Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-05-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Greek Cypriots were arrested by the occupation regime during a visit to their houses in the occupied village of Karmi.

[02] The Greek Cypriots did their Easter shopping in the Arasta Street area of occupied Lefkosia.

[03] Statements by the German Chancellor in Ankara.

[04] The program of the new government of the occupation regime has been presented at the assembly.

[05] The General Secretary of National Security Council: The solution in Cyprus with Papadopoulos seems difficult.

[06] Serdar Denktas continued his contacts in Qatar.

[07] Weapons supplied to Turkey by Israel could be deployed against the air defense systems of Cyprus and Greece.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist in TERCUMAN analyses how Turkish politicians act with the deep-rooted mentality that the US needs Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Greek Cypriots were arrested by the occupation regime during a visit to their houses in the occupied village of Karmi

The paper under the title: Here is the Turkish area! reports that in Cyprus there are three sovereign areas: the Turkish sovereign area, the Greek Cypriot sovereign area and the British sovereign area. No one must try to change this balance, because in such case everything can happen, even a war, the paper adds. The occupation police are determined to make the Greek Cypriots to feel that their sovereignty is not valid in the north part of Cyprus.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot CYPRUS TIMES newspaper reports that the number of persons arrested are six, five Greek Cypriots and one journalist and they are being held for 24-hours. They will appear in illegal court later today to decide whether they will be kept, charged or released.

[02] The Greek Cypriots did their Easter shopping in the Arasta Street area of occupied Lefkosia

The tradesmen in Arasta Street, who are complaining that the Turkish Cypriots do not stop by at the shops of the street, stated that the selling of goods is stagnant during the middle of the week, while during the weekends there is some movement because of the Greek Cypriots who visit the street to make their shopping.

In addition, the Turkish Cypriot tradesmen of the Arasta Street repeated their demand for the opening of the check point in the end of the Ledra Street, stating that in this way the area will be revived.

[03] Statements by the German Chancellor in Ankara

Schroeder conveyed his views to Erdogan about economic, political, commercial and cultural relations between Turkey and Germany as well as EU, Armenia and Cyprus issues.

Schroeder said: "We welcome Turkey's steps regarding the Cyprus issue. I hope Turkey will sign the Ankara Agreement Protocol before October 3rd."

"We welcome the proposal which was presented to Armenian President Robert Kocharian. We will support every step which will be taken to develop relations between Turkey and Armenia. We support the proposal of opening archives mutually and historians to be included in the issue. Joint study of historians will be an important step," he said.

Erdogan and Schroeder expressed pleasure over positive and dynamic relations between Turkey and Germany.

Both leaders agreed to pursue relations in trade and investment areas with further cooperation between the two countries.

[04] The program of the new government of the occupation regime has been presented at the assembly

Mr Soyer said that his government will work in full cooperation and harmony with Turkey and that it will continue ceaselessly its efforts for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. Mr Soyer noted:

The principal aim of this government will be to echo the democratic preferences of the people to the political arena and to reshape the political, social, and economic life of the Turkish Cypriot people with decisions to be generated within the political process. For this reason this will be a 'government for restructuring' and its program will be a program for restructuring. We believe that the desire and goal of renewal is primarily related to our stance on the Cyprus problem . Our struggle to survive on the island of Cyprus is at a new stage today. Today we have in our world and island structures and conditions that are very different from those that existed at the time the Cyprus problem surfaced. Today our world is substantially smaller than it was in the past. Political and economic processes have become intertwined. This situation has evidently made the Cyprus problem more dependent on the outside world. Just as we observe in our daily political life, decisions that are taken in the outside world and that we may not think are directly related to the Cyprus problem do have an impact on us. Some time later we find out that these decisions were very closely related to the Cyprus problem.

These circumstances automatically raise the necessity to approach the Cyprus problem with methods that have greater influence on the outside world. For this reason the principal goal of our government is to explain to the outside world what the Cyprus problem is and how Turkish Cypriots have been affected by this problem and to work hard to protect the historical and political interests of Turkish Cypriots in the resolution of this problem.

