Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-02-18

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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 press covered the presidential elections

[02] Papadopoulos out, Turkey satisfied

[03] Soyer stated that the election results are positive

[04] Lavrov: The Russian Chamber of Commerce is ready to implement projects for the benefit of both sides

[05] Serdar Denktas, Ferdi Soyer and Ahmet Yonluer on the declaration of Kosovos independence

[06] The National Security Council to discuss ways that Kosovos independence could impact the TRNC

[07] The Turkish Cypriot press on the declaration of the independence of Kosovo

[08] Tahsin Ertugruloglu met with Erdogan in Istanbul He will deliver a speech about the Cyprus problem in the European Jewish Council in Stockholm

[09] Avci is in Australia for the celebrations of 60th anniversary of the first migration of Turkish Cypriots in the country

[10] Turkey wants the occupation regime to become member of the newly established Middle East Countries Trade Councils General Presidium

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] Turkish military and government in sync on Cyprus

[12] From the Turkish Press of 16 and 17 February 2008

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered the presidential elections

Under the title Papadopoulos lost, Kibris reports in its first page about the elections held yesterday in the Republic of Cyprus and writes that Ioannis Kasoulides, who was supported by the Democratic Rally Party (DISY) and Demetris Christofias, who was supported by AKEL, are the two candidates who passed to the second round of the elections to be held on Sunday.

In an article under the title I apologize to the Greek Cypriots, Kibris columnist Suleyman Erguclu, writes in his column Platform that he apologizes to the Greek Cypriots for branding them conservative after the referendum results and that he wrote that they are under the influence of the church. As he stated, he was wrong to suppose that Papadopoulos would have passed to the second round and win the elections and notes that the Greek Cypriots, like the Turkish Cypriots did before, signed for a big change in south Cyprus.

Under the title The Greek Cypriots said no to partition, Yeni Duzen reports in its first page that at the elections held yesterday the current leader Tassos Papadopoulos was the candidate who said farewell to the elections and did not pass to the second round to be held next Sunday. The paper notes that the candidate of DISY, who faced reactions because four years ago he took the decision to say yes to the referendum, received the most votes during the elections yesterday. In addition, Demetris Christofias, who was supported by AKEL, is the second candidate to pass to the second round.

Under the title Tasos was overturned, Afrika reports in its first page that the Greek Cypriot community made a democratic revolution yesterday and that Papadopoulos did not pass to the second round of the elections, who, according to Afrika, felt a great disappointment. Referring to the election results, the paper writes, inter alia, that Papadopoulos is expected to support Kasoulides and not Christofias in the second round. Afrika also writes that with the ousting of Papadopoulos a new page has opened in Cyprus and adds that it will be interesting to see what the Turkish Cypriot politicians will do in view of the developments.

Ortam reports on the elections under the title The Greek Cypriot people opened the door to a new eraPapadopoulos is gone! and notes that Papadopoulos, who rejected the Annan Plan, did not pass to the second round and Kasoulides who supported the plan ended first in the first round of the elections.

Under the title The second round came out of the ballot box, Star Kibris reports that at the breathtaking elections which were held yesterday in south Cyprus no candidate gathered the 50% of the votes. The paper writes that 515 thousand persons voted yesterday, among them 390 Turkish Cypriots. It also notes that there were fifteen thousand new voters. The paper publishes in its first page the statements made by the three main candidates after they voted.

Vatan reports on the same issue under the title Surprise result and writes that Kasoulides and Christofias are the two candidates who will participate in the second round of the elections, while Papadopoulos, after the surprise result, did not pass to the second round.

Halkin Sesi reports on the same issue under the title Papadopoulos became history, Kasoulides made the surprise. Reporting on the elections result the paper publishes the first reaction of the self-styled prime minister Ferdi Soyer who stated that Papadopoulos has been wiped out of the political stage.

