Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-05-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Avci asks the OIC member countries to recognize the passports of the breakaway regime

[02] Ozturk admits that the tours from Germany to the occupied areas of Cyprus were organised in line with the marketing strategies for the recognition of the TRNC

[03] Talat says that the removal of the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is inevitable

[04] UBPs leader Ertugruloglu criticised Talats statements in Brussels saying that No one has the right to disgrace the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ at the international platforms.

[05] Mehmet Cakici: The Turkish Cypriots are not first class citizens in their country

[06] The Pressure Group consists of foreigners who bought a house in occupied Cyprus receives the support of the Turkish Cypriot Consumers Association

[07] Recent developments in the Turkish political scene in Ankara

[08] More accusations against Leyla Zana

[09] The Association Council meeting between Turkey and the EU once again was postponed

[10] Turkish Official on the Financial Cooperation between Turkey and Germany

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] How the Turkish Press assesses the developments in the country

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Avci asks the OIC member countries to recognize the passports of the breakaway regime

Deputy Prime Minister- Foreign Minister Turgay Avci has said that the Greek Cypriot Side which has been playing for time is trying to hinder the 8th July process which can contribute to the efforts aimed at bringing a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr Avci stated during the 34th session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (OIC) in Islamabad, that the Greek Cypriot Side maintains its negative attitude on the Cyprus issue despite the struggle being waged by the Turkish Cypriot side towards a solution. He also voiced the Turkish Cypriot ´peoples´ willingness to improve relations with the OIC member countries.

In his address at the 34th session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, Foreign Minister Avci thanked the OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, for his support to the Turkish Cypriot ´Peoples´ rightful struggle.

On the Cyprus issue, Mr Avci said that the Greek Cypriot sides rejection of the Annan Plan proved the fact that it was not ready for a power-sharing with the Turkish Cypriot side.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side put forward a 10-point action plan last year to build mutual trust and speed up economic development, Mr Avci complained that it was rejected by the Greek Cypriot ´Administration´, despite of its appreciation by the international community.

The Foreign Minister also reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side suggested the establishment of technical committees to overcome the day-to-day problems being experience because of the lack of cooperation and communication between the two sides, adding that the setting up of such committees was later proposed by the UN itself.

Mr Avci noted that the Turkish Cypriot side responded positively to the UN proposals and started the necessary work for the setting up of those committees, but that the Greek Cypriot side insisted on its preconditions and continued to play for time and hinder the solution process. Referring to earlier calls issued by the OIC on member countries to improve their relations with the Turkish Cypriot ´People´, Mr Avci called on OIC countries to take concrete steps towards improving contacts with ´North Cyprus´ in all fields, including trade, tourism, culture and sports.

Foreign Minister Avci expressed the Turkish Cypriot ´Peoples´ willingness to open trade and tourism offices in the OIC member countries and reminded that this opportunity was provided to North Cyprus by Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, expressing also the belief that more OIC countries will follow suit.

Mr Avci also underlined the importance of improving relations between the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ and the OIC member countries in the absence of a comprehensive settlement on the island.

Asking for the support of the OIC member countries in terms of allowing the Turkish Cypriot ´People´ to travel with ´TRNC´ passports, the Foreign Minister reminded that this was the case in some Western countries including the United States, Britain, and France.

In conclusion, Mr Avci called for the upgrading of the Turkish Cypriot ´Peoples´ observer status in the OIC to full membership.

[02] Ozturk admits that the tours from Germany to the occupied areas of Cyprus were organised in line with the marketing strategies for the recognition of the TRNC

The Minister of Economy and Tourism Enver Ozturk denied the Greek Cypriot media claims that the German TUI Company had decided not to continue tours to ´North Cyprus´ as from 30th of June following its contacts with the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Greek Cypriot Tourism Organization.

Mr Ozturk noted that as agreed earlier the tours will be carried out until the end of June and said that despite of the preventions by the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´, new precautions will be considered and succeeded for the 2008 winter season as well.

Mr Ozturk also explained that the tours were organized in line with the marketing strategies carried out for the recognition of the TRNC.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (18.05.07) reports that the self-styled Finance and Tourism Minister Enver Ozturk said that with financial incentives they were able to bring in the occupied part of Cyprus, German tourists during the dead season and the contribution of the German tourists was more than two million Euros. He said that during this time ten thousand German tourists visited the occupied area.

