Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-09-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat is paying an official visit to Pakistan; Invitation is reportedly expected by Prime Minister Tony Blair as well.

[02] The President of the autonomous Gagauz region expresses his wish for political cooperation with occupied Cyprus.

[03] Canan Oztoprak says that teachers must teach Koran lessons.

[04] Gul to visit Paris to discuss Frances support to Greek Cypriots on the EU procedure.

[05] EP Foreign Affairs Committee votes today on Turkeys report.

[06] EU warns Turkey of 'serious situation' if obligations not fulfilled.

[07] Reactions against the environmental disaster in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[08] Erdogan invites Soyer to a Forum of the Islamic Conference in Istanbul.

[09] The government crisis is expected to end until 15 September.

[10] A fishing boat full of illegal immigrants crashed in the open sea off the coast of occupied Akanthou.

[11] Antiquities found at the Kings Hill in the occupied village of Galinoporni will be exhibited.

[12] Turkeys President signed decree to open bases and ports for the UN Peace Corps.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Columnist in The New Anatolian on the role of the Turkish army.

[14] Let's stop talking about the F1 incident.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat is paying an official visit to Pakistan; Invitation is reportedly expected by Prime Minister Tony Blair as well

Mr Talat and his wife Oya Talat are expected to arrive today in Islamabad, where the Turkish Cypriot leader will meet with President Muserref, the Speaker of the Pakistani Parliament, Cavduri Emir Huseyin, the Prime Minister Sevket Aziz, the Minister of Tourism, Nilufer Bahtiyar and the Minister of Education, Cavit Esref. The paper points out that this is the first invitation made to Mr Talat as the President of the TRNC. Talat is expected to return to the occupied areas of the island on 6 September.

Furthermore, Turkish MILLIYET newspaper (04.09.06) publishes a report by its correspondent in occupied Cyprus, Sefa Karahasan, who writes that Mr Muserref has invited officially Talat to visit his country in mid-June. The invitation was conveyed to Talat by the Pakistani Ambassador to Ankara. However, because Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs was visiting Cyprus at the time and because there was a diplomatic traffic between him (Talat) and President Tassos Papadopoulos, Talat was not able to reply early to the invitation.

The paper invokes diplomatic sources according to which Talats visit to Pakistan is a support to the solution efforts made by the Turkish Cypriot people. It is also noted that Talats contacts abroad will bear fruits.

The paper also writes that it was known that no other invitation from another country to Talat was announced because of the obstacles put by the Greek Cypriots. However, an invitation is expected to arrive the sooner by the British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (04.09.06) refers to the visit of Mr Talat to Pakistan under the banner front-page title The door for recognition has been opened for the TRNC.

The paper writes that the USA, Britain and Turkey promote the recognition of the TRNC. The fact that Mehmet Ali Talat is invited for the first time with the capacity of the president of the TRNC gives serious signals on the way of the two separate states solution, writes the paper adding that it is assumed that Turkey which is being prepared to send troops to the Lebanon has secured some concessions on the Cyprus issue and that this visit will be realized within this framework. In case troops are sent to the Lebanon, the EU as well is expected to be more flexible and tolerant towards Turkey, writes AFRIKA.

(I/Ts, C/S)

[02] The President of the autonomous Gagauz region expresses his wish for political cooperation with occupied Cyprus

As VATAN reports, the Presidents wish was expressed to the self-styled Minister of National Education and Culture, Canan Oztoprak, during her courtesy visit to him the other day, as a message to be given to the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. He also noted that they wish to invite Mr Talat to their country.

During her contacts in Moldova, Mrs Oztoprak has signed a 3-year-protocol (2006-2009) of cultural cooperation with the Gagauz regions Minister of Culture and Tourism, Valentina Dermenci. The protocol foresees that cooperation will be established between the illegal regime in Cyprus and the Gagauz region in the areas of museum and exhibitions, while theatre and music festivals will also be organized.

According to the paper, Mrs Oztoprak and her delegation returned to occupied Cyprus from the Gagauz region of the Moldovan Republic on the 2nd September.

