Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-14

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu says he struggles to keep continuation of the TRNC on the agenda

[02] Kucuk to have meetings with Erdogan, Gul and Cicek

[03] BKP says early solution in Cyprus is not Turkeys priority

[04] Talat says he is not considering of leading any political party

[05] Soyer supports Talat for CTPs chair

[06] Syrian Chamber of Commerce to visit TRNC

[07] Greek Cypriot accused of taking pictures in Famagusta released

[08] Turkey-EU political dialogue meeting-joint press conference

[09] Turkish President to visit Slovenia and Turkish Foreign Minister to visit Portugal

[10] Independent deputies join ruling AKP and main opposition CHP

[11] Erdogan consults with party leaders on escalating tension; First meeting with DSP leader

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 13 July 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu says he struggles to keep continuation of the TRNC on the agenda

In statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation of the Turkish Cypriot Veteran Physicians Association headed by Dr. Kaya Bekiroglu, Eroglu noted: Our intention is to conclude the negotiations by the end of the year and be able to reach a viable and lasting agreement. If this depended only on us, we would make the agreement immediately. However, this depends on the will of the other side as well.

The paper covers this statement under the title Relay race. Above the title, the paper says: It started with the 2nd president Talat. It is continuing with Eroglu. After Talat, who first declared that there will be a solution in 2007 and later said by the end of 2008 and finally by the end of 2009, Eroglu as well said that there will be a solution by the end of 2010. Eroglu said he is working for a solution in Cyprus in cooperation with Turkey.

Eroglu said that he, like Dr Bekiroglu with his press articles, struggle to keep continuation of the TRNC on the agenda. He added that he will work with his team to safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people.

He alleged that they are face with a mentality which wants to rule over the whole of Cyprus and concluded that they should act accordingly.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Kucuk to have meetings with Erdogan, Gul and Cicek

In statements on the sidelines of the 5th International Peace Beauty Contest held during the Orange Festival in occupied Morfou, Kucuk said he will have an important tête-à-tête meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister. He said the decisions taken will be discussed with his ministers who will then visit Turkey and have meetings with their counterparts.

Kucuk said the meeting Erdogan will be tomorrow at 17.00 and will be followed by a dinner. On Friday at 11.00 hours, he will meet with Gul in Istanbul. During his visit, he will also have meetings with the State Minister responsible for Cyprus, Cemil Cicek and other Ministers.

Furthermore, Mehmut Ozcinar, self-styled mayor of occupied Morfou, noted during the meeting noted that such activities are important for the recognition of their state.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (14.07.10) refers to the visit of Irsen Kucuk to Ankara under the title It has not ended, the worst is to come. The paper reports that Kucuk is going to Ankara to inform it on the economic measures taken by the TRNC government, the practices and the reactions and to take new orders. The paper writes that Cemil Cicek is expected to press Kucuk especially on the issue of the 13th salary and privatizations.

(I/Ts.)

[03] BKP says early solution in Cyprus is not Turkeys priority

A written statement released yesterday by the partys organization secretary Abdullah Kormazhan said that an early solution in Cyprus is not Turkeys priority and added: Turkey does not want to experience a crisis with the EU in December because of the Additional Protocol. The efforts of the AKP government is to overcome December again without unfortunate developments.

Korkmazhan pointed out that efforts are being exerted in coordination with the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu to create an artificial climate regarding a solution by the end of the year.

The separatist proposals tabled by the Turkish side in the negotiations providing for a confederation based on two separate states, have eliminated the hopes for an early solution, he said pointing out that efforts are being exerted to prolong the status quo in Cyprus, using the Turkish Cypriots once more to pave the way for Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Talat says he is not considering of leading any political party

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he recalled that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had often accused him of making concessions. He noted that he expected Eroglu to withdraw these concessions, but nothing happened. Talat added: If this happened, I would applaud it, but there is no such thing. They sent letters to Downer and Moon and said we shall continue from the point the (talks) were left off. What happened with our concessions?

Talat alleged that he contributed to the victory of President Christofias in the presidential elections and that the latter was the reason for his defeat in the elections. He expressed the view that President Christofias wants a solution, but he has not the courage to do it.

