Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 01-06-06

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NUP and DP agree to form the new so-called government

[02] The Turkish side is assessing the U.N. Secretary-General/s report on Cyprus

[03] The Turkish government was reshuffled

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkish columnist assesses Turkey - U.S. relations. Stresses Turkey/s military strength

[05] Turkish columnist calls on Turkey to behave in such a way that her European course is not stopped because of Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] NUP and DP agree to form the new so-called government

The agreement was announced by NUP and DP leaders Dervish Eroglu and Salih Cosar during a press conference in occupied Nicosia yesterday. The so-called government will be established in line with the principle of six to four.

The distribution of "ministries" between the parties is as follows: NUP received the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Village Affairs and Housing, Public Works and Transportation, Education and Culture. The Democratic Party in turn, received the State Ministry in charge of the Economy and Ministries of Labour, Youth and Sports, Health and Social Security, and Tourism and Environment.

The "protocol" in line with these basic principles will be signed today. The "cabinet" is expected to be presented to Rauf Denktash on Thursday and vote of confidence will probably take place on Friday.

In his statements Eroglu said that economic issues will be taken up as soon as possible and that a visit to Turkey will take place probably shortly after the "government" is set up.

The National Unity Party has 23 "seats" in the 50-seat so-called Assembly while the Democratic Party 12. The rest are distributed as follows: Communal Liberation Party 7, Republican Turkish Party 6, Nationalist Justice Party 1 and one independent.

Although the names of the so-called Ministers were not announced the paper writes that it is expected that Denktash/s son Serdar will be given the so-called Tourism and Environment ministry.

[02] The Turkish side is assessing the U.N. Secretary-General/s report on Cyprus

A.A. makes reference to the letter sent earlier to the Secretary-General by Turkey requesting for the inclusion of an "Appendix" noting that this was not included as a result of the opposition of the Greek Cypriot side.

A.A. invokes diplomatic sources saying to its correspondent in New York that "this issue will be evaluated and that they will show their reaction."

[03] The Turkish government was reshuffled

The paper writes that the Motherland Party leader Mesut Yilmaz has also moved the Minister of Internal Affairs, Sadettin Tantan to the State Customs Ministry, «because of a dispute they had last week». According to the paper' s information the Former State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen was appointed in Mr. Tantan`s place in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Furthermore, State Minister Mehmet Kececiler was appointed responsible for Anadolia News Agency, for the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) and for the Religious Foundations (Vakiflar).

The paper writes that the reshuffle was made after a meeting between Mr. Yilmaz and the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. The latter went to Presidential Palace to inform President Sezer.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[04] Turkish columnist assesses Turkey - U.S. relations. Stresses Turkey/s military strength.

The full text of the commentary is as follows:

" Turkey draws its strength from its military forces instead of its economy and politicians, who have not been able to comply with contemporary requirements. Many officials are not aware of that because of their biased approach. The US officials should not be considered among them, regardless of the fact that what they tell the senators who approve their ambassadors to Ankara is usually quite the opposite.

Turkey's neighbours cannot give up their friendly relations with Ankara because of our country's military might. Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld's visit has confirmed that.

The task of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) is no longer limited to the defence of the country's border. They can easily have a role in the solution of problems that might be seen as possible threats to Turkey. That has been outlined by the highest-ranking officials several times in the past. Everyone, both friend and foe, must be aware of that. Undoubtedly, Turkey maintaining its strength will be in the interest of Europe and the United States.

Turkey depends only on NATO's nuclear capability for its defence against the neighbouring countries, which have missiles and weapons of mass destruction in their arsenals. It will not need any other serious arrangement if the present situation remains unchanged. The developments that took place during the past few years have shown where the TAF might be effective. Looking at the operations in northern Iraq, Ankara's resolute approach on Cyprus, and the warning given to Syria to expel Workers Party of Kurdistan leader Abdullah Ocalan from its territory some time ago, the experts can easily determine the source of Turkey's might. So, the country's new military strategy, which is based on its strength, must be appropriately assessed. Is it not true that the Turkish Air Force has become a tactical and a regional force after it was reinforced with AWACS planes and tanker aircraft?

It will be recalled that some of the officials in Luxembourg made initiatives to keep Turkey out of the EU in the past. Why do they try to fawn now? Is it not true that Athens has realized that Turkey remaining outside the EU would be a problem for Greece?

Unfortunately, some of our colleagues, who know very little about defence, find it difficult to realize why the TAF maintains favourable relations with Israel. It is not only because of the three points we have mentioned that Turkey is important for the Western world. Who can deny the role played by the military troops that were deployed close to Iraq's border during the Gulf War? Who can deny the importance of Turkey's military units in Bosnia and Kosovo? Furthermore, who can deny the importance of Turkey's bases, which the allies were allowed to use within NATO's framework?

I do not want to discuss military details. However, I must note that many factors confirm what I said.

As far as stability is concerned, the Western countries are glad that Turkey has a strong army, regardless of the fact that some of its military projects have been postponed because of the economic crisis.

We believe that President Bush's missile defence project does not conflict with Turkey's defence strategy. In view of that, Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld will be reassured when he departs. However, Turkey must be careful not to be the only country that supports the project.

Turkey seems to seriously differ with the Western countries on Cyprus and the ESDI. Regarding the United States, it can be said that Washington does not fully agree with Ankara on the two problems. However, the US officials in Washington, particularly the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence, are well informed on Turkey's situation. We are convinced that the two countries maintaining their favourable relations will depend on whether or not the US diplomats provide misleading information and assessments to Washington."

[05] Turkish columnist calls on Turkey to behave in such a way that her European course is not stopped because of Cyprus

«If you try to stop Turkey`s European course saying that `I am right in Cyprus`, then you will serve neither the Turkish Cypriots nor the Turks of Turkey», notes Mr. Cemal who also claims that the Turkish side is right on the basic matters of the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Cemal says among other things the following: «...While you protect your rights, you have to keep such a reasonable policy that on the one hand not to harm the Turkish Cypriots and on the other not to block Turkey`s way to Europe. Yes, the European Union has made a mistake. It has declared that it would accept Southern Cyprus to the EU without a solution to the Cyprus problem. This situation has made the Greek Cypriot Administration more hard. It has stopped moving towards a solution. ...Now it is waiting the day to enter the EU. The Turkish side's behaviour is also becoming harder. Mr. Denktash is not on the (negotiating) table. In Ankara there is a climate of reaction. The integration with the TRNC ...Instability in Eastern Mediterranean. Black clouds again in the Aegean. ...There are even unreasonable tendencies which consider those who talk about solution in Cyprus as traitors. We have to think calmly. It is known that there are some people who want to cut Turkey`s way towards Europe. They, who are both in Turkey and in Europe, for a long time have been rubbing their hands...»

Repeating his claim that Europe is making a mistake on Cyprus and expressing the view that Turkey is at crucial cross-roads, Mr. Cemal concludes as follows:

«However, Ankara cannot have the luxury of reacting to a mistake with another mistake. The right thing to do is to start following a productive policy if we want the good of Turkey and change the policy of `if so I will do this`...».

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