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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-08-10Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 150/10 10.08.10[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS
[B] TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESSStatements by the United Cyprus Party on the situation in the occupied areas and the Cyprus problem, a reply by Huseyin Ozgurgun to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou, an agreement signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime in the field of forestry, the economy in the occupied areas of the island and other internal issues are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today.[01] BKP says the occupied part of Cyprus has become the backyard of TurkeyTurkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.08.10) reports that Abdullah Korkmazhan, Organizing Secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), expressed the view yesterday that the occupied northern part of Cyprus has been turned into the backyard of Turkey with the new casinos which are opened every day, the night clubs, the offshore banks and the centres of money laundering.In a written statement, Korkmazhan said that a great erosion of the Turkish Cypriot community is being experienced and that the only way out is to reach an early solution to the Cyprus problem. Korkmazhan noted that a complete chaos exists in the economy, politics and society in the occupied part of Cyprus. He added that the change of the demographic structure with the systematic transfer of population, the process of assimilation [of the Turkish Cypriots] and the fact that the island is being given away to Turkish capital in the name of privatization of institutions which belong to Turkish Cypriots, are practices which aim at the division of the island and at turning it into Taiwan. He said that the Turkish Cypriot community is on the verge annihilation. (I/Ts.) [02] Ozgurgun: Link between Varoshia and Direct Trade Regulation unacceptableIllegal Bayrak television (09.08.10) reports on its website that self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun criticized the Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou on the issue of the fenced-off town of Varoshia.Ozgurgun said that attempts of launching initiatives out of the negotiation process, are harming the process, adding that this issue can only be solved through negotiations. He also warned that any initiatives in the international arena could intensify tensions on the island. Attempts by the Greek Cypriot Administration to establish links between the issues of Maras (fenced-off town of Varoshia) and the Direct Trade Regulation are unacceptable, said Ozgurgun. He added that the prospect of any concessions for the approval of the Regulation is out of question. Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side for disclosing the new proposals on Varoshia before these are brought to the table and warned that such statements poison the atmosphere of the talks. [03] Forestry protocol between Turkey and the breakaway regimeIllegal Bayrak television (09.08.10) reports on its website that a new protocol was signed between the breakaway regime and Turkey in the field of forestry.The self-styled minister of agriculture and natural resources Zorlu Tore and the Turkish Minister of Environment and Forestry Veysel Eroglu signed the protocol in Ankara on Monday. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Tore said: Our cooperation with the motherland will continue. We are both followers of a national cause. We are the defenders of the national cause in Cyprus. [04] New commander of the Turkish occupation army in CyprusTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.08.10) reports that lieutenant general Adem Huduti was appointed as the new commander of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus. Lieutenant general Huduti will replace lieutenant general Abdullah Recep who was appointed to the General Staff. General Receps duties in Cyprus end on 30 August 2010. General Hudutis previous appointment was at EDOK Schools Command (Training and Doctrine Command).(I/Ts.) [05] Trade unions turn down proposal to participate in the meeting of the 19 AugustTurkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.08.10) reports that the Trade Unions Platform did not find appropriate and turned down the proposal of the business sector to attend a meeting on 19 August in order to discuss the economic problems in the occupied areas of Cyprus.A statement on behalf of the Platform by Mehmet Ozkardas, chairman of the Civil Servants Trade Union (Kamu-Sen), said the trade unions called for communal mobilization in which all sectors of society will undertake their responsibility and not for a public sector mobilization which will restrict the rights of civil servants. Ozkardas said that restriction of the rights of civil servants is unacceptable in an environment where tax evasion reached great dimensions, companies belonging to some ministers report losses, politicians exert pressure on tax officers, the underground economy reached 70%, and culture has deteriorated because expenditure for education, health and infrastructure doubled or even trebled as a result of the uncontrolled flow of population. (I/Ts.) [06] Economic figures for the first quarter of 2010Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.08.10) refers