Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-07-07

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TDPs leader calls for support to Talat

[02] Sedrar Denktas accuses Talat of trying to mislead the Turkish Cypriot people

[03] Ozdil Nami holds a telephone interview with TDN

[04] Former Chief of General Staff criticizes Talat on July 1st agreement

[05] The self-styled minister of interior on the number of the illegal workers in the occupied areas

[06] Statements by the UBP Chairman in Brussels: Turkish should become an EU official language and the two seats of the Republic of Cyprus in the EP should be given to Turkish Cypriots

[07] A delegation from the Union of European Liberal Democratic Parties is having contacts with UBP and ORP on the parties membership

[08] 35 Trade Unions to go on strike in the occupied areas

[09] YKP campaigns under the title Let the Maronites return to their homes now

[10] FIFA invited the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation to Zurich

[11] Former Turkish Deputy Prime Minister to establish new party

[12] Turkeys DSP seeks for new party leader

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish press of 05, 06 July 2008

[14] The 'coup diaries' are Ergenekon's background

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] TDPs leader calls for support to Talat

Mr Cakici stated that the possible launching of negotiations, a development which came out after the meeting of the two Cypriot leaders, is a very positive step and strongly criticized the statements of UBP and DP, which are in favor of non-solution. UBP, DP and Denktas made their reason dêtre supporting the non-solution for years. They were being nourished by the communitys pain, stated Mr Cakici who accused the two parties and Rauf Denktas of appearing as if they support the solution in Cyprus, while they only support the non-solution. As he stated, they are parties of utopist ideas.

The Chairman of TDP also said that it was the behavior of these parties that led the Cyprus problem to a dead-end in the past and which led the Greek Cypriot sector to become member of the European Union in the name of the Republic of Cyprus.

Mr Cakici also stated that the issues of the single sovereignty and single citizenship are referred to in resolutions 1251 and 1999 of the UN Security Council.

(CS)

[02] Sedrar Denktas accuses Talat of trying to mislead the Turkish Cypriot people

He went on and said that Mr Talat is trying to stop the reactions on the issue of single sovereignty if the Cyprus problem is solved and noted that Talat is trying to hide the truth from the people. Mr Denktas stated that what is understood from the issue of the single sovereignty is that the Turkish Cypriots will become a minority.

Mr Denktas also said that unless the view is accepted during the solution negotiations that the sovereignty is made up of the Turkish and the Greek Cypriot people, Talat will represent only the CTP and the ORP and not the majority of the Turkish Cypriot people.

(CS)

[03] Ozdil Nami holds a telephone interview with TDN

Critics argue the July 1 agreement is falling behind even the Annan plan and violates redlines of the Turkish side, while Turkish Cypriot officials say it is not a backward step or concession.

A tentative agreement reached by the Cypriot leaders this week to discuss the issues of single sovereignty and citizenship once full-fledged talks get under way has become a source of controversy on the Turkish side.

The agreement is not tantamount to any backward step or concession, Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat's special envoy told the Turkish Daily News in a telephone interview on Friday.

The U.N. blueprint, named after then secretary-general Kofi Annan and overwhelmingly supported by Turkish Cypriots in a 2004 referendum, also made reference to single sovereignty and citizenship, said Ozdil Nami.

There is no change in our position. It is quite natural that the leaders agreed to discuss during comprehensive negotiations how the issue that they agreed on in principle will be put into practice in accord with the island's realities, he added.

However, opponents in northern Cyprus and Turkey argued that such an agreement amounted to defeatist surrender and a violation of Turkish Cypriot interests.

The recent deal is falling behind even the Annan Plan and violates red lines of the Turkish side, said retired Turkish Ambassador Tugay Ulucevik, a Cyprus expert.

Ulucevik criticized the Turkish Cypriot leader for giving a nod to Tuesday's deal, which he argued was meant to revive the Republic of Cyprus under the 1960 agreement and render illegitimate the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that declared independence in 1983 and is recognized only by Turkey.

