HOW DID TURKISH NEWSPAPERS RECEIVE OBAMA?
BIA, Turkey
April 7 2009
The Evrensel, Birgun and Gunluk newspapers criticised Obama’s messages
as insincere. Hurriyet, Milliyet and Radikal quoted his message of
a new phase in Turkish-American relations. Star and Taraf published
his message to the Muslim world.
Bia news centre – Istanbul 07-04-2009 Emine OZCAN
US President Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey was on the front pages
of Turkey’s daily newspapers today.
The Hurriyet newspaper referred to Obama’s slogan of "change" and said
"We Must All Change". The first page was devoted to Obama’s comments
on the importance of Turkey and praise for the country.
The Zaman newspaper announce Obama’s visit under the heading
"Historical and Warm Messages." The newspaper acknowledged Obama’s
gesture of visiting Prime Minister Erdogan at the Prime Ministerial
Office and further discussed four messages of the US President:
"The USA is not at war with Islam, nor will it be. We support
EU membership for Turkey. We will form a model partnership with
Turkey. PKK and Al Qaida are common enemies. Many American families
have Muslim members. I am one of them."
The Sabah newspaper’s headline ran "Obama’s Ankara Manifesto." The
newspaper reported that Obama supported an opening of the border
with Armenia, a discussion of the events of 1915 in parliament,
and a re-opening of a priests’ seminary on Heybeliada in Istanbul.
The Radikal newspaper read "Let Our Partnership Be a Model", with
another heading saying "Two laicist democratic countries must form
a model partnership."
The Birgun newspaper was more critical, saying "Obama’s Bargain for
Cheap Soldiers." Referring to the Ataturk quote "Peace in the country,
peace in the world," which Obama wrote into the visitor’s book at
Ataturk’s mausoleum in Ankara, the newspaper said, "He might write
[that], but he has visited in order to place more Turkish soldiers
in the region, especially Afghanistan."
The Evrensel newspaper said "Trying to Please Everyone", saying that
he was trying to win over everyone with different messages.
The Milliyet newspaper covered Obama’s visit with the headline
"Setting off with Turkey," reporting that Obama’s speech in Turkish
Parliament on Monday showed the path ahead.
The Haberturk newspaper’s headline read "He Didn’t Budge," adding
below, "On his first visit to a foreign country, US President Barack
Obama spoke candidly, emphasing a laicist democracy. He sent the
world important messages."
With its heading "You Change, Too", the Vatan newspaper said that
Obama was calling on Turkey to change. The newspaper also covered
the president’s comments on the 1915 events and priests’ seminaries.
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The Star and Taraf newspapers had nearly the same headline, the
Taraf writing "We Will Not Fight with Islam", and Star saying "We
Will Never Fight with Islam."
The Gunluk newspaper said, "Obama Came, Bush Talked," arguing that
Obama was following Bush’s policy and supporting Turkey against
the PKK.
The Yenisafak newspaper put Obama’s sentence "There are Muslims in
My Family" on the front page and emphasised that Obama would try to
make good Bush’s mistakes. (EZO/AG)