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DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
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TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU PREL KPAO
SUBJECT: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2010
Media Highlights: US Opens Third Front in Yemen - New TSA
regulations Seen as Anti Muslim; Erdogan on EU and Opening Halki
Seminary; Cosmic Search Continues at TGS; Turkish Ambassadors'
Conference; FM Lieberman-Ambassador Levy; TV Spotlight
US Embassy Ankara - Turkey Media Reaction - January 4, 2010 as
prepared by the Public Affairs Information Office
How the US is Playing
US Opens Third Front in Yemen: In "US Plans to Eat Yemen,"
Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak on 1/3 described the American-British
"third front" in the war against terror, noting that the foiled
attack in Detroit is an "excuse" to take action in Yemen. Turkish
media zero in on the "third front" theme, accompanied by mostly
negative reaction to TSA's new regulations against travelers from 14
countries in the Middle East as anti-Muslim. Mainstream Sabah
headlines "Third Front Against Al Qaeda," emphasizing that President
Obama for the first time has blamed Al Qaeda for attacking a US
airliner, while liberal Radikal notes in "Tensions Rise Over Yemen
Issue," that the US and Britain are "closing their embassies in
Yemen over emerging terrorist threats." Islamist-oriented Zaman
gives prominent play to the CBS TV report that claims the US
directed the 17-24 December operation in Yemen and has agreed with
Britain to fund a special counter-terrorism unit in Yemen "to
prevent Al Qaida from taking over the country as a safe haven." In
"Security vs. Privacy," mainstream Hurriyet takes an in-depth look
at full body sweeps, noting that "many countries did not want to put
full body scanner in use due to violations of privacy as well as
high doses of radiation, but in the aftermath of airline bomber this
reasoning is almost gone." Meanwhile, several Turkish columnists
express worry over the new security measures because of they seem
sure to provoke prejudice against Muslims. In mainstream Milliyet
Semih Idiz observes "a growing anti-Muslim sentiment within the
Western world" and that the new measures "will only make it more
impossible for Muslim travelers, especially women, to go to the US
and European destinations." Islamist Zaman's Ali Aslan opines that
President Obama being forced to get tough on security "is a victory
for those who provoke security paranoia in the US."
In the Headlines
Erdogan on Turkey's EU Accession and "Our Condition for Halki
Seminary is Western Thrace" (Milliyet)
Today's papers give extensive front page coverage to PM Erdogan's
interview with liberal Radikal's "Kriter" magazine. In "Turkey Has
Not Lost Its Zeal for EU Accession," Radikal plays up Erdogan's
views that negative comments by EU leaders about Turkey's accession
is "rocking the confidence of the Turkish people in the EU process."
Mainstream Sabah headlines "European Leaders Discourage Us" and
reports that during the interview, PM Erdogan emphasized that there
was no loss of enthusiasm in Turkey's EU bid. Regarding the Halki
Seminary, Mainstream Milliyet emphasizes that Erdogan notes "Turkish
government is working on the re-opening of Halki Seminary. However,
demands of the Turkish minority living in Western Thrace should be
taken into account while dealing with re-opening of Halki Seminary
process.
Sixth Search in Cosmic-Room
Cumhuriyet, Zaman, Sabah, Milliyet, Yeni Safak and others report
today that judge Kadir Kayan entered the cosmic room at the Special
Forces Command in Ankara one more time and conducted a search
yesterday. Sabah notes that the General Staff's demand for the
termination of the search and destruction of the records was
delivered to the relevant court after office hours on December 31,
therefore, the process of the demand was left for today.
Islamist-oriented Zaman says that the the continuation of the search
shows that the procedure is perfectly legal. Regarding the latest
happenings in Ankara, Milliyet questions the 10 newspapers' Ankara
representatives by saying "What is happening in Ankara?" Responses
of the Ankara reps show that while mainstream media express concern
ANKARA 00000017 002 OF 002
about the tiff between the state institutions, the pro-government
media commented positively on the developments and described all
developments as a sign for democratization.
In a related story, Milliyet columnist Asli Aydintasbas says foreign
observers described the decreasing influence of the military in
Turkish politics as an "irreversible" process. The writer notes
that the foreign world acts on the assumption that the Turkish army
would not be able to regain its previous power on the political
arena.
200 Turkish Ambassadors to Gather in Ankara
Papers report that some 200 Turkish ambassadors posted around the
world will gather in Ankara to discuss Turkey's foreign policy in
2010. Foreign Minister Davutoglu will deliver the opening remarks
of the conference to be held on Monday. The ambassadors and
Davutoglu will move on to the city of Mardin over the weekend to
wrap up the discussions.
Lieberman Lashes Out at Israel's Ambassador in Turkey
All papers cite the Jerusalem Post reporting Israeli Foreign
Minister Avigdor Lieberman lashed out at the Israeli ambassadors
around the world for "over-identifying" with their host countries.
"We should end the period of placing ourselves at a lower position.
I saw that some of the ambassadors have identified themselves so
much with their host countries to the extent that they started to
support the points of those countries," Lieberman reportedly said.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Lieberman's criticism was in
reference to the Israeli Ambassador to Ankara Gaby Levy. Mainstream
Aksam recalls that Levy, who was born in Turkey, had earlier said
regarding the tensions with Turkey that Israel, too, might have made
some mistakes.
TV Spotlight
On January 5, President Gul will host a luncheon for the heads of
the legislative, the executive and the judiciary on the occasion of
the New Year.
Foreign Minister Davutoglu met Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on
Sunday to discuss the steps for combating Islamophobia.
Religious affairs directorate Diyanet head Ali Bardakoglu says
minorities in Turkey face no problems in training their clerics, and
that problems regarding the Halki Seminary must be resolved within
the framework of religious freedoms.
Ten Turkish citizens were detained by the Iranian security forces
when they entered Iran using Esendere bordergate in Hakkari, over
charges of smuggling oil.
Turkish exports for 2009 are expected to surpass USD 100 billion.
The Afghan parliament has rejected two-thirds of the ministers
nominated by President Hamid Karzai.
JEFFREY