Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-02-27

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] Talat is leaving for Brussels

[02] Statements by Turgay Avci on his return to occupied Cyprus

[03] Statements by Mehmet Ali Talat

[04] Abdullatif Sener on the Cyprus Problem

[05] A new hospital is constructed in occupied Famagusta

[06] The occupation regime to start researches for the use of wind energy

[07] An Iranian who wanted to enter the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus was arrested by the self-styled police

[08] Investigation opened for the leaking of information from the latest National Security Council meeting

[09] DTP Diyarbakir provincial leader Aydogdu detained

[10] Northern Iraqi Kurdish leader on developments in the region

[11] Foreign journalists were arrested by the occupation regime

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[12] Turkish think tank round table discussion on the future of Iraq cited Cyprus as an example of how Turkey can get interested in the turnover activity of Northern Iraq

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat is leaving for Brussels

President Mehmet Ali Talat will be leaving for Brussels tomorrow for contacts with the European Union officials.

As part of his contacts in the city, the ´President´ will meet with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn on Wednesday.

During his contacts, the ´President´ will explain the Turkish Cypriot Sides position on the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation.

The ´President´ will leave the ´Republic´ tomorrow morning for Istanbul from where he will fly to Brussels.

Soon after his arrival in the city, the ´President´ will host reporters from various media organizations and representatives of some NGOs at a reception at the ´TRNC Representation Office´ in Brussels.

On Wednesday, Mr Talat will meet with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn.

On the same day, the President will come together with EU Permanent Representatives, Commissioners and representatives from media organizations at a meeting organized by the Transatlantic Institute.

Particularly the Direct Trade Regulation and the Cyprus Problem as a whole will topple the agenda of the discussions the ´President´ will have with EU officials in Brussels.

[02] Statements by Turgay Avci on his return to occupied Cyprus

´Deputy-Prime Minister Foreign Minister´ Turgay Avci has said that his ´Ministry´ has launched a new era of international relations to explain the rightful struggle of the Turkish Cypriot ´people´.

Mr Avci returned to the ´Republic´ this morning at the end of his contacts in Jeddah and Istanbul.

Speaking at Ercan Airport (occupied Tymbou airport) on his arrival, Mr Avci said that he had discussed several issues with his Turkish ´counterpart´ Abdullah Gul during his visit to Ankara and added that the two ´countries´ are the same position on all topics taken up.

Referring to his meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, he explained that the adventurous policies being pursued by the Greek Cypriot Side, the latest point reached on the Cyprus issue, strengthening of the ´TRNC representation offices´ and future policies were discussed in detail during the meeting.

Mr Avci said that the two ´countries´ are in full agreement on the future steps to be taken on all these issues, adding that the ´TRNC´ and Turkey will continue to work in harmony.

Underlining the fact that the Turkish Cypriot ´People´ has the right to benefit from the natural resources of the island, he stated that the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ has been playing a dangerous game, which he said, is threatening peace and stability in the region.

Mr. Avci stressed that the Turkish Cypriot Side will determinedly continue to defend its rights over the use of natural resources of the island and make it clear that no backward step will be taken on the issue.

He also noted that the international agreement the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ signed with foreign countries are invalid.

Referring to his contacts in Jeddah, Mr Avci explained that he had had very useful discussions with the Director of the Political Affairs Department of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Kamal Al-Momani and the President of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Saleh bin Abdallah Kamel during the 8th Jeddah Economic Forum.

He said ways of strengthening economic ties between the ´TRNC´ and the Islamic world were taken up during his talks in the city.

The ´Foreign Minister´ stressed that the Turkish Cypriot ´People´ will continue to stand on its own feet in spite of the continuation of its international isolation and unjust sanctions noting that those who think that they will make the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ to bow pressure are mistaken.

[03] Statements by Mehmet Ali Talat

´President´ Mehmet Ali Talat has underlined the need for the police forces from the two sides in Cyprus to cooperate as a basic necessity of life.

Accusing the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ of trying to maintain the international ´isolation´ of the Turkish Cypriot people, the ´President´ underlined the fact that the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ is an´ independent state and that tourists can enter the ´Republic´ freely.

The ´President´ was speaking at the opening ceremony of the (occupied) headquarters building of the Lefkosia Police Force.

The headquarters building of the (occupied) Lefkosia Police Force was inaugurated by ´President´ Talat, ´Prime Minister´ Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Turkish Ambassador to (occupied) Lefkosia Turkekul Kurttekin this morning.

In an address to the ceremony, ´President´ Talat said that skilful measures were adopted by police to provide security for the people.

The ´President´ said that everyone should be treated humanely in accordance with the law and noted that it is very pleasing to see that the complaints made against police in the past, are not being made today.

