Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-08-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat meets Sezer, Erdogan and Hilmi Ozkok in Ankara

[02] Gul stresses that EU president Britain has accepted Turkey´s declaration as part of the protocol

[03] Gul and Erdogan expect the EU to fulfil its responsibilities towards Turkey which will continue violating the human rights of EU citizens and not recognizing an EU member state counting on its military superiority

[04] TGNA Could convene extraordinarily for discussing the additional protocol

[05] Paper claims: Talat might meet Blair

[06] The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press on tonights game between Anorthosis and Trabzonspor

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] A Turkish view of al-Qaida

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat meets Sezer, Erdogan and Hilmi Ozkok in Ankara

Turkey has reiterated at the highest level its support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus). President Sezer, who met with ´TRNC President´ Talat, said that Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey. Sezer received Talat, who made his first official visit to Turkey as the president of the ´TRNC´, in an official ceremony at the Cankaya Mansion. After the meeting between the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot delegations, the two presidents issued a joint statement.

Sezer stressed that a new partnership in Cyprus should be established between two equal sides. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side fulfilled its obligations for a just solution, Sezer said that the international community, the United Nations, and the EU are expected to take concrete steps that will put an end to the embargoes and the restrictions. He added that Turkey will continue to support the ´TRNC´ in all fields.

Talat, in turn, thanked Turkey for the support it has extended. Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot people favor a solution, Talat reiterated his call to international organizations to put an end to the embargoes.

Later the same day Ankara Anatolia news agency (02/08/05) reported the following from Ankara: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey is determined to continue supporting the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

´President´ Mehmet Ali Talat of TRNC who is currently in Ankara on a state visit, met Prime Minister Erdogan.

Prior to the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters that Turkey would continue extending full support to democratic struggle of the ´TRNC´.

"The ´TRNC´ took a determined and honest step in international diplomacy during last year's referendum. Turkish Cypriot people supported UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan in the referendum.

Although Greek Cypriot people rejected the plan, they became member of the EU. Those who kept their promises and those who failed are evident. Turkey will continue supporting the TRNC in this process," he added.

Meanwhile, President Talat thanked Turkey for its support. He stressed, "on numerous occasions, we proved that we were in favor of solution in the island." Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener and ´TRNC Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister´ Serdar Denktas were also in attendance at the meeting.

Talat also met with the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Hilmi Ozkor. The meeting was held closed to the press.

[02] Gul stresses that EU president Britain has accepted Turkey´s declaration as part of the protocol

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has criticized the manner in which the RPP [Republican People's Party] has opposed the additional protocol. Gul said: Certain people can neither be beneficial to their country, nor to their party in the process of engaging in opposition.

Gul, who left for Riyadh to participate in the funeral of King Fahd, made an assessment on the additional protocol at Ataturk Airport prior to his departure. He criticized the opposition for objecting to the signing of the protocol. Referring to the RPP, Gul said: Certain people can neither be beneficial to their country, nor to their party in the process of engaging in opposition.

Gul further replied to the Greek Cypriot administration that claimed that the declaration issued together with the protocol has no legal validity. He said: Everyone can say everything. The EU term president, however, has accepted that the declaration is part of the protocol. Gul noted that claims that trade activities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) will move over to the south with the signing of the protocol do not reflect the reality. He said: Is the north selling goods to the south? Is there trade? It is forbidden to import even half a kilo of cheese to the south.

Assessing the hoisting of a PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] flag in a political office in Kirkuk, Gul said: We are following all the PKK activities in Iraq. We are conveying our sensitivities on the issue to the Iraqi and US officials.

[03] Gul and Erdogan expect the EU to fulfil its responsibilities towards Turkey which will continue violating the human rights of EU citizens and not recognizing an EU member state counting on its military superiority

The Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has reacted to statements coming from the Greek Cypriot authorities who claimed that the declaration Turkey issued - simultaneously - with its signing of the additional EU customs union protocol has no legal value.

Responding to such remarks made by various Greek Cypriot political figures, Mr Abdullah Gul said that anyone can say anything he or she likes; but that it should be known that the declaration issued by Ankara simultaneously with its signing of the protocol, has been accepted by the EU Term Presidency as part of the protocol.

