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

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] Prime Minister Erdogan: We are not going to make the smallest compromise from the land of North Cyprus.

[02] Ankara Anatolia was told by a German Foreign Ministry Spokesman that the Ministry will study Turkey“s Action Plan.

[03] The Turkish Foreign Minister on Turkey“s Action Plan.

[04] Ankara“s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus continues its efforts to gain legitimization.

[05] Roman Catholic Priest murdered in Trabzon.

[06] Izzet Izcan has been removed from his post as General Secretary of the BKP. Rift in the party over his views.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot Hunters Federation argues that there is no bird flu virus in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[08] Turkish Cypriot newspaper sees a relation between the statements of President Putin on Cyprus and the cooperation of Turkey with Russia in the field of natural gas.

[09] Charges filed against Avrasya television; Annulment of its broadcasting permit for an indefinite period of time is demanded.

[10] MP of CTP states that the Mr Talat and the government are under the orders of Turkey.

[11] AFRIKA: School that challenges nationalism.

[12] Occupation soldier commits suicide on duty in his sentry box.

[B] COMMNETARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Columnist in ZAMAN analyses the American policy on Cyprus as conveyed to Mr Alpogan during his Washington visit.

[14] AFRIKA columnist: For a common future.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Prime Minister Erdogan: We are not going to make the smallest compromise from the land of North Cyprus

In a speech the Turkish Prime Minister charged that certain circles are trying to get rid of the imam-hatip schools. He asked: Doesn't Turkey need graduates of the imam-hatip schools? Some 16,000 mosques have no imams at the moment.

If you leave those mosques empty, representatives of fundamentalist terrorist organizations are bound to go and become imams there tomorrow. We need religious officials who understand Islam well. Why are you closing the door on them? If you admit only 40 students to the huge Marmara University Theology Department, how can theology remain standing? Certain circles are not admitting students to the Theology Department in Eskisehir. What will happen there? Why did we establish these schools? How can they deprive this country from its moral needs?

Erdogan also reacted to the criticism that Turkey is losing Cyprus and said:

Who is losing what? Where? Can you tell me what was taken away from us? On the contrary, south Cyprus is now uncomfortable with the steps being taken by north Cyprus and by Turkey who is acting as a guarantor state. We are not going to make the smallest compromise from the land of north Cyprus which is protected by the blood of the martyrs.

Stressing the importance of diplomacy for the solution of the problem, Erdogan stated that the government is acting under a win-win principle, he concluded:

What is important here? That north Cyprus is recognized by the world as a state. And that the honor of our brothers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) is protected. We will not allow them to be trampled on.

[02] Ankara Anatolia was told by a German Foreign Ministry Spokesman that the Ministry will study Turkey“s Action Plan

The German Foreign Ministry has indicated on Friday that it will scrutinize Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul's Cyprus Plan which was made public on January 24th, 2006.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman told the A.A correspondent that Germany supports all serious initiatives which may bring a solution to the Cyprus problem. ''We will work on Turkey's proposals carefully.''

German Foreign Ministry spokesman also stressed that his government supports all initiatives of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and EU on Cyprus.

[03] The Turkish Foreign Minister on Turkey“s Action Plan

When journalists reminded Gul that the German government was going to review Turkey's Cyprus Plan, Gul said:

"It is not just the German government, but a good many governments that are taking the plan seriously. First of all the whole world noticed that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are genuinely working to reach a compromise and find a settlement. Whatever can be done is being done. All the same, if a compromise fails to materialize then there is nothing that the rest of the world, the EU or UN Security Council countries can say to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. In this respect everybody is taking these quite seriously. This offer is considered genuine. I hope that this offer leads to reconciliation. This actually preserves everybody's political position. It sees no change to where Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots or even the Greek Cypriots stand politically."