He claimed, inter alia, the following:

Christofias did some things, but when we had to work he was afraid, because Christofias comes from the old communist tradition and this tradition is dogmatic and somehow peasant. He expects the vast majority of the people to support him. This is not possible. Christofias came as the man for the solution and actually, I am the one who had Christofias elected. He was elected because of me. If I were not the president of the TRNC, Christofias could never have won in the south. Papadopoulos lost, because I put the Greek Cypriot side into a difficult situation internationally. I had indirectly helped Christofias to be elected, but he made me lose the elections, because the expectation of my people was to proceed towards the solution. Because no progress occurred due to Christofias, the people became pessimist and said since there is no solution, there is no need for Talat and we saw the result. People say that Christofias does not want a solution, but this is not right. I believe he wants it sincerely, but the issue is whether he will go ahead with it or not. This issue wants courage and determination ().

(I/Ts.)

[05] Soyer supports Talat for CTPs chair

Answering a question regarding a possible coalition with National Unity Party (UBP) in order to avoid an unfortunate solution, he said that is not possible to have a coalition with UBP, since they, along with Justice and Development Party (AKP), signed a protocol unfavourable for us. If this protocol is not revised according to the conditions of TRNC, not even a word regarding coalition is uttered.

(IS)

[06] Syrian Chamber of Commerce to visit TRNC

Hamas Chamber of Commerce board members along with Syrian businessmen will visit TRNC on July 22 and according to Altuncuoglu: common efforts will be made in order to promote cooperation and new investments.

(IS)

[07] Greek Cypriot accused of taking pictures in Famagusta released

(IS)

[08] Turkey-EU political dialogue meeting-joint press conference

Speaking at a joint press conference following the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that terrorism does not threaten Turkey alone. It also poses a serious threat for Europe and our common future. Therefore, we expect full and unconditional cooperation from everyone in the fight against terrorism.

Davutoglu added that a political dialogue mechanism has been formed as part of the institutional restructuring of the European Union following the Treaty of Lisbon. He explained that the current meeting was the first ministerial meeting in the frame of this mechanism and focused on three main topics. One of them was efforts to strengthen the political dialogue mechanism between Turkey and the Union. There are many areas of common interest shared by Turkey and the European Union from the principle of zero-problem with neighbouring countries to cultural pluralism, from climate changes to the global financial crisis. Davutoglu said.

He added: Secondly, we discussed recent international and regional developments including the Middle East, the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia. There are important developments occurring in our adjacent areas. They can have significant impacts on Turkey and on the European Union. Turkey pursues a visional and active foreign policy. And we attach great importance to pursue our foreign policy in harmony with the European Union.

The third topic on the agenda was political criteria in Turkey's accession process including the constitutional reform, political reforms and Turkey's democratization process, Davutoglu said and added: Terrorism does not threaten only Turkey. It also poses a serious threat for Europe and our common future. Therefore, we expect a full and unconditional cooperation from everyone in the fight against terrorism. We also discussed common crises like Israel's attack on the aid flotilla bound for Gaza.

According to A.A, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, said: We should continue to fight against terrorist organizations. We should eradicate the organizations that use the EU to get funds and finance training activities. Ashton said friendship and reciprocal confidence were the most important features of relations between the EU and Turkey. She said that Turkey is a candidate endeavouring for full membership, noting that, we are progressing the same targets and try to preserve peace, tranquillity and peace in the region.

Ashton said the talks aimed to foster cooperation and boost coordination activities and strongly condemned the terrorist attacks that occurred in Turkey recently. She noted Turkey's rising esteem and position in the region. She added that the Middle East issue was also taken up at the meeting, and noted the role that Turkey would play in the West Balkans and the Caucasus.

On his part, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fuele said that the meeting was important to show the synergy which Turkey and the EU achieved. Fuele said each of the EU member states preserved their belief in the negotiations carried out by Turkey towards full membership. We particularly focus on how pace of the accession talks could be increased. Nobody is pleased over the current momentum of the accession talks, Fuele said.

Fuele said there should not be any lack of energy and slowdown in implementation of the reforms. I particularly want to refer to Constitution package. Constitutional changes will be put to referendum on September 12. Constitutional package and reform are on the right path. I would like to state that EU institutions and the member states respond affirmatively to what have been done on this area. This constitutional package may constitute the basis of a pluralist political process, Fuele said.

