Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-07-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The 35th meeting between Christofias-Talat. Statements by Talat after the meeting

[02] Statements by the self - styled ambassador of Turkey in occupied Cyprus: It should not be undervalued that in Cyprus exist two people, two states, two democracies, two languages, two religions and two cultures.

[03] Statements by Talat during the occupied Trikomo festival: Festivals are carrying the voice of the TRNC to the world

[04] Statements by Davutoglu after meeting with Sergey Lavrov. The Cyprus problem among the matters discussed

[05] CTPs new Central Committee was elected

[06] Turkish Cypriot daily Cyprus Times is closing down allegedly due to lack of support from the occupation regime

[07] Eight people have tested positive for swine flu in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] EU Calls on Turkey to monitor its borders more effectively against Human Trafficking

[09] Turkey and Germany signed a deal for building six submarines in Turkey

[10] Turkey to assume CICA Chairmanship after Kazakhstans proposal

[11] Gul met with French businessmen

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 02 July 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The 35th meeting between Christofias-Talat. Statements by Talat after the meeting

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders have completed their first review on the "territory" issue within the framework of the ongoing peace talks in Cyprus.President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias met at the buffer zone in Lefkosia and held a three-hour meeting with the participation of their representatives on Thursday.Speaking to reporters following the gathering, UN Secretary -General's Special Representative to Cyprus Taye Brook Zerihoun said that the territory issue, the latest developments regarding the opening of Yesilirmak [occupied Limnitis] border to crossing and the meeting schedule for the upcoming 3-4 months were on the agenda of today's talks.

Noting that the two leaders completed their first reviews on territory, Zerihoun said they would debate the last topic security and guarantee on July 9.

Commenting on the schedule of talks, Zerihoun said there would be a total of four meetings on July 9, 17, 23 and 30, adding that the ongoing talks would be recessed until September after the last meeting to be held on August 6.

After the break, the two leaders will get together again on September 3, 10, 17 and October 2, Zerihoun said.

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (02.07.09) broadcast the following:

The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has said that there are differences between the two sides on the fundamental principles of territory. He said that these differences will be more visible once maps outlining the borders of the future constituent states are put on the table.

Speaking to reporters after returning to the Presidential Palace at the end of todays meeting, President Mehmet Ali Talat said that the first reading on the chapter of territory had been concluded at todays meeting. He said they will start discussions on the chapter of security and guarantees when they meet next Thursday on the 9th of June.

Talat also said that he and the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias had agreed on a timetable for meetings until October later this year. Explaining that he had exchanged views with the Greek Cypriot leader regarding the details of the opening of a crossing point at Yesilirmak during his tete-a-tete meeting with him, the President said the UN played an important role in the opening of the Yesilirmak gate.

Our special representatives who we have instructed will be discussing the details of the work that needs to be carried out in the area, both in and outside the bufferzone, such as the widening of roads. We will need to embark on these projects following careful preparation the President added.

Responding to a question as to how much convergence has been reached in the territory chapter, the TRNC President said that they had only discussed the fundamental principles and that nothing was discussed over maps.

We just discussed fundamental principles over which differences between the two sides exist. Naturally these differences will be more visible as and when maps relating to the boundaries of the constituent states emerge. However since our talks are not very concrete, the true scale of our differences will emerge when we reach that stage he said.

President Mehmet Ali Talat said that they planned to conclude preliminary discussions on the chapter of Security and Guarantees by the end of July and to move on to the next stage of the talks in the first week of August.

Talat also expressed the view that quintet meetings with the participation of guarantor countries Turkey and Greece should also take place during that stage of the talks.

[02] Statements by the self - styled ambassador of Turkey in occupied Cyprus: It should not be undervalued that in Cyprus exist two people, two states, two democracies, two languages, two religions and two cultures.

