Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-30

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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 continues to accuse the Greek Cypriot side a few days before his meeting with President Papadopoulos

[02] Soyer criticises Archbishop Chrysostomos

[03] Talat continues his contacts with the Turkish Cypriot political parties prior to his meeting with President Papadopoulos

[04] Tahsin Ertugruloglu spoke about his partys contacts in Ankara and called for early elections

[05] Koksal Toptan, the new speaker of the Turkish Assembly, will visit occupied Cyprus between 10-11 September

[06] Ewa Klamt has been appointed as the Cyprus rapporteur on missing persons by the European Parliament

[07] A concert by Maltas Cathedral Choir and the Turkish Cypriot Childrens Choir to take place tomorrow in Bellapais Monastery

[08] The TRNC Folk Arts Foundation - HASDER has attended the 12th Royal Days International Folk Dance Festival in Hungary

[09] Dead fish were found in the areas of occupied Lapithos and Karavas

[10] Reference to Cyprus in Gul´s Farewell message to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

[11] Turkish President Gul approves the list of new cabinet members

[12] Turkish businessmen are trying to establish Turkish Lobby in European countries

[13] Guls first official action as president of Turkey

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[14] From the Turkish press 29 August 2007 on Guls election as Turkeys 11th President

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat continues to accuse the Greek Cypriot side a few days before his meeting with President Papadopoulos

Under the title We are heading towards partition, Kibris writes in its first page that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the Greek Cypriots are trying to tighten the grip around the Turkish Cypriots and warned that the condition in the island is getting worse.

Mr Talat stated that the current situation in the island is not positive and added that in case peace is not safeguarded the rapprochement between the two communities will become very difficult and warned that nothing will be possible to be done for this. He also said that the policy followed by the Greek Cypriot leadership, leads to partition and added that if the Turkish Cypriots´ isolation was in the hands of the Greek Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots would strangle them.

Mr Talat further stated that he wants the solution of the Cyprus problem the sooner possible and added that a solution will be possible only with meetings which will take place between the leaders of the two sides. He also stated that he will consider the 5th September meeting to be successful only if it will open the road for comprehensive negotiations.

Speaking about the issue of conveying electricity to the Karpass Peninsula, Mr Talat stated that the issue was exaggerated and promised to do his best to prevent land development and construction activities that would harm the environment in the area.

On the same issue Afrika reports in its first page that Mr Mehmet Ali Talat is having difficulties to understand why the Turkish Cypriots are uneasy. The paper quotes Mr Talat who stated, inter alia, that there is a lot of uneasiness in the community as if there is darkness in every place. Mr Talat also stated that nobody is pleased with the situation and nobody thinks that the future will be good. Mr Talat went on and stated that according to him the conditions of the country are much better since the situation where everything is expensive came to an end, there is no increase in the prices and soon there will be no inflation which came to normal levels. However there is a lot of uneasiness and anxiety, he stated.

Halkin Sesi reports in its first page that Mr Mehmet Ali Talat criticised those who malign the Turkish army. Mr Talat continues to make statements that show the real face of the Greek Cypriots, according to the paper. The Greek Cypriots make every nonsense that exists. If they had the authority they would have strangled us, he stated. Mr Talat stated that the situation does not seem positive for the time being and added that the reality is that we are heading towards the partition. This is neither my hope nor my aim, he stated.

(CS)

[02] Soyer criticises Archbishop Chrysostomos

Commenting on the issue of transferring electricity to the Karpass peninsula, Mr Soyer stated that the law regarding the National Part in Karpass will be sent to the assembly in September and added that prior to this, meetings will be held with various environmental organizations. Mr Soyer stated, inter alia, that it is good to see the sensitivity of the environmental organisations about the issue; however, it is the duty of the government to maintain development in all areas of the country while being in harmony with the environment.

Mr Soyer criticised again the statements made by the Archbishop Chrysostomos who opposes, as Mr Soyer stated, continuously a solution based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation and stated, inter alia, that the discussion on the 1977 agreements shows that the Archbishop is against the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Illegal Bayrak television (29.08.07) broadcast on the same issue the following:

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has stressed that the statements by the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos which were against the establishment of a federation in Cyprus, are all about making arguments about past treaties signed on the Cyprus issue like the summit agreements of 1977.

It is wrong to make the 1977 agreements a discussion subject in 2007. This attitude only derives from his will for leaving the Cyprus problem unsolved, he added.

Prime Ministers words came this afternoon, before attending the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos accuses the political parties in the South which are in favour of providing a federal solution to the Cyprus problem based on political equality and bizonality, and expresses his support to the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos, Mr Soyer called on the Greek Cypriot People to come to realize such insincere attitudes.