Cyprus' rival leaders met in Nicosia on July 1 to lay the groundwork for historic negotiations to reunify the divided island. After four-and-a half hours of backbreaking talks, Talat and Demetris Christofias of Greek Cyprus agreed in principle that any settlement should involve a single state, with common citizenship for all Cypriots.

Sema Sezer, an expert at the Ankara-based Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies, or ASAM, said the Talat-Christofias agreement on one sovereignty and citizenship evoked the idea of a unitary state rather than a loose federation set out in the Annan Plan.

What appears to be the case is that with the tentative agreement, the Turkish Cypriots will be no different from other minority elements on the island; however, it also guarantees political equality by making a reference to the U.N. resolutions, she said, implying the presence of a vacuum in the accord of the Cypriot leaders.

Subtitle: Opposition not pleased'

Turkish Cypriot opposition parties chided Talat for bowing to Greek Cypriot demands and called for his resignation. Former President Rauf Denktas, a hardliner, expressed utmost pessimism over the current situation and said in published remarks, We're heading toward submission; we're heading toward a dead end.

Nami told the TDN that the Turkish Cypriot opposition was extremely uneasy about the positive course of the Cyprus talks. This is not surprising at all given the no' campaign led by the opposition during the referendum of the Annan Plan in 2004, he said and claimed that the criticism was aimed at sabotaging the current positive atmosphere on the island.

Nami made it clear that a settlement would be bi-communal and bi-zonal. When asked if the most recent meeting was in this direction, he said, Isn't the May 23 agreement clear enough? It envisages a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with two constituent states and with a single international identity.

Nami said all the federations or confederations in the world, with no exception, were based on a single sovereignty and citizenship model.

Take a look at all the systems in the world. Switzerland, Belgium or the United States; all have one sovereignty, one citizenship model. Nami stressed that core issues, including the sharing of sovereignty by the constituent states, would be handled during comprehensive talks scheduled to start in September.

[04] Former Chief of General Staff criticizes Talat on July 1st agreement

Former Chief of General Staff retired Gen. Hilmi Ozkok made a rather strange call. The retired general, much accused during his tenure for not being tough enough on the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, was saying that an official power should take the support of the nation and intervene to stop the current escalation of polarization and put the house in order.

Ozkok, in an interview with eminent journalist Fikret Bila of Milliyet, was complaining that developments in the country have taken on a very worrisome dimension and which were perceived by the Turkish nation as an indication of the disruption of the atmosphere of confidence between constitutional institutions of the country, as if there is a fight for power amongst these institutions and that as if the country was heading toward a chaotic situation.

He said without further delay an official actor must step forward and launch a process aimed at putting the house in order by obtaining the support of the people as well. But, who that actor might be? Was the former top commander calling on the military to intervene in the developments? Or, was he making the call for another official organ?

Indeed, Who is entitled to provide coordination between organs of the state is clearly stated in the Constitution remark of Ozkok, provides a very strong hint. The top general must have been calling on President Abdullah Gul to take action and stop what appears to be a war of attrition between the two poles in the state, as well as the nation.

It is unfortunate but a fact that Ozkok was right in stressing that the current drift toward a chaotic situation is causing pain to the nation. He was right as well in his assessment that it appears that in this sea of anxiety word has won over silence, fight over peace, impulsive actions over common sense

But, what's even more worrisome is the fact that the presidency that Ozkok apparently appealed to intervene and stop this drift to chaos is headed by a president who is one of the players in the A-team of one of the two poles and has very little, if any, credibility among the key players of the other pole.

Fine, we are all in the same ship and the discontent with the captain must be deferred until after the ship is rescued from troubled waters and docked at a safe harbor. But, what if the captain is insisting on sinking the ship rather than trying to find a safe harbor?

The closure case against the AKP which has entered the last phase with the ruling party presenting its oral defense yesterday and what appears to be the revanchist Ergenekon probe and waves of mass detentions despite the absence of an official charge have landed Turkey in a state of atrophy We just cannot see a way out!

Subtitle: Grave mistake by Talat

Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat has committed a very serious mistake by agreeing to the release of a joint statement after a July 1 meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias stressing that the two leaders have accepted one citizenship and one sovereignty to be one of the negotiations subjects when and if comprehensive talks get underway between the two leaders.

