Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-10-20

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu accuses the EU of succumbing to Greek Cypriot pressures

[02] Turkish Cypriot press on EP Legal Affairs Committee decision on Direct Trade

[03] Ertug denied reports that a university campus will not be built in occupied Karpassia

[04] Hasan Bozer: bizonality, political equality and Turkeys guarantees - innocent demands for Turkish Cypriots

[05] CTA announce bankruptcy

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Filote on the decision of EP Legal Affairs Committee

[07] The Turkish press and the Direct Trade Regulation decision

[08] More Anthens-Ankara cooperation - stronger prospects for Cyprus settlement

[09] German President addresses Turkish parliament

[10] Turkish defence consultancy firm opens office in Washington

[11] A survey on party leaders popularity and performance

[12] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu accuses the EU of succumbing to Greek Cypriot pressures

Expressing its sorrow for the decision of the Committee, the statement said that as a result the Regulation cannot be implemented or at least it could not be implemented in a manner acceptable by the Turkish Cypriot people.

The statement argued that because of the process experienced during the last six years regarding the Direct Trade Regulation and the Financial Aid Regulation, the trust of the Turkish Cypriots to the EU in general and to some of its institutions in particular has been shaken.

The statement accused the EU of encouraging the non-solution policy in Cyprus, alleging that this stance and lack of will, will undoubtedly harden the position of the Greek Cypriot side which exhibits an intransigent attitude at the negotiating table.

The statement claims that this development proves that the EU cannot contribute positively to the ongoing talks under the auspices of the UN. According to the statement, the EU should re-examine its policy regarding a divided country which it has accepted as its member.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot press on EP Legal Affairs Committee decision on Direct Trade

Daily Vatan (20.10.10) covers the issue on its front page under the title The wish of the Greek Cypriots is realized. The paper writes that all the political groups in the Committee, except the Greens and the Liberals, voted in favour of the Greek Cypriot views on the issue of the Direct Trade Regulation. The paper notes that after this development, the possibility of the EP taking a positive decision for the Turkish Cypriots seems to be very far away. The paper writes that the Regulation has become ineffective.

Daily Gunes (20.10.10) refers to the issue under the front page-title The EU does not keep its word! and publishes the statement released by Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglus office on the decision.

Daily Star Kibris (20.10.10) covers the issue under the front-page title It made it itself and ruined itself.

Daily Ortam (20.10.10) refers to the issue under the front page title The Regulation has become a dream.

Daily Demokrat Bakis (20.10.10) covers the issue under the title The Trade Regulation postoponed.

Cyprus Today (Midweek) covers the issue on its front page under the title Ban on direct trade to stay.

Daily Kibris (20.10.10) covers the issue in its inside pages under the title Bad news!

Daily Yeni Duzen (20.10.10) refers to the issue in its inside pages under the title Presidency: The decision is encouragement to the non-solution policy

Daily Halkin Sesi (20.10.10) covers the issue in its inside pages under the title They killed the direct trade.

Daily Havadis (20.10.10) refers to the issue in its inside pages under the title Presidency: The decision taken on the trade regulation causes sorrow.

Daily Kibrisli (20.10.10) covers the issue in its inside pages under the title Legal cover to the direct trade.

Daily Haberdar (20.10.10) refers to the issue in its inside pages under the title It will create a crisis of trust.

Daily Yeni Volkan (20.10.10) covers the issue in its inside pages under the title Presidency: The decision taken on the legal ground of the Direct Trade Regulation causes sorrow.

Daily Afrika (20.10.10) does not refer to the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ertug denied reports that a university campus will not be built in occupied Karpassia

Pointing out that the reports in the Greek Cypriot press were deliberately distorted, he said that the Head of EC Representation in Cyprus Androulla Kaminara, violated professional ethics by publishing a confidential issue.

Commenting on the Cyprus negotiations process, Ertug said that the talks are moving at a slower pace than desired by the Turkish Cypriot side. He also complained that the Greek Cypriot side is not displaying the same goodwill as the Turkish Cypriot side.

Underlining the importance of the report to be prepared by the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser Alexander Downer in November, Ertug said that the report could have an impact on the negotiations.

