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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-06-02

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No.102/04 02.06.04

[A] NEWS ITEMS

  • [01] The foreign Minister of Turkey warns against attempts to change the demographic structure of Kirkuk while Turkey continues to implement the policy of islamizing and Turkifying the territories of Cyprus under Turkish military control.
  • [02] Turkish Cypriot daily says that the UN Secretary - General Kofi Annan "slaps" the Greek Cypriots with his report for Cyprus.
  • [03] Sener Levent is giving a press conference in the free areas of Cyprus.
  • [04] The former President of Sudan paid an illegal visit to the occupation regime.
  • [05] KIBRIS accuses the occupation regime for 'prosecutes' Turkish Cypriot journalists while the real criminals are out in the streets.
  • [06] Erdogan: Government not to push university reforms.
  • [B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

  • [07] Turkish Cypriot newspaper: "The EU acts as though Cyprus is not under occupation".
  • [08] Former Turkish Foreign Minister assesses General Basbug´s speech and points out the contradictory policy of Turkey over the state structure in Iraq and Cyprus.
  • [09] Ozker Ozgur accuses the so-called government of the occupation regime of not wanting now a solution on the basis of the Annan Plan and of trying to get the pseudostate recognized. [A} NEWS ITEMS

  • [01] The foreign Minister of Turkey warns against attempts to change the demographic structure of Kirkuk while Turkey continues to implement the policy of islamizing and Turkifying the territories of Cyprus under Turkish military control Ankara TRT 2 Television (01.06.04) broadcast that Mr Abdullah Gul, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, has said that Turkey's reaction to attempts aimed at faits accomplis and at changing the demographic situation in Kirkuk will be clear, adding: "I am clearly stating that it is dangerous to play games with regards to Kirkuk." Gul, who concluded his official visit to Saudi Arabia, has returned to Turkey. In a statement at Esenboga Airport, Gul said that Saudi Arabia is extending extensive political and economic support regarding Cyprus. He added that concrete steps were taken at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) foreign ministers conference in a bid to lift the so-called economic and trade isolation of occupied Cyprus. In reply to a question on attempts to disrupt the demographic structure in Kirkuk, Gul said that the government is closely following the developments. Mr Gul said: "There are certain rumours. We are following the authenticity of these rumors in place. Naturally, Turkey's reaction to conscious attempts directed toward creating a fait accompli and changing the demographic structure there will be very clear. This issue does not concern Turkey alone, it concerns the other neighboring countries as well. From this point of view, Saudi Arabia has similar concerns in that direction. I am clearly stating: Playing games with regard to Kirkuk is dangerous."
  • [02] Turkish Cypriot daily says that the UN Secretary - General Kofi Annan "slaps" the Greek Cypriots with his report for Cyprus Under the banner front-page title "Annan slapped the Greek Cypriots with his report", Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (02.06.04) publishes in English the Cyprus report that the UN Secretary - General, Kofi Annan is expected to submit to the Security Council. The paper says that in the report Mr Annan gives "positive messages" for the Turkish Cypriots and strongly criticizes President Papadopoulos. According to HALKIN SESI, Mr Annan asks the Council to decide the end of the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots and notes that the Greek Cypriots, by voting "no" at the referendum for the Annan Plan, have rejected the solution of the Cyprus problem. He also supports that the Turkish Cypriots expressed their will for the reunification of the island and abandoned the efforts for the recognition of their illegal regime as a separate state.
  • [03] Sener Levent is giving a press conference in the free areas of Cyprus Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (02.06.04) reports that its editor-in-chief, Sener Levent is giving a press conference today at the Holiday Inn Hotel, in the free areas of Cyprus, regarding the charges he is about to file against the Republic of Cyprus for not accepting his candidature in the elections for the Cypriot members of the European Parliament.
