Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-01-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan does not insist on the "Annan Plan" and its content and wants a "solution plan".

[02] Erdogan participates in the Turkish-Russian business Council Meeting".

[03] Turkish Cypriot Rauf Denktas: "We are 'Frightened' by Putin's support of Annan Plan".

[04] The Chairman of the Russian Federation Confederation of Trade and Industry Chambers allegedly will visit the occupied part of Cyprus.

[05] Talat describes as "very important development" the statements allegedly made by President Putin regarding the lifting of the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] Turkey, US, Israel launch three-day search-rescue exercise in Mediterranean.

[07] US General Abizaid meets Turkish Deputy Commander Basbug to discuss Iraq, Afghanistan.

[08] Turkish Cypriot newspaper publishes statements of eye-witnesses regarding the places where mass graves of Greek Cypriots are in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[09] Three right-wing Turkish Cypriot parties formed a political alliance for the forthcoming so-called elections of the pseudostate.

[10] The Prime Minister of Luxembourg stated that the EU is getting ready to take initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[11] The rupture in the Committee of Missing Persons.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] RADIKAL columnist doubts Erdogan´s sincerity, as regards introducing Islamic Law.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan does not insist on the "Annan Plan" and its content and wants a "solution plan"

After recounting his contacts in Russia, Prime Minister Erdogan replied to questions put to him by the journalists.

When asked about the resolution of the Cyprus problem, Erdogan said that the Turkish side wants to meet the UN Secretary-General Annan at the first opportunity, adding: "What will now be put forward, or placed before us, will undoubtedly not be the existing Annan plan. It is not important whether it is called Annan plan or something else. The important thing is its content. And that content has to contain a solution. I do not believe that anyone will oppose a plan that contains a solution."

When asked to comment on Turkey´s relations with Armenia, Erdogan said: "We have already taken positive steps towards Armenia. The most important one being the opening of the door for the air transportation. Presently, Istanbul's Ataturk Airport is open to Armenian Airways, which is already conducting four flights a week. But this does not exist on land. The same situation [permission for flights] also exists as regards the private air transportation. But of course we too have certain demands. What are they? There is the 1923 Kars Agreement. If they say that they do not recognize it, then, let them forgive me, but we too will not recognize it. Despite all these, we are saying that we do not want a disgruntled neighbor. We want to overcome these problems. But they [the Armenians] have occupied places in Karabakh. We believe that the resolution of these problems in a friendly manner would bring great benefits. And we have not lost hope on this issue, we want to maintain our hope. We have said, and are saying, that we are ready to do everything we can." Asked to comment on his contacts in Russia, Erdogan said that the talks "were held in a very good, positive, and friendly manner."

[02] Erdogan participates in the Turkish-Russian business Council Meeting"

Erdogan met on Wednesday the Chairman of the Russian Federation Confederation of Trade & Industry Chambers Yevgeni Primakov.

''The trade volume between Turkey and Russia developed significantly in the recent past. Russia is now Turkey's second biggest trade partner,'' said Erdogan. ''We will continue to work together and increase mutual investments. We will try to reach a balance in our trade with Russia,'' indicated Erdogan.

He also indicated that the trade volume between Turkey and Russia will reach 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2007. ''We plan to increase the total volume to 30 billion U.S. dollars. Businessmen on both sides have a lot of work to do to reach such a target,'' told Erdogan.

According to Erdogan, the Turkish investments in Russia are worth over 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. ''We can cooperate with our Russian friends in areas such as energy, transportation, defense, tourism, food, textiles and banking. Turkish and Russian companies can form joint ventures to help re-build Iraq,'' noted Erdogan.

Meanwhile, in his statements the Russian Federation Industry & Energy Minister Viktor Borisovich Khristenko has said that sending a Turkish-Russian joint satellite to space would be important in opening a new page in mutual relations.

Upon the completion of the speeches, trade agreements were signed between the Chairman of the Russian Federation Confederation of Trade & Industry Chambers Yevgeni Primakov and the Chairman of the Turkish Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Rifat Hisarciklioglu, as well as between Turkish-Russian Business Council Chairmen Alexander Lebedev and Turgut Gur.

