Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-08-09

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu: If there is no agreement, everyone will go their own way

[02] Kokkina incidents praised

[03] Turkish journalists question Eroglu on Kosovo

[04] Turkish Cypriot professor says more population will come to the occupied areas of Cyprus from Turkey

[05] Casinos contributed 400 million dollars to the economy of the breakaway regime

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Greek Cypriots not bringing feasible proposals to negotiation table

[07] Turkish government, military reach deal over top posts

[08] Turkish and Arab lawmakers discussed Cyprus problem

[09] Highlights 6-8 August 2010

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu: If there is no agreement, everyone will go their own way

He also said that if there is no agreement, everyone will go their own way and the Turkish Cypriots will cease to be the victims of the absence of a solution, as it has often been stated by officials and institutions in Turkey.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot Vatan newspaper (08.08.10) writes that during the opening of the 50th annual Galateia (Mehmetçik) Grape Festival, Eroglu said that the negotiation talks aimed at reaching a settlement and assured that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots were being safeguarded in the process. He added that: We dont want to have just any solution. The bitter experiences which followed the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 and the suffering our people had to endure, are kept in mind when negotiating.

[02] Kokkina incidents praised

The self-styled prime minister 0rsen Kucuk, in a written message, said that Kokkina resistance was a glorious struggle waged by the Turkish Resistance Organization (TMT) to secure continuation of the existence of the Turkish Cypriots on the island .

Noting that Kokkina was the doorway for the Turks of Cyprus to Anatolia that allowed them to continue their struggle for existence, Kucuk praised the bonds established between the Turks of Cyprus and Anatolia. Kucuk concluded, emphasizing the fact that the Kokkina resistance was successful thanks to the bombardments by motherland Turkey.

On the same issue, political parties, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations have also issued various messages.

The Democratic Party (DP) said that Kokkina resistance is the most important resistance in the villages history as it was a united effort waged by the Turkish Cypriots and motherland Turkey. Noting that this struggle also showed that the Turkish Cypriots would never accept slavery or captivity the DP concluded that Motherland Turkey will never abandon the Turks of Cyprus and will always protect the existence of Turkish people in Cyprus.

Turgay Avc1, leader of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), in his message said the Turks of Cyprus are able to live freely and in sovereignty on their own lands because of Kokkina . He concluded that the Turks of Cyprus will never allow the Greek Cypriot Administration to damage their relations with Turkey.

[03] Turkish journalists question Eroglu on Kosovo

Commenting on the issue, Kibris journalist, Mehmet Hasguler, who also present, reports in his column that one of the most interesting aspects of the meeting was the fact that the Turkish journalists insisted on asking about Kosovo. Hasguler writes that the negotiators of the Cyprus talks, who also attended the dinner, were very cautious. Commenting on Kosovo, Eroglu only said: I hope that the lesson has been learnt by those who ought to learn it.

It is obvious that the Turkish side follows closely the Kosovo issue. But for the time being it does not talk about it, writes Hasguler.

(CS)

[04] Turkish Cypriot professor says more population will come to the occupied areas of Cyprus from Turkey

In an interview with journalist Aysu Basri Akter, Volkan, who worked on the psychology of problematic areas in the world such as Israel, Ossetia, the Armenian problem and the Kurdish identity and has been advisor of US Presidents, noted that the identity problems experienced in Turkey will be reflected in [the occupied part of] Cyprus as well.

Volkan expressed the view that Cyprus is not on the agenda of the world now because there have been no bloody conflicts on the island for many decades. He argued that the Greek Cypriots do not want to create a Cypriot nation with the Turkish Cypriots. We will become trouble for them, because the population of Turkey has grown so much that they are afraid, he added.

Referring to the relations between Turkey and the occupied areas of Cyprus, Volkan stressed that the economy and the foreign policy in the occupied areas is totally dependant on Turkey. He noted: Many people will come here form Turkey. Wealthy people are also coming now. They are making millions of dollars worth of investments. Referring to the nationalists who support unification with Turkey, Volkan said this is in fact unification.

