Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-10-11

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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 Turkish Veterinary Institute confirms detection of bird flu in Turkey

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister speaks about sovereignty rights in the areas of the Republic of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops

[03] Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul: The negotiations could be suspended

[04] The General Secretary of the Farmers Union claimed that the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus is the 26th state in the EU

[05] The occupation regime is building new hospital in Famagusta

[06] Three persons were arrested by the self-styled police for trying to enter the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] 1. Columnist in Radikal assesses the consequences of the pressure imposed on the EU by the U.S., Britain and the coalition that occupies Iraq in Turkeys favour

[08] OYAK has become a conglomerate with 20 subsidiaries

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Veterinary Institute confirms detection of bird flu in Turkey

We have detected H5 strain avian influenza on turkey samples sent from (northern Aegean town of) Manyas", said Necdet Akkoca, head of the Izmir Veterinary Control and Research Institute, on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Akkoca said that only one of the six samples sent to their institute was alive, while the others were dead.

Akkoca noted that after the preliminary tests showed that the samples were infected with avian influenza, they carried out different tests and analyses; and added that they informed the Turkish Agriculture & Rural Affairs Ministry about the results.

According to information given by Akkoca, people get infected with bird flu with direct contact. He said that eating meat sold in Turkey would have no unfavourable effect on people.

"Such cases are seen during the migration of birds. But, also people, chicken and planes can cause spread of such viruses. Turkey is situated on the migration route of birds, and this is a disadvantage. We are working in coordination with the EU reference laboratory in Britain, so we will send some of these samples to this laboratory for further examination," said Akkoca.

Akkoca stated that this H5 strain avian influenza could do much harm to animals than people.

"We think that this strain of bird flu, especially seen in chicken, is highly pathogenic. We are still conducting tests on its mortality," added Akkoca.

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister speaks about sovereignty rights in the areas of the Republic of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Prime Minister Erdogan said: "65 percent of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan in last year's referendum while Greek Cypriots rejected it. We cannot make any concession from sovereignty rights of the TRNC. First, isolation of Turkish Cypriots should be lifted. Then, we can open ports and airports."

[03] Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul: The negotiations could be suspended

The paper reported that a bureaucrat from each ministry attended the meeting which lasted two hours and ten minutes. During the meeting Mr Gul did not inform the meeting about the course of the negotiations nor about the results.

(MY)

[04] The General Secretary of the Farmers Union claimed that the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus is the 26th state in the EU

(DP)

[05] The occupation regime is building new hospital in Famagusta

The hospital is expected to cost 20 trillion Turkish liras. The cooperation protocol regarding the hospital will be signed today between the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) and the self-styled ministries of health and works and transportation of the occupation regime. The tenders are expected to be announced next week.

(I/Ts)

[06] Three persons were arrested by the self-styled police for trying to enter the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus

The three persons, one Iranian with the initials M.F male, 41 years old, and two Pakistanis M.A, male 22 years old and K.A, male 26 years old were arrested at 22:00 hours Sunday evening with the accusation that they violated a 1st degree military area in the Dumlupinar area.

(C/S)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in Radikal assesses the consequences of the pressure imposed on the EU by the U.S., Britain and the coalition that occupies Iraq in Turkeys favour

The press continues to feature the ongoing developments related to Turkey's EU process as well as this complicated historic turning point just like a "soap opera." 3 October constituted one of the most exciting parts of this soap opera. The viewers' excitement level escalated throughout the day and the part certainly had a happy ending.

Bad guy Austria tried the best of its abilities against Turkey. Turkey, on the other hand, maintained its stand in a dignified manner. And just at that moment, the United States took action -- just like superman. Furthermore, Britain, superman's aide and best friend in the neighbourhood, imposed pressure and positive results were achieved!

Yes, the EU membership process is the most popular and the most exciting soap opera in Turkey. There are several people who do not like this soap opera. As a matter of fact, these people only like Malkocoglu [Turkish cartoon character living during the period of the Hun Empire]. They want Turkey to act just like Malkocoglu. They want Turkey to fight and to stand against Europe or the West, which has replaced the Byzantine Empire. In short, they want the [EU] soap opera to be replaced with the Malkocoglu movie. It is impossible to avoid becoming a side to this conflict. Neither it is possible to avoid tearing one's hair due to the failure to become a side to this conflict.

Is there not a single soul in this country who seriously ponders over "the meaning of the EU, its meaning in terms of Turkey, Turkey's meaning in terms of the EU, and how this is all related to the current developments in the world"? If there are such persons, where are they? Do we not have a chance to listen to or to discuss anything other than statements that have been memorized and they have turned into poems for national days due to the fact that they are being repeated? After the "triumphant" picture that was drawn after 3 October, my hopes in this regard have almost disappeared.

