Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-08-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ankara exploits sports to promote its puppet regime in occupied Cyprus. Talat presented the trophy to the winner of the Istanbul Formula 1 race.2. Statements by Talat to CNN Turk. He prefers Kofi Annan to solve the Cyprus problem and Kemal Dervis to succeed him.

[03] The troops occupying northern Cyprus send more Greek Cypriot journalists to military courts.

[04] Talat to attend the change of military leadership as the generals reiterate determination to remain involved in politics.

[05] Statements by Salih Usar on the agreement with Vodafone.

[06] Turkey is intensifying its efforts to legitimate its crimes in Cyprus exploiting its trade relations with Russia.

[07] Gilt-head breams to be farmed in the open sea of occupied Cyprus.

[08] Turkey concerned about Cyprus contributing to peace efforts in Lebanon.

[09] Ankara has reportedly not given permission to Soyer for putting an end to the government coalition.

[10] Statements by the General Director of the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] The Turkish leaders disagree on Turkish troops deployment in Lebanon.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ankara exploits sports to promote its puppet regime in occupied Cyprus. Talat presented the trophy to the winner of the Istanbul Formula 1 race

President Mehmet Ali Talat is in Turkey for a series of contacts.

At the first day of his visit, the President first appeared on a TV program on CNN Turk in Istanbul.

Mr Talat then attended the Formula one-Istanbul grand prix race where he presented the winner Ferrari driver Felipe Massa with the winning trophy.

The President will be moving on to Ankara tomorrow to continue with his contacts there.

As part of his contacts in the Turkish capital, the President will meet with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer and he will also attend the handover ceremony of the Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces.

The outgoing Chief of Staff Full General Hilmi Ozkok will be handing over his duties to current commander of the Turkish Land Forces Yasar Buyukanit.

The first lady Oya Talat is accompanying the President during his visit to Turkey.

In addition, Turkish HURR0YET newspaper (28.08.06) writes in its first page that Mehmet Ali Talat, who handed over the cup to the team which ranked first in Formula 1, that took place in Istanbul, was introduced as the TRNC presidentī to 2.5 billions of people from 203 countries. In its inside pages, under the banner headline TRNCs Formula, the paper covers the issue further and writes that Mr Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the Chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, was the person who suggested that Talat should hand over the cup to the Formula 1 winners. He said that the real race was there and that they had stamped it wit a seal. On his part Mr Murat Yalcintas, the Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, stated that this is the biggest price that the TRNC won at the international arena. Speaking further on the issue he said that the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was not informed that Talat would be the person to present the cup. However, among the persons who attended the race it was being said that Erdogan did not attend the event in order for Talat to be able to hand over the cup, writes the paper.

Moreover Turkish newspaper SABAH (28.08.06) writes in its first page that the winner of the Formula 1 was Mehmet Ali Talat and notes that two billion people watched Mehmet Ali Talat handing over the cup to the winner of the race.

(Tr. Note: Mr Talat poses as President of the illegal regime Turkey has set up and maintains with 40,000 Turkish troops in occupied northern Cyprus).

(C/S)

[02] Statements by Talat to CNN Turk. He prefers Kofi Annan to solve the Cyprus problem and Kemal Dervis to succeed him

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the ports of a functional state can not be transferred to the control of the United Nations.

The Presidents remarks came during an interview on the Turkish TV channel CNN Turk this morning.

Responding to a question whether he received any formal proposal to transfer the control of the TRNC ports to the United Nations, President Talat said that he had received no such proposal on the issue but added that the Turkish Cypriot Side in any case did not support such a move.

He also described this latest proposal as only a newspaper article.

Pointing out that the European Union has also been occasionally putting various proposals on the table, Mr Talat said that these proposals did not focus on finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem but were only aimed at dealing with day to day problems.

The EU is protecting South Cyprus and Greece while the impartial United Nations should take on an active role on the Cyprus issue, Mr Talat added.

The President also falsified claims that France is planning to establish a military base in South Cyprus saying that France has only requested a Treaty of Defence and Cooperation.

Reminding that he discussed the issue with the French Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr Talat said that during the meeting he explained the objections for such a cooperation with South Cyprus which is out of the European Security and Defence Policy and its illegal National Security Guard.

The President also announced that he had sent a letter to the French President Jacques Chirac regarding the issue.

Responding to another question about the new United Nations Secretary-General who will be appointed after the end of the duties of the current UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mr Talat said that the period with Mr Annan was the best as regards the initiatives towards reaching a comprehensive solution on the island.

