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Thursday, 15 August 2024
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-09-16Cyprus 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 PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No. 175/09 16.09.09[A] NEWS ITEMS
[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Letter composed by the Turkish Foreign Minister is expected to be sent to the U.N. Secretary-General aiming to push UN to speed up Cyprus talks.Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (15.09.09) reports the following:Amid ongoing talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, Turkey is planning to push the United Nations for more involvement in the process, diplomatic sources said. A letter composed by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu is expected to be sent to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon within the next few days. Sources say that if a lasting settlement on Cyprus is the goal; all international actors should support the process and push Greek Cypriots for sincere negotiations. The second round of talks between the leaders of both sides resumed in early September but the parties are far from a settlement. The message to be conveyed to Ban will outline Turkeys approach to the problem and its sincerity in reaching a just and lasting solution. However, it will likely urge the U.N. to take on a more significant role in the process in order to speed up the talks. According to Turkish diplomats, the Greek Cypriots have already proven their unwillingness to move forward in line with their strategy of waiting until the European Union Council meeting in December. Greek Cypriots have slowed the talks because the EU is set to review Turkeys membership negotiations; Turkey has so far has not opened its sea and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes. Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat also urged the EU on Monday to exert more pressure on Greek Cypriots if they want the unification of the island to happen. According to diplomats, Turkish diplomacy will continue to focus on the issue during the U.N. General Assembly meetings that are set to begin next week in New York. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan is scheduled to meet with Ban in order to discuss the matter. The southern part of Cyprus continues its efforts to hinder and slow down the process. But we are in favour of a solution, Erdoan said late Monday at an address to the ambassadors. ´I believe the Greek Cypriots negative stance toward a solution does not escape from your notice´. [02] Ercakica says that consultations with Turkey are held on the proposals submitted to the negotiating table by the Turkish Cypriot sideTurkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (16.09.09) reports that Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, has said that consultations with Turkey are held on everything taken to the negotiating table by the Turkish Cypriot side.In statements yesterday during his weekly press briefing, Mr Ercakica referred to the strong reactions by the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Unity Party (UBP) to the proposal submitted by Mr Talat on the issue of Governance and Power Sharing. He argued that this proposal is not worse than the Annan Plan or the election system provided in the 1960 agreements. Mr Ercakica said the allegations that the Turkish member of the presidency will be determined with the Greek Cypriot votes and that the existence of two separate democracies in Cyprus will be eliminated are not true. He said: Our proposal prevents the marginal elements in both communities and especially those in the Greek Cypriot community, from being elected to the post of Member of the Presidency. In the light of the past experiences, it is evident that this is an important necessity. Mr Ercakica said that at various stages consultations are held with Turkey on everything taken to the negotiating table. He pointed out that the proposal regarding a common list is not a new one and reminded that in the Annan Plan, the members of the Presidential Council would be elected with a common list. Referring to the allegation that the Turkish members of the presidency will be determined by the Greek votes, Mr Ercakica noted that this is not true and added: First in order for the candidate of a Turkish Cypriot party to be able to be elected as Member of the Presidency, this party should secure important support from the Turkish Cypriot people and a sufficient number seats in the Senate. Therefore, the main determining element on the issue of who will become Member of the Presidency will be the result of the elections for the Senate with the separate will of the Turkish Cypriot people. For this reason, it is not possible for the candidate of the party which has not secured the strong support of the Turkish Cypriot people to be elected as Member of the PresidencyThe fact that the elections to be conducted for the determination of the members of the Senate will be on a communal basis and that the Turkish and Greek Cypriots will be represented in equal number in the Senate, is showing the reality of not only two democracies, but of two equal democracies. Responding to a question regarding the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side on the same issue, Mr Ercakica alleged that this proposal is very complicated and eliminates the political equality. Meanwhile, Mr Ercakica announced that Mr Talat will visit New York between 22 and 28 of September and added that he does not think that a three-party meeting will be held between the UN Secretary-General, President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader in New York. He said the Turkish side is ready for such a meeting, but the Greek Cypriot side is not looking positively to such a development. Mr Ercakica noted that the discussions on the proposals submitted last week will continue during the next meeting of the two leaders within the framework of the Cyprus talks on Thursday. Responding to another question, he said that the self-styled government has not yet determined the person who will be representing it in the negotiating team of the Turkish Cypriot side. (I/Ts) [03] Cakici announced his partys proposals for governance and power sharingTurkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (16.09.09), in its front page under the title A compromise is possible, reports that the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici announced in a press conference yesterday the views and proposals of the party regarding the issue of governance and power sharing. Mr Cakici said that there is the necessity to put forward impartially views based on the equality which will satisfy the demands of both sides, adding