Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-07-18

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More statements by Hasan Ercakica on President Papadopoulos´ proposal to meet Talat for the 8 July agreement

[02] BKP argues that Talat refuses to meet with President Papadopoulos because of the elections in Turkey

[03] Turkish Minister of State accuses the Greek Cypriot side for the problems created in Cyprus by the Turkish occupation army

[04] Mehmet Guzelyurtlu and his family applied to the European Court of Human Rights against the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey on the issue of the assassination of his family

[05] Bulutoglulari is promoting the municipality working strategy in the international arena

[06] Turkish Cypriot opposition leader calls for resumption of negotiations

[07] Erdogan: I'll quit if AK Party does not come to power alone

[08] Iranian diplomat and Erdogan on the gas agreement

[09] Consumer and Health Protection chapter to open for Turkey

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] Columnist in Hurriyet blames foreign debts for the collapse of the Ottoman Empire

[11] From the Turkish Press on the issues of the political agenda

[12] AFRIKA columnist: If these are reforms, there is nothing to say to them

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] More statements by Hasan Ercakica on President Papadopoulos´ proposal to meet Talat for the 8 July agreement

Presidential Spokesperson Hasan Ercak1ca has stated that President Mehmet Ali Talat is once again ready to meet with the Greek Cypriot administration leader Tasos Papadopoulos if such a meeting is still desired.

Speaking during his weekly press briefing today, Mr. Ercakica explained that President Talat had voiced his displeasure at the cancellation of the friendly match scheduled to be played between the Cetinkaya Football Club and English football Club Luton Town by delaying the requested meeting with Mr. Papadopoulos.

Referring to the Cyprus issue Mr. Ercakica also repeated the Turkish Cypriot side´s readiness to find a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem within the parameters of the United Nations.

He also referred to the two anniversaries, the 15th of July Greek Coup and 20th of July Turkish Peace Operation and evaluated the perceptions of the two events by the two sides.

The Turkish Cypriot people perceive the 20th of July Turkish peace operations as a liberation and the Greek Cypriot people perceive it as a disaster. But the world knows that with the 15th of July Greek Coup, the island was declared as a Hellenic Republic and the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people were usurped. The 20th of July Turkish Peace Operation was a result of this coup. Mr. Ercakica pointed to the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side together with Turkey were always in search for a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem, one that is acceptable by both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Although we are looking for a solution everyday, the Greek Cypriot side is continuing to use its international recognition against Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Due to this situation a solution being found in Cyprus is being prevented, he added.

[02] BKP argues that Talat refuses to meet with President Papadopoulos because of the elections in Turkey

(MHY)

[03] Turkish Minister of State accuses the Greek Cypriot side for the problems created in Cyprus by the Turkish occupation army

Turkish Minister of State Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener has said that if a problem exists in Cyprus, its because the Greek Cypriot side is constantly making and developing new problems.

Mr. Sener made the statement during a visit paid to him by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ambassador to Ankara Tamer Gazioglu and an accompanying delegation in line with the 33rd anniversary of the 20th of July peace and Freedom Day celebrations.

In a statement he made to the press, the Turkish Minister of State said that although the Greek Cypriot side is creating new problems it is still a unilateral member of the European Union.

Criticizing the unjust embargoes imposed against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Sener said until the reality that two separate peoples with two separate governments exist on the island is accepted it is impossible to discuss the issue of the Cyprus problem.

Noting that no other country is under such harsh embargoes as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Sener said what should be question is how the Republic survives economically under such harsh international embargoes.

Its thanks to the support both Turkey and the people of Turkey have given to the Republic that they are able to overcome these hardships. And thats to the sacrifices that Turkey has made for the TRNC, he added.

For his part the Turkish Cypriot Ambassador to Ankara Tamer Gazigolu noted that it was Turkeys support that helped the Turkish Cypriot people overcome long years of hardships and the Turkish Peace Operation that finally brought peace to the island.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (18.07.00) reports that Mr. Sener will be arriving in the occupied area tomorrow to represent the Turkish government during the 20 July celebration.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia (17.07.07) reported that the Turkish Armed Forces will be represented in the celebrations in the occupied areas of Cyprus by General Ismail Kocman.