Yeni Volkan writes in its first page that the Greek Cypriots held presidential elections Papadopoulos lost Kasoulides and Christofias passed to the second round Kasoulides, who ended first in the elections, made a call for struggle: Now the real struggle against Turkey begins. On his part Christofias stated that his aim is to save the Pentadaktylos Mountains and to unite again the country, notes Yeni Volkan.

Reporting on the election under the title Christofias-Kasoulides in the second round, Sozcu writes that Tassos Papadopoulos lost the elections and did not pass to the second round while Christofias and Kasoulides will be the two candidates for the second round to be held on the 24th of February.

Kibrisli reports on the same issue under the title Kasoulides and Christofias in the second round.

Under the title Papadopoulos lost, Gunes reports on its first page that the candidates of the two biggest parties in Cyprus passed to the second round of the elections.

Bakis reports on the elections under the title: The winners of the first round are Kasoulides and Christofias.

(CS)

[02] Papadopoulos out, Turkey satisfied

News that Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos was knocked out of the race for a second five-year term as president has created guarded optimism in the Turkish government that the Greek Cypriots may be ready for a solution on Cyprus.

Senior government sources said Papadopoulos was seen as the architect of sabotaging the Cyprus peace plan offered by former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

They now feel the Greek Cypriots have rejected Papadopoulos for his uncompromising policies towards the Turk thus the new president will seek ways to make amends.

Ioannis Kasoulides, a former foreign minister, and Demetris Christofias, the leader of the communist party, will proceed to a run-off vote for the post on February 24. Kasoulides led Sunday's voting with 33.5 percent, while Christofias got 33.3 percent. Papadopoulos came in third with 31.8 percent.

Opinion polls had forecast Papadopoulos, who led Greek Cypriot opposition to a 2004 plan to reunite the island, would win his way through to the second round.

We're called on to decide on Cyprus's future, Christofias, 61, said in statements broadcast on TV. We all sense that time is running out as long as things remain stagnant.

Papadopoulos, 74, was instrumental in blocking the Annan Plan to end the division, arguing the plan gave Turkish Cypriots more land and political power than their 20 percent weighting in the population. Turkish Cypriots voted for the plan.

Today, after news of his defeat, he said he was unrepentant in supporting the plan saying the rejection meant the Republic of Cyprus was rescued.

Kasoulides, 59, a member of the center-right Disy party, and Christofias, the leader of the AKEL party that has traditionally had the best ties with the Turkish Cypriot community, are seen by Greek Cypriot analysts as being more flexible on reviving talks to end the division.

Kasoulides, who's now a member of the European Parliament, had supported the Annan Plan, named after the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and has promised to begin talks on a solution by meeting with Turkish Cypriot leaders the day after he's elected. Today, he said that he would launch a diplomatic attack'' to boost the country's international standing and use his EU connections for a solution.

[03] Soyer stated that the election results are positive and sent an important message

(CS)

[04] Lavrov: The Russian Chamber of Commerce is ready to implement projects for the benefit of both sides

Answer: Every issue should be solved within the framework of the principles of the international law. The UN Security Council says that political understanding should be reached by the interested parties in the region as a result of negotiations taking into consideration the fact that Kosovo is an autonomous region within Serbia.

Regarding the Cyprus issue the UN resolutions envisage how both sides voluntarily reach an agreement where a united Cyprus will take its place in the international family. In the past whenever one of the sides views were not taken into consideration, and whenever there were deviations from the set principles that were going to provide a compromise, implementing the UN resolution had failed. My impression, after conferring with the sides, is that it is possible to have progress within the framework of the proposals submitted by Gambari in 2006.

As for the isolations, at no time has the UN called for an isolation. The UN called for establishing political relations on condition that it will not violate the territorial integrity of Cyprus and it will not violate the non-recognition of the TRNC. The UN did not have the intention to isolate economically the northern part of the island.

The Russian Chamber of Commerce has established ties with its partners in the northern part of the island and it is ready to implement projects that will be for the benefit of both sides.

