Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-12-15

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CIA chief concluded his contacts in Ankara

[02] NATO Secretary General to visit Ankara

[03] General Buyukanit is continuing his contacts in Washington

[04] Turkish press reports on scenarios of possible air attacks against Syria and Iran

[05] Summary of reports on Mr Gossī visit to Turkey as published in the New Anatolian

[06] Aksam newspaper links the Kurdish state scenario to Cyprus

[07] Turkish Foreign Ministry on the EU Financial Aid Regulation for the Turkish Cypriots

[08] Mr Talat on the financial regulation. He wants direct relations of the occupied areas with the EU

[09] More than 90 % of the tourist installations in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus are usurped Greek Cypriot properties; Reactions on the draft-law regarding the properties continue

[10] The occupation regime to precipitate in two fairs which are going to take place in Austria and India

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] The role of Turkey in a possible operation against Syria was taken up during the CIA chiefs visit to Ankara

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] CIA chief concluded his contacts in Ankara

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Porter Goss departed from Ankara on Wednesday after concluding his contacts.

Goss did not make any statement to the press at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.

Within the scope of his visits in Ankara, Goss was received by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and met Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Emre Taner as well as Security Department Director General Gokhan Aydiner.

[02] NATO Secretary General to visit Ankara

NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer will pay a working visit to Turkey next week, said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan on Wednesday.

In his weekly press conference, Tan stated that Scheffer was expected to arrive in Ankara on Sunday.

According to Tan, Scheffer is scheduled to meet Turkish Foreign Minister

Abdullah Gul over breakfast on Monday, and depart from Turkey the same day.

Tan added that Scheffer would probably debate cooperation within the framework of NATO, and Turkey's contributions to regional operations.

[03] General Buyukanit is continuing his contacts in Washington

Gen. Buyukanit, currently on a formal visit to the United States upon the invitation of U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker, said on Wednesday that he met U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen.

Peter Pace, U.S. Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey, and Eric Edelman, the U.S. Undersecretary of Defense. "I can say that my meetings were extremely positive," he noted.

Asked about Turkey's bilateral relations with the United States, Gen. Buyukanit said: "There is no problem in our bilateral relations.

Unfortunately, there were several news reports which claimed that I had come here to get permission from the United States. Such news reports are shameful acts against the Turkish Armed Forces. Turkish army gets the permission from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (the Founder of the modern Republic of Turkey) and from the laws."

Delineating the visit as a "routine" one, Gen. Buyukanit said: "This is not an extraordinary visit with specific purposes. Such visits are paid also to many countries."

Explaining why American Enterprise Institute (AEI) was selected as the think tank organization where he would take the floor, Gen. Buyukanit said: "Speeches can be delivered at any think tank organization. The important thing is your statements. Turkey is a country fighting against terrorism. We are obliged to explain the fundamental approaches of our state against terrorism."

[04] Turkish press reports on scenarios of possible air attacks against Syria and Iran

US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Porter Goss, in asking Ankara not to take a protective stance towards Iran and Syria, conveyed the message that an air attack could be conducted against these countries. It is stated that, in response, Goss received from Ankara the reply that "Iran is not a country that would be worth damaging our relations with the United States over."

CIA Director Porter Goss first visited Ataturk's Mausoleum yesterday morning. Goss and the delegation accompanying him stood in respect at Ataturk's grave site and left a wreath. The delegation later went to the National Pact Tower, where Goss signed the Mausoleum Guest Book. From there, Goss went to the Directorate of Security. Goss, who was met by General Directorate of Security Foreign Relations Department Chief Recep Gultekin, then met with General Director of Security Gokhan Aydiner. Special security measures were implemented at the entrance to the General Directorate of Security's Dikmen Building on account of Goss's visit. The CIA Director then met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting lasted for 55 minutes.

