Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-01-09

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Military established a Strategic Research Center that will plan for the coming decades.

[02] A building of the Nicosia International Airport to host the talks between President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader.

[03] The wild donkeys of the Karpass region were shot dead.

[04] VOLKAN newspaper cites reasons why Umit Inatci was dismissed from the so-called Near East University.

[05] Industrial output 13.9 % down in November.

[06] Twenty more charges have been filed against AVRUPA and its journalists; 200-year imprisonment demanded!

[07] Denktas said Turkey must send tourists instead of financial aid

[08] Turkish Minister said that their aim is for Cyprus to become green and productive.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Turkish paper calls on Turkey to accept the reality that in Cyprus there is one state with two communities.

[10] Columnist in STAR newspaper says that Cyprus will get the most attention during the Bush - Ecevit meeting.

[11] Mehmet Ali Birand thinks that President Clerides/s job will be more difficult than Denktas/s in the forthcoming talks.

[12] Sener Levent calls on the Turkish Cypriots to react against the escalated terrorism in the occupied Cyprus.

[13] Columnist of AFRIKA says solution is not possible with Denktas, adding he is "a little optimistic" because the initiative is neither in the hands of Denktas nor President Clerides.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Military established a Strategic Research Centre that will plan for the coming decades

The Strategic Research and Study Centre (SAREM) was opened the same day at the meeting held at General Staff headquarters to introduce it.

Addressing the meeting, Gen. Kivrikoglu said that SAREM, which will act within the structure of General Staff, won't deal with domestic politics.

``However the Centre will deal with evaluations about the fundamentalist and separatist activities which closely concern the future and national power of the Turkish State,`` he said.

Kivrikoglu said that SAREM is a think-tank which brings together civilian and military administrators, strategists and scientists.

``One of the most important elements in determining the national military strategy is the security atmosphere of the future. If you are to develop a defense strategy, you must estimate the change in the international security atmosphere for the coming 20 years. Because it is not possible to change the military power of a nation so quickly. You have to give your decisions about the issue years before and you should form your armed forces in a way that is foreseen by the future`s security atmosphere,`` Kivrikoglu said. He said that the questions of the future have to be answered by both the military and civilian officials who should study together.

Kivrikoglu alleged that countries which were friends of Turkey for years extended support to terrorism which targeted the future of Turkey.

He added that there are not many think-tanks in Turkey, adding that SAREM will make studies with the goal of presenting information and alternative solutions for military and civilian decision makers.

Kivrikoglu said that SAREM would shed light to the future and would have important contributions to Turkish intellectual life and security.

Kivrikoglu stated that institutions such as SAREM should carry out studies without any prejudices. He said there were a number of institutions in Turkey but their studies were weakened by obsessions and prejudices.

``SAREM will do research in geopolitical and geostrategical fields and provide important database and alternatives to decision makers,`` he continued. ``It will not be involved in domestic policy. Matters of domestic policy will be outside of SAREM`s activity field. However, SAREM will naturally deal with Islamist fundamentalist activities since this directly concerns the Turkish Republic. SAREM`s activities will not reflect the official view of any institution.``

Kivrikoglu said that SAREM would be formed of a small number of military personnel and a large number of university lecturers and will be one of the largest think-tanks of Turkey. ``Briefly, SAREM`s goal is not to do politics but to make assessments for the future about Turkey`s national security,`` he added.

Later SAREM Chairman Resat Odun gave information about SAREM. He stated that SAREM would mostly focus on the Caucasians, Balkans, Middle East, Central Asian Turkish Republics, Europe, Aegean, Cyprus, Mediterranean, and Blacksea regions and it would present research results to the relevant authorities.

[02] A building of the Nicosia International Airport to host the talks between President Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot leader

According to the paper the United Nations are renovating a building in the area of the Nicosia International Airport, which is under UN control since the Turkish invasion of July 1974.

