Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-06-14

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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 so-called assembly discussed the issue of the properties; Talat admits that the law by which they distributed the occupied Greek Cypriot properties to Turkish Cypriots and settlers from Turkey is contrary to the European Convention of Human Rights.

[02] Erdogan to visit Lebanon. The occupier of EU territory peace model for the region.

[03] The Turkish Chief of General Staff is visiting Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

[04] The leader of the main opposition speaks of the end of the first round between Turkey and the EU.

[05] Turkish delegation is visiting Australia.

[06] The Indian and Turkish Speakers of Parliament on relations between the two countries.

[07] Turkey to sign the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement in the coming weeks.

[08] Large scale operation by the Turkish army against the Kurds.

[09] The ruling Justice and Development Party in Turkey rejected the invitation of DISY to visit the Republic of Cyprus.

[10] Emine Erk was appointed in the High Judicial Committee of the occupation regime.

[11] Turkish Cypriot paper reports that Turkish companies have begun to register in the Republic of Cyprus.

[12] Aziz Kent went to London without being arrested.

[13] Military support to Kazakhstan detailed.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist sees 'Holy Alliance' between Erdogan and Bush to change Eurasia and the Middle East.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The so-called assembly discussed the issue of the properties; Talat admits that the law by which they distributed the occupied Greek Cypriot properties to Turkish Cypriots and settlers from Turkey is contrary to the European Convention of Human Rights

Addressing the assembly, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, said that the issue had many dimensions and it is very complicated.

Mr Talat noted that the most important issue on the problem of the properties and the lawsuits is the fact that article No 159 of the constitution of the pseudostate and the Housing, Land and Equivalent Property so-called law (ITEM) which has been enacted according to the above-mentioned article, are contrary to the European Convention of Human Rights. Turkish Cypriot ORTAM newspaper (14.06.05) reminds that the above-mentioned law was passed during the first coalition government of the Republican Turkish Party with the Democratic Party.

KIBRIS writes that Mr Talat alleged that the aim of the Greek Cypriots is to frighten the Turkish Cypriots with the lawsuits and influence the world and that they (Greek Cypriots) know that the sentences passed by them could not be implemented in Europe. He said that the issue of the properties was important and very big problem, but the lawsuits aimed at keeping the Turkish Cypriots under pressure like the Damocles sword. Therefore, he added, the Turkish Cypriots must think about the solution of both the Cyprus problem and the issue of the properties.

Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the situation of the Greek Cypriot side is more serious than the situation of the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue of the properties and that there is no need for panic because the position of the Turkish side is sound. He noted that the recent lawsuits should not cause fear within the Turkish Cypriots, but he admitted that the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the Loizidou case might cause big problems to the Turkish side.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot HALKIN SESI newspaper (14.06.05) reports that Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the postponement of the Greek Cypriot cases at the ECHR will force President Papadopoulos to sit at the negotiating table.

He also said that the efforts of the Turkish side regarding the issue of the properties continue and that they decided to conduct a population census and to draw up a list of the buildings in the occupied areas.

Furthermore, local VATAN newspaper reports that Mr Talat said that the Turkish Cypriots will recourse to the ECHR against the Greek Cypriots. Mr Talat expressed the opinion that President Papadopoulos is strong from the legal point of view and not politically. He added that the law is determined by politics and expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriots will get the results by being politically strong.

Meanwhile, addressing the meeting of the assembly, Mr Dervis Eroglu, leader of the main opposition National Unity Party (NUP), alleged that the issue of the properties in Cyprus occurred in 1955 and that the current situation proved that the policy he has been following when he was in power was the right one.

Mr Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriots filed the lawsuits aiming at harming the economy of the Turkish Cypriots.

[02] Erdogan to visit Lebanon. The occupier of EU territory peace model for the region

Sources said that Erdogan will meet Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati the same day and again on June 16.

Following the meeting, Erdogan will attend the 11th Arab Economic Forum the same day and he will take the floor at the opening of the Forum. Besides Arab countries, only Turkey will attend the forum as honorary guest as it constitutes a ''peace model'' due to its economic progress and stability in its monetary arrangements.

Erdogan will later meet Lebanese President Emile Lahud and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Following these meetings, Erdogan will attend Turkey-Lebanon Business Council meeting and he will return to Turkey the same day, concludes Anatolia.

