Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-10-30

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The flag of the illegal regime in occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range has been illuminated.

[02] IFJ voices concern over Turkish press bill.

[03] The address of twenty persons in the 'electoral list' is the same as the address of the permanent undersecretary at the 'Prime Minister^Òs' office.

[04] Nuri Cevikel says the number of the settlers is about 60 thousand.

[05] Ali Erel says the assassinators of Kutlu Adali go around freely in the occupied areas.

[06] 'Reporters Without Borders' calls for review of Sinan Kara case.

[07] Gul says US inept, hesitant in troops talks.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] 'The flag was illuminated just to provoke peace'.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The flag of the illegal regime in occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range has been illuminated

The paper reports the news in its front page over the logo and writes the following:

'The illumination of the `TRNC´ flag, which was an issue in world press from time to time, has pleased thousands of our compatriots and was given extensive coverage by some Greek Cypriot newspaper.

In the meantime, it was made known that in the coming days journalists of newspapers and television crews from Turkey will come to the `TRNC´ in order to cover the illumination of the Giant `TRNC´ flag', concludes VATAN newspaper

[02] IFJ voices concern over Turkish press bill

The IFJ on Tuesday expressed its concerns over the bill in a letter to the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, requesting detailed information on the provisions of the law.

IFJ General Secretary Aidan White in the letter drew attention to exceptions in the proposed law dealing with public order and national security matters, adding that these could exert increased pressure on journalists and media organizations. White also warned that the new law could overshadow Turkey's recent reforms on human rights and press freedom, causing a loss of credibility for Turkey in its bid to join the European Union.

The IFJ said they found the provisions of the law enabling authorities to confiscate or temporarily order television or radio stations off the air a matter for grave concern, the Anatolia news agency reported.

The government maintains that the bill lifts restrictions on the circulation of publications and decreases the amount of fines imposed on press and media organizations for violations of the press law and adds that it would extend journalists' right to keep sources anonymous.

The IFJ has 450,000 members from 100 countries and is headquartered in Brussels.

Turkey recently passed a series of reforms to improve human rights and freedoms throughout the country in a bid to increase its chances of joining the EU.

[03] The address of twenty persons in the 'electoral list' is the same as the address of the permanent undersecretary at the 'Prime Minister^Òs' office

The paper writes that four persons from Palestine, five from Cairo, two from Mecca, two from Limassol, one from Sivas (Turkey), one from Qatar, one from Bursa (Turkey), one from Erdek (Turkey), Silifke (Turkey), one from Nicosia and one from Algeria are registered in the Second Road Taskinkoy 1.

[04] Nuri Cevikel says the number of the settlers is about 60 thousand

Responding to Mr Birand^Òs questions, Mr Cevikel said, inter alia, the following regarding the settlers:

'^ÅThe Turkish army had set off that hot day of 20 July 1974 in order to bring peace to Cyprus. Even if its name had been peace, they went to war and brought peace. A part of those who went there did not come back. They have chosen Cyprus to be their home. Right after the war 1.400 Ghazis, who are regarded to be the ancestors of the refugees, settled there, got married and had children. One year later, with the encouragement of the state this time, the second refugee wave began. Afterwards the emigration to Cyprus continued massively. The first wave continued until the eighties and 25 thousand persons immigrated into the island. The Greek Cypriot administration talks about around 120 thousand emigrants from Turkey. According to what the Refugees^Ò Association has established, around 60 thousand Turkish refugees live in the island. Most of them earn their living from agriculture and stock raising. Their educational level is lower than the one of the Turkish Cypriots. According to facts given by the TRNC, 54 thousand persons of Turkish origin have become TRNC citizens. The citizenship is granted in general with a decision of the council of ministers. ^Å.Until recently we have been supporting Mr Denktas and the ruling rightist parties, but of course the support of those of Turkish origin to the above-mentioned parties is due to the signals coming from the Turkish governments. We could say that until today the governments in Ankara had great influence in the support (the population of Turkish origin) gave to Mr Denktas and the ruling parties against the opposition. The Turkish embassy there and the Turkish officials had great influence in that. However, now we have come to a point where we do not want to sacrifice our future for any ambassador, or anyone else. ^Å'.

[05] Ali Erel says the assassinators of Kutlu Adali go around freely in the occupied areas

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Erel describes the attack 'an ugly aggression committed against all the Turkish Cypriots'. Mr Erel argues that some circles by threats and oppression try 'to stop the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, peace and EU'.

Mr Erel notes, inter alia, the following: 'The fact that journalists, who have as their duty to tell people the realities and try to contribute to the solution process, are face to face with violence, causes great concern in a country where the persons who have brutally assassinated Kutlu Adali are freely walking around in the streets. ^Å'.

[06] 'Reporters Without Borders' calls for review of Sinan Kara case

In June, Turkey's highest appeals court found Kara guilty of threatening Mert Ciller, the son of former Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller.