All right, I will start from the end. What happened on 3 October? A negotiation process that is neither fish, nor flesh, nor red herring has begun. Everyone admits that this process will pursue a painful course, but no one knows how to find a remedy to this suffering. Let us leave this aside. Who imposed pressure in order to ensure the commencement of the negotiations with Turkey? The United States imposed pressure from the outside and Britain primarily and countries that cooperate with the United States imposed pressure from the inside. In other words, the coalition that occupies Iraq imposed pressure to this end. Is this not so? Given that we are sitting on the lap of this coalition during the EU process, will it leave us in peace in the Middle East? What kind of a bill shall we pay for this support? Let me tell you. It will be a very heavy bill. There is no need to become a strategy expert or a person with vision in order to guess this. It is possible to say: "I will receive the support and I will pay the bill. In fact, I agree with the United States' Middle East policy." This is also a political view and a political preference. It is a disgraceful preference, but in the final analysis it is a preference.

It is hard for me to understand how the "democrats" who criticize the policies pursued by the United States in the Middle East and who claim that they oppose the occupation in Iraq explain this conflict. Let us leave detailed analysis aside (at least, let us leave it aside for the time being). There is an occupied country along our borders. Blood is being shed. How can we be happy that the ringleaders of this bloodshed are carrying us to the EU? How is it possible to talk about democratization? Is it possible to democratize under the auspices of these men? How is it possible to talk about democracy at a time when security terrorism prevails in the EU-member Britain with the pretext of terrorism? The police shot an unfortunate Brazilian, who was running toward the subway station. They did not even apologize properly. Instead, they merely announced that such incidents may continue to occur in the future. They did not even take a step backward from the right to shoot the suspects in the head. And they have a reason for this. They claim that if the suspect is carrying a bomb and if he is shot in the leg or in another part of his body, he may still pull the pin of the bomb. They therefore claim that it is necessary to shoot him in the head immediately.

I left aside my EU related opposition. Believe it or not, I am nauseous in the face of the developments. I wonder how I will be able to stand watching this bad soap opera.

[08] OYAK has become a conglomerate with 20 subsidiaries

The public has taken a closer interest in OYAK after its acquisition of majority shares in Erdemir.

OYAK was formed on 1 March 1961 under the Act No. 205. It is a mutual assistance and pension fund of the members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF), which is governed by provisions of the private law.

It was formed with a view to providing social security for its members independent of the main social security agencies (Civil Servants Pension Fund, SSK). It is controlled by the Ministry of Defence according to its special law. Three members of its Board of Directors, which is composed of a total of seven members, are elected from among the members of the TAF.

Its sources of income include a 10 percent contribution withheld from the monthly salaries of officers, non-commissioned officers, civilian personnel, and other employees and the income of OYAK's subsidiaries.

Subtitle: It has grown rapidly

After being established as a pension and assistance fund for the members of the TSK, OYAK undertook projects in the construction industry in order to build houses for its members. It later expanded into the automotive industry after forming a joint company with Renault and the finance sector through Oyakbank and OYAK Sigorta. It eventually became a leading player in the cement and transportation industries. It had 29 subsidiary companies engaged in different sectors, which went up to 30 after its acquisition of Erdemir.

Those subsidiaries include OYAK Renault and Masis in the automotive industry; Omsan in the transportation industry; Adana, Bolu Unye, Mardin, Elazig cement companies and Oysa in the cement industry, OYAK Beton in the concrete production industry; Oyka Kagit Ambalaj in the paper and packaging materials industry; AXA OYAK Holding, OYAK Yatirim Menkul Degerler; OYAK Bank, OYAK Ankerbank, Halk Leasing and OYAK Emeklilik in the finance and insurance sector; Hektas in the pesticides industry; Tukas, Tam Gida, and Eti Pazarlama in the food industry; OYAK Insaat and OYAK Konut Insaat in the construction industry; OYAK Pazarlama in hygiene and tourist sectors; Oytas in the foreign tradesector; OYAK Savunma ve Guvenlik Sistemleri in the security sector; OYAK Enerji ve Iskan in the energy industry; and OYAK Teknoloji in the information technology industry.

Subtitle: It has become a holding company

OYAK's promotion to the league of the largest groups in the private sector such as Koc and Sabanci is a success story that should be credited to OYAK's management.

OYAK's acquisition of Erdemir and its attempt to take over Ziraat Bank are also regarded as initiatives deserving praise.

OYAK's evolution into a group of companies with a leading role in the national economy has, however, given rise to debates.

OYAK's status will be placed on the agenda of the future negotiations with the EU focusing on the EU's legislation on fair competition because OYAK has turned into a large holding company consisting of subsidiaries with a considerable market share in each segment of the economy, which is beyond the boundaries of its initial mission limited to the operations of a mutual assistance and pension fund for the members of the TAF.

The fact is that the members of OYAK's top management are chosen by TAF commanders.

Despite strong arguments that the company complies with the principle of fair competition, the leading role of a major holding company, owned by the members of the TAF and the management of which is named by TAF commanders, may not be regarded as a normal phenomenon in markets guided by the principle of free market economy.

OYAK's managers may be right in arguing that they should not be criticized for being successful and making investments. But, in today's world business groups must take current economic and social factors into consideration.

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