[03] The Turkish Chief of General Staff is visiting Kazakhstan and Mongolia

Gen. Ozkok and the accompanying delegation left for Kazakhstan on Monday. After completing his two-day visit to Kazakhstan, Gen. Ozkok will proceed to Mongolia. Gen. Ozkok is expected to return to Turkey on June 17th.

[04] The leader of the main opposition speaks of the end of the first round between Turkey and the EU

main opposition Republican People's Party (RPP), Mr Deniz Baykal indicated today (Monday) that ''with the crisis in the European Union (over the ''no'' votes on the EU Constitution), the first round between Turkey and the EU has ended. The RPP will carry Turkey to the second round which won't start for a while,'' said Baykal.

After being elected UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres left his position as the chairman of Socialist International (SI). The SI board of directors met today in Madrid in an extra-ordinary meeting to elect its new chairman.

Baykal, who is a deputy chairman at the SI, remarked that until the SI general council convenes in December, the SI board of directors will act as the chairman.

Baykal said that the board of directors of SI will meet in New York in October where candidates for the position of chairman will be announced. The SI election will take place in December.

In an exclusive interview with the A.A, Baykal remarked that the issue of ''no'' votes in France and the Netherlands was discussed extensively.

Baykal expressed the view that the ''no'' votes came in the EU due to the economic crisis in Europe. ''The SI believes that the no votes on the EU Constitution were a result of the uncompetitive European market and the declining growth rates,'' noted Baykal.

RPP leader Baykal commented that the EU economy will not benefit from lowering the salaries paid to workers. ''Instead, an increase in the amount of value added tax, educational and technological training will help the EU.''

Baykal commented that Turkey's EU membership will help the EU come out of the current economic crisis. ''Turkey's accession to the EU will make the European market more dynamic. However, it is very difficult to explain this point to circles out of the SI,'' said Mr Baykal.

[05] Turkish delegation is visiting Australia

Tuzmen stressed the importance of the visit in a written statement and noted that Turkey was planning to increase its trade volume with Australia to one billion USD in the next 1-2 years.

Pointing out that Turkey has been giving high importance to improvement of exports with its neighbors in the East, Tuzmen said: "Within this framework, we form delegations to set up export relations with the Asian countries. There is high potential in those regions. However, we should work hard."

"Turkey's trade volume with Australia reached 509 million USD in 2004. We target to increase this figure soon. I believe we will be successful," Tuzmen emphasized.

Tuzmen is scheduled to meet the Australian Foreign, Trade and Treasury ministers.

[06] The Indian and Turkish Speakers of Parliament on relations between the two countries

Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Chatterjee held a joint news conference.

Speaking at the news conference, Arinc said: ''There have been profound friendly relations between Turkey and India. India had extended the biggest support to Turkey during the War of Independence.''

''Our meeting with Mr Chatterjee focused on the parliamentary, economic, commercial, financial and cultural relations between Turkey and India. We discussed ways to further improve those relations,'' Arinc told reporters.

Meanwhile, Chatterjee stressed that both countries had had the necessary will to improve their relations and that the trade volume between the two countries increased to 1 billion USD recently.

Referring to the Kashmir dispute, Chatterjee said that relations between India and Pakistan had begun normalizing and that peace would be secured in the region sooner or later.

[07] Turkey to sign the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement in the coming weeks

Within the framework of the additional protocol, the customs union between Turkey and the EU will be expanded so that it will include the ten new members of the EU including the Greek Cypriot administration, (Republic of Cyprus).

The additional protocol is expected to be signed by all EU member states and Turkey in the following weeks.

[08] Large scale operation by the Turkish army against the Kurds

Security forces have launched a large-scale operation in rural areas near Lice, Diyarbakir after the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] intensified its terrorist attacks recently.

The major army operation, which started in rural areas near Lice, Diyarbakir three days ago, targets PKK terrorists, who have infiltrated into Turkish territory from Iraq and are trying to establish bases in rural parts of Diyarbakir, Bingol, and Tunceli.

The operation, which is conducted by troops from the Second Internal Security Brigade and village guards, targets PKK camps called "Ape Musa" and "Sehit Remzi" located on an area surrounded by Genc, Kulp, and Lice districts.