For a compromise settlement on Cyprus mutual painful concessions by the two sides on the island is a must No question in that. However, there is a difference between a painful concession and surrendering and giving away one of the key existential demands of the Turkish Cypriot people. Agreeing that the future common state of Cyprus will have one nationality and one sovereignty is tantamount to Turkish Cypriots accepting to become first a minority in a Greek Cypriot state and later disappearing on the island through osmosis while rendering the entire Cyprus peacemaking process an exercise on how to apply the European Union acquis communitaire in the areas that are not under the control of the internationally recognized Cyprus government.

Talat cannot sell such an agreement if it can ever be reached either to his people or to the Turkish nation. But if not urgently abandoned and if Talat doesn't retract the July 1 joint statement with Christofias such a defeatist surrender of key interests and existential demands of the Turkish Cypriot people will not only be rejected in a possible referenda by Turkish Cypriots but it will be an element further complicating future peace efforts as Greek Cypriots will never ever agree to go back from what Talat unfortunately agreed though just to talk over.

Now, the Turkish Cypriot opposition parties rightly but in an exuberant manner is calling for Talat's resignation. Are they wrong? Talat should at least make a correction to the July 1 statement and clarify that neither one citizenship nor one sovereignty are issues within the range of painful compromise the Turkish Cypriot side can offer.

[05] The self-styled minister of interior on the number of the illegal workers in the occupied areas

Referring to the illegal workers, he said that in 2004 their number was 10.171 reaching today 46.625. He said that all these workers are registered in the social security office and that they work legally and with work permit.

Mr Murat explained that the number of the foreigners living in the occupied areas reached 6.218, excluding the Turkish-origin and the British citizens. The number of the British living in the occupied areas is 3.217, according to Mr Murat.

Referring to statements on the families of the registered workers Mr Murat said: New implementation will take place regarding the arrival of their [of the registered workers] families and the registration of their children to schools. Permission will be given for the arrival of their families after they take their work permit, after resolving their place of residence and after fulfilling some other conditions.

(EA)

[06] Statements by the UBP Chairman in Brussels: Turkish should become an EU official language and the two seats of the Republic of Cyprus in the EP should be given to Turkish Cypriots

According to the paper, Tahsin Ertugruloglu met with fifteen EP deputies with whom he discussed the Cyprus problem. As Mr. Ertugruloglu stated the Turkish Cypriots must not expect something from the European Parliament and added that there is a stance in the EP which denies the existence of the TRNC.

Noting that the Turkish language should become one of the EU official languages and that the two seats of the Republic of Cyprus in the EP should be distributed to the Turkish Cypriots, Tahsin Ertugruloglu stated that in order for this to be achieved, one of the member states should submit a formal request to the EU, as this is foreseen by the EU law. Turkey is not an EU member and Turkish is not an official language neither in Greece, Germany nor Bulgaria where there is a Turkish minority. The Republic of Cyprus should submit a request therefore, but President Christofias, who stated that he has no objection to Turkish becoming an EU official language, can say these words to the EP in Brussels as a trick as he always does.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu who described his contacts with the EP deputies as useful, has further stated that he will fly to Germany and Italy after concluding his meetings in Brussels.

(ML)

[07] A delegation from the Union of European Liberal Democratic Parties is having contacts with UBP and ORP on the parties membership

The delegation headed by the Deputy President of the Union Wilfried Derksen came together with the Chairman of UBP and it will prepare a report on the membership of the party which will be presented in the General Committee of UBP.

UBP applied for membership in November during the Unions meeting in Berlin. It was then decided that the contacts between the Union the UBP should continue so that for the party to come closer to the Union.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (05.07.08) broadcast that the Union will further have contacts with the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) on its membership to the Union.

