Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-07-27

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Tan: We expect adjustment protocol to be signed after PMs visit to London.

[02] Namik Tan: Ban on direct flights from South Cyprus still valid.

[03] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered yesterday´s football match between Anorthosis and Trabzonspor.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[04] Understanding Turkish-US relations.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Tan: We expect adjustment protocol to be signed after PMs visit to London

PM Erdogan will be in London today.

Asked when the Additional Protocol extending the customs union agreement to 10 new EU members would be signed, Tan said: "Talks went concluded with the British presidency regarding signing of the protocol."

Tan said that the EU Presidency discussed the issue during the extraordinary session of the COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives). "We expect the additional protocol to be signed immediately after Erdogan's scheduled visit to London," he noted.

Tan said a declaration would be issued (by Turkey), adding that, "The British Presidency of the EU will sign the protocol and send it to us. We will return the document together with our declaration, after signing it. Issuing the declaration is a legal requirement for us. It will be enough if only Turkey issues it. It is at the discretion of the other party to issue a declaration."

Asked about the content of the declaration, Tan said: "We will include in our declaration elements which we consider as appropriate and which are considered as absolutely necessary."

Replying to a question, Tan said: "We have not negotiated (the content of) the declaration with the EU."

Asked if Ankara has concerns whether an article stipulating that Greek Cypriot vessels may use ports and/or airports of Turkey, would be included in the text at the last minute, Tan said: "We have no concerns. We had a negotiation process and we have clearly explained our views. We will act within the scope of these views."

Moreover, local Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper, quoting an unnamed EU official, reports that, the conditions put forward by Turkey, regarding signing of the additional protocol, could postpone the signing of the protocol.

The EU official said that Turkey´s conditions that `signing of the protocol does not mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus´ were unreasonable. The EU official who wanted to remain anonymous, said that because of this condition they also should make an assessment of the situation.

Local daily VOLKAN newspaper (27.07.05), under the headline: Erdogan and Gul are firm to uproot and annihilate the TRNC that signing of the addition protocol is tantamount to indirect recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration, accuses the Justice and Development Party (JDP) of turning a deaf ear to warnings coming from Turkey and the occupied areas.

VOLKAN also reports that the JDP deputy leader Mehmet Dulyev in a statement declared that the Turkish Grand National Assembly will approve the protocol, at a extraordinary session prior to 3rd October.

[02] Namik Tan: Ban on direct flights from South Cyprus still valid

When reminded of news reports which said that a small Israeli plane flew directly from Larnaca to Istanbul, Mr Tan said that they also heard this from the dailies, noting that the State Airports Enterprise and the Civil Aviation Administration should respond to questions regarding this matter.

Mr Tan underlined that the MFA did not receive any information or application on this issue.

There is no change as regards limitations on direct flights from Greek Cyprus to Turkey, Mr Tan added.

[03] How the Turkish Cypriot press covered yesterday´s football match between Anorthosis and Trabzonspor

YENIDUZEN, under the title Friendship and surprise, reports that not a single incident took place where Greek, Turkish and Cyprus flags flew together. Turkish and Greek Cypriot fans watched the match together. ORTAM, under the titles friendship won Anorthosis and Trabzonspor wrote history, reports that not a single incident occurred.

AFRIKA, under the title Anorthosis did not show mercy to Trabzonspor, reports that with this result Trabzonspor made things difficult for the second leg match.

KIBRIS, under the title Anorthosis says OXI to Trabzonspor, reports that the game ended with a surprise result.

KIBRISLI, under the title Disappointment 3-1, reports: No need to say more - the Greek Cypriots have started beating us not only in politics but in football as well.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[04] Understanding Turkish-US relations

What the United States wants of Turkey usually bears the following qualities: concrete, immediate, costly, risky and difficult to go back on once given. What they give in return is usually vague, symbolic, spread out over time, quickly retracted and is either dead cheap or of benefit to the United States.

Strategic partnership is the model of the most advanced relationship. However, perhaps the most ideal model is the "grand market". The relationship between the two countries has to the present day developed more in line with the model of buy now pay later system. (Despite certain drawbacks the most appropriate model being proposed is the 'pay up front' model.) In the pay up front model both parties choose the path of exchange-recompensate for the favours they have done to one another, the costs they incurred and the risks they took, with short intervals. The terms are short, the balances are small. Purchases are made retail not wholesale. Credit notes are unacceptable. Cash is asked for. All parties refrain from making long-term pledges or making such demands of one another.

Turkish-American relations have become very complex, and there is a need to simplify them. This is because this chaos is a factor that works in favour of the United States, which is superior to Turkey in terms of analytical capacity, skill in coordination between institutions, intelligence, and influencing and shaping public opinion.

Whether the 1 March decision cost more than it gained is open to question. However, it must be acknowledged that the events of 1 March gained Turkey self-respect and confidence, plus room to manoeuvre against the United States.

There may well be a link between the operation to be embarked on later by US forces against the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] - most likely it will be short and symbolic - and the declaration of a Kurdish state.

There may not always be a direct link between Turkey's importance increasing or decreasing and the preservation of Turkey's interests.

These quotes were taken from a 15-page essay written by US expert Sanli Bahadir Koc for the July 2005 issue of the Strategic Analysis periodical. These quotes are the subheadings put in by the periodical's editor, the retired Ambassador, Omer Ersun. It contains striking elements that show how different and broad the writer's approach is to this vast, current and important topic. The monthly Strategic Analysis periodical is published by the Eurasian Strategic Studies Center, which is run by the retired Ambassador Gunduz Aktan.

General Staff Statements:

The last meeting held by Deputy Chief of Staff General Ilker Basbug together with media bosses introduced important information and evaluations from quite a senior position for those wishing to follow closely the topic of terrorism. In the educational document, read out before question time, no mention was made to the complaints recorded by the military concerning the US position in the fight against terrorism. However, during the replies given to questions later on, General Basbug spoke words to the effect that Turkey did have important expectations of the United States. This was the mood echoed also in the press. However, the most important factor to emerge after the meeting was the fact that Turkey was considering mounting operations similar to those conducted into northern Iraq during Saddam's time "when conditions arose", even if not the kind of initiative made against Syria in 1998. The point was also emphasized by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on the same day as the General Staff meeting. Thus both the General Staff and the Foreign Ministry had focused together on a very important point. The question now centers on the giving of pertinent information concerning just where this existential right of Turkey's came from, plus when and how it was used in similar situations in the past. This needs to be done convincingly, but firstly the Turkish public needs to be informed.

/SK

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