Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] VOLKAN discloses the name of the Greek Cypriot woman who recently applied to the so-called Compensation committee.

[02] More on the ring smuggling foreigners to the free areas.

[03] Illegal census not to affect the list for the illegal local elections.

[04] Spanish journalists arrived in the occupied areas.

[05] Reaction by Pyla residents to turning their village into mafia center.

[06] The Turks makers of baklava sweet are protesting against the Greek Cypriots as regards the national identity of baklava.

[07] Turkey“s EU membership among the issues Erdogan discussed in Vienna with the Austrian Chancellor.

[08] Turkish authors are charged and prosecuted for their writings under the Turkish Penal Code.

[09] Court decision may allow the return of Fethullah Gulen to Turkey.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Columnist in The New Anatolian sees a political shift if Fethullah Gulen returns to Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] VOLKAN discloses the name of the Greek Cypriot woman who recently applied to the so-called Compensation committee

The paper reports that in her application Mrs Papachristou stated that she owns three plots of land in the village and attaches the title deeds that the Land and Surveys Department of the Republic has provided to her. VOLKAN alleges that it is publishing a copy of the application and the title deeds.( Tr. Note: The document published by VOLKAN does not belong to Mrs Papachristou but to Dr. Ilias Papachristou)

(MHY)

[02] More on the ring smuggling foreigners to the free areas

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[03] Illegal census not to affect the list for the illegal local elections

(„)

[04] Spanish journalists arrived in the occupied areas

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[05] Reaction by Pyla residents to turning their village into mafia centre

(„)

[06] The Turks makers of baklava sweet are protesting against the Greek Cypriots as regards the national identity of baklava

The paper reports the following:

At celebrations marking "Europe Day" two days ago, "baklava" was introduced as a Greek Cypriot pastry. A booklet matching each EU country's flags with its most famous dishes (and their recipes, printed in English) was printed and passed out to the press. In the booklet, "baklava," which is itself a Turkish word, was introduced as the "national dessert of the Greek Cypriots."

This follows on last year's entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, which lists "lokum" (also known as "Turkish delight") as a Greek Cypriot dessert. The Guinness Book of World Records listing came after Greek Cypriots made headlines for cooking up a 1.5 ton piece of lokum. The Greek Cypriot work for "lokum" is "lokumi." And so both "lokum" and "baklava" join Turkish coffee, which itself has also been claimed for years by both the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots.

In addition, Turkish HURRIYET newspaper reports on its todays edition (12.05.06) that the Turkish makers of baklava are rebelling against the fact that the Greek Cypriots have registered baklava as their own national sweet. Support came, writes the paper, from the EU General Secretariat ship under the leadership of the State Minister of Turkey and Chief Negotiator of Turkey for European Union affairs. The Ankara Chamber of Commerce also supported the reactions.

According to the paper the makers of baklava are organising a protest on Saturday at the Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul in order to state that baklava is Turkish and not Greek Cypriot. A baklava maker stated to the paper that baklava is originally Turkish and the Greek Cypriots are just copying. He added that they will go to Brussels and they will have the EU deputies to taste the real baklava from their hands.

[07] Turkey“s EU membership among the issues Erdogan discussed in Vienna with the Austrian Chancellor

Austria's presidency will end at the end of June.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Schuessel on the margin of the EU-Latin America Summit held in Austrian capital of Vienna. During their meeting, Erdogan and Schuessel debated Turkey's EU membership bid and international topics.

The two leaders exchanged views on Iran, Iraq and PKK in their meeting. Erdogan stressed Turkey's determination to fight against terrorism.

Erdogan is also expected to meet French President Jacques Chirac.

[08] Turkish authors are charged and prosecuted for their writings under the Turkish Penal Code

The two are charged with 'publicly degrading the army' under article 301/2 of the Penal Code in a book titled "The Evolution of The Army from the Ottomans to Today".

The two defendants will appear at the Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance on June 20 for their first trial based on an indictment prepared by Republic Prosecutor Nurten Alinok.

Alinok's indictment was completed after Sirri Ozturk's statement was taken by the prosecution on March 2, 2006.

In his statement, Ozturk said Osman Tiftikci who left the ranks of the armed forces during the March 12, 1971 coup period, had in-depth knowledge of the military due to his background. He said the book was based on extensive research and that prior to its publication, the publishing house had it examined by jurists to ensure there were no violations of law. "In the examination" said Ozturk, "it was decided that the research book contained no element of offence".