[04] Hasan Bozer: bizonality, political equality and Turkeys guarantees - innocent demands for Turkish Cypriots

The speaker of the assembly also said that the struggle for existence waged by Turkish Cypriots is an important example that would go down in history. Pointing out that a bi-zonality is a natural right for the Turkish Cypriots, Bozer added that they will not sign any agreement which ignores their existence.

Ertan Ersan, chairman of the Society of Martyrs Families and Disabled War Veterans, said that the Greek Cypriot side is increasing its arms with modern weapons and added that the does not want to see a war in Cyprus again but desires a solution. Ertan Ersan also expressed support to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

(AK)

[05] CTA announce bankruptcy

Fikret Cavusoglu, the chairman of the Board announced the decision to proceed to controlled bankruptcy and that an application will be filed for liquidation today to the occupied Lefkosia District Court. Cavusoglu said debts amount to 140 million dollars adding that there are many reasons CTA has reached this point, like administration problems, embargos due to the non recognition of the TRNC and not taking the right decisions in time.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Filote on the decision of EP Legal Affairs Committee

The Commission takes note of the legal opinion of the Legal Service of the European Parliament and the vote on this opinion in the JURI committee in favour of the proposal to consider Article 1 (2) of Protocol 10 as the appropriate legal basis of the Direct Trade Regulation (vote: 18 in favour, 5 against and a few abstentions).

The Commission was asked already in 2004 unanimously by the Council to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot Community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development. Trade preferences are an important tool in this regard. In 2007, the Council unanimously concluded that work on the Commission proposal should resume without delay.

The only purpose of the proposal for the Direct Trade regulation is to establish trade preferences. However, it has been carefully drafted to ensure that it implies no recognition.

A comprehensive settlement would of course be the best solution and make any Direct Trade proposal redundant. The Commission invites all concerned parties to continue with courage the negotiation process.

Filote also said to ABHABER: We want the problem to be solved via the negotiation process. If the problem is solved, then there is no need for the Regulation. We invite both sides in Cyprus to find a solution on the Cyprus problem. We have returned recently from Cyprus. We saw that both leaders have a determined will to solve the problem. There is a chance for a Cyprus settlement until December. We are optimistic on this matter.

[07] The Turkish press and the Direct Trade Regulation decision

Cumhuriyet (19.10.10, online) under the title What the Greek Cypriots wanted, happened reports on the voting in the EP and the statement by Angela Filote.

EP submitted to Greek Cypriots is the title of Turkish daily Hurriyet (20.10.10, online), while daily Zaman (20.10.10, online) under the title EP did what the Greek Cypriots said, the Trade Regulation remained on the shelf comments that the regulation died for the second time, thus making it more difficult for Turkish ports to open for ships under Greek Cypriot flag.

[08] More Anthens-Ankara cooperation - stronger prospects for Cyprus settlement

Baydar suggested to his Greek friends that they should adopt new ways of thinking, adding: The more prosperous and self-confident Turkey is -- as seems to be case now -- the more independently it will reason and act. Can Turkey live with the Cyprus problem for a long time? Yes, it can. The wealthier it is, the easier it can finance North Cyprus.

Baydar further argues in his article that the crucial, principal points for reflection are : First, the EU must stop approaching Ankara, acting undecided about the prospect of full membership. Mixed messages, often aimed at domestic consumption, but also based on extreme prejudice, only make the Turkey-EU dialogue worse. Alienating Turkey and its people will have far-reaching consequences; it will not add to the strength of the EU.

The second has to do with the role of Greece in the Cyprus issue. Ever since Cyprus became -- with its chronic problems -- a full member of the EU, Athens has barely done anything to encourage Nicosia to work constructively toward a solution. It stood in the background saying: This is their problem. They must solve it. This was an act of hypocrisy because Athens archaically believed that the appetite for EU membership would lead Ankara to make unilateral concessions. But Ankara has shown that outside engagement can change parameters: the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government boldly made Rauf Denkta leave his post to Mehmet Ali Talat in 2004. It showed that when main lands become involved, the process can raise hopes.