Our new government will be open to the world. We will reorganize our social, artistic, cultural, athletic, and economic life by monitoring not only developments related to the Cyprus problem but also those across the world knowing that we will be affected by those developments very quickly. Another issue that we will take into account in this regard is the need to bolster our social and economic standards so that we can find a peaceful solution to the Cyprus problem even as we protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Stating that his so-called government is aware of the historical and spiritual relationship described by the concept of Motherland Turkey in the ties between the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, Mr Soyer said:

The fundamental objective of our government will be to develop ties between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot people on the basis of shared interests and within the framework of a modern relationship mandated by the conditions of 21st century conciliation and EU membership. In this context every effort will be made for cooperation and the formulation of joint policies with Turkey in the solution process for the Cyprus problem. We have an obligation to work in full solidarity and consensus with the Turkish government in our approaches to the Cyprus problem as well as our other problems. As our government acts with the awareness of this requirement it will carefully avoid any moves or postures that may lead to misunderstandings in these relations, that may mar the democratic will of the Turkish Cypriot people, that may reduce our influence in the outside world, or that may create the impression that our government is steered from outside. We know from our political experience thus far that rational and effective proposals generated by Turkish Cypriots or their administrative organs have always been welcome and supported by Turkish governments. We will be careful to be constructive and productive as we maintain our relations with the Turkish government. We know that expanding our ability to generate projects will have a positive impact on our ties with Turkey. We will prepare new projects in cooperation with the Turkish government and will join hands with it to implement them.

Reiterating that the principal goal of his government will be to restructure the the occupied area and to raise it to EU norms by ensuring social harmony, Mr Soyer said: In this regard, one of our principal duties will be to ensure, without losing our vision for a solution, that the unfair isolation imposed on our community for many years is lifted and that the Turkish Cypriot people are integrated into the world.

Pointing out that his government is aware that leading the community to a fair and lasting peace will not be easy, Mr Soyer claimed:

However it is hard for us to understand the continued isolation of our people which said overwhelmingly 'yes' in the referendum held last year. Within this framework our government will ceaselessly continue its efforts for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and will work for the resumption of the talks after the UN Secretary General's demands, put forth following the referendum, are met.

The discussion of the government's program will begin two full days after the reading of the program, that is on Friday, and a vote of confidence will be taken one full day after the end of these discussions.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (04.05.05), commenting on the issue, points out that no reference to the Annan Plan was made in the program of the new government.

[05] The General Secretary of National Security Council: The solution in Cyprus with Papadopoulos seems difficult

Mr Alpogan met yesterday with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Laura Kennedy. During their meeting the Cyprus problem was discussed. Ms Kennedy said that they do not take any positive signals that the EU will soon accept the two regulations, which will assure the lifting of the embargoes imposed on the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Mr Alpogan, on his behalf, gave the following messages to Ms Kennedy: The behaviour of Mr Papadopoulos creates a deep hopelessness between those who support a solution. During the period that the mentality of Papadopoulos continues, the solution in Cyprus looks very difficult. This mentality of Papadopoulos has nothing to do with European culture. But this mentality governs the Greek Cypriot section, which is in the EU. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots did what ever they could. After this the important responsibilities are on you as a third side. You should adopt a stance that will force the mentality of Papadopoulos to be changed. You know very well what this (stance) is.

Despite the warnings of Mr Alpogan, Ms Kennedy avoided to give a clear message whether she will visit in a short period of time the occupied areas of Cyprus with a plane or a boat, the paper reports.

[06] Serdar Denktas continued his contacts in Qatar

In the framework of his contacts in Qatar, Mr Denktas held a meeting with Mr Bassan Massouh, the chairman of the Qatar Businessmenīs Union, who is an American businessman of Syrian origin. During the meeting the two men exchanged views as regards the latest developments of the Cyprus problem as well as the trade cooperation between Qatar and the pseudostate and the issue of the direct flights to the occupation regime.