On the issue of building mosques in the occupied areas of Cyprus, Volkan expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriots have so many problems which cannot be solved with the building of mosques. I think that they should not do this. This is a reflection of the confusion which exists in Turkey, he noted. He pointed out that the old Ottoman model is being created in Turkey, where it is as if that the Government co-exists with the Caliphate.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Casinos contributed 400 million dollars to the economy of the breakaway regime

(I/Ts.)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Greek Cypriots not bringing feasible proposals to negotiation table

Eroglu said that because they want negotiations to pick up where they left off, they agreed to start off with property issues so as to avoid rejecting Cyprus President Demetris Christofias offer. But one day after negotiations began on the controversial property issue, the reflection of these talks in the Greek media led to mutual accusations and prevented the talks from proceeding in a healthy manner, he noted.

Noting that while not a single word was to be found on the details of the negotiations in the Turkish press and despite the fact that a general framework had not been agreed upon, Eroglu said that the topics and documents on the negotiating table were published in the Greek media. The Turkish side views this situation as a sign of insincerity on the Greeks part, Eroglu said, adding that the TRNC has good intentions and is exerting all its efforts toward finding a peaceful solution.

Eroglu said the Turkish sides sincerity and care when it comes to these issues has been commended by special UN representative to Cyprus Alexander Downer and other international organizations. Emphasizing that in September the two sides are going to share their broad proposals on the property issues, Eroglu stressed that October and November would mark reaching an important level in the negotiations. He added that around that time Downer would be preparing a report on the two sides progress, to be presented to the UN Secretary-General.

Eroglu said the Greek side insisted upon an irrational proposal when it came to the subject of property sharing. Their approach, which favours former property owners despite the passage of 35 years, contradicts both the Annan plan and rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, he said.

Exchange and compensation mechanisms can also be deployed, along with the return of property Eroglu said noting: According to the Greek proposal, which emphasizes the former property owners, there are no rights for the new residents of, say 30-40 unit apartment complexes that have been built on land that was only a field 35 years ago. If the former owner of the field wants to pay for the development of the property and become its owner, then those 30-40 families become tenants in their homes. This is not an acceptable, rational proposal. It goes against the Annan plan and European court decisions. What were saying is that we should put a percentage on the property development figure; lets give some rights of choice to the new owners who have developed that immovable property above a certain percentage. If you keep giving these rights to the original owners without looking at the development percentage -- knowing that society will not look kindly upon this, will not accept this -- then youre not going to reach any agreement here.

Recalling that Europe has significant experience when it comes to dealing with such issues, Eroglu said: You cant ignore rights that have been created as time goes by. The ground were standing upon [in our perspective] is confirmed by the European Court.

Asked by Todays Zamans about the discovery of the remains of his brother-in-law earlier this year, Eroglu said: The weight of conscience drives individuals to tip off the commission, and the graves of missing persons are thereby found. But because the number of those who were alive in those days is decreasing, confessions and tips are becoming less frequent.

[07] Turkish government, military reach deal over top posts

Gen. Is1k Kosaner was appointed as the new chief of the Turkish General Staff and Gen. Erdal Ceylanoglu as the new commander of the Land Forces.

The appointments were made public after a meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Palace between President Abdullah Gul, former chief of General Staff Gen. 0lker Basbug and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul.

Born in the western province of 0zmir in 1945, Gen. Kosaner graduated from the War Academy of the Land Forces in 1978. He served as commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in northern Cyprus, commander of the Aegean Army and as deputy chief of the General Staff. Gen. Kosaner was appointed commander of the Gendarmerie Forces in 2006 and commander of the Land Forces in 2008.

Gen. Ceylanoglu was born in the central province of Kayseri in 1945. He graduated from the War Academy of the Land Forces in 1976 and was appointed as the commander of the Land Forces Training and Doctrine Command in 2007.

