Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-04-26

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] The illegal regime to pass a law giving the opportunity to Greek Cypriots to sell their properties in occupied Cyprus to the people who illegally live in them

[02] The illegal regime refers to embargo and isolation at the moment it thanks Europe for lifting of the economic, political and cultural isolation

[03] KIBRIS reports that Tzionis is returning empty handed from Brussels

[04] Empty boxes were sent to Blair, Beckett and Rehn in protest by Embargoed group of London while Turkish Cypriots thank the EU for lifting the isolations

[05] Three persons accused of making forged Turkish passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC were arrested in the occupied areas

[06] Turkeys Minister of Transport to visit the occupied areas for the opening ceremony of the additional unit of the electricity power plant in occupied Keryneia

[07] The self-styled council of ministers takes a series of decisions regarding the occupied Lefka region

[08] The occupation regime and Turkey signed a Customs Protocol for cooperation in the customs and in determining and preventing smuggling

[09] The developments as regards Guls candidacy for the forthcoming presidential elections continues in Turkey

[10] Attempted attack on YOK Chairman fails

[11] Erdogan and Solana meet with Larijani in Ankara

[12] ECHR President meets with Sezer in Ankara behind closed doors

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] The day after the announcement of Guls candidacy for the presidency. Experts from the Turkish press

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The illegal regime to pass a law giving the opportunity to Greek Cypriots to sell their properties in occupied Cyprus to the people who illegally live in them

AFRIKA covers the issue under the banner front-page title There is not equivalent, money for those who want. The paper notes, inter alia, the following: This is how they seized the country! They always said what is mine is mine, they distributed it to their relatives, friends and to people they brought from abroad. They have stolen the right of the refugees who abandoned their property in the south and left nothing for them. And now they are saying that no resources are left to be given any more. 4.5 billion points are in line to be covered. However, no resources have been left any more in order to cover them. A thousand and a hundred families have not been able to take the equivalent for their property until today. .

GUNES refers to the issue under the title Equivalent compensation game by the CTP. The paper reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) government hopes that it will compensate the people by selling the land reserves to whomever it wants and in the quantity it wants.

Furthermore, VOLKAN argues that the CTP- Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) government is making this step in order to satisfy the Greek Cypriots. ORTAM covers the developments under the title The property issue is being adapted to the non-solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The illegal regime refers to embargo and isolation at the moment it thanks Europe for lifting of the economic, political and cultural isolation

(I/Ts.)

[03] KIBRIS reports that Tzionis is returning empty handed from Brussels

(I/Ts)

[04] Empty boxes were sent to Blair, Beckett and Rehn in protest by Embargoed group of London while Turkish Cypriots thank the EU for lifting the isolations

The London-based human rights group Embargoed has sent empty boxes to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn in protest at their failure to keep their promises to the Turkish Cypriot People.

The sending of the boxes coincides with the third anniversary of, what the group dubbed, the worlds broken promises.

In a written statement issued today, the group reminds that, on the 26th of April 2004, the UK, its EU partners, the UN and other countries and institutions around the world vowed to end the 42 year isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people following its approval of the Annan Plan and the islands reunification.

The Group says the British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn received an empty box today to symbolize their empty promises to the Turkish Cypriot people.

It says each box was attached Rotting Lemons postcards designed by the groups patron Turkish Cypriot fashion designer Huseyin Caglayan who was rewarded with an MBE.

The postcards symbolize the fact that the Turkish Cypriot People, like over 50% of the lemons grow, have been left to rot away under the embargoes.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot People has been prevented from trading, communicating and travelling directly with the rest of the world, the statement draws attention to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots participation in the international sports, cultural events even friendly football matches is blocked.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Embargoed Ergin Balli said that the EUs credibility was in tatters. Not only has it failed to end a single embargo in three years but the ongoing inhumane isolation of Turkish Cypriots means 250.000 of the EUs newest citizens continue to live under apartheid conditions, he said.

He added that Britain is one of the three Guarantor powers in Cyprus and that it has a special responsibility to treat the two sides equally and to protect the balance of power created in 1960.

Mr Balli also criticized the British government for treating the Greek Cypriot side as if it owns the whole island while leaving the Turkish Cypriot People to live as an excluded community without access to their basic human rights.

[05] Three persons accused of making forged Turkish passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus and the TRNC were arrested in the occupied areas

(I/Ts)

[06] Turkeys Minister of Transport to visit the occupied areas for the opening ceremony of the additional unit of the electricity power plant in occupied Keryneia

The unit will be of 70 megawatt capacity.