According to the information obtained, Iran came to the fore in Goss's contacts. It is reported that Goss told Ankara that Iran's nuclear activities, in particular, are a danger for the entire region. According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, the CIA Director informed Ankara that, should Iran not adhere to the calls to end these activities, a "systematic air operation" could be conducted against the country. It is stated that Goss called upon Turkey to determine its stance on this issue as soon as possible, and also conveyed that there was no situation that should occasion any worry in terms of an air operation. It is stated that Ankara indicated to Goss that Turkey and the United States have been allies for many years, and that there was no question of Iran's damaging these relations. It is being stressed that Ankara conveyed to Goss the message that "Iran is not a country that would be worth damaging our relations with the United States over."

[05] Summary of reports on Mr Gossī visit to Turkey as published in the New Anatolian

The visit of CIA chief Porter Goss dominated the front pages of the newspapers, along with more fuel and nausea to the debate on Turkish identity, alcohol and speculation over the Semdinli report.

Mystery visit, mystery files

Turkish newspapers claimed that they'd all obtained "behind the scenes" intelligence on Goss' visit but alas were unable to agree on just what the "behind the scenes" was. Daily Hurriyet claimed that National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Emre Taner and CIA Director Goss discussed the use of "bat blanket" (advanced infrared motion detection) technology against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). According to the mass-circulation' dailies top story, the CIA will report on all activities on the Turkish-Iraqi border to the Turkish authorities. The MIT and CIA will cooperate closely and share intelligence in the region.

Daily Sabah, however, reported that the Taner-Goss meeting was the scene of very tough wrangling. Goss allegedly had two demands: That Turkey and the U.S. pool their intelligence on Islamic countries and that Turkey train agents to work in Muslim countries to help them understand the mentality there. Turkey, on the other hand, requested more information on the PKK in northern Iraq.

According to daily Aksam, however, Turkey asked that the CIA "clean up the Kandil mountains," where the PKK is believed to be based. "Porter Goss' agenda includes the reshaping of the region after the Iraqi elections on Thursday," read an article penned by Serdar Turgut, editor in chief of the newspaper.

Daily Milliyet, for its part, said that Goss asked for Turkish support to pursue terrorist groups, mainly al-Qaeda. Iran's nuclear activities and Syria were also discussed during their talks.

Daily Vatan, in an article entitled "Why did the CIA come here?" reported that there were two critical demands behind the number-one name in U.S. intelligence Goss' Ankara visit. According to Vatan, the CIA called for more cooperation, and thinks exchanges of information between the intelligence units of the two countries are inadequate, particularly on Syria, Iran and al-Qaeda. Another problem for the CIA is that Turkey has become the crossing point for al-Qaeda terrorists. Goss expressed their uneasiness at the highest level.

Daily Cumhuriyet, meanwhile, claimed that Goss told the Turkish authorities that Iran has nuclear weapons which could pose a threat to the region. Goss informed the Turkish authorities that Iran is supporting the activities of the PKK and also asked Turkish officials to support a possible air attack against Iran and Syria.

[06] Aksam newspaper links the Kurdish state scenario to Cyprus

Aksam goes on and reports: When the terrorist organization PKK resumed its activities, this made Turkey to escalate its international pressure. The Government and the Army, continuously warned Iraq and the USA on PKK issue. In statements made on behalf of Turkey it was stressed that if need be military operations will be carried out against the PKK in north Iraq. In Parallel to Turkeys rebukes, there were important visits from the USA to Ankara.

US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, US Chief of Staff, General Richard Myers, President Bushs advisor Stephan Hardly, the Commander of the US Forces in Europe General Jones, Deputy Commander of the US Central Forces Lieutenant General Lance Smith, US under secretary for public policy Karen Hughes, US State Department under secretary for security Robert Joseph, and recently FBI Chief Robert Mueller and the CIA Chief Porter Goss, arrived in Turkey for contacts. This heavy diplomatic traffic from the USA to Turkey, gave way to various scenarios. Following are scenarios discussed in Ankara;

Military operation against the PKK

Behind the visits of the FBI and the CIA chiefs lay military operation against the PKK. As result of Turkeys pressure, the USA gave its consent to military operation against the PKK. The FBI chief will be involved in the operations directed to the financial resources of the PKK and the CIA chief in operations directed to armed terrorists.