(ML)

[08] 35 Trade Unions to go on strike in the occupied areas

(CS)

[09] YKP campaigns under the title Let the Maronites return to their homes now

Speaking at the press conference Murat Kanatli, YKP executive council Secretary stated, inter alia, that the two sides in Cyprus must show good intentions and increase the confidence building measures so that the negotiations may start the sooner possible. Mr Kanatli stated that the return of the Maronites to the houses the lived before 1974, which may take place if the necessary arrangements, such as demilitarization are made, will contribute to the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

(CS)

[10] FIFA invited the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation to Zurich

(CS)

[11] Former Turkish Deputy Prime Minister to establish new party

Sener, a former deputy of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), had opted not to run for a seat in Parliament in the general elections held on July 22, 2007, but to instead give lectures at the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges Economy and Technology University (TOBB-ETU). After less than one year away from active politics, Sener made a statement while he was on holiday with his wife and children in northwestern Turkey this weekend, and said: I was away from politics for more than one-and-a-half years. Now it is time for me to return to politics. Sener stated that the name and logo of the party he will establish have already been chosen. He further suggested that only a general election can pull Turkish politics out of the current tense stalemate.

The party we are planning to establish is a centrist party. The center has appeal for everyone. For this reason, people from different political leanings will participate, Sener said.

After referring to the current situation in Turkey, Sener said the idea of establishing a new party is not a new one and that it is not connected to the ongoing closure case against the AK Party in the Constitutional Court. If you have a sapling that you are going to plant, then it is a good thing to plant it even if you see that the world is being destroyed. Conditions over which you have no control should not prevent you from performing the good actions you should do, he said.

Sener has already secured the support of a majority of the 156 former AK Party deputies who were not nominated for Parliament in the July 22 elections. But he also has serious relations with other political movements. There is strong evidence that TOBB President Rifat Hisarciklioglu has sided with Sener.

It is also said that former President Suleyman Demirel strongly supports the new party. Demirel has told Husamettin Cindoruk, Mehmer Haberal and other politicians who are close to him to support Sener instead of seeking to set up their own center-right movements. Some leftist politicians, including former Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel and former Finance Minister Zekeriye Temizel, are also supporting Sener.

[12] Turkeys DSP seeks for new party leader

The "administration crisis" that surfaced after the founder and former leader of the Democratic Left Party, or DSP, called for the dismissal of present DSP leader Zeki Sezer has paved the way for a search for a new leader. Meanwhile, an extraordinary convention in autumn has emerged as a strong possibility.

Rahsan Ecevit challenged Sezer, claiming the new leader has failed to maintain the growth of the DSP and to attain her husband and former party leader Bulent Ecevit's goal of joining the left and right at the center.

Deadlock was deepened in a face-to-face meeting between Ecevit and Sezer last week, turning the tension into a fierce argument when the crisis became public. Rahsan Ecevit is set to bring the problem to the attention of the board in autumn and has already started to lobby for a new party leader using her power in the DSP. While Tayfun Icli, Recai Birgun, Mucahit Pehlivanoolu, Ahmet Tan and Emrehan Halici are among the primary deputies that support Ecevit, Hasan Macit, Hasan Ercelebi, Mustafa Vural, Masum Turker and Melda Bayer support present leader Sezer.

Eskisehir Municipality Mayor Yilmaz Buyukersen, Eskisehir deputy Tayfun Icli and Ankara deputy Emrehan Halici, supported by Ecevit, are possible rivals to Sezer.

If a compromise is to be found, Ecevit may also approve Tayyibe Gulek, vice-chairman of the DSP. However, Yilmaz Buyukersen seems to be the most powerful candidate at the moment. Buyukersen's name for the leadership came up before, but he did not accept. During Bulent Ecevit's last term, Buyukersen was launched as the sole name in politics to create a powerful structure at the center.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish press of 05, 06 July 2008

a) Cyprus: In an article entitled "Cyprus and Turmoil," Hurriyet columnist (06.07.08) Ferai Tinc points out that a recent meeting held between Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat did not capture much attention in Turkey due to current political turmoil. Reminding that Christofias and Talat agreed on "single sovereignty and single citizenship," she comments: "It would not be difficult to guess that this agreement will be interpreted differently by the two sides, set the stage for new disputes, and hinder real peace talks unless a compromise over a new state based on equality is reached."