Mr Massouh stated that it would be useful if the so-called minister of economy and tourism of the pseudostate, along with a delegation of Turkish Cypriot businessmen visited Qatar in order to explore opportunities for cooperation. He also added that a team of businessmen from Qatar will be visiting the pseudostate in the near future to look into possible ways of investing in the tourism, construction and agricultural sectors.

[07] Weapons supplied to Turkey by Israel could be deployed against the air defense systems of Cyprus and Greece

Istanbul MILLIYET newspaper (03.05.05) publishes the following report by Utku Cakirozer under the title: We are purchasing flying bombs from Israel:

Prior to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Israel, Turkey signed a contract to purchase from the IAI/Elbit company 10 spy planes (unmanned aerial vehicles) capable of identifying by camera activity over the border, and has now decided to purchase the "explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicle" that the air force needs.

The weapon system, called HARPY-2 [also known as Cutlass], will be purchased from Israeli Aviation Industries (IAI) without being put out to tender. It is envisaged that these 48 mini planes will cost around $80 million.

Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, participating in the trip to Israel, is going to stay in Israel two more days after Erdogan comes back home to see this weapons technology on site. It is planned that Gonul will visit IAI, IMI, Elbit and Rafael facilities as part of contacts to be held today and tomorrow. He stated that these projects, being run with Israel, cost $880 million. Gonul also noted that with the addition of the $183 million unmanned drone project this figure could top $1 billion. The Ministry of Defense is going to invite the Israeli company to start bargaining by offering them a proposal for purchasing talks in the days ahead. The systems to be purchased will be effective in striking missile radars as well as missile launchers and mobile batteries.

Subtitle: Six to seven hours in the air

These drones have the capability of loitering over enemy lines for five to six hours, and can carry out strikes on surface to air missile batteries using the explosives built into them the moment they detect the electromagnetic transmissions coming from the batteries' radars. These drones weigh 135 kilograms, can fly at up to 185 KPH and can operate 150 kilometers away from their command post staying airborne for five to six hours. Experts pointed out that these drones can, if needed, be deployed against Greek Cypriot missile batteries in southern Cyprus, Greek missile batteries on the militarized islands in the Aegean, and against the shoulder-launched surface to air missiles used by the Workers Party of Kurdistan [PKK] militants on and around Mount Kandil.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist in TERCUMAN analyses how Turkish politicians act with the deep-rooted mentality that the US needs Turkey

In the wake of the Rose Revolution, the Orange Revolution, and the Tulip Revolution, one wonders whether the time has arrived for a Turquoise revolution in Turkey. Are certain circles fuelling paranoia about reactionism in order to revive the 28 February model? Is it true that an advisor to Tayyip Erdogan told the Prime Minister that Turkey should quit NATO because we could find ourselves in a difficult position if NATO intervenes in Islamic countries and Turkey is involved in this business?" Is it true that Erdogan responded by saying, "Let us think about it?" Or are secret efforts under way to block Turkey's path to EU membership?

What is the motive behind the sudden warnings to protect secularism? According to HURRIYET Editor-in-Chief Ertugrul Ozkok, certain quarters have been trying to obstruct Turkey's progress toward EU membership since 17 December. Cuneyt Ulsever, a columnist for the same daily, made a disclosure that went "deeper." When we decipher the codes in Ulsever's article and lend an ear to what is being said in Ankara, we can see the fingerprints of the United States, which wants to use Turkey in the Greater Middle East Project.

The reader is free to believe whether such claims are correct or wrong or whether they amount to a conspiracy theory or the exposing of secret hands.

The Rose Revolution in Georgia saw Shevardnadze replaced by Mikhail Saakashvili. The Orange Revolution in the Ukraine enabled pro-Western Yushchenko to replace Victor Yanukovich. A "Tulip revolution" was carried out in Kyrgyzstan, where Askar Akaev was ousted by an opposition associated with the color of yellow. What do you say to claims that the Americans are preparing to engineer a "Turquoise revolution" in Turkey?

