Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-15

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot columnist says President Christofias wants an early solution to the Cyprus problem

[02] Turkish and Slovenian Presidents meet; Gul reiterates Turkeys desire for a solution to Cyprus by the end of 2010

[03] Kucuk to meet Turkeys Prime Minister and President

[04] Trade unions protests against the economic measures continue

[05] Thirty NGOs in Britain ask Kucuk to solve the problems of the illegal KTHY

[06] The majority of TRNC university graduates are Turkish citizens

[07] Turkish Cypriot cultural association to participate in an international festival in Portugal

[08] Turkish Foreign Minister signs visa agreement with Portugal

[09] Davutoglu to attend Kabul conference together with the US Secretary of State and the UN Secretary-General

[10] Erdogan continues meetings with Turkish political parties; He met SP and BBP leaders

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 14 July 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot columnist says President Christofias wants an early solution to the Cyprus problem

Hasturer reports, inter alia, the following regarding his impressions from the meeting:

Undoubtedly during the yesterdays discussion I was intensively searching for answers to questions I had in mind.

Does Christofias want a solution to the Cyprus problem? Undoubtedly he does. Is he in a hurry for a solution? Yes, he is, because he knows very well that time is not working in favour of a solution.

Very well, what is the explanation for the impressions drawn from the negotiating table and which, according to some people, create a problem? Christofias is highly sensitive on one issue more than those who are once bitten twice shy. His desire is the solution reached not to create problems on the island of Cyprus hundreds of years later but rather be accepted by the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.

Do the attitudes that Christofias is an obstacle for a solution not annoy Christofias? They do and they annoy him a lot

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish and Slovenian Presidents meet; Gul reiterates Turkeys desire for a solution to Cyprus by the end of 2010

During a joint press conference, President Gul referred to membership talks with the EU and said, EU is a strategic decision. It is a state policy. Turkey has been working hard to be a full member of the EU. We believe that Turkey's membership will contribute to the EU. Gul expressed appreciation for Slovenia's support in the EU accession process.

President Gul said that during the talks with President Turk, the Cyprus issue was also discussed. We hope that they (the two parties in Cyprus) will reach a result by the end of 2010, he said.

On his part, Slovenian President Turk said that Slovenia supports Turkeys EU accession process and that Turkeys EU membership would be an advantage for the Union. Objections to Turkey's membership were short-sighted and useless, he said. Turk added that they supported efforts for a solution to the Cyprus issue and EU was of great importance on the matter.

Asked whether or not Turkey would work with Slovenia to solve problems in the west Balkans, Gul said Turkey attached great importance to stability in this region. Turkish and Slovenian companies could make joint investments in the region, he added.

During his visit, Gul also had separate meetings with the Slovenia Parliament Speaker Pavel Gantar and the Prime Minister Borut Pahor.

[03] Kucuk to meet Turkeys Prime Minister and President

According to the newspaper, in the framework of the recent economic measures, it was decided during a meeting of the council of ministers yesterday to abolish the 14th salary for many institutions of the public domain, as well as public banks and their subsidiaries. It was also decided to establish a Small and Medium Enterprises Development Centre (KOBIGEM) within the ministry of economy and energy.

(IS)

[04] Trade unions protests against the economic measures continue

Addressing the protest in occupied Famagusta, Mehmet Ozkardas, chairman of the public sector employees trade union (Kamu-Sen), said that the cost of the underground economy (which reached 60%), employment of people so that the state is able to offer services to the people, who come in great numbers and without any contract, as well as other expenses are shouldered by the Turkish Cypriots.

He noted: Our problem is neither with the people coming from Anatolia for a better life and whose the labour is exploited, nor with the Republic of Turkey. Our problem is with the AKP government, which does not want to understand us, ignores that Cyprus is in a special situation, bears the responsibility for the establishment of the current structure and imposes packages which will harm bilateral relations. Our problem is also with the UBP government which gives unconditionally permission to all these

(I/Ts.)

[05] Thirty NGOs in Britain ask Kucuk to solve the problems of the illegal KTHY

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.07.10) publishes some allegations on the issue of the illegal KTHY, which will shock our community. According to the paper, the annulment of the permit of the KTHY, at a time when direct trade and direct flights to the occupied areas of Cyprus were being discussed at the EU, is evaluated as intentional. The paper adds that according to some allegations, certain circles feared that permission for direct flights would have been given and this is why they disposed of the KTHY.

Rescuing the Turkish Cypriots from their dependence on Turkey and establishing direct relations with the world is considered by some to be contrary to their own interests, argues the paper wondering whether the annual income of approximately 270 million Euros for services provided by the control tower in the illegal Tymvou airport goes to Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The majority of TRNC university graduates are Turkish citizens

(IS)

[07] Turkish Cypriot cultural association to participate in an international festival in Portugal

[08] Turkish Foreign Minister signs visa agreement with Portugal

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Davutoglu said that the trade volume between Turkey and Portugal reached 826 million USD in 2009, adding that the two countries had a huge potential for further increase.

