Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-06-27

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Works are going on regarding the Financial Aid Regulation.

[02] Kretschmer comments on the Semdinli case and Turkeys obligations on the Cyprus issue.

[03] Erdogan will address PACE in Strasbourg on 28 June.

[04] Kurdish DTP held its first Congress. Prosecutors office is investigating the congress.

[05] Erdogan accuses former politicians of trying to undermine stability.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] AFRIKA: A golden chance to demolish the status quo.

[07] Great game in Turkish politics underway.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Works are going on regarding the Financial Aid Regulation

The European Commission is continuing to work for the implementation of the Financial Aid Regulation prepared by the Commission to help ease the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

A Spokesperson for the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that the EU office which is to be opened next month in the `TRNCī - will establish links between the Commission and those who are going to be provided with the financial aid.

The EU office in the `TRNCī will coordinate the distribution of 139-million euros of economic aid allocated to North Cyprus.

The aid was originally set at 259 million euros but 120 million euros were lost because wrangling at the EU meant the regulation approving the aid was not in place by December 2005.

In a statement, Krisztina Nagy -the spokesperson for the EU Enlargement Commissioner said work is still going on to get the re-release of the 120-million euros which were lost.

The spokesperson also added that the EU office in the `TRNCī will be functioning for long term projects. The EU Commission is expected to release around 100-million euros worth of aid in the next four months.

(TRNC is a breakaway regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus)

[02] Kretschmer comments on the Semdinli case and Turkeys obligations on the Cyprus issue

Kretschmer expressed his concerns about early elections, saying: "Candidate countries should have stable institutions that will guarantee democracy, human rights, and a just judicial system. I am concerned that stability and the respect felt toward these institutions will sustain damages. Given that a functioning government that has a majority in the parliament is in power, what is the need for early elections?"

According to Kretschmer, Turkey is obliged to carry out its responsibilities regarding the Cyprus issue.

Referring to the issue, the head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey said the following: "In June the Greek Cypriots' opposition stemmed from the Ankara Protocol and from the implementation of this protocol. When this issue is resolved the Cyprus issue will no longer constitute a problem. I hope that a step will be taken in this regard toward the end of this year."

[03] Erdogan will address PACE in Strasbourg on 28 June

PACE President Rene van der Linden had invited Erdogan to Strasbourg last month to deliver a speech since the Turkish Prime Minister is the co-chairman of project on alliance of civilizations.

The general assembly will debate and vote a report on ''freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs'' and a related recommendatory draft decision the same day.

[04] Kurdish DTP held its first Congress. Prosecutors office is investigating the congress

The Congress convened in the Ataturk Sports Salon in Ankara yesterday in order to make the transition to a chairmanship system from the co-chairpersons system, which the Chief Prosecutor's Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals has warned is contrary to the Law on Political Parties.

At the congress, which was attended by representatives of the political wings of the separatist ETA and IRA organizations, Turk made the opening address. Turk, pointing out that various governments in the world have sought to find solutions with oppositional armed forces, adduced ETA and the IRA as examples, and said "The Kurdish question in Turkey has to date been left without a solution. Dialogue with the Kurds, and meeting with the forces of democracy, is essential. Any solution without the Kurds or in spite of the Kurds will not be realistic."

Calling for the PKK to remain bound to the decision it took not to carry out actions, and to put down its arms, Turk said that the government as well must launch a process of democratic solution.

Calling for the Law on Combating Terrorism, which he characterized as a law for combating Kurds, to be withdrawn, Turk also called for the elimination of the [ 10-percent] electoral threshold, which he claimed prevents the representation of the Kurds in the National Assembly, or else its being reduced to 3 percent.

In her speech, Tugluk, claiming that both Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK are a reality of Turkey, continued as follows:

"Everyone who speaks of democracy and peace wants us to distance ourselves from the PKK. Yet such a thing is not possible; on the contrary, it is essential that the democratic forces for democracy and peace, and society, eliminate the distance that they have placed between themselves and the PKK, and break down the walls that have been erected. A peace strategy cannot be successful by keeping the PKK outside of its scope. The PKK is a party to a process that has continued for 30 years."

In the elections, in which 701 delegates voted, the sole candidate, Ahmet Turk, was elected as General Chairman with the votes of 686 delegates, despite Ocalan's desire that "The General Chairman ought to be a woman". 15 votes were counted as invalid. It is expected that Tugluk, being given the authorities of a co-chairperson, will become Deputy General Chairman.

On the congress Ankara TRT 2 television (26.06.06) broadcast that the Deputy Chief Prosecutor's Office in Ankara has moved to examine the Democratic Society Party [DTP] first regular congress, which was held at the weekend. The Directorate of Police studied the speeches and examined the slogans, posters, and placards in the meeting hall and filed a complaint against the party for engaging in propaganda activities that supported the terrorist PKK. Acting on the complaint, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor's Office in Ankara moved to examine the information on the congress.