Kibris reports that yesterday Mr. Fakili and the members of Turkey's Aid Committee in occupied Cyprus held a meeting with the self styled mayor and residents of occupied Lysi village. Announcing that the Turkish Republic through its Aid Committee will fund the construction of a mosque in Lysi and repair the clubhouse of the village, Sakir Fakili said:

We, as the Republic of Turkey, are in favour of a reasonable solution. In Cyprus there are two states. Everyone should realise this. The two states should have equal rights. We are doing everything possible for the lifting of the unjust embargo and isolation from the Turkish Cypriots. As the Republic of Turkey, we want it to become known that we are always on the side of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Moreover, Gunes newspaper reports that the second phase of the main road in the area of the occupied Louroudjina village opened yesterday. The road was built by the illegal road works department and the support of the embassy of the Republic of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia.

In statements during the opening of the 12km-road, Mr. Fakili said that some tenders for roads in the occupied areas of Cyprus are opened in Turkey, but in this manner great money saving is secured. He said he believes that the tenders bring benefit to the breakaway regime as well because the companies which are given the contracts and come to the occupied areas need local products and local labor force. Mr Fakili noted that they would open tenders for by-roads in the occupied part of Cyprus the worth of which will be 50 million Turkish liras (TL) and added that this will revive the local building constructions and the economy.

Moreover, in statements during the ceremony, Hasan Tacoy, self-styled minister of public works and transports, said that naturally this will not be the last road which is built in the occupied areas and added that the broadening of the road network will continue and that with the northern coast road which is longer than 100 kilometers, the master plan which includes the period 2000-2010 will be completed.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat attended also the above-mentioned ceremony. Mr Talat and the self-styled Turkish ambassador to Lefkosia participated also in the opening ceremony of the old building of the school of Louroudjina, which has been restored and turned into a municipality building. Mr Talat opened also the wedding room which is located in front of the building of the municipality of Louroudjina.

Finally, under the title: We are ready to sacrifice our souls for the TRNC, Halkin Sesi reports on the gratitude activities organized by the Combatant Associations on the event of the 35th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus. Members of the associations laid wreaths at the Ataturk Monument, the Martyrs Monument and the tomb of Dr. Fazil Kucuk. Speaking on behalf of the Combatant Associations, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Fighters Association, Mr Vural Turkmen, said that they are ready to sacrifice their souls in order for the TRNC to live forever.

According to the paper, in the framework of the gratitude activities, the associations visited also the self-styled Turkish Ambassador to occupied Lefkosia, Mr Sakir Fakili. Speaking during the meeting, Mr Fakili stated that the Turkish Cypriots struggled for equality and freedom on the island by themselves many years before they receive Turkeys support and added that Turkey desires a just and lasting solution in the island which will be in favour of the Turkish Cypriots. Mr. Fakili went on and said: It should not be undervalued that in Cyprus exist two people, two states, two democracies, two languages, two religions and two cultures.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation of the Cyprus Turkish Fighters Association, Mr Vural Turkemen stated: We will carry out the struggle for reaching to a solution based on two sovereign states. We will resist to anyone who opposes this.

(ML/ITs./EA)

[03] Statements by Talat during the occupied Trikomo festival: Festivals are carrying the voice of the TRNC to the world

The 41st Iskele [occupied Trikomo] Festival has started with a splendid opening ceremony.The festival was inaugurated by President Mehmet Ali Talat who said that festivals are important events carrying the voice of the People of the TRNC to the world. The opening ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, ministers, mayors and MPs as well as people from the region.

The traditional event started with a colorful festival cortege and with the laying of a wreath at the Ataturk Monument by the Mayor of Iskele Halil Orun. Later, traditional dance shows were performed by Iskele Municipalitys Folk Dance teams and teams from Turkey, Montenegro, Colombia, Portugal, Georgia and Porto Rico. At the end of the show, foreign teams which are in the TRNC to participate in the 14th International Folk Dance Festival presented special gifts to President Talat and Prime Minister Eroglu.

In an opening address, Mayor of Iskele Halil Oran said that the Iskele festival which was first launched in 1968 in Larnaka as a sea festival was turned to an international event. He said 27 different events will take place during the 12-day festival.

