Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-07-13

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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 will not meet with President Papadopoulos because of the prevention of the Luton Town-Cetinkaya football match

[02] The commanders of the occupation army and the Turkish Cypriot leadership attended the burial of the remains of 13 missing Turkish Cypriots

[03] United Cyprus Party: Attempts are being made to arouse nationalistic feelings by exploiting the missing people

[04] A group of Turkish Cypriot businessmen had a meeting in Geneva with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

[05] The European Parliaments High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriots met in Strasbourg

[06] EU Commission Enlargement Deputy General Directo held meetings with Serdar Denktas and Tahsin Ertugruloglu

[07] The EP Greens Group call on Olli Rehn to stop the chaotic building spree in occupied Cyprus

[08] Court in Turkey ruled that the e-memorandum issued by the military on the 27th of April, was a press release

[09] What disgrace is this?

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press on the elections in Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat will not meet with President Papadopoulos because of the prevention of the Luton Town-Cetinkaya football match

Speaking after the meeting which lasted two hours Mr Pertev said: We do know that the real responsible for these embargoes is the Greek Cypriot side. He went on and added: We have conveyed to our interlocutor that this situation is not a welcome event and that we have criticized it.

(MHY)

[02] The commanders of the occupation army and the Turkish Cypriot leadership attended the burial of the remains of 13 missing Turkish Cypriots

Remains of 13 martyrs, who were killed by Greek Cypriots in the village of Alaminos during the 1974 Peace Operation, laid to rest today with a military ceremony.

They were among 15 men who were taken prisoners and killed by Greek Cypriots in the village of Alaminos in Larnaca 33 years ago.

They were given an emotional farewell on their final journey.

President Mehmet Ali Talat, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosa Turkekul Kurttekin, first President of the TRNC Rauf Denktash, Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hayri K1vr1kolu, the commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Major General Mehmet Ersöz, deputy-Prime Minister Foreign Minister Turgay Avc1, the leader of the National Unity Party Tahsin Erturulolu, ministers, MPs, representatives from political parties, high ranking military officials, family members and a large crowd of people attended the ceremony.

Remains of 13 martyrs from the village of Alaminos who have been remembered on the 20th of July every year as Martyrs of Alaminos since 1974, were buried today with a military funeral ceremony at the Lefkosa Cemetery.

Before their burial, a religious ceremony was also held at the Cemetery.

In an address at the ceremony, Kudret Ozersay a relative of one of the martyrs said that the relatives of the missing persons are still today feeling the pain of the bitter experiences of the past in spite of the 33 years passed.

`We raised a fresh generation of conscious, highly alert and intelligent youthful men and women in stead of those embracing blind enmity with the aim of preventing the repetition of the bitter experiences of the past, which went into the Turkish Cypriot history as shameful instances of `inhumane deeds` he said.

After the burial of the remains, families of the martyrs left flowers at the graves of their loved ones and said prayers.

The ceremony was covered by a large number of journalists from various media organizations, including some from Turkey and South Cyprus.

The remains of Tahir Osman (Kaptanolu), Hasan Ali (Kand1ral1), Ali Hasan (Cenk), Güney Hüseyin (Alaminyolu), Zafer Hasan (0mamolu), Osman Mehmet (Reis), Mehmet Ali Bodo (Kozok), Ali Ali Bodo (Kozok), Hüseyin Dildar (Özersay), Hasan Dildar (Özersay), Ahmet Halil (Alk1n), Mustafa Ali (Tabel) and Ömer Ali (Tabel) were unearthed by the Committee on the Missing Persons.

The committee is expected to carry out further exhumation work in Alaminos to find the remains of the two more missing persons, Mehmet Arif and Hasan Tüccar who were among the 15 men rounded up and taken away by armed Greek Cypriots and Greek soldiers on the 20th of July 1974.

According to eyewitness accounts, the 15 men were executed by shooting and the exhumation work carried out by the Committee on Missing Persons revealed that they were shot to death and buried in a well near a road in the village.