On the same issue, the news agency (09.05.06) reported that the journalists Karakurt, Tatlican and Kilic of daily HURRIYET face prison terms under article 6/2 of Anti-Terror Law (TMY) for an interview with PKK leaders in Northern Iraq.

The interview titled "Womens mentality in Kandil exceeds pro-Kurdish demands" where Murat Karayilan, a senior leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was interviewed published in the Turkish daily HURRIYET on October 10, 2005.

In an article accompanying the interview, also published in the Sunday special edition of the newspaper the same day, Karakurt had described the changes of the living conditions of militants attached to the PKK who were living on Kandil mountain.

Karakurt argued that the report and interview were part of his journalistic duty and refuted allegations that there was any form of organizational propaganda in either.

On October 25, 2005, the Istanbul Number 10 Criminal Court had issued a lack of jurisdiction decision in the case against Karakurt where a prison term of 5 years in addition to fines was demanded for the journalist. Charges leveled against Karakurt were "printing the statements of a terror organization" and "carrying out the propaganda of a terror organization".

Since June 1, 2005, more than 40 journalists, authors, activists, academics and unionists in Turkey have been prosecuted under controversial article 301 or because it has been deemed 'in the interest of the defendant' under article 159 of the old Penal Code.

Journalists Sabri Ejder Ozic, Emin Karaca, Burak Bekdil, Aziz Ozer, Erkan Akay, human rights activist Eren Keskin, author Zulkuf Kisanak and unionists Hanefi Bekmezci and Huseyin Ser were sentenced in these cases.

[09] Court decision may allow the return of Fethullah Gulen to Turkey

An Ankara court acquitted Turkish religious leader Fethullah Gulen of trying to overturn Turkey's secular regime, the Anatolia news agency reported on Friday.

The decision possibly allows him to return to the country after years of self-imposed exile in the United States.

Gulen, a preacher, author and mystic scholar whose religious sect runs schools across Turkey and Central Asia, had been accused of trying to create an Islamic state in Turkey and of "brainwashing" schoolchildren.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Columnist in The New Anatolian sees a political shift if Fethullah Gulen returns to Turkey

Fethullah Gulen has been living in virtual exile in the U.S. for years as he's been the target of a witch hunt by the so-called secularist conservative establishment that sees even moderate religious figures in Turkey as Muslim fundamentalists.

The 1997 post-modern coup led by the military didn't only target the government of pro-Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, but it also hit Turkey's moderate Islamists who were really the most important barriers to fundamentalism.

One such victim was Fethullah Gulen who, as a moderate leader of an Islamic community in Turkey, has promoted peace, understanding and goodwill among people and dialogue between religions. This has been recognized by the Vatican, and Mr Gulen has been received by the Pope in Rome.

The military administration at the time wanted to prosecute Mr Gulen, claiming that he'd been involved in anti-secularist and Muslim extremist activities. They made the media run stories against Mr Gulen in a smear campaign. So the veteran religious leader was forced to flee to the U.S. for "health reasons." In fact, Mr Gulen does have a serious heart condition and diabetes, and although he's received treatment for this in the U.S., it also could have been done in Turkey.

The witch hunt against Mr Gulen continued for years. It was during the same period when even people like our current prime minister were victims of persecution. The media and business groups who supported Mr Gulen also had a hard time. Despite everything, the schools operated by Mr Gulen throughout the world continued to produce very successful students both in Turkey and abroad promoting Turkey's values and culture. His business establishments thrived. His media group was successful.

But the witch hunt never ended. Court cases were launched against him. He was the target of repeated smear campaigns. Nevertheless, tens of thousands of people in Turkey continued to respect him and hold him in very high regard.

Even the current government, which is said to be comprised of devout Muslims, did nothing to help facilitate Mr Gulen's return to Turkey. But then the penal code was changed and in a surprise move the courts looking into the case against Mr Gulen decided that according to the new rules, the veteran religious leader had not committed any crimes and dropped the charges.

So now there are no more obstacles to the return of Fethullah Hocaefendi. However, we understand that the prospect of the veteran leader's return is hardly a source of happiness for the government. We're told the government is afraid Mr Gulen may well become a silent but effective opposition force to the administration and steer Muslim moderates away from the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

With Mr Gulen coming back home, we may well see a shift in the power balance in Turkey as the country heads towards election year, both for Parliament and the new president ...

/SK

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