  • [04] The former President of Sudan paid an illegal visit to the occupation regime Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (02.06.04) reports that the former Sudanese President Mr Abdurrahman Saurel da han, who was President of Sudan in the period 1985-87, paid an illegal visit yesterday to the occupation regime. Mr Saurel da han, who was invited to the occupied part of Cyprus by "Our Party", met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktas and the so-called Prime Minister of the occupation regime, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat. Speaking during the meeting, Mr Denktas stated that Mr Saurel da han has invited the so-called Minister of Foreign Affairs of the occupation regime, Mr Serdar Denktas, to visit Sudan. He also stated that Sudan has always supported the pseudostate in the international field. On his part, Mr Talat said that the relations between the pseudostate and Sudan are very good. He also added that the Turkish Cypriots are trying to find their place in the Islamic Conference, the Islamic world and the world in general. In addition the former Sudanese President expressed his support to the occupation regime and called on the Turkish Cypriots to make investments in Sudan.
  • [05] KIBRIS accuses the occupation regime for 'prosecutes' Turkish Cypriot journalists while the real criminals are out in the streets Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (02.06.04) under the title "The bombers are on the streets, the journalists are in trials", accused the occupation regime that 'prosecutes' and 'files charges' against Turkish Cypriot journalists while the real criminals and those who put the bombs are out in the streets. The paper writes that the occupation regime continues its prosecutions against some Turkish Cypriot journalists who wrote about the conducting of a symbolic referendum which took place on the 25th of March in the occupied Elia village. 'Charges' were 'filed' then against the chief editor of KIBRIS Mr Basaran Duzgun and the columnist Hasan Hasturer, while the general publication manager of the paper Mr Suleyman Erguclu was also accused for giving permission for the events' publishing. In addition similar 'charges' were 'filed' for the same case against the columnist of ORTAM newspaper Hasan Kahvecioglu and the general publication manager of ORTAM Mr Mehmet Davulcu. The occupation regime, which wants to try the journalists at the court martial, opened new 'law cases' yesterday against the administration of KIBRIS and against the AN-GRAPHICS LIBRIS LTD, which is a firm of the KIBRIS media group. The general secretary of the AN-GRAPHICS LIBRIS LTD, Mr Fehim Nevzat faces 'charges' that can put him to 'jail' for 21 years while Mr Basaran Duzgun faces 'charges' that can put him to 'jail' for 10 years, Mr Hasan Hasturer faces 'charges' that can put him to 'jail' for 21 years and Mr Suleyman Erguclu faces 'charges' that can put him to 'jail' for 21 years. Besides, Mr Mehmet Davulcu faces four new 'suits' for articles that were published in his paper written by the columnist Hasan Kahvecioglu in which he accused the occupation regime and the occupation army. Speaking to KIBRIS Mr Davulcu stated that he does not accept these accusations and added that his paper holds a very important place in the Turkish Cypriot press. He faces charges that can put him to 'jail' for 88 years. Speaking to KIBRIS, Mr Erguclu stated that the status quo "is living its last moments" and strongly criticised the pressure of the occupation regime against the mass media and the journalists in occupied Cyprus which has been increased. He said that these actions have various aims, to affect the press, to give a bad impression as regards Talat "government" to the eyes of the public and to create troubles towards Turkey's accession to the EU. He said that the journalists and the paper will continue to fight and stressed: "We will go to 'jail' if we have to but we will not stop fighting", he said. Writing about the situation in his daily column "Backstage", Mr Basaran Duzgun stated that he spoke about the incident with Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, who said that these actions are "a step in the back for the Turkish Cypriots". The Turkish Cypriot Journalists' Union and the BASIN SEN Trade Union, strongly criticised the new accusations against the journalists.
  • [06] Erdogan: Government not to push university reforms Turkish mainland HURRIYET newspaper (02.06.04) reports that the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they were right in the Higher Education Board Law that was vetoed by President Sezer but will keep the law pending for a while. However he called on everybody to respect the majority in Parliament, which reflected the will of the people. Addressing his party group at the Turkish Parliament, Erdogan said that the postponed problem of Turkey was a healthy democracy, law and justice. He said that there was unfair competition from education to working life and this equality should be established in all fields. He said that providing these "Might sadden some who are not like the people, who do not share the grief of people" and that these sections saw democracy as a preference in their favour. Erdogan also said: "About 90 articles of the Higher Education Board law have so far been amended but has been the unfair competition problem solved? Is it abnormal when Justice and Development Party makes a change? We can not serve for the good of this nation by keeping part of it under an accusation." Stressing that "No one has the right to be above the law," Erdogan concluded: "The Higher Education Board Law will be evaluated in the conscience of the people."