The renovation of the building will cost the UN 100,000 dollars and it will be used as the venue for the direct talks while special arrangements are being made to provide facilities for the representatives of the mass media.

The paper also reports that UNFICYP Spokesperson, Mr. Brian Kelly, confirmed the information that a building is being renovated in the area but for security reasons he declined to disclose the exact position of the site.

Commenting on the renovation of a building for the talks the paper invokes political circles as saying that "there is an entrance but no exit. Once the leaders sit on the negotiating table they will not be able to abandon it".

[03] The wild donkeys of the Karpass region were shot dead

The paper writes that after an autopsy carried out by the so-called Veterinary Department of the illegal Ministry of Agriculture and Forests it was concluded that the donkeys were hit with hunters/ shotguns and died as a result of bleeding.

[04] VOLKAN newspaper cites reasons why Umit Inatci was dismissed from the so-called Near East University

The paper says that Umit Inatci is the Secretary of the Ihsan Ali Foundation.

Ihsan Ali was a Turkish Cypriot who devoted his life in efforts to promote the peaceful co-existence of Greeks and Turkish Cypriots and the paper brands him as "traitor of his country".

According to VOLKAN Umit Inatci is a holder of a Cyprus Republic passport, which is contrary to the "laws" of the pseudostate.

VOLKAN also reports that Umit Inatci, who was a member of the "NEU" teaching staff for three years and "eating bread from the University", in his writings in AVRUPA and AFRIKA called the "motherland Turkey" as occupying force in Cyprus, the "TRNC" a pseudostate and "President" Denktas a liar.

The paper concludes by citing statements made by students who thanked and congratulated the decision of the administration of the "university" to dismiss Umit Inatci alleging that they supported the freedom of thought and free exchange of ideas but "they could never accept such a person who was trying to inject sick ideas in the youth" and "who called the motherland an occupying force every day".

[05] Industrial output 13.9 % down in November

Manufacturing industry output fell by 15.2 percent and mining output by 17.9 percent on-the-year in November, while utilities output increased slightly by 0.6 percent.

Industrial output posted the tenth straight drop since February 2001 when Turkey was forced to abandon an International Monetary Fund-backed disinflation program and floated the lira amid a financial crisis.

In the first 11 months of 2001, industrial output fell by 8.8 percent, with manufacturing output sliding 9.7 percent, mining by 7.9 percent, and output of utilities fell 1.9 percent as compared to the same period of last year.

Analysts say an ongoing credit crunch is deterring a recovery in industrial output, particularly that of the manufacturing sector, and are predicting an improvement in output figures in the coming months only because of mathematical effects.

In December 2000, Turkey's industrial output had fallen 4.2 percent as a sagging domestic demand showed effects of the financial crisis that burst in November. Ankara .

[06] Twenty more charges have been filed against "Avrupa" and its journalists; 200-year imprisonment demanded!

As reported, some time ago the occupation regime had filed 90 more charges against the writers of "Avrupa". Besides Sener Levent among the accused journalists are Ali Osman, Nilgun Orhon, Susan Karaman and Memduh Ener.

"After the face-to-face talks oppression and violence is being escalated in Northern Cyprus", argues "Afrika" noting that the number of charges filed until today against "Avrupa" has reached an "extraordinary and unbelievable record". The paper writes also that within 2002 the so-called "courts" will function only for "Avrupa" and its journalists.

Meanwhile, a small printing machine confiscated from the offices of "Avrupa" is to be sold tomorrow by public auction. According to "Afrika" the machine does not belong to "Avrupa", but to one of its journalists, Mehmet Levent, who protested about the event through his lawyer, Hasan Nidai Mesutoglu. Despite that the issue is planned to be examined at the so-called "court" on 14 January, the occupation regime did not wait for the "trial" to be concluded.

Furthermore, property of other persons, which had been confiscated from "Avrupa" were also sold by public auction. Among these items are a television and a computer belonging to Cemaliye Volkan and Mehmet Birinci respectively.