Stating that the plan offers the opportunity for a climate of confidence to be built up by developing economic cooperation, Gul noted that this climate of confidence could produce a lasting settlement in the future and that in this respect everybody should treat it with good intentions. Gul continued:

"Genuinely speaking this is what we want to see: Turkey, Greece and the whole of Cyprus could become a center of collaboration in the Eastern Mediterranean. It could form a separate pillar within the EU. Just as there are northern and western countries so this region, too, could become a region of cooperation in its own right. However, if we do not see any reciprocation to all our well-intentioned efforts we shall continue unfailingly along the path we are on to strengthen the KKTC in a sure and certain manner, just as we have always done. The entire world shall see that the island is in fact divided, and that this situation is going to become more and more definite. I want the whole world to hear this."

[04] Ankara“s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus continues its efforts to gain legitimization

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) and Kyrgyzstan signed a cooperation agreement on Friday.

Signing the protocol in Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, `TRNC National Education and Culture Minister“ Canan Oztoprak and Kyrgyz Minister“ of Culture Sultan Rayev pledged to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.

On the other hand, Oztoprak visited the Kyrgyz parliament, and signed another cooperation agreement with the `TRNC“ Friendship Group at the Kyrgyz parliament.

[05] Roman Catholic Priest murdered in Trabzon

The priest of the Roman Catholic Santa Maria Church in Trabzon has been fatally shot.

The Italian priest Andrea Santaro (60) was shot in the church.

Mustafa Gunduz, head of the Trabzon Forensic Medicine Department, told AA that Santaro lost his life when a bullet hit him in the chest.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.02.06) later reported the following from Ankara:

Commenting on the murder of a priest in Trabzon, Cemil Cick, justice minister and government spokesman, has said: "We strongly condemn the murder of a religious official in a temple. It is impossible for our government and for the Turkish people to approve of murders or of violence."

In a statement to AA on behalf of the government, Cicek stressed that the government was deeply sorry about the assault on Andrea Santaro, an Italian priest of the Santa Maria Catholic Church in Trabzon.

He said: It is impossible for us to consider such acts reasonable or legitimate no matter what the reason and no matter who the perpetrators are. It is impossible for us to view this with understanding. Our police and the Trabzon Prosecutor's Office are investigating the incident from several angles. The investigation will reveal who carried out this attack and why, and any links that there may be. Our government is doing all it can to ensure that this murder is brought to light. A detailed statement will be issued later on."

[06] Izzet Izcan has been removed from his post as General Secretary of the BKP. Rift in the party over his views

Mr Izcan expressed the opinion yesterday that the appointment of Mr Uysal is not legitimate and that he still continues being on duty. Mr Izcan called for an extraordinary congress of the party on 12 February, while the Board postponed for a future date the ordinary congress planned for 19 February.

Speaking yesterday on behalf of the Board of Founding members, Mr Fadil Cagda accused Mr Izcan of reaching an understanding with the status quo, of supporting the two states on the island and of removing from their post in the party a group of persons who reject the current situation on the island. In the decision of the Board, Mr Izcan is accused of administrating the party arbitrarily. It is also noted that when he had been a member of the assembly, he approved the decision calling on Turkey not to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, in spite of a decision by the secretariat of the party which supported that it should have been rejected. Mr Izcan is also accused of following a double face policy, because of his visits to officials of the Republic of Cyprus, and of turning BKP into an unreliable party.

Mr Izcan described the decision as a coup carried out a small group which tries to take over the party. He said that the decision is not valid and that the congress of the BKP will take place on 19 February and that there will be an extraordinary congress on 12 February.

Mr Izcan noted that he is accused by seven members of the Board of defending the TRNC (breakaway regime in the Republic of Cyprus) and added: They are accusing me of supporting my country. They are accusing me of being a supporter of the TRNC. What is a crime in all these?...

(I/Ts.)

[07] The Turkish Cypriot Hunters Federation argues that there is no bird flu virus in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Noting that they have conducted many researches, Mr Orhon said: We have many question marks in our mind regarding this issue and the scientists are creating them.

Mr Orhon said he did not believe that the results of the analysis from samples taken from Makrasyka village were positive, because the statement about it was issued with delay.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Turkish Cypriot newspaper sees a relation between the statements of President Putin on Cyprus and the cooperation of Turkey with Russia in the field of natural gas

(I/Ts.)

[09] Charges filed against Avrasya television; Annulment of its broadcasting permit for an indefinite period of time is demanded

The paper notes that this is the reason because of which ART increased its attacks recently against the government of the self styled TRNC (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).