The organisation first called for a review of the case in a letter to Justice Minister Cemil Cicek on October 22.

"At a time when the European Union is preparing its report on the progress made by Turkey as regards membership, such a severe sentence for a journalist who has already spent months in prison would have the worst possible impact," the organisation said in its written statement.

The EU is due to review Turkey's progress at a summit in December 2004 and may decide to open talks shortly afterwards.

[07] Gul says US inept, hesitant in troops talks

Dismissing any halt in talks, Gul said the United States has already offered a region west of the capital, in the township of Al-Anbar, as a possible duty area.

Earlier this month, the Turkish General Staff said Turkey told the United States that it would prefer to station its troops either around the province of Salahaddin, north of Baghdad, or in a strip stretching from the west of Baghdad to the border with Syria in the Al-Anbar province.

Gul said that this second option had been offered to Turkey by the United States but added no outcome has been reached, due to the way Washington handled the issue.

"There is ineptitude here. The United States first seemed very eager and told us to hurry, then doubts emerged. We will make no sacrifice if we are to be met with hesitance," Gul said and emphasized that Turkey needed to know very clearly under what conditions its troops would be sent to Iraq.

Gul's criticisms against the United States came amid mixed signals from Washington over plans to receive troops from Turkey to boost the 130,000-strong U.S. force there. Facing strong opposition from Iraq's Governing Council, Washington has appeared to be encouraging direct talks between Ankara and the U.S.-appointed Governing Council.

Gul suggested Turkey would not talk to the Governing Council on the troops issue.

"It is the United States that requested troops from us. The United States is currently the occupying force in Iraq. It should convince the council," Gul told reporters.

Paul Bremer, head of the U.S. civilian administration in Iraq, was quoted earlier this week as suggesting that Turkey and the Governing Council, which bitterly opposed any Turkish deployment in Iraq, should discuss the issue to find a solution acceptable to all.

Turkish Parliament passed a government motion earlier this month to allow deployment of troops to Iraq to help a U.S.-led stabilization force but plans have apparently stalled following growing concerns in Washington over the merits of Turkish involvement.

Talks expected to be held between Ankara and Washington on terms of a possible deployment have not started amid U.S. statements hinting at an overall revision of Turkish troop contribution plans.

Gul emphasized that Turkey was in no rush to send troops to Iraq. "Talks will continue. We are in no rush because we have no greed, no secret agenda," he said.

Ambassador Bremer said in televised remarks this week that Iraqi opposition to Turkish involvement was understandable because of a 400-year Ottoman presence in this country.

Gul said Bremer's remarks stemmed from a lack of knowledge of the region and history.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Bremer's remarks, which it said were "unfortunate" and said such remarks would not "help international efforts to develop peace and good neighbourly relations in Iraq."

"We have no secret intention in Iraq. Iraq's territorial integrity and stability is important for Turkey. We will not go to Iraq to oppress the Iraqi people," Gul said.

U.S. congressmen meeting Turkish officials in Ankara on Tuesday said it was a historical fact that Turks had ruled Iraq for centuries. They also said that fact should not be dwelt upon.

One member of the House of Representatives delegation, Thomas Lanton, said Turkey had no territorial claim on any country and dismissed Turkey as a threat against Iraq.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] 'The flag was illuminated just to provoke peace'

Mr Levent inter alia writes the following:

'Yesterday a fellow citizen called from Krini village. His voice was full of anger.^ÑFor fifteen hours now there is no electricity in our village^Ò, he said. We are desperate. We cannot find an office to express our problems. Please write. Those, who buried us to the darkness in the 21st century by telling us fairy tales that we will keep alive the TRNC until the eternity, must be ashamed. Of course there will be hundreds to be ashamed.

I promised, I said that I will write. He said thank you and hung up the phone.

At that moment, what a terrible coincidence, an information which came to the paper was placed in front of my eyes.

The flag which is in the mountain has been illuminated and for some nights now there is a test operation for this.

The truth is this: Such a terrifying contradiction of such a remarkable nature to appear was a terrible coincidence.

By saying motherland-nation-flag they have wasted all our past. By saying motherland-nation -flag they do their best in order to burry our whole future as well.

By saying motherland-nation-flag they try to poison every moment of the days or our lives. For hours, for days they condemn us in the dark. ^Å(passage omitted )

What a wisdom and logic, what a common sense^Å

Everything is levelled to the ground.

The flag was illuminated just to provoke peace and solution.

Do not worry or suffer if our houses, our towns, our villages remain in the dark.

Let the fire place be without fire and your red flag to be illuminated

Did you understand now why Denktas has given to the President of the Association for Illuminating the Flag, Mr Tanju Muezzinoglu, 600 million lira, from the pockets of the people, as monthly salary?

Do you want Mr Rauf to increase significantly this salary as well? Has this holly flag not been illuminated?

According to Denktas, it is the message of the Turkish Cypriots to the world that 'they do not accept any other solution than that of division'. '

/SK

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