(M/L)

[03] Canan Oztoprak says that teachers must teach Koran lessons

In statements to illegal TAK news agency, Mrs Oztoprak noted that schools are not the place where the Koran lessons should be given and therefore conducting inspections would not be right.

She said that they are continuing their work on the curriculum of the religious lessons.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Gul to visit Paris to discuss Frances support to Greek Cypriots on the EU procedure

In the framework of this schedule Mr Gul will visit France on 13-14 of September where he will discuss Frances support to the Greek Cypriots on the EU procedure and the draft bill regarding the Armenian genocide.

The paper writes that Gul will postpone his visit to Athens which was due between 2-3 October, because he preferred to go to Washington because of the important developments regarding the Middle East and the PKK. Gul will follow a separate programme from that of the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and he will have contacts with USA officials.

(C/S)

[05] EP Foreign Affairs Committee votes today on Turkey´s report

The European Parliament (EP) Foreign Affairs Committee will conduct a vote on a Turkey report, written by Dutch Christian Democrat member Camiel Eurlings, and proposals to make changes in the report on Monday evening.

The report will be presented for a final vote at the general assembly of the EP at the end of September in Strasbourg.

To this day, 349 proposals have been made to the EP Foreign Affairs Committee by parliamentarians and political groups on the Turkey report.

[06] EU warns Turkey of 'serious situation' if obligations not fulfilled

If Turkey does not fulfil its obligations under the additional protocol that foresees the implementation of the customs union for the 25 European Union members, topics in regard to single market may not be opened, said Erkii Tuomioja, EU rotating president Finland's Foreign Minister, on Saturday.

The informal meeting of EU foreign ministers has ended in Lappeenranta, Finland today.

In response to a question on Turkey, Tuomioja stressed that, if Turkey does not fulfil its obligations, a serious situation may emerge.

When asked by AA correspondent about when economic isolation of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ will come to an end, Tuomioja answered that "Finland will do the best it can in this matter." ´´

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the puppet regime the Turkish Republic has set up in the occupied northern part of Cyprus)

[07] Reactions against the environmental disaster in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The inhabitants of four villages protested yesterday for the reopening of the stone quarry outside occupied Komi Kepir village. The protestors used slogans such as We are here for a clean environment, environmental crime and the interests are temporary, but the nature is everlasting.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (04.09.06) writes that the shortage of water threatens the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus. The water resources of occupied Cyprus are either out of use or polluted. According to experts, a water crisis will break out, if measures are not taken.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Erdogan invites Soyer to a Forum of the Islamic Conference in Istanbul

Mr Soyer, who went to Istanbul upon the invitation of Prime Minister Erdogan, is expected to return today to the occupied areas of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[09] The government crisis is expected to end until 15 September

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (04.09.06) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) has proposed to some MPs from the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Unity Party (UBP) to abandon their parties, to establish a new party and become the tail of the CTP. CTP officials, an MP of Turkeys Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a high ranking bureaucrat close to the AKP are said to be involved in the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[10] A fishing boat full of illegal immigrants crashed in the open sea off the coast of occupied Akanthou

The 25 illegal immigrants of Syrian origin and the two captains - Turkish origin - of the boat were arrested by the police of the occupation regime and were presented yesterday before the illegal court of Famagusta, where the court ordered their custody for three days.

(D/Ps)

[11] Antiquities found at the Kings Hill in the occupied village of Galinoporni will be exhibited

The paper reports that the first stage of the excavation began in the summer of 2005 by a group of 20 persons under the supervision of the Professor Dr Ernst Pernicka from the Freiburg University in Germany, Dr Habil Martin from Tubingen University and Dr Uwe Muller from DAKMAR (East Mediterranean University Cultural Heritage and Research Centre).

(D/Ps)

[12] Turkeys President signed decree to open bases and ports for the UN Peace Corps

The Turkish Government has opened Turkey's bases, airports and ports for the use of UN Peace Corps in August 28. Relevant decree was immediately signed by the President of the Republic Ahmet Necdet Sezer. UN was notified after the decision.

