Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-07-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover Thomas Mooneys death

[02] Sener says that the prosperity in the TRNC increases because of the economic and financial cooperation with Turkey

[03] Erdogan praises his party for upgrading the status of the TRNC

[04] Mehmet Cakici accuses the so-called government of being a puppet of Ankara

[05] Ertugruloglu insists on the recognition of the breakaway regime

[06] Turkish Cypriot trade unions call on the government to resign

[07] Yonluer has reportedly visited Turkey for contacts

[08] High Level Contact Group delegation of the EP held contacts in Cyprus

[09] Kemal Dervis expresses the wish to visit Cyprus and to see especially the universities in the occupied areas of the island

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] From the Turkish Press on the forthcoming elections

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover Thomas Mooneys death

The paper invokes information published by Turkish HURRIYET newspaper which argued that the US military administration had asked for the help of the Turkish General Staff in order to find out the conversations Mooney conducted through Turkcell telephone line. Since Thursday the Turkish Armed Forces had been looking for Mooney, notes the paper adding that yesterday, after the body was found, the assistant of the Attaché crossed over to the occupied areas of Cyprus and stated that it is clear that Mooney had been murdered.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (03.07.07) refers to the issue under the title CIA is in the region! and reports that CIA agents are examining some things in connection with Lebanon regarding Mooneys death. KIBRISLI writes that its reporter was interrogated yesterday by CIA agents, who took over and are doing whatever they wish in the area.

The paper notes that CIA is trying to establish whether or not the two women with whom Mooney was seen in a restaurant at occupied Bogazi of Famagusta district were from Lebanon. The fact that CIA agents are examining certain things relating to the Lebanon increases the possibility of the incidents having very different dimensions, argues the paper.

Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (03.07.07) devotes the whole of its front page to the issue under the banner title Horror in the valley.

Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (03.07.07) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title The mysterious death of the diplomat.

Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (03.07.07) refers to the issue under the front-page title He was found dead!

Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (03.07.07) covers the issue under the title Is there Greek Cypriot involvement in the crime? The paper notes that Mooney was a graduate of the War Academy in Turkey, that he was always carrying his brevet from the Academy and that he spoke the Turkish language very well.

The paper reminds the abduction and the murder of the British captain Macey in 1964 and the US Ambassador to Nicosia in 1974 and alleges that when these incidents are taken into consideration the murder of Mooney by the Greek Cypriots is being examined.

Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (03.07.07) refers to the issue under the title the military Attaché was found dead!

Under the title The US attaché who spoke Turkish was found dead, Turkish daily HURRIYET newspaper (03.07.07) publishes in its first page a report by Omer Bilge, the papers correspondent in occupied Cyprus who writes that the body of Thomas Mooney, the military attaché of the US embassy to Nicosia, was found dead yesterday morning. Thomas Mooney was missing for four days before his corpse was found. Omer Bilge writes that it was learned that Thomas Mooney studied in the Ankara War Academy.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily MILLIYET newspaper (03.07.07) publishes a report by Sefa Karahasan, the papers correspondent in occupied Cyprus, who writes that Thomas Mooney, the military attaché of the US embassy to Nicosia, who was missing since Thursday, was found dead. The paper, invoking information, writes that Thomas Mooney was an expert diplomat on issues like the fight against terrorism and military struggle. The paper also writes that Mooney, who had duties both in the Republic of Cyprus and in the occupied areas of the Republic, crossed from north Cyprus to the south before he disappeared.

Turkish daily SABAH newspaper (03.07.07) reports also about Thomas Mooney under the title Did the US attaché commit suicide or was he killed?. The paper also writes that there are claims that Mooney was either poisoned or died after he was hit in the head and adds that the US attaché was last seen with the company of two ladies, 30 and 40 years old respectively, in the area of occupied Varosha.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily RADIKAL newspaper (03.07.07) also reports about the death of Thomas Mooney under the title The mysterious death of the US attaché in Cyprus and reports that the cause of Mooneys death is kept secret. The paper under the subtitle EOKA, Iran, mafia, reports that while the peace operation, as it calls the Turkish invasion, was taking place in Cyprus in 1974, EOKA murdered the US Ambassador to Nicosia.

