Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-08-19

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Preliminary DNA Laboratory is to be established in the occupied area.

[02] Jordanian rector visits Talat.

[03] Standard and Poor's expects accession talks will begin on schedule.

[04] General Sariisik mentioned likely military operations into Northern Iraq.

[05] Democratic Society Movement called on PKK to announce unconditional cease-fire.

[06] Ankara asked Belgian authorities to block Kurdish leader's press conference.

[07] Turkey and UNDP signed an agreement to combat climate change.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist wonders if the Turkish settlers in Cyprus have ever thought that the Turkish occupation army might do to them the same that the Israeli army did to the Jewish settlers in Gaza Strip.

[09] Turkish Cypriot newspaper accuses Ferdi Sabit Soyer of making "tricks" because of statement regarding the unilateral opening of Zodia crossing-point.

[10] "France's hostility toward Turkey".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Preliminary DNA Laboratory is to be established in the occupied area

The new laboratory in the occupied area will operate within the "Nicosia State Hospital" in the occupied area and will be under the so-called Ministry of Health.

The small-scale laboratory which will only deal with the Missing persons, will take blood samples from the first degree relatives of the missing person and will carry out primary analysis. The main identification work will be carried out at the Genetic Hospital operating within the buffer zone in Nicosia.

HALKIN SESI reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, has invited Doctor Erol Baysal, a DNA and Genetics specialist, who is a Turkish Cypriot working in Dubai, to help in the establishment of the laboratory and its infrastructure in the occupied area.

Baysal had said that, in the identification process which would be carried out at the Genetic Hospital, the Turkish Cypriots will be employed with equal conditions as administrator and experts.

[02] Jordanian rector visits Talat

The Jordanian rector was accompanied by the rector of the so-called Lefka European University, Dr Yildirim Oner.

No statements were made after the meeting that took place at Mr Talat's office.

[03] Standard and Poor's expects accession talks will begin on schedule

In an exclusive interview with the A.A. correspondent, Soussa replied to question about Turkish economy and Turkey-EU relations.

"There is little cause to get too pessimistic about Turkey's prospects for EU accession, despite the deterioration of sentiment within the EU in recent months," he noted.

Soussa said: "In the event that prospects for accession do deteriorate significantly, the negative implications for Turkey's credit rating are limited. The expected timeline for accession and the uncertainty surrounding it have precluded any direct benefits from EU accession from being factored into the rating (e.g. additional regional development funds, agricultural sector support etc.). Only indirect benefits from the possibility of joining at some point in the future, such as the policy anchor and the boost to the economy from increased investor confidence, act as supportive factors. But EU accession is not the only thing supporting policy reform and investor confidence. Policy reform has another strong anchor in the form of the IMF stand-by arrangement agreed in May. And investor confidence in Turkey is arguably as much driven by this policy reform and sound economic and fiscal management over the past three years as it is by EU accession prospects. As long as Turkey does not react to setbacks in the EU accession process by slowing or reversing the progress it has been making on the macro and policy side, the risks from such an event will remain limited."

"That said, Turkey's external vulnerabilities, arising from a large and widening current account deficit, do make it vulnerable to an external financing shock, especially as this deficit is being financed mainly by portfolio and other short-term capital inflows. Bad news on the EU front might thus result in some external volatility, but again, the impact is likely to be limited if the government adheres to sound policies and reform," Soussa concluded.

[04] General Sariisik mentioned likely military operations into Northern Iraq

"The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) has announced that it has completed all its preparations to move into Iraq as quickly as possible for cross-border or hot-pursuit operations.

This critical statement was made by the Commander of the 2nd Army, General Surkru Sariisik, during the parade that had been organized for Lt General Necdet Ozel, who has been appointed "Assistant Commander" to Land Forces Training and Doctrine Command, as he handed over command of the 7th Army Corps to Lt Gen Cahit Sarsilmaz.

In his address given at the handover-takeover ceremony at the Diyarbakir Officers Mess General Sariisik said: "Both these commanders had held handover parades for the 39th mechanized Division when I was in command of the Army Corps on Cyprus. This is the second time we have the pleasure." Maintaining that Lt General time at the 7th Army Corps had been successful General Sariisik went on: "Lt Gen Ozel's drive in combating the terrorist organization and his administrative skill during internal security operations together with his coordinated work with the civilian authorities is commendable."

The 7th Army Corps, now under the command of Lt General Cahit Sarsilmaz, is based in Diyarbakir and is comprised of 25,000 soldiers in five brigades located in Diyarbakir, Mardin, Siirt and Sanliurfa.

The army corps also has air assets and can destroy point targets using helicopter gunships; it can also use transport helicopters to ship personnel into an operational area. The main area of responsibility now for this army corps, which actively engaged the PKK [Workers Party of Kurdistan] during the OHAL [Emergency Rule] era, is Turkey's border with Iraq. There are three scenarios for which the 7th Army Corps is constantly prepared:

1. Formation of a Kurdish state in Iraq.

2. Separatist terrorism aimed at Turkey being supported in Iraq.

3. The existence of the Turkomans in Iraq being jeopardized."

[05] Democratic Society Movement called on PKK to announce unconditional cease-fire

A written statement issued on behalf of the DTH Coordination Council said: "We view the Prime Minister's statements as political overtures that are courageous, determined, continuous, and consistent, and that can be filled out in the course of a process".

The statement asked that a decision be made as soon as possible for a lack of action and cease-fire that will not incorporate any conditions or timeframe. The statement also voiced an expectation from the PKK to respond positively to these calls as soon as possible.