(MHY)

[03] Talat says that the removal of the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is inevitable

When asked whether one could expect a positive result, Talat said that one has to act prudently. Noting is clear yet. What is obvious is that the Greek Cypriot side is strongly opposing to the passing of the Direct Trade Regulation, Talat said.

When asked about the election period in Turkey and the Cyprus problem, Talat said that they prefer the Cyprus problem not to become a domestic political issue. He said that Cyprus problem is a national policy.

(MHY)

[04] UBPs leader Ertugruloglu criticised Talats statements in Brussels saying that No one has the right to disgrace the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ at the international platforms.

The National Unity Party (UBP) Chairman Tahsin Ertugruloglu strongly criticizing Talats demand claimed that by demanding the two out of the six seats allocated to the Republic of Cyprus the identity of the Republic of Cyprus is accepted and the existence of the ´TRNC´ is rejected. Ertugruloglu added: No one has the right to disgrace the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ at the international platforms.

Referring to Talats statement that the Annan Plan is a wander in the World Diplomacy Engineering, Ertugruloglu said that he has nothing to say ,when Mr Talat brands this plan, which is aimed at nothing but annihilating this state, as a world wander.

(MHY)

[05] Mehmet Cakici: The Turkish Cypriots are not first class citizens in their country

(MHY)

[06] The Pressure Group consists of foreigners who bought a house in occupied Cyprus receives the support of the Turkish Cypriot Consumers Association

The Chairman of the Pressure Group Marian Stokes and the members Don Vango and Sheila Vango explained the problems that they are facing in the building sector and they asked Associations support in solving their problems.

Mr Isik admitted that since 2004 complains as regards the construction sector are ever increasing and that this has turned into speculation directed to the house buyers. He urged the state to take the necessary measures. He expressed support to the Groups actions.

(MHY)

[07] Recent developments in the Turkish political scene in Ankara

"Members of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) will run under the banner of Republican People's Party (CHP) in the upcoming elections," CHP chairman Deniz Baykal said on Thursday. "However, they do not have to resign from their parties," Baykal told reporters after meeting DSP chairman Zeki Sezer at CHP Headquarters in Ankara.

Baykal said, "we hope that this initiative will integrate us in the future. We do not want to make them (the DSP members) members of the CHP under pressure. We respect their political identities, and thus they can run for the elections from our lists. And we hope to enter the parliament altogether. After entering the parliament, we will work in solidarity to realize same goals although we have separate political identities."

On the other hand, Sezer said that he will not run in the upcoming general elections scheduled for June 22nd.

"I believe that this cooperation will raise people's hopes," he stated.

Sezer noted that a common election campaign will be launched as of today, and added, "this campaign will put a serious government and a bright left alternative before Turkey."

Meanwhile, Baykal expressed sorrow over Sezer's decision not to run, and said, "we will be proud and glad if Mr Sezer accepts to run on our lists by maintaining his DSP identity."

Moreover, ANKARA ANATOLIA (17.05.07) reports that the Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said the following on Thursday at a program broadcast on private CNN Turk channel:

"There would probably be two parties at the new parliament (to be formed after general elections due on June 22nd). However a third party at the parliament would not be a surprise."

"I do not say yes, and I do not say no," he commented on whether he will run his candidacy for president in case the president is elected by people. Arinc said: "I may think of using it if this is a right, and I may run my candidacy if circumstances warrant that day."

On the other hand, Arinc noted that it is legally possible for the parliament to continue its deliberations after May 31st, but it does not actually seem possible. "In case the constitutional amendment bill is vetoed on May 26th, it may be discussed at the parliament again till the end of the month (May), but this is a weak possibility," he added.

Furthermore, ANKARA ANATOLIA (17.05.07) reports that Cemal Sen has dissolved the "Democratic Party" (DP) that he established on 11 May 2007. Reports say that Sen has sent a note to the Interior Ministry informing it that he is dissolving the "Democratic Party" he had established recently. Soon after Sen's note, a petition has been submitted to the Interior Ministry for the establishment of a new party, again under the name of "Democratic Party." This newly established party will hold a congress just before the 27 May congress of the True Path Party (DYP) and will decide to join the DYP. Upon which, DYP will change its name to "Democratic Party" in its congress.