Expressing the belief that the United Nations will not change its position on the Cyrus issue, the TRNC President said that the new UN Secretary-Generals appointment will result in a loss of time for at least one or one and a half years in efforts to reach a solution in Cyprus.

The new Secretary-General will only be able to learn about the Cyprus problem and make decisions on it, in at least one or one and a half years time and we do not want this Mr Talat stressed.

On Mr Talatīs statements to CNN Turk Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (28.08.06) reports that Mr Talat pointed out that the Turkish Kemal Dervis is among the names as candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General and said: It would be good for us if Mr Kemal Dervis is UN Secretary-General. But if not it would be good for the new Secretary-General to come from a country not involved in the Cyprus problem. Given that it is the Asian continentīs term this would be good for us

[03] The troops occupying northern Cyprus send more Greek Cypriot journalists to military courts

Two Greek Cypriot journalists from a South Cyprus television station who were arrested yesterday while trying to film Lokmaci (Ledra Street) Barricade in Lefkosia -a first degree military zone-were brought before a military court today.

The court ordered the two men to remain in custody for another two days until an investigation into the incident is concluded.

Sigma TV Cameraman Nikas Dalitis and reporter Adonis Pallikaridis were arrested after being spotted filming and photographing the area around the Lokmaci Barricade.

The two reporters claim that they had permission to film and take photographs in the area.

Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily AFR0KA newspaper (27.08.06) points out the following: The arrest of Greek Cypriot journalists at a place where Turkish journalists have several times taken pictures in the past, with the pretext that they were taking pictures in forbidden military zone of first degree, shows once more the real face of the regime in northern Cyprus.

The call of Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who had gone up the bridge and made a peace call to the Greek Cypriots, has totally remained unsupported after this incident.

Showing for the first time strong reaction to these incidents, Basin-Sen and the Journalists Union advised the Greek Cypriot colleagues: Think twice when you come on duty to Northern Cyprus.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily AFR0KA newspaper (28.08.06) writes that another Greek Cypriot was arrested yesterday by the police of the occupation regime, because he was filming with a camera a forbidden military zone of first degree in the occupied city of Famagusta. The arrested, John Nicolas Orphanou (53) is a British citizen.

[04] Talat to attend the change of military leadership as the generals reiterate determination to remain involved in politics

President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) arrived in Turkey on Sunday.

Talat will watch F1 Turkey Grand Prix at Istanbul Park Circuit today. He will proceed to Ankara tomorrow to attend transfer ceremony of Chief General Staff Command. Talat will also meet Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Meanwhile, Ankara TRT television Internet version (25.08.06) publishes the following unattributed report under the title: "Buyukanit spoke sharply":

Gen Yasar Buyukanit, who has been appointed Chief of the General Staff, transferred his current office of Commander of Land Forces to Gen Ilker Basbug.

The transfer ceremonies began with the arrival of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

First the decrees appointing Buyukanit as Chief of the General Staff and Basbug as Commander of the Land Forces were read.

Gen Buyukanit said in his speech that some circles are trying to render the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) ineffective by starting debates about the "role of the military."

Buyukanit said: "These circles have dreams of turning the Turkish Republic into another type of republic."

He continued: "Their dream will not be realized as long as the state of the Turkish Republic, the institutions of the state, and the TSK -which is one of these institutions- exist. As a commander who is transferring his office, I would like to say on this issue that our battle against terrorism will continue with greater resolve and without any compromise. Some circles are disturbed because they realize our determination."

Later Buyukanit affixed the emblem of the Land Forces Command on Gen Basbug's uniform.

Basbug: TSK will remain engaged

Speaking at the ceremony Gen Basbug said that some circles see the TSK as the biggest obstacle before homegrown and foreign-hatched radical change projects for Turkey.

Basbug said: "These circles are badly mistaken. The TSK has always been a party in the preservation of the nation state, the unitary state, and the secular state and will always be so."

The ceremony ended after service shields were awarded.

[05] Statements by Salih Usar on the agreement with Vodafone

Mr Usar noted that Vodafone bought Telsim in Turkey for 4 billion and 550 million dollars and the Telsim in the occupied part of Cyprus for 30 million dollars.

After the proposals were accepted and the tender was realized, this money was paid to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) of the Republic of Turkey, because the ownership of Telsim both in Turkey and the TRNC belonged to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, said Mr Usar.

