Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-11-26

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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 on Turkeys EU obligations and the lack of progress in the negotiations for a solution in Cyprus

[02] Talat continues briefing Turkish Cypriot political parties

[03] Eroglu argues that a solution will come only if the Greek Cypriot side agrees with the existence of the TRNC state as a fact

[04] The Bar Association called on the council of ministers to revoke its decision to allocate a plot of land for the construction of a new university in occupied Famagusta

[05] Turkey sent an aid of 72 million TL to the occupation regime for the salaries of the workers to be paid before Bayram

[06] The Immovable Property Compensation Commission paid to a Greek Cypriot lady the amount of 750,000 pounds sterling for her property in the occupied village of Monarga

[07] Talat and Ozgurgun will fly to London in December

[08] Davutoglu denies that the Turkish government pursues neo-Ottoman foreign policy

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] From the Turkish Press of 25 November 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ercakica on Turkeys EU obligations and the lack of progress in the negotiations for a solution in Cyprus

The Presidential Spokesman has expressed the view that the Greek Cypriot sides attempts to link the Cyprus issue with Turkeys EU accession process were one of the leading obstacles in the way of achieving progress in the ongoing negotiations process aimed at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. He warned that the continuation of such efforts will only serve to render permanent the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to reporters during his weekly press briefing, the Presidential Spokesman accused the Greek Cypriot side of trying to impose an unacceptable solution on the Turks of Cyprus through exerting pressure on Turkeys EU membership bid. He said that the Greek Cypriot National Council had convened for this very reason.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias had sent letters to the heads of the 26 EU member states threatening to veto Turkeys accession talks if Ankara failed to meet its obligations, the Presidential Spokesman said that news of Greek Cypriot plans to prepare a road map, which would link Turkeys accession process with the Cyprus issue, had also been leaked to the Greek Cypriot press.

Ercakica said that best response to the Greek Cypriot efforts was given by the Turkish Minister of State-Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek during the 15th of November Republic Day celebrations. Minister Ciceks words that if Turkey had to choose between EU membership and remaining by the side of the Turks of Cyprus, it would always choose the Turks of Cyprus, is the perfect response to such attempts, the spokesman said.

Touching upon a report published by the Associated Press that the UK was prepared to give up its guarantor rights in Cyprus, the Presidential Spokesman said that the issue of guarantees was vital for the Turks of Cyprus and that what was really important for them was the continuation of Turkeys effective guarantee. He also pointed out that the issue of guarantees was not the source of the Cyprus problem.

On Ercakicas statements and under the title: Greek Cypriot obstacle to the luncheon given by Talat, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (26.11.09) reports that Mr Ercakica described the efforts exerted by the Greek Cypriot side to prevent the luncheon which the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat offered yesterday to the ambassadors of the EU countries in occupied Lefkosia, as unacceptable and said that it is a shame. Mr Ercakica referred to the reaction expressed by the Greek Cypriot administration yesterday to the ambassadors of the EU countries in Lefkosia and reminded that the Greek Cypriot side has sent a note to Sweden, the current rotating EU Presidency.

According to the paper, Mr Ercakica stated also the following: Greek Cypriots use the potential of the Republic of Cyprus and their unfair membership to the EU. These should be examined and seen by everybody.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (26.11.09) reports on the same issue and writes that Mr Ercakica stated that the note which the Greek Cypriots delivered to Sweden shows the efforts exerted by the Greek Cypriots to isolate the Turkish Cypriots not only in sports, culture and ports but also politically. We shall not give in to this. In fact, these efforts show what the Cyprus problem is, Mr Ercakica said.

The paper reports also that some EU ambassadors did not attend the luncheon as a result of the efforts exerted by Greek Cypriots to prevent them.

(AK)

[02] Talat continues briefing Turkish Cypriot political parties

Following yesterdays meetings with the ruling National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democrat Party (DP), Mr Talat today met separately representatives from the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) and the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP). He will be receiving the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) tomorrow.