[09] Turkish President to visit Slovenia and Turkish Foreign Minister to visit Portugal

As A.A. reported, Gul and Turk are expected to exchange views on political, economic, commercial and cultural relations between Turkey and Slovenia as well as cooperation opportunities and regional and international problems. Gul is scheduled to meet with Slovenian National Assembly Speaker Pavel Gantar, Prime Minister Borut Pahor and Mayor of Ljubljana Zoran Jankovich. Gul and Turk will attend a Turkish-Slovenian Business Council on July 15, which Gul will address.

A. A. news agency also reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will travel to the Lisbon for an official visit following an invitation of his Portuguese counterpart Luis Amado.

Davutoglu's talks will focus on bilateral relations as well as Turkey's EU bid and regional and international issues. During his stay in Portugal, Davutoglu will also meet with members of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, and address a conference organized by Portuguese Institute of International Relations, the agency reported.

[10] Independent deputies join ruling AKP and main opposition CHP

[A] A. also reported that Tayfun Icli, an independent lawmaker from the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir, joined ranks with the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP). The CHP's new recruit brought up the number of its lawmakers in the parliament to 103 as the number of independent MPs dropped to six.

Justice and Development (AK) Party336Republican People's Party (CHP)103Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)69Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)20Democratic Left Party (DSP)6Democrat Party (DP)1Turkey Party (TP)1Independent6Vacant8Total550

[11] Erdogan consults with party leaders on escalating tension; First meeting with DSP leader

The paper says that Erdogan requested the meetings in letters he sent to main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu, DSP head Turker, Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Yalcin Topcu and Felicity Party (SP) head Numan Kurtulmus. The prime minister did not, however, send letters to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli or pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Chairman Selahattin Demirtas because, according to the AK Party, they benefit from terrorism, the paper writes.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 13 July 2010

a) Erdogan's statements in Belgrade

Hurriyet reports Prime Minister Erdogan's statements in Belgrade that he will goad CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu into a sincere discussion of measures against terrorism and that he hopes people will not heed the leaders of the opposition parties and vote for the reforms in the referendum. Declaring that there will be no letup in Turkey's determination to pursue the Mavi Marmara issue, Erdogan says he remonstrated with President Obama on the lack of American interest in the fate of one of the raid victims Furkan Dogan, who is a US citizen of Turkish origin. Noting that President Obama has made statements sharing the Turkish position on the flotilla incident but does not seem to act on his promises, Erdogan says politicians over the world should know that they have to rule with justice.

On the same issue, Milliyet quotes Erdogan as saying that Turkey is saddened with the unwillingness of some EU states to extradite PKK officials.

Reporting from Belgrade, Star journalist Samil Tayyar quotes Erdogan as saying that regardless of the result of the 12 September referendum, there will be no early elections, the elections will be held on 17 July 2011.

b) Coexistence debate

Referring to the article by Ertugrul Ozkok, in which he raised the question whether Turks and Kurds could coexist anymore and whether it is time to discuss the option of separation, Cumhuriyet writes that everyone opposes separation and quotes statements to that effect by deputies of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), Republican People's Party (CHP) and Justice and Development Party (AKP).

In an article in Cumhuriyet on the issue, Orhan Bursali cites BDP deputy Hasip Kaplans open rejection of separation, adding that it is now the turn of the PKK and BDP to issue similar statements. It will then be easier to create a climate for serious debate of the Kurdish issue, he concludes.

Akif Beki in his column in Radikal says the idea of separation comes from Turks leading a "paradise" life in the western extremities of the country. Instead of threatening Kurds with separation, they should be inspired with the hope that one day they too might attain the level of wealth of western Turkey. Separation will be a nightmare for all, it is concluded.

Responding to criticism Ertugrul Ozkok in his column in Hurriyet, calls on BDP deputy Hasip Kaplan, if he is sincere in his desire to preserve Turkey's territorial integrity, to stop using the term "Kurdistan", condemn the PKK for every soldier killed, seek the surrender of the PKK terrorists, ask the BDP municipality to stop agitation for local autonomy, join the Turks in organizing "unity and solidarity" rallies, and accept Turkish as language of education.

c) AKP criticized on Kurdish overture

Commenting on Interior Minister Besir Atalay's statement in his interview in Hurriyet to the effect that the democratic overture is continuing despite some mistakes made by the government, Cengiz Candar says in Hurriyet that the minister is right when he says that the fulfilment of the overture will take a long time but wrong in saying that the government is exerting every effort in that direction both at home and abroad. Candar accuses AKP of exerting efforts towards the escalation of the conflict and adds that Erdogan should realize his mistake of devolving the solution of the Kurdish problem to the army, as that method has failed many times over in the past. Candar says if the savageries committed by soldiers on the dead bodies of Kurdish guerrillas is intended to frighten the Kurds, it is having the opposite effect, the Kurds are now treating the slain PKK members as "martyrs" and not as terrorists. Candar says Turkey cannot play a regional role by denying democratic rights to Kurds and by bombing northern Iraq.