Another opening address was made by President Talat who said that the Turks of Cyprus have been continuing their efforts to bring peace to the island. The Turks of Cyprus proved their will to bring a solution to the Cyprus problem in spite of the `see-hear-and-speak no-evil` attitude of the world, the President said, adding that it is time to change the international communitys approach to the Turks of Cyprus.

He added that international organizations, like festivals, were playing an important role in achieving this objective, expressing that hope that an agreement which will take the rights of the TRNC people under guarantee would be reached.After the opening speeches, the festival was opened with a fireworks show, which brought color to the night.

A photograph exhibition, `Once Upon a Time Larnaca` was also inaugurated last night.

[04] Statements by Davutoglu after meeting with Sergey Lavrov. The Cyprus problem among the matters discussed

Turkish foreign minister said on Thursday that Turkey was ready to cooperate with Russia in energy projects. The Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov held a joint press conference in Russian capital of Moscow on Thursday.

Davutoglu said that Turkey and Russia enjoyed good relations in the areas of economy, trade, culture and politics and Turkish-Russian relations had the capacity of solving all problems.

Davutoglu said Lavrov and he discussed Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey in the meeting. We expect Russian PM Putin to visit Turkey soon. I would like to reiterate our prime minister's invitation, he said.

Replying to a question on Russia's inviting Turkey to join the South Stream, Davutoglu said: There is no obstacle in front of cooperation between Turkey and Russia. We decided to assess every project especially alternative energy projects. We are determined to transparently cooperate with Russia in energy projects like South Stream.

Lavrov said if Turkey wanted to take part in the mentioned project, Russian technical delegation would build up conditions.

South Stream, a natural gas pipeline to transport Russian natural gas to the Black Sea, to Bulgaria and further to Italy and Austria, is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

Turkish FM said Lavrov and he also discussed the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform in the meeting. Turkey appreciated Russia's efforts for a solution to Armenian-Azerbaijani issue. We believe that Caucasus will become a region of stability and peace soon, he said. Lavrov said Turkey and Russia were exerting great efforts for solution of issues such as Iran, Iraq and Middle East.

Replying to a question on problems at Russian customs against Turkish goods, Lavrov said the two parties were continuing talks on the matter.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (02.07.09) reported the following: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday that the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia and Minsk Group's efforts to solve the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute have created a positive atmosphere in the Caucasus.

Speaking to Turkish reporters following his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, Davutoglu said that his visit's timing was crucial.

Since I have assumed the post of Turkish Foreign Minister, I have been trying to visit countries to which we attach great importance. Accordingly, I had talks in the States and Germany. I visited Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus]. Within such a framework, I paid a one day working visit to Russia and had a chance to go over our relations with Lavrov, Davutoglu said.

Referring to Turkish-Russian relations, Davutoglu stressed that there is no political problem between the two countries. There is a will on both sides to resolve certain technical and bureaucratic problems, Davutoglu said.

In response to a question on Cyprus, Davutoglu said that Lavrov and he discussed the issue of Cyprus.

Russia is a member of the United Nations Security Council. We consider Cyprus to be a matter of the U.N. and do not think that it would be appropriate to carry Cyprus to another platform. Turkey and Russia share same viewpoints on Cyprus. The Russians also think that Cyprus should be resolved within the boundaries of the U.N., Davutoglu said.

[05] CTPs new Central Committee was elected

(ML)

[06] Turkish Cypriot daily Cyprus Times is closing down allegedly due to lack of support from the occupation regime

According to the paper, todays edition is the last for the Cyprus Times newspaper, which is on circulation for the last five years. Kibrlisli notes that it is not the Kibrisli Media Group, but the self-styled government which closes down the paper and accuses the self styled Prime Minister Dervis Eroglus regime of not giving enough support to the paper. According to Kibrisli, the occupation regime prefers the residents in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus to read the Greek Cypriot Cyprus Mail, which is printed in English, instead of the Cyprus Times.

(ML)

[07] Eight people have tested positive for swine flu in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] EU Calls on Turkey to monitor its borders more effectively against Human Trafficking

EU Commissioner responsible for Justice, Liberty and Security, Jacques Barrot, requested Turkey's help in the fight against human trafficking on Thursday.

