Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-08-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ercakica: The Greek Cypriots want to pocket Morfou, Varosha and Karpass

[02] Talat argued that the Turkish occupation army is behind the fact that the Turkish Cypriots live without facing any security problems

[03] Reactions to President Christofias statements on the return of occupied Morfou continue

[04] Serdar Denktas argued that the end of the Turkish Cypriots will come, if only a military squad is withdrawn from occupied Cyprus

[05] Adem said that thirty two thousand illegal workers have been registered in the occupied areas, but there are more

[06] The 1st General Assembly of the Cyprus Youth Platform is being held today in the occupied areas of the Island

[07] Oya Talat to address a conference in Bremen and lobby in Germany for strengthening her spouse in the negotiating process

[08] Afrika accuses the CTP government of trying to force the press of the opposition to close down through charging 2,5 billion liras for the services offered by illegal TAK news agency

[09] A new agreement between the illegal LAU and the Marshal University

[10] Turkeys National Security Council to convene in Istanbul for its next meeting

[11] Fruitful outcome on Turkeys efforts to safeguard the African countries vote on its candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council

[12] Cooperation documents signed after Turkey-Africa Summit

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish Press of 19 August 2008

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ercakica: The Greek Cypriots want to pocket Morfou, Varosha and Karpass

In statements during his weekly press briefing yesterday, Mr Ercakica claimed that the Greek Cypriot officials started to talk very often regarding the content of the negotiations which are about to commence on 3 September. He said that a solution plan to which both the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots will say yes should be created and claimed that it should not be forgotten that the Turkish Cypriots are greatly disappointed after the referendum regarding the Annan Plan.

We are pursuing the achievement of a solution and not to make the Greek Cypriot people pay a price for saying no. However, it should also not be considered that the Turkish Cypriot people are ready to pay new prices because they said yes, added Mr Ercakica.

Reminding that the representatives of the two leaders will meet next week in order to prepare the negotiations, Mr Ercakica described as speculative various news published in the Greek Cypriot press on this issue. Mr Ercakica said that the two representatives may work for overcoming possible technical problems for the opening of the Limnitis crossing-point and pointed out that while the isolation of the Greek Cypriot inhabitants of Pyrgos village will end, they will bring onto the agenda the necessary measures for putting an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Pyla village.

Referring to the developments in Georgia, Mr Ercakica said that they are following them closely. We have to take into consideration that these developments may influence the Cyprus problem and they could even be important for the political reshaping of our region in the future, he argued adding that these developments are showing why we are searching for an early and just solution to the Cyprus problem.

Replying to a question, he accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of manipulating the press and alleged that the Greek Cypriot leadership is giving to the press information about things it wants to prevent. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot leadership exhibits a negative stance and alleged that it may seem that the Turkish Cypriot side is outside the process, but in reality things are not as they seem to be. We are the driving force and the positive influence to the process. We are the accelerator and they are the brakes, he alleged.

When reminded that the situation between Russia and Ossetia is compared to the relations between Turkey and the occupied part of Cyprus, he claimed that such a parallelism cannot be made and alleged that Turkey carried out the invasion in 1974 based on legal grounds and in accordance with the international law. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey does not argue that a base should be given to Turkey in Cyprus. What we want is the preservation of the system of guarantees. This is a modest stance, he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat argued that the Turkish occupation army is behind the fact that the Turkish Cypriots live without facing any security problems

Major General Abdullah Recep who is to take over the command of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces today was received by President Mehmet Ali Talat this morning.

The commander also visited Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer. The new commander was accompanied by the second in command Brigadier General Salih Cengaver Cem.

Speaking during the visit, Major General Abdullah Recep said that the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces will also work towards maintaining the security of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Also speaking, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Command has an important place in the TRNCs struggle for existence.

He said the government will work together with Major General Recep to achieve a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus.

The Prime Minister also thanked the outgoing commander Brigadier General Salih Cengaver Cem for his outstanding services.

