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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-06-21Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No.118/07 21.06.07[A] NEWS ITEMS
[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkeys National Security Council met. Statement after the meeting also referred to CyprusANKARA ANATOLIA news agency (20.06.07) reports the following:All measures required to fight against terrorism will continue to be taken under all circumstances," said a statement that was released after the National Security Council (MGK) meeting, it was reported on Wednesday. The statement said the measures that were taken and would be taken to eliminate separatist terrorism targeting unity and inseparable integrity of Republic of Turkey, and security of the nation were all assessed. The statement said: "The belief that this threat would be overcome decisively on the basis of democracy and supremacy of law was reaffirmed." It was stated that MGK members also discussed the recent developments about the Cyprus issue, underlining that ongoing unfair restrictions over Turkish Cypriots --who show will for solution --cannot be accepted. Members also took up the measures which can be taken to eliminate isolation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in international area. "It was stressed that initiatives of Greek Cypriot administration --which continues to be an element of instability in the region through its activities in eastern Mediterranean-- regarding the issues that concern the whole island are not valid. Efforts to protect our country's rights and interests in eastern Mediterranean will continue. Turkey will pursue its positive stance (regarding Cyprus issue) to found a new partnership state on the basis of bi-zonality and political equality as well as to find a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution within the scope of the UN. Turkey is determined to provide every type of support to TRNC," noted the statement. On the same issue, according to Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (21.06.07) regarding Cyprus the MGK in parallel to the increased discrimination against those who migrate from Turkey to the TRNC, evaluated the developments regarding the more than 200 Greek Cypriot applications submitted to the Property Compensation Commission, after the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on the appeal of the Greek Cypriot Myra-Xenides Arestis. Turkish daily TODAYS ZAMAN newspaper (21.06.07), inter alia, reports the following: The statement released by MGK after the meeting is also a warning for the Greek Cypriot administration, which launched an international licensing round for offshore exploration of oil and gas in February in spite of opposition from Turkey, which has warned the move could stoke tensions in the region. A full member in the European Union, Greek Cyprus is also blocking possible EU steps to effectively ease the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. The statement said the MGK meeting reviewed developments concerning Cyprus and underlined that it was unacceptable that unjust restrictions on the Turkish Cypriots remain despite their support for a solution of the deep-seated problem. The MGK chided the Greek Cypriot administration for acting as an element of instability and said its attempts to take steps on behalf of the entire island were invalid. In reference to the dispute over oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, the statement said Turkeys efforts to protect its rights and interests in the region would continue and added that Ankara was firm in providing all kind of support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), without elaborating. Turkey opposes agreements that the Greek Cypriot administration has signed with Lebanon and Egypt over maritime borders to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Some estimates suggest that the seas around Cyprus could contain unproven reserves of between 6 and 8 billion barrels of oil with an estimated value of $385 billion. Turkey has warned the two Arab countries not to proceed with the deals, saying that it also had rights and interests in the area. Ankara also insisted that the Turkish Cypriots should have a say in the islands oil and gas rights. Greek Cyprus has said that American, Chinese and Russian companies have shown interest in the international licensing round for offshore exploration. (MHY/ ML) [02] Belated denial by Turkish military on Hudson scenariosTurkish daily TODAY´S ZAMAN newspaper (21.06.07) under the above title, reports the following:The General Staff on Wednesday finally ended its silence on a recent meeting of the Washington based conservative think tank the Hudson Institute, where scenarios that could prove disastrous for Turkey were allegedly discussed at a brainstorming session, also attended by two officials from the Turkish military. Information leaked to the Turkish press on the alleged content of the meeting, which was initially not denied by the Hudson Institute, had raised great resentment in Turkey, reflected in angry statements issued by top politicians and commentators, as well as by the retired head of the Constitutional Court -- whose assassination formed one