[03] United Cyprus Party: Attempts are being made to arouse nationalistic feelings by exploiting the missing people

(MHY)

[04] A group of Turkish Cypriot businessmen had a meeting in Geneva with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

The paper writes that Mr.Kutlay Erk, who was one of the members of the Turkish Cypriot Global Compact group, had a meeting with the UN Secretary- General during the sidelines of a reception given by the Swiss President on the occasion of the opening of the deliberations of the meeting. During the reception, reports KIBRIS, Mr. Kutlay Erk had the chance to meet the UN Secretary- General; Erk conveyed Mr. Talats well wishes to the UN Secretary- General and told him that for the solution of the Cyprus problem the Secretary-Generals personal interest is necessary.

(MHY)

[05] The European Parliaments High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriots met in Strasbourg

In addition, KIBRIS also reports that the European Parliaments Political Group Presidents Committee met yesterday and before them was placed the report of the High Level Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriot Community. No decision was taken as regards giving observer status to the Turkish Cypriot representatives.

(MHY)

[06] EU Commission Enlargement Deputy General Director held meetings with Serdar Denktas and Tahsin Ertugruloglu

Prior to his meeting with Serdar Denktas, Mr. Jan Truszczynski said that his visit to Cyprus is to get proposals which will help to advance the solution process.

(MHY)

[07] The EP Greens Group call on Olli Rehn to stop the chaotic building spree in occupied Cyprus

The Greens Grouping in the European Parliament called on the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and the EU Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas to stop what they say chaotic building spree in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

A statement issued today said that the Co-President of the Greens grouping in the European Parliament and the Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Cem Ozdemir met with the Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and on the previous day with Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas.

During the meetings, the two MEPs conveyed concerns by many NGO representatives, journalists and ordinary residents over the chaotic building developments taking place in the northern part of the island and without clear legislation.

Mrs Frassoni and Mr Ozdemir also raised the issue of the Karpass peninsula where there are fears that the expansion of the electricity grid there is paving the way for huge foreign investments aimed at developing a mass tourist resort.

The MEPs asked the Commissioners to make every effort they can in order to stop the present trend and urged Mr Rehn to make the work of the EU support office for the Turkish Cypriot community more visible.

The statement points out that the Commission has allocated funds of 259 million euro but most of the initial projects which have so far commenced are unknown to Turkish Cypriots.

Regarding the Direct Trade Regulation, the two MEPs expressed their disappointment over the fact that no adoption is foreseen in the near future which means that there is no end in sight to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot Community thus contradicting the promises made by the European Council in 2004.

[08] Court in Turkey ruled that the e-memorandum issued by the military on the 27th of April, was a press release

An Ankara court has ruled that the declaration released by the military on its Web site on April 27 this year was not a military memorandum threatening the government, but a press release.

The 5th Administrative Ankara Court was hearing a case filed by Lawyer Kemal Vuraldoan against the Defence Ministry. The lawyer sought YTL 1 in compensation for the "e-memorandum," posted on the Web site at midnight for his being "driven to panic" by the statement.

In an unusually strong statement, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on April 27 asserted its position as the defender of the republic's secular system. "It should not be forgotten that the Turkish Armed Forces is a side in this debate and are a staunch defender of secularism.

When necessary, it will display its attitudes and actions very clearly. No one should doubt that, the statement noted. The problem that has recently stood out in the presidential election process has focused on the issue of questioning secularism. The Turkish Armed Forces are following this with concern, the General Staff said in the late evening statement. The military also complained in the statement of a series of public events in which it said Islam had encroached on secular traditions.

The court said the April 27 declaration was a press statement having the character of an administrative deed and ruled against the YTL 1 compensation demand. It also said that the plaintiff should have applied to the Defence Ministry for the compensation he sought before applying to the court. The court has referred the plaintiff s complaint file to the Defence Ministry.

Lawyer Vuraldoan was stripped of his authority to file suits for the Ankara Bar Association, one of his clients, as his opening a suit outside the bar s knowledge had caused a crisis of confidence. The bar also launched a disciplinary investigation into Vuraldoan.

[09] Volkan: What disgrace is this?