Speaking in a press conference in Brussels, Commissioner Barrot said that Turkey should help the EU fight against human trafficking and those who force migrants to risky journeys. We expect Turkey to monitor its borders more effectively, Barrot said.

[09] Turkey and Germany signed a deal for building six submarines in Turkey

Turkey and Germany signed an agreement Thursday to build six submarines for the Turkish Naval Forces. The deal covers six Class-214 air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW), a part of the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems shipbuilding group.

The new class submarines will improve significantly the capability of the Turkish Naval Forces to undertake longer under water operations.

Turkish Defence Industries Undersecretariat has said the submarines would be co-produced with maximum local content at Golcuk Naval Shipyard in Kocaeli, Turkey. Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul has also stated that Turkish industrial participation in the project would be worth around 80 percent of the total value of the deal.

As the Turkish Type 214 will have a significant amount of Turkish indigenous systems on board, this variant of the Type 214 will be known as the Type 214TN (Turkish Navy). HDW will preassemble structural and mechanical parts of the submarine in Germany, or classified elements such as the fuel cells and propulsion system and will then ship them to Turkey. All electronic and weapon systems, including sensors, communications, and data processing systems, will be of Turkish design and production.

The signing ceremony brought together senior Turkish and German government officials, and naval forces commanders, including Gonul, Commander of Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Metin Atac, Undersecretary of Turkish Defense Industry Murad Bayar, Undersecretary of German Defense Ministry Thomas Kossendey, Commander of German Naval Forces Vice-Admiral Wolfgang Nolting and Chief Executive Officer of HDW Walter Freitag.

[10] Turkey to assume CICA Chairmanship after Kazakhstans proposal

Turkey will take over the chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

A press release issued Thursday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev recently offered Turkish President Abdullah Gul to hand over the CICA Chairmanship which had been assumed by Kazakhstan since the launch of the organization.

The said offer is a manifestation of the perfect relations between Kazakhstan and Turkey and also President Nazarbayev's trust that Turkey will carry the CICA process forward, said the Foreign Ministry.

Turkey will take over the CICA Chairmanship, during a summit which Turkey will host in June 2010, until 2012.

[11] Gul met with French businessmen

Turkey's president received a group of French businessmen at Cankaya Presidential Palace in capital Ankara on Thursday. The meeting between Turkish President Abdullah Gul and the French Business Confederation (MEDEF) delegation, headed by Henri de Castries--the chairman of the AXA Group Management Board, was closed to press.

Earlier on Thursday, the delegation also held talks with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister & State Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis and State Minister Zafer Caglayan.

MEDEF is a leading businesspeople network in France with 700,000 member firms.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 02 July 2009

a) On the 30 June National Security Council meeting

In an article entitled "A civil 28 February process," in Vatan columnist Rusen Cakir highlights similarities and differences between the political situation in Turkey in 1997 when the coalition government resigned due to pressure put by the military and the current climate in Turkey which, he notes, began with the latest National Security Council (MGK) meeting. He says: "The most important difference of the 30 June process is that the confrontation is not only between two camps (AKP and the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] and their supporters) contrary to popular belief. On 2 April 2007 I wrote: 'Events witnessed especially over the past two years showed that there are three leading actors involved in power struggle in Turkey: the AKP, TSK, and the Fethullah Gulen community.' I am still of the same opinion."

A report entitled "Summit attended by five leaders recommends tripartite report" in Hurriyet says that General Basbug shared the military's concerns about a bill which permits trial of soldiers by courts other than military courts during a meeting he held with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Erdogan, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, and Minister of Justice Sadullah Ergin after a meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) on Tuesday. According to the report, the meeting produced a decision to instruct legal experts in the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, and the General Staff to draw up a comprehensive report about the issue.

In an article entitled "The military and the judiciary," in Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol says that a compromise to make some revisions to the controversial bill has been reached in the National Security Council (MGK) meeting and Gul's efforts. He says: "A road map aimed at settling the dispute has been drawn as a result of deliberations in the MGK. A new arrangement taking account of realities which make military courts necessary as well as democratization and alignment to EU standards. Thus, a compromise based on the principle of the rule of law was worked out and a dispute between different establishments was prevented from escalating into a crisis."