of the scenarios allegedly discussed at the think tank. The General Staff released a statement clarifying its opinion on the meeting, which observers said was a response to Parliament Speaker Bulent Ar1nç, who had criticized the participation of military officials in the meeting. The statement said recent media stories on the Hudson Institute meeting were circulated purposefully to besmirch Turkeys institution. It accused Milliyet dailys Washington correspondent Yasemin Congar, the journalist who disclosed the meetings details, of distorting the truth and having made a purposeful attempt to defame the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), without identifying her by name. The statement admitted that two generals had participated in the meeting, but denied they had participated in any discussion of scenarios on Turkey. They arrived briefly before lunchtime, it said. Later the participants recessed for lunch, and members of the two think tanks exchanged information on the working principles of their organizations, it said, asserting the generals innocence. According to the statement Turkeys military attaché to Washington had not received a written invitation for the meeting, despite an invitation text acquired by the media spelling out the name of the chairman of the Turkish General Staff think tank Strategic Research and Study Centres (SAREM) as one of the participants. The statement denied that one of the military officials had objected to a possible scenario on handing over terrorists caught in northern Iraq based on concerns that this would play into the hands of the ruling Justice and Development (AK Party) in the run-up to the elections. Subtitle: Congar stands by her news story Meanwhile Milliyets Congar, speaking to CNN Turk via a telephone on Tuesday night, reiterated that the sentence, If some Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leaders were captured [by US forces] and handed over to Turkey, this would play into the hands of the AK Party in the elections was expressed by a Turkish expert that participated in the meeting. She said three sources had confirmed that this was true. Commenting on the Hudson Institutes Eurasian Studies Director Zeyno Barans denial of the media reports on the contents of the meeting, Çongar said this was most surprising. She said Baran had not denied the news stories in e-mails the two had written to each other. Subtitle: Hudson talk waste of countrys time, AK Party official says Meanwhile, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Saban Disli said recent scenarios on Turkey, including the assassination of the recently retired head of the Constitutional Court Tulay Tugcu and a powerful explosion in Istanbul killing 50, discussed as part of a brainstorming session in the US based Hudson institute, could have the purpose of forming psychological pressure on the Turkish electorate ahead of the general elections on July 22. During a visit to a solid waste storage facility in the northwestern
province of Sakarya, Dili replied to questions from press members on
the Hudson Institute meeting from June 13, the content of which was
leaked to the press last week. Officials from the institute have denied
most of the news stories.
Disli stated that think tanks like the Hudson Institute always produced
such scenarios, and emphasized his opinion that such issues should not
be allowed to occupy space on the countrys agenda. He also accused such
discussions of pushing real issues and services for society into the
background.
Subtitle: Journalist reaction
Concerning the General Staffs statement, Ahmet Abakay, chairman of the
Contemporary Journalists Association, said: The statement made by the
General Staff in connection with the infamous meeting held at the
Washington-based conservative think tank the Hudson Institute is
controversial. We have every right to expect respect from the General
Staff regarding freedom of the press and the peoples right to be
informed. Yasemin Congar, to whom the statement refers, is our
colleague and a member of our association. She is a sufficiently
experienced journalist, and she has fulfilled her journalistic
responsibility in this specific incident. If she had concealed this
incident or ignored it, she would not have performed her duty. The
incident reported by her is not denied, but verified both by the
participants of the meeting and in the General Staffs statement, which
only make assessments on a subjective basis. Interestingly, the
statement shows that the General Staff has knowingly refrained from
showing its reactions and from informing the public. The statement in
question fully confirms our colleagues report. It is distressing to see
the General Staff among the groups that do not pay respect to freedom
of the press and the peoples right to be informed, but rather defame
the reporters who report the incidents objectively.
Subtitle: Full text of Turkish General Staffs statement on Hudson
Institute
A scenario allegedly put forward at a think tank in the US on the date
June 13, 2007 has created wide discussion in our country which included
attempts to associate the meetings scenario with the Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK), highlighting the presence of two TSK officials at the
meeting.
