Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-04-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey continues to exploit the OIC forum to mislead the muslim world on Cyprus.

[02] Reference to Cyprus by President Sezer during an address at the War Academies Command.

[03] The Committee on Missing Persons convened yesterday.

[04] The national football team of the TRNC to play a football match with the national football team of Occitania.

[05] A new organization of journalists is established in the occupied areas.

[06] Statements by Finnish foreign ministry officials who visited Ankara.

[07] Turkey to build nuclear power plant in Sinop.

[08] Columnist in CUMHURIYET: Serhat might be found guilty because of some of his articles.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Columnist in the New Anatolian assesses the current state of relations between the US and Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey continues to exploit the OIC forum to mislead the muslim world on Cyprus

The fourth conference of the OIC Parliamentary Union brought many assembly speakers and more than 400 delegates together in Istanbul. Speaking during the opening session of the conference, President Sezer said that the effort made to equate Islam with intolerance and violence was regrettable. Calling on the Islamic countries to exchange visits with north Cyprus to improve their relations with the Turkish Cypriots, Sezer asserted that the Turkish Cypriots must be given an opportunity to integrate with the world and that an effort must be made to extend material and political support to them.

He said: `The administration in south Cyprus is making a significant effort to obstruct all the initiatives that are made to help the Turkish Cypriots. Recently, it has taken advantage of the EU members for that purpose. We believe that the initiatives that are made to remove the unjust isolation of the Turkish Cypriots constitute the only means of forcing the Greek Cypriots to agree to a solution´.

The Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Bulent Arinc urged the Islamic countries to establish close relations with the Turkish Cypriots. He also urged them to support the Turkish Cypriots in every way. Bulent Arinc criticized the Islamic world.

He said: `The Islamic countries have to make a decision. They will either be strong enough to decide their own future or agree to bow their heads to the influential countries. Our civilization has never been in such a difficult situation in the past. We must ask ourselves what we are waiting for and why we are not making an effort to reinstate the glorious days we had in the past.´

Referring to nuclear energy, Arinc asserted that the removal of all weapons of mass destruction in the region will not only contribute to the improvement of trust and cooperation among the Islamic countries but also remove the reasons that are given for foreign interventions because of the existence of such arms.

In his address, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan extensively focused on the Palestinian problem. He said that the economic embargoes imposed on the Palestinian people are wrong and noted that the lifting of the embargoes will contribute to peace in the Middle East. Erdogan asked the participating countries to support Turkey's action plan on Cyprus. He said: `We are confident that our package of proposals will form the main foundations of cooperation in the region and contribute to the effort the UN makes to solve the Cyprus problem. We have made balanced proposals. They envisage equal gains for the sides. However, I want to particularly stress the following: No one must ask Turkey to adopt a positive approach if the isolationist measures imposed on north Cyprus and our kinsmen who live there remain in effect. As I said, I want to underline that.´

Prime Minister Erdogan said that the establishment of a national reconciliation government with the participation of all the groups in Iraq is very important.

The final communiqué of the conference will be issued before the convocation ends tomorrow.

[02] Reference to Cyprus by President Sezer during an address at the War Academies Command

''The recent Action Plan envisaging lifting all restrictions in Cyprus by all the relevant parties, is the latest example of Turkey's efforts to safeguard peace on the island. International community extended support to Turkey's Action Plan.

It was the Greek Cypriot administration which rejected the plan of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The most important step to be taken to lift embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriot side will be financial assistance and direct trade. Turkey will not support any other option. While the Turkish side has been trying to revive a solution process and strengthen this process with the Action Plan, the EU's unilateral decisions will cause new difficulties and problems. Everyone has to understand the fact that an atmosphere of peace and stability to be settled in eastern Mediterranean will contribute to tranquillity and security of the whole Europe. However, problems cannot be resolved with efforts of only one side. Both sides should contribute to efforts to find a lasting solution''.

[03] The Committee on Missing Persons convened yesterday

The Committee on Missing Persons convened at the Ledra Palace Hotel today.

The meeting was attended by the Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee Guldem Plumer Kucuk and her deputy Ahmet Erdengiz; and the Greek Cypriot member Elias Georgiades together with his deputy Xenefon Tallis.

Jennifer Wright the deputy of the third member of the Committee also attended the meeting.

The seat for the third member of the Committee is still vacant but the United Nations is expected to make a new appointment soon.

Speaking after todays meeting, Mr Erdengiz said that the budget for future activities to be held in the coming days was discussed during the meeting.