KIBRISLI writes that ART was established in 2003 with the aim of protecting the status quo in Cyprus and it argues that the television causes trouble in the society with its programs. The paper notes that the drop that overfilled the glass was the insults and the bad words used by ART against the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat.

(I/Ts.)

[10] MP of CTP states that the Mr Talat and the government are under the orders of Turkey

Responding to questions of journalist Sabahattin Ismail, Mr Beratli said that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat and the government are under the orders of Turkey.

When Mr Ismail asked: Is the president under orders? Mr Beratli replied: Yes, this is the way it is, do you not know this?

Mr Ismail called on Mr Beratli to resign from the post of the MP, but Mr Beratli replied that he will not and that he will continue to struggle.

(I/Ts.)

[11] AFRIKA: School that challenges nationalism

The paper reports that there are 48 Turkish Cypriots, seven Kurds, two mainland Turks, one Pakistani, two Russians, one Palestinian and 98 Greek Cypriots in the school.

It reports that the principal of the school, Mr Lucas Philippou, takes the Turkish students to mosque for prayer.

(MHY)

[12] Occupation soldier commits suicide on duty in his sentry box

The paper reports that Demirtas put an end to his life with his duty rifle.

YENIDUZEN reports that neither self-styled police nor occupation army made official statement regarding the soldier“s committing suicide.

Earlier YENIDUZEN reported that another young man, Doga Onat (29) of occupied Ayios Epiktitos village, had committed suicide in his village by hanging himself.

[B] COMMNETARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Columnist in ZAMAN analyses the American policy on Cyprus as conveyed to Mr Alpogan during his Washington visit

Ambassador Yigit Alpogan, Secretary General of the National Security Council, was happy before returning from Washington, where he had spent a week. In fact, the organization that he represents has no equivalent in the United States even after it has been civilianized.

Thus, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and even Stephen Hadley, Chief National Security Adviser to the White House, cannot be regarded as Ambassador Alpogan's diplomatic counterparts. The Bush Administration, however, gave Alpogan a high-level reception as an indication of the importance it attaches to Turkey. They are strengthening their policy of strategic dialogue, which they have decided to pursue vis-ą-vis Turkey after the Iraqi crisis, by intensifying their consultations with all branches of the Turkish Government. We are witnessing an encouraging picture, as those efforts are reciprocated by Ankara.

Mutual visits, which intensified recently, broke the ice to a great extent. According to a high-ranking US official, the visit paid by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Washington in June was a major breakthrough. While introducing Alpogan, his old friend, in a conference held at the Washington Institute, Ambassador Mark Parris pointed out that one of the events putting an end to the deterioration observed in Turkish-American relations, which had gained momentum in 2004, was the visit paid by Rice to Ankara (in February 2005) and the speech delivered by Alpogan in a meeting held by the Turkish-American Business Council (in March 2005). Parris told me in a subsequent interview that there was a certain degree of amelioration in bilateral relations, which, he said, were capable of tolerating "difficulties and nuances." It goes without saying that those difficulties mainly stem from some issues, including Iraq, Kirkuk, the PKK, Iran, and Syria.

Let me begin with Iran. The message that Alpogan conveyed to Washington indicated that Ankara was not looking with favor upon some possible actions such as imposition of economic embargoes or launching a military operation, which could undermine Ankara's policy aimed at maintaining dialogue with Iran although it was concerned about the possibility of Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons. The American side, however, wants Turkey to maintain its solidarity with Washington and the international community in order to bring Iran into line whatever the consequences may be. Do they look with favor upon Turkey's policy aimed at persuading Iran through dialogue? A high-level American government official told me: "It depends on the level of dialogue. We would say nothing about normal trade relations and tourism. In fact, US policy is not meant to isolate the Iranian people. Turkey's dialogue with the Iranian regime and people like Ahmedinejad would, however, be a problem as far as we are concerned." They have also taken a similar stance about Syria.

