "The negative stance
towards the media in Turkey has become a serious source of concern.
Reforms should be made immediately."

Duchess of York: "I had no Political Goals"
Liberal Radikal and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet report that Sarah
Ferguson, theDuchess of York, responded to criticism from the
Turkish government for secretly taking photos of poor conditions in
Turkish orphanages. She told the press, "I had no political goals
or bad intentions."

TV News:
CNN Turk

Domestic News

- The Parliament's Human Rights Commission report says that
protests staged during Nevruz celebrations were aimed at spreading
PKK propaganda.

- The directors of DTP branches in Istanbul and Fatih were arrested
for attempting to stage illegal protests during the weekend.

- The Privatization Administration invites bids for the sale of the
National Lottery.

International News

EU Commissioner Olli Rehn told the European Parliament, "The AKP
closure case consumed valuable time and energy that otherwise could
have been used to advance Turkey's EU entry bid."

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Following his contacts in the U.S., the leader of Iraq's Kurdish
region, Massoud Barzani will pay a visit to France.

WILSON

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