The ´President´ complained that the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ has been trying to prevent the establishment of all kinds of relations between ´North Cyprus´ and foreign countries to maintain the international ´isolation´ of the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ but he pointed out that the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ is a free country and that foreigners are entering the country freely like the ´TRNC´ citizens.

Mr Talat pointed out that offences are sometimes being made during the movement of the people from one side to the other and that contact between the two sides are being established through the UN-mediation but complained that these are limited.

The ´President´ underlined the need for the police forces from the two sides in Cyprus to cooperate as a basic necessity of life.

The Turkish ´Ambassador´ to (occupied) Lefkosia Turkekul Kurttekin also delivered a speech to the ceremony and said that the opening of the headquarters building of the (occupied) Lefkosia Police Force is the latest example of the continuing cooperation between the two ´countries´.

The ´Ambassador´ said Turkey will continue to provide support to help the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ to achieve progress in all fields.

[04] Abdullatif Sener on the Cyprus Problem

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of State Abdullatif Sener has pointed out that the United States, the European Union and countries from the Islamic world as well as Asian countries are now having talks with the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´, which they have been rejecting to accept as an entity until now.

Speaking at a gathering of his party, Mr Sener said the Turkish government has been pursuing a right foreign policy adding that the Cyprus issue is a national cause for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

`The world has been ignoring the existence of the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ until now, but countries from America, Europe, Islamic world and Asia are now holding talks with the ´TRNC´, he said, noting that the latest figures showed an important development in the ´TRNC´ economy as a result of the rightful policies of the AKP.

[05] A new hospital is constructed in occupied Famagusta

(CS)

[06] The occupation regime to start researches for the use of wind energy

As the paper writes Mr Mehmet Salih Gurkan, the Responsible for the Electricity Power Station in occupied Cyprus, stated that according to researches made by a USA firm, it was determined that the area in the Pentadaktylos region is suitable for the wind energy. He also stated that they will continue to conduct wind measurements in the area.

(CS)

[07] An Iranian who wanted to enter the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus was arrested by the self-styled police

(CS)

[08] Investigation opened for the leaking of information from the latest National Security Council meeting

Speaking to reporters during his flight to Pakistan to attend a summit of Muslim nations, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said the Chief of the General Staff General Yasar Buyukanit was very saddened that the speech he gave at the last MGK meeting was published before the meeting.

Although Gul said that he would not even mention censorship, he added that when it came to security matters there were secret documents.

When asked about whether that state was holding talks with Iraqi Kurdish leaders, Gul said that these leaders had on visits to Turkey. We are already talking. We are talking to everyone, he said.

Unlike other countries, Turkey had maintained its embassies, consulates and special representative offices open in Iraq, Gul said. The statement released after the MGK meeting was very clear and was nothing sensational but a calendar, he said.

[09] DTP Diyarbakir provincial leader Aydogdu detained

The head of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) Diyarbakir provincial party branch, Hilmi Aydogdu was detained by the police on Friday.

The Diyarbakir prosecution asked for the detention of Aydogdu due to a statement he made that appeared on the website of the Iraqi group the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Aydogdu was quoted as saying that they would consider an attack made against the oil rich city of Kirkuk in Iraq, as an attack against Diyarbakir in south east Turkey.

When interviewed on NTV earlier to clarify his statement Aydogdu stressed the spiritual, emotional and brotherly ties between Kurds in Turkey and Kurds in Iraq.

He added that the attack would not be perceived as if it was only against Jelal Talabani or Massoud Barzani, the leaders of the two major Iraqi Kurdish factions but against Kurds.

Aydogdu then went on to say that an attack against Kirkuk would not literally mean an attack on Diyarbakir but would be perceived as such by Kurds in Diyarbakir.

Moreover, ANKARA ANATOLIA news agency (26.02.07) reported the following from Ankara: Turkish Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk and the party's deputy leader Aysel Tugluk were sentenced to imprisonment on charges of "distributing handouts in Kurdish throughout Turkey" on "Women's Day", March 8th last year and "praising the terrorist organization PKK's leader Abdullah Ocalan in these handouts".

Turk and Tugluk were each sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for violation of the "Political Parties Act" and under the related article of the Turkish Penal Code, which regulates the act of "praising the crime and the criminal."

[10] Northern Iraqi Kurdish leader on developments in the region

Mas'ud Barzani, Kurdish Democratic Party leader and president of the Regional Kurdish Administration, declared that there is no question of his administration's fighting against the PKK presence in north Iraq in military terms. Reiterating his thesis that Kirkuk is a Kurdish city, Barzani said Iran and Turkey should get accustomed to the idea that the Kurds, too, have a right to an independent state. Barzani replied to the questions of NTV News Director Mete Cubukcu in his residence in Salahaddin.

