Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-07-18

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/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talats regime is replacing the barbed wire with a wall along the line Turkish troops keep Lefkosia divided for 31 years

[02] Ambassadors of some countries have reportedly visited the so-called embassy of the pseudostate to Ankara.

[03] Talat: In direct flights our objective is the USA and the EU

[04] A delegation of Azerbaijani parliamentarians is visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus

[05] Akinci stated that the latest developments proved wrong those say that they status guo has changed in occupied Cyprus

[06] Erdogan met Putin in Sochi

[07] Ankara will reportedly turn to London to put pressure on Washington over the PKK

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Daily Highlights Azeri Delegations´ Visit to occupied Cyprus

[09] Columnist in Milliyet analyses a survey among Turkish people regarding Turkeys relations with the U.S.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talats regime is replacing the barbed wire with a wall along the line Turkish troops keep Lefkosia divided for 31 years

Afrika (special) At a time when the walls are being demolished in the world, a new wall is being erected in the centre of Lefkosia. While for a period of 31 years from the year 1974 to today the Command of the Security Forces did not feel the need to build a wall, in the last days a wall more than two metres high has started to be built. According to information obtained by our paper, the wall, which will extend to a few kilometers, has started in the area which is under the control of the 3rd Battalion and is being constructed with yellow stone.

Although Cyprus has become an EU member and the efforts for a solution are being speeded up, the erecting of such a wall partitioning Lefkosia, by the Security Forces Command, has drawn reaction from our citizens against Kutlay Erk, who sat on the chair of the mayor with the slogan Open Lefkosia and the RTP (Republican Turkish Party) who came to power with the slogan Peace and solution in Cyprus, and who remain silent on this issue.

The wall started to be built at Dereboyu a short distance ahead of the British High Commission, from the Ledra Turkish Gateway and the thought is to erect it up to Ayios Dhometios check-point. The leader of the P.D.M (Peace and Democracy Movement) Akinci asked the following question on the issue: Work has started on the borders under the name of new outlook. During the last days at some points high walls are being erected in the framework of the works going on. Is Open Lefkosia being turned into Close Nicosia?

Mr Mustafa Akinci also said that both the Police Law and the Security Forces Law as well as these arrangements on the borders are new knots to the solution and consolidate the status guo instead of abolishing it.

[02] Ambassadors of some countries have reportedly visited the so-called embassy of the pseudostate to Ankara

The paper notes that the embassies of Norway, Canada, China and Britain invite the embassy of the pseudostate to all their social and official activities.

The paper publishes an interview with Mr Gazioglu, who responding to a question, said:

After 22 September 2004 when I presented my credentials to the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Ahmet Necdet Sezer, I asked for meetings in order to visit the Ankara ambassadors especially of the countries which are members of the Islamic Conference Organization. Some ambassadors, even if in other environment discuss with me sincerely, did not give me an appointment. In spite of this I had the opportunity to visit them at their office and exchange views on the latest developments in Cyprus. The ambassadors whom I met stressed to me that they were pleased because of the yes vote of the Turkish Cypriot people at the 24 April 2004 referendum, that it has been seen which side wants peace and which side does not want peace, that the Greek Cypriots joining the EU in spite of this was a great injustice, that after the results of the referendum the way for their establishing more easily relations with the TRNC was opened and that when the report submitted by the UN Secretary General to the Security Council and the June 2004 OIC decision in Istanbul are taken into consideration there is no reason for the relations not to be promoted.

As a result of the close relations we have launched with the ambassadors, the Ankara Embassy lived something for the first time and some ambassadors (Albania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Palestine, Jordan, Oman, Mongolia and Norway) visited me at my office at the TRNC embassy.

Asked about the results of these meetings Mr Gazioglu said:

As a result of the initiatives we had, eight ambassadors (Malaysia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman and Libya) accompanied by me visited the TRNC between 11-14 March and had the opportunity to have official meetings.

Asked whether or not other officials of the embassy participate in these contacts, Mr Gazioglu responded:

Within the framework of our approach of getting closer with the other foreign missions, of developing the relations and of conveying our policies towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, the Under-Secretary of the embassy, the military attachés and the second secretary realize meetings at their own level. Furthermore, my wife evaluates every opportunity to develop social relations with the wives of other ambassadors and participates in activities. Within this framework, recently she invited for tea and hosted five ambassadresses (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Turkmenistan) at the residence of the embassy.

Responding to another question regarding an invitation made to him by the Norwegian ambassador, Mr Longva, Mr Gazioglu noted:

Ambassador Mr Longva had invited me to the reception he gave on 17 May 2005 for the Norwegian National Day. He was very pleased because I participated in his party and he came to me and showed his interest personally. This situation was published in the local press the next day.