to the economic report for the first quarter of 2010, released yesterday by the Central Bank of the breakaway regime. According the report, TRNC trade deficit was 308.9 million dollars, showing a reduction by 63.5 million dollars compared to the last quarter of 2009. Revenue increased by 3.42%, reaching 619.1 million Turkish Liras (TL), compared to 598.6 million TL in the first 3 months of 2009. On the other hand, expenditure for the same period was reduced by 6.38%, from 554.7 million TL to 519.3 million TL.Regarding the banking sector for the first quarter of 2010, the number of branches was reduced from 184 to 183, whereas personnel increased from 2,408 to 2,421. Moreover, the number of foreign travellers in the TRNC last year dropped by 1.03% compared to 2008, that is from 808,682 visitors in 2008, the number fell to 800,682 visitors in 2009. For the first quarter of 2010, foreign visitors reached 175,646, a 13.69% increase compared to 2009. Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.08.10) also reports that there is an increase in flight reservations in view of the month of Ramadan. The report indicates that TRNC nationals have lost interest in travelling abroad. According to tour operators, interest for overseas tours shows a 30-40% fall in compared to last year and this is due to high prices of airplane tickets and the problems with Cyprus Turkish Airlines. [07] Arts and Cultural Conference Centre at RizokarpasoTurkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (10.08.10) reports that the founding rector and chairman of the administration board of illegal Girne American University (GAU), Serhat Akpinar, announced that arts and cultural conference centre will be built in Rizokarpaso. Akpinar, who was visiting Rizokarpaso to inspect renovations works of the primary school, said that the centre, which will host social, cultural, artistic and scientific activities, will be an asset for Rizokarpaso.[B] TURKISH PRESSThe Turkish press refers to the ratification by President Abdullah Gul of the decisions of the Supreme Military Council's appointments, which were finally resolved after eight days of negotiations. It also reports on accusations by Esref Erdem, a former MP of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) that the new CHP chairman, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, plotted against the former party chairman Deniz Baykal. The papers also report about the debate on the Referendum on Constitutional Amendments to take place on 12 September. Various columnists also comment on the dinner hosted by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, for Turkish journalists on Saturday.[08] Turkish columnists comment on the ongoing Cyprus talksThe Turkish press continue to report on the dinner hosted by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, for Turkish journalists during which Eroglu briefed them on the ongoing talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem.In his article under the title Is Kosovo a model for north Cyprus, Muhmut Ovur reports on the issue in Sabah (10.08.10) and writes that Eroglu stressed during the meeting that the aim of the Turkish Cypriot side is a solution by the end of the year. Ovur writes that both European Union and United Nations officials insist on this as well, and adds: It is not clear if the Cyprus problem will be solved by the end of year. However, Eroglus reference to Kosovo gives a very important message. Under the title I will not be able to see the solution, will my grandchildren be able to see it?, Mehmet Yilmaz writes in Hurriyet (09.08.10) that the Greek side knows that the continuation of the Cyprus problem will lead to further poverty in the north and weariness in Turkey and that eventually a solution will stem from these necessities. However, the Greek side's calculations could be wrong, Yilmaz says and writes: "The court decision on Kosovo's independence might become a judiciary example for the TRNC. Under the title TRNC is concerned because of the Turkey-Israel relations, Semih Idiz in Milliyet (09.08.10) recalls that UK Prime Minister David Cameron stated during his Ankara visit that "Europe wants a serious improvement in the Cyprus issue by the end of this year," and asserts that it is unlikely that the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders will reach the desired outcome. Idiz adds that the Greek side, which relies on its EU membership, plays for time against Turkey, and rejects to set a deadline for the negotiations, is to blame. He also argues that the Turkish Cypriots are concerned that the deteriorating ties between Turkey and Israel will have a negative impact on the Israeli capital invested in northern Cyprus. Finally, under the title The Cyprus talks and Kosovo, Utku Cakirozer writes in Cumhuriyet (09.08.10) that Eroglu stated during the dinner that the property issue is the most difficult issue at the negotiations. Cakirozer writes that the November report of the United Nations Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer is very important. If Downer says in the report that the problem will not be solved with the methods used until today, as his predecessors did, it will be very important. This is because the report which accepts Kosovos independence says No possibility was left for an agreement between the sides, according to Cakirozer. [09] Turkey joins Arab Parliament as