It is time for Athens to stop the hypocrisy and adopt a new language. It is much weaker on the position to dictate conditions for Turkey. Greece, as is well known, does not enjoy a positive reputation within the bloc at the moment. Because of its tremendous economic mismanagement that threatens the EU, it has an issue of profound mistrust.

One way of repairing its image could easily be through engagement in Cyprus. Lifting the embargo on the North and opening of the ports must be in synch. The more in cooperation and pragmatic Athens and Ankara are on the issue, the stronger the prospects for regional security and a settlement on the island. Then they can make sure that it is understood clearly within the confused and prejudiced EU circles.

[09] German President addresses Turkish parliament

In his speech, President Wulff called for close cooperation with Turkey on issues that posed new threats against world peace. He said the invitation to visit the country is a testament of the close, deep and intense relations between the two countries, in fields such as economy, politics and science.

Wulff said that Germany has become the top European country to host the biggest number of Turks, and pointed out that the Germany has been the most important partner for Turkey for a long time, noting that Germany is the biggest market for Turkish exports and the second largest importer for Turkey.

Stating that Turkey and Germany are two important allies of NATO, Wulff recalled that during the Cold War Turkey specifically made contributions to maintaining freedom and security in Europe and added Turkey's share is also big in the reunification of Germany.

Touching on the Cyprus issue, Wulff underlined that the problem should be settled which he said would lead not only to the economic development of the island but also to good neighbourhood relations in the region.

[10] Turkish defence consultancy firm opens office in Washington

The company aims to ensure coordination between Turkey's Defence Ministry and Turkish Armed Forces, and the U.S. defence industry regarding defence projects to be carried out jointly by Turkey and the United States. It will also offer Turkish defence industry's products to the U.S. market, and boost cooperation and coordination between the defence industries of the two countries.

STM was established in 1991 to provide systems engineering, technical support, project management, technology transfer, logistics support services and to develop necessary software technologies for defence systems, to establish and operate national software centres for software development and maintenance/support.

[11] A survey on party leaders popularity and performance

The popularity assessment by month is as follows:

                                  May June July August September
Recep Tayyip Erdogan (AKP)       42.9 43.9 40.8  44.9    46.6
Kemal Kilicdaroglu (CHP)         38.6 40.8 39.4  37.3    30.2
Mustafa Sarigul (Mayor of Sisli) 32.2 26.9 24    24.8    23.8
Devlet Bahceli (MHP)             18   17.5 13.1  15.8    12.9
Numan Kurtulus (SP)*              1.5 11.5  7.6  13.5    11.2
Selahattin Demirtas (BDP)         7.9 11.1  6.9  8       10.6

*Kurtulus resigned from the Felicity Party on September and he is trying to form his own party now.

Regarding the satisfaction over the performance of political party leaders in Parliament the survey showed by month as follows:

                      May  June July August September
Recep Tayyip Erdogan  43   43.4 43.7  46      50.5
Kemal Kilicdaroglu    39.5 27.8 33.3  30.5    25.5
Devlet Bahceli        17.5 16.6 15.6  19      15.4
Selahattin Demirtas    9.5 11.5  7.6   9.6    11.2

[12] Highlights

a) Kurdish issue/KCK Trial

In an article in Milliyet, columnist Hasan Cemal views the KCK trial that has begun in Diyarbakir and argues that: "The door to peace can be opened only if you accept that the force you are fighting against is a reality. The PKK came into the scene because Turkey for years refused to accept the Kurdish reality and its requirements. Disagreeing with the approach that the Kurdish and the PKK issues can be separated from one another, Cemal concludes that the KCK trial is important from the viewpoint of severing the ties between the Kurdish issue and weapons and that of narrowing the paths that lead to the mountains.

In an article in Hurriyet, Fatih Cekirge recalls the manner in which the suspects in the case were detained (for 18 months) and the treatment they suffered, arguing that from the very beginning this case has created an image that has strained the channels of freedom, human rights, and democracy.