[03] Turkish Cypriot Rauf Denktas: "We are 'Frightened' by Putin's support of Annan Plan"

"We are somewhat frightened by Russian President Vladimir Putin's supporting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan because this plan has been destroyed."

Asked to comment on the telephone conversation of Putin with Annan in which he said, "We do not think that the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots is fair" and that Russia supported Annan Plan, Denktas said: "Turkey's rapprochement with Russia is a great profit."

Denktas said Putin earlier made statements like, "both parties should find a solution by reaching an agreement. Let Cyprus unite", noting that, "however, his support to the Annan plan made us frightened as this plan was destroyed. Actually both parties have reservations about the contents of the plan. This is a demolition plan for Turks which will put half of our people to the position of refugee. It is a plan which dilutes all our acquisitions, uproot Turkey from the island, brings the EU to Cyprus in strategic sense, and brings British bases and Americans in Cyprus. Thus, this is a plan which Russia will not like much."

Denktas said: "I hope he said the parties should seek on which points they can agree by looking at the contents of the plan."

[04] The Chairman of the Russian Federation Confederation of Trade and Industry Chambers allegedly will visit the occupied part of Cyprus

The paper reports that Mr Erdogan, in his entourage to Moscow, included the so-called Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry Mr Salih Tunar, who had a meeting with Mr Primakov. Mr Primakov announced in the meeting his plan to visit the occupied part of Cyprus. Mr Primakov, who also explained that it was the first time that he met with Mr Tunar and that they became friends, announced to Mr Erdogan and Mr Tunar that he can visit the occupied areas to evaluate the investment opportunities. He also explained that he wants particularly to assess the hotels there. On their behalf, Mr Erdogan and Mr Tunar invited the Russian businessmen to made investments in the occupied part of Cyprus. They also expressed their satisfaction for Primakov's visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus.

According to the paper, Mr Primakov, who noted that Russia supports the Annan plan, said: "We, as businessmen, also support it". He added that Russia's support will be on the basis of the UN and said: "We will give the necessary support towards the UN decisions".

[05] Talat describes as "very important development" the statements allegedly made by President Putin regarding the lifting of the "isolation' of the Turkish Cypriots

In statements to illegal "Bayrak" television, Mr Talat reiterated that the international pressure for the solution of the Cyprus problem must be directed onto the Greek Cypriot side. He also argued that the lifting of the "isolations" of the Turkish Cypriots was a mean for achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Pointing out that Russia continues to support the Annan Plan, Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the statements made the day before by President Putin were indicators of a new Russian policy on Cyprus.

Mr Talat alleged that the fact that the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side has been proved firm, especially during the last period, would necessitate the change of the international law. Expressing the opinion that the international law was not absolute, Mr Talat argued:

"An expected development is the UN Security Council to evaluate this new political situation and the balances in the area and create a new international law. Perhaps not tomorrow but within the coming months the Security Council, with the support of Russia, will oppose the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. It will give duties to countries in this direction. Direct flights may begin to the northern part of Cyprus. These developments may take place in the future. This is our expectation".

Furthermore, Mr Talat described as "figment of the imagination" of the Greek Cypriots the information published in the Greek Cypriot press regarding the fact that the EU is preparing a solution plan for Cyprus, an alternative to the Annan Plan.

"If there is such a plan, this is a request by the Greek Cypriots. The European Union could not undertake a responsibility such as promoting the solution of the Cyprus problem", he argued.

Mr Talat said that the lifting of the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots was their strategic target and reiterated that this would force President Papadopoulos towards the direction of the solution. He also said that reaching a solution until 3 October 2005 would make the Turkish side feel very relieved and that a solution until the above-mentioned date would be in favour of the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Talat alleged that "the legitimate ground of the isolations has been removed". "Now the legal ground must be changed. And the body that will do this is the UN Security Council. Therefore, Russia and the world are important for us", he added.

Referring to the issue of the occupied ports of Cyprus and the recent decision of the so-called council of ministers of the occupation regime regarding the opening of the occupied ports for the Greek Cypriot businessmen that would like to export goods to Turkey, Mr Talat said that whether or not the Greek Cypriot businessmen will use the occupied ports is not important and added: "We have put forward our readiness on this issue. According to the European Union our ports are not closed. Only, we are treated as a third country".