Subtitle: Cobras and fighter planes

Sikorsky helicopters were used to airlift troops to the mountainous area, which is characterized by steep rocky hills, on Friday night and Cobra helicopters and fighter planes taking off from Diyarbakir Second Tactical Air Force Command early on Saturday bombarded the area by using the coordinates sent by the troops. It was reported that sound of exploding missiles had been heard in Lice. Local sources said that a large number of PKK terrorists had set up camps in the area recently.

Subtitle: Fleeing terrorists

Columns of smoke occasionally rising from the hilly and rocky area, which is suitable for hiding terrorists, were observed from the nearby settlements.

It was reported that some areas, including Hendik, Hegadere, Cavtepe, Keltepe, Koztepe, Seytan Kayaliklari, and Hidif had been cleared of terrorists and operations are under way to capture fleeing terrorists.

[09] The ruling Justice and Development Party in Turkey rejected the invitation of DISY to visit the Republic of Cyprus

The invitation was addressed to the close associates of the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and after three months, during which the invitation was under evaluation, a negative answer was given to DISY.

As the paper writes, Mr Erdogan asked his associates to postpone the visit since, otherwise, it could take a meaning of recognition of the Republic of Cyprus. Mr Erdogan stated that if such a visit takes place before the signing of the Additional Protocol, it would open the way for speculations.

The paper notes that after this development the dialogue which stared between the two parties in Ankara, cannot continue.

[10] Emine Erk was appointed in the High Judicial Committee of the occupation regime

Mrs Erk, who is the wife of the so-called mayor of occupied Lefkosia Kutlay Erk, was appointed to this position by the so-called prime minister of the pseudostate, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, who removed Mr Fuat Veziroglu, who was appointed by Mr Rauf Denktas to this position.

As the paper writes, Mr Veziroglu filed a lawsuit against the so-called prime minister Talat on the basis that Mrs Erks appointment was illegal.

[11] Turkish Cypriot paper reports that Turkish companies have begun to register in the Republic of Cyprus

According to the paper, 200 Turkish companies have been registered in the Republic of Cyprus and 2000 representatives of Turkish companies have visited the Republic of Cyprus to gather information.

The Greek Cypriot bank Laiki employed five Turkish Cypriots to serve the Turkish businessmen, who have opened accounts in its bank, the paper reports.

Moreover, VOLKAN reports that the Turkish businessman Sarik Tara accompanied by 20 businessmen arrived to the free area of Cyprus with a private jet and had business meetings with Greek Cypriot businessmen at Anassa hotel in Polis, Pafos.

Finally, it is reported that transportation companies of Turkish ships has began to apply for registration at the Limassol port.

[12] Aziz Kent went to London without being arrested

The paper reports that the Turkish Cypriot businessman had travelled to Britain without facing any problem and that the warrants issued by the Greek Cypriots against the Turkish Cypriot businessmen, who have usurped the Greek Cypriot property in the occupied area of Cyprus, do not reflect the reality. The paper goes on by reporting that Aziz Kent was one of the four persons that an arrest warrant was issued against him, but he arrived in London at Stansed airport on 5 June with no difficulty and since then he has not been arrested.

Mr Aziz, in the interview, said that he went to London to start legal actions against the Greek Cypriot side and that he would fight against the injustices that they did to the Turkish Cypriots and to himself. He also said that he has a meal-invitation from some Greek Cypriot politicians, adding that when he returns to Cyprus, he will meet them in the free area of Cyprus.

[13] Military support to Kazakhstan detailed

Turkish Ambassador in Almaty Taner Seben said that Turkey attached great importance to the region, noting that it was determined to continue and further develop its relations with Kazakhstan. Seben indicated that Turkey has granted 6 million USD for military training to Kazakhstan, since 1993.

Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Abay Tasbulatov stated that after the two countries signed an agreement on military assistance in 1998, Turkey granted more than 5 million USD worth of military equipment and vehicle.

Kazakh officials also received 24 Land Rover off-road vehicles and 92 wirelesses granted by the Turkish Armed Forced.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist sees 'Holy Alliance' between Erdogan and Bush to change Eurasia and the Middle East

The Turkish prime minister's visit to Washington comes precisely at a time when Turkish-U.S. interests seem more than ever to be converging. As the global architect of the new world order, the U.S. has found in the person of Recep Tayyip Erdogan someone who's helping to mold Eurasia to their liking, but with Islamic tendencies of course.