[08] Turkish and Arab lawmakers discussed Cyprus problem

Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Panel Chairman Murat Mercan headed the Turkish delegation in the two-day Damascus meeting.

The Turkish and Arab lawmakers are discussing ways to boost political, economic and cultural relations as well as issues such as the Cyprus problem, regional security, nuclear energy issue in the Middle East, environment, water and energy resources.

[09] Highlights 6-8 August 2010

Fehmi Koru writing in Yeni Safak (08.08.10) draws attention to the opposition stand and statements regarding the Supreme Military Council, (YAS) meetings which, he says, is very important for Turkey's political future. Finding the reaction of Republican People's Party, (CHP) leader Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Action Party (MHP), leader Bahceli shallow and simplistic, Koru argues that what the government wants is for General Basbug to fulfill a promise he has frequently made, that of purging the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) of anti-democratic tendencies.

Writing in Vakit (08.08.10) Hasan Karakaya says that the reason for General Isik's retirement request was not sentimental and based on his friendship with General Igsiz. He also writes that on the third day of the YAS meetings Basbug and Igsiz, held a secret meeting in which they discussed the possibility of mass resignations but instead opted for pressuring Isik to retire.

In an article in Zaman (08.08.10) Mumtaz Turkone writes that the appointment of a general who had launched a campaign to discredit the government to the Ground Forces Command was not permitted and the continuation of military tutelage was prevented. The army is being removed from all fields it has no business to be and the state is being passed on to the hands of the people, asserts Turkone.

Ali Atif Bir in Bugun (07.08.10) interprets Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kilicdaroglu's remarks about not interfering in the established practices of the army, to mean that the army should not change, that it should intervene in politics, and that it should, from time to time, continue to stage coups. Reminding Kilicdaroglu that had the CHP acted according to its established practices, Deniz Baykal would have been elected the party leader, Bir continues: This means that one has to go beyond certain established practices to bring about a change! () There might be those who will resort to more 'legal' channels to try their chances.

Hurriyet (06.08.1) columnist Oktay Eksi commenting on tension observed between the government and the military during the recent meetings of the Supreme Military Council calls on high-level military officials to discuss the need for a reform in the military in order to ensure that promotions are based on merit rather than seniority.

b) Referendum- Constitutional amendments

An article by Resul Tosun in Yeni Safak (06.08.10) writes that the 12 September referendum will be a significant turning point in the country's democratization process. He added that the common denominator of those casting a negative vote in the referendum is their opposition to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Describing the amendments in the package as changes that will benefit the people and not the AKP, Tosun argues that those with common sense cannot object to articles 5, 6 and 7 of the package that deal with syndical rights. Quoting from the amendments, the writer underlines that constitutional guarantees are introduced to the right of civil servants to conclude collective wage agreements. These amendments might not be enough but they certainly are an improvement, concludes the writer, urging all to vote in favour of the package.

c) Kurdish Problem

Yeni Safaks (07.08.10) Kursat Bumin in an article agrees with Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir that it is impossible to resolve the Kurdish problem with any formula other than the one entailing autonomy and wonders why the mention of autonomy disturbs the state and a certain sector of the society to such an extent. Bumin agrees with Radikal columnist Erdem that Baydemir's remarks on autonomy are not wrong but incomplete, adding what should be done now is to try to understand Baydemir and to try to develop and enrich those proposals in line with the practices in civilized countries. In conclusion, Bumin writes: If you insist in not recognizing 'cultural autonomy' then you will be faced with the demand for 'administrative autonomy.' If you resist that demand as well, you will be faced with 'political autonomy,' in other word 'independence.' Now the choice is yours.

d) Cyprus

Milliyet (07.08.10) in an article entitled Reform and Presidential System in KKTC publishes an article by columnist Metin Munir who argues that Turkish Cypriots must carry out radical political and economic reforms, including the adoption of a presidential system, offering attractive investment opportunities, and cutting down on public spending in order to become self-dependent.

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