1977-79 Cyprus Summit Agreements envisage the establishment of a federation on the island based on the political equality of the two sides. Some Greek Cypriots who support the idea do not react to the Archbishops opposing statements and instead, they treat us as the side which represents the non-solution. However, those who want peace in Cyprus must react against those who really support the non-solution, he said.

Also responding to reporters questions on the electricity crisis, Mr Soyer stated that the reason for not making detailed statements on the electricity issue regarding the Karpass region is that the issue is now under jurisdiction.

But he said: It is pleasing to see that our people are being sensitive on the protection of nature and environment. However, it is the duty of all of us, primarily the government, to maintain development in all areas of the country while also being in harmony with the environment.

(CS)

[03] Talat continues his contacts with the Turkish Cypriot political parties prior to his meeting with President Papadopoulos

Speaking after the meeting the UBPs chairman Tahsin Ertugruloglu stated, inter alia, that his party will be the first to support the talks between the two sides in Cyprus, if a positive result will come out of the meeting but, as he stated, his is not optimistic about the outcome of the 5th September meeting.

On his part the chairman of the CSP Mehmet Cakici stated, inter alia, that there is no hurry regarding Turkeys EU procedure, the Greek Cypriot side is not in a hurry as regards the procedure of the solution and the Turkish Cypriots are left in the refrigerator. As Turkish Cypriots we must stop remaining silent, he stated and added that there is a need for a new strategy and a new policy of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the Cyprus problem.

(CS)

[04] Tahsin Ertugruloglu spoke about his partys contacts in Ankara and called for early elections

Mr Ertugruloglu stated, inter alia, that in UBPs agenda there is not a plan for establishing a coalition government between UBP and CTP. Mr Ertugruloglu stated that the main issue in his partys agenda is the issue of the lack of democracy in the country and that this problem can be solved through early elections. He stated that the visit of UBP in Ankara took place upon an invitation of the then minister of Foreign Affairs and now President of Turkey Abdullah Gull.

Criticising those who passed judgment on the fact that UBP held contacts in Ankara, Mr Ertugruloglu stated that they did not make any proposals in Ankara for interfering in the internal affairs in occupied Cyprus and nobody made to them any proposals for the same issue.

In addition Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (30.08.07) reports that the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Omer Kalyoncu strongly criticised the National Unity Party which, according to the paper, is looking for the road of interfering in the democracy of the country in Ankara and called on the partys leadership to say what they did during they visit to Ankara. Mr Kalyoncu also said that the problems are solved in the assembly and called on the UPB deputies to start participating in the meetings of the assembly again.

(CS)

[05] Koksal Toptan, the new speaker of the Turkish Assembly, will visit occupied Cyprus between 10-11 September

Reporting on the same issue Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (30.08.07) writes that the visit of Koksal Toptan will take place between 10-11 September.

(CS)

[06] Ewa Klamt has been appointed as the Cyprus rapporteur on missing persons by the European Parliament

The European Parliament has appointed Ewa Klamt as the Cyprus rapporteur on the issue of missing persons.

The move comes as the Parliament wants to maintain its interest and financial assistance on the issue of missing persons in Cyprus.

The appointment of Ewa Klamt was announced by the Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee Missing Persons, Gulden Plumer Kucuk, who informed that the appointment was made by the coordinators of the political group within the Commission of Political Freedoms, based in the European Parliament.

Speaking to the BRT newsroom, Mrs Kucuk reminded that members of the Committee were invited to the European Parliament last March where they held several contacts on the issue of missing persons.

Gulden Plumer Kucuk stressed that was the first time when the issue of missing persons on both sides of the island was brought onto the European Parliaments agenda.

She said following their contacts within the Parliament, the EU Parliament took the decision to provide financial assistance to the work being carried out on missing persons.

[07] A concert by Maltas Cathedral Choir and the Turkish Cypriot Childrens Choir to take place tomorrow in Bellapais Monastery

The concert will be open for the public.

Speaking at a press conference, Turgay Hilmi, TRNC Germany honourable cultural attaché and one of the founders of GMEM stated, inter alia, that the event is the beginning of other things and said that the GMEM Childrens Choir will visit Malta on 8 September for a concert, upon invitation by Maltas Collegium Musicum Cathedral Choir.

The paper writes that Maltas Collegium Musicum St Johns Cathedral Choir will sing religious songs in a religious service at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus on the 1st of September.

(CS)

[08] The TRNC Folk Arts Foundation- HASDER has attended the 12th Royal Days International Folk Dance Festival in Hungary

The TRNC Folk Arts Foundation- HASDER has attended the 12th Royal Days International Folk Dance Festival in Hungary.

The Festival which took place between the 14th and 21st of August was organized within the framework of Hungarys Independence Days celebrations.