He also announced that the process of taking blood samples from the relatives of the missing persons and the work on completing the Anthropology Laboratory are still continuing.

[04] The national football team of the TRNC to play a football match with the national football team of Occitania

As the paper writes, the 36 members of the national team, headed by the self-styled minister of youth and sports, Mr Ozkan Yorhancioglu, are departing today from the TRNC and will arrive at the small town of Vendargues which is located in the Montpellier area. The match will take place on Saturday, the 15th of April 2006.

Speaking during a press conference the self-styled chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Football federation Mr Niyazi Okutan, stated that because of the obstacles put as regards the match with the national team of Monaco, which did not take place in the end, they have decided not to give more information regarding the match with Occitania. Mr Okutan thanked the mass media representatives for showing sensitivity on the issue.

The paper also writes that Occitania is a member of the NF Board which consists of countries that are not members of FIFA.

(C/S)

[05] A new organization of journalists is established in the occupied areas

According to a written statement issued by Ahmet Gulay on behalf of the unions founding committee, a group of journalists and writers who met yesterday at the headquarters of the Foreign Press Union, formed a founding committee.

The founding committee consists of the following: Ahmet Gulay, Birol Ozter, Ozer Kanli, Aydin Akkurt, Ahmet Otuken, Hasan Ozerdem, Asaf Ertac, Erol Oney, Kamin Ozkaloglu.

(M/L)

[06] Statements by Finnish foreign ministry officials who visited Ankara

Matti Vanhanen, prime minister of the European Union's next term president, Finland, will pay an official visit to Turkey next month, Finnish Foreign Ministry Secretary of State Arto Mansala said in a brief interview with the Turkish Daily News.

Mansala was accompanied by another senior member of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, Department for Europe Director General Kare Halonen. During his three-day stay in Ankara he met with the two leading members of the Cabinet who are most involved in Turkey's EU membership process, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül and chief EU negotiator Ali Babacan, as well as holding lengthy consultations yesterday with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan.

There are to be more and more visits between Turkey and Finland in the near future due to the Finnish presidency. Our prime minister is coming here next month, which means that this visit of mine is also preparation also for that visit, Mansala said during the interview, which was hosted at the Finnish Embassy by Ambassador Maria Serenius.

This visit is a kind of fact-finding mission as Turkey is certainly a key country because of its international role in the Middle East. In addition, there are also new items on the agenda such as energy, as Turkey is an important transit country.

Austria is still in charge; we're not yet in charge. We're preparing for July 1, Mansala said, while bringing to mind that Austria, during its presidency, has so far experienced two major crises: the cartoon crisis after publication of drawings of Prophet Mohammed in several European newspapers and the natural gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine this past winter that made energy a sore point for some EU member governments.

In both issues subject to crises, which are essentially related to a dialogue of civilizations and a healthy energy supply, Turkey is able to offer great contributions to the bloc, Mansala emphasized.

Subtitle: EU to find consensus on political criteria issue soon

It was reported last week that the EU was deadlocked over how to start talks with Turkey on the politically sensitive issue of education after a Franco-British procedural battle.

EU ambassadors discussed for the second successive week the procedure for launching the talks after France and Cyprus sought to incorporate political concerns about Turkey's education system in a letter to Ankara.

Finland, together with Britain and Spain, argued that there was no need for such a letter out of concern that it would politicize an area that is largely a matter of national competence and create a precedent that could blight negotiations on each of the 35 so-called policy chapters.

The discussion still continues, Halonen said without elaborating when asked about reports.

One important thing is how to deal with these political criteria in concept of different chapters. We hope that very soon we can find a consensus between the EU member states. This is a technical issue; how to deal with negotiations in a pragmatic way. From the Finnish side we have had the opinion that the division of issues between chapters is something that will help to bring forward the process. Therefore we should be very careful in taking up items that are not related to the acquis of one chapter. This is a rather technical question of the procedure but it has to be settled before we can go forward, and it relates also to Croatia, not only to Turkey, he, nevertheless, said.

I would not consider this to be a major issue in negotiations, Halonen added.

[07] Turkey to build nuclear power plant in Sinop

''Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan chose (northern city) Sinop to establish nuclear power plant,'' said Okay Cakiroglu, Chairman of Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK), on Wednesday.

Cakiroglu said: ''We have pursued detailed technical research across Turkey regarding the place of nuclear power plant. According to 43 different criteria (including sea temperature, climate and wind), we have set 8 places, and submitted them to Prime Minister Erdogan. He chose Sinop city. A technology center will also be established near the power plant.''