Stressing that the Cyprus issue will be one of the main items on the agenda of Turkey's growing internal fight, Milliyet's (05.07.08) Semih Idiz points out that Cyprus is one of the issues that the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK, is most sensitive about. Maintaining that the TSK had access to secret information during the presidency of Rauf Denktas, Idiz notes that this channel was closed with the election of Talat in north Cyprus. Reports to the effect that Talat has agreed to a single citizenship and a single sovereignty have disturbed the TSK but the army is not in a position to voice its views, Idiz writes. He adds that if the intercommunal negotiations advance on the "single citizenship single sovereignty" axis instead of the formula of "a federation or a confederation based on two independent states" favored by Denktas and the army, this will lead to fierce arguments in Turkey.

b) Opinion Poll: A report entitled "Academics Fear of 'Sharia'" in Milliyet highlights the findings of an opinion poll conducted by Political Researcher which interviewed 705 academics lecturing in different Turkish universities. According to the report, 66 percent of the academics shared the opinion that fundamentalism poses a serious threat to Turkey's future while 56% believe that there is a possibility of a military coup over the short term.

c) Ergenekon Investigation: According to a report entitled "Eight remanded in custody" in Hurriyet (06.07.08), eight of 21 suspects who were detained on 1 July in connection with an investigation into allegations about Ergenekon, a controversial organization accused of plotting against the Turkish government, have been released while 11 were remanded in custody.

In an article entitled "The missing page of coup diaries," Taraf (06.07.08) columnist Yildiray Ugur excerpts passages from speeches delivered in a meeting organized by the Kemalist Thought Association and various universities, trade unions, and non-governmental organizations at the headquarters of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce on 3 March 2004. He points out that the meeting was attended by the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and some journalists, businessmen, and academics who were recently detained in connection with the Ergenekon investigation.

A report entitled "I am a victim of terrorism" in Hurriyet (06.07.08) quotes Mustafa Balbay, chief of Cumhuriyet's Ankara bureau who was released yesterday after he had been detained in connection with the probe, that he feels like being a victim of terrorism. He said: "I do not want to mislead the public by making a detailed statement about the incident. I saw that the public prosecutor felt it necessary to seriously examine all allegations. But, it would not be appropriate for me to go into details."

A report entitled "Bar association cautions against prolonged waiting periods at courthouse" in Milliyet (06.07.08) quotes Ozdemir Ozok, President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, as criticizing judicial authorities for keeping suspects at courthouses for periods exceeding 24 hours which, he argued, constituted a violation of human rights.

In an article entitled "We must be cautious about polarization," Milliyet (06.07.08) columnist Fikret Bila warns that the Turkish public is rapidly heading for polarization which mainly revolves around secularism and national unity. Accusing politicians of fueling polarization and escalating tension, He comments: "The closure case against the AKP and the Ergenekon investigation as well as recent detentions is exacerbating polarization and tension among the public. Turkey must find a way out of this process before it plunges into chaos."

In an article entitled "M.O. keeps secrets," Sabah (06.07.08) columnist Ergun Babahan says that former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz provided detailed information about relations between Osman Gurbuz who is called "Ergenekon's hit man" and security forces in his testimony before a parliamentary committee set up in order to investigate the Susurluk case. Babahan goes on to say: "It means that there is not a fictious organization which has been fabricated. There is a crime organization formed by some government officials which was confirmed by a former prime minister and the same crime organization has emerged on the scene again in order to carry out another mission. This is not a struggle taking place only within the boundaries of Turkey. It is actually an international armwrestling."

A report by Toygun Atilla in Hurriyet (05.07.08) details the three false news reports, described as the "three cosmic bubbles," which have been circulating since the detention of 21 suspects within the framework of the Ergenekon investigation a few days ago. The report adds that based on information obtained from security officials who are conducting the investigation, the four million documents seized so far do not contain any information on the "7 July chaos day" as has been claimed by the various dailies. The second false report concerns former AKP deputy Turhan Comez, who was reported to have escaped from the country through illegal channels or to have been in hiding in Turkey. The report states that Comez left the country for London legally aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on 7 June. Reports to the effect that retired Brigadier General Kadir Ali Esener was detained within the scope of the investigation also proved to be false when Esener himself issued a denial from his house.

