Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-11-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the Progress Report.

[02] Statements by the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament from Algiers on the EU Progress Report and on the Armenian genocide.

[03] Deniz Baykal on the EU Progress Report.

[04] The foundations law was approved by the Turkish Parliament.

[05] Babacan optimist for a solution in Cyprus and Turkeys EU accession course.

[06] Talat says he will meet Kofi Annan in Europe this month.

[07] The commander of the Turkish occupation forces reiterates that not a single soldier will withdraw from Cyprus until the solution.

[08] Enver Ozturk has allegedly been accepted as minister of tourism in London.

[09] Turkish Cypriot columnist on the arrests of journalists taking picture of the occupied fenced city of Varosha.

[10] The police in Istanbul have confiscated 418 forged TRNC identity cards.

[11] Embargo documentary with finance from Turkeys Ministry of Culture.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] The Turkish Press on the EU Progress Reports.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the Spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the Progress Report

Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Namik Tan has said that Ankara will continue its efforts to prevent any harm in relations between Turkey and the European Union because of the Cyprus dispute.

Mr Tan was responding to reporters question on the European Commissions Progress Report on Turkey.

Reminding that the Cyprus issue is not a problem just for Turkey, Mr Tan said that differences of opinion between Brussels and Ankara on the issue were reflected by the Report added that the Cyprus issue should not be used against Turkeys EU membership process.

Pointing out that it is the Turkish Cypriot Side and Turkey which have been in support of a solution in Cyprus, he said it is very natural for Turkey to expect a similar approach from all the sides concerned to the problem.

Noting that Ankara has been in support of the efforts being waged by Finland from the very beginning, he expressed Turkeys readiness to work to bring about a solution to the Cyprus dispute, but said that it would be wrong to set deadlines for Turkey on the issue.

Mr Tan also said that his country was committed to EU membership and remained "determined to meet all criteria set by the EU" but underlined the need for all sides to "take a step forward" to prevent any political issue to become an obstacle in the way of Turkey.

The spokesman noted that the European Commission was tasked to lift the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people and that it has been trying to achieve this goal through the two regulations it prepared, but said that a text which is incompatible with the responsibilities of the EU emerged.

Complaining that Turkey is being asked to take unilateral steps on the Cyprus issue, he pointed out that the culture of Europe is based on the spirit of compromise, which requires the two sides to fulfill their responsibilities.

`Until now, we fulfilled our responsibilities` he said, adding that Turkey will not be taking any unilateral steps until receiving a similar response from the other sides.

On Mr Tanīs statements Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.11.06) reported the following from Ankara:

"We will continue to make efforts so that the issue of Cyprus does not hurt Turkish-EU relations," said Namik Tan, Spokesman of the Turkish MFA, on Thursday.

Tan answered questions of journalists at his weekly press briefing in Ankara.

He indicated that the topic of Cyprus does not merely involve Turkey. "We have seen that the Progress Report, made public on Wednesday, reflects the difference of opinions on Cyprus. The issue should not be used as a pretext to hurt Turkey's EU accession," noted Tan.

Tan stressed that "it is the Turkish side that wants a solution in Cyprus".

Namik Tan stressed that Turkey appreciates the EU rotating president Finland's efforts on Cyprus. "However, it would be wrong to fix a deadline when trying to find a solution to the issue. Turkey is resolute to make constructive steps as regards Cyprus problem", he added.

Spokesman Tan underlined that "Turkey did not declare that it would implement the Additional Protocol when it signed the protocol. With its signature, Turkey showed its will. This issue involves mutual responsibilities."

In reply to another question whether Turkey would request compensation regarding the crash of a Greek warplane into a Turkish warplane mid-air in May, Tan indicated that the works on the issue are still being carried out. Noting that the parties would react in a more constructive manner hereafter and advance the relations between the two countries, Tan stressed that the visit of Gen. Buyukanit to Greece was a step taken with this objective.

Finally, asked: "Why the Foreign Ministry had not issued a harsh condemnation over the latest Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip", Tan stressed that Turkey was very sensitive towards the issue and reminded that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul expressed his views to his Israeli counterpart on the issue before the foreign journalists.

[02] Statements by the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament from Algiers on the EU Progress Report and on the Armenian genocide

"France should admit its responsibility and apologize to Algeria," Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said on Thursday.

In a press conference after his talks in Algeria, Arinc stated that he had meetings with Popular National Assembly Speaker Ammar Saadani, Algerian National Council Chairman Abdelkader Benselah, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkadem and several other officials.

Noting that Turkish and Algerian peoples had strong relations that had roots deep in their common history, Arinc said the milieu was convenient for cooperation between the two countries to enhance peace, stability and welfare in the region.