[07] Denktas said Turkey must send tourists instead of financial aid

The Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas met yesterday with the delegation of the agencies, where he stressed that they prefer Turkey to send tourists instead of aid to the occupied areas. "We will be very pleased if one percent of the tourists, who visit Turkey, come here", Denktas said. "The flow of the tourism will help our economy to recover", he added.

[08] Turkish Minister said that their aim is for Cyprus to become green and productive

Gokalp said that during the meeting of the 6th Joint Turkey-"TRNC" Economic Committee it was decided to develop the cooperation in the fields of agriculture and attach importance to the agriculture investments in the occupied areas. He also made reference to the agreement in the field of fisheries according to which Turkish Cypriots and Turkish fishermen can fish together in the open sea. (Tr. note: The Turkish Cypriot fishermen complained about this agreement, because it was against their interests.)

Finally, Gokalp said that all the agricultural projects to apply in Turkey would be transferred to the occupied areas according to a decision by the Council of Ministers in an effort to make Cyprus green and productive.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[09] Turkish paper calls on Turkey to accept the reality that in Cyprus there is one state with two communities

The full text of the commentary is as follows:

"There are two obstacles keeping us from acceding to the European Union [EU]: Cyprus, and the death penalty. If we do not adhere to the EU's conditions on both issues, we will not be able to join. Let us not even contemplate that, for, as the Europeans say, "The EU won't go to Turkey; Turkey will come to the EU." Let us not forget this. But unfortunately we persist, with certain incomprehensible primitive instincts, in resisting both these rules and the Union itself. It is not clear what benefit we are to derive from this. But thankfully, friendly countries are working to wean us away from our errors. Most recently, U.S. President George Bush has taken up the Cyprus problem. There will be contacts in Washington over the next few days...

The U.S. President, who in general does not invite many statesmen to Washington, has invited Prime Minister [Bulent] Ecevit. In fact, Bush indeed needs Turkey, primarily as a result of the Iraq issue, but is this alone a sufficient reason for an invitation to Ecevit? While we were pondering this, the real truth emerged. Along with Ecevit, Bush had also invited Greek Prime Minister [Konstandinos] Simitis. And Simitis, next Thursday, will travel to Washington and meet with Bush before Ecevit does. Prime Minister Ecevit will be together with Bush in the White House on 16 January. How strange it is that, on the very same day, Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas will once again be sitting down at the same table on Cyprus. None of this is coincidence. It is clear that America has gotten involved in the Cyprus issue as well as Afghanistan and Iraq, and wants first Turkey and Greece, and then Clerides and Denktas, to reach agreement.

The U.S. and Europe do not want, in addition to all the various disputes in the Middle East and Central Asia, a Pandora's Box in the Eastern Mediterranean as well. Washington has taken a hostile approach toward the `TRNC/ ever since the announcement of the MBK [National Unity Committee] in 1983, during the time when [Kenan] Evren was President. To the extent that the U.S. even convinced Pakistan, which had decided to recognize the`TRNC/, to back off from this decision. In addition, it had by means of U.N. Security Council Resolution 541 proclaimed the establishment of the `TRNC/ "legally invalid" and called for it to be annulled. This decision had not at all pleased the late [Turgut] Ozal, who was just about to become Prime Minister, because it placed Turkey in a very difficult position. The proclamation of the `TRNC/ had been interpreted as a fait accompli that Denktas had presented to Turkey.

And now the matter is being taken up once again. Denktas and Clerides are beginning to talk. President Bush has also taken up the issue in accordance with the wishes of the Europeans. He will not only ask Turkey to abandon its insistence on the topic of two independent states, and not to annex the `TRNC/, but will also ask Greece to finally show some understanding, for instance, by not using its veto with regard to the European Security and Defense Identity [ESDI], and to be supportive towards a solution on Cyprus. Bush will also assert that they will not allow a war to break out in the Eastern Mediterranean, and that they are taking all measures against this. For instance, there is not just the American Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, but there are also NATO ships in the vicinity of the island of Cyprus. Even though these ships are patrolling in these waters "to counter terrorism", everyone knows that they would not merely look on if a conflict were to break out on Cyprus.