[04] Mehmet Guzelyurtlu and his family applied to the European Court of Human Rights against the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey on the issue of the assassination of his family

In its recourse the family says that the killing of the family members was not properly investigated, the responsible were not brought to court and Mehmet Guzelyurtlus life is not protected, thus violating his human rights.

The recourse was made by Mehmet Guzelyurtlus solicitor in London Alper Aliriza. In his statement Lawyer Aliriza accused the Cyprus government, Turkey and the so-called authorities in the occupied area of not cooperating with each other in order to shed light to the crime committed on 15 January 2006 against Elmas Guzelyurtlu his wife and daughter and attempted murder against Mehmet Guzelyurtlu. The lawyer said: If the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey and TRNC do not cooperate then they will find themselves at the guilty bench of the ECHR.

(MHY)

[05] Bulutoglulari is promoting the municipality working strategy in the international arena

The Mayor of Lefkosia Turkish Municipality Cemal Bulutoglulari gave a reception last night in order to promote the Municipalities working strategy in the international arena.

The reception was held at the Lefkosia Turkish Municipality buildings.

The Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia Turkekul Kurttekin, First President Rauf Denktas, EU Parliament member Ozan Ceyhun and foreign Ambassadors and political party representatives attended the reception.

A slide show introducing the Lefkosia Turkish Cypriot Municipalitys new projects played throughout the night.

The Mayor of Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari informed the guests of the stages reached on certain infrastructure, cultural and environmental projects and exchanged views with the attendees about what else could be done.

[06] Turkish Cypriot opposition leader calls for resumption of negotiations

The leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Tahsin Ertugruloglu has said that for a comprehensive solution to be found to the Cyprus problem, a return must be made to the negotiating table.

This period must begin by taking the realities of the island into consideration, he added.

Speaking during a press conference today the leader of the main opposition party announced that his party was not against negotiations taking place on the Cyprus problem, but wanted the realities of the island to be taken into consideration when negotiations were being carried out.

Mr. Ertugruloglu also claimed that it doesnt matter who wins in the Greek Cypriot general election in 2008, as the Greek Cypriot side´s Cyprus policy wont differ.

[07] Erdogan: I'll quit if AK Party does not come to power alone

Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped a bombshell on Tuesday declaring he will quit politics if the party does not come to power alone after the July 22 elections.

Speaking to a rally crowd in the city of Isparta Erdogan said the leaders of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli were both claiming that they would win a majority in the deletions and come to power alone. He said these two leaders should also quit politics if they cannot win the majority they promise in the polls.

On Tuesday Erdogan told a newspaper interview that he will feel successful if his party wins more than 34.4 percent of the votes it won in the 2002 polls. "If our votes fall below this percentage we will review our position," he said.

[08] Iranian diplomat and Erdogan on the gas agreement

Iranian diplomat: Turkey's position on Iranian gas deal won't change because of US anger:

A senior official of the Iranian Embassy in Ankara commented on Tuesday to the American opposition to a recently signed gas deal between Turkey and Iran saying "I don't think that Turkey's opinion will change because of the American attitude."

Ahmed Nurani, minister counselor of the Iranian Embassy said the agreement signed last week is a "win-win initiative" for both countries adding that the interest of both countries was taken into consideration.

He stressed that the peoples of the region should shape the future of the region by themselves, and said, "you may notice the results of the policies America pursued in Iraq. The U.S policies in our region are not constructive. As you know American policies aims to tear apart the states in the region and draw them away from each other. We hope America will quit these policies."

Nurani also stated that the said the new deal will take its final shape within four to six months.

Under the title: Erdogan defends gas deal with Iran, believes US will understand the paper reports the following on the issue: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking to private NTV news chanel defended a preliminary gas deal with neighbouring Iran to carry natural gas to Europe, brushing aside US criticism that the Islamic republic is not "reliable."

"We import oil and natural gas. We want to decrease the amount we pay for imports," Erdogan said. "Iran would let Turkey develop three gas wells without a tender process as part of the deal, which will also allow gas to be piped from Iran and Turkmenistan to Europe."