(I/Ts)

[07] The self-styled council of ministers takes a series of decisions regarding the occupied Lefka region

Meanwhile, the Second International Conference for CMC began yesterday under the title The Effects of the Mineral Waste and the Acidic Waters in the Area of Lefka to the Environment and the Human Health. Politicians and experts delivered speeches yesterday at the opening of the conference. Today and tomorrow the academic papers will be submitted and on Saturday the Scientific Council will meet and prepare its conclusions.

(I/Ts)

[08] The occupation regime and Turkey signed a Customs Protocol for cooperation in the customs and in determining and preventing smuggling

Mr Tuzmen stated that there were serious developments in the economy of the TRNC and increase in the trade volume. He noted that the TRNC Turkey foreign trade volume was 500 million dollars in 2002 and increased to 800 million dollars in 2006. And an estimate that this year the trade volume with Turkey will reach the level of one billion dollars, he noted.

Mr Tuzmen said that per capita income in the occupied areas of the island is 11.000 dollars and argued that the TRNC is being turned into a place suitable for foreign and local investments and that it will become an important centre in the Eastern Mediterranean. Furthermore, Mr Uzun said that Turkey fulfilled the EU standards on the customs issue and added that they want to benefit from this.

(I/Ts)

[09] The developments as regards Guls candidacy for the forthcoming presidential elections continues in Turkey

HURRIYET also writes that yesterday Gul met with the leader of the True Path Party (DYP), Mehmet Agar, who implied that the DYPs deputies will not be present at the first round of the voting as well. Asked by a journalist if he has a Plan B, in case the voting takes place but cancelled because 367 deputies will not be present at the voting, Mr Gul said that Plan B is general elections. Gul met yesterday with the leader of the Social Democratic People's Party (SHP) Murat Karayalç1n, which has one deputy in the assembly. The Party will not support Gul in presidential elections.

Turkish daily MILLIYET newspaper (26.04.07) writes that the issue of early elections is on the agenda of AKP and notes that AKP officials among whom the Minister of Justice Cicek and the Minister of State Babacan believe that general elections must be held in July or September, following the presidential election, so that the Party will gain more votes.

MILLIYET also writes that Turkeys Constitutional Court Chief Judge, Mrs Tulay Tugcu, stated that if CHP applies to the Court, in case a majority of 367 deputies cannot be reached during the first round voting for the presidential election, the Constitutional Court will carry out its routine proceedings and make a decision within the possible shortest time.

(CS)

[10] Attempted attack on YOK Chairman fails

The gunman came to the YOK Headquarters in Ankara at around 2.30 p.m.He pointed his gun on security forces and demanded to talk to Prof. Dr. Tezic.When his demand was turned down, the gunmen shot in the air for three times. He then managed to flee from the area.

[11] Erdogan and Solana meet with Larijani in Ankara

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran in a luncheon at Prime Minister's Residence in Ankara, on Wednesday.

Also Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran met Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union in order to discuss Iran's nuclear program on Wednesday.In a brief statement prior to the meeting at Ankara's Swissotel, Solana told reporters that he came to this meeting with a constructive attitude.Solana said that he hopes there will be progress this time, and that these preparatory meetings would pave the way to meaningful negotiations.

[12] ECHR President meets with Sezer in Ankara behind closed doors

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received Jean Paul Costa, President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), at Cankaya Presidential Palace on Wednesday. The meeting was held behind closed doors.

Member of the ECHR Riza Turmen, who is represented Turkey, was included in the delegation accompanying Costa.

"European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) respects separation of public and private domains with regard to secularism in Turkey", said Costa on Wednesday.

Costa delivered a speech at a symposium on "the role of constitutional courts in universal peace" organized in the framework of the 45th anniversary of the Constitutional Court.

Costa pointed to the positive relations between Turkey and the ECHR in his speech and assessed issues such as headscarf and fight against terrorism."Concerning secularism, the ECHR agrees that separation of public and private domains is a decision to be made by the governments and respects it", he said.

Costa also stressed that the freedom of speech is an indispensable element of a democratic society. On the other hand, he stressed that the measures to be taken in fight against terrorism must be in conformity with human rights and the rule of law.

