Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-10-08

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] Statements by Turgay Avci on the Famagusta Latakia ferryboat lines

[02] The so-called chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce assesses on the Green Line Regulation

[03] Foreign diplomat calls the two sides in Cyprus to start negotiations and describes the Annan Plan as an important resource

[04] The so-called assembly to discuss today amendments on the so-called constitution and laws

[05] OIC´s Secretary General says that Islamic countries made steps for the removal of the isolation imposed on the illegal regime

[06] The French Foreign Minister held talks with Turkish high-rank officials; Reference to Cyprus

[07] The measures Turkey will take if US Congress accepts the draft law on Armenian Genocide

[08] Georgian nationals arrested in occupied Cyprus after trying to enter the Republic of Cyprus by the occupied Keryneia port

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] Columnist in Todays Zaman argues that as the economy improves in occupied Cyprus, solution no longer seen as essential

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Turgay Avci on the Famagusta Latakia ferryboat lines

Referring to the Famagusta Latakia ferryboat lines, Mr. Avci claimed that this made the Cypriot Foreign Minister Mrs. Erato Markoullis to journey to Syria. We will continue to make Mrs. Markoullis disgruntle a little bit more. She will need to run after us further, he added. He went on and said: The armed struggle of the past was ended by the glorious armies of the Turkish armed forces, Mr, Avci declared and said: Now the struggle will be for economic development and progress.

(MHY)

[02] The so-called chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce assesses on the Green Line Regulation

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot Kibris newspaper (06.10.07) under the title The Green Line Regulation is not at a boosting level reports that Mr Erdil Nami assesses the Green Line Regulation and cites information according to it. Mr Nami argues that the Green Line Regulation is not on a boosting level and that after the referendum of the EU in order the economy of the North Cyprus to be harmonized with the one of the South Cyprus and in order to accelerate the economic development in the North Cyprus was created a regulation of selling products produced in the North to the South. The most important is that the psychology of the South Cyprus did not improve with the trade with the North. The most of the products that we produce are those not on the shelves. On the packages on these products there was not indication writing Belongs to the North Cyprus. Because there is impatience to this. And the owners of the store through pressure they are ashamed to place the products on the shelves. Many of these psychological obstacles cannot be removed. He added, the Turkish Cypriots instead of giving their money they cannot advertise the products in the South Cyprus.

(MHY / EA)

[03] Foreign diplomat calls the two sides in Cyprus to start negotiations and describes the Annan Plan as an important resource

The fully-fledged negotiations on the Cyprus issue should be restarted by the two sides in Cyprus, not by the international community, a high ranking foreign diplomat told the BRT correspondent.

`We are ready to help the two sides as a `vehicle of engagement`- but only after they take the first step´, the diplomat said.

He referred to the Annan Plan as an important `resource` for future negotiations but added that the sides should work on ways of moving the 8th July process, which he said, provides a `flexible process` for the two sides.Stressing that momentum could be created on the Cyprus issue by engaging in a negotiations process, he said it is better for the sides to realize and follow up their common interests.

Expressing the view that there is lack of action towards a solution, he said: `We are ready to help the two sides as a vehicle of engagement - after the setting up of technical committees`. `A big diplomatic action was turned down during the 2004 referendum` he said, adding that it is only the Cypriots who should find a solution to the Cyprus Problem and that the UN could play a facilitating role.

Asked whether a new initiative could be launched on the Cyprus issue after the elections in the South, he said that nothing could be shown as an excuse not to work towards a solution.

But, he also expressed the view that there will be more interest to the Cyprus problem in the near future, especially, if the sides work harder towards a solution.`We are in support of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal agreement, as agreed by the two sides in 1977, that will make the reunification of the island possible`, he said.

On European Unions failure to keep its promises to the Turkish Cypriot people, he said that the Union should find a way to live up its promises.Stressing the importance of the deepening of bi-communal activities, he expressed the Wests support to such contacts, which he said, will help the two sides to create mutual understanding and encourage efforts aimed at settling the Cyprus issue.

Noting that NGOs from the two sides could cooperate to solve the problems being faced in both sides of the island, such as women trafficking, he said that the West is ready to support cooperation of NGOs.

[04] The so-called assembly to discuss today amendments on the so-called constitution and laws

(MYH)

[05] OIC´s Secretary General says that Islamic countries made steps for the removal of the isolation imposed on the illegal regime

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has asked the United Nations to assume a more active role in eradication of tension between the West and the Islamic world. In an exclusive interview with the A.A. correspondent, Prof. Ihsanoglu said he met around 60 heads of state and government including Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan within the scope of his meetings in New York where he came to attend U.N. General Assembly sessions.

Ihsanoglu said cartoon crisis and dialogue between religions were taken up during a coordination meeting of foreign ministers of OIC member countries in the U.N.

Ihsanoglu underlined that freedom of expression and press should never be used in an insulting way and violating the freedom of belief of others, "OIC is extremely sensitive on this matter and assumed an extremely serious position against the denigration of Islam."