Barzani termed positive Ankara's initiative to establish a dialogue with Kurdish leaders. He said: Naturally, we welcome this move. I believe that dialogue and direct talks always contribute to a solution. This is the way to protect the national interests of both sides. We welcome the discussions here and in Turkey, as well as the initiative taken in this regard.

Barzani rejected, however, the allegations that the regional administration supports the PKK. He said: Above all, we reject all the accusations leveled against us to the effect that we support the PKK. If there is proof along these lines, it should be revealed. Otherwise, we cannot accept these accusations. The PKK presence in the Kandil region is not dependent on our approval. Rest assured of that. It is not easy to control this remote region on the Iranian and Turkish border. Mr. Buyukanit knows the difficulties and the conditions in the region better than many people, and he has experience in this matter. He should not expect us to confront the PKK militarily. If he refuses to establish a dialogue with us, it is his decision. We cannot say anything in that regard. However, we are extending our hand of friendship to Turkey. We will be pleased if anyone in Turkey responds to this.

Barzani declared that the regional administration will not remain a spectator if Turkey conducts a cross-border operation. He stated: Conducting operations in its own territory or on the Turkish side of the border is up to Turkey. It is not possible, however, for us to accept and remain a spectator to a cross-border operation. We protect and attach as much importance to our sovereignty as does Turkey.

Pointing out that his administration views Kirkuk as the heart of Kurdistan, Barzani said that the people of Kirkuk were sufficiently patient until now, and the referendum planned for this year to determine the status of Kirkuk will not be postponed. Barzani charged that external intervention in Kirkuk will exacerbate the situation. Declaring that independence is the Kurds' most natural right, Barzani said that everyone should become accustomed to this idea.

Barzani stated: An independent structure is the Kurds' most natural right. Personally, I want the obstacle and taboo in this regard to be lifted. The Kurds have the right to be independent. The Turks, the Iranians, and the Arabs must understand that this discourse is not a shame or a threat and get accustomed to this idea in the near or distant future.

[11] Foreign journalists were arrested by the occupation regime

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[12] Turkish think tank round table discussion on the future of Iraq cited Cyprus as an example of how Turkey can get interested in the turnover activity of Northern Iraq

"Roundtable: An Inhouse Debate on the Future of Iraq" with moderator President Seyfi Tashan, Professor Yuksel Inan, and Retired Ambassadors Resat Arim and Oktay Aksoy:

Seyfi Tashan: In a statement in New York, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that the Turkish-Iraqi border was set up in the year 1926. Before that this area was part of the governorship of Mosul in Northern Iraq. This part which was relinquished to the Kingdom of Iraq was essentially a turnover to a whole Iraq. If there is going to be a division of Iraq and if this region which includes Kirkuk, to be turned over to another state, then Turkey has the right to be interested in this turnover activity and it is in the interest of Turkey to keep this region as part of an integral Iraq. Now, we would like to discuss this subject in our panel. In our panel we have Professor Yuksel Inan from Bilkent University, Retired Ambassador Resat Arim and Retired Ambassador Oktay Aksoy. I would like ask to Prof. Inan, what does he think of this statement?

Yuksel Inan: This statement is highly interesting. I think it has been raised at a point where all the views not only probably from the point of view of Turkey but also from the point of view of Europe and the States is being considered. In order to raise a comment and try to interpret the statement of the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul I think it would be better to give a brief account of what had happened in the past. In order to recall the memories of people, I would like to draw your attention to the Treaty of Lausanne. Because all throughout the Lausanne Peace Conference, discussions related to the Turkish-Iraqi border, the main issues were Musul, Kirkuk and surrounding areas such as Suleymaniye which were all part of the Mosul Vilayet (Governership) of the Ottoman Empire. But there was divergence of views and it wasn't settled through negotiations and according to the terms of the Treaty of Lausanne, the parties were required, in other words in a compulsory manner, to resolve disputes within nine months after the Treaty of Lausanne entered into force. The negotiations failed between Turkey and UK as mandatory power over the present Iraq. The dispute was referred to the Council of the League of Nations as an obligation. The League established a Commission composed of three prominent figures. These were selected from Belgium, Sweden, and a former cabinet member of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This Commission conducted an investigation in that particular area and prepared a report. Turkey objected to the report on the grounds that it was a biased report. But eventually had to accept its recommendation that more or less delineated the borders that were in reality drawn by British geologists who had left possible oil bearing regions on the side of Iraq.

Seyfi Tashan: What was the attitude of Turkey at that time? Did Turkey demand a referendum in the region?