observerAnkara Anatolia news agency (09.08.10) reports from Damascus that Turkish Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee Chairperson Murat Mercan said Sunday a decision was taken during the Turkish-Arab Parliamentarians Dialogue meeting on Turkeys participation in the Arab Parliament as observer.Mercan said that the second meeting of Turkish-Arab Parliamentarians Dialogue, to take place in Kuwait (no date is given), would focus on issues such as the Cyprus problem and sweeping off nuclear weapons from the Middle East. The 22 Arab countries in the Arab League have each four representatives in the Arab Parliament, Mercan said. [10] Senior CHP deputy resigns after reform rift with partyUnder the above title Turkish daily Today s Zaman newspaper (10.08.10, online) reports that in protest of a Republican People's Party (CHP) move to refer him to the party's disciplinary board for expulsion, Eref Erdem announced on Monday that he has resigned from the main opposition party.Erdem was referred to the board last week after he declared that he will vote yes in the referendum on Sept. 12 for the constitutional amendment package. The declaration drew the ire of the CHP administration, which is staunchly opposed to the package. With Erdems resignation, the number of CHP seats in Parliament dropped to 102. Erdem said he would vote for the package because he is a democratic politician who has personally suffered from the 1980 military coup. The current Constitution was drafted during military rule in 1982. [11] Highlights 09 August 2010a) Assessment of YAS meetingIn his article in Yeni Safak entitled "Loyalty to Parliament and Government is an Honour for the Army", columnist Hakan Albayrak interprets Prime Minister Erdogan's objections at the recent YAS meeting to the promotion of certain generals charged with engaging in subversive activities, as a "clear message" to the TSK that: "It is an honour for the military to remain loyal to Parliament ... and the Government ...." Albayrak also hails the YAS meeting as "another historic step toward the construction of new Ankara." Zaman's Washington correspondent Ali H. Aslan, in his article under the headline "Military-Civilian Balance and the US", asserts that the military-civilian power struggle in Turkey, which "resurfaced during the YAS meeting," is not causing as much excitement in Washington as it used to. This, he argues, is because of the perception in the US capital that the TSK has for some time been losing ground against the political authority and that while it retains some of its political role, it has been deprived of much of its influence. He claims that the United States stopped endorsing military takeovers in Turkey following the end of the Cold War and that all future coups in this country would have to be anti-US. He also argues that the TSK's once disproportionate role in Turkey's governance resulted in a disproportionate Pentagon role in the formation of Washington's Turkey policy, adding that the increasing civilian control of the TSK will result in a corresponding increase in the influence of civilian decision makers in Washington in generating policies on Turkey. b) Was Imia incident a deep state manipulation? In his article in Vakit, columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that the 1996 crisis between Turkey and Greece over Imia might have been engineered by the Turkish "deep state" in collaboration with Greece, as part of an effort to use nationalistic sentiments to manipulate public opinion for political purposes. He claims that "the Turkish deep state is friendly with both the Greek deep state and the PKK" and argues that "intelligence support" for Turkey from Syria and Greece would go a long way toward revealing the PKK's "deep secret". He adds that if MIT is to address the problem of terrorism effectively, it should look into exchanging information with intelligence agencies in neighbouring countries as well as with NATO. c) Turkey's role in the diplomatic process in Iran not to be underestimated Omer Taspinar writes in Sabah that President Obama gave a clear message that the Iran policy of the Administration has begun to show results and that a diplomatic solution is still plausible, noting that the President's goal is to bring a weak Iran to the negotiating table. Taspinar opines that Turkey's role in this process could be to host the talks and concludes: "For Turkey, helping the diplomatic process will be a success that cannot be underestimated." d) UN Flotilla Incident Probe In her article in Milliyet, Asli Aydintasbas argues that the mission of the UN commission that will investigate the Gaza flotilla raid is ambiguous. Aydintasbas points out that both Israel and Turkey agreed to a UN commission under Washington's pressure and argues that the "midway" solution will inevitably cause trouble to the government, which formerly stated that the flotilla raid is "our 9/11" concludes. The opposition will censure the government for retreating, Aydintasbas. e) Referendum Yeni Safak hosts an interview with Ahmet Gundogdu, Chairman of the Confederation of Public Servants Unions, who discloses that they will vote in favour of the constitutional amendment package in the referendum on 12 September and start a campaign for a new constitution immediately after the referendum. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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