Evaluating the meeting to reporters, the leader of the Freedom and Reform Party Turgay Avci said that very little progress has been achieved in the negotiations process. Reiterating his partys support for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal settlement on the basis of two equal founding states and Turkeys effective guarantee, the ORP leader said that he had received an assurance from the president that Turkish origin TRNC citizens will not be subject to debate in the negotiations.Avci also said that Talat has asked all political parties to put forward their views on the chapters of governance and power sharing and property where agreement is yet to be reached. The Greek Cypriot side lacks the necessary good will for a settlement but this cannot be a reason to abandon the talks, he added. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the leader of the Social Democrat Party Mehmet Cakici pointed out that the give-and-take process had not started yet and that the two sides were still in the process of exchanging proposals. Explaining that the Greek Cypriot side has tabled new proposals on the issue of power sharing and governance, Cakici said that some of these proposals could contain positive elements. We too, as the TDP, have proposals. We discussed these proposals today. Taking into the consideration the views of all the political parties its important that we adopt a clear stance in support of the process, he added.

[03] Eroglu argues that a solution will come only if the Greek Cypriot side agrees with the existence of the TRNC state as a fact

TRNC Prime Minister and the Leader of the ruling National Unity Party (UBP) Dervis Eroglu has expressed his partys strong determination towards the protection of the TRNC.

Speaking during an inauguration ceremony, Mr Eroglu emphasized that a solution to the Cyprus problem will become possible only if the Greek Cypriot side comes to agree the existence of the TRNC state as a fact. Touching upon the Cyprus solution process, Prime Minister said that the negotiation notes taken so far prove the fact that the two sides have failed to reach agreement on any of the issues, except the issue of jurisdiction.

Reiterating the strong cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC, the Premier stressed that no country other than the motherland will provide its support to the TRNC. He reacted against the recent demonstrations held in front of the Turkish Embassy in Lefkosia by some members of trade unions, during which the protestors called on Turkey to unhand the Turks of Cyprus. He said the UBP and himself rely on the People of the TRNC and motherland Turkey.

[04] The Bar Association called on the council of ministers to revoke its decision to allocate a plot of land for the construction of a new university in occupied Famagusta

In a written statement, Hasan Sozmener, chairman of the Bar Association and Feyzi Hansel, General Secretary of the association, stated, inter alia, that the decision which was taken by the council of ministers, is a result of the wrong evaluation which the council of ministers made, since this plot of land belongs to the court. Mr Sozmener and Mr Hansel stated also that due to the fact that the council of ministers in its decision gave only the number of the parcel of the land, it was not possible to realize earlier where the land was. They stressed that they will try to prevent this wrong decision with every democratic and legal way, because the plot of land which belongs to the court is not enough to even improve the services offered by the court.

(AK)

[05] Turkey sent an aid of 72 million TL to the occupation regime for the salaries of the workers to be paid before Bayram

Speaking to the paper, the self-styled minister of economy, Ersin Tatar thanked Turkey for its increasing moral and material support to the occupied areas and added: We must appreciate that at the most stressful moments it [Turkey] extends its helping hand to us.

(AK)

[06] The Immovable Property Compensation Commission paid to a Greek Cypriot lady the amount of 750,000 pounds sterling for her property in the occupied village of Monarga

According to the paper, the Immovable Property Compensation Commission had finalized from 17 March 2006 until 20 November 2009, 82 applications out 436. The commission has paid until now the amount of 37 million 781 thousand and 600 pounds sterling for compensation. Moreover, the commission decided to exchange property for two applications and for other four, it gave the right of return and compensation.

(D/Ps)

[07] Talat and Ozgurgun will fly to London in December

Mr Ozgurgun will fly to London on the 30th of November. He will deliver a speech in the House of Lords on the 1st of December, where he will explain the ongoing negotiation and the latest situation regarding the Cyprus problem. He will also reply to questions.