[05] Erdogan accuses former politicians of trying to undermine stability

In his speech Mr Erdogan said that those who have ruled Turkey by exploiting fears and anxieties among the public for years, are alarmed by the rapid progress being made by Turkey and its promising prospects. He went on saying: "In fact, their nonsensical remarks stem from their anxiety. We will, therefore, not pay much attention to what they say because our time is extremely precious and we have a lot to achieve. Turkey has started to change, move forward, and develop and it has made great progress. Those making efforts to destabilize Turkey should know that they will not be successful so long as we remain here."

Pointing out that Turkey experienced not only an administrative, political, and economic change but also a mental transformation, which, he said, created new challenges for politicians, Erdogan stated: "The bar has been raised in Turkish politics. Politicians could no longer make empty promises or exploit unfounded fears. Being aware of this fact, some politicians have even taken a stance against democracy and choice made by voters in the polls. The AKP has always advised them not to confront the public, democracy, laws, public confidence, and stability in the name of opposing the AKP. They should ask themselves why they were not preferred by voters in the past elections and focus on the reasons prompting people to keep their distance from those politicians, who could not stomach democracy, law, and justice." Erdogan noted that those politicians are deeply disappointed because they can no longer enjoy the privileges they had in the past.

Emphasizing that his government has turned Turkey into one of the countries achieving the fastest and most stable growth in the world after overcoming a severe economic crisis, Erdogan said: "Those who took over a ruined economy and handed over it in the same condition in the past seem to be making ambitious plans again. They are, however, not aware of the fact that Turkey has made much progress since their time." Erdogan went on saying that Turkey has become the most powerful country in her region and the government took effective steps to root out corruption. He noted: "Turkey has suffered much due to unethical political practices. Some politicians, who had vowed not to be involved in corruption, were eventually bogged down in it. Those pursuing policies aimed at preserving the status quo and the centralist system while causing all issues to reach a stalemate as a result of their interventions from Ankara wasted Turkey's years let alone paving the way for its growth. A top-down political approach intended to deny democracy to people will have no place in Turkey's future and new attempts and synthesis based on that approach will be in vain and the AKP is not bothered at all by those attempts."

Erdogan stressed that they would turn Turkey into a "rainbow country" characterized by freedom of expression and tolerance for differences, and added: "The fundamental principles of the Republic will no longer be exploited for political purposes. The Republic, democracy, law, and secularism will come to the fore as values uniting our nation. Secularism and freedom of conscience and worship will no longer be contentious issues. Elected or appointed officials will staunchly uphold freedom of expression and democracy. This is the AKP's vision for Turkey."

Erdogan covered about economic issues in the last part of his speech and said that responsibility for ensuring economic stability rests not only with the government and the Central Bank but also with all the organizations and parties concerned. Finally, he urged the media to take an objective approach to the government's policies rather than presenting a biased and slanted view of economic developments.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] AFRIKA: A golden chance to demolish the status quo

One of the most important results of the elections is the fact that by winning the two empty seats at the parliament, the number of the deputies of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has been gone up to 25 in the 50 persons assembly.

Here it is a unique opportunity for those who had set off aiming to demolish the status quo.

Let them come and demolish it

To give an end to the coalition with Serdar Denktas who said no at the Referendum and who was against the Annan Plan.

To clean up the Government from Denktas.

To take up the administration on their own. So that we also believe that they have actually set off in order to demolish the status quo.

To be left with no suspicion.

They are 25, arent they? To add Mustafa Akinci to them. Does it not reach 26?

Will then, what else are we waiting for to drive away from there Denktas supporters of the status quo?

Arent 26 deputies who are supporters of yes, enough to put down the political will of the Turkish Cypriots?

Such an assembly will not be able to take any decision it wants against the wish of the supporters of the status quo?

Go ahead CTP

Show them who you are

Look, Mustafa Akinci is not demanding anything from youNeither a partnership Nor a ministry Nothing

Following the elections, while the iron is still hot, he made a statement yesterday. He is going to be with you at the assembly... He will vote with you He will support any democratic decision that you will take And those decisions will pass from the assembly with 26 fingers What else are you waiting for?

Arent there three ministries in Serdars hands?

All the three of them will be passed to you, that is to the CTP The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be yoursSo will be the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture

The eyes of Mustafa Akinci are not there He does not want anything from you He will give his support without waiting anything back He says that it is enough taking away of the supporters of the status quo from the administration

Go ahead, act! Can you kick away such an opportunity?

You are going to be government on you own

Letīs go forward without facing the obstacle of the supporters of the status quo Your number is 25 now

You do not need anymore the partnership of the supporters of the status quo

Since you have captured half of the assembly, is it worth it to have a partnership with three ministries with a status quo party?