Vice president of Supreme Court of the People's Republic of China and presidents of Constitutional Courts of Azerbaijan and Bosnia Herzegovina assisted the symposium.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] The day after the announcement of Guls candidacy for the presidency. Experts from the Turkish press

HURRIYET publishes columns by Emin Colasan, Oktay Eksi, Bekir Coskun and Yalcin Dogan. The above columnists are generally displeased with the fact that the president's wife will wear a headscarf, and mostly agree that there is not much difference between Erdogan and Gul.

HURRIYET also carries an exclusive interview with Abdullah Gul, given the day before the announcement of his candidacy. In the interview by Ertugrul Ozkok, Gul stresses that "Turkey cannot handle this tension for much longer."

Ozkok concludes from these remarks that "the decision-making inner cabinet of the AKP [Justice and Development Party] is determined to soften the atmosphere in the wake of the presidential elections.... in order to become a centre party."

According to a MILLIYET report/analysis, the balances within the AKP will change, and the persons close to Gul which make up the second strong group within the party will become neutralized.

Taha Akyol also in MILLIYET announces "a new era in Cankaya" and predicts that Abdullah Gul will become a "conciliatory president" who will distance himself from domestic politics. In a commentary, Akyol recalls how Gul and Erdogan have always been close to each other, adding: "Nevertheless, their political functions will now be different. They will no longer be working for the same party or government. As an impartial president, Gul will have the duty to stop or to counterbalance the government when necessary. Actually, Gul has the personality to stand unswayed and to do that. In fact, an unbiased president as defined by democratic theory will also act as a security valve for the AKP. Turkey needs such a sense of confidence. I believe that Gul will succeed in that."

Another MILLIYET writer Mr Sami Kohen, views the positive reaction from outside Turkey and agrees with Akyol that Gul will become a conciliatory president, "the president of the whole of Turkey," especially if he considers and respects the sensitivities of circles outside the AKP. Kohen also believes that Gul's experience as foreign minister will be a plus for Ankara's foreign relations. "Gul's greatest advantage, "he argues, "is his good reputation in almost all the capitals of the world, from the United States to the EU, and from the Islamic world to the Middle East and Central Asia. Gul may be expected to be more proactive in foreign relations in order to use this advantage."

Kohen warns, however, that Gul's presidency should not raise hopes about the speedy solution of problems such as Turkey's EU membership or the conflict with the United States over north Iraq. "Nevertheless," he adds, "Gul's active efforts may play a facilitating role."

Sabah writer Erdal Safak, expresses the hope that Gul will synthesize the concepts of secularism and freedom of religion and of conscience. In an article, the columnist extends his best wishes for his success in this field, saying this is vitally important for the Turkish nation, and "for Turkey's well-being and happiness."

Another SABAH writer, Emre Akoz cites Gul's advantages over Erdogan as a calm, soft-spoken, and patient person. In addition, Akoz affirms in his commentary, Gul is aware of the importance of economic competition, of opening the economy to the outside. He is also very experienced in foreign affairs, and he is an academic. All this, Akoz concludes, is very positive. As for Mrs. Gul's headscarf, the columnist advises everyone to get used to it, because "what is important is not what a person wears but what a person does."

In an article in VATAN newspaper, Rusen Cakur argues that "Gul will not bury his political ambitions in Cankaya," and that his nomination will exacerbate the rift within the party.

ORTADOGU newspaper reports on Nationalist Action Party leader Bahceli's comments on Gul's nomination. Accordingly, Bahceli foresees a "guided presidency" and accuses Prime Minister Erdogan of opting for conflict instead of conciliation in domestic politics by nominating Gul.

In an article in REFERANS, Cengiz Candar lauds Gul's nomination, calling it "the optimal choice." After praising Gul's personal and political record, the columnist stresses that Turkey's president should be able to choose his own wife, headscarf or not, and that it is nobody's business. Candar argues that Gul has integrity and that as president, he will not, contrary to the fears of some circles, say yes to everything Erdogan will say. Candar concludes: "With this choice, compared to yesterday, Turkey has more chances of becoming an effective and proactive country in the international arena and it has a brighter future in terms of its EU horizons. We are relieved. A big step has been taken on the road to Turkey's normalization.."

Under the banner headline, "President Abdullah Gul," YENI SAFAK publishes a front-page report according to which, Gul is expected to be voted in as Turkey's next president by obtaining the support of 367 deputies.

YENI SAFAK publishes also a front page report entitled "A historic act of sacrifice," which asserts that nobody other than Erdogan could have been capable of the sort of "self-sacrifice" signified by his nomination of Gul for the presidency rather than himself.