Mr Talat will visit London between December 4-7 as a quest of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in Britain. On the 4th of December, Mr Talat will deliver a speech under the title, The Turkish Cypriot views on the Cyprus peace negotiations, at Chatham House. The following day, he will inaugurate the branch of the illegal Girne American University in Canterbury. It is expected that he will carry out various meetings with the Turkish Cypriot businessmen in Britain as well as a meeting with the members of the board of directors of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce in Britain.

Mr Talat, who will be accompanied by press representatives, will also visit schools and the Turkish Cypriot community in London. Finally, Mr Talat will deliver a lecture on Cyprus: The Settlement Process in the London School of Economics on Monday, the 7th of December. The paper reports that it is highly possible that Talat will meet with important names during his four-day visit to London, but no name has yet been announced.

(D/Ps)

[08] Davutoglu denies that the Turkish government pursues neo-Ottoman foreign policy

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has denied media reports that described the governments foreign policy as neo-Ottoman, saying Turkey acts as a nation-state in its relations with other nations in its region.

Turkeys foreign policy understanding is based on the principle of having relations with all the states in our region on an equal footing, Davutoglu told reporters late on Tuesday in Libya, where he accompanies Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a visit.

Davutoglu was responding to media reports that he had told deputies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) during a closed-door meeting last week that the government was pursuing a neo-Ottoman foreign policy in the Middle East and the Balkans, a former territory of the Ottoman Empire until the 20th century.

Davutoglu said the media reports about his comments during the AK Party meeting were taken out of context and thus did not reflect the truth. We are particularly very sensitive about this. When others use it, I have always warned that we do not consider it correct, he added.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] From the Turkish Press of 25 November 2009

a) Ergenekon case

In an article in Hurriyet, Cuneyt Ulsever focuses on the report Gareth Jenkins, a British journalist who has been residing in Turkey for the last 20 years, has prepared regarding the Ergenekon investigation. In his report entitled "Between Fact and Fantasy: Turkey's Ergenekon Investigation, Jenkins argues that the indictments are full of inconsistencies and that if the investigation is conducted in this manner the judicial system will be damaged. According to Jenkins, who claims to have read the 5,800-page indictments, those who fervently defend the indictments have not actually read them. Ulsever, who admits that he has not read the indictments through, calls on his fellow journalists who defend the indictments to disprove the Jenkins's accusations.

Viewing the point reached in the Ergenekon investigation and the report prepared by Jenkins in an article in Radikal, Mehmet Ali Kislali concludes that Ergenekon is a fiasco.

In an article entitled "Is there anything called 'Disposable Judges?'" in Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak compares the situation of justices and prosecutors whose intercepted conversations have revealed them to have links with the Ergenekon network to that of would-be rescuers of quicksand victims who too get trapped in the act. He argues that members of the judiciary cannot be assumed innocent a priori based on their profession, adding that otherwise "we would have to talk about a dictatorship of justices."

Under the headline, "The Ergenekon network should definitely be disbanded, Zaman carries a front-page report which highlights statements by European Parliament officials expressing "full support for the Ergenekon investigation."

Under the headline, "Naval Junta under Ergenekon control, document shows, Today's Zaman runs a front-page report which asserts that "a document retrieved from a CD" found in the office of a retired major general has revealed "an anti-democratic group within the Naval Forces Command" to be "under the control of Ergenekon."

b) Operation cage

Assessing the consequences of Operation Cage in an article in Taraf, Yasemin Congar argues that the primitive calculations on which this operation was based has boomeranged, adding that contrary to the goals of those who drafted the plan, it seems as if this plan will strengthen Western support for the AKP government. The enemies of the AKP are now trying to spread the "fairy tale" that this plan is a "plot" hatched by the AKP itself taking into consideration this "boomerang effect, claims Congar, doubting, however, that Western officials will be deceived by such shallow propaganda.