There is one reality that Turkey finally has to acknowledge. There is one state, with two communities, on Cyprus, and not two states. There is no way that we can get the world to accept anything other than this. No matter with what foreign official you speak, they all say this quite openly. And indeed, [Gunter] Verheugen, a member of the Commission which is responsible for the EU's expansion, who speaks very carefully and in a measured manner, felt the need the day before yesterday to point out openly that, should Turkey persist in its refusal to reach an agreement, Southern Cyprus will be taken into the EU on its own. None of these things are coincidences; the world finally does not want tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it is clear that they are taking every sort of measure to prevent war breaking out in the region. If there should be no agreement, and if the EU should accept Southern Cyprus as a member, then what would we do?

Would we annex the `TRNC/ and declare war on the rest of the world? We need to collect our wits and, on this topic on which we could suffer a great many losses, both moral and material, behave more carefully and more responsibly, rather than emotionally. We are in the year 2002, not back in the 1900's... "

[10] Columnist in STAR newspaper says that Cyprus will get the most attention during the Bush - Ecevit meeting

The commentary is as follows: "The visit Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will pay to Washington next week has been debated for days. Many articles were written about what the agenda will be, what the Turkish side will say, and what the American side will reply. Attention has been mainly focused on Iraq. The impression created is that Iraq will be the principal topic of the meeting between Ecevit and President Bush and that the other issues are of secondary importance. The general theme outlined by those who put this issue at the top is also obvious: The United States is preparing to strike at Iraq after Afghanistan and Turkey's mission must be to prevent this through persuasion.

In the meantime Prime Minister Ecevit has himself said that economic and trade relations will have priority in the talks to be held in Washington. He will take to Washington the approach of "trade not aid," a slogan once made famous by [former President] Turgut Ozal whom Ecevit criticized severely in the past.

Obviously both issues are very important. It is clear that Turkey has highly valid concerns about Iraq. It is also evident that the economic and trade aspects of Turkish-American relations need to be developed further. However there is not much that can be said about these two issues. On the first issue, the U.S. side will try to allay Turkey's fears by saying: "We have no plans about Iraq. There is much talk but there is nothing definite." In response the Turkish side will say: "That is very good because such an act would put us and the region in a very difficult position."

In other words there is no new dimension that can be introduced on this issue beyond this exchange. Moreover a military operation against Iraq appears to be improbable for now because of a set of valid reasons. Washington realizes each passing day how difficult it would be to carry this war over to Iraq. The most influential hawks of the United States have been discussing this issue for weeks. This group has been saying--without thinking too much about the "feasibility" of the issue--that "we must strike while the iron is hot" and arguing: "Since we have declared war against terrorism we must also start a military campaign against Saddam without delay."

However in recent days prominent figures such as former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft have begun saying that such an operation would not be as easy as is thought and that it would be unreasonable to attack Iraq at this stage. I believe that the Americans, who are still gripped with the trauma and emotions of September 11, will see this better as things calm down.

Washington has a ready answer for the second issue also: "We have already increased textile quotas in towels and bathrobes. We will increase them further. We have taken steps in the direction you want and we will continue to do so." At the same time the United States will seek ways of gaining a larger foothold in Turkey's strategically important economic and trade sectors--chiefly telecommunications and energy. At least this is what the information we have been getting suggests.

These issues will obviously be discussed. However I think that the issue that will get the most attention is Cyprus. Our officials say that this is not their impression, but the importance the American side attaches to this issue is well known. I think that this importance is now even greater given that the Denktas-Clerides meeting will take place on the same day as the Ecevit-Bush meeting. The importance of the issue is further enhanced given that Cyprus will be discussed by Bush and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Washington a few days before Ecevit's visit.