Responding to questions, Mr Usar said:

The name of Telsim will remain Telsim as operational name. If Vodafone wants in the future to change it to another operational name, there is possibility for this as well.

A provision regarding the TRNC Telsim was included in article 11 of the document listing the terms of the contract when the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) put Telsim in Turkey up for sale and giving proposal for it as well was provided for. During meetings which those who would participate in the tender conducted with our officials, it was stated that the transfer would be made, that the transfer of this ownership would be made to those who won the tender and with the transfer the operating right would be given. Therefore, the transfer of Telsim in the TRNC to the company which won the tender was a requirement of the contract which had been prepared for the sale of Telsim in Turkey. That is, there was no separate tender for the two of them.

Of course, given that this sale took place in Turkey, there is the issue of VAT, as in all the sales. Therefore, when Vodafone transfers the sum of 30 million dollars to the account of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), at the same time VAT of 15 % was taken. And this is 4.5 million dollars. Vodafone, at the same time deposited 4.5 million dollars into one of our banks here, giving them to the use of our Ministry of Finance. Thus, from this sale our state has taken 4.5 million dollars at the same time. On the other hand, the total sum of the taxes is about 10.5 and 11 million dollars. And because the sale agreements have been signed, the total amount of the taxes should be paid to our Ministry of Finance.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkey is intensifying its efforts to legitimate its crimes in Cyprus exploiting its trade relations with Russia

Russia has reportedly asked Ankara for economic concessions in order to take any steps favoring Turkey (in the UN Security Council with regard to Cyprus). In the past Russia has not allowed issues related to the KKTC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) to be even included on the agenda of the UN Security Council. In order to take any steps on Cyprus, Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, reportedly wants to expand the Blue Stream (natural gas) pipeline and extend it to Cyprus and Israel via Ceyhan.

According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, this issue first came up during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Ankara two months ago. At the time the Moscow administration told Ankara that some steps can be taken with regard to the status of the KKTC in exchange for the expansion of the Blue Stream pipeline.

First KKTC, then Haifa

According to this plan the Blue Stream natural gas pipeline will be built parallel to the oil pipeline Turkey will build between Samsun and Ceyhan. However the line will not terminate at Ceyhan. It will continue from there to reach first the shores of the KKTC. It is then planned to extend the line from there to Israel. The Russians have also said that they will pay for all the construction costs of the line.

However, Ankara is not warmly disposed toward the project. Sources point out that if such a project is realized a major blow would be dealt to the Turkmen and Caspian gas projects. They add that this would allow Russia to open up to Mediterranean countries and would result in substantial degradation of the importance of Ceyhan, which Turkey has worked hard -with significant success-to turn into an energy center.

Sources further note that Turkey cannot sell the gas coming via Blue Stream because of the agreements it has signed and that, consequently, Turkey would not benefit from the proposed project financially.

The sources said: "Turkey has numerous energy projects that it has drafted over a very long time. Most of these are about to be completed. If we say yes to this expansion it may mean discarding all these projects."

'Commercial recognition'

Russian sources say that if this project is realized Russia may recognize the existence of the KKTC in a "commercial sense" and that this is something that Turkey has been trying to achieve for years.

[07] Gilt-head breams to be farmed in the open sea of occupied Cyprus

The name of the company is Deepsea Fisheries Ltd. and received its permission last year by the so-called Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, according to the self-styled Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Huseyin Oztoprak. Mr Oztoprak also expressed his satisfaction with the company reaching to the stage of producing fish.

The gilt-head bream farm started operating in September last year after a 2-million-dollar investment and the first fish production will take place next week, targeting to culture 300 tones of fish per year.

(M/L)

[08] Turkey concerned about Cyprus contributing to peace efforts in Lebanon

An announcement by Greek Cyprus that the United Nations would like the administration to be the site of a rear command and staging center for the expanded international force in Lebanon has raised concerns in Ankara.

Ankara is now awaiting clarification on the issue from the UN. Foreign Ministry officials told The New Anatolian that Greek Cyprus has been used as the staging center for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) previous operations in Lebanon, stressing that if Turkey decides to send peacekeepers to the region, it definitely won't use Greek Cypriot territory.

Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lilikas announced yesterday that the UN informed the administration of its intention a few days ago to set up the center on the eastern Mediterranean island. "We're discussing the technical aspects with the UN," he said.