VOLKAN notes that the above-mentioned paper receives millions of pounds every month from the Tourism Fund of the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs in order to promote the TRNC and its tourism. According to the paper, Cyprus Dialogue argued also that the female tourists who visit the occupied areas of Cyprus are raped. VOLKAN points out that Cyprus Dialogue is distributed to foreign tourists for free at the barricades by the information office. It notes that the owner of Cyprus Dialogue is Resat Akar and that Greek Cypriots write also in the paper, which publishes also advertisements of Greek Cypriot businesses in order to encourage the trade with the Greek Cypriot side.

VOLKAN wonders: Is the promotion of the TRNC and the TRNC tourism made by treating the TRNC with contempt? Who will give account for the money which is spent and this disgrace?

(I/Ts.)

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] From the Turkish Press on the elections in Turkey

Regarding the Presidential Elections Milliyet reports that the conflicting messages conveyed by Prime Minister Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Arinc, and Foreign Minister Gul in connection with the presidential elections have created the impression that the ongoing debate is likely to cause a "crisis" within the Justice and Development Party, AKP. The report recounts the statements made by the leading AKP figures in chronological order to show the lack of consensus within the party.

Milliyet publishes an article by columnist Fikret Bila who argues that Prime Minister Erdogan and Republican People's Party, (CHP), leader Deniz Baykal are trying to strengthen their positions with their recent statements on the presidential elections. Noting that Erdogan realized after Baykal's warning that the parliament will be unable to elect the new president without a compromise, Bila says: "Erdogan recently started to say that the new president will be elected by the new parliament and he will seek a compromise for that purpose. This statement shows that Baykal achieved his first goal. Well, is the proposal made by Baykal before the elections still valid? Of course, not. The CHP leader believes that Erdogan missed the chance of electing an AKP deputy as president by turning down the opposition party's proposal before the election process started. Baykal's current proposal is to nominate a presidential candidate from outside the parliament no matter which party wins the elections."

In Hurriyet a column by Cuneyt Ulsever argues that the Constitutional Court's decision that paved the way for the election of president through popular vote has disappointed the AKP the party seems to be happy with the decision. Claiming that the ruling party is concerned that a candidate to be nominated by the "anti-AKP" parties might be elected through popular vote, he says: "Now, the AKP has to find a way to have the National Assembly elect the president in the new parliamentary term. Otherwise, the people will say 'yes' [to the election of president by popular vote] in the referendum and the AKP will most likely be defeated mathematically."

A column by Cengiz Candar in Referans newspaper warns that the presidential election is likely to create a "crisis" in the new parliament term after the elections to be held on 22 July. Stressing that Prime Minister Erdogan's reference to "compromise" does not show that the new president will be elected without a problem, the columnist says that there is a "methodological mistake" in the assessment of the matter by the ruling party and the opposition. Candar goes on: "The two sides should try to compromise on the powers of the president." Recalling that the presidential powers were set according to the Constitution which was drawn up after the 1980 military coup, he asserts that there is nothing wrong with the election of a president by the majority in the parliament if the powers of the president are reduced.

A report in Hurriyet by Hasan Tufekci refers to an interview of Prime Minister Erdogan to weekly magazine Tempo on the presidential elections. In reply to a question Erdogan said: "I will never consider a candidate from outside parliament. This is for sure." Challenging the CHP argument related to the lifting of parliamentary immunity, the prime minister says that he does not find Baykal's approach democratic as he does not call for similar measures for the other sectors that enjoy immunity. Erdogan describes the CHP plan to form a single-party government after the elections as a "dream" and says that the AKP considers lowering the election threshold as of 2013.

Vatan newspaper carries an interview with CHP leader Deniz Baykal by Rusen Cakir on the presidential elections. Baykal claims that the prime minister tried to have the parliament elect an "AKP militant" last time but failed to achieve his goal. Describing Erdogan's recent call for a compromise as a "positive" step, the CHP leader says: "I wish he had listened to what we said in the beginning of the presidential election process." Baykal also urges Erdogan to apologize to Turkey.

