Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-04-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan called for Armenians to apologize to Turkey.

[02] Erdogan: 'We do not act with the mentality of fringe groups'.

[03] Ankara Anatolia reports that Algeria supports Turkey over the Cyprus problem.

[04] HURRIYET´S correspondent in Brussels speaks of EU plan to penalise one of its member states by promoting the crimes Turkey has been committing in the Republic of Cyprus for 31 years.

[05] Cyprus Health Minister Andreas Gavrielides ready to extend every assistance to young Turkish girl Emine suffering from Leukemia.

[06] KIBRISLI newspaper argues that UEFA has asked the Cyprus Football Federation to work for a common football league with the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus.

[07] Turkey tries to get OIC's support regarding the latest developments of the Cyprus problem.

[08] Angolemli: 'The "TRNC" is the status quo'.

[09] More on the use of the occupied by Turkish troops part of Cyprus as transit for trafficking human beings to Europe.

[10] Trabzon governor blames the relatives of prisoners for lynching incident.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Commentary in OZGUR POLITIKA argues that the wave of racism in Turkey is state-government sponsored.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan called for Armenians to apologize to Turkey

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said that we must not confuse the concept of Kurds with the concept of PKK and noted that viewing all the Kurdish citizens of Turkey as terrorists will be wrong. He noted: 'Let us not be tricked. The Western countries are exploiting that.' Stressing that the republic's citizenship is the supra-identity in Turkey, he added: 'We will not adopt a nationalist approach based on regional racism and religion.'

Erdogan drew attention to the country's indivisible integrity, saying: 'However, there are elements which make an effort to divide our country. Various elements in the West are trying to achieve that. If a desire exists to sacrifice the EU for that purpose, then I am sorry to say that we do not have such a problem.'

Commenting on the Armenian issue, Erdogan said: 'The government and the opposition challenged the claims. We are opening all the state archives. Everyone should come and study the documents. If an act of genocide was committed in the past, then we will be prepared to account. However, the Armenians must be prepared to account for their history if an act of genocide was not committed.'

Erdogan said that a letter has been drawn up in connection with the Blue Book on the Armenian allegations and noted that it will be signed by 550 deputies in the parliament. Erdogan said that the letter will be conveyed to the two houses of the British parliament. In a sense, it will call for an apology to Turkey. The copies of the same letter will be conveyed to the 11 countries that have taken the book as a reference.

[02] Erdogan: 'We do not act with the mentality of fringe groups'

Replying to a question on the Cyprus problem, Mr Erdogan said that they do not act with the mentality of fringe groups and added: 'The "TRNC" has been exposed to international isolation for years. Any country, except for Turkey, does not recognize the "TRNC'. Our government has been carrying out great efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue. 65% of Turkish Cypriots supported the Annan plan at the referendum on April 24th, 2004. They displayed their will for a solution.'

[03] Ankara Anatolia reports that Algeria supports Turkey over the Cyprus problem

'It has been ascertained during Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's official visit to Algeria that President Buteflika supports Turkey on the Cyprus problem. Algeria, which is a member of the UN Security Council, supports the Turkish side's views in the process that is maintained to solve the Cyprus problem. President Abdelaziz Buteflika said: "We are aware that the Turkish side has done everything it was expected to do. We will do everything we can to contribute to the effort that is made to safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriots."

During yesterday's talks, Buteflika proposed the "revival of the strong and tolerant Ottoman understanding." Pointing to the British Commonwealth as an example, he said: "Algeria is not just like any other country. Do not view it that way. We have never treated the Ottoman people with contempt. We were a part of the Ottoman Empire. We wanted you [Ottomans] to come. We did not want you to leave. Can we not revive the strong and tolerant Ottoman understanding between us?"

Asserting that they want the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency to open an office in Algeria, Buteflika said that Turkey can open to Africa through his country.

The Algerian officials noted during the talks that they want their country to cooperate with NATO. The Turkish officials responded by saying that Turkey supports the extension of NATO's sphere of security to the area.

The two sides reached an agreement on military training for Algeria.

Significant attention was focused on the improvement of economic and trade relations between Turkey and Algeria. It has been reported that the drawing up of an agreement for friendship and cooperation and an agreement for free trade between the two sides should be finalized by Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Algeria in September.

It has also been reported that initiatives will be made to solve problems related to letters of guarantee for banks.

The secretary general of the African Union attended the luncheon at the presidential palace. Foreign Minister Gul invited him to visit Turkey. In return, the secretary general invited Gul to the summit of the African Union in July'.

[04] HURRIYET´S correspondent in Brussels speaks of EU plan to penalise one of its member states by promoting the crimes Turkey has been committing in the Republic of Cyprus for 31 years

'With a view to bringing the Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, to the negotiation table, the EU Commission and the European Parliament, (EP) are preparing a joint plan.

The plan which also envisages to isolate Papadopoulos, considers to establish a link between Turkey´s opening of its ports to the Greek Cypriot ships on the one hand, and starting of direct trade with the `TRNC´, on the other, and if need be in the name of Turkey being a step ahead, Turkey might withdraw a certain number of troops from Cyprus as a good will gesture.

The intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot section, has forced the EU to draft a plan in order to force for a settlement´.

The tripod plan, being drafted by the EU Commission in cooperation with the European Parliament (EP) is aimed at bringing Papadopoulos to the negotiation table. Plans are being made to make Papadopoulos, gradually 'a lonely man' within the EU. The short and medium-term plan that demands support from Turkey is as follows:

Subtitle: Short-term

Two `TRNC´ - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus deputies with `observer´ status to be in the European Parliament, (EP).

Releasing 259 million Euro financial assistance envisaged for the `TRNC´ and preparation of a new financial program by the EU-Commission.

Searching for a timetable for direct trade and a formula for direct flights.

Holding of an extraordinary special Cyprus session by the EP and extending support to the Annan plan.

To create necessary conditions so that EU leaders will take a stance against Papadopoulos, and to single out the Greek Cypriot leader within the EU.

Subtitle: Medium-Term

To make AKEL, which helped Papadopoulos to be president, to change its stance.

Turkey´s opening of its ports to Greek Cypriot ships should follow simultaneous resumption of direct trade between the EU and the `TRNC´.

Drawing up a strategy which will minimize `the Greek Cypriots´ EU membership advantage´ which is the major reason of the Greek Cypriots´ non-solution policy.

Appointment of a `Special Representative´ within the EU, and his contribution to the UN-lead negotiations.

Subtitle: Demands from Turkey and the `TRNC´

The EU demands from Turkey and the `TRNC´ to continue their positive stance befitting to the Annan´s plan spirit. Turkey to chart its policy based on the United Cyprus Republic which would be established in the future. The EU thinks that this will be a vehicle to exert pressure on the Greek Cypriots.

The `TRNC´ should remove the visa system, open more crossing points, clear the mines on the Green Line.

In order to be a step ahead, if need be, to make a gesture and withdraw certain number of troops'.

[05] Cyprus Health Minister Andreas Gavrielides ready to extend every assistance to young Turkish girl Emine suffering from Leukemia

'First of all we will try to find out who are the donors who match to Emine. The donors could be Greek as well as Turkish Cypriots, we do not know yet. If the donors´ health allow for the bone marrow transplanting this will be carried out immediately. If everything goes all right, this operation will be finished in a few days', the Minister concluded.

HURRIYET further reports that the good news that the process of bone marrow transplanting to Emine has started was heralded by Dr Paul Costeas, the chairman of the Bone Marrow Bank in the free areas, to Prof. Dr Mahmut Carin, the Chairman of the Bone Marrow Bank of the Istanbul University, Faculty of Medicine.

Dr Carin said that Dr. Costeas had contacted him by phone and told him that they don´t want to make this issue a political issue and that advanced laboratory work had already started.

Moreover Turkish Cypriot English daily 'CYPRUS TIMES' (12.04.05), reports that 'Kemal Saracoglu Children with Lukemia Foundation' chairman, Mr Sua Saracoglu, has announced in the occupied area that there will be no problems for the transportation of the donor and they had arranged a similar transportation a few years ago.

[06] KIBRISLI newspaper argues that UEFA has asked the Cyprus Football Federation to work for a common football league with the Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus

Invoking reliable sources, KIBRISLI exclusively reports that after the Nea Salamina Yeni Cami bi-communal football game 'some important developments are taking place for overcoming the obstacles on the issue of football in Cyprus'.

The paper writes that during a meeting which the chairman of KOP, Mr Kostas Koutsokoumnis had in Europe with UEFA officials, the international organization warned KOP to undertake the necessary initiatives on this issue as soon as possible.

KIBRISLI adds, inter alia, the following:

'According to the acquired information, the UEFA officials gave the message to the chairman of KOP to "sit at the table with the Turkish Cypriot officials and solve the issue or else we are going to solve it'. In case the Greek Cypriot Federation does not undertake the necessary initiatives on the issue of overcoming the problem, UEFA could give some special permits to the Turkish Cypriot Federation on the issue of the foreign contacts. Meanwhile, according to the acquired information, the proposal of a common league where some teams from both communities in Cyprus will be participating was brought onto the agenda during the meeting KOP chairman held with the UEFA officials. After the meeting of KOP chairman Koutsokoumnis with the UEFA officials, it was made known that the issue of a new meeting of the two Federations came onto the agenda. Most likely, Omer Adal and Koutsokoumnis will be meeting again within the next days'.

[07] Turkey tries to get OIC's support regarding the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

Mr Ihsanoglu stated that a certain number of efforts have been made by Turkey to safeguard OIC's support towards the latest developments of the Cyprus problem.

Mr Ihsanoglu also noted that for the first time the 'minister of foreign affairs' of the pseudostate Serdar Denktas visited the OIC upon an invitation and also it was achieved made possible for the so-called minister of sports to participate in a meeting of the Islamic Countries Sports Ministers.