The Office of the Chief of General Staff, with the aim of obtaining a
detailed view of all aspects of these discussions and revealing the
real faces and intentions of the faces behind the current atmosphere,
has waited without making a statement particularly in the beginning,
but later concluded that the incident has caused enough discussion and
decided to make a statement.
1) The chairman of the General Staff Strategic Research and Study
Centre (SAREM), founded on June 4, 2001, was in the US between the
dates June 11 and June 16, 2007 within the framework of a long-arranged
visit in order to exchange information on the structure and working
methods of certain think tanks, just like his colleagues in many other
countries do. The said think tank was also visited, along with four
others that were a planned part of the visit. The news stories were
written by a reporter who works as the US correspondent of an important
newspaper and who was believed to have had sufficient experience in
this field. The stories were a distortion of truths, and the wrong
comments made by this person across TV stations are taken as a
purposeful attempt [to defame the TSK]. The SAREM delegation visiting
the US, because of visits planned to other think tanks, only had the
time to participate in the meeting very briefly before lunch as
spectators. During this course, no speeches of any scenarios mentioned
in the news story were discussed in the meeting, and the SAREM members,
who had visitors status, did not make any comments. Later, the
participants recessed for lunch, and members of the two think tanks
exchanged information on the working principles of their organizations
after lunch.
Under the planned visit to the US by the SAREM delegation, agreement
had been reached on the itinerary with the said organization, just like
with all the other think tanks; however, no invitation including the
scenario had been received for the meeting that is the subject of the
discussions.
In addition, the presence of the son of the leader of a Kurdish group
in the said meeting was a complete coincidence, with the SAREM
delegation making no contact with this person whatsoever.
2) The TSK attaché to Washington was only verbally invited to the
meeting. No information or documentation was delivered to the office of
the attaché about the scenario ahead of the meeting. The attaché
participated in this meeting with the knowledge and permission of the
Office of the Chief of General Staff. This participation falls under
the regular duties of attachés, and the results of the meeting have
been reported to the Office of the Chief of General Staff.
3) During the workshop on Potential Responses to a Military Incursion
into Iraq, which lasted two hours, our military attaché did not give
any responses other than Turkeys stated views concerning Iraq. The news
story about the terrorists that would be delivered to Turkey, is the
result of pure imagination and it bears the purpose of covering a lie
with another lie and defaming institutions by pointing at the wrong
target. For this reason, this topic is considered to be requiring a
clarification from the said journalist.
4) The developments mentioned above have also been confirmed by various
statements made by officials of the Hudson Institute. However, the wide
discussions on not the real subject matter of the meeting but the said
imaginary scenario create the impression that certain centers are
deliberately elaborating on this issue. The purpose served by those
statements and comments made based on a scenario that could not
possibly be accepted by the Turkish Armed Forces is considered to be a
topic that has to be profoundly contemplated.
Twenty days after giving the United States a diplomatic note on grounds
that US F-16 planes violated Turkish airspace, the authorization for
the use of Incirlik has been extended for an additional year.
The members of the Council of Ministers have reportedly signed the
decree that extends the United States' authorization to benefit from
the Incirlik Air Base for logistic purposes for an additional year. The
authorization was granted 20 days after giving the United States a
diplomatic note on grounds of the violation of Turkish airspace by US
F-16 planes.
Last week the Foreign Ministry had sent the government the Council of
Minister's decision on extending for an additional year the
authorization that will expire on 23 June and that has been granted the
United States every year since 2003 for the use of the Incirlik Base
for logistic purposes within the framework of the US operations in
Iraq.
Sources from the Prime Minister's Office noted that the decree was
signed during a meeting held by the Council of Ministers the day before
yesterday [ 18 June]. The authorization will enable "friendly and ally
countries to use the ports, the airports, the facilities, and the bases
that will be determined on the basis of the principles and methods that
will be drawn up by the Office of the Chief of the General Staff in
line with the purposes envisaged in the resolutions of the UN Security
Council, with the purpose of logistic support, including the
transportation of military equipment and personnel." The Council of
Ministers' decision that enables the United States to use the Incirlik
Base for an additional year for logistic purposes will come into effect
after being published in the Official Gazette within this week.
