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TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU PREL KPAO
SUBJECT: TURKISH MEDIA REACTION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010
Media Highlights
US Embassy Ankara - Turkey Media Reaction - February 4, as prepared
by the Public Affairs Information Office
How the US is Playing
Police Arrest Six after Shots Fired at US Adana Consulate (Hurriyet)
Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet, mainstream Hurriyet online and
several television channels report police arrested six suspects
Wednesday, believed to be members of al-Qaeda, over shots fired at
the US Consulate in the city of Adana "with long range weapons" on
Monday evening. Police found documents belonging to al-Qaeda in the
suspects' homes, says Hurriyet.
General Odierno's Visit
In "Reminding General Odierno of Concrete Action," mainstream
Hurriyet reported that Interior Minister Besir Atalay during the
meeting with the General, reminded the US to take concrete actions
for the elimination of the PKK presence in Iraq and extradition of
PKK leaders to Turkey. The paper adds that during the meeting at
the Interior Ministry, Odierno was briefed about Turkey's
preparations for the evacuation of the Makhmour Camp. Mainstreams
Milliyet, Vatan and Aksam in similar headlines referred to the
General as sack "Sack Commander". Aksam notes that after meeting
the Turkish officials to discuss the evacuation of Makhmour camp,
elimination of PKK activities in Northern Iraq, the situation of US
Forces in Northern Iraq and future deployment plans, Odierno left
Ankara in the evening for Iraq. Islamist-oriented Yeni Safak
headlines "Makhmour Activity of US Commander" and after referring to
the General as the architect of the "sack crisis," reports that
Odierno met with the Turkish officials to discuss Makhmour Camp.
While the other papers do not mention it, leftist-nationalist
Cumhuriyet reports that General Odierno met with FM Davutoglu in the
evening hours.
Fikret Ertan in Islamist/pro-government Zaman characterized General
Odierno as an "iron fist" and focused on his personal profile:
"Turkey has to know this strong man in Iraq very well, as he is not
only in charge of ending the PKK activity in Iraq, but he is also
fully responsible for the US withdrawal. When a similar meeting was
organized two years ago to discuss methods for eliminating PKK
presence in Iraq, Turkish officials did not express contentment, and
it remains to be seen what concrete results will come out this
time."
Ambassador Jeffrey: "The Coup Syndrome, Like Turkey, Has Changed"
(Sabah)
Mainstream Sabah under the headline above, published the second part
of columnist Nur Batur's extensive interview with Ambassador
Jeffrey. Responding to a question regarding Turkish military's role
in the politics and the coup syndrome in Turkey, Ambassador Jeffrey
said "Turkey is a very stable country now. The need for the
military to follow internal issues strongly has decreased. General
Basbug is a democratic leader." Responding to a question on whether
anti-Americanism has increased in Turkey, Ambassador said "I don't
really think so. Turkish media's attitude towards us is much better
than that of many other allies. In general, I cannot say that there
is anti-Americanism in Turkey. Turks are usually skeptical about
the big and powerful partners which they have close defense ties
with. Because this means mutual dependency. We are very close and
dependent on Turkey. Likewise, Turkey is dependent on the US. That
is why we are getting lots of criticism. Because, we have a lot of
mutual expectations." Regarding the religious leader Fethullah
Gulen's 'Green Card' issue, the Ambassador said "Gulen did not
receive his green card by the government's decision but by US Court
decision. He was not protected by the US government. When the US
government rejected his request for a green card, he, personally,
went to a US court and got his green card with the court decision."
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"Holbrooke Praises Turkey's Unique Role in ISAF" (Hurriyet online)
Mainstream Hurriyet online highlights US Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke's Foreign Press Center
event and his remarks about Turkey's role in ISAF: "I cannot think
of any country other than Turkey who plays an important role in ISAF
regarding operations in this country. Turkey is certainly one of
the countries with legitimate security and strategic interests in
Afghanistan."
Yildiz Hosts American, Iranian Guests (Sabah); US Wants to Build
Nuclear Plant in Sinop (CNN Turk online)
Mainstream Sabah says that on Wednesday, Energy Minister Taner
Yildiz conducted "energy diplomacy" by meeting first with Ambassador
Jeffrey and then visiting Iranian FM Manuchehr Muttaki. During his
meeting with Yildiz, Ambassador Jeffrey reportedly said the US was
interested in building a nuclear plant in Sinop, and added the US
government would encourage American companies to participate if
Turkey announces a contract. Following the meeting, Jeffrey told
reporters the US was not "warm" to Turkey's energy cooperation with
Iran "as long as the problems stemming from Iran's nuclear program
continue." In response to a question, Jeffrey said "Azerbaijan,
Turkmenistan and Iraq" could be the "suppliers" for the Nabucco
project.