It also writes that the issue of the former Iranian Deputy Minister of Defence, Ali Asgari, who disappeared on the 9th of June 2006 in Istanbul, during the time the war of words between the USA and Iran was becoming fierce, came on the agenda. The paper also writes that Cyprus is an island where money laundering, gambling and trafficking of women are taking place.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (03.07.07) also reports about the death of Thomas Mooney and writes that the cause of death of the US attaché is still under investigation.

(I/Ts.-CS)

[02] Sener says that the prosperity in the TRNC increases because of the economic and financial cooperation with Turkey

In statements during the ceremony Mr Sener said that the opening of the campus of ITU, which will be the seventh university in the occupied areas of Cyprus, is very important for the development of the economy and the scientific environment there. He alleged that no country in the world can stand on its feed under such embargoes and added that in spite of these embargoes, the prosperity in the TRNC increases because of the economic and financial cooperation with Turkey.

He said that the national income in the occupied areas increased from 1.4 billion USD in 2002 to four billions in 2006 and added that per capita income has also increased from 4.400 USD in 2002 to more than 11.000 USD in 2006. He noted that when this is calculated according to the parity purchasing power (PPP) it exceeds 20.000 USD.

Referring to the bed capacity of the tourist installations in the occupied areas, Mr Sener said that they increased from 10.600 in 2002 to 15.000 in 2006 and added that their aim is for the hotel bed capacity to reach 30.000 within two years. Mr Sener said that in the years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 there were 24.000 students in the six universities in the occupied areas and added that this year the number of the students increased to 41.261.

Meanwhile, in her statements Mrs Oztoprak said that the contribution of Turkey to the economic development of the TRNC is very important and added that the universities attach extremely great importance to the economy and the political existence of the TRNC and from the point of view of the education.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Erdogan praises his party for upgrading the status of the TRNC

Addressing a meeting of his party in Adana the night before yesterday, Mr Erdogan reiterated that during the AKP government the president of the republic of the TRNC, as he described Mr Talat, has been officially invited by the president of Pakistan.

He argued: We were the ones who made all this work. Invitations came from Germany, Holland, America and many countries and meetings were held there. The TRNC was participating as a community in the ICO before and now it is participating as Turkish Cypriot State as in the Annan Plan. We have secured this honour. .

(I/Ts.)

[04] Mehmet Cakici accuses the so-called government of being a puppet of Ankara

In spite of this, he added, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) government is in the: wait until the 22 of July mode upon instructions it has taken from Ankara. He described the so-called government as puppet and pointed out that the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party, which have committed many misdeeds in the past, are not in a position to criticize what is happening today.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ertugruloglu insists on the recognition of the breakaway regime

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (03.07.07) refers to the statements of Mr Ertugruloglu on its front page under the title Talat slid to the ground that the Greek Cypriots want. The paper reports that Mr Ertugruloglu argued that the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat committed a mistake during his visit in Finland and Sweden. Instead of emphasizing on the TRNC, of which he is president, he wanted the implementation of the 8 July, he added.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish Cypriot trade unions call on the government to resign

The chairmen of the trade unions called on the government to resign. It was stated that the aim of the protest was to say stop to the arbitrary policies followed by the government, to the employment of party supporters, to the price increases and to the political life which became dirty. The paper reports that about 200 persons participated in the protest and shouted slogans such as the government to resign, clean society, clean politics and stop bribery.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Yonluer has reportedly visited Turkey for contacts

However, it adds, the purpose of his visit to Ankara afterwards was not understood. It is alleged that Mr Yonluer held some important contacts during his visit to Turkey. The paper notes that Mr Yonluer is expected to return today to the occupied areas of Cyprus. It reminds that he is living a difficult period because of the allegations by businessman Ahmet Ozcag, known as Variant Ahmet.

(I/Ts.)

[08] High Level Contact Group delegation of the EP held contacts in Cyprus

President Mehmet Ali Talat has received members of the European Parliaments High Level Contact Group for relations with the Turkish Cypriot people.