The Americans briefly imply that Turkey is not urged to sever its ties with Iran and Syria, but it should refrain from maintaining very close relations with the existing regimes in those countries and thus acting like a spoilsport. In my view, another serious crisis in Turkish-American relations that could stem from Iran is a remote possibility. According to a retired diplomat, the United States has no intention of asking Turkey to take steps that it could find very difficult to take. Moreover, it is doubtful that the Iranian issue will eventually necessitate asking difficult things in light of the current international situation.

Apparently Iraq could still be a source of serious trouble. According to the same American official, Turkey and the United States share similar views about Iraq from the strategic point of view. He said: "We have the same things and targets in our baskets. Some targets may, however, have a higher priority as far as Turkey is concerned." Kirkuk and the PKK may be counted among those priorities. Both counties are eager to see a democratic and united Iraq freed of terrorism. Whether or not that goal is achievable will be seen before next summer. If democracy used as a bond to unite the country works, there would be no problem. Otherwise, the process of disintegration and the chaotic situation would inevitably continue. US strategic planners discuss the possibility of withdrawing a large number of troops from the central and southern parts of Iraq and deploy them in northern Iraq, which is controlled by their Kurdish allies. I asked Alpogan to clarify Turkey's approach to that plan and whether or not it was raised during his visit. But, he declined to comment. I am, however, sure that consultations are going on. In that case, Barzani may propose to take care of the PKK if Turkey agrees to grant "right of passage" and "a certain degree of support." Positive energy now accumulating between the United States and Turkey will make great contribution during the anticipated talks on northern Iraq, Kirkuk, and the PKK.

Speaking about energy, the Americans have started to lay greater emphasis on the importance of Turkey's role in global energy corridors. They have also raised it during their talks with Alpogan. They want natural gas to be conveyed from the Central Asia and the Caucasus to the Western markets via Turkey, Greece, and Iraq (excluding Iran). There are attempts to revive the Trans-Caucasian project. Ministry of Energy Hilmi Guler will fly to Washington on 9 February.

I put Cyprus at the bottom of the list albeit it attracted a lot of attention this week. I did so because I did not want to create the impression that it is at the center of Turkish-American relations. Although Washington lends support to Turkey's last overture, it is highly unlikely that Cyprus will play a decisive role in bilateral relations and that Washington will use much political influence over the short term. Ankara's move was praised in Washington as a clever diplomatic initiative revealing the uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriots. The Americans, however, continue to emphasize that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Brussels should take the lead. There is no sign that they are eager to do so for the time being. I frequently hear people in Washington saying that there could not be much progress in Cyprus before the end of 2006.

In conclusion, it can be said that Alpogan has taken a warm air wave from Washington to Ankara. I hope that the temperature of our diplomatic relations with the United States will not fall to a freezing point or soar to a scorching level.

[14] AFRIKA columnist: For a common future

Once the gates opened families almost queued to register their children in the schools in the south. The English School, the Cyprus College, the Intercollege and the Cyprus University. The Turkish Cypriot students were welcomed. Most of them received scholarships and every possibility were provided for them.

Why the Turkish Cypriots chose schools in the south?

Parents give the following answer to this question. `What we want most is that our children should learn a foreign language and study in mixed schools with the Greek Cypriots“.

When we ask: Well why? The answer they give `makes your heart to leap into your mouth; `They will build the future, different from the present, a more civilized common future“.

Parents not only thinking about their children“s future, they are also taking a giant step that will affect the Cyprus problem as well.

Evren Maner then criticizes the period 1963-1974 and says that in the last five years a lot of things changed.

Mr Maner goes on and writes:

When I had visited the 18th School in Limassol I was amazed and astonished. At the school, not only bayrams were celebrated and mosques were visited, there was an Ataturk corner as well.

There were a lot of things in this school which had caused a huge uproar in the north.

The school“s director held my arms and said to me, `Come I will show you a more beautiful thing“. We had crossed a corridor and entered a class where drawing lesson was in progress.

The teacher, one by one introduced the students; Mehmet, Maria, Leyla, Yiorgho, Vasso, Suleyman

All of them on the same bench when we had return to principal“s room, the inspector stressed the importance of this for the future of Cyprus.

He was sincere.

It seems that he too was happy.

(MHY)

/SK

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