A while after this invitation, ambassador Longva asked for an appointment and visited me at the Embassy. The visit, because it was something taking place for the first time, caused great effect in the press on the same and the next day. During contacts I had the opportunity to have with other ambassadors and politicians in the forthcoming days, I observed that the repercussions of the visit were positive and that it could be estimated as a useful start.

[03] Talat: In direct flights our objective is the USA and the EU

Talat further alleged that regarding planned direct flights from Azerbaijan to the occupied area, the Cyprus government is threatening the Azeris by saying: In turn we would organize flights to Mountainous Karabah. Talat said that this will not succeed and that their next direct flight target is the USA.

Subtitle: No direct Flights with Israel yet

Talat went on and said: After Azeris next on line is America. This will happen eventually. The Greek Cypriot side is so tough, it does not pay any attention to the world. With the EU membership, it acquired an advantage and it thinks that it could hold on this advantage without making any opening. Not only the USA, Israel, Iran and the EU member countries will realize direct flights. However, to realise this, there is need regarding maritime issue with Israel there is neither obstacle nor prohibition. The only issue is which companys ships will operate the line. Work on this issue continues. The Greek Cypriots threaten the Azeris by saying: In turn we organize flights to the mountainous Karabah but they cannot preclude this for ever.

Subtitle: There is no crisis with Sezer

I have received an invitation from Ahmet Necdet Sezer. We will meet in Ankara on 2nd August. We have received an official invitation. It was alleged that Mr Sezer did not meet us, during our visit to Ankara, prior to Mr Erdogan´s trip to the USA. This is not the case. There is no question of cancelling the appointment. There is no crisis. In fact there was no crisis. It would be logical 'if one puts the question as follows': Why this delay in having this meeting? '

Our common Cyprus policy with Turkey could be summarised as follows: To secure resumption of talks by meeting the demands of the UN Secretary-General.

For this the Greek Cypriots instead of submitting 25 points concern documents which needs to review the whole of the existing plan, they should have given list in which they have to say: 'I want the change of the following point and to be like this.

Subtitle: There will be no integration

The enlargement of the Customs Union Agreement which will include the Greek Cypriots as well will bring about certain responsibilities to Turkey. The EU maintains that it is necessary to open Turkish airports and seaports to the Greek Cypriots. However, as the Greek Cypriots with a political decision impose prohibition to the TRNC ports, it is normal far Turkey, as counter measure to impose and close its ports and airports for the Greek Cypriots. However, there is no question of, as in the past it was mentioned, 'economic integration with Turkey.

[04] A delegation of Azerbaijani parliamentarians is visiting the occupied areas of Cyprus

Hadi Recep, a deputy in the delegation, in a statement at Ataturk airport said that it is the first time that a delegation from Azerbaijan goes to TRNC (occupied areas of Cyprus) and added that it is really important for them to go there. Melahat Hasanova, Rebiyat Astanova, Famil Memmedov and Alekber Memmedov are among the deputies, who are in the delegation. Alekber Memmedov is also the Chairman of the Confederation of employers.

Two more delegations from Azerbaijan are expected to visit the occupied area of Cyprus. The first delegation is organized by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economic Development and will be there between the 22nd and 27th of July. The second will be a group of businessmen, members of the Union of Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen, which will visit the occupied areas between the 28th and 31st of July to assess the possibility of investment as well as the bilateral trade. Apart from businessmen, artists and journalists will be in the delegation, which will be consisting of 100 persons.

According to the paper, it is not yet clear whether the private airways company IM-AIR will launch direct flights to TRNC or not. Invoking diplomatic sources, the paper reports that efforts are going on for these flights to take place in a week, but it is expected to be charter flights.

[05] Akinci stated that the latest developments proved wrong those who say that the status quo has changed in occupied Cyprus

Speaking at a meeting of his partys youth branch, Mr Akinci stated that there are some changes in persons and parties during the latest period, however, what is important for the Turkish Cypriots is not who came and where but what he has done. Mr Akinci stated that some of latest developments proved wrong those who supported that the status quo has changed and noted that one of these developments is the so-called police organisation law which the PDM voted against at the so-called parliament.