In an article entitled "A Political, Civilian Candidate Open to the World", YENI SAFAK columnist Kursat Bumin hails Gul's nomination for the presidency as a very appropriate decision that has pleased the majority of the public and "swept away all the dark clouds hovering over the presidential election." He claims that the nomination marks the launch of a new period in Turkey and that Gul's expected election as president will have a serious positive impact on the country's political structures.

In an article entitled "Abdullah Gul: An Offer of Compromise", YENI SAFAK columnist Fehmi Koru describes Gul's nomination for the presidency as an offer of compromise to the opposition by the Erdogan government and asserts that Erdogan's decision not to run for president was obviously a result of the opposition's objections to his possible candidacy as much as his own assessments. He also urges opposition parties to realize that Gul's nomination is an "opportunity" for the country as well as for themselves and to act in the same "self-denying" manner during the election process as the AKP and Erdogan did in naming Gul for the presidency.

Under the headline, "Turkey Loves Gul," Vakit runs a front-page report which asserts that Abdullah Gul's nomination for the presidency has been greeted with joy across the country.

Also front-paged is a report entitled "Not Selfhood But Unity," which lauds Erdogan for "showing once again that rather than aspiring to high office, he is committed to serving his country" by nominating Gul as a candidate for president.

In an article entitled "Mr Tayyip, Abdullah Gul, Sacrifice, Fidelity, Gravity, and Yeltsin", VAKIT columnist Selahaddin Cakirgil expresses the hope that the fact that Turkey's first top three posts (president, speaker of parliament, and prime minister) are set to be filled "in a way unimaginable some 30 years ago" by individuals regarded as "potential criminals, enemies, and second-class citizens" because of their "Islamic tendencies" will not make the holders of these positions less enthusiastic about achieving their ultimate goals.

In an article "What If It Does Not Work This Time, Either?", VAKIT columnist Serdar Arseven refers those asking whether the military would approve of Gul's candidacy to an earlier article in which he praised Chief of Staff General Buyukanit for "taking care not to intervene in the presidential election process."

In a commentary entitled "What Now?", ZAMAN Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli claims that the main opposition Republican People's Party, (CHP), will fail to be convincing if it opposes Gul's nomination as aggressively as it objected to Erdogan's expected candidacy. He also claims that the Motherland Party, (ANAP), and the True Path Party, (DYP), would only risk alienating their own voters if they objected to Gul for the same reasons as they objected to Erdogan, thereby creating the impression of allowing the CHP to lead them by the nose.

In an article entitled "Abdullah Gul: A Wreath of Peace Extended to the Bureaucratic Opposition", ZAMAN columnist A. Turan Alkan asserts that Erdogan has shown what a lot of importance he attaches to the general election in November by naming "the second most powerful man in his party" for the presidency, adding that Erdogan's own election as president would only be a "Pyrrhic victory." He also hails Gul's nomination as an encouraging step toward "Turkey's normalization in the widest sense of the term."

In an article entitled "Gul as President," TODAY´S ZAMAN columnist Suat Kiniklioglu asserts that "Gul as president will continue to be a key figure in Turkey's foreign policy decision-making process" and that his presidency will be "a significant milestone in the further normalization of Turkish democracy as well as the continuation of Turkey's new foreign policy."

Under the banner headline, "They do not have any excuses left," MILLI GAZETTE publishes a front-page report which asserts that now that it is preparing to elect Abdullah Gul as president, the AKP will no longer be able to use the excuse of presidential vetoes to refrain from taking any steps to remove the "illegal" ban on headscarves, the restrictions against Koran courses, and the weighting method applied to the detriment of graduates from vocational schools in the university entrance examination.

In an article entitled "Organized Business and Tragicomic Business", MILLI GAZETTE columnist Burhan Bozgeyik asserts that Gul will prove only a "caretaker president" in a plan involving the AKP's expected re-election into office following the next election with a strong enough parliamentary majority to implement a transition to an administrative model that will go beyond even the US presidential system and to elect Erdogan as a president with consolidated powers.

Finally, in an article entitled "Political twins win, economic risks decrease", BUGUN columnist Perihan Cakiroglu calls attention to claims that Erdogan is planning to pass a constitutional amendment in two years arranging for Turkey to switch to the presidential system and enabling him to take over the presidency from Gul.

EG/

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