In an article entitled "There is a link between Ergenekon and Neocons", Vakit columnist Hasan Karakaya cites passages from a speech delivered by Michael Rubin whom he describes as one of the leading figures among neocons in the United States in an international symposium organized by the Turkish General Staff and asserts that there is a link between the neocons and the members of Ergenekon as well as some generals who, he asserts, is linked to that organization.

Under the banner headline "Ergenekon Planned To Assassinate Chief Public Prosecutor," Zaman carries a front-page report which says that a document about a plan to stage a coup which was reportedly found in retired Gen. Eruygur's office indicated that the Ergenekon devised a four-phase plan in order to interrupt the Turkish democracy by carrying out armed attacks, including an attempt on Yalcinkaya's life.

d) AKP Closure Case: According to a report by Onder Yilmaz in Milliyet (05.07.08), Osman Paksut is reported to have said that "all hell will break loose" after the court announces its decision on the closure case against the AKP, irrespective of the decision to be adopted. Criticizing the statements issued by EU officials, Paksut questions whether the EU is trying to find a pretext to suspend the accession negotiations with Turkey.

Pondering on allegations that the AKP has a "secret agenda" in an article in Milliyet (05.07.08), Hasan Cemal says that he does not believe in the existence of a secret agenda, adding that these allegations are nothing but nonsense aimed at frightening the public. Arguing that these so-called fears about a secret agenda, reactionism, and anti-secularism are aimed at blocking Turkey's path to the EU and to real democracy, the writer maintains that destroying Turkey's chances for EU accession is the reason behind the nonsolution of the Kurdish issue in the southeast, the attempts to drag Turkey into an adventure in north Iraq, and the process aimed at closing down the AKP. Cemal writes that circles against the EU have used the mistakes made by the AKP to draw to their camp certain well intentioned individuals and groups through fears about a secret agenda and reactionism, thus creating a polarization in the country. Asserting that Turkey has been going through a coup process since 2002, Cemal is convinced that the issue in question is not about a quarrel between those who favor a coup and those who favor a shari'a rule, but it is about those who are in favor of democracy and those who are against it.

Declaring that the country is facing a deep system crisis in an article in Sabah (05.07.08), Ergun Babahan stresses the need for a communal consensus. The writer sums up the situation in the country as follows: "One side believes that the other side is exerting efforts to bring a shari'a regime, and the other side believes that there are efforts to eliminate it through illegal means." Drawing attention to the polarization in Turkish politics, Babahan advises to wait for the outcome of the closure case, arguing that if the AKP is not closed down then the tension might be reduced and the situation might revert to normal. If, however, it is closed down, the writer says that we will be facing a great impasse since an alternative to replace the AKP has not emerged.

Viewing elections as the only option at that junction, Babahan says that "the only agenda of these elections should be a new constitution." He continues: "Each party can go to the ballot box with its own draft constitution, or it can explain the kind of constitution it wants to draft."

e) Attack against Iran: In an article entitled "America would not attack Iran without securing Turkey's support", Vakit (05.07.08) columnist Selahaddin Cakirgil asserts that neo-con strategist and theoreticians in the Bush Administration may attempt to present the new US President with a fait accomplit by attacking Iran before the end of outgoing US President George W. Bush's term, adding that they would first try to guarantee Turkey's support before attacking Iran. Implying that the alleged plan conflicts with the Turkish nation's interests, Cakirgil says: "The United States regards Tayyip and others neither as an ally nor a foe. It could be an ally or foe depending on its interests and plans. Saddam was the best example of its policy."

[14] The 'coup diaries' are Ergenekon's background

On July 1, 2008, Turkey has stopped by at a key station on its way to be a democratic state in order to engrave the rule of law as a sine quo non principle of a regime. The day July 1, 2008, therefore, made its mark in the history as a more important day than the July 1, the Cabotage Day.Since 1960, military coup d'états, interventions and coup attempts remained as a stain on Turkish political history. But for the first time, even if they are retired, two former generals who served in key positions in the military command chain were arrested on July 1.That is, something that cannot be done in Turkey has happened. Law is above military ranks and titles and that can be done in Turkey too. Even if the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is closed down and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is banned from politics, which is clear violation of the European democratic norms, the significance and value of the point we arrived on July 1 never diminishes.