Folk dance groups from Algeria, Israel, Canada, China, Mexico, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and the TRNC have attended the festival.

[09] Dead fish were found in the areas of occupied Lapithos and Karavas

(CS)

[10] Reference to Cyprus in Gul´s Farewell message to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Abdullah Gul, former foreign minister who was elected the 11th President of Turkey, sent a message to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel to bid them farewell.

In his message, Gul said, "I took the office as the foreign minister on March 14th, 2003 and have remained in the office for four-and-an-half years. During this period, we have attained important progress in our foreign policy." Referring to foreign policy developments during his tenure as the foreign minister, Gul said, "We made a series of significant reforms regarding human rights and democratization under Turkey's EU membership process. Turkey took a number of tangible steps and opened entry negotiations with the EU. Also, we reshaped our relations with the United States by signing the Strategic Vision Document. On the other hand, we unveiled uncompromising attitude of the Greek Cypriot administration and further strengthened the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Accordingly, the TRNC has begun receiving acceptance in a huge geography."

"We also made progress in our relations with Russia. We signed the Joint Declaration which increased our relations to the level of multi-dimensional partnership. In the meantime, Turkey has accelerated its efforts to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. In brief, Turkey's foreign policy regarding the Middle Eastern countries has become more influential in the last four-and-an-half years," he said.

"The issue of Iraq was high on our agenda. One of our main targets is to contribute to stability. Therefore, we tried to meet urgent requirements of Iraqi people. Turkey's contribution to Iraq's rebuilding process has still been continuing. We pioneered the process of neighbouring countries with Iraq," he said.

Referring to developments in energy, Gul said, "During this period, contributions of the Ministry to energy and economy diplomacy have increased considerably. Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline became operational and we laid foundation of the Kars-Javakheti (Ahilkelek)-Tbilisi-Baku railway and the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Also, Turkey's commercial relations with the neighbouring countries have been further consolidated."

"In the last four-and-an-half years, Turkey's multilateral foreign policy has been further strengthened with some proposal strategies including the countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Turkey, which sent humanitarian aid to a number of countries, is now considered one of the most important donor countries. We made tangible contributions to efforts to safeguard peace and stability in several regions such as Afghanistan, Balkans and Lebanon. A total of 7,153 Turkish soldiers have been taking part in peacekeeping forces of the United Nations, NATO, EU and the Organization of the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) around the world. Turkey also pioneered a reform movement within the Organization for the Islamic Conference (OIC)," he said.

Gul also gave information about his visits to foreign countries. "I paid 145 visits to several countries. In return, nearly 100 visits were paid to Turkey just in foreign ministerial level. Meanwhile, we hosted 12 international and regional summit meetings including 2004's NATO Summit."

[11] Turkish President Gul approves the list of new cabinet members

President Abdullah Gul approved the list of the 60th government members on Wednesday.

President Gul received the Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was designated to form the 60th government, earlier in the day.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan submitted the list of new cabinet members to President Gul.

President Gul approved the 60th government led by Prime Minister Erdogan.

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: Cemil Cicek

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: Hayati Yazici

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: Nazim Ekren

State Minister: Mehmet Aydin

State Minister: Murat Basesgioglu

State Minister: Kursad Tuzmen

State Minister: Nimet Cubukcu

State Minister: Mehmet Simsek

State Minister: Mustafa Said Yazicioglu

Justice Minister: Mehmet Ali Sahin

National Defense Minister: Vecdi Gonul

Interior Minister: Besir Atalay

Foreign Minister: Ali Babacan

Finance Minister: Kemal Unakitan

National Education Minister: Huseyin Celik

Public Works and Housing Minister: Faruk Nafiz Ozak

Health Minister: Recep Akdag

Transportation Minister: Binali Yildirim

Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister: Mehmet Mehdi Eker

Labour & Social Security Minister: Faruk Celik

Industry & Trade Minister: Mehmet Zafer Caglayan

Energy & Natural Resources Minister: Mehmet Hilmi Guler

Culture & Tourism Minister: Ertugrul Gunay

Environment & Forestry Minister: Veysel Eroglu

[12] Turkish businessmen are trying to establish Turkish Lobby in European countries

Turkish businessmen are trying to set up a Turkish lobby in European countries, especially in Belgium, Germany and Poland, said Aziz Sahin, chairman of the European Turkish Business Council.

Holding a press conference in the southern city of Antalya, Sahin said they have been carrying out economic and cultural cooperation together with European mayors, politicians and businessmen to build a Turkish lobby.

"We have helped several Turkish municipalities sign agreements with European municipalities to become sister towns and tried to create new business opportunities in these countries, especially in Poland as it is the shining star of European Union. We aim at improved relations between Turkey and Poland," he said.