Finally, ANKARA ANATOLIA reported also that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the constitutional amendment law that envisages inclusion of names of independent candidates in the combined ballot papers in the general elections to be held on July 22nd.

According to the statement released by Presidential Press Center, the law was sent to the Prime Ministry to be issued.

[08] More accusations against Leyla Zana

The indictment calls for a five-year prison sentence against former Democracy Party (DEP) Deputy Leyla Zana who, during the Nevruz celebrations in Diyarbakir referred to Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the terrorist organization, as "leader Ocalan."

The indictment prepared by the Diyarbakir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Leyla Zana who gave a testimony to Diyarbakir Public Prosecutor Suleyman Kaya has called for a five year prison sentence against Zana for conducting the propaganda of an illegal organization.

A photograph that shows Zana kissing the hand of Ocalan's elder sister Fatma Ocalan was also included in the indictment. It was noted that despite the fact that this picture has nothing to do with the case, it is worth studying due to the fact that it shows the stance and the approach adopted by Zana with regard to Abdullah Ocalan.

The indictment noted that in the speech she delivered in the Turkish and the Kurdish languages, Zana said the following: "They are asking about the second. What is the meaning of leader Apo (Abdullah Ocalan), in other words the national leader? Today the Kurds have three leaders. The first is the person we all refer to as Uncle Jalal. He is currently the president of Iraq. He is the leader of the Kurds. As for the second, we always note that he is Brother Mas'ud, regional president of Kurdistan. And you always talk about the third leader. He is the Kurdish leader, leader Ocalan. I express my gratitude to all these three leaders. All three of them are our assets. All three of them have a place in the brains and the hearts of the Kurds."

The indictment stated that given that Jalal Talabani's and Mas'ud Barzani's positions in Iraq have political a nature, they were left outside the assessments, but that Abdullah Ocalan's position within the PKK terrorist organization required an assessment. The indictment explained that Ocalan is the only person who has been influential over the PKK since its establishment and that Ocalan is also influential in the determination of the strategies pursued by the organization.

Pointing out that in her speech Zana described terrorist ringleader Abdullah Ocalan as a pioneer in exercising the legal, legitimate, and democratic rights and in showing the peaceful channels, the indictment stressed that when expressing her gratitude to Ocalan, Zana was actually trying to ensure the masses ignore the fact that the PKK terrorist organization and Abdullah Ocalan are responsible for thousands of actions such as killing, injury, highway robbery, abduction, and seizure by force. The indictment also underlined that with her speech Zana aimed to ensure that the masses see the organization and Abdullah Ocalan, who is described as their leadership, as an organization and a leader that adopt democratic and peaceful views.

Emphasizing that with this speech, Zana used her influence upon the masses as a former DEP deputy, contributed to the support extended to Abdullah Ocalan in line with the calls issued by the organization, and conducted the propaganda of the organization in line with this call, the indictment demanded a five-year prison sentence against Zana. Zana's trial will begin at the Penal Court in the days ahead.

Furthermore, ANKARA ANATOLIA news agency (17.05.07) reports from Ankara that the Supreme Court Chief Prosecutor's Office asked the Democratic Society Party (DTP) to cancel the memberships of 116 former members of the Democracy Party (DEP) --that was shut down with a court ruling-- including Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Selim Sadak and Orhan Dogan and also dismiss them from their duties.

Invoking sources, ANKARA ANATOLIA reports that the Chief Prosecutor's Office sent the warning to DTP.

The warning said the 116 former DEP members including Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Selim Sadak and Orhan Dogan had criminal records and thus could not legally be members to DTP and serve within the party bodies.

The Chief Prosecutor's Office asked the dismissal of these individuals from party membership.

Higher Board of Election will rule whether the said individuals can run for deputy as independent candidates in the general elections to be held on June 22nd.

[09] The Association Council meeting between Turkey and the EU once again was postponed

Despite the expectations of Turkey to open negotiations on three chapters during the German EU presidency, the Turkish Daily News learned that only two chapters will be opened during the intergovernmental conference (IGC) on June 26.