The High Level Contact Group which was established to improve relations with the Turkish Cypriot people is currently in Cyprus for contacts with officials from the two sides.

A delegation from the High Level Contact Group headed by Mechtilde Rothe was received by President Mehmet Ali Talat at noon.

Deputy-Prime Minister Foreign Minister Turgay Avci, Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev, National Unity Party deputy Hasan Tacoy were also present at the meeting.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

The High Level Contact Group met with Mayor of Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari and Mayor of South Lefkosia Eleni Mavrou at a working lunch at the Boghjalian Restaurant in Lefkosia.

In an address during the lunch, Mechtilde Rothe a member of the High Level Contact Group and an MEP, pointed out that its a long tradition for the mayors of the city to cooperate and said that she is very pleased to see that this cooperation still continues.

She said that the Contact Group wanted to hear from the two Mayors about the joint projects the two municipalities have been working on.

For his part, the Mayor of Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari explained that he has been in contact with Mrs Mavrou for a year now and that the two municipalities have been working on some joint projects.

Pointing out that `sewage water` is one of the biggest problems being faced by the two municipalities, Mr Bulutoglulari said a new project will be put into practice soon to end these problems.

He noted that preparations are also underway for social activities in both sides of the island.

On the opening of a gate at Lokmaci (Ledra street), he said that the opening of the Lokmaci Gate (Ledra street) will reunite Lefkosia and bring economic benefits for the two peoples of the island.

For her part, the mayor of South Lefkosia Eleni Mavrou said that it is a necessity for the two municipalities which are facing joint problems - to cooperate.

On the opening of Lokmaci Gate (Ledra street), Mrs Mavrou said that the opening of the gate is important not just for the city but for the two sides of the island.

Mrs Mavrou said she is ready to discuss the issues concerning the opening of the Gate but added that this is a political issue, not a technical one.

Tonight, members of the High Level Contact Group will meet with representatives of political parties and NGOs at Buyuk Han in Lefkosia.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the European Parliaments Greens Grouping will arrive in Cyprus on Wednesday for contacts on both sides of the island.

[09] Kemal Dervis expresses the wish to visit Cyprus and to see especially the universities in the occupied areas of the island

In a statement issued by the CTP, it is noted that the delegation consisting of Unal Findik and Kutlay Erk, foreign affairs secretary and member of the foreign affairs bureau of the party respectively, met also with Kemal Dervis, head of the UNDPs Development Program. Mr Dervis noted that he wants to visit Cyprus as soon as possible and to see especially the universities in the occupied areas of the island.

Moreover Illegal Bayrak television (02.07.07) broadcast the following:

Officials from the Republican Turkish Party have informed many European social democrat and labor parties on the Cyprus issue during their contacts held on the sidelines of the Socialist International Council in Geneva.

During the two day meetings of the council, the Republican Turkish Party was represented by the Partys Foreign Relations Secretary Unal Findik and Kutlay Erk - a member of the Foreign Relation Bureau.

During their stay in Geneva, the two CTP officials held bilateral contacts with representatives from various social democrat and labor parties on the sidelines of the Socialist International Council.

In a statement issued, it s been stated that Ünal F1nd1k and Kutlay Erk had fruitful contacts during their stay in Geneva.

The Cyprus issue, the EU Direct Trade Regulation and relations between the Turkish Cypriot people and the EU were the main topics of the discussions they held with the Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D Alema and the Italian Social Democrats Foreign Affairs Secretary Luciano Vecchi.

Officials from the two parties have also agreed to increase their contacts with the aim of improving relations between the two parties.

As part of their contacts, Findik and Erk held bilateral contacts with representatives of political parties from Norway, Portugal, Pakistan, Chile, Sweden, Belgium, France, Greece, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] From the Turkish Press on the forthcoming elections

In an interview to SABAH yesterday, the speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly, Mr Bulent Arinc, has said that "it is not nice" for the Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Gul to insist that his presidential candidacy is still valid, for the political conditions might change and hence it is not timely to talk about one's presidential candidacy.