Writing in Referans, Cengiz Candar points out that Hatip Dicle's declaration that the defence would be made in Kurdish at the KCK trial, has underlined that this is a political case. Noting that the trial has already gained an international dimension and will be the measure of Turkish democracy and of its adherence to the principles of a state of law, Candar writes that if the suspects are released with an interim decision to be made on 11-12 November, the hopes for a solution to the Kurdish issue will increase.

Rusen Cakir argues in Vatan that with the KCK trial it is clear that the state has once again undermined itself adding: "Given the stage reached today, it is clear that the KCK operations have strengthened the KCK, the BDP [Peace and Democracy Party], and the PKK." Cakir notes that it is impossible for the PKK to lay down its arms on its own volition without a sense of trust between the state and the Kurdish movement. The government was persuaded that the arrest of the hawks within the Kurdish movement would pave the path of the doves, explains Cakir, wondering whether those who proposed this "magic formula" were acting on goodwill or were intentionally trying to derail the overture.

In an article in Taraf, Kurtulus Tayiz assesses the KCK trial and says that: one point of view is that KCK is a 'deep' organization used to create disturbances and chaos streets, adding we can say that this is the official point of view. The defenders of the view are in favour of continuing with the KCK operations. The second point of view considers the KCK to be the legal extension of the PKK in Turkey and that it can be a bridge for the PKK's transition to legal politics, argues Cekirge and adds: Its path should be cleared instead of being obstructed. No politician should be accused and detained because of his relations with the KCK." Detailing the indictment prepared against the KCK, Tayiz argues that the KCK trial has strengthened the separatist and rebellious elements within the Kurdish movement, concluding that this development was the last thing Turkey should have aspired to.

b) HSYK elections

In an article in Milliyet, Taha Akyol views the recent elections in the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors, (HSYK), and calls on the Association of Judges and Prosecutors, (YARSAV), to be more concrete in its accusations that the elections were tampered with. Akyol urges YARSAV to come up with proofs with regards to its allegations.

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Cuneyt Ulsever assesses the HSYK elections in which the candidate list supported by the Justice Ministry won in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Cuneyt Ulsever argues that the independence of the judiciary has ended with these elections, concluding: "Welcome to civilian tutelage!"

c) Missile shield project

Sami Kohen writes in Milliyet that: "Discussions on establishing an anti-ballistic missile shield within the framework of NATO has demonstrated that there are profound differences of views between Turkey and its western allies on the issue of 'threat perception'".

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Yusuf Kanli views Turkey's eventual decision on the deployment of a missile shield in its territory as "a choice between the bad, worse and worst options" and argues that the deployment of such a shield will seriously damage Turkey's relations with Syria and Iran. On the other hand, a no to the shield will boost the perception that Turkey is no longer a trustworthy ally, notes the writer, underlining that "Turkey has to calculate well the political cost before making an eventual decision."

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Sertac Aktan views the forthcoming November NATO Heads of States Summit to be held in Lisbon and the top agenda of the missile defence system the US wants to deploy, and writes: "It currently looks as though Washington still sees Turkey as the most geo-strategically logical place to deploy the system and expects Turkey to agree to the prospective NATO project." Viewing the option of Turkey agreeing to vote in favour of the system but rejecting to becoming its host, Aktan underlines that this will still be a 'win-win' situation for every party.

In an article in Todays Zaman entitled "How will Turkey find a face-saving Formula on the Missile Shield?", columnist Lale Kemal asserts that "with Turkey having entered ... an atmosphere of national elections," the ruling AKP is likely to be hard-pressed to "sell to the public the idea of being part of the [proposed Western] missile shield" against Iran. She also claims that the Government has to find "a face-saving formula" to agree to US demands for permission to deploy "what will most likely be radar" on Turkish soil in order to avoid "further agitating its close ally, the US."

In an article in Today's Zaman columnist Ergun Babahan asserts that the missile defence systems that the United States wants installed in Turkey are "basically" aimed at "protecting Israel." He claims that the "NATO plan" to include Turkey in the anti-missile programme "creates complications for Turkey's foreign policy of having zero problems with neighbours" and calls on NATO to "develop a formula that will convince [Turkey's] general public." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article