Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-05-22

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the parliamentary elections in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

[02] Twenty one illegal immigrants captured in the coast of occupied Ayios Amvrosios were given three days remand order.

[03] AFRIKA argues that the CTP ordered Serhat Incirli´s dismissal from TOPLUM POSTASI.

[04] How Turkey understands its obligations towards the EU. Statements by Babacan and Rehn from Brussels.

[05] The name of the contact group established within the European Parliament for occupied Cyprus was changed.

[06] Oya Talat is in London trying to prove that the Turkish Cypriots and 40,000 Turkish troops are embargoed by the Greek Cypriot victims of the Turkish invasion.

[07] VOLKAN: Interpol searches for Gary Robb.

[08] Erdogan comments on General Ozkok´s statements during the funeral of judge Ozbilgin.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] The aftermath of the attack on the Council of State judges.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the parliamentary elections in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Under the title Nothing has changed in south Cyprus, KIBRIS writes that after the results of the elections the balance of the political powers has not changed. The paper publishes also statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, who commenting on the results said that during the election campaign the President of the Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos had made a call for the strengthening of those powers which voted no at the referendum regarding the Annan Plan.

Mr Talat argued that the front of the supporters of the no vote has been strengthened, but this was realized with a loss of power of the left-wing AKEL party. Alleging that the loss of power of AKEL originates from the partys cooperation with President Papadopoulos, Mr Talat used a Turkish proverb which says those who sleep with a blind person wake up cross-eyed, that is if you associate with a scoundrel you will pick up some if his habits or you will suffer for it.

He said that he respects the will of the Greek Cypriot people, but he alleged, inter alia, the following: Another reality, however, is that these results, which I respect, have not the characteristic of contributing to the peace and solution process in the coming period. The main protectors of the policies which are not modern and pro-peace, are strengthened. We saw this once more at the results of the elections in the south.

Under the title Papadopoulos gained the most, AFRIKA writes that nothing has changed with the results of the elections.

HALKIN SESI publishes the information regarding the elections under the title Papadopoulos is the one who gained.

YENI DUZEN writes that AKEL came out as the first party from the elections and that the party of Papadopoulos increased its power. The paper reports that AKEL supporters who were celebrating for the results shouted in Turkish language the slogan Peace cannot be prevented in Cyprus. The front-age banner title of the paper is Elections under the shadow of the NO vote. The hopes are on the table! In another column YENI DUZEN publishes an article by Stelios Berberakis under the title The supporters of the solution have lost.

KIBRISLI argues that The status quo won again in the Greek Cypriot sector.

GUNES writes that the Greek Cypriot elections were conducted and that the support for Papadopoulos increased.

VATAN alleges that The non-solution won.

CUMHURIYET argues that Status quo won in the south and that the hopes for a solution were transferred to a future spring.

CYPRUS TIMES refers to the issue under the front-page banner title Papadopoulos wins a second referendum.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Twenty one illegal immigrants captured in the coast of occupied Ayios Amvrosios were given three days remand order

The illegal immigrants were captured near the coast of occupied Ayios Amvrosios in occupied Kyrenia.

It has become known that the suspects by paying 3000 US dollars per person for their trip intended to cross to the free territory of the Republic of Cyprus via TRNC.

The man who is suspected of helping the illegal immigrants to cross into the free areas is Firaz Tavil, resident of Yialousa village who was also arrested. The illegal immigrants driven by Tavil, were arrested in a van with registration number TD 689.

(M/L)

[03] AFRIKA argues that the CTP ordered Serhat Incirli´s dismissal from TOPLUM POSTASI

AFRIKA reports that the message from the headquarters was: Sack this dog, Serhat Incirli because of his articles he was writing in AFRIKA newspaper in which he was criticizing the CTP leadership. According to Incirli, the clique that controls the CTP, turned the party into a miserable puppet in the hands of Turkey and follows a shame full line.

He was considered an undesired person because they considered his criticisms as insult and the headquarters ordered that he should be sacked.

Incirli strongly reprimanded the CTP leadership and accused them of threatening him of his job.

[04] How Turkey understands its obligations towards the EU. Statements by Babacan and Rehn from Brussels

Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator Ali Babacan said on Friday that, "we interpret the obligations required by the Ankara protocol differently from the European Commission."

Babacan and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn held a joint news conference following that one-hour meeting.

Pointing out that he had a fruitful meeting with Rehn, Babacan said they made a general assessment on the reform process.

"Turkey fulfilled very important political and economic reforms in the past four years. Many steps were taken in improvement of human rights and fundamental freedoms," Babacan said and noted that implementation of the reforms were more difficult than making the reforms.

Babacan also said they prepared a new reform package and focused on concluding the legislation process before parliament went into summer recess.

He said preparations were underway for a detailed action plan on topics whose screening processes were concluded.