Speaking shortly before leaving for Saudi Arabia for King Fahds funeral; the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister responded also to questions put to him about fears that North Cyprus trade potential will be streaming to South Cyprus as a result of Turkeys signing of the protocol.

He rejected these claims by saying that these are intended for purely political gains, and are far from reflecting the realities.

What trade potential will slip to the South, what trade capacity are they talking about isnt it a fact that not even half a kilo of cheese can be freely taken to the south, he asked.

Mr Gul defended the Turkish governments policies on Cyprus, and said its these policies that have helped improve Turkish Cypriot economy, recently. Meanwhile, some EU member nations reacted to Turkeys issuing of a declaration in which it stated it does not recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as the 1960 Republic of Cyprus.

The French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said it would be unthinkable for accession negotiations with Turkey to begin if it refuses to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as the Republic of Cyprus.

It is inconceivable to launch membership negotiations with any country that will refuse to recognize one of the Unions 25 members he said, hinting that Turkeys refusal to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration is a deviation from the path of negotiations process.

In similar remarks, the Austrian Deputy Prime Minister Hubert Gorbach claimed Turkey will not be accepted as a member of the European Union as long as it refuses to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration as the Republic of Cyprus.

Commenting on Turkeys declaration in connection with EU customs union protocol; the Austrian deputy prime minister claimed Turkey must grant unconditional diplomatic recognition to South Cyprus as a step forward which as he put it: wont be the last to be required of Turkey.

Moreover Ankara Anatolia news agency (02/08/05) reported the following from Riyadh: Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Riyadh to attend the funeral of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd, assessed the statements of French Premier Dominique De Villepin regarding Turkey's EU membership.

Gul said, "We expect France to continue to support Turkey's EU membership. Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities (for EU membership). Now, we expect the EU to start entry talks on October 3rd in line with the decision which was taken on December 17th and signed by all EU members."

De Villepin earlier stated that if Turkey does not recognize Cyprus, its EU entry talks cannot be possible.

Finally Ankara TRT 1 Television (02/08/05) broadcast the following:

Turkey's stand with regard to starting accession negotiations with the EU on 3 October 2005 is clear: We have fulfilled our commitments within the framework of the Copenhagen criteria. We expect the EU countries, in turn, to act with the same sense of responsibility.

Commenting on French Prime Minister de Villepin's statement, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that Turkey fulfilled all its commitments on the road to the EU. Erdogan said: Now, it is the turn of the other side. We expect the EU countries, in turn, to fulfill their share.

[04] TGNA Could convene extraordinarily for discussing the additional protocol

If our government and our party decides, it is possible the TGNA could convene extraordinary to discuss the additional protocol.

The draft law which envisages approval of the additional protocol first will be discussed at the Foreign Relations Committee of the TGNA and in case it is accepted at the 23-man Committee then the draft Law will be on the TGNA Plenary Session agenda.

The draft law first will be discussed article by article and then shall be approved as a whole. There will be an open vote.

[05] Paper claims: Talat might meet Blair

[06] The Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press on tonights game between Anorthosis and Trabzonspor

The Turkish newspapers cover the issue as follows:

Under the title Greek Cypriot-like methods MILLIYET writes that Trabzon conducted to the Anorthosis team the same body search that the Greek Cypriot section, as it calls the Republic of Cyprus, conducted to the Turkish team. It also writes that the Greek Cypriots got really angry with the way they were treated in the airport since they were even asked to take off their shoes.

Under the title In retaliation SABAH reports that the Greek Cypriots, who asked from the members of the Trabzon team even to take off their socks, received the same treatment at the Trabzon airport where they were subjected to close scrutiny. The paper also notes that one person was beaten up by supporters of the Turkish team because it was thought that he was Greek Cypriot. The paper writes that around 150 persons protested outside the Zorlu Hotel where Anorthosis team is staying.

HURRIYET under the title See how we reciprocate, writes that Anorthosis was subjected to close scrutiny at the Trabzon airport.

AKSAM under the title The same treatment also writes that the Anorthosis members were subjected to close scrutiny and even dogs were used for the conducting of the researches.

The Turkish Cypriot newspapers cover the issue as follows:

KIBRIS under the title Trabzon is ready for the big day, writes that the officials of Anorthosis and Trabzonspor met with the UEFA observer Mr Yahuda Wilk who is from Israel at the Grand Zorlu Hotel where Anorthosis players stay. The paper writes that no one of the Turkish Cypriot politicians that the Turkish team invited to the game will attend the match. The paper also writes that a demonstration was held outside of the Zorlu Hotel where Anorthosis is staying.