MILLIYET report, quotes Mr Arinc to have said to ATV television later on that his views on the issue of Gul´s candidacy has not damaged his friendship with Gul.

A report in REFERANS points out to the rising polemics between Erdogan and MHP [Nationalist Action Party] leader Devlet Bahceli over whether to hang PKK leader Ocalan. In reply to Bahceli's accusation that "Erdogan has found enough money to buy a ship for his son, but cannot find a rope to hang" Ocalan and to Bahceli's theatrical offer of a rope to Erdogan during his election rally in Erzurum, Erdogan has said the following during his Manisa rally: "When the court issued the death penalty you were in power. If you did not have a rope, the nation could have sent you one. Why didn't you do it yourself then?" Erdogan adds that there is no more death penalty in Turkey and for Bahceli to brandish ropes during his rallies shows how estranged is he from the laws of the country.

In an article entitled "We saw even this happen in politics", YENI SAFAK columnist Kursat Bumin slams Nationalist Action Party, (MHP), leader Devlet Bahceli for bringing out a hangman's noose during the MHP's recent election rally in Erzurum in response to Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks accusing the MHP of preventing the execution of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Bumin asks whether a political group that shows a hangman's rope to its supporters and gets to them to reply with shouts of "hang him" really deserves to be called a political party and blasts the MHP for refraining from explaining what the implications of executing Ocalan following his extradition would have been or what would happen if he were sent to the gallows today.

In an article under the title "Is the Kurdish Issue supposed to be solved by Deniz Bahceli?", YENI SAFAK columnist Koray Duzgoren lambastes "certain quarters" for trying to lay the groundwork for a coalition between the Republican People's Party, (CHP), of Deniz Baykal and the MHP of Devlet Bahceli and argues that such a coalition would be singularly incapable of addressing the "Kurdish issue" since neither Bahceli nor Baykal is talking about anything but "blood, war, and violence" although it is only through "peace" and "democracy" that this issue can be solved. He also asserts that a CHP-MHP government would be a "blood and hatred coalition" that would be "the puppet of bureaucratic forces determined to rule Turkey through despotism and militarism."

Under the banner headline, "Witnesses Talk," VAKIT carries a front-page report which highlights remarks by two of Devlet Bahceli's "cabinet friends" in the earlier Ecevit government, Minister of Transport Enis Oksuz and Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, contradicting Bahceli's latest statements calling for Ocalan's execution by noting that as former deputy prime minister, the MHP leader refrained from referring the death sentence against Ocalan to Parliament or withdrawing from the government when his coalition partners signed a decision to lift the death penalty.

In an article entitled "Politics and Contamination", VAKIT columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak argues that politics as it is practiced in Turkey is "an expensive, cumbersome, inefficient, low-quality, and bloody profession," adding that a proper political tradition has failed to take root in this country because of military coups, undemocratic pressures, and interventions in politics by "deep forces." He also cites the "ecological disaster" that takes the form of plastic party banners filling city squares ahead of every parliamentary election, the "noise pollution" caused by loudspeakers spreading party propaganda, and the "false promises" made by political players as manifestations of an ongoing political contamination.

In an article entitled "The Court is embarrassed, the media are embarrassed, everybody is embarrassed. Why then?", ZAMAN editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli refers to the Constitutional Court's statement of its reasons for its ruling recognizing 367 as the required quorum for a parliamentary voting for the presidential election as one marking the deepest downturn in an already bad state of affairs. He calls attention to the "embarrassed" quality of the wording of the statement and the media response to the ruling and expresses agreement with former Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk's assessment that the Court has changed the Constitution through interpretation in a way that could prepare the ground for "a state ruled by justices."

In an article entitled "Ugly and crude politics", MILLI GAZETE columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan focuses on the row between MHP leader Bahceli and Prime Minister Erdogan over the issue of the execution of Abdullah Ocalan. Accusing both leaders of "hunting for votes" by exploiting the public indignation at the PKK's terrorist attacks, Ozkan asserts that the country cannot benefit in any way from politics that takes the form of throwing a hangman's noose to a rally crowd or mutual accusations of failing to have a terrorist leader executed.

EG/

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