(EA / MHY)

[05] Serdar Denktas, Ferdi Soyer and Ahmet Yonluer on the declaration of Kosovos independence

Kibris newspaper (18.02.08) writes that commenting on the same issue Mr Soyer stated that the declaration of Kosovos independence is the peoples will and added that this will must be respected. He went on and said that if a new process starts on the basis of the UN and the Greek Cypriot administration, as he called the Cyprus government, assumes again a non positive attitude, the EU must clarify its attitude, like it did with the case of Kosovo.

Kibris also writes that commenting on Kosovos independence, the former mufti Ahmet Yonluer who is now the chairman of the Politics for the People Party (HIS), stated that the recognition of the TRNC came into the agenda and called for the recognition of the occupation regime.

(CS)

[06] The National Security Council to discuss ways that Kosovos independence could impact the TRNC

The first National Security Council (MGK) meeting of 2008 will be held on February 21 at the presidential palace, where it will primarily discuss the counterterrorism struggle and the EU accession process.

The meeting at Cankaya will be presided over by President Abdullah Gul. A report on the cross-border operations into Iraq that have continued since the middle of December is expected to be presented to members of the council. It will be clarified after the meeting whether Turkey will carry out a cross-border operation into northern Iran with its land forces in the spring.

The recent developments in Kosovo -- which is planning to declare its independence soon -- will be another topic of discussion. The members of the council will also review the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remarked that Western countries have demonstrated a two-faced attitude toward Cyprus for the last 40 years. The council will consider the ways that Kosovan independence could impact the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC).

Turkey, which has had a battalion stationed in Kosovo since 1999 when the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo had to be resolved with NATO intervention, is expected to be among the first group of countries to recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Turkey assumed the leadership of the Southern Task Force Command for a period of one year between May 2007 and May 2008 and currently has about 800 personnel deployed in the region.

Turkey's temporary membership in the UN Security Council will also be discussed at the meeting, in addition to the visit Gul will make to Tanzania, the current holder of the rotating presidency of the UN Council's African Group.

Spotlight on EU membership

A new declaration of determination regarding Turkey's bid to become a full member in the EU is expected to be made at the meeting. Facing growing criticism that the EU-related reform process is slowing, the government has decided to revive the process, hindered by a number of political domestic issues as well as external factors, and will present to the council the projects to be launched in 2008 to this end. Gul visited the Foreign Ministry and the EU Secretariat General (EUSG) to be briefed on the latest developments prior to the meeting.

Topics to be handled in regard to the EU process include the recent suspicious fire in the German town of Ludwigshafen that claimed the lives of nine Turks. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to share the impressions he gained during his visit to Germany, where he met with German officials in an attempt to find out the true cause of the fire. In a speech he delivered in front of the burnt building Erdogan called on Turks in Germany for calm.

US Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright's last week's visit to Turkey will also be on the agenda at the meeting. Cartwright met twice with Turkish Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ergun Saygun in the last 10 days, once in US and once in Turkey. His visit to Turkey bears great importance in terms of Turkey's possible cross-border operation into northern Iraq with its land forces in the spring.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot press on the declaration of the independence of Kosovo

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (18.02.08) reports in its first page that Kosovo, which declared yesterday its independence, became the 49th country of Europe. The paper, which publishes a picture with three flags, the one of Kosovo, the European Union and the occupation regime, reports that 51 countries announced that they will recognize the new declared state and that among them are Turkey and the USA. Among the countries which announced that they will not recognize Kosovo are the Greek Cypriot sector (as the paper refers to the Republic of Cyprus), Spain and Romania.

The paper writes that the declaration of Kosovos independence and the fact that it was recognized by many countries brings into mind, like it or not, the TRNC and reminds the recent statements of the Russian President Putin on the issue.