At present the United States is working very hard to reinforce Turkey's relations with the West and especially Europe. The September 11 attacks made Turkey's importance for the United States more evident. The United States knows that any progress in Cyprus would remove a major sticking point in Turkey's relations with Europe. For this reason I think that Cyprus will take up an important place in Ecevit's upcoming visit.

Another issue that may not be on the front stage but which may be important in terms of its implications is the embargo Turkey has imposed against Armenia. It has been known for some time that the United States will ask Turkey to lift its embargo against Armenia in response to the lifting of the U.S. embargo against Azerbaijan--which was originally imposed under pressure from the Armenian lobby. The Armenian lobby has been pressing for this and the issue will definitely come up during Ecevit's visit.

In sum, I say that, instead of being obsessed with issues like Iraq which is "hypothetical" for now, let us not forget that there are more pressing issues that affect Turkish-American relations".

[11] Mehmet Ali Birand thinks that President Clerides/s job will be more difficult than Denktas/s in the forthcoming talks

The commentary is as follows: "Clerides and Denktas will meet in Cyprus next week at a time when the Turkish Prime Minister will be entering the White House and shaking hands with President George W. Bush.

What an interesting coincidence, isn't it? These two giant warriors have been negotiating for 35 years! However, this will be their last round of bargaining. They have the same aim: Making the other side accept the formula that is closest to the formula on the mind of each side.

They will sit down on Jan. 16 and start to wrestle. In the end either a solution will be found or the current situation will continue with all its negative aspects. Then these two giants will not be able to meet at the negotiating table ever again. So this time, everybody will be using his final chance.

What kind of solution is on Ankara's mind? There are so many "owners" of the Cyprus issue.

Furthermore, for some reason, everybody is a Cyprus expert. Everybody has a scenario. Some of them have a disaster scenario, some others have unfathomable scenarios laced with conspiracy theories.

For some time I have tried to find out what the prime minister, the foreign minister and the Turkish Armed Forces were thinking, what was the formula on their minds.

In think that in the end I have understood it a little.

Those in decision-making positions in Ankara are not confused on basic issues. A joint approach has been established. There is only one issue they are stressing. And that is: The current realities of the island must be acknowledged. In other words, Clerides should acknowledge in principle the territories and powers in the hands of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

It is being said that the details would be negotiable. Would the `TRNC/ territories amount to 29 percent or 31 percent? How many migrants it would be possible to settle in some areas? How should the exchange of assets and property be carried out? How should Varosha be opened up, how should the Nicosia airport be shared out and used? There are hardly any problems on such issues. There is flexibility on such matters.

There is no flexibility on one issue though.

That is the `TRNC/ territory, powers and identity.

The Turks' governing themselves is the most indispensable element. It is being stipulated that at the end of the bargaining process the existence and powers of that state be accepted. And the Greek Cypriots must not have any powers over that state. Therefore, there seems to be no solution other than giving the joint government only very limited powers.

In return, Ankara is prepared to make concessions on foreign representation and identity, an issue to which the Greek Cypriots are most sensitive. The Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot regions will be represented by the joint government.

The impression I had from the top names I talked with in Ankara is that Turkey is thinking of a Cyprus of the following kind: Two states -- which would not act independently and would be represented by a central authority abroad while governing themselves on a local plane -- becoming full members of the European Union under a "weak" common roof.

Ankara is openly accepting that it cannot use naked force and sit on Cyprus. But it will try to keep the `TRNC/ as far from the Greek Cypriots as possible. In the future, these two states may, under the EU roof, drop all these restrictions and make a brand new arrangement. No one would be able to meddle in that aspect of the issue. The Turkish Armed Forces agree with this reasoning. They are not making any impossible-to-meet demands on any strategic military grounds.