[06] Turkey, US, Israel launch three-day search-rescue exercise in Mediterranean

The exercise of Turkish, Israeli and U.S. war ships and planes performed in international waters of the Mediterranean will last for three days.

Jordan has sent an observer to the exercise, it was learned.

Israeli military officials stated that the purpose of the exercise was solely ''humanitarian'', and aimed at developing search and rescue capabilities of participating countries.

[07] US General Abizaid meets Turkish Deputy Commander Basbug to discuss Iraq, Afghanistan

Abizaid and Basbug exchanged views on recent developments in Iraq and Afghanistan during their meeting.

After arriving in Turkish capital yesterday (Tuesday), Gen. Abizaid has met Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

[08] Turkish Cypriot newspaper publishes statements of eye-witnesses regarding the places where mass graves of Greek Cypriots are in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Mr Osman notes that when the excavations began he received a call by a Turkish Cypriot who was around forty years old in 1974. The man told Mr Osman to inform those who conducted the excavations not to do it because it would be in vain. He also said that either military installations have been built on the places where the mass graves of Greek Cypriots are in the occupied areas of Cyprus, or they are now used as prohibited military zone.

The man invited Mr Osman to his house and after making him promise that he would not reveal his name, said the following:

"Perhaps one day you will write my name, but now it is not the time. They can do nothing to me. However, they could harm my children and grandchildren. 'In 1974 they brought the dead persons first to the cemetery (for Turkish soldiers) behind 'Halkin Sesi' newspaper. During the burying some Greek Cypriots were found among the dead persons. They did not let us to bury the Greek Cypriots in the cemetery. After we buried the Turks in the cemetery we have not been given the chance to ask one another what we would do. We were ordered to dump the dead Greek Cypriots into a well which is behind the Kema Printing House and in the southern part of the cemetery. We did this. We dump them into the well".

Mr Osman concludes his article noting, inter alia, the following: "Everybody knows very well that absolutely nothing will come up from the excavations conducted at Trachonas, because this is not the place that should be excavated. However, they are not saying this. The fear of the past is somehow not abandoning them. And those who talk say 'do not write my name, they will not hurt me, but they could harm my children and grandchildren'. '".

Meanwhile, in his daily column in AFRIKA (13.01.05) Sener Levent writes that some Turkish Cypriots, who called him asking their names not to be revealed, said that mass graves are in the Pediaios stream, which passes through Nicosia, and at the occupied villages of Assia and Trachoni.

AFRIKA publishes a photograph of a parking place on its front page noting that there is a parking place today at the place where it is said that a mass grave is in the occupied part of Nicosia.

[09] Three right-wing Turkish Cypriot parties formed a political alliance for the forthcoming so-called elections of the pseudostate

The three parties are; the Nationalist Justice Party (NJP), the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and the Communal Development Party (CDP). The three parties will participate in the "elections" in a common ballot under the name "NJP-United Parties Alliance".

[10] The Prime Minister of Luxembourg stated that the EU is getting ready to take initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem

"The Cyprus file is a very difficult problem" stated Mr Junker and added that the 'golden rule' in order to start a new initiative is not to announce it before it is started. Mr Junker also said that the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Tassos Papadopoulos will visit Luxembourg in February and said that during the President's visit the initiatives as regards the solution of the Cyprus problem will be evaluated.

Answering questions about the economic aid to be given to the Turkish Cypriots and the issue of giving permission for exporting agriculture products from the pseudostate to EU countries, Mr Junker stated that "the works in the EU as regards this the committees next meeting issue are continuing".

[11] The rupture in the Committee of Missing Persons

According to the paper, the excavations in the Turkish occupied village of Trachonas, which failed to locate any remains belonging to the Greek Cypriot persons listed as missing, started on 5 January in Trachonas, one of three sites presented by the Turkish Cypriot side.