Referring to his recent phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Davutoglu said several U.S. newspaper reports about the content of the talk which claimed that Clinton asked Turkey to step out of the negotiation process with Iran, did not reflect reality. Davutoglu said he had a very constructive conversation with Clinton, adding that USA had asked for Turkey's support for EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton upcoming meeting with Irans Chief Nuclear Negotiator Saeed Jalili.

For his part, the Portuguese Minister Amado said that Turkeys has recent foreign policy has been high-level and active. Expressing his country's support for Turkey's EU bid, Amado said that Portugal hoped membership negotiations would be concluded as soon as possible.

[09] Davutoglu to attend Kabul conference together with the US Secretary of State and the UN Secretary-General

According to the paper, this is the second PRT Turkey has sent to Afghanistan, after its first successful PRT was established in Wardak province. PRTs focus on improving infrastructure and helping local Afghan authorities in administrative and security issues. Turkey dispatched an election-monitoring mission to Afghanistan to observe the presidential elections earlier this year, constituting the basis for the second PRT. On July 20, Davutoglu will attend the launch of the PRT in Jowzjan province on the sidelines of the international Kabul donor conference.

The Kabul Conference, scheduled for July 20-21, will draw foreign ministers from more than 60 nations to Afghanistan, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, to review government projects the international community hopes will kick-start the economy. Key issues to be discussed at the conference include the eventual handover of security in various parts of the country to the Afghan security forces; work to extend governance deeper into Afghanistans 34 provinces; the training of Afghan soldiers and police; anti-corruption measures; and the governments new program to get low to mid-level Taliban fighters to lay down their arms, the paper writes.

[10] Erdogan continues meetings with Turkish political parties; He met SP and BBP leaders

According to the paper, the recent escalation of terrorist violence topped the agenda of the meeting, but the upcoming referendum on the governments constitutional reform package was also among the issues discussed.

Speaking after the meeting, Kurtulmus said that he conveyed to Erdogan the partys proposed measures against terrorism. Stating that there has been a polarization in Turkey recently, Kurtulmus said all political parties should see terrorism as a national issue and contribute to a solution. We will vote yes on September 12 but on September 13 we will call for a new Constitution, Kurtulmus added.

The Prime Minister met BBP leader Topcu at the partys headquarters. Details of the meeting were not available, the paper notes.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 14 July 2010

Prime Minister Erdogan has finally understood that the government has to act in agreement with the opposition parties in the war on the PKK, emphasizes Hurriyet columnist Oktay Eksi and asserts that if Erdogan's new style leads to a national agreement on the fundamental principles of the war on terrorism, Turkey will cross the most important threshold. Referring to the reports that the United States has opened the airspace in northern Iraq to Turkish warplanes, Eksi refers to the Mas'ud Barzani factor and adds that though the Iraqi Kurdish leader does not want the PKK in northern Iraq, it will be wrong to expect him to extend de facto support to the war on the organization. Eksi predicts that in the days ahead Turkey will make the PKK rue the day it was born.

In an article in Vakit, columnist Serdar Demirel interprets Ozkoks recent article in Hurriyet which posed the question "whether the Turks have to coexist with the Kurds", as a disclosure that Turkey's "deep" Establishment, having realized that it is incapable of governing Turkey, will go so far as to partition the country in the name of retaining its hold on power. He also claims that the "dangerous front" of the CHP, MHP, BDP, the Labour Party, the Association of Justices and Prosecutors (YARSAV) the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) and "other pro-Ergenekon groups" against the constitutional amendment package, is trying to maintain the status quo because it is "alarmed" by Turkey's "growth trend" under the ruling AKP.

After accusing the Kurds of "separatism" for 25 years, the Turks have suddenly began to talk about the benefits of separation and to threaten the Kurds with division, maintains Ahmet Altan in Taraf. "There is no doubt that separation serves the interests of the Turks, he says and adds that if the Turks and the Kurds are to coexist, the Kurds will become equal citizens and if they are to separate, this should be carried out with compassion and conscience, emphasizes Altan.

b) Erdogans meetings with party leaders

Criticizing Erdogan for not meeting with the representatives of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) because they profit from terrorism, Oral Calislar in Radikal says this attitude will further escalate tension in the region and will legitimize PKKs actions. Calislar also criticizes the prime minister for exploiting tension in the region in view of the referendum.

c) Foreign policy / Erdogan's criticism against the UN Security Council / Iran's nuclear program

Writing in Hurriyet Tufan Turenc accuses the Turkish foreign minister is issuing almost jihad calls for Jerusalem and the Turkish prime minister is challenging the entire world for Iran at a time when the Arab regimes in the Middle East do not move their fingers for Palestine or Iran, and stresses that these sharp policies do not serve Turkey's interests. All the Arab regimes and especially Egypt and Syria do not approve of Turkeys fedayeen moves aiming to gain influence in the region Turenc says and adds that "this unnecessary firm stand eliminates Turkey's influence." The fact that other forces are mediating between Syria and Israel and the fact that HAMAS has asked Cairo to mediate in the talks with Fatah show that the AKP's Middle East policy has resulted in a fiasco, he concludes.