Arinc underlined that they signed a memorandum of understanding to institutionalize the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

Bulent Arinc indicated that he was very touched by what he saw at the military museum in Algeria where the materials of the massacres committed by France were exhibited.

"We witnessed the sufferings of a nation at this museum. The memories of the atrocity by France between the years of 1830-1962 are still fresh. We lived together with our Algerian brothers and sisters in peace for centuries. The children of our two countries were married and a common generation was born," noted Arinc.

Stressing that France should face its history in Algeria; Arinc said that it was impossible to forget those days full of suffering and tragedy.

Indicating that France had never admitted the massacres it committed in Algeria and had never apologized to the Algerians, Arinc said: "While France has failed to do these, it alleges that Turkey killed the Armenians and committed a genocide. France adopted a bill at its National Assembly, criminalizing any denial of so-called Armenian genocide. It is a great double standard and inconsistency."

Underscoring that the notions of freedom, justice and equality disseminated to the world by France were ignored by the French, Arinc noted: "We made an open offer for the opening of our archives so that Turkish and Armenian historians can make investigations to find the truth. Now, I wonder if France can show the courage to open its archives and admit the truths that will be found by the historians."

Arinc also answered the questions of the press at the Guest House where he stayed during his visit to Algeria. Arinc emphasized that his visit to Algeria was planned one year before and Turkey didn't have an intention to send a message to France through Algeria.

Upon a question on the Cyprus issue and the Progress Report on Turkey released by the European Commission yesterday, Arinc indicated that Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria completely and didn't have any other responsibilities left on the table.

Arinc emphasized that Cyprus issue can only be solved by the United Nations and EU can only propose a solution to the problem and wish for its solution.

Stressing that the progress report on Turkey was subjective and irrelevant to the truths, Arinc noted that Turkey carried out a great justice and democracy reform and amended more than 40 articles of the constitution and more than 100 laws.

Bulent Arinc later left Algeria for Turkey.

[03] Deniz Baykal on the EU Progress Report

Deniz Baykal, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said, "it has been seen from this report how important and correct our warnings about Cyprus were", when commenting on the progress report released by the European Commission yesterday.

Baykal returned from Chile, where he attended the meeting of Socialist International.

At Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Baykal told reporters that the report has demanded Turkey to take concrete steps regarding Cyprus.

"In the report, the Commission recommended the Council, i.e. heads of state and government, to take the decision (regarding Turkey). In one sense, the Commission meant that the heads of state should make this decision since it can have important results. But, it said that 'there is a problem, and solve it till mid-December'," he stated.

Baykal added: "There are no reasons to press on Turkey and TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). The EU has made big mistakes regarding the Cyprus problem, and it is trying to make us pay. We cannot make any concessions in Cyprus at this point. The EU is trying to urge Turkey to make concessions by cornering us and making it look as if continuation of our membership negotiations depends on this. Cyprus cannot be made a precondition. We have to stand firm."

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is an illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops northern part of Cyprus).

[04] The foundations law was approved by the Turkish Parliament

The Turkish parliament passed the Foundations Law today.

The law envisages that the administrators of foundations set up by the non-Muslim community in Turkey should be citizens of the Republic of Turkey.

Under the new law, foreigners can serve in the administrative organs of the foundations established in Turkey.

The law also enables foreigners to set up new foundations, while it says that the administrators of community foundations will be elected among the members (of those foundations).

According to the law, foundations, the majority of the founders of which are foreigners, can acquire properties under the provisions of the Title Deed Law.

[05] Babacan optimist for a solution in Cyprus and Turkeys EU accession course

Everybody wants a solution, he said and warned that a negative development in Turkeys EU accession course could influence the relations between the East and the West.

Mr Babacan noted that Finland is open and sincere and alleged that the Greek Cypriots deceived Finland and ran away from the negotiations. He criticized Greece for refusing to participate in the Helsinki meeting and argued that Greece should be at the negotiating table, as a motherland and a guarantor power.

Mr Babacan said that a solution will be found to the Cyprus problem and that the possibility of the realization of the negative scenarios is slim. r Babacan finally argued that Turkey does everything it can for a solution in Cyprus, that the EU cannot be impartial on this issue and that therefore the problem could be solved only at the UN.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Talat says he will meet Kofi Annan in Europe this month

Mr Talat argued that Turkey will not recognize the Greek Cypriot Administration, before a solution to the Cyprus problem is reached. It is not in a position to recognize this Republic of Cyprus. This Republic is not the Republic of the 1960s, he alleged and added: This would be tantamount to the surrender of the 70 millions of Turkey. This is tantamount to fulfilling the wishes of Papadopoulos. This could never happen.