  • [B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

  • [07] Turkish Cypriot newspaper: "The EU acts as though Cyprus is not under occupation" Nicosia AFRIKA newspaper (31.05.04) publishes the following commentary in the "Letter from AFRIKA" column under the title: "Greek Cypriot veto obstacle to negotiation date": "Turkey let the `TRNC¨ down in European institutions twice in a very short time. There was a vote at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and another one at the European Council [Congress of Local and Regional Authorities] on the local administrations. On both occasions Turkey failed to stand in favor of the representation of the `TRNC´. It did not support it. It ran away in the first voting. In the second, it abstained. Those who assume that these were unintentional or isolated cases are mistaken. These moves are part of the comprehensive policy set on the Cyprus problem. Turkey cannot go beyond the present situation in Cyprus. It cannot demand the recognition of the `TRNC´. It cannot engage in moves aimed at strengthening the separate state here. You may ask, why? If it does, it will risk its own position. It will never get the date that it expects from Europe. Moreover, it will face Papadopoulos' veto card. No one will be able to prevent the exercise of this veto against Turkey. Abdullah Gul had said before the public referendum, "We shall visit the world to demand recognition for the `TRNC´." He did not keep his word. He does visit, but he does not demand recognition for the `TRNC´. Turkey got the "yes" that it expected from the Turkish Cypriots and has retreated to its corner. This was what it wanted anyway. The Greek Cypriot "no" in the public referendum added a separate flavor to the problem. While Turkey was expected to be declared, after 1 May, "Invader on EU territory," it suddenly got off the hook and, furthermore, found itself in a justified position. One "yes" was enough. The Greek Cypriots, rather than Turkey, started getting blamed. Turkey has been declared as the party that wants peace without having to withdraw a single soldier from here and without returning any land. In the aftermath of the public referendum, the EU acts as though Cyprus is not under occupation. It does not put pressure on Turkey to withdraw any troops. It overlooks the presence of Turkey in North Cyprus. Should Turkey feel it will be faced with the Greek Cypriot veto in December, it will be able to get rid of the problem only in one way: by satisfying the demands of the Greek Cypriots. Holding the veto card in their hand, the Greek Cypriots hope to grab what they demand from Turkey in this way. They expect Turkey to satisfy in December the objections they made to the Annan Plan. It will not be easy for Turkey to get a negotiating date in light of the Greek Cypriot veto. As for us, we have cleared Turkey's [EU] course, but have blocked our course all the more. Nothing has changed here. Those who think otherwise should speak out!"
