BBC Monitoring Quotes From Turkish Press 25 Oct 07

Oct 25, 04:49 AM

Current Headlines: The following is a selection of quotes from articles and commentaries published in the 25 October 07 editions of Turkish newspapers:

PKK, cross-border operation in northern Iraq

Milliyet (centrist) "In the fight against terrorism, [Northern Iraqi leader Mas'ud] Barzani does not stand next to Turkey but against it. In other words, he is siding with the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party]... As long as this approach of Barzani's does not change, his [hostile] position in Turkey's eyes will not change either... The fact that PKK attacks are keeping Turkey busy both inside and on the Iraqi border, helps Barzani regarding his own project, especially when it comes to Kirkuk..." (Commentary by Fikret Bila)

Milliyet "At the moment, Turkey enjoys international support because no one can deny the bloody attack that came from northern Iraq. However, if Ankara cannot persuade the world public opinion about its real aim, and in a very short period of time, it may be considered as unjust on the issue where it is totally in the right... We have to tell the world that we are ready not for a Turkish-Kurdish war but for taking measures against a terrorist organization that comes from the territory of a neighbouring country and carries out bloody attacks [inside Turkey]." (Commentary by Semih Idiz)

Hurriyet (centre-right) "From now on, nobody has the right to wear our patience thin or to test our deterrence and persuasiveness. As the citizens of this country, we now expect a specific outcome..." (Commentary by Ertugrul Ozkok)

Hurriyet "A cross-border operation actually means war. Let us be aware of that. They may want to drag Turkey into northern Iraq. They may try to place Turkey into a difficult position amid political chaos. But we have to risk this. Otherwise, we will always be beaten. The one who wants peace must be ready for war. There is not peace but captivity for the one who does not know how to fight." (Commentary by Rahmi Turan)

Referans (economy-oriented) "Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's visit to London was very important regarding the preparation of the necessary and even obligatory 'political and diplomatic infrastructure' for a 'military operation' against the PKK targets in Iraq... The point that has been achieved with the UK in this atmosphere [especially the signing of a 'strategic partnership document'] is very important and valuable for Turkey's 'international profile' in fighting terrorism..." (Commentary by Cengiz Candar)

Radikal (centre-left) "For Erdogan, solving the crisis through diplomacy has a special importance. Prime Minister has often said that he will not hesitate when it becomes necessary to use arms. But he is also doing as much as he can to refrain from such a thing. He finds it necessary to end the crisis which is already caused by bloody attacks without any more bloodshed - it is vital both for the foreign and domestic policies of Turkey." (Commentary by Murat Yetkin)

Cumhuriyet (secular, Kemalist) "The basic fact is that the terrorists are based in northern Iraq. A 'neighbouring' country is providing refuge for those attacking Turkey's integrity, its troops, the life and property of its citizens. This is obvious hostility. No country, which has power, honour and sovereignty can allow this..." (Commentary by Orhan Bursali)

Sabah (centrist) "Getting angry about and reacting against terrorism and the forces behind it is of course our right. But we do not have the right to humiliate a nation [the Kurds]... The last thing Turkey needs is clashes among its own citizens and one must openly say that it feels as if the streets are waiting for a little spark for such a provocation. That's why it is beneficial if we direct our reaction against terrorism and its supporters [rather than the Kurds as a nation]." (Commentary by Ergun Babahan)

Zaman (moderate, pro-Islamic) "If the Iraqi Kurdish leaders take Ankara's demands seriously and finally act against the PKK, they will not only open the door for a Turkish-Kurdish closeness, but also support democracy in Turkey. [And] if Washington takes Ankara's demands seriously this time and act against the PKK, it may find the opportunity to repair its already very low credibility in Turkey, which is its most important ally in the Islamic world..." (Commentary by Sahin Alpay)

Originally published by Quotes package from BBC Monitoring, in Turkish 25 Oct 07.

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