In an article entitled "Gul assumes crisis management," in Milliyet columnist Fikret Bila says that President Gul will rapidly make a decision to sign or not to sign the bill into law after reviewing reports to be drawn up by his legal advisers as well as other reports to be jointly prepared by the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, and the General Staff. Pointing out that Gul's balanced and reconciliatory approach was instrumental in reaching a compromise about the outcome of the MGK meeting, Bila also says that General Basbug drew attention to possible consequences of what he described as an asymmetric psychological warfare being conducted against the military.

In an article entitled "Gul gives veto signals," in Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin says that President Gul may veto the controversial bill and return it to Parliament for making revisions to ensure that high-ranking military officials at least enjoy the same level of legal protection as a tax inspector or a police officer. He says: "Another interesting development was that the government and the military were surrounded by a shroud of silence yesterday. It was interpreted as a sign that a damage control and repair process has started after the National Security Council (MGK) meeting and Gul's intervention."

In an article entitled "Details from the 'Critical' MGK meeting" in Vakit, columnist Serdar Arseven links Chief of Staff Ilker Basbug's objections to the bill arranging for members of the military accused of certain crimes to be tried by civilian courts to opposition to the bill from the TSK's lower echelons. Arseven comments on reports asserting that the military members of the National Security Council asked at the recent meeting that President Gul act like an arbitrator in the dispute over the said bill. He also asserts, based on information "leaked by a few sources", that the generals who attended the meeting did not use any strong terms in commenting on discontent within the TSK over the said bill.

In an article entitled "What is it to you?" in Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak describes the declaration issued after the latest National Security Council meeting as a perfunctory statement that is far from reflecting the content of the seven-hour meeting. He speculates that "the plan to assassinate former Chief of Staff Hilmi Ozkok," calls for the prosecution of former Deputy Chief of Staff Cevik Bir, the "shocking claims" about the murder of Colonel Ridvan Ozden, etc might have been among the issues discussed at the meeting. He also calls attention to claims that the General Staff is preparing to "purge" certain "risky" elements from the military.

In an article entitled "They won't even allow a coup in Honduras" in Today's Zaman columnist Ekrem Dumanli asks "those who applied every means to weaken the Ergenekon investigation relentlessly tried to turn theMGK meeting into a political crisis to please see the truth. The era of coups is over. Dont you see that the global public is making it a living hell for coup leaders, even in Honduras?.

b) On Turkeys expectations from the US for the withdrawal from Iraq and the situation in Afghanistan

A report entitled "US Commander gets advice on Afghanistan" in Hurriyet says that David Petraeus, the commander of US Central Command who is visiting Turkey, was briefed about Turkey's opinions about stability in Afghanistan, including establishing dialogue with all segments of society which do not support terrorism and improvement of public services and infrastructure. The report says that Petraeus informed Turkey about the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq without making any concrete proposal.

In an article entitled "Victory in Iraq," in Taraf columnist Cem Sey says that diplomatic efforts in Iraq will focus on sharing Iraqi oil and the future of Kirkuk and Mosul amid signs that Kurds are getting gradually nervous. Pointing out that the current policy being followed by the United States about critical issues such as Turkish-Armenian relations and Cyprus is supportive of Turkey's stance, he comments: "Although there are not concrete signs, there is widespread expectation that Obama will not overlook Turkey's desires in Iraq."

In an article entitled "A strategy or a misguided plan?" in Milli Gazete, columnist Hasan Unal argues that the purpose of the ongoing "campaign" against the Turkish military conducted by part of the news media could possibly weaken the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) so as to prevent it from opposing a plan to change Turkey's national state structures. He claims that if those carrying out this campaign count on US support for their agenda, they could be making a mistake because the United States is unlikely to risk antagonizing the Turkish military at a time when its need for the TSK's support is increasing because of growing tensions between Washington and Tehran and the state of the US operations in Afghanistan.

EG/

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