Speaking about Famagusta, Mr Akinci reminded that his partys general assembly has voted in favour of a draft law according to which Famagusta would be given to Greek Cypriots in exchange of the opening of the Famagusta port and the Tympou airport. He noted that the RTP was against this proposal saying that the Famagusta issue was to be undertaken only in the framework of a comprehensive solution. Commenting on the proposal made in Brussels to the Greek Cypriots and the remarks made on the issue that 95% of Famagusta belongs to Evkaf and this matter will be solved in the courts, Mr Akinci noted that the words of Mr Rauf Denktas were like this. However the 65% who said yes to the Annan Plan, did not say that Famagusta belongs to Evkaf, and among them were members of the RTP, even Mr Talat, stated Mr Akinci. The leader of the PDM also noted that if the Annan Plan was implemented in the year 2004 Famagusta would have been returned to the Greek Cypriots.

In addition, Mr Akinci criticized the Cyprus government for not saying yes to any solution plan regarding the Cyprus problem and alleged that President Papadopoulos does not want the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[06] Erdogan met Putin in Sochi

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Black Sea town of Sochi. The primary topic at the meeting is expected to be the price of natural gas.

The two leaders, who met at Putins summer place in Sochi, made short statements before dinner. Putin recalled Russias determination to increase the bilateral trade volume to more than $25 billion in the coming years, adding: We captured a good level not only in trade but also in the fields of energy and investments and in our political dialogue.

Erdogan expressed his belief that the political, commercial, and cultural developments will continue.

Especially, very serious political, commercial, and cultural developments have taken place between Turkey and the Russian Federation during the last two and a half three years. No doubt, the steps we have taken in the field of energy are worth noting. We can accomplish many things together.

Putting an end to the isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied areas of Cyprus) and the inclusion of the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] in Russia's list of terrorist organizations are among the issues that are expected to be discussed between the two leaders. Putin and Erdogan will meet over breakfast tomorrow morning.

Putin received leaders such as Schroeder, Berlusconi, Blair, and Chirac in his summer place in the past.

[07] Ankara will reportedly turn to London to put pressure on Washington over the PKK

The United States has reportedly responded to Ankara's request for an operation to be launched in order to end the PKK/KONGRA-GEL [Workers Party of Kurdistan/People's Congress of Kurdistan] presence in northern Iraq saying, "The terrorism you are fighting is local, whereas the terrorism we are fighting is global." Faced with this approach Ankara will reportedly ask Britain for help in the matter.

The United States, which has mounted almost no operations against the PKK presence in northern Iraq and does not want Turkey to stage active operations in the area either, has reportedly given Turkey an unexpected reply. According to diplomatic sources when the United States was told there were large numbers of the PKK in northern Iraq and was asked to stage an operation against them it reportedly replied: "We are fighting global terrorism. The terrorism you are struggling with is a local and ethnically based movement. There is nothing we can do about it." One US official who wished to remain anonymous said, "Turkey has the right to stage operations against the PKK within its national borders" but that this situation could change if there were many human rights violations.

Subtitle: Eyes On London

Turkey is reacting to the United States because its border with Turkey is not being adequately protected. Stating that PKK terrorists in Iraq kept to a specific route officials said that these people could easily be apprehended by US and Iraqi authorities if desired.

Furthermore, in the wake of these latest developments Turkey is seeking cooperation from London. Accordingly, Turkey is going to ask the United Kingdom, which is the United States major partner in Iraq, to put pressure on the US and Iraqi administrations about the [PKK] organization.

Foreign Ministry officials are stating that the United Kingdom might understand Turkey's situation better now after the attacks in London. It has also been said that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul raised the issue during his visit to the United Kingdom and that initiatives are going to be made in the days ahead.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Turkish Daily Highlights Azeri Delegations' Visit to occupied Cyprus Istanbul Hurriyet newspaper (17.07.05) publishes the following commentary by Ferai Tinc under the title: "Azeris take the first step"]

To put it more correctly, a friendly country other than Turkey will take a step to break the chain of isolations imposed on Turkish Cypriots, which actually constitute a violation of human rights.

The chairman of the Political Affairs Committee of the Azeri National Assembly and nine other Azeri parliamentarians will go to the TRNC (occupied areas of Cyprus) in order to attend the Peace Operation's 31st anniversary celebrations.

Meanwhile, a trade delegation consisting of 60 businessmen will arrive on the island in order to explore business opportunities in the TRNC. The group will also include Turkish businessmen doing business in Azerbaijan.

A plane owned by Improtex, Azerbaijan's leading private carrier, will start direct flights between Azerbaijan and the TRNC on 31 July. Thus, the promises made by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baku will have been fulfilled shortly afterwards.

This should set an example to the EU, which is trying to find formulas that would create new troubles for the Turkish Cypriots at every phase let alone keeping the promises they made more than a year ago.