[08] Angolemli: 'The "TRNC" is the status quo'

Stressing that the "TRNC" is the status quo, Mr Angolemli said that the fact that Eroglu and Denktas are removed from their positions and someone else is coming to replace them, it does not mean that the status quo is demolished.

Mr Angolemli, who reminded that today's state structure is outside of the international law, criticised the leader of the Republican Turkish Party Mehmet Ali Talat of 'doing his jobs with command' and added that 'It creates a negative effect to see that the era of the control from distance will continue'.

[09] More on the use of the occupied by Turkish troops part of Cyprus as transit for trafficking human beings to Europe

The paper reports that according to confidential sources, there could be more arrests in connection with the case and the number could go as high as 50. The same sources say that even high-ranking 'police officers' could be involved in the crime committed.

Thirteen of the 23 arrested were brought to the 'court' yesterday. The so-called Judge Peri Hakki ruled that all suspects should remain under custody for a further seven days.

[10] Trabzon governor blames the relatives of prisoners for lynching incident

'The governor of the Black Sea province of Trabzon has accused members of a prisoners´ support group of bringing on themselves an attack Sunday by a mob trying to stop them from reading out a press statement.

'Governor Huseyin Yavuzdemir blamed the Remand Prisoners and Inmates Families Association (TAYAD) for causing public disorder, adding that the group insisted on carrying out these types of activities.

Members of TAYAD were beaten when they attempted to read out a message of support for five other persons who were nearly lynched in Trabzon on April 6 when they tried to hand out leaflets calling for reforms in Turkey's prisons.

Yavuzdemir said that that these kinds of actions would be responded to by the justice system.

'We have to be patient and see the outcome of the judiciary,' the governor said. Yavuzdemir added that while no one has the right to replace and act as justice nor did anyone have the right to breach the peace of the Turkish nation.

The Trabzon governor called on people not to respond to provocation.

Also on Monday, a group of 100 members and supporters of TAYAD gathered in front of the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul before marching to the nearby courthouse to apply to prosecutors to release the five persons detained during the April 6 incident to be freed.

The group, which was carrying placards similar to those of the TAYAD members in Trabzon calling for an end to isolation in prisons, also applied for a court case to be opened by prosecutors against the Interior Minister, the Governor of Trabzon, the province's Chief of Police, the Chief of the General Staff, certain public servants and police who were on duty on April 6 and the local Trabzon television station for attempted murder'.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Commentary in OZGUR POLITIKA argues that the wave of racism in Turkey is state-government sponsored

'The wave of racism in Turkey is growing bigger with each passing day. The flag incident, which hit the agenda together with the announcement published by the Turkish General Staff after the Newroz celebrations in Mersin, has been turned into a wave of complete racism by the press and many profiteering circles including certain politicians and fascist power centers. How much its consequences were considered is unknown but with this announcement you can see that racism has spread all over Turkey. Yesterday it was Mersin and today similar provocations are taking place in Trabzon.

There have been one-sided efforts for social peace and fraternity in Turkey going on for a long time now. No matter how great the stubborn efforts are to keep up these meaningful efforts conducted by the Kurdish people and the democratic forces the number of those wishing to sabotage these efforts or hold them up in some way is not small. It would not be correct to make generalizations here but when the basic policies pursued by both the State and the government are looked at it is not hard to see that they contain approaches that are far from achieving a solution and that are based on the mentality of denial and elimination. This being the case it is like all their birthdays have come at once for those circles wishing to make political and economic capital out of this.

The images from Trabzon the other day that made it to the press are very thought provoking. This was the first time a lynching incident took place outside of Kuirdistan or areas where the Kurds live in large numbers. It is interesting that it took place in Trabzon, where there are more Laz than Turks. However, it is obvious that the incident was not spontaneous. First and foremost these four persons are members of the Remand Prisoners and Inmates Families Association (TAYAD) and have lived in Trabzon for many years. Furthermore, this is not the first time they have been handing out pamphlets. For years now just like other NGOs they have been conducting various activities trying to draw attention to the rights violations going on in the prisons. Whether or not the people support this work is another matter. However, the point that must be seen here is this: It was the State's police that initiated the incident. If the police had not brutally attacked these people for distributing pamphlets without permission would the people have gotten so worked up.

It can be seen from this incident that attempts are being made to create a chauvinist and nationalist wave all over Turkey through the special efforts of racist and other profiteering sectors. It was Turkey's General Staff that first declared the aim here. After this the fascists, racketeers and accomplices of the State began to attack. The point they all agree on is Kurd hatred.

No matter how full of common sense the government's statements are today you have to see that they are meaningless because the government's racist policies are partially to blame for this kind of provocation. This wave was not the result of direction given by a few fascist generals or fascist groups. The government and the military are in consensus over the Kurdish problem. Both institutions are doing all they can to sabotage the Kurds' efforts at peace and fraternity. They are still continuing to do this. Not only the provocations but the military operations being conducted in many areas of Kurdistan are proof of this.

The peoples living in Turkey must see these incidents for what they are and take a stand accordingly'.

/SK

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