Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-07-21

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements for the 31st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and how the press covers the celebrations.

[02] The pseudoassembly will meet tomorrow extraordinarily and discuss the Cyprus problem.

[03] The five thousand Turkish Cypriots who work in the free areas went yesterday normally to their jobs in spite of a public holiday in the occupied areas.

[04] Erdogan offered Aliyev to keep Armenia isolated if Azerbaijan recognizes Ankaraīs puppet regime in occupied Cyprus.

[05] Thanks and military assistance from Turkey to Azerbaijan for its support to the violations of the human rights of the Greek Cypriots.

[06] Azeris officially apply to Turkey to fly to the occupied area.

[07] British MP calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus.

[08] Alevis to be in the forefront of religious change in Turkey.

[09] The chairman of the Turkish Football Association says there will be no problem for the match between Anorthosis and Trabzonspor.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] CUMHURIYET lists the names of Kurdish leaders Turkey wants the US to capture as they did with Abdullah Ocalan in 1999.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements for the 31st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and how the press covers the celebrations

Furthermore, in an interview with KIBRIS Mr Gul alleged that the Greek Cypriots do not want to live together with the Turkish Cypriots and that therefore the countries which President Papadopoulos deceived must now extend their hand for helping the Turkish Cypriots. Mr Gul argued that with the new administration of the Turkish Cypriots, the Cyprus problem has been much more promoted and that the lobbying efforts of the Turkish diplomacy gave more results than expected. Papadopoulos cannot deceive the world any more, because the Turkish Cypriots have proved the opposite from what he says, alleged Mr Gul.

AFRIKA newspaper (21.07.05) writes that in his speech during the celebrations, Mr Gul expressed the opinion that the pro-peace and concessive stance of the Turkish side must not be understood as an approach supporting peace at any price. I want to remind this, said Mr Gul, noting that the full accession to the EU is the goal of Turkey and the pseudostate. In order to realize this, he underlined, there will be no great concessions in Cyprus.

AFRIKA notes that in his speech Mr Talat said that Turkey is the most reliable partner of the pseudostate.

Under the front-page banner title Olive tree branch to the Greek Cypriots on the Freedom Festivity HALKIN SESI (21.07.05) writes that in his speech Mr Talat reiterated the call to the Greek Cypriots for peace and friendship. He also called on the Greek Cypriots side to fulfill the demands of the UN Secretary General, to sit at the negotiating table and put an end to the suffering of our peoples.

ORTAM newspaper (21.07.05) writes that while on the one hand Mr Talat said that he extended a hand of peace to the Greek Cypriots on the other hand he talked about war.

VOLKAN newspaper (21.07.05) publishes Talats speech at the celebrations under the front - page title Warning by Talat to the Greek Cypriot administration: Your wealth can be turned into poverty in one night.

The paper covers the celebrations under the banner front-page title The message that our motherland and the Turkish Cypriot people gave to the world with the celebrations yesterday: The TRNC will live.

It also writes that Prime Minster Erdogan stated that Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey and that the Turkish people must be free and sovereign.

VATAN newspaper writes that in his speech Mr Talat thanked Turkey in the name of the Turkish Cypriots and said that they want all their fundamental rights and nothing more. The paper reports that Mr Gul assured the Turkish Cypriots that they will not turn back to the period before 1974.

VATAN also publishes statements by Mr Deniz Baykal, chairman of Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (RPP), who expressed the opinion that the solution of the Cyprus problem will pass through the acceptance of the TRNC.

Turkish Cypriot CUMHURIYET newspaper (21.07.05) covers the celebrations under the front-page banner title: It is time for calling the Greek Cypriots to account.

The paper publishes also statements by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who alleged that there are two separate equal from every aspect peoples in Cyprus, two separate democracies and two separate states.

Under the banner front-page title Unfortunately pale celebration! GUNES newspaper (21.07.05) argues that the celebrations were very different in comparison to past years and that the participants in them were less than in the past. While the participants in the celebrations paid no attention to Mr Talats taking his place at the ceremony, when the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas arrived they acclaimed a lot.

YENIDUZEN newspaper (21.07.05) covers the issue on its front page under the title The 20 July celebrations were conducted and notes the statements of Mr Talat calling the Greek Cypriot side to the negotiating table and the statements of Mr Gul who addressing the Turkish Cypriots said: Your safety will become stronger.

[02] The pseudoassembly will meet tomorrow extraordinarily and discuss the Cyprus problem

The session will be closed-door and begin at 10.00 oclock in the morning. During the session the party leaders and the so-called MPs are expected to express their views on the Cyprus problem.