Meanwhile, the hand over ceremony of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces took place this evening at the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Headquarters.

The Commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Major General Mehmet Eroz handed over his duty to his successor Major General Abdullah Recep during the ceremony.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (20.08.08), under the title We have no security problem thanks to the army, reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat has said that security has become a more important issue in a period during which instability and the cold war are at their starting point.

Addressing yesterday the flag handover ceremony at the so-called security forces command, Mr Talat alleged that behind the fact that the Turkish Cypriots live without facing any security problems are the self-sacrificing efforts of the security forces command and the Turkish occupation army.

Mr Talat claimed that it is important for the security forces command to be ready and strong so that the instability and war, which caused pain to thousands of people in the Caucasus within 3-5 days, are not repeated in Cyprus. He argued that it is important for the security forces to work in cooperation with the Turkish occupation army and provide security to the Turkish Cypriot people under any conditions. Mr Talat said that the rights gained by the Turkish Cypriots are not something which could easily be sacrificed at the negotiating table and that they will sit at the table in order to take forward these rights.

[03] Reactions to President Christofias statements on the return of occupied Morfou continue

Mr Ozkardas expressed their support to the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat for finding a solution where the guarantees of Turkey will continue in a new bi-zonal Federal Republic of Cyprus which will be formed by two founding states and based on the political equality of the two peoples.

Kibris reports also that the Cyprus TMT Association issued a statement yesterday alleging that there is absolutely no legal foundation for relying upon the negotiations which will start on 3 September. Commenting on the statement made by President Christofias regarding Morfou, Karpass and Varosha, the Association described as illegal the government of the Republic of Cyprus and alleged that they should never have accepted the leader of such government as their interlocutor. It alleged that there is not even an inch of Greek land in the occupied part of Cyprus and that the Greek Cypriots and the Greeks have no other alternative than accepting this.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Serdar Denktas argued that the end of the Turkish Cypriots will come, if only a military squad is withdrawn from occupied Cyprus

The chairman of DP said, inter alia, that because of the wrong policy followed by the self-styled government, the country is dragged to a dead-end and added that the DP is preparing a number of plans so that occupied Cyprus gets out of this dead-end. Mr Denktas said that one of these plans is the establishment of a new coalition government and added that they are prepared for early elections in April.

Mr Denktas went on and added that if the Cyprus problem is not solved by the end of year 2009, the holding of early elections will be inevitable. Mr Denktas noted that Turkeys guarantee rights have been watered down at the negotiations between the two leaders and said that the withdrawal of even a military squad from the island will be the beginning of the end of the Turkish Cypriots.

(CS)

[05] Adem said that thirty two thousand illegal workers have been registered in the occupied areas, but there are more

In statements during a meeting with representatives of some Turkish Cypriot trade unions, Mr Adem said that 32 thousand registered workers exist in the occupied areas, but this does not mean that there are not illegal workers. There are still illegal workers in the country, he noted.

Mr Adem said that since this government came to power it launched an initiative for registering the illegal workers and added that the second stage is the practice of acquiring preliminary permit. In the third stage the preliminary permits will be given on the basis of sectors, he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The 1st General Assembly of the Cyprus Youth Platform is being held today in the occupied areas of the Island

The officials of the platform stated that the most important reason for which they felt the need for a general assembly is the necessity for establishing a common administration. The officials said that they have also representations in the Netherlands, Ukraine, Greece, Canada and France. The platform has more than 500 members. The officials said that their aim is to socialize and organize the asocial and apolitical youth.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Oya Talat to address a conference in Bremen and lobby in Germany for strengthening her spouse in the negotiating process

Mrs. Oya Talat, who will give interviews to German media in order to support her husband before the 3 September meeting, will also lobby for strengthening the Turkish Cypriot leader since the above-mentioned conference is being held before the starting of the negotiating process, notes the paper and concludes that Mrs. Oya Talat will accompanied by Ozan Ceyhun, former German MP of Turkish origin.