Kurdish State

The USA is trying to make official the de facto Kurdistan created in north Iraq. Against Turkeys objections the PKK and the Cyprus issues are put on the agenda. The USA will take steps as regards finishing off the PKK and on the recognition of the TRNC against (recognition of ) Kurdistan.

Military Operation against Iran

Israel and the USA are worried about Irans nuclear activities. The aim of Robert Josephs visit to Ankara was Irans nuclear activities.

Assassination of Hariri

Stephan Hardley, during his contacts in Ankara, briefed the people especially on the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri. In her turn Condoleezza Rice, during her contacts in Ankara raised the US concerns regarding Iran and Syria.

[07] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the EU Financial Aid Regulation for the Turkish Cypriots

Commenting on the approach of the European Union (EU) which has conditioned ratification of regulations regarding TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) on fulfillment of several demands of the 'Greek Cypriot administration', Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan qualified this approach as wrong.

In his weekly press briefing, Tan recalled that the Union decided to end isolation of TRNC on April 26th, 2004, and indicated that financial assistance and foreign trade regulations were expected to be implemented within this framework.

''EU's laying down several conditions like the status of Maras [Varosha], moratorium on properties in the north of the island, are unacceptable. We have always said that a comprehensive solution can be reached under the auspices of the UN,'' stressed Tan.

[08] Mr Talat on the financial regulation. He wants direct relations of the occupied areas with the EU

Underlining the need to change the basis of relations with the European Union, Mr Talat said that Turkish Cypriots should never establish links with the Union through the Republic of Cyprus, which, as he alleged, has been working to destroy the economy of the occupied areas.

Referring to the EU Commissions declaration on the issue, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat said the declaration is aimed at creating preconditions on the Turkish Cypriot Side.

Stressing that the Turkish side will not accept any such precondition on the status of Famagusta and the Famagusta port; Mr Talat repeated the Turkish sides view that the property issue cannot be resolved by the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.

Complaining that the government of the Republic of Cyprus has put forward preconditions for the approval of the 259 Million-Euros- worth of financial assistance regulation after securing the separation of the Direct Trade and Financial Assistance Regulations, he said this is unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.

[09] More than 90 % of the tourist installations in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus are usurped Greek Cypriot properties; Reactions on the draft-law regarding the properties continue

Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper (15.12.05) reports that Turgay Avci, so-called MP of the National Unity Party (UBP), has said that only 15 out of the 200 tourist installations which have been built or are under construction in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus have Turkish Cypriot title deed.

Mr Avci noted that this is why his party opposes to the draft-law submitted to the committee by the self-styled government.

The paper writes that during its meeting yesterday the committee listened to the opinion of fourteen civilian organizations on the issue. Chairing the committee, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) deputy, Kadri Fellahoglu reminded that the proceedings at committee level entered the third day yesterday and that a total of 45 different civilian organizations were listened-to and consulted in recognition of the seriousness of the issue. Referring to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Greek Cypriot refugee Mrs Titina Loizidou case, Mr Fellahoglu said that Turkey accepted paying the compensation and giving to Mrs Loizidou her house back.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Association for Protecting the self-styled TRNC, Mr Sabahattin Ismail argued that the ECHR is interfering in the draft-law and that the draft-law will not prevent the decisions of the ECHR. He also noted that Turkey will pay the compensations regarding the properties, as the occupation regime will not be able to do it. Mr Ismail said that the banking and the construction sectors in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus have negatively been influenced since the draft-law came onto the agenda and alleged that this law will abolish bi-zonality in Cyprus.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot AFRIKA newspaper (15.12.05) reports that the administrative council of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH) decided yesterday to vote against the draft-law. In a statement issued by the party, BDH notes that the draft-law has been prepared upon Ankaras demand and it is directly related with Turkeys situation at the ECHR. The BDH expresses also the opinion that the draft-law is contrary to the constitution of the self-styled TRNC.