The representative of the Greek Cypriot side to the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP) Elias Georgiades has expressed disappointment and concern with the inconclusive result of the excavations and noted the need for any efforts to be based on really reliable evidence and information in order to investigate properly and accurately.

The representative of the Turkish Cypriot side to the CMP Rustem Tatar said that he did not agree to issue a joint announcement due to the stance of the Greek Cypriot side. He also added that the Greek Cypriot side does not appreciate the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Finally, it is reported that there was no decision whether or not the Committee will convene again.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] RADIKAL columnist doubts Erdogan´s sincerity, as regards introducing Islamic Law

"Why should I tell a lie, the JDP [Justice and Development Party] government, which was formed by thousands of people as though it were creating a miracle, which set aside being pro-Islamic law in one night and which adopted the most advanced secularism, still continues to frighten me.

Of course, people change over time and find the right way.

This "metamorphosis" does not only happen to those who are pro-Islamic law. Just as the JDP members are very rightfully pointed out, the former Marxists, socialists and atheists as well, changed over time and found the `right way´ (whatever that is).

The characteristics, which make the dramatic change of the JDP members, led by Yilmaz and Gul, suspicious, is its sudden occurrence, as though the change were realized with an order and it included a great majority of our former pro-Islamic law brothers and by coincidence, those who said, `we have changed,´ suddenly congregated under the roof of the same political party.

It is possible to look at this scene and not get suspicious?

But even if we get infested with fleas and lice, there is nothing we can do. We have to play the democracy game according to the rules of the game. Furthermore, if there are those who act as though they have changed as a joke, then it can still be possible for these respectable persons to have really changed without being aware of it. (Please do not laugh!)

The story of this dramatic and historical change was based on two equations, one abroad and one in Turkey: The EU-Turkey relations abroad and the JDP-military relations in Turkey. And of course, these two equations were very closely connected to each other. One of the persons who explained this relationship in the most succinct manner was Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. As soon as the negotiation date was given to Turkey on 17 December, he said some things, which had the meaning, `From now on, there would not be a military coup d'etat easily.´ It is as though it explains the real reason for the JDP's insistent attitudes on the EU course.

The newspapers yesterday [Tuesday, 11 January] were giving new news. Evidently, Omer Dincer, the Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry, said that they would make changes in the military and civilian bureaucracy! He listed the names of various civilian organizations to camouflage the word `military`, but the real intention is the `military bureaucracy,´ that is, very clearly the military. In any case, practically all of the bureaucrats at the upper levels of the civilian bureaucracy have been changed. When they say, `military bureaucracy,´ it is not very clear what they mean (the persons, the rules and methods of appointments, promotions and discipline or the intra-institutional and inter-institutional relations?) Probably we will learn this soon.

When the Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry was saying these, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reminded in a letter he sent to the NSC [National Security Council] General Secretariat, `The Council of Ministers is responsible to the TGNA [Turkish Grand National Assembly] for providing national security.´ He wanted the National Security Policy Document, which determines the order of priority of the threats aimed at national security, `to be short and essential´, by stating that in any case, the authority on this subject belongs to the civilians. In the previous document, `political Islam´ was perceived as a threat and the document was exactly 80 pages long. The Prime Minister and his colleagues must have thought, `it was too long to read," and "we understand that national security is important, but you should not talk someone's ear off this much!´

In almost every opinion poll our military is in the lead as `the most reliable institution´ and the political parties take their place among the least reliable. Now, according to the situation with which we are confronted, one of the least reliable institutions would improve one of the most reliable institutions! I hope that it would be beneficial! Naturally, the military, just like every other institution, could have aspects, which do not operate well, and no one could say `No!´ to this. But I would be suspicious about those who were slapped on the face by 28 February [1997], those who adopted the characteristic of pro-Islamic law throughout their lives, those who read the poems even until yesterday, `the religious community is our army,´ would or would not make such an improvement properly? I do not see a reason why we should trust the Prime Minister and his undersecretary, who only a few years ago said, `We will tear down this order and bring the Islamic law order.´

What would happen after completely ruining everything if they would say, `Oh, we are sorry. We changed our minds on the subject of the EU. As always, we have now returned to the course of God once again?´

Do not say that this is impossible."

/SK

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