Isnt it pity for those ministries? Set sail for new horizons

So that we will also believe that you will truly demolish the status quo

Until now we have never had the chance to take our own decisions for our own rights, as we have it now

If you are talking about a united Cyprus, solution and Europe

Here, this is your golden chance

If you do not use this opportunity, from now on no one will ever believe that you really want to demolish the status quo

No one will believe that you do not want division and you do not support two separate states

And the most important, you will not be able to accuse Christofias of making a partnership with Tassos Papadopoulos

Perhaps if AKEL had your chance, it could be saved from Tassos

But if you, despite taking the chance to be saved from the Denktas, you will not be saved, you will not have the face to accuse AKEL at all Go ahead; acknowledge those 25 seats at the parliament

Le us see the use of it

So we will also believe that you are really not supporters of the status quo

(C/S)

[07] Great game in Turkish politics underway

Election fever has gripped Turkey, with no one seeming to care about the fact that the national elections are scheduled to be held in one-and-a-half years time.

With political tension at an historic high coupled with debates over who will be elected president next May, Turkish politics has been pushed to seek a solution to the dominance of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Only on Friday did the behind the scenes efforts to unite Turkish politics against the AKP become public, with former adversaries working to bring together leftist and rightist parties in a huge block. Rahsan Ecevit, former Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputy leader and the wife of former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, unveiled her plan on Friday, the day when former Prime Minister Mesut Y1lmaz escaped being tried on corruption charges and implied he was ready to return to politics. There are also the statements made by former President Suleyman Demirel, calling for a unity of the centrist parties, and the political initiative launched by the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Union (D0SK). All signs show that the summer heat will be hotter than we are used to.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismisses the efforts as useless, but still he cannot hide the discomfort the AKP feels over them.

Subtitle: Rahsan Ecevit's initiative:

Rahsan Ecevit said on Friday she would be meeting with all political party leaders and nongovernmental organizations, in an effort to continue where her husband left off due to illness. She proposes all left and right parties should cooperate and form an election block against the AKP. Her meetings will start today and she is expected to hold meetings with the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), True Path Party (DYP), Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), Social Democrat People's Party (SHP), former political leaders Tansu Ciller and Mesut Y1lmaz, D0SK and other unions, NGOs and university academics. She is also expected to meet with the Republican People's Party (CHP). She will propose an election coalition, not a merger of parties, with each party protecting its structure. The head of this movement will be Eskisehir Mayor Y1lmaz Buyukersen.

0lhan Kesici and Bedrettin Dalan are also mentioned as being part of this project. The model of this movement will be drawn up by the leaders who agree to join the coalition. The first affirmative response came from SHP leader Murat Karayalc1n, despite the fact that there are some leading SHP members who don't want the right to be included. The CHP is currently skeptical about what this project could solve, but is tacitly supporting it.

Subtitle: Y1lmaz for comprehensive alliance:

Centre right parties are also facing a volatile period after Y1lmaz, a former ANAVATAN leader, said he intended to return to politics after a semi-forced retirement following his November 3, 2002 general election. Y1lmaz' Supreme State Council trial on corruption charges was suspended on Friday and he won't be tried again if he doesn't face a similar charge in the next five years.

Y1lmaz' political aims remain high, saying, We need a single party with 50 percent support, not five parties with 10 percent support each.

Y1lmaz' political objective is not too different from Rahsan Ecevit, making some believe they will unite their efforts sometime in the future. Y1lmaz also says there is no longer any difference between the leftist and rightist parties and intends to start his meets in a few weeks time. He is expected to meet with Demirel, who is trying to unite the right, and the current leader of his party, Erkan Mumcu.

He will also meet with the leading ANAVATAN names of the past who are no longer with the party. Y1lmaz intends to hold talks with leftist politicians too and is expected to receive the support of Husamettin Ozkan, a former deputy prime minister and an ex-DSP member.

Y1lmaz' objective, like that of Rahsan Ecevit, is to confront the AKP with a huge centrist block.

Y1lmaz will initiate his campaign with a tour of the Black Sea in early July. There are voices within the ANAVATAN that warn against the party remaining outside of such a block.

Most believe if Y1lmaz calls on all to unite for a centrist block without any consideration for official posts, most of the ANAVATAN members will come to his support. Mumcu is still considering what to do.

There is very little DYP is leaking about its opinions on such a campaign, but DYP leader Mehmet Agar is known to be opposed to it.

Subtitle: D0SK seeking a solution:

The December 10 Movement, led by D0SK, met this weekend in Ankara. Its objective is to solve the lack of any political perspective on the left of the spectrum. D0SK Chairman Suleyman Celebi, former DSP deputy R1dvan Budak, former CHP member Ertugrul Gunay and Professor Burhan Senatalar intend to transform the movement into a political party. At the meeting in Ankara, the group tended to favor becoming a party this autumn, but they also intend not to rush into politics too soon and will undergo a long structuring process.

The aim of the movement is said to be, renewal of the left, integration and reaching the public, with the slogan, The right's alternative is not to move towards the right.

/SK

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