Referring to the draft-law, the leader of the Communal Liberation Party (TKP), Huseyin Angolemli said that its aim is to prolong the non-solution in Cyprus for another 15-20 years.

Finally, according to Turkish Cypriot VOLKAN newspaper (15.12.05), the Nationalist Justice Party (MAP) reacted also against the draft-law, alleging that it is putting in danger the self-styled TRNC.

[10] The occupation regime to precipitate in two fairs which are going to take place in Austria and India

The self-styled council of ministers decided the participation of the occupation regime in two different fairs that will take place on 12-15 of January in Austria and India.

In addition, the self-styled council of ministers approved a protocol signed by the self-styled state planning organization with the Turkey Statistics Institute regarding a population census in the occupied areas. The population census will take place in 2006.

In addition it was decided that the development bank approves the amount of 64 million new Turkish lira for developments in occupied Cyprus for the year 2006. From this amount 25 million new Turkish lira will be invested in the Tourist sector, 16.7 million in industry, 16 million in education and 6.3 million in other fields of investment.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] The role of Turkey in a possible operation against Syria was taken up during the CIA chiefs visit to Ankara

The visit of CIA chief Porter Goss to Ankara has completely muddled the Turkish capital's agenda. If you read the Turkish newspapers, you get the feeling that Mr. Goss has come to Turkey with a bunch of top-security files and slipped one or two to each correspondent and editor in chief. All of those journalists speak of different files: some articles may lead one to think that an operation against Iran will start tomorrow while others have already launched "bat blankets" -- an infrared monitoring system. Apparently, each have penned an article based on "it is likely that..."

But what really happened in the talks?

The real content is disclosed in an article elsewhere on this page. Let me analyze some of the key points:

There were, in fact, four key points in the talks. The measures to be taken up against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the fight against al-Qaeda, developments in Iran and the Syrian file. While there are interesting details in the press on the so-called discussions, the talks did not include operational details. Rather, both sides tried to size each other up, after the difficulty in ties following March 2003, when Parliament, dominated by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, rejected the government's request for authorization to allow US troops to use Turkish territory for the invasion of Iraq. In 2003, military teams came together in Washington, then last year, intelligence units met and declared that a top-level visit from the CIA would have a positive impact on bilateral relations.

On Iran, both sides had an assessment on the state of play. The respective views and the actual information that the two sides possessed were put on the table. This was more of a weighing up each other than anything else.

On Syria, various scenarios were observed and the possibility of a military operation on this neighboring country was not ignored. Should there be such an operation, both Turkey's attitude and possible role was taken up.

On the PKK, neither side has anything new to add except to reiterate their positions. The Turkish side obviously wants effective measures against the PKK. The United States pledged that it would start an intense campaign to cut off the financial resources of the PKK and urge the European Union member states to do the same. Yet, Washington remains cool toward a Turkish cross-border operation into northern Iraq. However, it stressed that it would "work better" to ensure border security.

Would it be possible for the United States to make a goodwill gesture on the PKK? In other words, can the U.S. forces deliver to Turkey certain PKK militants? The high-level sources told the TNA that the Americans would do nothing of the sort, as they think that the AK Party government would use this to strengthen its position.

The officials we met think that the U.S. will not realize this plan as they would think that the AK Party government would use it as a trump card.

Meanwhile, there is also an interesting note about al-Qaeda. The parties debated whether real cooperation to counter al-Qaeda is possible or not. They agreed to set up a common intelligence pool, and the CIA benefiting from the work of the MIT in the region. But the CIA officials are reported to have said that they are concerned about the tolerance of some domestic security organizations in Turkey towards groups like al-Qaeda. If that is true, it would mean a huge scandal. Turkey should express clearly and show that it is "against all kinds of terrorism," in the oft-repeated formulation of Prime Minister Erdogan.

/ES

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