  • [08] Former Turkish Foreign Minister assesses General Basbug´s speech and points out the contradictory policy of Turkey over the state structure in Iraq and Cyprus Istanbul HURRIYET newspaper (01.06.04) publishes the following commentary by former Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr Ilter Turkmen, under the title: "Security symposium": "The opening address of the Second Chief of General Staff at the symposium at the War Academies on 27-28 May justifiably drew a lot of attention. Gen Ilker Basbug, in his speech with a rich content in which rather doubtful metaphors were included, mentioned security and defense subjects, but actually he presented an extensive tour of the foreign policy horizon. This is something, which has not been done by the foreign ministers for years. Thanks to Gen Basbug, the Turkish public found the opportunity to obtain extensive information on the subjects of the basic problems and aspects of foreign policy. Most of the approaches of Gen Basbug were balanced and pragmatic and his diagnoses were appropriate. It was extremely appropriate for him to state that no matter how wrong the Iraqi policy of the United States is, it is Turkey, which would be harmed the most, from chaos or a civil war in Iraq. But he criticized the envisaging of a loose federation in Iraq and said the following: "Historical examples show that countries, which have different ethnic and religious groups, can be kept together under a stronger centralized administration". This is correct, but is this possible other than with an authoritarian and arrogant regime similar to that of Saddam Husayn? On the other hand, this view is completely opposite to the thesis we have always defended for Cyprus, is it not? Gen Basbug criticized the transition period law, which determines the main outline of the future constitution of Iraq, for not giving a place to secularity and said: "To say that countries, which have not experienced a period of secularity and do not have this experience, can easily attain a democratic structure, could not go beyond being a claim". No doubt, secularity is a basic element of democracy. But still it is not absolutely necessary for secularity to be in the constitution. Even in Europe, there is not a decree on secularity in the constitution of every state. If a reference were made to Christianity in the constitution of Europe, which is presently being discussed, as some countries want, then would Europe cease to be secular? Secularity is the result of a historical evolution, which is much longer than the texts of the laws. There is no constitutional secularity in the Muslim countries other than Turkey. Even in Turkey, if a leader with vision and political courage, such as the genius Ataturk had not emerged, then there would be no constitutional secularity. In contrast to this, for example, a Muslim country such as Tunisia could be considered to be secular with its general legislation and practices today, but it is not democratic. It is an authoritarian state. It means that secularity, in its general meaning, is a condition for democracy, but this is not sufficient. We also know this very well from our own experiences. What Gen Basbug said on the subject of Cyprus and relations with Greece should also be dwelled upon. Gen Basbug emphasized that the relations of Cyprus with Turkey are connected to the preservation of the rights and interests of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. He did not describe these rights and interests concretely. It is not known whether or not he considers the Annan Plan, which was accepted by the people of the `TRNC´ to be sufficient from this aspect. On the subject of the Aegean, he is underlining the fact that "all problems should be solved together", along with opening the door for a petition to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Among all of the problems, are there also the problems of the islets and rocks, which emerged during the Kardak crisis? That is also unknown. As far as we can understand, the Greeks do not want to take this subject, which they consider to be a sovereignty problem, to the ICJ. Whereas, it is almost certain that we would lose at the ICJ. Let Gen Basbug be an example for us. Let the representatives of our other institutions make speeches, which both inform us and make us think."
  • [03] Ozker Ozgur accuses the so-called government of the occupation regime of not wanting now a solution on the basis of the Annan Plan and of trying to get the pseudostate recognized Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (02.06.04) Turkish Cypriot writer and veteran politician, Mr Ozker Ozgur, wonders whether the so-called government of the occupation regime is now eased and put aside the "United Cyprus Republic", because the 76 % of the Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan in its present form. Mr Ozgur writes, inter alia, the following: "'They do not want to discuss why the Greek Cypriot side said 'no'. There is no effort for creating the conditions for a second referendum in the Greek Cypriot side. The head of the 'Solution and Conciliation government' said: 'Only the Greek Cypriots know if they are going to conduct a second referendum. However, I do not think that it will be useful'. (HALKIN SESI newspaper 20.05.04). If the 'Solution and Conciliation government' continues its vision for a solution, are they contemplating the way by which the solution will be reached? There are two ways towards the solution. Either renegotiating the Annan Plan and giving it a form that both sides would accept or giving the Greek Cypriot side the necessary assurances and achieving the second referendum in the Greek Cypriot side. The 'Solution and Conciliation government' says that the first alternative 'could not be done'. Very well, what do the 'Solution and Conciliation government' say about giving the Greek Cypriot side the necessary assurances and achieving the second referendum in the Greek Cypriot side? The major partner in the government says that 'this will not be of any use'. The minor partner behaves more openly. It puts forward the recognition of the `TRNC´. It supports and applies the policy of the recognition of the `TRNC´. To this end, it organizes a campaign to Pakistan and Bangladesh. In brief, the solution, that is the 'United Cyprus Republic', has become a matter of secondary importance on the agenda of the 'Solution and Conciliation government'. While the major partner puts forward the issue of lifting the isolation, the minor partner undertook the mission of getting the `TRNC´ recognized. '". /SK
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