Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-09-16

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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 occupation regime censors the books which are taught in the Greek Cypriot schools in the occupied Rizokarpasso village.

[02] Turkish Foreign Minister tries to justify Turkey's intransigence regarding declaration.

[03] Erdogan met with Berlusconi and Putin in New York.

[04] Turkish Minister proposed to Georgia to launch direct flights with the occupation regime.

[05] Turkish Cypriots from Britain return to settle in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[06] Serdar Denktas will travel to New York to attend the OIC meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot economy grew by 15.4 Percent in 2004.

[08] Head of the Turkish Supreme Court and the Head of Turkey's State Advisory Council arrived in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[09] Arinc called on parliament to convene extraordinarily on September 19th.

[10] Turkish President invited Pope to visit Turkey in 2006.

[11] Turkey will host the International Islamic Finance Forum.

[12] Erdogan comes first in ANAP poll.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] "The EU has a duty to strengthen our fragile democracy".

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The occupation regime censors the books which are taught in the Greek Cypriot schools in the occupied Rizokarpasso village

KIBRIS notes that the books and the curriculum that had been conveyed to the occupation authorities by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cyprus were not sent to the above-mentioned Greek Cypriot schools.

The directors of the schools are calling on the occupation regime to send the books to the school, so that the lessons could begin.

Meanwhile, Mr Kudret Akay, special advisor on political issue at above-mentioned "Ministry" said that they met with the United Nations on 9 September regarding this matter and alleged that there are some elements which incite the enmity against the Turks in those books where they found many things showing that the Turkish Cypriots are bad. "It is not possible these things to be taught in a school in the north", he noted.

Mr Akay said that the so-called Ministry of Education of the occupation regime shares the above-mentioned view as well and added: "We have conveyed a letter with these views to the UN. Now this is the job of the UN. The books will reach the above-mentioned schools after the contact of the UN with the Greek Cypriot authorities so that the books are sifted from the elements which are not considered appropriate". (I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Foreign Minister tries to justify Turkey´s intransigence regarding declaration

Replying to Bot, reports Nur Batur, Gul said: "You have told us to issue six laws, and sign the protocol and we did that. You were aware of the fact that we were going to issue a Cyprus declaration. And we were very careful when we have drafted the text. We cannot accept, as condition, the recognition of Cyprus. If your counter-declaration is like the one leaked to the press, then this is contrary to the European culture and mentality. Your style is wrong". (M/Y)

[03] Erdogan met with Berlusconi and Putin in New York

Erdogan met President Traian Basescu of Romania and Saad Hariri, son of assassinated Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

He also held talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian President Viladimir Putin during a reception hosted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in honour of participating heads of state and government.

The three agreed to inaugurate the Blue Stream Project in the first half of November.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met with Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot to discuss bilateral relations and Turkey's EU candidacy.

[04] Turkish Minister proposed to Georgia to launch direct flights with the occupation regime

Mr Tuzmen went on and said that next month a delegation from Georgia will arrive in Turkey to discuss Civil Aviation issues. He went on and said: "Starting of flights by Azerbaijan was a belated action but a right move".

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.09.05) reported from Tbilisi that the Turkish State Minister Kursat Tuzmen, responding to questions of Turkish journalists at the end of his meetings in Georgia, said that Turkey made almost one third of its trade --amounting to 28 percent of its trade volume- with neighbouring countries. "The improvement of economic dependency between countries also brought countries closer to each other", Tuzmen said.

"A security belt has started to be formed around Turkey due to improvement of its commercial relations with Greece, Bulgaria, Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria," Tuzmen indicated.

Referring to Kars-Ahilkelek-Tbilisi-Baku railway project, Tuzmen indicated that Georgia extended full support to the project.

Noting that Turkey was ranked the 20th in world trade among 200 countries, Tuzmen said that "Turkey has a foreign trade figure of 180 billion dollars today(...) In the past, 80 percent of Turkey's exports were agricultural products, while today 90 percent of them are industrial goods."

Tuzmen stressed that in the 21st century foreign trade can also influence foreign policy, indicating that Turkey is eager to increase its trade with neighbouring countries.

Tuzmen added that no discrimination should be made between native and foreign capital in privatization efforts. "Just like we compete in other countries' privatization programs, other countries should also compete in Turkey," he added.

Upon return to Turkey, from his visit to Georgia, Mr Tuzmen, speaking to reporters at the airport, indicated that the Joint Economic Commission meeting held between Turkey and Georgia would boost the economic relations.

Mr Tuzmen said that in his meetings with Georgian officials, they discussed the problems encountered by Turkish businessmen in Georgia; elimination of double taxation and decreasing high customs duties between the two countries; and elaborating a special law for investors working in Georgia. (M/Y)

[05] Turkish Cypriots from Britain return to settle in the occupied areas of Cyprus

According to Mr Levent Ruso, director of Euromed Shipping Company, especially in 2004 and 2005 "a significant number" of Turkish Cypriots returned to the occupied areas of Cyprus to stay there permanently.

Mr Ruso said that the number of those who return to the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to settle there increased especially after the opening of the barricades and the "yes" vote of the Turkish Cypriot side at the referendum regarding the Annan Plan.

Mr Ruso noted that since March 2005 they have registered 65 families who transported their belongings to the occupied areas of Cyprus. Only in July this number reached 20 families. "At least ten families are moving every month. We can easily say this", he concluded. (I/Ts)

[06] Serdar Denktas will travel to New York to attend the OIC meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers

Mr Serdar Denktas will be accompanied by the so-called Director of Religious Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Hilmi Akil. Mr Denktas will return to the occupied area of Cyprus on 1st of October.