He also reminded that there are 112,000 Turkish businessmen in European countries, representing a significant economic power with 35 billion Euro of annual turnover and employing over 500,000 people.

[13] Guls first official action as president of Turkey

In its inside pages the paper emphasizes the cold attitude of General Buyukanit and the Commanders towards President Abdullah Gul. While Gul was entering the room and abiding by the protocol he was greeting Prime Minister and the commanders, Buyukanit and some commanders sit on their chairs before Mr Gul. Mr Buyukanit, after giving a prize and returning back to his place, did not salute President Gul.

Moreover, GATAs lieutenant general Necati Ozbahadir and other speakers addressed President Gul not as My esteemed President as they used to but as Esteemed President, writes Hurriyet.

(E/A)

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[14] From the Turkish press 29 August 2007 on Guls election as Turkeys 11th President

In a commentary in Vatan, Rusen Cakir foresees "a very, but very, difficult" period ahead both for Turkey and for Abdullah Gul, adding that if things go smoothly for the first couple of years after Gul's election, then a very welcome "normalization period" may begin for the country in every field.

Cengiz Candar in Referans welcomes "the first day of Turkey's normalization." He criticizes those who try to read hidden messages in the latest statement by the Office of the Chief of the General Staff, and opines that "Abdullah Gul's climb to Cankaya was received both by silent reaction and by silent joy."

Milliyet's Fikret Bila focuses on Gul's "very important" responsibilities as president, first and foremost, the need to dispel the doubts that he may have an Islamist agenda. For this, Bila stresses that Gul must prove that he is no longer a member of the Justice and Development Party, AKP, and he must never waver from the path drawn by Ataturk.

Taha Akyol also in Milliyet remembers how former President Sezer changed when he came to office, from a judge who upheld democracy to a president who felt the need to protect the status quo, adding that he expects Gul to become an even more "open" president than the "open" foreign minister that he was, and that he will not act like the president of the AKP.

Writing in Sabah, Ergun Babahan welcomes Gul's Presidency, recalling his performance and services to the EU accession process and to democratization during his terms as prime minister and foreign minister. "We have no doubt," Babahan maintains, "that he will pursue the same policy and embrace the entire society during his seven-year term at the Presidential Mansion." Referring to the fears that Turkey may be turned into an Islamic country, the columnist criticizes the circles that foster tension and crises around this issue, and admits that they will not stop doing that now that Gul has become president. What these circles do not realize, Babahan argues, is that they are losing the nation's support.

In an article entitled "A president at peace with politics and the people", Yeni Safak columnist Ali Bayramoglu hails the change of presidency as the replacement of a "president of the regime and system" with a "president of politics and society." He claims that Gul's election marks the beginning of a new period when the state will no longer be governed by "mediocre" functionaries whose primary duty is to maintain certain balances. He also claims that Chief of Staff General Buyukanit's warning of "sinister plans against secularism" and his expression of the military's readiness to remain watchful all the time and carry out its duties should not cause concern because "the democracy train is on track" and replacements will "continue elsewhere."

In an article entitled "Keystone", Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru asserts that the developments that have taken place as part of the presidential election process in the past few months have established that the presidency is the "keystone" of the system, adding that while the office of the president is expected to serve such a function in a democratic and law-based state, its "keystone" quality should not become the means of perpetuating a "Jacobinic" regime.

Also Vakit in a report entitled "Commanders' attitude not ethical," asserts that Chief of Staff Buyukanit and the force commanders are being accused of "treating the commander-in-chief with disrespect" in not taking part in Abdullah Gul's swearing-in ceremony.

In an article entitled "Let us get on with our work", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that the way for the Erdogan government and AKP supporters to "help [Abdullah] Gul" is to "get on with your work," adding that Gul for his part is not expected to do much other than simply refraining from blocking the AKP's agenda. He also argues that the current formation of the legislative, executive, and judicial functions on the basis of the nation-state model has lost most of its meaning and validity now that "international norms" dictate how the country is to be run and "the economy is being controlled by global capital."

In an article entitled "Gul was elected as President: Did I not say so?", Zaman columnist Tamer Korkmaz refers to Gul's election as Turkey's 11th president as a manifestation of the Government's efforts to bring about a "state-nation reconciliation," adding that Gul's nomination has also to do with Turkey's need for a "high-profile president" at a time when it is "emerging as a regional power."

In an article entitled "Benchmarks for the new President in the new era", Today's Zaman columnist Yavuz Baydar argues that whether Gul appoints "liberal-progressive people" or members of the "conservative-pious community" to "key" institutions like the Constitutional Court, the State Council, and universities will serve as a test of his "pledge" to "continue to transform Turkey toward a European liberal democracy."

EG/

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