Babacan recalled that the Cyprus issue was discussed during the visit of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen of Finland, who will take over the rotating presidency of the EU. "We want a solution on the basis of UN and within the framework of the Annan plan," he indicated.

Replying to a question, Babacan said: "We interpret the obligations required by the Ankara protocol differently from the European Commission. Talks continue with the Commission and other related countries. Turkey fulfilled its obligations for a permanent solution."

Speaking on the attack on the Council of State, Babacan said: "Turkish government condemns every kind of terrorist attack and violence. Turkish people want unity and stability. We don't want any new problems."

Babacan thanked the European Commission for its positive dialogue both in the reform process and on the Cyprus question.

Olli Rehn in his part listed the topics discussed with Babacan as "negotiation process, reforms and Cyprus."

Rehn said there should not be any deviation from the reforms to record progress, and that the Ankara protocol should be fully implemented.

"It is now the time more clearly to regain the momentum of reforms that enhance the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms," Rehn said, adding, "We need to see Turkey respect its commitments that it undertook when we opened the accession negotiations."

[05] The name of the contact group established within the European Parliament for occupied Cyprus was changed

The name of the contact group established within the European Parliament for `North Cyprus´ has officially been changed to `Cyprus Turkish Contact Group`.

The group had been called until now as `European Parliament High Level Contact Group`.

[06] Oya Talat is in London trying to prove that the Turkish Cypriots and 40,000 Turkish troops are embargoed by the Greek Cypriot victims of the Turkish invasion

The First Lady and President of the Patriotic Womens Union Oya Talat said that the Turkish Cypriots who have proved they want a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem do not want to wait a further 42 years to embrace with the rest of the world.

First Lady Talat who is in London as a guest of the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Group EMBARGOED attended a seminar entitled the Silent Walk yesterday.

Addressing the seminar, Oya Talat repeated that the Turkish Cypriot `People´ wanted to become a part of the international community and deserved to be recognized.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot Administration (Republic of Cyprus) of trying to spread a policy that it has not wronged the Turkish Cypriots by giving the example that it has been giving out passports and health care to Turkish Cypriots, Mrs Talat expressed the wish that the Turkish Cypriot side will too, one day, be able to give out its own passports, once a solution is found to the Cyprus problem.

[07] VOLKAN: Interpol searches for Gary Robb

According to VOLKAN, this statement has been made by Mr Painter to the Turkish Cypriot weekly Cyprus Today newspaper. The same paper (13-19 May 2006) publishes a statement by the Northumbria Police official, Charlie Westberg who said that Interpol arrest warrant against Mr Robb is still valid, reminds VOLKAN.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Erdogan comments on General Ozkok´s statements during the funeral of judge Ozbilgin

(MHY)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] The aftermath of the attack on the Council of State judges

In another report entitled "Their target was the government, not the regime" the report highlights comments made by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the attack on the Council of State judges and quotes him as blaming Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal for escalating tension after the incident. Erdogan also says that comments made by Chief of the General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, who said that people should continue to express their outrage, were uncalled for.

In an article entitled "Time for self-criticism" YENI SAFAK (21.05.06) publishes a commentary by columnist Fehmi Koru who argues that the picture emerging after the attack on the Council of State judges indicates that it was a part of a conspiracy designed to force the ruling Justice and Development Party, (AKP), to call an early election in order to ensure that the next president is not elected by the current Parliament. Drawing attention to Erdogan's comment that terrorist organizations turn into crime syndicates when they face difficulties, Koru says: "When the relations of the hit man hired for carrying out the attack against the Council of State judges with other people and groups involved are fully revealed, the relationship between terrorist organizations and crime syndicates will be seen more clearly."

Under the title: "Dignity of the Law" ZAMAN newspaper (21.05.06) publishes a commentary by columnist Etyen Mahcupyan who argues that former Van Public Prosecutor Ferhat Sarikaya's expulsion from the legal profession after issuing an indictment, which also included accusations against Chief of the Ground Forces General Yasar Buyukanit in connection with a bomb attack in Semdinli, has strengthened the conviction that the Turkish Armed Forces are determined to prevent the judicial authorities from conducting investigations into allegations about its members. Pointing out that the decision to expel Sarikaya from the profession concluded that he had acted in a manner prejudicial to the dignity of the legal profession, Mahcupyan comments: "Details about the manipulative act committed in Semdinli combined with the prevention of a possible investigation could mean that the judiciary's intervention in the military's 'affairs' was detrimental to the judiciary's dignity. Implying that the judiciary's dignity entails protection of the military could not be reconciled with any definition of democracy."

Finally, BUGUN newspaper (21.05.06) publishes an article by Cengiz Candar under the title: "The funeral in Ankara and a future that we do not even want to think about." Cengiz Candar urges Erdogan to clarify his opinions about the election of the new president and start a debate over the possibility of an early election as the recent events have shown that the AKP's majority in the National Assembly is not enough to hold the reins of power in Ankara.

/SK

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