that the proposals that the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders have put forward on the issue of governance and power sharing are far from compromising and contain serious differences such as system differentiations.Noting that the TDP has conciliatory proposals which satisfy the demands of both sides regarding the governance and power sharing, which bring the equality in the foreground, which necessitate the development of cooperation and joint action and which reduce to the minimum the possibility of any conflict, Mr Cakici said that they submitted to Mr Talat these proposals. TDP is in favour of the participation of a Turkish Cypriot and a Greek Cypriot candidate in a common ballot for the Presidential Election. At the first round the list which will exceed the majority of 50% from both communities will win the election. If there is no one in the first round, then the two lists which have the most votes will compete in the second round. The list that will be elected should take the 25% of each community and 50% of both communities together. If no list can obtain the necessary majority in the second round then a government will be established appointing as members the leaders of the two parties which took the majority of the votes within their community. This government will be the election government and after a year there will be early elections. In this way the deadlock will be prevented. On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (16.09.09) under the title Cakici is more Greek Cypriot than the Greek Cypriots, reports that the Social Democracy Party (TDP) accepted all the Greek Cypriot demands going Talats way. (DPs) [04] Erdogan claimed that Turkey will continue its attitude towards a solution in Cyprus and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to prevent a solution on the islandIllegal BAYRAK television (15.09.09) broadcast the following:Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has explained Turkeys position on the Cyprus issue to the Ambassadors of foreign countries at a fast-breaking dinner hosted by his ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara last night. He said Turkeys attitude towards a solution in Cyprus is continuing. Noting that his government made historical reforms, Mr. Erdogan said in the last seven years they took serious steps which changed Turkeys face, image and perception. Also touching upon the Cyprus issue, he said Turkeys attitude towards a solution on the island is continuing. Evaluating the Greek Cypriot Administrations attitude towards a solution in Cyprus, Mr. Erdogan said South Cyprus is trying hard to prevent a solution on the island. ´However, we are in favour of a solution and I believe both TRNCs and Turkeys attitude towards a solution and Greek sides attitude towards a non-solution is being observed by the international community´ he added. Reminding that Turkey was elected as a temporary member to the United Nations Security Council for 2009-2010 years, the Turkish Premier said they are continuing the alliance of civilization project which they started with Spain with determination. [05] Statements by Deniz Baykal on the Cyprus problem.Under the title Baykal is worried about Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (16.09.09) reports on statements made by Deniz Baykal, chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) regarding the Cyprus problem.Speaking in a press conference after a meeting he held with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu at the headquarter of his party, Mr. Baykal stated that during his meeting with Davutoglu, they evaluated the developments on the Cyprus problem. Mr. Baykal stated the following: We are worried that we will again enter into a difficult position regarding the solution in Cyprus. Christofias stated that he will certainly not accept the Annan Plan. If Turkey is dragged to a solution worse than that the very serious results of this will come to the surface. Mr. Baykal stated also that the concept of equal sovereignty has been removed from the agenda and in parallel with this, negative signals started coming from the ongoing negotiation process in Cyprus. He also said that he has the impression that they are going far from a solution which is based on the two separate people and on the concepts of single sovereignty and single citizenship. Mr. Baykal alleged also that there is no consensus between the Government and the president in occupied Cyprus as well as the opposition and the government. (AK) [06] Egemen Bagis: We achieved to change the international balances without the withdrawal of a single soldier and without an inch of land to be givenTurkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (16.09.09) reports on statements made by the Turkish chief negotiator with the EU, Egemen Bagis. Speaking during the fast-breaking dinner which was given from his party in the town of Besiktas in Turkey, Mr. Bagis stated the following: We achieved to change the international balances without the withdrawal of a single soldier and without an inch of land to be given. Thank God, we are not the country which is appearing to be the reason for the non-solution in Cyprus.[07] Former director of the Evkaf Foundation sent a letter to UN Secretary General on the issue of the closed city of VaroshaIllegal BAYRAK television (15.09.09) broadcast the following:The former Director of the Evkaf Foundation and the Founding President
of the Association for the Study and Protection of the
Property-Compensation Rights of the Cyprus Turkish People Taner Dervi
has sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
on the issue of the closed city of Mara. In his letter, Mr Dervi
says that the Foundation has the right to take steps towards using its
property rights over Mara.
In a press release concerning his letter which contains information
about the property status of the closed city of Mara, Mr Dervi
complained that the Greek Cypriot Administration has been pursuing an
active policy for the hand over of the city to the Greek Cypriots and
reminded that the Greek Cypriot Leader Dimitris Christofias has
recently sent a letter to the UN Chief demanding the handover of the
city. He claimed that President Mehmet Ali Talat did not take a
counter initiative on behalf of the Cyprus Turkish people to protect
their rights.
Mr Dervi said he felt it necessary to send a letter to the UN Chief to
brief him on the realities regarding the issue.
A delegation consisting of representatives of some Russian media
organizations are holding contacts in the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus. The delegation was received by Prime Minister Dervi Erolu
today.
The Russian delegation is in the Republic as guest of the Cyprus
Turkish Building Contractors Association.