It was noteworthy that the Council of Ministers' decision that extends
the authorization for the use of the Incirlik Base was reached only 20
days after the diplomatic note given to the United States for the
violation of Turkish airspace.
After the public announcement issued by the Office of the Chief of the
General Staff to the effect that two of the US F-16 planes stationed in
Iraq violated Turkish airspace on 24 May, the Foreign Ministry had
given the United States a diplomatic note and had warned it against the
repetition of the violation. The US Embassy had explained that the
violation of the airspace had stemmed from pilot error and had
apologized.
Eckart Cuntz, Ambassador of EU Term President Germany in Ankara said
the opening of three chapters in EU accession negotiation talks with
Turkey still remained an objective.
The German Embassy in Ankara hosted a last meeting with the EU
ambassadors as the EU term president. The guest of the lunch --hosted
usually after the meetings held once every month-- was Arzuhan Dogan
Yalcindag, Chairperson of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen
Association (TUSIAD).
Cuntz and Yalcindag spoke to the press before the lunch. Yalcindag
indicated they would discuss together Turkey's EU journey.
When asked about the hesitations regarding the "Economic and Monetary
policy" chapter and whether German term presidency would open this
chapter, Cuntz recalled German Foreign Minister Frank Walter
Steinmeier's remarks -to the German daily Frankfurter Rundschau, and
said, "the opening of three chapters in EU accession negotiation talks
with Turkey still remains an objective. German FM Frank Walter
Steinmeier stated that the negotiations are not just formal
negotiations or technical ones. It will not be accepted to open only
one chapter."
Upon a question regarding the French position on the opening of
"Economic and Monetary policy" chapter in negotiations with Turkey,
Cuntz said he did not want to comment on the internal negotiations that
were still going on within the enlargement group and noted that efforts
were still going on. When asked about the Greek Cypriot position on the
"financial control" chapter, Cuntz reminded that the Ministerial
Accession Conference would be held on June 26th and said they were
working very hard to achieve their goal regarding the opening of three
chapters in negotiations with Turkey as the term president.
The European Union must fulfil its promise to negotiate on Turkey's
accession bid, the EU's enlargement chief said on Wednesday, rebuffing
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's efforts to thwart its entry.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told a French audience in the
eastern city of Strasbourg that the mainly Muslim state was a key
partner for Europe and noted that the bloc had recognized its right to
apply for entry as long ago as 1963.
"If prospects of accession dim, it is Turkish democracy and the
stability of the country -- and, as a knock-on effect, our own -- that
will be affected," he told an event at the elite ENA College. "We
should be fair, respecting our commitments that support reforms in
Turkey and contribute to the transformation of this great country. We
should be rigorous, ensuring that Turkey fulfils the criteria to the
letter," he added.
The EU and Ankara launched accession talks in October 2005, but
progress has been painfully slow, dogged by disputes over Cyprus,
freedom of expression and other issues. The EU is due to open talks on
two new chapters with Ankara on Monday after France signalled
reservations about a third --economic and monetary policy. A total of
35 chapters needed to be negotiated and agreed.
Sarkozy has held back from an all-out attempt to halt the talks until
after this week's EU summit aimed at launching a new reforming EU
treaty in place of a constitution, stalled by voter rejections in
France and the Netherlands. But he has said he would make proposals by
the end of the year on blocking its bid, insisting that Turkey does not
geographically belong to Europe.
ING Group's CEO Michel Tilmant stated on Wednesday that they assured to
offer high-quality services to the members of the army just like they
did to other customers, underscoring that they attached great
importance to the military officials' keeping their accounts at the
bank.
Speaking at a press conference on Oyak Bank's sale to the Dutch ING
Group, Tilmant stressed that they mainly directed their capital to
developing economies and to locations where the middle class is rapidly
improving and financial services are promising.