Mr Talat announced that he will meet the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan in November. He noted that they exert efforts for the realization of this meeting in a European country and that the definite date is known, but at this stage he did not want to reveal it.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The commander of the Turkish occupation forces reiterates that not a single soldier will withdraw from Cyprus until the solution

Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (10.11.06) refers to the manoeuvre under the title Response to the EU by the army!

Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (10.11.06) refers to the manoeuvre using a banner front page title the statement by general Kivrikoglu that These lands are Turkish lands.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Enver Ozturk has allegedly been accepted as minister of tourism in London

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkish Cypriot columnist on the arrests of journalists taking picture of the occupied fenced city of Varosha

The formula, which the army is for now applying is Do not arrest those who take pictures from Varosha, but destroy the images. Duzgun notes, inter alia, the follwing: It is not known how long this application, which is not very different from the arrest, will last. It seems, however, that as long as the Varosha issue stays on the agenda, it (the destruction of films) will not be taken out of the agenda until the Cyprus problem is solved and it means that his problem too will continue. .

(I/Ts.)

[10] The police in Istanbul have confiscated 418 forged TRNC identity cards

(I/Ts.)

[11] Embargo documentary with finance from Turkeys Ministry of Culture

(Tr. Note: Resolution 550 (1984) of the UN Security Council, paragraph 2, writes the following (Quote):

[02] Condemns all secessionist actions, including the purported exchange of Ambassadors between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, declares them illegal and invalid and calls for the immediate withdrawal)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] The Turkish Press on the EU Progress Reports

Drawing attention to the EU criticism of Article 301, Oktay Eksi asks why the EU from expressing its views when the government discussed the amendments to be made to that Article. He also accuses the EU of double-standards, saying that many member states still have similar laws. The columnist concludes by urging the EU to keep its promise and end the so-called isolation of occupied Cyprus.

In a column in Istanbul MILLIYET (09.11.06), Guneri Civaoglu views the future of the EU-Turkey relations, saying: "Finland's proposal will not yield a positive result. Turkey will not open its ports to Greek Cypriot aircraft and vessels and that will cause tension. Negotiations on a couple of clauses will be suspended but the talks will continue on other clauses."

He goes on to say that "as the EU is aware of the fact that the AKP government will be unable to open the ports before the elections, it will postpone the solution of the problem until the general elections to be held in the fall of 2007." He asserts that both the EU and Ankara should avoid initiatives that might strengthen the circles that oppose Turkey's accession to the organization.

Mehmet Ali Birand, in Turkish Daily News (09.11.06) asserts that the EU refrained from including harsh statements in the Progress Report as it realized that "Turkish-EU relations were headed in a very dangerous direction and feared a train accident." Birand adds: "It aimed to protect Turkey while gaining some time for the Finish initiative and the development of new formulas."

In a commentary in The New Anatolian, newspaper (09.11.06) Mete Belovacikli warns that Turkey and the EU might "unofficially" sever relations despite the Progress Report which is generally found positive by many circles in Turkey.

He says: " I say unofficially because no parties are ready to bear the political responsibility for such a suspension. In other words, the relationship might be left fallow to prevent the breaking off that may happen if tension escalates to an uncontrollable level."

Under the banner headline, "On Track without accident," YENI SAFAK (09.11.06) publishes a front-page report which asserts that "no surprises" have emerged from the EU Commission's "first Progress Report on Turkey in the ongoing accession process

YENI SAFAK (09.11.06) publishes also an article entitled: "How to read the Progress Report" by Fehmi Koru who argues that the EU accession process enhances Turkey's "strategic value," adding that Ankara expects Brussels to see that the European Union will benefit "tremendously" in strategic terms from Turkey's admission to membership. He proceeds to argue that one way of understanding Turkey's strategically crucial role would be to look at how the Bush administration will have to factor in Turkey in shaping its new policy on the Middle East in the wake of the election defeat.

Under the headline, "EU keeps stalling Turkey," VAKIT newspaper (09.11.06) publishes a front-page report which provides highlights from the EU Commission's Progress Report on Turkey. The report slams the EU Commission particularly for maintaining that "hostile" messages about Christian missionaries are being issued in Friday sermons in Turkey.

Under the banner headline, "[Progress Report:] Be our slave and cringe," MILLI

GAZETE (09.11.06) runs a front-page report which asserts that the European Union has said its final word in the latest Progress Report disclosed yesterday.

Finally, in a article entitled "Turkey-EU: Either an Extension Exam or a Make-up Exam" BUGUN (09.11.06) newspaper publishes a commentary by columnist

Cengiz Candar who refers to the EU Progress Report on Turkey as a transcript full of Failures for Turkey and giving the candidate only one month to prepare for the "make-up" exam. Candar asserts that trying to revive Finland's proposal on Cyprus would create a serious crisis in Turkey-EU relations and that unless Brussels comes up with a "genius ... face-saving formula," derailment might become inevitable.

/SK

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