Lilikas made the remarks following a visit to Lebanon on Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh and after his administration offered last week to serve as a transit point for the transportation of international peacekeeping troops scheduled to be deployed in Lebanon under a UN resolution on a ceasefire that ended more than a month of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Competition triggered between Ankara, Greek Cyprus

Lilikas' statements have also triggered competition between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot administration since Ankara has also expressed its readiness to open its territory to logistically support UN deployment in Lebanon.

Turkey, although still evaluating in detail the plans for sending Turkish forces to Lebanon to minimize the risks, last week expressed its readiness to allocate the port of Mersin and Adana (Sakir Pasa) airport for logistical support for UNIFIL.

Turkey's permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Baki Ilkin announced during last Thursday's meetings that Ankara is also ready to allocate some other harbors and ports to support the force.

UN Resolution 1701 calls for a 15,000-strong multinational force to support the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese Army soldiers in Southern Lebanon.

[09] Ankara has reportedly not given permission to Soyer for putting an end to the government coalition

Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (28.08.06) refers to the crisis in the government and writes that the silence of Mr Soyer, who discussed the issue with Prime Minister Erdogan during his recent visit to Ankara, is evaluated as a sign that Mr Soyer will not be able to put an end to the coalition with Serdar Denktas, because Ankara does not allow it.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Statements by the General Director of the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines

(I/Ts.)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] The Turkish leaders disagree on Turkish troops deployment in Lebanon

The ceremony held for the transfer of the Ground Forces Commander position from General Yasar Buyukanit, who is being appointed as General Staff Chief, to General Ilker Basbug, was also the scene of important political statements.

The addresses of General Buyukanit and General Basbug contained clear and sharp messages from the standpoint of the characteristics of the Turkish Republic, and the unity of the nation and the country.

As for President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who answered our questions following the ceremony, he took a clear stance on the topic of "sending troops to Lebanon" that has occupied Turkey's agenda for some time now.

President Sezer, saying "I am opposed to sending troops to Lebanon", also stressed that United Nations (UN) resolution number 1701 on Lebanon is inadequate.

The questions put to President Sezer, and his responses, were as follows:

Question: How do you look upon sending troops to Lebanon?

Answer: I am opposed to sending troops to Lebanon.

Question: It is being said that they will be sent for humanitarian aid purposes...

Answer: The UN's resolution number 1701 does not call for humanitarian aid to be provided by soldiers. Be aware of this.

Question: Does the resolution foresee conflict?

Answer: There is a possibility of conflict. I do not believe that dispatching our armed forces in accordance with this resolution would be in our national interest. We are not obliged to protect the national interests of others. Let us ensure our own internal security; that is sufficient. When we have our own problems, it is not that efforts cannot be made to deal with the problems of others, but I see no national interest in this. Whether we send troops or not, we are a great state. Our nature as a great state will not change.

Question: Did you voice these views of yours in the MGK [National Security Council]? Have you conveyed them to the Foreign Minister?

Answer: Since I am voicing them here, I naturally express them at every opportunity. It is not right to speak one way behind closed doors and another way in public.

Question: Is Turkey receiving international assistance in terms of the struggle against the PKK?

Answer: We are not getting international assistance with regard to the PKK. This being the case, it is not in our interests to act for the sake of the interests of others.

"We sought an immediate role"

Question: What do you say to the humanitarian aid dimension of it?

Answer: Let us provide humanitarian aid. But 1701 does not call for this to be provided by soldiers. It does not speak of a ceasefire, and does not speak of a cessation of fighting; it speaks of a cessation of hostilities. Even Italy says that the resolution is not clear, and that a new resolution is required. But we, even before the resolution came out, were already eager to get involved.

Question: What if a resolution were to come out of the UN calling for this to be provided by soldiers?

Answer: If a resolution calling for humanitarian aid provided by soldiers were to emerge, that would be different.

Question: What do you say to the Greek Cypriot sector being the logistics base?

Answer: It is not important. If a resolution were to come out, we would open our own ports. Indeed, we have already put them into operation in terms of humanitarian aid and evacuation.

Question: How do you view the topic of the (American) appointment of a PKK coordinator?

Answer: The concept of a PKK coordinator is incorrect. This is a concept that takes the PKK as an interlocutor. If the United States is speaking of coordination between its own civilian and military authorities in combating the PKK, then it is correct. But otherwise, it would be to take the PKK as an interlocutor. This is wrong.

Question: The question of [Iraqi President Jalal] Talabani wanting to come to Ankara, and that you do not see this as appropriate...?