Some EU officials were quoted as saying that if Turkey, immediately after signing the additional protocol ahead of the accession talks, made a statement that it did not extend diplomatic recognition to the Greek Cypriot Administration (Republic of Cyprus) by signing the protocol, the EU would not accept such a statement. In fact, it was Jose Manuel Baroso, President of the European Commission, who told a news conference on 18 December 2004 that signing the protocol would not be tantamount to recognizing the Greek Cypriot Administration and his comments were highlighted by the international media.

I believe that the step taken by Azerbaijan will serve as an example to others. Some Central Asian Republics, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and some members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, which send students to the TRNC, may follow suit.

A Turkish delegation led by Abdullah Gul and Abdullatif Sener, both deputy prime ministers, will attend the ceremonies to be held on the occasion of Peace and Freedom Day, which will be observed on the 31st anniversary of the military operation conducted by Turkey on 20 July 1974 as part of her obligations as a guarantor. The TRNC will also host politicians, academics, businessmen, and journalists from 33 countries in addition to Turkey this year. The visiting delegations will leave the island on 21 July. The TRNC will host a total of 72 guests from the following countries during that period: Turkey, India, Qatar, Denmark, Belgium, Yemen, Bangladesh, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Israel, Egypt, France, Bahrain, Palestine, Nigeria, Jordan, Indonesia, Ireland, Georgia, Sweden, Macedonia, Italy, Ireland, Azerbaijan, and Germany.

[09] Columnist in Milliyet analyses a survey among Turkish people regarding Turkeys relations with the U.S.

A war between the Turks and the Americans? Why are we talking about this all of a sudden? Can the imaginary scenario of the book entitled "The Metallic Storm" come true? If we think logically, we come to the conclusion that this is impossible. On the other hand however, if we look at a public survey that has recently been conducted, we see that 35% of the Turkish people believe that "Turkey and the United States are rapidly moving toward a war."

This is very astonishing. If we had not been certain about the seriousness of the public survey entitled "The Way the Turks Look at the United States" that was prepared by experts for a think tank called the "ARI Movement," we would have never believed that this is the public's opinion with regard to this issue.

One of three people in Turkey believes that a war may break between Turkey and the United States. Are the relations between the two countries so bad?

According to the other parts of the comprehensive survey, there is a certain level of anti-American sentiments in Turkey. Some 71% of those who participated in the survey are against President Bush, while 49.4% are against the United States as a country. Nonetheless, only 27.6% of the respondents are against Americans -- in other words, against the US people.

As pointed out during the meeting that was held by the ARI Group in Istanbul yesterday, generally speaking the Turkish people have good sentiments with regard to the Americans (their lifestyle, culture, education, etc), but they firmly oppose the United States' (especially the Bush administration's) Iraqi policy primarily and regional policies. Will this opposition lead to clashes?

Given that the survey that was conducted among 1,244 persons in 15 provinces on the basis of the sampling method failed to focus on such details, it is impossible to understand why those who believe that a war may break between Turkey and the United States think in this manner.

Will "the war" break in northern Iraq because of the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan]? In other words, if the Turkish Army goes to Iraq in order to eradicate the PKK, will the US forces oppose this? And will this opposition lead to clashes between the military forces of the two sides?

Or will the United States carry out an intervention against Syria or Iran, will Turkey get involved in this, and will Turkish troops and US troops eventually confront each other? If the rate of those who believe that Turkey and the United States are "rapidly" moving toward a war is truly 35%, this means that there is a serious problem here.

This shows that certain serious suspicions, lack of confidence, and ever fears prevail over the public. This may stem from lack of information or disinformation [last word in English]. The populist statements and behavior of the administrators and the politicians may also have a contributed to this.

For example, there are interesting facts in the chapter entitled "Fear of Division Resulting from Foreign Efforts": Some 65% of the public believes that "Western countries want to destroy Turkey." Some 51.4% have the impression that the criteria that the EU asked Turkey to comply with "resembles the demands of the Sevres Treaty." Some 70.5% believes that the West assists the PKK to get stronger.

This mood leads certain sectors to demand changes in Turkey's foreign policy. For example, the rate of those who want Turkey to pursue "a determined policy that does not make concessions to foreign demands" stands at 51.7%.

Government officials primarily as well as those who closely follow Turkey's foreign policy and especially the relations between Turkey and the United States draw important conclusions from this survey. Such an assessment and the following words uttered by Suleyman Demirel, Turkey's ninth president, in the interview he gave to the "Turkish Policy" that is published by the ARI Movement in the English language should guide us: "The administration of a state cannot be surrendered to the anger of the people on the street. Those who run the country from time to time need to stand up to the people and explain what the truths are."

/ES

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