[06] Ankara asked Belgian authorities to block Kurdish leader's press conference

[07] Turkey and UNDP signed an agreement to combat climate change

UNDP Turkey Office said that Turkey and UNDP signed an agreement for the project undertaken to combat climate change in the beginning of August, 2005.

The project is financed by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF)'s trust fund for developing countries with the initiative of the UNDP.

The agreement outlines future activities including the preparation of Turkey's Initial National Communication, which will report on the steps Turkey is taking to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[08] Columnist wonders if the Turkish settlers in Cyprus have ever thought that the Turkish occupation army might do to them the same that the Israeli army did to the Jewish settlers in Gaza Strip

Under the title "Have we only seven years left?" AFRIKA's editor-in-chief, Sener Levent notes, inter alia, the following in his daily column "Point of View":

"Have the Jewish settlers in Gaza ever thought that one day they would be thrown out of their houses by the Israeli army? The Israeli army is not an enemy army. It is their army. However, it came armed to their doors and said 'Get out'! ...These lands had been conquered 38 years ago. ...Who would think that one day the Israeli tanks would come to their doors and tell them to get out?

It is as if you think that the Turkish tanks will come one day to your door and say to you: 'Vacate this Greek Cypriot house'! You will not believe this if you see it in your dreams. And you will not interpret (this dream) favourably. Just like the Jews in Gaza. You will look at this false title deed you posses, will you not? Have these lands, these houses not been given to you in order to be yours? Have those who gave it to you not said: 'Take it and enjoy it'? If you wish live in them. If you wish sell them. Use them as if they belonged to your father. The title deeds which Jews had in their hands were of no use. I wonder, will yours be of any use? The original title deeds came back, even if this happened after 38 years. The occupation is occupation. The title deeds are title deeds. ...

The dream of the Jews lasted 38 years. We are only in the 31st year. That is, I wonder if we only have seven years left. ...".

[09] Turkish Cypriot newspaper accuses Ferdi Sabit Soyer of making "tricks" because of statement regarding the unilateral opening of Zodia crossing-point

The paper writes:

"Ferdi has announced it. On 31 August the Zodia gate will be opened. The Turkish side, he said, has done what it should. On the 31st August they would go to the area with Mehmet Ali Talat and make the opening, he said! If they do it, it will be good. Is this statement of Ferdi made so that `the bold thief to bluff the owner of the house´? As far as we know, because of the obstacles by the Turkish side the issue of the opening of this gate is still unresolved. However, Ferdi announces that they act before the Greek Cypriots and the gate will be opened on 31st August. That is, if it is not opened everybody would think that it is not opened because of the Greek Cypriots. Where you will reach with such simple tricks?"

[10] "France's hostility toward Turkey"

"I queried Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul about France on our way back from Diyarbakir. France is trying to block the start of Turkey's accession talks with the EU on 3 October. What is Turkey doing about it?

Gul said that his ministry is pursuing "a quiet or low-key diplomacy on this issue" and that Turkey will not engage in any "noisy" behaviour that may cause undulations in public opinion.

Gul said that "our colleagues will be on the road starting Monday." Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan will go to Finland and Sweden while Deputy Undersecretary Ertugrul Apakan travels to Paris and London.

Kaya Turkmen, one of Turkey's most experienced diplomats on the EU, will also participate in these tours of "quiet diplomacy."

Indeed public opinion swells may lead to a decline of "rationalism" and push statesmen to worry about domestic politics. This would be to Turkey's disadvantage.

For example Chirac and his team, who supported Turkey's EU membership until recently, have now become the leaders of hostility against Turkey. The only reason is the rise of a wave of introverted chauvinism and anti-Turkish hostility in France.

We have two critical dates ahead of us. The first is 25 August when EU ambassadors hold a special meeting in Brussels. The second is 1 September when EU foreign ministers meet.

The answer to the question of "how accession talks with Turkey will begin" on 3 October will take shape in these two meetings. Turkey will wage an intensive diplomatic campaign until these meetings.

What will we say? What is our basic argument? Gul's answer:

"We are telling our European friends, including France, the following: It is impossible for Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration. If you make this a condition Europe would have failed to keep its word and the dependability of the EU would be harmed. If you do this you would block the start of the accession talks on 3 October and you would carry the historic responsibility for it."

Gul's remarks are calm and dispassionate--"low key" in his own words. I can read the following between the lines:

Turkey will never recognize the 'Greek Cypriot administration' because such recognition would mean voiding our entire Cyprus policy and the results of the UN-sponsored referendum. Consequently, if the accession talks do not start on 3 October, Turkey is certainly prepared to live with that.

If that happens Turkey would not have any difficulty in explaining what Europe is doing to its own people and the world: The EU did not keep its word even though Ankara did everything it was supposed to do; it changed the rules half way through the game. This would deal a big blow to the credibility of the EU across the world.

How would Europe, especially France, explain to the world this "turnabout" which is rooted in religious discrimination? Who would believe in the Cyprus excuse?

Everyone knows that mounting religious and nationalist European chauvinism is at the root of the surge in hostility against Turkey in the last six months.

In the meantime countries like Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and Portugal support Turkey for strategic reasons and out of humanitarian concern for harmony among civilizations.

By blocking Turkey's path to the EU using Cyprus as an excuse, France would isolate itself as a country that sabotaged and divided the EU for a second time after its vote in the referendum [on the European constitution].

Gul is optimistic. He says that "such fluctuations are normal in politics" and that "the talks will start on 3 October."

Naturally that is mandated by common sense."

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