"Iran made us an attractive offer... Should we not think of our country's interests at this point?" Erdogan said. "Is the United States going to ask why we did not seek their permission? I believe they will understand."

Erdogan was speaking after Washington criticized the agreement signed last week after talks between Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler and Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh.

The agreement is seen as boosting the prospects of a planned 3,300-kilometer pipeline project known as Nabucco to carry gas from the Middle East and Central Asia to the European Union via Turkey and the Balkans, bypassing energy-rich Russia. Officials from the two countries need to complete technical work to close the deal.

[09] Consumer and Health Protection chapter to open for Turkey

Turkey received EU's invitation letter, on Friday, regarding the start of negotiations in "Consumer and Health Protection" chapter, said sources on Tuesday.

Diplomatic sources said that EU asked for Turkey's position paper, adding that preparations on the matter are under way.

Following the completion of Turkey's position paper, EU will finalize its "common position paper" and will submit it to the European Council. If Council makes a decision to open the chapter, its decision will be formalized at the intergovernmental conference. The chapter is expected to be opened at an intergovernmental conference to be held following August, the official holiday of EU institutions.

On the other hand, Turkey expects the delivery of screening reports regarding chapters on "fisheries", "external relations", "foreign, security and defense policy", sources added.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] Columnist in Hurriyet blames foreign debts for the collapse of the Ottoman Empire

Ilhan Kesici, who is a CHP [Republican People's Party] candidate regardless of excelling in politics as a right-wing politician, has said: "Things are not going well. We cannot continue to exist with all the debts we have. We have to leave aside the initiatives the left and right wings make to settle their accounts to save the country. We will be confronted with the problem of Duyun-u Umumiye [General Debts]. A serious problem exists at our doorstep."

What is Duyun-u Umumiye?

It is the most important reason for the collapse of the great Ottoman Empire. It means "general debts."

The Ottoman Empire borrowed from foreign countries for the first time to heal the wounds after the war in Crimea in 1854.

The Ottoman Empire existed without debts for 555 years after it was established in 1299. However, it began to quickly borrow from the foreign countries in the second half of the 19th Century. Consequently, it was buried in history in 68 years.

The Ottoman Empire borrowed many times after it incurred its initial debts. The state was crushed under large foreign debts when Sultan Abdulhamid began to rule the empire. The state was faced with financial bankruptcy in 1874. Let alone paying its debts, it was unable to pay the interest on what it had borrowed. The European countries began to react more seriously. The foreigners wanted to eliminate the Ottomans in a quagmire of debts. And, they succeeded in doing so. The Ottoman State was unable to pay its debts in 1874. Consequently, it was forced to reach an agreement with its creditors. The taxes on some of the products were left to the new Duyun-u Umumiye Administration in accordance with what is known as the Muharrem Decree, dated 3 October 1880. The administration was made up of seven members, two of whom were Turkish. The other five were from foreign countries.

After referring to the collection of taxes by the administration, the commentary goes on:

Turkey is again confronted with the threat of general debts. We are borrowing very quickly.

Turkey's overall debts totalled $222 billion when the AKP [Justice and Development Party] came to power. The overall debts now total $400 billion. Internal debts increased by 114 percent and foreign debts by 64 percent.

Our debts per capita when the AKP came to power totalled $3,187. That figure has increased to $5,458. Every child is born with that amount of debt. The increase is 71 percent.

The private sector's foreign debts totalled $44 million when the AKP came to power. The sector's debts now total $126 million. The increase is 187 percent.

Let us act wisely to obstruct this state of affairs. Otherwise, our country will be confronted with a shameful situation.

[11] From the Turkish Press on the issues of the political agenda

A report in Hurriyet entitled "I will check the situation if we do not poll more than 34.4 percent of the vote" quotes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying in an interview aired by Kanal 24 television station that he would make an assessment with his colleagues and "check the situation" after the upcoming general election if his Justice and Development Party, AKP, wins less than 34.4 percent of the vote which it polled in the last general election in 2002.