(AK)

[08] Afrika accuses the CTP government of trying to force the press of the opposition to close down through charging 2,5 billion liras for the services offered by illegal TAK news agency

(I/Ts.)

[09] A new agreement between the illegal LAU and the Marshal University

According to the paper, the Rector of the Marshall University, Dr Stephen Kopp and the Rector of LAU, Dr Ali Riza signed a 2+2 Common Diploma Project on 15 of August at the campus of the Marshall University. In the framework of the project, 40 students from the illegal LAU University will be given scholarships to study in the Marshall University and four students from the Marshall University will be educated at the illegal LAU University in the academic year 2008-2009.

(CS)

[10] Turkeys National Security Council to convene in Istanbul for its next meeting

Turkeys National Security Council (MGK) will hold its next regular bi-monthly meeting not in the capital as is customary, but in Istanbul, the nations most industrialized city.

According to a statement released by the MGK, the meeting venue was changed to accommodate President Abdullah Gul, who will be in Istanbul at the time for scheduled activities.

In attendance at the Aug. 21 meeting will be outgoing Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who will be participating in an MGK gathering for the last time. Buyukanit, who will be handing over his duties to Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug, is expected to deliver a farewell speech at the meeting.

The MGK is expected to discuss violence perpetrated by the terrorist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), recent developments in Iraq, the state of affairs in the Caucasus after the Russian-Georgian conflict and the possible effects of this on Turkey, as well as the Cyprus issue and Turkey s relations with the European Union. Members of the General Staff, the National Intelligence Organization (M0T) and the Interior Ministry will deliver separate presentations on recent terrorist attacks in Turkey.

[11] Fruitful outcome on Turkeys efforts to safeguard the African countries vote on its candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council

The same issue is reported in Sabah newspaper under the title 90% of Afrika will give support [to Turkey] in the United Nations. The paper publishes statements made by Premier Erdogan during the second day of the Summit that a large section of our African friends have promised to support our candidacy. Invoking diplomatic sources, the paper writes that of 90% of the countries of the African continent have enlisted their support to Turkeys candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council. According to Radikal which invokes statements by Turkish diplomats, Turkey has received a guarantee from the 90% of the 50 African countries which are participating in the Summit.

(ML)

[12] Cooperation documents signed after Turkey-Africa Summit

"Turkey-Africa partnership Istanbul declaration" was issued after Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit ended on Tuesday.

The declaration expressed pleasure over announcement of Turkey as 'strategic partner' of the African Union and Turkey's policy on launching initiatives in Africa.

The current cooperation between Turkey and African countries under the roof of the UN was welcomed, it said.

The declaration said African countries and Turkey were determined to boost peace, security and cooperation by complying with the principles of international law, democracy, human rights and social justice.

New economic opportunities created by the African economies which have been growing rapidly and stably were mentioned in the declaration which stated the cooperation between Turkey and African countries yielded several favourable outcomes.

"Some of the principles which would guide Turkey-Africa Partnership are as follows: International conflicts should be solved through peaceful means, cooperation in fighting against terrorism should be boosted and Turkish-African partnership should be improved," the declaration said.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.08.08) reported the following: "Cooperation frame document for Turkey-Africa partnership" was issued on Tuesday in addition to the Istanbul Declaration after the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit.

The document includes cooperation targets between Turkey and African countries under the headings "intergovernmental cooperation", "trade and investment", "agriculture, rural development, management of water supplies, small and medium enterprises", "health", "peace and security", "infrastructure, energy and transportation", "culture, tourism and education", "media, information and communication systems" and "environment".

It said Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit would be organized once every five years and the next summit would be held in an African country in 2013.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.08.08) reports the following:

A business forum between Turkey and African countries released on Wednesday a declaration which opted to establish a Turkish-Africa chamber designed to promote and develop trade relations.

"Improving trade, boosting investment and creating a proper business environment between Turkey and African countries are our targets," the declaration said.