Initially the Association Council was scheduled to take place in April 2007 but upon the request of Ankara, it was postponed to June. The EU-Turkey Association Council meetings take place annually at ministerial level. Instead of the Association Council, the Association Committee meeting was held on March 22 due to the reluctance of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül to visit EU capitals.

German sources mention that, in agreement with the Turkish government, the Association Council meeting between the EU and Turkey will not take place under the German- EU presidency but during Portugal's presidency later in the year. The agenda of the Association Council meeting was prepared by the Association Committee on March 22. Both sides deem it sensible to let more time pass between the two meetings in order to better assess developments which may take place in the meantime," said diplomatic sources to the Turkish Daily News yesterday. Turkish diplomatic sources explained to the TDN that the timing for the meeting of the Association Council is not suitable because of the developments in Turkish domestic politics and if all uncertainties are solved in Turkish politics, the meeting will take place in the fall.

But European diplomats quoted the tight schedule of the EU rather than Turkey's internal agenda. The developed countries, G-8 meeting and the EU-Russia meeting would take place in June, as well as the EU Council meeting at the end of German presidency.

Turkey was hopeful to start negotiations on three chapters after the EU decided to suspend negotiations on eight chapters because of the Cyprus port issue. The negotiations on economic and monetary affairs, statistics and financial control are expected to be opened during the German presidency but the TDN learnt that the negotiations on financial control will not be opened at the inter-governmental conference.

European sources argue that financial control is the last chapter on which Turkey submitted its negotiating position paper a few days ago. Ali Babacan, state minister for the economy and chief negotiator for Turkeys membership process in the European Union, said last week that Turkey had submitted its fiscal plans for the next three years to the EU and that three more chapters would be opened for negotiations by June 26.

[10] Turkish Official on the Financial Cooperation between Turkey and Germany

"Around 3.4 billion euro resource has been secured since 1960's within the scope of financial cooperation between Turkey and Germany," Ibrahim Canakci, Undersecretary of the Turkish Treasury, said on Thursday. "The amount exceeds 4 billion euro when indirect finance facilities is added to this," he noted.

Germany secured 75.5 million euro financial support to Turkey within the scope of Turkey-Germany Financial Cooperation agreement. The agreement was signed by Canakci on behalf of Turkey and German Ambassador to Turkey Eckart Cuntz.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Canakci said Germany made important contributions to the projects in Turkey within the framework of this financial cooperation. Canakci said the financial resource in question would be used in social projects, employment, rise of income and to support small scale companies and diminish inequality in distribution of income.

Canakci said the 75.7 million euro would particularly be used to finance infrastructure projects of small and medium scale municipalities.

Treasury Undersecretary indicated that 68.8 million euro portion of 75.7 million euro would be loan and 6.9 million euro portion would be grant.

On the other hand, Cuntz said Turkey and Germany had relations that had rose deep in history and this cooperation would be further improved with this cooperation agreement. "As the EU rotating president, Germany advocates Turkey's membership and its projects in the EU process," he noted.

According to a written statement released by German Embassy in Turkey such kind of agreements would form a sound basis to finance water and solid waste projects. The statement said the target of the projects was to eliminate waste water and domestic waste without giving any damage to human health.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] How the Turkish Press assesses the developments in the country

In a column in HURRIYET, Oktay Eksi assesses the news conference Prime Minister Erdogan held at the World Congress of the International Press Institute in Istanbul on 15 May. Eksi says that had he been a foreign reporter at the congress he would have believed that Erdogan was a person determined to safeguard the secular regime and that he was being unjustly accused. Referring to Erdogan's comments on Article 301 of the Penal Code, Eksi argues that it is hard to believe that a party who was able to endorse the package of constitutional amendments within a week was incapable of amending Article 301 in two years. Ridiculing Erdogan's remarks that "individuals cannot be secular" only the state can, the writer concludes by saying that according to Erdogan even a person such as Ahmadinejad can become prime minister in Turkey and the issue will be closed once he takes the oath that he will uphold the principle of secularism.

Analyzing the developments in the aftermath of the 27 April Chief of Staff memorandum in a column in VATAN, Rusen Cakir writes that only when the list of candidates is finalized will we be able to understand the Justice and Development Party (AKP) strategy toward the pro-secular trend. Profiling Alevi candidate Camuroglu, leftist candidate Ertugrul Gunay, and Felicity Party member Numan Kurtulus, the writer concludes that much can change if the AKP is able to attract such candidates.