In an article entitled "Last week before the election," Sabah columnist Aydin Ayaydin says that there is a consensus among political observers that the AKP will win the general election by a wide margin although it may win less seats in Parliament than it did in 2002 because more than two parties will cross the election threshold. Ayaydin ascribes the AKP's rising popularity to its successful election campaign and says that the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, could surprise pollsters by getting around 20 percent of the vote if it pursues a clever strategy until the general election scheduled for 22 July.

In an article entitled "Would it really come as a surprise if AKP polls higher?" Referans columnist Seyfettin Gursel says that almost all opinion polls conducted recently indicate that the AKP will poll higher than it did in 2002 despite arguments that it is unlikely because the man in the street has yet to benefit from high economic growth and the fall in inflation. Drawing attention to an opinion poll conducted by Eurobarometre which showed that there was a five percentage point increase in the number of people who share the view that the current economic situation is encouraging as compared with a six percentage point decline in the number of respondents who disagree, Gursel notes: "Judging by the increase in the number of people sharing that optimistic view, we can reach the conclusion that at least a part of the voters who are not satisfied with the current situation hope that there will be an improvement in their financial condition if the AKP remains in power." He points out that the economic factor will not be the only determinant in the election, adding that the AKP may not be able to poll higher than 40 percent of the vote because there are 'white Turks" who will vote for the CHP because of their concerns about the secular system.

In an article entitled "Should people vote for Bahceli?" Hurriyet columnist Ertugrul Ozkok says that MHP leader Devlet Bahceli has been successful in its efforts to purge his party of extremists and people involved in criminal activities and to ensure that the MHP moves toward the centre of the political spectrum. Pointing out that the MHP will win seats in the Turkish Grand National Assembly if the results of the recent opinion polls prove to be true, Ozkok comments: "The question is whether the possibility of a coalition government to be formed by the CHP [Republican People's Party] and the MHP should give rise to concerns. No, it should not because I know both [CHP leader Deniz] Baykal and Bahceli very well. Both are familiar with the concept of 'government.' They are perfectly aware of the meaning of 'being reasonable' in governing a country."

In an article entitled "Will the next president be nominated by the MHP?" Ortadogu columnist Seyfi Sahin predicts that the MHP will get more votes than any other political party in the general election and thus its candidate for presidency will be elected in a parliamentary vote. Sahin says that the MHP may nominate either Bahceli or former Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu for president.

In an article entitled "They are weapons which we have delivered to the Iraqi army," Milliyet quotes Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as saying that they had been informed by the US Government that "weapons which have been delivered by the United States to the Iraqi Army might have been handed over to the PKK in an uncontrolled manner due to monetary, ethnic, or ideological reasons." Gul told a group of journalists yesterday that the United States had promised to watch the issue very closely. The report quotes Gul as saying: "Some of those weapons were sold by some European countries to Saddam Husayn's regime. Others include weapons delivered by the United States to the newly established Iraqi Army. The terrorist organization might have resorted to this method in order to poison Turkish-American relations and to fuel suspicions and distrust between the United States and Turkey."

In an article entitled "Turkey's US-Northern Iraq-PKK Problem," Milliyet columnist Fikret Bila points out that problems facing Turkey because of the PKK's terror campaign have exacerbated due to the fact that the Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq back the PKK and the United States supports Kurdish groups due to its national interests. Pointing out that Turkish-US relations could suffer another blow if it is found out that the United States has supplied weapons to the PKK, Bila says: "Would the problem be totally resolved if it is determined that the United States has not provided arms for the PKK? No, it would not. No country would plainly 'officially' and 'overtly' deliver weapons to a terrorist organization. Furthermore, an organization like the PKK could easily acquire weapons." Bila concludes that Turkey should rather put pressure on the United States in order to force it to change its political stance and support.

In an article entitled "What sort of a Turkey after the election?", Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul discusses a number of post-election scenarios. He claims that if the ruling AKP polls enough votes to be able to form a government on its own, it will find itself opposed by a wide coalition including various political, ideological, and social circles as well as the "central bureaucracy that represents state power." He predicts that no political parties will establish a coalition with the AKP if it turns out that it cannot establish a single-party government and that only Kurdish independent deputies will possibly support the AKP, adding that this will lead to accusations against the AKP of cooperation with the PKK, with the opposing coalition mobilizing public opinion against the AKP in a way that will result in unprecedented polarization.