Murat Belge in his column in Taraf says Erdogan's decision not to seek a meeting with the DTP over the Kurdish issue is wrong, in particular when he has sought such a meeting even with parties that have no deputies in the parliament and when BDP's approach on the issue is more positive than the position assumed by the CHP. Belge says instead of pondering measures for the solution of the problem, the government is trying to exploit the Kurdish side's weaknesses so as not to solve the problem. Belge points out that by not talking to the BDP the government is actually not allowing any dissention to develop among Kurds. Belge notes that in the last eight years the AKP has both been fighting and trying to reconcile with the status quo forces; reconciliation is not a bad idea but it should not be achieved on the basis of chauvinism.

Yasemin Congar in her column in Taraf objects to the savageries being committed by soldiers on dead guerrillas, saying that BDP co-leader Selahattin Demirtas has sent the pictures of tortured guerrillas to PM Erdogan and Gen Basbug. Noting that people in the southeast are calling on the state to respect the bodies of dead guerrillas, Congar asks the government if the reports on the desecration of guerrilla bodies are indeed true.

Taraf also carries a report by Burhan Ekinci on PKK guerrillas tortured before or after their execution.

d) MIT and the PKK

In an article entitled "Putting projectiles on MIT's new face", Today's Zaman columnist Lale Kemal comments on what she describes as new National Intelligence Organization, MIT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan's around-the-clock efforts to correct intelligence flaws in the fight against the terrorist PKK and create a positive public image for the MIT, which was "once famed for some of its members' illegal activities."

e) Restructure of the country

In an article entitled "Restructuring", Today's Zaman columnist Ali Bulac takes issue with the representation of Western standards as a basis for the political restructuring of Turkey by calling attention to "an important point that is always overlooked: There is an intrinsic difference between the historical developments followed by the Islamic world and that of the Western world. If comparisons are deemed necessary in trying to understand the route that Turkey must follow, it is not Europe that should be taken as an example, but rather Russia and Iran."

f) Kurtulmus eliminates Erbakan at SP congress

According to Cumhuriyet Numan Kurtulmus narrowly secures the leadership of the Felicity Party (SP) against Necmettin Erbakan by gaining the support of 310 out of 1,250 delegates at the SP congress, adding that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) is closely following the developments inside the SP as it needs SP's "yes" vote at the referendum. The report notes that unlike Erbakan, Kurtulmus has a softer approach towards the AKP; his position on Israel, Ergenekon, constitutional reforms, and referendum is closer to AKP's.

On the same issue, Oktay Eksi in Hurriyet notes Erbakan will now work to undermine Kurtulmus, who will then find it hard to transform the party into a civilized opposition.

Rusen Cakir, in his column in Vatan, voices a similar opinion adding that Erbakan's Damoclean sword will henceforth hang over Kurtulmus.

Yalcin Dogan notes in his column in Hurriyet that Kurtulmus has his own political style and that his support of the government on the referendum is his only negative side.

In an article entitled "What Happened in the SP", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak discusses the implications of the results of the SP's recent congress, where Necmettin Erbakan failed to obtain adequate support for his list of candidates for membership of the SP's party council. He wonders whether Erbakan might take steps to establish a new party, whether his followers might abandon the SP, how the Dogan news media will position itself vis-à-vis the SP in response to this "new situation," etc. He also predicts that this "unprecedented situation in the SP tradition" will bring "amazing dynamism" to the party at grassroots level.

g) Army prosecutor finds Col Cicek guilty

Star reports that the Military Court has endorsed General Staff Military Prosecutor Yavuz Senturks indictment on the "Action Plan for Combating Reactionarism." The indictment says that Col Dursun Cicek prepared the coup plan on his own initiative without any orders, then leaked it to the press to take revenge on the army for not being promoted to admiralship. The indictment calls for a six-year imprisonment for Cicek and expulsion from the army. Charges against other officers and officials, like 3rd Army Commander Saldiray Berk and Erzincan Prosecutor Ilhan Cihaner, were considered unfounded. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/ES

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