Yuksel Inan: Well, Turkey had actually demanded a Referendum but for several reasons Turkey was not in a position to insist on them, reasons being unknown from my point of view but probably Turkey had seen certain dangers. Nevertheless, we considered the report as biased because during that period the ethnic division of the total population of the area consisted of 1/3 Arabs, 1/3 Kurds and 1/3 Turkomans; according to the report those three communities preferred to live within the boundaries of Iraq. Well, it ought to have certain sociological reasons and right now it requires research related to that. But what had happened during that time was that Turkey had to except the recommendation of the report. But to refresh memories with regard to Turkey's interests and links to the region, an agreement was reached to provide for oil concessions to the amount of 500,000 British pounds annually for 25 years. With these agreements the question of boundaries were settled but Turkey continue to have keen interest in this region so long as Turkomans continue to live there. Turkomans population figures are not on record but reliable sources say that their numbers in Iraq amount to 2-2.5 million, even though they are fairly scattered all over Iraq. Ethnic ties along with geography create Turkish interest in whatever is happening in Northern Iraq as well as in the entire Iraq. When Turkey left Northern Iraq to the Government in Iraq, Northern Iraq became part and parcel of the totality of Iraq. So long as Iraq remains a unitary state, Turkey's interests will remain as it has been. But let us assume for one moment that Iraq is split into three and one of them becomes Northern Iraq where the majority of the Turkomans live. Turkey cannot close its eyes to such a development. Furthermore, there is the question of security. International law says that no country can live within unsecured borders. That will be another border controlled by other people and we have to tackle with such a situation.

Seyfi Tashan: Let me turn to Ambassador Arim. Do we have such precedents in the history of the Turkish Republic where after having turned over an Ottoman Region to another party with a Treaty signed at the time but we have maintained an interest?

Resat Arim: Before answering your question I would like to make a general comment on Turkey-Iraq situation. Up to now Turkey has been very careful not to say anything about the future of Iraq. It seems that today we are faced with a new situation where the status quo in Iraq does not seem to be relevant anymore. There is the big danger of a partitioning of Iraq. Therefore, Turkey is obliged to look into the future and take into account all kinds of possibilities. For instance, there is talk about NATO coming into Northern Iraq or into Iraq. Tomorrow there may be talk about taking the situation in Iraq to the United Nations. Situation is such there are many possibilities regarding the future of Iraq. Therefore Turkey has put on the table all of its options. These options do not include territorial ones because Turkey has no territorial ambitions. But Turkey should make it clear what is involved in Iraqi territories. That is probably why the Turkish Foreign Minister Gul referred to what had happened after the Treaty of Lausanne and the Turkey-Iraq relations at the time. In discussing all possibilities we have to take into account also the relevant factors referred in many cases in international law. Regarding your question on whether there have been any other cases, we may talk about Cyprus. In the 19th Century the administration of Cyprus was left to Great Britain and then during the First World War Great Britain annexed the Island of Cyprus. With the Treaty of Lausanne Turkey accepted this situation. Now there is a new situation created when Britain decided to relinquish its sovereignty in Cyprus and an independent Cyprus was created. In the creation of the new Cyprus state Turkey was involved. This is the result of a new situation being created in country that belonged to the Ottoman Empire leading once again to Turkish involvement. A similar situation may happen elsewhere as Cyprus may create a precedent.

Seyfi Tashan: I would like to turn to Ambassador Aksoy and ask him, what security dangers can Turkey perceive from a portioning of Iraq into three states from the perspectives of its own security as well as the overall security in the Middle East?

Oktay Aksoy: The possibility of a division in Iraq presents, in the first place a danger of Shiite domination in the Middle East; Iran being the major power in the Gulf region may extend its influence into Iraq and later extend its pressure on the Shiites in the Gulf region. Such a development may be perceived by some countries in the region as a threat to their security. This may also be considered as a threat to the free flow of oil from this region to the world markets. Apart from that Iran, Turkey and Syria that are bordering Iraq will be very much affected by the new situation and individually Turkey will be concerned with the fate of the Turkomans population in Iraq, Syrians, the majority of whom are Sunnites although they are ruled by a Shiite minority, will be concerned with the fate of Muslims and the position of their own Kurdish minority. Could all these possible changes in the circumstances be interpreted as "rebus sic st antibus", allowing changes in the earlier Treaties, I wonder.

Seyfi Tashan: Thank you all. It has been a good discussion with a pessimistic outlook. Therefore, it seems that all our hopes are now pinged upon the success of the new strategy announced by President Bush in the hope that its success, though dubious, may lead to a united Iraq.

EG/

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