Daily Milliyet carries the third of a number of instalments of an article by Omer Erdil on the influence of religious sects over political groups and the parties they will support in the 22 July general elections. The second installment notes that the Suleymanci sect was founded by Suleyman Hilmi Tunahan, who increased the number of his followers by opening illegal Koran courses. Recalling that the Suleymanci sect has been divided into two branches when its leadership was transferred to two brothers, Ahmet Arif Denizolgun and Mehmet Arif Denizolgun, in 2000, Erdil says that Ahmet Arif Denizolgun, who will support the Democratic Party, DP, in the elections, accuses the AKP of using religion for political purposes. However, he adds, Mehmet Arif Denizolgun is preparing to run for the elections as an AKP candidate from Istanbul.

Under the headline, "[Erdogan:] Compromise is not in Baykal's character," Yeni Safak publishes a front-page report highlighting remarks by Prime Minister Erdogan voicing his "annoyance" at the way main opposition Republican People's Party, CHP, leader Deniz Baykal has "closed the door on compromise" over the issue of presidency by suggesting that the next president be someone outside Parliament.

Also front-paged is a report entitled "Latest polls point to single-party government," which outlines the results of two surveys suggesting that a two-party parliament is in the offing and that the ruling AKP is poised to come to power as a single-party government for another term by obtaining over 40 percent of the poll. According to one of the surveys, the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, is set to become the third party to qualify for Parliament after the AKP and CHP by polling 10,1 percent, the report says.

In an article entitled "CHP and Fascism", Yeni Safak columnist Ali Bayramoglu accuses CHP leader Deniz Baykal of trying to keep alive the possibility of a new crisis and to enable "the military authority, which is maintaining or has to maintain a low profile at this stage," to reassert its influence on politics in suggesting that the next president be elected from outside Parliament in response to Erdogan's disclosure that he will seek compromise over the issue of presidency. Bayramoglu also describes the CHP as the leading representative of state fascism in Turkey.

In an article entitled "Why not Hasim Kilic?", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak proposes Constitutional Court Justice Hasim Kilic as a presidential candidate, asserting that Kilic would be a suitable nominee as "a true man of the law." He cites the names of Vecdi Gonul and Hasan Celal Guzel also as eligible candidates for this position before he proceeds to assert that the efforts to prepare the ground for a CHP-MHP coalition have raised "deep" suspicions "on both sides" and that it is only because the CHP is trying to provoke a regime crisis in order to block the AKP's path that it appears to be a strong supporter of the MHP these days.

Under the headline, "Presidency becomes key topic of election," Zaman carries a front-page report which focuses on the latest dispute between CHP leader Baykal and Prime Minister Erdogan over the method to be used in determining the next president.

In an article entitled "How could the majority work out a compromise with the minority?", Zaman columnist Mumtazer Turkone argues that Baykal's definition of the expected characteristics of the next president - an "honest", "respectable," and "neutral" person who would not openly or secretly want to change the fundamental principles of the Constitution and not be an open or secret supporter of a political party - suggests that the CHP leader is not seeking compromise on the issue of presidency but merely trying to use it as a means of weakening the AKP since his criteria implicitly represent the AKP as a party with a hidden agenda to change the regime.

In an article entitled "Does Gulen support a political party?", Today's Zaman columnist Huseyin Gulerce criticizes certain media outlets for publishing "baseless" and "biased" reports and commentaries asserting that Fethullah Gulen supports the AKP in the forthcoming election and that about 30 people close to the Gulen community are running for parliament as AKP candidates.

Under the headline, "Do not commit suicide by casting your votes for collaborationists," Milli Gazete carries a front-page report which quotes Felicity Party, (SP), leader Recai Kutan as saying that every vote cast for the AKP and "other collaborationists" in the forthcoming election will bring Turkey to the edge of doom.

In an article entitled "A crisis on the horizon", Milli Gazete columnist Hasan Unal asserts that the Constitutional Court ruling that has opened the door to a referendum on presidency could serve to further compound the current uncertainty over the election of the new president and require Turkey to elect its next president in December or January at a time of critical developments in the form of a Kirkuk referendum forced by Barzani and Talabani and a US air campaign against Iran.

EG/

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