Cakiroglu listed the names of other places as; lake area near Sariyer Dam in central Anatolian city of Eskisehir, a few places in central Anatolian city of Konya, and also another place in northwestern city of Kirklareli.

[08] Columnist in CUMHURIYET: Serhat might be found guilty because of some of his articles

Based on the agreement on legal, commercial and criminal issues approved with the law number 2288 which was formed as a result of an agreement between the TRNC and Turkey for judicial cooperation, recognition, exequatur and return of the offenders and transportation of the convicted persons, the Republic of Turkey asked from the authorities of the TRNC the conduction of the interrogation of the accused person and the location of his address. In a similar manner to that by which the TRNC asked from the Greek Cypriot side the evidences in the Guzelyurtlu murder. In case the TRNC did not do this, it would not apply an agreement to which it is a part. Whether or not Incirli is guilty is another issue. The Republic of Turkey is the suitor. Just like every fictitious person or legal entity, the Republic of Turkey has also the right to be a suitor. The fact that Serhat does not understand the common border between the freedom of expression and the insult, which is not small at all, is his problem. However, resorting to the law is the most natural right of those who feel uncomfortable about this insult.

Serhat might be found guilty because of some of his articles. The courts will decide for this. However, Serhat must know that this (status civilis) situation which ensures his being brought to court is at the same time the situation which protects his freedoms. This is the paradox which Serhat did not understand.

(I/Ts.)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Columnist in the New Anatolian assesses the current state of relations between the US and Turkey

While Turkish-American relations indicate a potential for further souring, what the interested parties do not lack is dialogue. There is, indeed, dialogue. At every level. Officials of both countries even at the highest levels do see each other, and not so infrequently. The official visits of the military top brass, parliamentarians and businesspeople are reciprocated. There is no need for "second-track diplomacy." The Turks and the Americans talk to each other. There is dialogue.

It seems the problem is that, increasingly the dialogue is turning into a dialogue of the deaf. Each side says things to the other that are not well received and do not want to be heard.

The bill for having invited the Hamas chief in exile to Ankara prematurely is now being presented to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government by Washington. The American displeasure is being forwarded through several channels, be it the neocons assembled in the Washington think-tank the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) or the chairman of the U.S. Congress' caucus on Turkey, Florida Democrat Representative Robert Wexler, who is paying a visit to Ankara.

It is noteworthy that the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Ross Wilson, who distinguished himself with appeasing remarks following the Hamas visit, also joined in those voices sounding bitterness about the Turkish government's policy orientation in the Middle East. That is indicative of the prevailing mood in Washington on Erdogan government's foreign policy choices.

The Turkish side looks adamant on the issue. It counterattacks with the publicized disappointment of American inaction against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq. Turks tend to see the U.S. as an omnipotent occupationist force in Iraq that is supposed to control every inch of Iraqi territory in which the PKK military headquarters is established on a mountain mass. Should at any moment any American say "Hamas," Turks raise their voices: "PKK!"

Do they not understand each other? They do. The problem is not that they don't. They do. But, they don't like what they understand and would prefer not to listen to it.

One should not be naive to think the Americans could be persuaded on the wisdom of Turkey's openings to the Hamas-led Palestinian administration, Bashar Assad-ruled Syria and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Iran in a period of history in which Washington is set to seek drastic transformation of the Middle East. The ideological background of Erdogan's ruling party and the policies it tends to pursue would be stumbling blocks on the ambitious project of the United States.

Nobody should, equally, be optimistic about Americans undertaking a dramatic action against the PKK, whose presence is in the relatively tranquil Kurdish north of Iraq, the only place in the beleaguered country not creating any headaches for the U.S. troops caught in the midst of the sectarian fighting in central Iraq and also the target of a potent insurgency.

Not only Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan but also a considerable portion of the Turkish establishment believes that following the ambiguous American lead in the Middle East violates Turkey's national interests.

The "threat perception" differs. They agree that "terrorism" is the major threat. However, for Americans, it is the "international terrorism" that emanates mainly from the Islamic Middle East; for the Turks, it is the PKK, the terrorism of ethnic nationalism. One's agenda is global. The other's is domestic.

And as long as both sides are unable to harmonize their overall political views and priorities, the gap between Ankara and Washington will be even wider than that of March 1, 2003, the date that signified the end of their strategic partnership -- and even whether that really existed is a matter of debate.

Can Ankara and Washington harmonize their positions and policies in the Middle East? The signals at the moment are not very encouraging.

/SK

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