Clerides's job more difficult than Denktas's

Those with whom I had a talk in Ankara were mainly concerned on one issue: Would Clerides be able to overcome the domestic opposition? This opposition has been, all these years, built on a platform of "removing the Turks from the island." And add to that the "those who have lost their assets in the North" factor, which is an issue still being kept very much alive, and you see that Clerides's job will be much more difficult than that of Denktas.

Curiously, there is a widely-held conviction in Ankara to the effect that despite the obstructions of the "local opposition," Clerides will get his main support from Athens.

Who will conduct the negotiations on the Turkish side? Who will determine the policies? I received the same answer from all of them: Denktas.

However, they were quick to add: "Mr. Denktas always obtains our views when he makes a decision."

Everybody knows what a realistic person Denktas is. However, it is being said openly that Mr. Denktas now has much more room for movement than in the past.

And, as long as one remains within the "solution parameters" mentioned above, Denktas will obviously not meet with any significant opposition, either locally or in Turkey.

We will see how the last wrestling bout of these two rivals will end."

[12] Sener Levent calls on the Turkish Cypriots to react against the escalated terrorism in the occupied Cyprus

"How many more pigeon heads they, who in the name of 'peace' remain silent against the recently escalated terror by the Ankara - Denktas regime, are waiting to be cut off for this 'peace'? How many more victims? Tell us, the heads of how many patriots who have been dedicated to peace are needed for this ' sacred peace'? .

So, according to you, Nilgun Orhon who has been thrown out from school has no right to say 'I do not like this peace'! If she says so, she will be a provocateur and will be dealing a blow to the talks. Wouldn't she? .It means that you would not raise your voice and would write 'let us encourage Denktas at the talks', if for example you were a teacher and the regime had kicked you out of your school and if after that had given you to court and demanded your imprisonment. .

It means, according to you, I should be optimistic now. I should light candles and sing peace songs. Instead of giving another one head for the sake of peace, I must participate in these innocent actions so that there is no need for the police to interfere and no more charges will be filed against me. I wish that peace could be achieved only with lighting candles and signing songs, but this is not possible. In worlds such as ours the price for peace is the heads, not the candles. .".

[13] Columnist of "Afrika" says solution is not possible with Denktas, adding he is "a little optimistic" because the initiative is neither in the hands of Denktas nor President Clerides

"Some people are getting mad with `Afrika/ because it writes that the solution is impossible with Denktas. .I do not believe that Denktas will make peace. What has changed about the head-architect of the 'non-solution is the solution' policy, which was applied for 30 years and now he is dressed as an apostle of peace in the eyes of the world?! For him peace is a mask, which at the most he is forced to wear on his face. It is a mask with which he is trying to hide that someone else has dragged him from the ear and forced him to sit at the table! .

If there is something of which Denktas should be ashamed, is that he keeps repeating like a parrot that he returned by himself to the table and the peace procedure started after his own initiative. .This looks like someone who passes by the graveyard at night and sings in order to overcome his fear!

Why should I tell you a lie, I feel sorry for these kind of people. .But it seems to me a very big injustice to wipe out the past and make an angel of peace a man who for 30 years was annihilating the Turkish Cypriots by applying the 'non-solution is the solution' policy and turned into a foreigner in his own country.

A big part of the society does not trust Denktas, even if it tries to be optimistic. The doubts cannot go away both from their hearts and head. No one has the right to present Denktas as the architect and the hero of a possible peace, erasing in one night the 30-years old image of the architect of the non-solution. .

There are two reasons for the little hope and optimism, which is left in a tiny corner of my heart. The first one is that the initiative for peace and agreement is neither in the hand of Denktas nor in the hand of Clerides. It is completely in the hands of the foreign powers. .(To tell you the truth at this stage I absolutely do not care for this!) The second reason is the possibility for Denktas to sign an agreement in order to show that `Afrika/, which supports that it is impossible with Denktas, is a liar!

Did you say that this is a fantasy? Even fantasizing for this is beautiful! .".

KV/SK

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