In a commentary entitled "Who represents social democracy, the AKP or the CHP?" Zaman writer Ibrahim Saritas questions the CHP's claim to being a social democratic party by drawing attention to its "statist" policies, which have led to talk about its possible expulsion from the Socialist International amid speculation that it is trying to provoke a coup and that it is preparing for a coalition with the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). Saritas argues that although the AKP describes itself as a "conservative democratic" party, the emphasis this party places on "social policies," as exemplified particularly by the efforts it has been making to reduce health care costs, qualifies it as the only truly social democratic party in Turkey.

A front-page report in Todays Zaman entitled "Analysts warn of politically motivated violence prior to the polls" quotes Sedat Laciner, president of the International Strategic Research Organization, as saying that he expects provocations in the form of bombings or assassinations in the final week before 22 July aimed at influencing the outcome of the general election.

In an article entitled "The secret behind 310", Milli Gazete columnist Selahattin Altun comments on Prime Minister Erdogan's recent remarks voicing his expectation that the AKP will win 310 seats in Parliament. Pointing out that the figure 310 is slightly below the parliamentary majority that the AKP would need to take steps toward changing the Constitution on its own initiative, Altun interprets Erdogan's words as meaning that he does not want AKP voters to expect him to lift the restrictions on Islamic headdresses and Koran courses and abolish the weighting method used in calculating the results of the university entrance exam.

Finally, according to a report in Bugun newspaper entitled "Poll wars continue", a YON-ARA survey gives the lead to the AKP with 28-33 percent, followed by the CHP with 25,1 percent and the MHP with 12,5 percent.

[12] AFRIKA columnist: If these are reforms, there is nothing to say to them

Talat is in a difficult situation!

Encouraged by the generals when he acted boldly by rejecting meeting with Papadopoulos, he was pincered by the Americans!

The TRNC womens team which has participated in the handball tournament organized in Koycegiz has been left out from the tournament.

On its part, the Turkish Handball Federation had sent a formal request in writing to Spain not to admit in the tournament the TRNC under seventeen handball team.

What is the reason for all these?

TRNC piracy, non-recognition of the TRNC

Now I wonder what Talat or Ferdi will say on this issue

They have said that they would make KOP to be expelled from FIFA and from UEFA because it has obstructed the match

In the face of what Turkey did, what will be their defence?

The defence has already started.

The chairman of the Turkish Handball Federation was supposedly a friend of the former TRNC Handball Federation chairman and for this reason he prevented the participation in these international matches. That is, he was not able to accept the new administration.

Sirs, let us say the truth.

These kinds of things are not in the hands of the federations chairmen.

In fact, when the TRNC is in question things are totally different.

In this way the trouble will wane the wind.

Therefore, the federations chairmen are not the instigators in these kinds of affairs.

Let us suppose that it is the chairmens instigation

This is worse

If the TRNC is a state, and a civil servant from Turkey or chairman of a federation was able to prevent the activities of this state, is there anything left to be said?

Dear Talat, Dear Ferdi, (do not get mad because I am not calling you Sir and esteemed, I am like this), come to your senses.

You are being disgraced

Since you are (disgraced), we are also publicly disgraced because you are talking on behalf of us.

The world thinks that we all defend the illegality

There is a huge difference with what you have said before coming into power and between the things that you say and do after being in power

Do you ever think with a calm head in which disgraced situation have you fallen in?

The simplest one is the two matches

Luton and handball players

The first one KOP stopped it because you did not take permission from them

The other one Turkey (stopped it)

You were defiant against the first one; there was a return in a crestfallen manner for the other

There is only one thing that you can do

You will go and demand our rights from the Republic of Cyprus

If you want our athletes to play with foreign teams, as you claim, you must start immediately the necessary initiatives in order to take permission from the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus

If you also will say are under the orders of the Republic of Turkeys military and civilian bureaucrats at the shadow of gu you carried out reforms, as Adem and Barcin (say), then it is not necessary to say anything else

(ML/CS/DP)

EG/

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