(CS)

[08] Tahsin Ertugruloglu met with Erdogan in Istanbul He will deliver a speech about the Cyprus problem in the European Jewish Council in Stockholm

In a statement after the meeting, Mr Ertugruloglu stated, inter alia, that they exchanged views and they evaluated the latest developments in the Cyprus problem with the Turkish Prime Minister as well as the developments that will take place after the elections in the Republic of Cyprus. He also stated that they agreed with Mr Erdogan that it is for the best interest of the TRNC to work together with motherland Turkey in unity and solidarity.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (18.02.08) reports that the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), Tahsin Ertugruloglu, is going to Stockholm to participate in the European Jewish Council to be held there on the 19th of February. Mr Ertugruloglu will deliver a speech on the Cyprus problem. He will also have meetings with various officials in the framework of the council.

(CS)

[09] Avci is in Australia for the celebrations of 60th anniversary of the first migration of Turkish Cypriots in the country

Speaking at a festival in Melbourne, attended by Turks who live in the city, the mayor of Melbourne metropolis and MPs of the region, Mr Avci stated, inter alia, that the TRNC needs the support of the Turkish Cypriots who live abroad and that the aim of his visit is to strengthen relations between the Turkish Cypriots and the occupation regime. He also called on the persons who participated in the festival to visit the TRNC.

He went on and said that the Turkish side did everything possible for the solution of the Cyprus problem, but it did not receive the necessary response from the world. Avci called on Australia and the world, to stop humiliating themselves in front of the Greek Cypriots spoiled behavior. The paper writes that during his stay in Australia, Mr Avci will also meet with Australian officials and businessmen and that he will also give interviews to various media organizations.

(CS)

[10] Turkey wants the occupation regime to become member of the newly established Middle East Countries Trade Councils General Presidium Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibria newspaper (18.02.08) reports that a new step was taken for the peace in the Middle East and that the Middle East Countries Trade Councils General Presidium was established and notes that efforts are made for the TRNC to become member of it. The paper writes that fifteen countries participate in the new organization, which is under the protection of the Turkish President Abdullah Gul, and the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan. The participation of the TRNC in this council will be important both economically and politically, writes the paper.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] Turkish military and government in sync on Cyprus

Had Rauf Denktas heard the remarks of his successor Mehmet Ali Talat at a meeting with a foreign ambassador, it would have brought tears to his eyes. Why don't you say there is one Cypriot people but two communities on the island, the ambassador asked Turkish Cyprus President Talat. The latter's reply was, I used to talk like that. But after having seen the attitude of the Greek Cypriots I realized that there are two people on the island. A striking case of how Talat's stance has come to resemble that of Denktas's.

For years Talat was persona non grata for Ankara. The reason why he is on good terms with the Turkish government is not only due to the latter's reversal of state policy on Cyprus, bringing it closer to Talat's line. It is also due to the gradual change in Talat's views, which have come closer to Ankara's traditional position.

Once upon a time:

The same is obviously not the case as far as relations with the military are concerned.

In particular, relations between the Turkish Cypriot government and the armed forces were strained to the point where Gen. Hayri K1vr1koglu, Turkish top commander of the armed forces on the island, even refused to shake the hand of Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. The tension, which peaked last summer, seems to be abating, giving way to normalization between the two sides.

The participation by the top commander at the wedding of Soyer's son is said to be one of the steps toward breaking the ice between the military cadres and the government.

It looks like the explanation for the improvement in relations can be found on the mainland rather than on the island. The government seems to have reached an understanding on the Cyprus strategy and the natural result of this understanding has been the easing of tensions on the island.

Apparently, the government in Ankara has convinced the military of the strategy to be endorsed in the near future on the Cyprus issue. As some might remember, the military was very uneasy over the Justice and Development Party's pro-solution stance. It had serious concerns during the whole process that led to the final version of the Annan plan. So it came as a relief to the military when the Greek Cypriots rejected the plan in the referendum. Since then, the military's position has been: The Turkish side did its best. There is no longer need for further talks.