It's not to be denied that Erdogan is now steering in an increasingly Islamic direction, and in his statements both before and during his visit to Washington, he indicated this several times. In his statements to the Turkish dailies ZAMAN and YENI SAFAK, which strongly support him, he stressed several times how Turkey is going to play a greater role in the Greater Middle East Initiative and how Turkey should have closer relations with the U.S. When he accused the opposition Republican People's Party (RPP) of being anti-American, he was actually saying that the Justice and Development Party (JDP) are very much pro-American.

There is nothing wrong with this, and indeed Erdogan could be classified as even more U.S. friendly than former Prime Minister Adnan Menderes or Suleyman Demirel, who was both prime minister and president. And even more so than Turgut Ozal, who like Demirel served both as prime minister and president. Erdogan's difference lies in the fact that whereas previous prime ministers had forged ties with the U.S. out of their secular political convictions, our current premier is doing so as a pragmatic politician in order to foster a milder secular structure in Turkey.

Indeed, the Islamic component of his policies have never been so strong, and the U.S. never before needed such a "soft-Islamic"-oriented government in Turkey. This is why Turkish-U.S. interests are now converging more than ever and will only continue to converge in the future. The only problem is that many people do not notice that Erdogan is leader at a time in the history of Turkish-U.S. relations that provides him with the opportunity to induce the U.S. to "forgive" everything that has happened in the last two years.

Erdogan is soliciting U.S. support in a non-ideological way. Islam is not an ideology, but a way of life, and indeed Turkey's "soft power" will be used in the entire Eurasian region as well as in the Middle East. One has to accept the fact that Erdogan follows a different line in Turkish foreign policy which does not fit neatly into the existing traditional parameters of Turkish foreign and security policy. The U.S. president and Turkish prime minister are religious people. There is nothing inherently wrong with this. Interestingly though, both seem to understand each other perfectly because they look at the world from the windows of Christianity and Islam. Erdogan does not deny it when he says, referring to the JDP, "Our origins are known to everybody." It means the same as before: "Actually I did not change and have no intention of changing, but I will change society and its politics." Yes, it is so.

Erdogan's talks with his U.S. counterparts are indeed on a global scale. He is a "subcontractor" for U.S. policies pertaining to this part of the world. He said in an interview, "Bush and I, we call those people who are not willing to cooperate 'global crisis contractors'." Never before has any Turkish prime minister played his cards so openly, or spoken out his expectations so clearly. This can be called "The Erdogan difference" in Turkish foreign policy.

Turkey's Cyprus policy seems to be receiving more support from the U.S. than from the European Union. The EU is acting very slowly, and in the long run the EU cannot close its eyes to the realities on the island. Turkey's negotiation process with the EU will follow a different track, and it is time that the EU comes to the table with more creative ideas.

Erdogan's expectations on the U.S. government concerning the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will not be met so smoothly. On this issue some major differences have emerged. Political stability in Iraq is the primary objective of the U.S., and Turkey is willing to contribute more to this cause now. But the PKK will continue to be one of Turkey's thorniest issues.

What happens in Syria and Iran in terms of their policies towards Turkey will be interesting to watch. Erdogan's Africa and "Islamic world" policies will continue to attract interest. Once again Erdogan brings the "Islamic element" in Turkey's foreign policy with an intensity, which can only be compared to the early 1950s, when Turkey wanted to play the "big brother role" with the help of the U.S. after World War II. Now, Erdogan is a "subcontractor" to U.S. policies in the region, bringing Turkey to yet another historical role. For now, Erdogan's pro-American posturing is not disturbing Islamist circles because they also seem to acknowledge that the U.S. will be dominating the world of tomorrow.

In short, Erdogan's U.S. visit seems to be the confirmation of the "holy alliance" between Erdogan and Bush in order to change the Middle East as fast as possible. Certainly, Bush has also seen the Hollywood film "Kingdom of Heaven." Whether Erdogan is a peacemaker of the stature of Saladin Eyyubi in these modern times is another question. The crusades now have a postmodern guise, and Tayyip Erdogan and George Bush are the "postmodern players" of this game in the Middle East!

/SK

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