Subtitle: The two coup plans

Previously I wrote that if the Ergenekon crime gang investigation is conducted appropriately it could be the most important event of Turkey's near political history. But I was prudent because we got used to some kind of backsets in processes in Turkey. Please remember the fate of the Susurluk investigation or the Semdinli case for that matter. Therefore, like once burned, twice shy, there are people who have reservations about the importance of July 1, 2008.Troubled minds keep asking, What now? Where will we heading to? cannot enjoy this giant step taken towards becoming a state governed by rule of law. As for me, I reply to every question about the latest wave of arrests in the Ergenekon investigation by suggesting, Read the Coup Diaries. The Coup Diaries, upon a request for an examination made by Ergenekon's prosecutor, Zekeriya Oz, were technically proven by the Security Department to have been saved in retired Admiral Ozden Ornek's personal computer.

These Coup Diaries have all the answers. The Coup Diaries were published in the 22nd issue of the Nokta news magazine, dated March 29-April 4, 2007. It read, We were saved from Gold Coin and Moonlight 2004! With stunning details on the cover, and the details were shared with readers. Here are some excerpts: January 20, 2004 I attended the force commanders meeting at the Air Force Headquarters. Since the National Security Council's pre-meeting was rescheduled from Thursday to tomorrow, a new coordination was needed. During the conversations, Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Sener Eruygur was talking with desire for a coup and asking Let's do it as soon as possible.' Today, he repeated it many times

February 6 2004- I directly headed to the Gendarmerie headquarters in the morning; three of us got together there. We evaluated the situation one more time. The Gendarmerie commander was insisting Let's make a coup We convened in the morning to review the options in the Cyprus issue. However, we pushed this aside and engaged in whether or not we will make a coup. It is really difficult to convince Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Sener Eruygur. Although I knew that it would be pointless, I tried to convince him. But I cannot say that I was successfulA bunch of previous notes: There is another one dated December 6, 2003. It reads:... We have decided to prepare an action plan.

- First we were to take over the media.

- Then get in touch with university presidents and make students take to the streets.

- We were to act together with labor unions in a similar way as well

- And hang posters in streets.

- We were to get in touch with associations and encourage them against the government.

- All these were to be spread nationwide.

The above will be named Gold Coin'...Are you wondering what the Gold Coin (Sarikiz in Turkish) attempters were thinking and feeling about the current Land Force Commander Gen. 0lker Basbug, who is expected to be appointed as the new Chief of General Staff in August? In the diary dated December 1, 2003, they seemingly were disappointed by Basbug. Here it is: The 2nd chief (second Chief of General Staff Gen. 0lker Basbug) was not the one whom we can trust. His own interests were above that of the nation's and he was not giving us clear answers. Needless to say, attempting a coup is used synonymously with the nation's interest. Similar remarks with reference to Eruygur were used for the current Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit in the diaries dated February 29, 2004.While you read the Coup Diaries you see some names taken in custody on July 1, 2008. By the way, contacts with the Republican People's Party, or CHP, and meetings with the CHP's Onur Oymen are frequently mentioned in the pages. And all these shed a light on who reacted how and why after the wave of arrests on July 1st.

Subtitle: Indictment is coming

Without reading the Coup Diaries published in the Nokta news magazine, a sturdy diagnosis on what is going on these days cannot be made. One cannot be a democrat by labeling the Coup Diaries and the Ergenekon investigation as nonsense and an urban legend. One cannot fight for democracy by belittling the Ergenekon investigation, the most grave development of our near history and by writing sarcastic articles with titles like Heryerekon. The Coup Diaries were exposed to a total media blackout. At the point we have reached, the sun of perseverance will save the gold coin and the moonlight coup attempts from any blackouts, as Turkey proceed to become a state governed by rule of law. Besides, acting Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Turan Colakkadi announced Wednesday that the Ergenekon indictment, consisting of 2,500 pages, is complete and the accused will stand trial for forming a terrorist organization. That's all for now.

EG/

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