On 14 July the assembly had been briefed by Mr Talat on the recent developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

[03] The five thousand Turkish Cypriots who work in the free areas went yesterday normally to their jobs in spite of a public holiday in the occupied areas

The paper writes that despite the fact that in the north there was a public holiday yesterday, the more than five thousand Turkish Cypriot workers who work in the free areas went to their work without facing any problems in their crossing. The Turkish Cypriot workers, passed yesterday like every other day, to the south and started working, CUMHURIYET reports.

Invoking sources, the paper writes that a large number of Greek Cypriots passed yesterday on foot from Ledra Palas check point, while the passing from Ayios Dhometios check point was limited. It also writes that some Greek Cypriots were seen watching the ceremonies for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion.

[04] Erdogan offered Aliyev to keep Armenia isolated if Azerbaijan recognizes Ankaraīs puppet regime in occupied Cyprus

Mr Recepli went on and said: The Armenian border should not be opened in return for the support extended to the `TRNCī.

He went on and said: We are under pressure from Greece and Cyprus that we too support Karabagh.

[05] Thanks and military assistance from Turkey to Azerbaijan for its support to the violations of the human rights of the Greek Cypriots

Aliyev indicated that the Azerbaijani army was strengthening further, adding that Turkish military authorities had a great role in this improvement.

Aliyev underlined that Turkey and Azerbaijan had high-level relations.

Gonul noted that Azerbaijan supported fully Turkey in its thesis on the Cyprus issue.

Stating that Turkey attached great importance to its relations with Azerbaijan, Gonul indicated that Turkey and Azerbaijan acted together on international platform.

[06] Azeris officially apply to Turkey to fly to the occupied area

The paper reports that Civil Aviation General Directorate, has conveyed Imar Airlines request which will carry Azeri businessmen to the occupied area to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Once the Foreign Ministry gives positive reply to the request, then the necessary flight permission shall be given and the Imair-Airlines with flight number ITX 8831/32 will fly from Baku to Ercan (occupied Tymbou) on 27 July. And on 31 July it will realize the Ercan (occupied Tymbou) Baku flight. With this flight the embargo imposed on direct flights to the `TRNCī will be de facto broken.

[07] British MP calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus

North London Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, says that If Turkey wants to be in the EU then it must remedy its human rights record and it must withdraw its troops from Cyprus.

Speaking at the 16 July annual rally in Londonīs Trafalgar Square, organized by the National Federation of Cypriots in Great Britain to commemorate the 31st anniversary of what they refer to as the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Villiers said that last October, Turkey promised to extend its customs agreement with the EU to cover all new member states, noting that `it is vitally important that they do this because it will mean that they recognize the government of Cyprus.ī

They still havenīt done this, she told her Greek Cypriot audience, and unless they do so before 3 October, Tony Blair must block the opening of accession negotiations.

[08] Alevis to be in the forefront of religious change in Turkey

The latest institution within the judicial-military-religion triangle that the European Union is urging Turkey to reform is the Religious Affairs Directorate. A high-ranking EU official highlighted that the EU Accession Partnership Document urges Turkey to take steps concerning religious freedoms, and said: "The Religious Affairs Directorate imposes a single religion and sect on the Turkish public. This conflicts with the Turkish Constitution's freedom of religion and secularist principles, and it's also contrary to the European understanding of freedom of religion."

Turkey, which is busy preparing to begin negotiations with the EU on October 3, has now set its sights on the Religious Affairs Directorate. Following the opening of the talks, the EU will list the necessary reforms that should be implemented by Turkey in the Accession Partnership Document in November. It has emerged that the EU will place an emphasis on the freedom of religion in the document. Apparently, Ankara rejects this by saying, "We've fulfilled all the political criteria."

A high-ranking EU official stated that Turkey hasn't implemented the necessary reforms concerning freedom of religion, and added: "This is the last part of the judicial-military-religion triangle on which Turkish reforms are built.

The necessary reforms were implemented in the two major institutions of this triangle - the National Security Council (NSC) and the judicial system--but the Religious Affairs Directorate was left aside. The last institution that should undergo a reform process is the Religious Affairs Directorate."

The EU official also stated that the EU wants liberalization in religion, and added: "The EU won't ever suggest a concrete proposal because Turkey should find a system that is suitable for their country."

The official went on to list the expectations and evaluations of the EU as follows:

-- The Religious Affairs Directorate is in conflict with the Turkish Constitution: The core principles of the Religious Affairs Directorate are in conflict with Turkish Constitution's principles of a secular state and freedom of religion.