Iranian FM Muttaki held a meeting with Foreign Minister Davutoglu to
discuss Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan as well as the latest
regarding Tehran's nuclear program following his meetings with
Energy Minister Yildiz. At a joint press briefing with the Iranian
FM, Davutoglu said Turkey defended Iran's right to develop peaceful
nuclear technology, but reiterated Turkey's opposition to nuclear
weapons in its region. Liberal Radikal notes Muttaki came to Turkey
when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved a
formula for sending 3.5 percent enriched Iranian uranium abroad in
return for research reactor fuel rods. Diplomatic sources said a
Turkish delegation would go to Tehran soon to discuss storing
Iranian uranium in Turkey, says Radikal.
US Sends Its Izmir-Experienced Diplomat to Damascus (Hurriyet)
Mainstream Hurriyet reports Robert Ford will soon be the US
Ambassador to Syria and reminds its readers that Ambassador Ford
began his career in Turkey, served in Izmir in 1985 and speaks both
Arabic and Turkish. Damascus is expected to give its consent to his
appointment, the report adds.
Al-Qaeda Makes CIA Chief Lose Sleep (Milliyet)
Mainstream Milliyet and leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet report that
"US intelligence chiefs" said they believe it was inevitable that
al-Qaeda will attempt an attack on the US over the next three to six
months. Papers report that the CIA and FBI chiefs as well as the US
National Intelligence Director and other intelligence officials
responded to Senators' questions in a hearing held at the US Senate
Intelligence Committee.
In the Headlines
Iran For the First Time Welcomes Nuclear Deal (Radikal)
Liberal Radikal highlights recent developments on Iran: "Iranian
President Ahmadinejad says Iran's enriched uranium could be
processed outside the country, a deal Iran once rejected. The US and
Western countries are wary of the offer." In "Both Compromise and
Threat from Iran," leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet emphasizes that
"Iran has declared its openness to accepting an enriched-uranium
deal but also its readiness to act alone if the promises are not
kept." Mainstream Aksam reports there is a "Green Light to Uranium
Exchange." Meanwhile, mainstream Hurriyet notes "Turkey Becomes a
Strong Option for Iran's Uranium Delivery" and says "it was
noteworthy that the Iranian President's statement on the nuclear
deal was on the agenda of Iranian FM Mottaki's meeting with Turkish
FM Davutoglu. Turkish media have fun with the news that Iran sent
up its first rocket with animals on board, underlining the fact that
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the fate of the animals is unclear." Hurriyet headlines "Iran Fires
A Turtle into Space," while mainstream Sabah calls it "Rats and
Worms into Space."
MFA: Ambassador Celikkol Will Remain in Tel Aviv (Cumhuriyet)
Leftist-nationalist Cumhuriyet reports Turkish Foreign Ministry
(MFA) Spokesman Burak Ozugergin told reporters yesterday that
Turkey's Ambassador in Israel, Oguz Celikkol, would remain in Tel
Aviv, and that the Ambassador did not request appointment elsewhere.
Iraq Gives Ankara 8 Diplomatic Notes in 4 Months (Sabah)
Mainstream Sabah notes the intensity of diplomatic note exchange
between Iraq and Turkey due to Baghdad's discomfort and complaints
about the "Turkish military's artillery shots and air raids in Iraq
border areas." Quoting Bayazid Hasan, a member of Iraqi Parliament,
the story says that "In a statement he released, Hasan said Iraq
gave 8 notes to Turkey in the January 12, 2009 to May 4, 2009 period
because there were 57 border violations by Turkish military in the
Kurdistan region."
TV Spotlight (CNN Turk)
On Thursday, two million public servants and workers will go on
general strike countrywide. The Civil Servants' Trade Union,
Memur-Sen, has announced they will not participate in the
countrywide strike.
The parliament will debate Thursday a draft for the establishment of
Public Order and Security Undersecretariat.
Turkey-Eurasia Business Council meeting will be held in Ankara on
Thursday with the participation of Foreign Minister Davutoglu,
Energy Minister Yildiz and State Minister Caglayan.
President Gul will visit India and Bangladesh from February 7-13.
Turkish Foreign Ministry (MFA) Spokesman Burak Ozugergin said Turkey
wanted the EU to exempt Turkish nationals from visa requirements,
not to just facilitate visa procedures.
Outgoing European Commissioner Gunter Verheugen has sent warm
messages to Turkey, saying that the EU needs Turkey more than Turkey
needs the EU.
Bulgarian Parliament has ratified the intergovernmental agreement on
the Nabucco Project, which was signed in Istanbul last year.
Israel has launched air strikes on southern Gaza.
Haitian PM Bellerive said "more than 200,000" people died in the
catastrophic January 12 earthquake.
Iranian opposition leader Karroubi called for peaceful
demonstrations in Iran on the 31st anniversary of the Islamist
revolution.
A White House spokesman said Iran's launch of a rocket capable of
carrying a satellite was a "provocative act."
US General Petraeus said a military strike on Iran could have the
unintended consequence of stirring nationalist sentiment to the
benefit of Tehran's hard-line government.
JEFFREY