Assessing the general picture in the country in an editorial in the TURKISH DAILY NEWS, Yusuf Kanli says that the country has arrived at a junction and that the people "will have to decide between 'progressive' Islamists challenging the status quo and the 'conservative' secularist elite struggling not to give up its sphere of influence on state administration."

Focusing on the recent Republic rallies held in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir in column in MILLIYET, Hasan Cemal writes that according to some, these rallies are the manifestation of an unprecedented mass movement and according to others, it is a people's movement without any leader, party, or backing. Cemal contends that if the latter is the case, then this is a very dangerous situation because these masses can be used by various "nuclear forces" to advance their own goals. The writer warns against the danger of polarization and of military coups, adding that one should pay careful attention to the nuclear forces behind the scenes.

Commenting of the various interpretations regarding the significance of the rallies in a column in SABAH, Yavuz Donat writes that all the mass movements in the east were so far organized by the West. Showing the workers movement in Poland, the carnation revolution in Ukraine, and the past military coups in Turkey as examples of mass movements conducted by the West, Donat argues that the Republic rallies were not supported or financed by the West although they aimed at safeguarding the values of the West. The writer concludes by pointing out that the West is most interested in the developments in Turkey because these rallies have destroyed the western premise that "whatever happens in the east, happens through my guidance and under my control."

In an article entitled "The Eurasian Chess: Putin's Last Goal", YENI SAFAK columnist Ibrahim Karagul describes the natural gas agreement signed between Russia and Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan as one of the most recent manifestations of the ongoing "big brawl" among the United States, Russia, China, and Europe in Eurasia, a showdown, he asserts, that Turkey has difficulty seeing in all its aspects because its attention is concentrated on the Middle East conflict. He argues that this "big game" will determine the future of the world economy and "the global war and peace map of the future," adding that the partition of Iraq, the Shiite-Sunni struggle, northern Iraq, and the domestic disturbances in Lebanon constitute smaller theatres of conflict in this "dangerous" "game of chess."

In an article entitled "Let us Look at the Scoreboard and Take a Sigh of Relief" YENI SAFAK columnist Fehmi Koru asserts that the "psychological warfare tactics" being employed to get the masses to rally round one of the opposition parties against the ruling AKP in the forthcoming general election might actually provoke voters into supporting the AKP in greater numbers. He recalls that similar campaigns only served to enable the Democratic Party, DP, to poll 53.3, 56.6 and 47.3 percent of the vote in the 1950, 1954, and 1957 elections and the defunct Justice Party, AP, to hit 52.9 and 46.5 percent in the 1965 and 1969 elections.

In an article entitled "Will They Pass the Threshold?", VAKIT columnist Serdar Arseven asserts on the basis of interviews with "citizens" that most voters regard the alliance of the True Path Party (DYP), and the Motherland Party (ANAP), as being a consequence of the release of the recent General Staff memorandum. He claims that the DYP-ANAP coalition is not likely to score any better in the next elections than did the late Ismail Cem's defunct New Turkey Party (YTP), which obtained 1,15 percent of the vote in the 2002 elections.

In an article entitled "The AKP's Trump Card Against the Status Quo", ZAMAN columnist Huseyin Gulerce cites "tolerance," a readiness to "embrace everybody," and a "democratic attitude" as the ruling AKP's greatest strengths against the "psychological war" being waged as part of a "social engineering" project that he claims is trying to use the threat of closure and a military coup to obtain political results. He advises the AKP administration to nominate Alevi representatives as well as representatives of Turkish citizens of Armenian, Greek, and Jewish origin on its election lists.

In an article entitled "Should Presidents Be Elected by the People?" MILLI GAZETE columnist Hasan Unal argues that there would be no sense in arranging for presidents to be elected by popular vote in Turkey as long as presidential powers remained restricted since a president nominated in this way would not be in a position to prevent the ruling AKP from pursuing an IMF-prescribed economic policy or a policy of capitulation to EU and US demands or from pressing ahead with its plan to "change the national and unitary structure of the state."

EG/

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