Answer: Not before trust has come about. I have not seen it as appropriate. The government wants it, but I consider that the necessary conditions for it have not come about. Additionally, I do not look warmly on invitations issued in my name.

Question: The expression in books claimed to be recommended by the Ministry of National Education have created controversy; what do you say to this?

Answer: A disgrace.

President Sezer answered all the questions openly, and expressed his positions on current issues plainly...

When these statements by Sezer are assessed in conjunction with those of General Buyukanit and General Basbug, it can be said that the Ground Forces transfer of command ceremony was sufficiently important as to determine Turkey's agenda in the period ahead.

On the issue of sending troops to Lebanon Istanbul SABAH newspaper (27.08.06) reported that the first firm response to the president's statement to the effect that he objects to the dispatch of Turkish troops to Lebanon was given by the (TBMM) Turkish Grand National Assembly Speaker Bulent Arinc. Arinc said: "Turkey uses, should use, and will use its influence in all the fields in the face of the injustices and the initiatives to destroy peace. Article 92 of the Constitution is very clear where this issue is concerned. Regardless of what anyone says, the procedures will eventually be carried out in line with this article."

Answering the questions of the journalists, Arinc stated that certain UN and EU member countries have decided to send troops and equipment in order to strengthen the peacekeeping force in Lebanon, adding: "If Turkey is required to send troops to the multinational UN peacekeeping force, the government will reach a decision on this requirement. In the second stage, the government will carry this demand to the TBMM. The TBMM will decide whether or not this decision is appropriate. At this point the president does not have any responsibilities or authorities. The decision that will be reached by the TBMM will be published in the Official Gazette. The signature of the president is not required. This will never be a decision that will be vetoed. Furthermore a suit will never be filed at the Constitutional Court for the cancellation of this decision. This is the procedure. The honorable president's exclusive thoughts belong to him. I am not assessing them. Nonetheless, it is the government that is primarily authorized to handle such issues.

President Sezer had firmly stated his views about the dispatch of troops to Lebanon during the last MGK (National Security Council) meeting. According to the information received, in response to Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Ali Tuygan who noted that "It is necessary to reach a decision without any delay," Sezer asked: "Why are you in such a hurry?" In answer to the statement to the effect that "other countries also want the duties that we request," Sezer stressed that Turkey has serious problems and that it is necessary to primarily focus on these problems. In answer to the government's remarks that the Council of Minister's decision will be sufficient," Sezer said: "Why are you so desirous? Do you want to violate the Constitution?"

The Republican People's Party Chairman Deniz Baykal supported the president's objection by saying "there is a single route to wisdom." Baykal added, however, that this will lead to a new tension in the country. According to the information received, Baykal who assessed the issues with his staff, said: "The honorable president and I have not talked about these issues. I did not level criticism after consulting with the president. I leveled the criticism on the basis of my views. Nonetheless we agree with his concerns. In fact we have been expressing these concerns for a long time. Time and time again we have stated that the route that is being pursued is wrong. Now tension will be brought about in Turkey due to the statement issued by the honorable president."

True Path Party Chairman Mehmet Agar leveled criticism both against the president and the government for the crack that was created at the top of the state regarding the dispatch of Turkish troops to Lebanon. Speaking to Sabah, Agar said the following: "This picture is the weakness of a Turkey that is not being governed properly. No one knows who is truly in power in Turkey. Given that the government does not have the ability to manage crises, the honorable president has made such remarks. It is understood that the honorable president also expressed these views during the MGK meeting. I wish he had not gone any further. If the government intends to submit a motion, it should persuade the TBMM before the public. I wish the president had expressed his views only then."

Finally, HURRIYET newspaper (26.08.06) reported that while the President of the Turkish Republic, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, declared his views against Turkey entering Lebanon, Prime Minister Erdogan was busy discussing the same issue on the telephone yesterday.

Gathering with AKP MPīs from the Black Sea region yesterday, Erdogan spoke categorically when he said: We must enter Lebanon. In a later telephone conversation with the Lebanese Prime Minister, Fuad Sinyora, Erdogan replied to Sinyoraīs plea to not leave us alone. We are with you, Erdogan said.

In the evening, Prime Minister Erdogan also spoke to the United Nations General-Secretary, Kofi Annan, who has asked for Turkey to be added to the peacekeeping force, and who is to visit Ankara on 6th September.

Mr Erdogan left questions about President Sezerīs statements unanswered.

/SK

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