Cuneyt Ulsever wrote that "certain reckless people are making references to the Turkish blue while talking about the colorful revolutions in neighboring countries." A frightening picture emerges when one deciphers the codes. Could what is meant by "Turkish blue" be turquoise? Could certain quarters be trying to follow the example of Georgia, the Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan? Obviously, they could apply a different method. Instead of claiming that elections have been rigged, they could try to revive the 28 February process in our country. Paranoid fears of reactionism could be fuelled suddenly. This is what is being done anyway. Yet, I must say I was not quite able to understand the cause and purpose of those successive declarations until I read Cuneyt Ulsever's article. Suddenly my eyes opened.

Ertugrul Ozkok claims that there are efforts to block Turkey's path to the EU. Yet I believe there are deeper causes behind this discontent.

Relations between the [Turkish] military and the United States soured when the authorization bill on Iraq was not passed by Parliament in March 2003. For, the reason behind Parliament's refusal to approve the bill was a high-level military official's statement to MILLIYET columnist Fikret Bila to the effect that "the army is uneasy." Seeing that the army was uneasy, most JDP [Justice and Development Party] deputies could not shoulder this responsibility alone. The same person backed Rauf Denktas prior to his visit to New York, where Denktas took part in the Cyprus talks. Denktas turned a deaf ear to the Government's warnings and said at the airport that he was "going to New York to reject the Annan Plan." This commander is retired now.

Ever since 1 March, military officials have been trying to mend relations with the United States. Despite unpleasant developments like the bagging incident [in al-Sulaymaniyah], relations have been repaired to a large extent.

The ruling JDP has for a long time been talking about a multi-dimensional foreign policy as recommended by Ahmet Davutoglu. As for the United States, it believes that this amounts to an anti-US attitude. Washington knows that Tayyip Erdogan does not like Israel, that he would never approve of operations against Syria and Iran, and that he would not be happy with a project to use Turkey in the Greater Middle East Project. Bush is aware that Turkish and US interests collide in the Middle East and that a man with the qualities of Tayyip Erdogan would not readily support attacks on other Muslim countries after Iraq.

At this point, NATO is like insult added to injury. Is it really true, as Ulsever says, that one of his advisors told the following to Erdogan: "Let us withdraw from NATO because the United States could enter Syria under the banner of NATO. Besides, NATO could assume active missions in Iraq."

According to information provided to us by other sources, similar claims reached the United States even if such a remark was never made. It is being said that this suggestion was made by Omer Celik. Actually, Celik's statements in Hurriyet representing him as a very modern person who is into bikes and cigars are being regarded as a covert message to the United States intended to decrease the effect of his earlier remarks.

Actually, Ankara is buzzing with political talk. According to some, Undersecretary Omer Dincer is responsible for the unease among civilian and military bureaucrats. As is known, some remarks Dincer made way back in 1994 came under the spotlight a while ago amid claims that he intended to stack government offices [with his supporters]. Dincer said that he stood behind his words. Now it is being said that the public administration reform bill was passed at Dincer's behest and that he has accomplished his hidden aims. There are those linking concerns of reactionary staffing in public institutions to Omer Dincer.

Yet I believe it is Cuneyt Ulsever who made the most accurate analysis. The fact that the Chief of the General Staff emphasized the importance of secularism, explained the risks and threats in our region, and related how NATO has adopted a new approach and assumed the mission of preventing terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction suggests that these claims could be true.

Finally, Tayyip Erdogan's emphasis on the importance of NATO and warm relations with the United States was an important message to the United States. The issue of Incirlik, which was left in abeyance for a long time, was resolved in a few days.

As can be seen, what is at issue here is not just the headscarf debate. There is more than meets the eye in this business. Unfortunately those who want to rule Turkey arbitrarily can bring us into line by exploiting the issue of secularism because they know the weak points. I wish problems could be settled in a democratic environment and by taking public opinion into account. There is no need to fear a referendum. There would be tension one time only and the problem would be resolved radically. As it is, certain quarters are using our weak points against us every time they want to deal us a blow.

/SK

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