The business forum was held on the sidelines of a summit for the Turkish-African cooperation in Istanbul.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Rifat Hisarciklioglu, chairperson of Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), and Muhammad Al Masri, head of the African Chambers Union, signed the protocol establishing the Turkish-African Chamber.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish Press of 19 August 2008

a) Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit

Under the title "The Mountain Gave Birth to a Mouse," Hurriyet covers the issue of the Turkey-Africa summit that is currently taking place in Istanbul. The report of the paper, which outlines the areas of cooperation that will be included in the final declaration, states that the declaration contains "joke-like" elements. For example, the report says, the leaders, including Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir who is accused of genocide, pledge to "respect international law and human rights." In addition, Turkey, which claims to be a "developed Western" country, joins the African countries in criticizing "globalization."

Reporting on the Turkey-Africa Cooperation Summit, Radikal states that the presence of "Sudanese dictator Al-Bashir," who is accused of committing genocide in his country, has cast a shadow over this meeting. Although Turkey is not a party in the case filed with the International Criminal Court, ICC, it was criticized by the international community in this regard, the 800-report by Hilal Koylu and Deniz Zeyrek states. According to the report, Al-Bashir's presence in Turkey "is being seen as a step backward by the Turkish Government in terms of democratization reforms and of its efforts to become a member of the ICC."

In a column in Sabah, Erdal Safak lauds the Turkey-Africa summit in Istanbul as a "milestone" in our relations with the "Black Continent," asserting that "the 'Africa initiative,' which constitutes one of the most important aspects introduced by the Erdogan government to the Turkish foreign policy, will be crowned with the summit that begins in Istanbul today." Welcoming the "new vision" of the government of the Justice and Development Party, (AKP), aimed at attaining a "strong and continuous presence in Africa," Safak says that Turkey has been declared a "strategic partner" for Africa. Nevertheless, Safak expresses "concern" that this summit could be overshadowed in the international media by the presence of the Sudanese president. It would be truly unfortunate if the African summit, which will confirm Turkey's role as a global player, is represented in the world media only in terms of the Al-Bashir incident, Safak laments.

In a column for Yeni Ozgur Politika, Veysi Sarisozen argues on 17 August that Turkey now fears about its own territorial integrity after its contribution to the dismemberment of Cyprus, Yugoslavia, and Georgia, noting that in the aftermath of Georgian developments Turkey could only save its territorial integrity by granting "democratic autonomy" to the Kurds.

b) Iranian President's Visit

Commenting on Iranian President Ahmadinezhad's recent visit to Istanbul, Cumhuriyet's Mustafa Balbay maintains that this visit turned into a platform through which the Iranian president was able to shape as he likes the messages he wants to convey to Turkey and to the world. In his column, Balbay says that although Ankara warned Tehran with regard to possible US intentions, as it had the Saddam regime in 2003, Iran is not Iraq; it has a long state tradition and knows how to best exploit world balances to its favour. Balbay says that Iran acts in line with the Russia-China pole against the US pole. Finally, he also wonders if Turkey's foreign policy has once again run counter to that of the AKP.

Pointing out that Iran is now our "biggest neighbour," Hurriyet columnist Ilter Turkmen argues that "it should not be resented" that Turkey's policy toward Iran is more enterprising than our policy toward the United States or even the EU. In his article, Turkmen says that a country's political regime is not the only criterion that affects relations between countries.

c) Nabucco Natural Gas Pipeline

A report in Radikal says that the 3,300-km long Nabucco natural gas pipeline project, which will cost approximately 7.9 billion euro, is expected to work at full capacity as of 2013 when it becomes operational. According to Reinhard Mitscheklek, general director of Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH which was established to operate the pipeline, a survey conducted on the matter indicated that the pipeline will work at full capacity because the producers in Central Asia and the Middle East are very eager to supply natural gas to this project. Likewise, the report says, there is great demand on the part of Europe.

EG/

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