YENI DUZEN under the title Angry reaction by the Anorthosis Group, writes that the chairman of Anorthosis Andreas Panteli stated that the way they were treated at Trabzon airport was unnecessary and offensive. The paper writes that a demonstration was held in front of the hotel Anorthosis is staying and the people held banners where it was written Cyprus is Turkish and it will remain Turkish, and We will dig a pit for you here. YENI DUZENs journalists were at the bus that took Anorthosis to its hotel.

AFRIKA: Trabzonspor is looking for a round.

CUMHURIYET: Trabzonspors round following.

VATAN: Anorthosis exams for Trabzonspor.

ORTAM: Trabzonspor is looking for a next round

HALKIN SESI: Trabzonspor is going for a critical match

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] A Turkish view of al-Qaida

Kaynak asserts that al-Qa'ida is not an organization but the code name of an operation being conducted by an intelligence agency in an effort to identify Islam with terrorism and to create anti-Islamic sentiments in the West as part of a struggle waged by the United States and Russia against global capitalism. Noting that global capitalism promotes moderate Islam in order to reconcile Islam's differences with capitalism and to introduce it to market economy, Kaynak comments: "Al-Qa'ida, however, has set a goal, which is in stark contrast to global capitalism's moderate Islam. It is trying to ensure that Muslims are viewed as enemies and a separate group in the world. Al-Qa'ida's attacks created an anti-Islamic front in the world and all the Muslims are labeled as terrorists without making any distinction between moderates and radicals. It is orchestrated by a Western organization and its objective is to liquidate the global capitalism's Islamic model and political Islam."

Asked why the United States would want to eliminate moderate Islam as long as it does not confront capitalism, Kaynak responds: "The reason is that global capitalism is gaining a stronghold in Islam. Global capitalism neither owns oil reserves nor controls oil companies. It is, however, gaining control of governments in oil-producing countries. It almost gained control of Russia during Yeltsin's tenure. There is a process of integration between the global capitalism and rich people controlling money in Saudi Arabia. The United States plans to eliminate this phenomenon."

Noting that Turkey is one of the key moderate Islamic countries controlled by global capitalism, Kaynak goes on saying: "The government does not have very friendly relations with the US Government. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently complained that certain countries had launched a campaign. The Bush Administration and the Putin Administration want to eliminate global capitalism's moderate Islamic model. They argue that there is no moderate Islam and all Muslims are radical. They say that Muslims should either accept secularism or disappear. They intend to depoliticize Islam. In short, the current conflict in the world is not between a man hiding in a cave and the world. It is between global capitalism and Bush's America. Meanwhile, al-Qa'ida perpetrates all provocative acts on behalf of the camp represented by Bush and Putin and thus debilitates the global capitalism's moderate Islam model."

Asserting that what it describes as al-Qa'ida operation is being conducted by the CIA with the Putin Administration's consent, Kaynak says: "A group consisting of people, who are used by the American intelligence agencies, is called al-Qa'ida. They hire several people to carry out attacks. They are not actually members of an organization but men used by the CIA. Governments are behind those acts of terrorism and motivate them to carry out suicide attacks. It has even hit its own Twin Towers. It was decided by American policy makers. Bush might not have been informed and the CIA is only an implementing agency within a large organization.

Responding to a question as to why the PKK carries out bomb attacks targeting civilians in the Western part of the country, Kaynak says: "There is a rift within the PKK and it does not have a clear strategy now. I am not certain whether the PKK or any faction within it carries out such acts of terrorism. The PKK is waging a struggle against Iran and Syria and it has been described as a terrorist organization in the United States and Europe. It has disagreements with Barzani and Talabani. Would an organization facing such a situation attempt to provoke the Turkish Armed Forces into crushing it totally at a time when it is trying to cope with its other enemies? A group, which is trying to set the stage for the PKK's liquidation, is carrying out attacks in the name of the PKK. For example, if I were in Barzani's shoes, I would use such a tactic in order to get rid of problems caused by the PKK." Kaynak concludes by saying that there is a plan designed to put the PKK under Barzani's control and to turn PKK militants into mercenaries.

EG/

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