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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANKARA 000384 
 
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 
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007 
 
 
In Today's Papers 
 
AKP Government Re-Shapes Article 301 
Sabah, Hurriyet:  The draft amendment of Article 301 of Turkish 
Penal Code, the law that makes it a crime to "insult Turkishness," 
will be discussed at the cabinet next week and then it will be sent 
to the Parliament for approval.  The draft reportedly changes the 
term "Turkishness" to "Turkish Nation" and also introduces the 
condition that prosecutors should get permission from the Justice 
Ministry before filing a court case based on this article.  Also, 
the highest penalty to be given based on the article is pulled down 
to two years from three years.  Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, 
reportedly, is not favorable to these recommendations for 
amendments. 
 
DTP Head Makes Controversial Statement on Kirkuk 
Hurriyet, Milliyet, Radikal, Cumhuriyet, Zaman and others report 
Hilmrdisd tQned to work with Turkey and the US in fightagainst the PKK. 
In other words, the US is while supporting Kurdish leaders with a 
language in disbelief to General Buyukanit, at the same time 
implying that Turkey should start a dialogue with the Kurdish 
leaders in Northern Iraq.  This proves that there are very serious 
problems not only between Turkey and Iraqi Kurds, but between Turkey 
and the US as well.  Would it be possible to claim that General 
Buyukanit's meetings in Washington were very successful under these 
circumstances?" 
 
 
ANKARA 00000384  002 OF 003 
 
 
Turkish Parliamentarian Efforts to Halt the Passage of Armenian 
Resolution 
Yeni Safak, Sabah:  A Turkish Parliamentary delegation attending 
NATO Parliamentary Assembly meetings in Brussels cautioned the US 
Congressional delegation about the negative impacts of issuance of 
the draft Armenian resolution by the US Congress, on bilateral 
relations.  Head of the Turkish delegation Vahit Erdem gave the 
message olution anddevelopments in Iraq.  On the 
request of the Parliamentarians, Foreign Minister Gul instruced his 
staff to draft the letter. 
 
Editorial Comment: Iran's Nuclear Program 
Fikret Ertan observes in the Islamist-intellectual Zaman:  "In their 
latest statements, Iranian President Ahmedinejad and other 
officials, vowed to pursue the uranium enrichment program despite 
the UN deadline.  As a matter of fact, Iran managed to advance in 
this program using 'time gaining' policies.  Last year Iran managed 
to enrich crude uranium by 3.5 percent and reached the desired stage 
in producing civilian nuclear oil.  Iran had to face international 
reaction several times in the past for its nuclear program. 
Ignoring the UN Security Council deadline was Iran's last step in 
the Iran-UN crisis.  The main issue here is, despite the UN, IAEA 
and others, Iran has almost reached the point where it wanted to 
reach." 
 
 
TV Highlights 
NTV, 6.00 A.M. 
 
Domestic News 
 
- A moderate earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale rattled 
the eastern province of Elazig on Wednesday afternoon, damaging 
several buildings.  No casualties have been reported so far.  The 
earthquake was also felt in the neighboring provinces of Malatya, 
Diyarbakir and Adiyaman. 
 
- Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said security forces will not 
tolerate provocations at Women's Day and Nevruz celebrations in 
March. 
 
- Prime Minister Erdogan accused The High Education Board (YOK) of 
obstructing science by not allowing the opening of ten new 
universities. 
 
- Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will travel to Islamabad on February 
25 to meet with his counterparts from six other Muslim countries to 
discuss problems in the Middle East. 
 
- The Turkish Parliament approved Wednesday a long-delayed law to 
allow the introduction of mortgages, which is expected to benefit 
the banking and real estate sectors.  Deputy Prime Minister 
Abdullatif Sener said mortgages would allow for longer term loans 
and lower rates, but added low earners were unlikely to benefit from 
the law. 
 
- The PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan's book "Prison 
WrIran.  urkey will be able 
 
ANKARA 00000384  003 OF 003 
 
 
to produce and sell crude oil and gas extracted in Iran. 
 
- Greek Cypriot leader Papadopoulos, given a cold reception in 
Athens regarding the oil exploration dispute with Turkey, said the 
Greek Cypriots did not have to seek consensus with Athens in every 
issue. 
 
- The Armenian parliament has passed a law allowing diaspora 
Armenians to vote in Armenian elections. 
 
- Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain will withdraw 1,600 troops 
from Iraq in the "coming months" if Iraqi forces can secure the 
southern part of the country. 
- 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ 
 
WILSON