Under the banner headline, "They 'Caged' even the wives of generals, Vakit publishes a front-page report which asserts that it has turned out that the architects of the recently revealed military "action plan" called "Cage" pried into the private lives of certain generals and used information about their wives and daughters as a means of coercing them with threats into complying with their demands.

c) Foreign Policy issues

In an article in Radikal, Haluk Sahin assesses the changing view of Washington regarding the AKP government, advising those who are interested in the issue to carefully read the Washington Post editorial on Turkey. Noting that Washington's stand on the Ergenekon investigation has also changed, Sahin maintains that in the beginning the United States was supportive of Ergenekon because the common characteristic of all those who were to be liquidated though this investigation was their pro-Eurasian stand, adding that almost all the suspects were in favour of distancing Turkey from NATO, the EU, and the West and channelling it toward the Iranian-Russian axis. The writer continues: "What happened next? The government, which was being supported for liquidating the pro-Eurasian alternative, began --according to them-- to undertake 'objectionable' actions. For example, it undertook to be the advocate of Iran which is feared will possess nuclear arms. It began to seek special relations with Putin. It began to taken a negative stand towards Israel. Its support for al-Bashir was the cherry on the cake! The Americans have a saying: You cannot have your cake and eat it. In short, this is what the Post says. I believe that Prime Minister Erdogan will hear this expression a few times during his Washington visit."

In an article entitled "What happened to the fault line? What is Turkey doing?" in Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul hails the recent abolition of the visa regime between Turkey and Syria and Turkey and Libya as a development that heralds the cancellation of visa requirements, the removal of customs barriers, the signing of special trade and security agreements, and the easing of the restrictions on the free movement of people between Turkey and a large number of regional countries from South Africa to Pakistan. He claims that Western countries are highly likely to try to represent Turkey's regional initiatives as so much dangerous adventurism and to discourage Ankara from pressing ahead with its new regional policy by placing obstacles on Turkey's path in a bid to ensure that the region remains in chaos. He also cites recent remarks by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu emphasizing that "we are the neo-Ottomans" as an indication that Turkey is determined to bring its regional initiatives to fruition, adding that if the process started by these initiatives continues, "giant steps" will be taken in the next ten years toward turning what has so far been a "chaos belt" into a "peace, justice, and welfare zone."

In an article entitled "The Washington Post: Who is friend, who is foe?", Vakit Editor-in-Chief Hasan Karakaya slams The Washington Post for publishing an editorial accusing Prime Minister Erdogan, once "the protagonist of an epic liberalization of politics in Turkey, of "threatening to destroy" the Dogan news media group through a major tax fine and allowing his government's foreign policy to take "a nasty turn" whereby "shrill denunciations of Israel have been accompanied by increasing cosiness with the criminal rulers of Iran, Syria, and Sudan." Karakaya links The Washington Post's support for the Dogan group to its "Jewish outlook, asserting that the Dogan group's partnership with Axel Springer makes it eligible for The Washington Post's "protection." He also argues, responding to the argument in the Washington Post editorial that there has been a change of orientation from West to East in Turkey's foreign policy under the AKP, that what is called the "East" is "a concept fabricated by the West. We do not have to define ourselves on the basis of Western notions."

In an article entitled "Why is the West criticizing Erdogan?", in Zaman columnist Abdulhamit Bilici comments on the recent Washington Post editorial that questions the "Islamist" AKP's "commitment to democratic principles." Recalling how newspapers like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian "openly sided with democracy in the days when the AKP faced anti-democratic conspiracies, Bilici asserts that the AKP needs to ponder the question why those who used to provide it with "serious support" are now criticizing it. He also argues that while the Western news media's criticism of the tax penalty imposed on the Dogan Group is defective in many respects, the AKP cannot afford to turn a deaf ear to what Western newspapers have to say on this issue.

Also front-paged in Todays Zaman is a report entitled "Turkey and UN once more in Quarrel over Makhmour camp," which asserts that the UN and Turkey are "at loggerheads" over "the return of Turkish citizens of Kurdish descent from the Makhmour refugee camp," with the UN "reportedly asking that the returnees be granted refugee rights ..."

EG/

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