[07] The Turkish Cypriot economy grew by 15.4 Percent in 2004

The Gross National Product [GNP], which had shrunk due to the foreign exchange and bank crises in 2000 and 2001, started to grow as of 2002. The GNP grew by 6.2 percent in 2002, by 11.4 percent in 2003, and by 15.4 percent in 2004.

The GNP per capita was $5,949 in 2003 and $8,095 in 2004.

The so-called SPO Under Secretary Isilay Yilmaz issued a written statement on the national product developments in 2004. She said that the national product is on an upward trend in the wake of significant rises in production, consumption, investment, and foreign trade volume. She pointed out that trade was the sector that registered the biggest rise in 2004. Trade was followed by professions and services, tourism, electricity, water, manufacturing industry, transportation, communications, agriculture, and construction.

Ms Yilmaz said that public service was the sector that showed the smallest rise, and now constitutes 13.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product, the lowest rate it has ever reached.

[08] Head of the Turkish Supreme Court and the Head of Turkey's State Advisory Council arrived in the occupied area of Cyprus

Speaking on his arrival at occupied airport of Tympou, Mr Arslan expressed the hope that a permanent and just solution to the Cyprus problem will be achieved soon.

The Head of the Turkish Supreme Court - Chief Justice - Osman Arslan said the basic mission of Men of Law should be to work to achieve social peace; first, in their country and then at international level.

The two Men of Law were then received by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the so-called Speaker of the Parliament Fatma Ekenoglu.

Welcoming the two men, Mr Talat said that solidarity and cooperation with Turkey would be maintained also at judiciary level.

As for the "international isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Talat said Turkish Cypriots were expecting to receive justice from the international community.

[09] Arinc called on parliament to convene extraordinarily on September 19th

Arinc met leaders of political parties in the parliament, after Republican People's Party (CHP) requested him to convene the parliament on an extraordinary meeting on September 21st to discuss terrorist incidents that have escalated in the country.

Arinc noted that it was decided that the parliament would convene on September 19th at 3 p.m. after his talks with leaders of political parties.

CHP Deputy Group Chairman Kemal Anadol submitted today a petition signed by 123 MPs to Arinc, and requested him to convene the Parliament on an extraordinary meeting on September 21st.

[10] Turkish President invited Pope to visit Turkey in 2006

Tan said that Turkey was one of the exemplary countries having a secular structure supporting inter-religious dialogue and tolerance. "President Sezer invited Pope Benedict XVI to pay an official visit to Turkey in 2006 to let him see the atmosphere of inter-cultural tolerance in Turkey based on individual freedoms, and to contribute to efforts aiming to strengthen inter-faith dialogue," he said.

Recalling that Pope Benedict XVI had been making efforts to consolidate dialogue and tolerance among religions, Tan added: "We believe that his efforts will further strengthen peace in the world."

[11] Turkey will host the International Islamic Finance Forum

Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan will attend the forum in which nearly 400 delegates will participate.

[12] Erdogan comes first in ANAP poll

The poll posed questions about the party leaders' honesty, sincerity, knowledge and preparedness, degree of being democratic and libertarian, proximity to the people, success and popularity. Erdogan polled first in every field. In some criteria Erdogan was followed by RPP leader Baykal, and in others by MP leader Mumcu. Baykal polled second when it came to being a successful and progressive leader. The first three places were followed by NMP leader Devlet Bahceli and TPP leader Mehmet Agar.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] "The EU has a duty to strengthen our fragile democracy"

"It's clear that as time goes by the support for Turkey's European Union membership is declining in many member countries. Voices demanding a new status for Turkey in the EU as a "privileged partner" are on the increase. This in turn is disenchanting some Turks as we see that support for EU membership in Turkey has fallen from 73 percent to 63 percent in a year.

All this is natural. As time goes by and people sit down to the real business of accession, the romanticism of membership will be clouded by realities and people will have to start working hard to overcome the numerous complications. As a matter of fact we're just at the beginning of this tough, complicated process. Everyone has to be patient.

What everyone has to realize is that a democratic and free Turkey with a well-functioning market economy will be an asset for the European Union and its member states, including Greece and the Greek Cypriot-ruled Cyprus government. Such a country would never become a threat to its neighbours; on the contrary it would be an element of stability for everyone.

But if Turkey is rejected and alienated, if Turkey falls back into the grip of authoritarian rule and ultra-nationalism prevails, then the sort of menace it could pose for its region, for the security of the southeastern flank of the European Union, and what this could mean for Greece and the Greek Cypriots, should be properly evaluated today by those who oppose Turkey's integration into the family of European civilized nations. The French and the German conservatives who claim to have a major say in the future of Europe have to take lessons from the mess the EU created in the former Yugoslavia, and shouldn't be involved in an anti-Turkey campaign that would only create a new mess in the heart of Europe.

The EU has performed a miracle in bolstering prosperity in Spain, Portugal , and Greece by accepting these countries as members. As a matter of fact, what the EU did to enhance the democratic systems in these countries is beyond all praise. Greece, Spain, and Portugal were still under the influence of ultranationalist, repressive military entities when they were accepted into the EU. They had fragile democratic systems and the EU helped to strengthen them as well as enhancing their social and economic development.

Now the EU should show the same sensitivity to enhance Turkey's democratic and social system.

We see with sadness these days that the forces who want to push Turkey back into authoritarian rule are hard at work. They want to introduce a military-backed repressive system that'll push Turkey back into darkness. The EU should foil this game by starting accession talks and encouraging the government to continue implementing democratic reforms.

Those who want to keep our country out of the EU will only be fishing for trouble by pushing Turkey into the laps of ultranationalists and authoritarianism. As the Holy Koran says: 'You can't sleep soundly when your neighbour is suffering'."

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