Welcoming representatives of the Russian media organizations at his
office, Prime Minister Erolu said that politicians love journalists too
much. Reminding that journalists use their pens sometimes to write
articles in support of good actions and sometimes to write critical
articles, he said criticisms made by media workers are shedding light
on the way to be followed by politicians. Referring the visit as a
good opportunity for the Russian journalists to see and understand the
realities in the TRNC, he urged them to explain their observations to
the Russian people. Although not being recognized by the world, it is
very pleasing for us to see Russian journalists understanding the
existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, he said. The
Premier added that it will be a positive development for the TRNC if it
is chosen by the Russian Federation as a destination.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Chairman of the Cyprus
Turkish Building Contractors Association Soner Yetkili said that the
visit was organized to promote the TRNC in Russian market.
(AK)
(AK)
According to the paper, the police authorities of the Republic of
Cyprus in the Agios Dometios crossing-point has sent back three TRNC
citizens on account that neither their father, nor mother was born in
Cyprus. The pilgrims crossed the Agios Dometios crossing-point with the
use of two buses and a mini bus.
(ML)
a) Purchase of Patriot Missile Systems:
Criticizing the reported Turkish plans to buy Patriot missile systems
from the United States to the tune of $7.8 billion in his article in
Milliyet, Melih Asik recalls the lack of funds to meet the need for
140,000 additional teachers. Questioning why Turkey has to pay such a
sum for missile systems while it cannot provide a decent education to
its children, Asik writes: "What is the reason? The missiles are to
provide security against Iran. We have no problem with Iran. The
United States has a problem with Iran. Why should it fall upon us to
meet the strategic needs of the United States? Why should Turkey spend
funds on weapons that have nothing to do with its own strategic needs?
Let us oppose this weapon purchase..."
If it is in the interests of the United States to station its Patriot
missiles on Turkish territory, then why does Turkey have to pay for
them, asks Derya Sazak in an article in Milliyet, suggesting that the
United States donate these systems. Recalling that NATO member
countries were opposed to stationing the Patriot missiles on Turkish
territory during the 1990 Gulf War, Sazak draws attention to the
absurdity of spending the precious few resources of the country on
Patriots while the country is facing such a serious economic crisis.
Questioning the reasoning behind the purchase of Patriots, Sazak
writes: "When one questions how come Patriots now, one thinks of
Incirlik Base, because the Patriots are not 'offensive' weapons. If
one day the United States or Israel hits Iran's nuclear plant, Teheran
is bound to respond. One of the inevitable targets will be Incirlik
and Turkey." Recalling Turkey's policy of zero problems with its
neighbors, Sazak concludes: "No to Patriots!"
Questioning against whom these Patriot missiles will be used in his
article in Vatan, Can Atakli disagrees with the logic that these
missiles will be purchased as a protection against Iran since he
believes that Iran does not pose a threat to Turkey. Agreeing with
Sazak that even if Iran poses a threat, Turkey should not be paying for
the missiles since the United States is to blame for that threat,
Atakli goes on to rule out Turkey's other neighbors as sources of
threat: "Greece is a member of both NATO and the EU, Bulgaria is a EU
member. No threat will come from that direction. One can rule out
Iraq since there is no Saddam and no state left there. As for Syria,
it would not dare. What is left is Russia. Why would Russia
constitute a military threat since we obtain most of our natural gas
from that country?" The writer concludes that the United States might
be seeking Turkey's support in the new "balance of fear" it is trying
to create.
In an article entitled "Some very bad things are being hatched" Yeni
Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul warns of what he describes as recent
international developments signalling dramatic events in the offing
like a war, a major attack, a secret and extensive operation, or
"something unpredictable that will jolt the world." He cites the
following as being among these "bizarre" happenings in the past few
months: Israel's [alleged] hijacking of a Russian ship carrying S-300
missiles to Iran, the outbreak of a "serious crisis" between Israel and
Sweden over this event, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
"disappearance" on 7 September and the consequent allegations that he
had paid a secret visit to Russia to prevent the sale of S-300 missiles
to Iran. He also links recent reports on Turkey's decision to buy
Patriot missiles from the United States to US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton's earlier remarks saying that a US security umbrella
will be set up in this region if Iran does not stop its nuclear
program.
b) Turkish-Armenian Relations
According to a report by Bahar Bakir in Milliyet, the protocols
initiated between Turkey and Armenia will be signed on 13 October, a
day before the soccer match to be played between the two countries
within the framework of the 2010 World Cup in Bursa on 14 October. The
fundamental concern of the Foreign Ministry is to disperse the fears of
the opposition parties that the protocols will adversely affect
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations and the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem, adds the report.
Assessing the protocols initialled between Turkey and Armenia in an
article in Cumhuriyet, Ali Sirmen says that the condition that Armenia
withdraw from the Azeri territories it occupies for opening the border
and establishing diplomatic relations is not mentioned in the
protocols. Noting that there is no mention of the 1921 Kars Agreement
that determines the borders between the two countries, Sirmen maintains
that Armenians of Armenia as well as those of the Diaspora will
continue to insist that their genocide claims be accepted. Referring to
the meeting to be held between Erdogan and CHP leader Deniz Baykal
today, Sirmen doubts that the CHP will support the content of these
protocols signed through US pressure.
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