-- Religion does not rule Turkey: Turkey could be a state that's ruled by religion. But since it does not embrace such a system, it's not appropriate to keep religion under the control of the government.

-- Sunni Muslim beliefs are imposed: In a society where secularism and freedom of religion are guaranteed by the Constitution, imposing the Sunni sect on the public makes that sect the religion of the whole state.

-- Freedoms of other religions: There should be a balance between equality among religions. Christians and Jews should benefit from services similar to those given to Muslims.

-- Religious education: Another issue that's in conflict with the secularist principle is obligatory religious lessons. Families should decide whether they want religious courses or not. Therefore, it should be left to families to choose. There should also be courses that teach other religions and sects. An Alevi boy should not be forced to take Sunni courses.

The EU official noted that lawsuits have been filed by Alevis in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and said: "The Alevis will be at the forefront of this change in Turkey."

[09] The chairman of the Turkish Football Association says there will be no problem for the match between Anorthosis and Trabzonspor

Responding to a question, Mr Bicakci noted that both teams had the right to participate in the UEFA Champions League and expressed the belief that there would be a fair match.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] CUMHURIYET lists the names of Kurdish leaders Turkey wants the US to capture as they did with Abdullah Ocalan in 1999

The statement that the United States has issued an order for the capture of the leadership cadre of the PKK [Workers' Party of Kurdistan] is focusing all attention on the nine-person brain trust that leads the approximately six thousand militants in the vicinity of Qandil Mountain [Iraq] and along the Turkish border. But it is being disregarded that, even if these individuals should indeed be apprehended, the actions and organizational strategies of the PKK are essentially bound to the "Imrali concept".

Efforts are being made to resolve the ongoing debate between the United States and Turkey over an operation against the PKK through a middle road. According to the plan announced by General Staff Deputy Chief General Ilker Basbug, the United States is promising to capture the [group's] leadership cadre, which is based on and around Qandil. The following individuals are being targeted:

The leader is Murat Karayilan, who maintains a base on Qandil Mountain for the structure known as the "Democratic Confederation of Kurdistan" [Koma Komelen Kurdistan - KKK], which brings together all of the various units of the PKK within the scope of the "Independent Confederalism of Kurdistan" recently adumbrated by Abdullah Ocalan.

Cemil Bayik, seen at the head of KONGRA-GEL's [People's Congress of Kurdistan] "Science and Art Commission", although remaining in the background, is known to be the organization's leader behind the scenes. Bayik has at least as much influence over the organization as Karayilan does.

Duran Kalkan is identified as the "Chairman of the People's Defense Committee". As for the terrorist groups known as the "People's Defense Forces" (HPG), which are subordinate to Kalkan and conduct actions in the Southeast, they are led by an Iraqi, Feyman Husayn. This individual dispatches logistic equipment into the country via the militants along the borders of Northern Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

Mustafa Karasu, within the leadership cadre, focuses on managing the political relations between KONGRA-GEL and the PKK, and ensures communication between Europe and those in the field.

Meanwhile, Suleyman Sahin, who was formerly the organization's main person responsible for Tunceli, directs the PKK presence in Iran. Individuals such as Riza Altun and Yusuf Turhalli are also active within the leadership cadre.

Zubeyir Aydar, who is abroad, heads KONGRA-GEL, which has taken the name of the PKK once again. As for Osman Ocalan, Kani Yilmaz (Faysal Dunlayici), Hidir Yalcin, Nizamettin Tas, and Halil Atac, all of whom broke away from the PKK and formed the PWD [Patriotic Democratic Party], they are already under the control of the United States.

It is known that the earlier statement by the United States in terms of capturing the PKK's leadership cadre, which coordinates the approximately six thousand militants between Qandil and Turkey, produced no results. The promise announced yesterday to apprehend the leadership cadre is for this reason not being taken seriously.

There is curiosity as to how the United States, which has not been able to be successful at capturing either Saddam's inner circle in Iraq or the Al-Qa'ida leadership, is going to capture the PKK leaders in an impassable geographical region like Qandil. Meanwhile, the Kurdish government in Northern Iraq poses a serious obstacle for a possible operation against the leadership cadre.

While the debate on the PKK continues between the United States and Turkey, the influence of Abdullah Ocalan on the organization's actions and strategies also needs to be examined in a serious way. The desires of Turkey, the will of the United States, and the future of the PKK are all interlocked at this point. And the code to open the lock is in the discussion notes of the meetings that Ocalan had with his lawyers until two months ago.

/SK

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article