Erdogan's criticism against the UN Security Council certainly stems from the fact that Turkey and Brazil were isolated in the vote on the sanctions on Iran and from the Council's refusal to issue a resolution condemning Israel for the raid on Mavi Marmara, explains Semih Idiz in an article in Milliyet. If Prime Minister Erdogan intends to ignore the painful realities and turn this into a mission, Turkey will once again crash on the wall just like it did in the election of the NATO secretary general, the sanctions on Iran, and the resolution for the condemnation of the Mavi Marmara raid. "It is time we understand that the world which is under the control of very different dynamics does not shape in line with Turkey's wishes and groundless fears", Idiz concludes.

The AKP's fantasies about "zero problems with the neighbours," "Ottoman Peace," and "the leadership of the Muslim world" were short lived, maintains Ergin Yildizoglu in an article in Cumhuriyet and referring to AKP efforts to become a regional leader adds: "The Arab world, sometimes kindly and sometimes openly, has reminded the AKP that it is not looking for leaders." Also drawing attention to the fact that HAMAS has sought Egyptian mediation in the talks with Fatah, and Syria has called for US mediation in the talks with Israel, Yildizoglu stresses that now that an anti-Iran bloc is forming in the region, commentators have begun to underline that the AKP-Iran ties will cause problems for Turkey.

d) Interview with the Palestinian Presidents political adviser

Milliyet publishes an interview with Ahmad Abd al-Rahman, Palestinian President political adviser and former secretary general of the PLO, in which he talks about the plan to establish an independent Palestinian state in 2011. Rejecting accusations that Fatah is cooperating with Israel, al-Rahman also refers to the conflict with HAMAS and calls on the Turkish Government to end its friendship with HAMAS.

e) Turkey Participates in NATO manoeuvre in Armenia

Murat Yetkin reports in Radikal that Turkey will actively participate in a humanitarian aid manoeuvre organized by NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordinator Centre on 11-17 September. Preparations are on the way to open the Turkish border to Armenia for the passage of the vehicles during the manoeuvre, but diplomatic sources stressed that this does not mean that the borders will officially be opened. The same sources Yetkin adds, say that the NATO manoeuvre may improve the ties between Yerevan and Ankara.

f) Dursun Cicek indictment

In a front-page report, Yeni Safak criticizes the military prosecutor's indictment on an alleged anti-government plot called "Action Plan against religious reactionism" for citing Navy Captain Dursun Cicek as the only culprit in the preparation of the "coup memorandum" and "taking great pains to defend Cicek's superiors and the military and civilian officials who tried to implement the plan."

Under the headline, "They will hand over Cicek and get away with it," Zaman carries a front-page report asserting that the military indictment in the investigation into the "foul" anti-Government plot has confirmed a secret military whistleblower's allegation that military prosecutors would go out of their way to clear the top brass of the TSK from charges of involvement in the said plot and enable Cicek to get away with a light sentence.

g) A Coup?

Writing in Vakit Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that certain quarters are trying to force the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to stage a coup "in much the same way as Evangelicals are trying to force God to bring forward doomsday." He says that the TSK ability to carry out a coup is questionable in light of press reports about how senior commanders "mistake terrorists for peasants and peasants for terrorists" in the southeast, and the interception of a number of coup attempts in the recent past. Nevertheless, he warns, a "nutty" group of officers within the military might actually look into attempting a takeover out of fear their commanders will be "purged" from the army at the Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting in August.

h) Koran courses

In an article entitled "Going to war for Cyprus", Zaman columnist Ali Bulac blasts the ongoing "shameful raids" on Koran courses in northern Cyprus carried out by "members of a union" and argues that the restrictions on religious education in the northern part of the island have resulted in a situation where former Turkish "volunteers" in the 1974 military operation against the Greek Cypriots now doubt whether they would want to go to war for the sake of defending northern Cyprus. Bulac adds, "the most tragic question is this: Would you want to live in Turkish Cyprus, where the Koran and the Islamic headscarf are banned, or in Greek Cyprus, where they are not."

i) Constitutional amendments

In his article in Yeni Safak entitled "The no-vote alliance and a sickly attitude" Ali Bayramoglu finds it "pathetic" that "not a single leftist political party or organization has so far announced support for the constitutional amendment package" to be submitted to referendum in September. He sees apolitical considerations characterized by expediency behind this opposition.

Writing in Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru argues that in view of the referendum on constitutional amendments on 12 September, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) will be hard-pressed to conduct a successful no-vote campaign against the reform package based on what they might represent as the ruling AKP's hidden agenda in changing the Constitution. He claims that similarly the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) will have difficulty justifying its decision to "boycott" the referendum given that the package promotes freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law. He also calls on Prime Minister Erdogan to use "all his persuasion powers" to talk these three parties into supporting the amendments. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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