The Government has prepared a decree for opening bases, airports and ports for UN without waiting for The Grand National Assembly of Turkey's (TBMM) approval. President of the Republic Ahmet Necdet Sezer has signed the decree immediately although he has opposed the idea of sending Turkish soldiers. The note which was sent to TBMM said: "In August 28, cabinet has approved the opening of bases, airports and ports in Turkey in order to make a contribution to UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). This decision has been told to the UN. According to this decree, the said countries will be able to utilize bases, airports and ports in Turkey in accordance with the valid form and act."

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Columnist in The New Anatolian on the role of the Turkish army

We're all offended when the European Union tells us again that we have to reduce the role of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in our domestic life and yet the way it's reported and the coverage of the handover ceremonies for various forces show that old habits will die very hard in Turkey.

The past month was one of the military, from the day the new chief of staff was named to the day he took office and then hosted the Victory Day celebrations at a special reception on August 30. So the newspapers and TV stations concentrated on everything about the new commanders and once again seemed to be in a race to butter up the military leadership

We saw special features on Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit as a family man, as a commander and, last but not least, as a soccer fan Some columnists went out of their way to describe him as a man who started a transformation of the military from a rigid outlook to a modern force.

There were even stories about how a female student topped her class at the Military Medical Academy and that this was an unprecedented situation that shows the modern face of Turkey that would make Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, very proud. Once again it was an attempt to butter up the military as those who claimed all this forgot that women have reached much higher positions in Turkey, like being elected prime minister or being picked as the Constitutional Court's chief justice much before a lady cadet topped her class at the Military Medical Academy Yet they never wrote such colorful praise when those women reached those high posts.

No one can dispute the fact that the military and its leader have a special place in Turkish society. The statements and actions of the chief of staff, or any other commander, are closely watched and widely covered by the press. But we have to remember that this is not the case in Western democracies where people do not even know the name of the military leader of their country.

You do not see any attempts in the Western press to butter up the commanders of these countries or lengthy stories on their family life or even their political views. People do not talk about whether the military would block the election of the president. You would not read about the concerns of a military commander that conservative religious views are spreading in his country

The more we splash the military across our front pages and create myths, the more we distance ourselves from the values of the European Union which we claim to be eager about adopting.

Those who have not, until now, refrained from harshly criticizing the military in order to get the admiration of EU circles, are taking a different view nowadays. Which one is the sincere belief?

When EU countries point to the dominant role of the military in Turkey and want this dramatically reduced many of our people oppose this and that shows we are not so interested in becoming a genuine Western-type democracy and that we prefer some Westerners to call us a semi-democracy or a military democracy.

We have to find a real balance between the requirements of a true democracy and the unique role of the military in Turkey, which cannot be disputed. Then we have to explain to our Western counterparts the facts of life in Turkey and, of course, the military reality Otherwise we should forget the EU adventure.

[14] Let's stop talking about the F1 incident

We scored some points by allowing KKTC President Talat to hand out the award after the Formula 1 race last week. However, things are proceeding to such a level that it would be good if everyone just fell silent and stopped talking about the incident. We have no other option but to hope that everyone soon forgets about it.

The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) president is an excitable, well-intentioned person who aspires to do good for his country.

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Chairman Murat Yalc1ntas is equally well intentioned.

They went ahead with an idea that came into their heads during the Formula 1 races and asked Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Mehmet Ali Talat to hand out the award after the race. Millions of people, including myself, said: Good on you. However, those words were the result of a momentary excitement. Soon afterwards, we all started to question the wisdom of the act. Was it really a good move? Did we score an own goal while trying to score points? This incident did not result in the official recognition of the KKTC. We did not benefit from this act. We just gave ourselves a morale boost. Let's not forget the fact that if the Greek Cypriots had the chance, they would have done it too.

Let's leave all this aside and stop accusing each other. We need to start thinking calmly. There is only one way to get through this problem we are faced with. Let's stop defending it. Let's stop debating who is more patriotic. Now is the time to retreat into the shelters and keep silent. Maybe that may save us from trouble. If people continue to talk about it, more people will know what we did, and the Greek Cypriots will get the opportunity to initiate a campaign. They will do their utmost to get next year's Turkey Grand Prix cancelled. We need to put a stop to all this for our own sake.

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