"You can consider our presence in Turkey today as a part of this policy
as well," Tilmant noted, stressing that Turkey had a great potential in
financial services. Stressing that they made strenuous efforts to
introduce their brand in Turkey, Tilmant said they became a sponsor to
Formula 1 and signed an agreement with Renault within this framework.
Tilmant indicated that the Grand Prix to take place in Turkey in August
would also contribute to their company's promotion. Noting that Oyak
Bank would change its name to ING in 12 months, Tilmant said the number
of branches in Turkey would also be increased to 450. Upon a question
on whether "ING is concerned about a military coup in Turkey",
recalling a report released by ING previously which claimed that "the
probability of a military coup in the country was 5 percent," Tilmant
said there was an independent research group within ING and they had no
intervention regarding such group's predictions on the market.
"It would not be accurate to conclude that this research group reflects
the opinion of the ING administration or ING supports such report,"
Tilmant affirmed. Replying to another question on whether ING's
previous negative opinion on Turkey has changed, Tilmant said they
would not have invested 2.6 billion USD in Turkey if they did not
confide in Turkish economy.
The Adoption of the Euro on both sides of Cyprus would promote
reunification.
The German Greens Party MEP Cem Ozdemir has stressed the view that it
is a pity that the simultaneous adoption of Euro on both sides of
Cyprus is not taking place.
Commenting on the issue during a session at the European Parliament on
the adoption of Euro in Cyprus and Malta in Strasbourg, the Greens MEP
said that adopting the EUs common monetary unit in the whole of Cyprus
would contribute to the reunification of the island.
(MHY)
Deputy Prime Minister- Foreign Minister Turgay Avci has stated that the
long-term struggle waged by the Turkish Cypriot People has gained a
more political nature following the changes in world politics.
Mr Avci said that although the aim of the Turkish Cypriot struggle for
existence and equality remains the same, new approaches will be sought
towards achieving national interests.
Foreign Minister Turgay Avci paid a visit to the former TRNC President
Rauf Denktas today, who recently underwent an operation in Istanbul.
Touching upon the Cyprus problem during the visit, Mr Avci said that
Turkeys policy on the Cyprus issue has always been very clear and this
will not change whatever changes take place within the political
atmosphere of the country.
He said this was made clear once again by the Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul during his latest visit to the TRNC.
Stressing that foreign contacts are all aimed at allowing further
expansion of the Turkish Cypriot People within the international
community, Turgay Avci stated that the TRNC is maintaining its foreign
policy in line with the shifting nature of world politics.
(MHY)
(MHY)
Announcing yesterday the first steps of the strategic cooperation
established between the two illegal universities, their rectors
conveyed also the message that this cooperation will be carried out
with other universities too.
The DAU rector, Dr. Halil Guven, also stated that next Autumn the two
illegal universities will sign a protocol for setting up a commission
aiming to designate the dimension of the academic cooperation between
DAU and YDU. He also noted that the breakaway regime can become a model
on private universities.
On his part, the YDU rector, Dr. Suat Gunsel stated that the flow of
students coming from Turkey to attend the illegal universities cannot
be prevented, no matter whether new universities will be established in
Turkey, explaining that the number of universities in Turkey, including
the new ones which are going to open, is nearly 100 and according to
the population in the country, a minimum number of 250 universities is
required.
Responding to a question on the opening of universities in the free
territories of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Gunsel noted that it is too
difficult for these universities to reach the level of the universities
in occupied Cyprus. It is very difficult to reach our level. The levels
we reached cannot easily be reached by others, he stated.
(M/L)
Senior,
I am borne in 1947 in your city of Magusa (Famagusta). As soon as I
opened my eyes I saw the magnificent walls built before you by your
ancestors from Venice and Florence, the redoubts and the antiquities.
This cultural heritage of yours, Famagusta, has been included into the
list of the worlds cultural heritages the future of which is in danger.
I am giving the names of some of your antiquities which are about to be
demolished or sold with the lie that they are property of wakf (Tr.
Note: Religious foundation).
With my respects.
(I/Ts.)
EG/
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