Same aim, different strategies:

It seems that the government expended every effort to make the military accept that the lack of a solution is to the interest of neither Turkey nor Turkish Cyprus. Obviously what matters here is what kind of a solution Ankara is seeking. Basically, whatever the election results in Greek Cyprus, bureaucrats have no hope that a process similar to the last U.N. initiative that led to the Annan plan for a comprehensive solution will emerge. It seems that they have convinced the military with this reasoning: Let's do our best to contribute to a solution. The Greek Cypriot side does not want a solution that could satisfy both sides. At the end of the day the whole world is going to understand that an acceptable solution for both sides cannot be reached with the Greek Cypriots. The existence of two separate entities on the island will be recognized sooner or later.

This is reminiscent of the message Abdullah Gul gave Denktas when he went to the island after he was elected president. We have the same aim. Our strategies are different.

The first round of presidential elections will be held in Greek Cyprus. Ankara seems to have shaped its strategy and is ready for the post-election period. Quite an atypical situation for Turkish foreign policy.

[12] From the Turkish Press of 16 and 17 February 2008

In his commentary, in Milliyet Sami Kohen focuses on Russian President Putin's criticism of the European countries for pursuing a double-standard policy on Kosovo. Recalling that Putin asked the European leaders why they refuse to recognize the Turkish Cypriot administration while they adopt a positive approach on the independence of Kosovo, Kohen says: "Why did Putin make such a statement? Of course, his intention was neither to defend nor to support the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC]. Moscow has always sided with the Greek Cypriots on the Cyprus issue. Currently, Putin's problem is related to Kosovo. He is using the 'north Cyprus' problem as an example to justify his argument." Kohen concludes by warning that Kosovo's independence is likely to create a confrontation between Russia and the West.

A column by Hurriyet's Ilter Turkmen also says that the parallel drawn by Putin between Kosovo and north Cyprus cannot be taken as his support for the latter because it is common knowledge that the Greek Cypriot administration, Greece, and Russia strongly oppose the recognition of Kosovo. Commenting on the present situation in north Cyprus, Turkmen asserts that the Turkish Cypriots are unlikely to complain about the status quo because they have started to enjoy a growing economy since the Greek Cypriot side's accession to the EU. However, he adds, Cyprus is still a problem for Ankara because it prevents Turkey from taking further steps on the path to the EU. Stressing that Cyprus will remain as an obstacle unless Turkey decides to take "very courageous" steps, he advises the government to change its action plan and open the Turkish ports to Greek Cypriots. Such a move will strengthen Turkey's hands in Europe, he adds.

In his editorial in Sabah on the impending declaration of independence in Kosovo, Erdal Safak writes: "No matter how forcefully the United States says that Kosovo will not constitute a precedent and the EU hides behind the excuse that every separatist movement has its own characteristics, a new era will begin in the world as of today." Those who say that a Pandora's Box will be opened and the genie will come out of the bottle are not wrong, Safak goes on, explaining that the principle of the inviolability of borders will be violated, as will be the condition that independence requires the consent of the UN Security Council or the mother country. This will also encourage other secessionist movements, and we can expect the naissance of at least another 10 states in the period ahead, Safak maintains. He argues that the United States supported this move because "it hopes that Kosovo will prove to be a time bomb for Russia, which is regaining strength and which has risen to number one in the US 'target' list."

Looking at another aspect of the issue, Murat Yetkin of Istanbul Radikal probes the consequences of Russian President Putin's statement regarding the impending independence of Kosovo. In his column, Yetkin says that Putin's remarks constitute a cause for alarm far greater than just its repercussions for the Turkish Cypriots

Referring to the consequences of Kosovo for the Turkish Cypriots in a commentary in Cumhuriyet, Mustafa Balbay says that when it touched the interests of his own country, Putin shouted the truth that "the EU, which is trying to forcibly unite two separate de facto structures in Cyprus, is trying to separate intermingled formations in the Balkans through various ploys." Balbay criticizes Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for reacting to Putin with a convoluted and incomprehensible statement instead of calling on the EU to renounce its "double-faced stand." He also censures the AKP government for ignoring the matter merely because it does not pertain to the Islamic headdress.

/PL

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