"OIC member countries felt uneasy over the cartoons published in Denmark two years ago and those published in Sweden a few months ago. We want U.N. to assume a more active role in this respect and Western people to be more careful," he added.

Ihsanoglu said within the framework of OIC, Islamic countries have made several steps in removal of the inhumane embargo imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), "TRNC government started to open representations in many Islamic countries and make trade. Ferryboat voyages started with Syria," remarked Ihsanoglu.

Ihsanoglu, who took the floor at a meeting during the U.N. General Assembly, stated that Islam religion was denigrated and attacked and Muslims were exposed to cruelty and discrimination.

OIC Secretary General indicated that Islamophobia was on the rise in Europe, indicating that a new discrimination appeared in the world based on hatred against Islam.

Ihsanoglu underscored that reconciliation in historical sense should be reached between Islam and Christianity.

[06] The French Foreign Minister held talks with Turkish high-rank officials; Reference to Cyprus

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner during a meeting on Friday that Turkey would remain committed to membership bid in the Union and continue to pass reforms needed to enter the European club.

"I conveyed Mr. Kouchner Turkey's expectations from the EU to live up to its promises and to avoid dragging Turkey into a discussion over the future of the Union," Babacan told reporters at a joint press conference in Ankara. "We are happy to have Mr. Kouchner here in Turkey and I believe our high level contacts will play a major part to further improve bilateral relations," Babacan said.

Babacan stated that during the meeting bilateral relations between Turkey and France, and Turkey's EU bid were taken up.

Babacan also said that 2009 was proclaimed as Turkey Season in France.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, in turn, qualified Turkey as "an important partner" for his country, saying that the two countries had an important history and knew each other well.

Making a joint appearance with Foreign Minister Ali Babacan at a press conference on Friday, Kouchner said that he had a very constructive meeting with his Turkish counterpart, adding that they laid a foundation for future talks. "Our two countries may not agree on every issue but we can work anything by talking as Turkey and France have a lot to share," Kouchner told reporters. Kouchner also rejected that French parliament's resolution concerning the incidents of 1915 in Ottoman Turkey was "a threat" for Turkey.

Answering a question on Iran's nuclear program, Kouchner said France would continue dialogue with the country.

"I want to make clear that France did not toughen its stance towards Iran. Iran is a big country which we respect and our negotiations will continue. And Iran has to abide by international agreements," Kouchner said.

Ali Babacan conveyed his French counterpart Brenard Kouchner during a meeting on Friday Turkey's concerns over a resolution regarding Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915 in Ottoman Turkey, and the terrorist organization PKK, diplomatic sources said.

Babacan stressed that the resolution, which criminalizes any rejection of the Armenian allegations, should not come to the Senate floor.

Turkish foreign minister also sought France's support for Turkey's proposal to set up a joint commission of historians, which would study on the incidents of 1915. Babacan also told Kouchner about Turkey's uneasiness over the escape of PKK terrorist Nedim Sever, who is considered as the head of PKK's financial network, just a couple of months after Riza Altun escaped, another PKK terrorist who were tried without custody in France.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.10.07) reports the following:

Bernard Kouchner, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, has departed from Turkey after completing talks on Friday.

Kouchner who arrived in Ankara at noon for a brief visit held talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.

The two foreign ministers also got together over a working dinner at evening. During meetings, bilateral political, economic and cultural relations, as well as Turkey's EU membership talks, Cyprus issue and international matters were discussed.

Furthermore, Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (06.10.07) reports that during the meeting with the visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, President Gul has complained about the exclusion of Turkey from the EU map on the new Euro coins, pointing out that Turkey is geographically closer to Europe than Cyprus [which was pushed westwards on the coin and brought closer to Greece], which adds that Gul's reference to the map was a subtle message to French President Sarkozy, who says Turkey is not geographically a part of Europe. Gul has also told him that Armenian genocide claims have seriously harmed ties between Turkey and France, repeating the Turkish side's call for a committee of historians to study the case. To Kouchner's request that Turkey should lift the covert economic embargo on France over the dispute relating to the Armenian issue, the Turkish side has told him that it would shape its position according to future developments.

On the same issue, a report on Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (06.10.07) adds that Kouchner assured the Turkish side that the Armenian bill will never be allowed to harm the bilateral ties. At the same time, Kouchner has refrained from openly backing Turkey's EU membership, saying that it will depend on future developments. Kouchner has also told Foreign Minister Ali Babacan that the release of PKK officials Riza Altun and Nedim Seven was due to a judicial mistake.

[07] The measures Turkey will take if US Congress accepts the draft law on Armenian Genocide

The logistic support from the base of Incirlik to the USA will be stopped.

No permission will be given for the withdrawal from Iraq through Turkey.

Turkey will slow down the work in NATO.

Turkey will start warm cooperation with Iran.

It will stop buying new age military aircrafts from the US.

Turkey will block its key diplomatic role in Middle East.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (08.10.07) under the title We cut the logistics support to the USA, reports on the visit of the head of a delegation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, created by AKP, CHP and MHP, to the USA before the voting on the Armenian genocide draft bill. We give this message to the USA: If you approve this bill we will do things that we dont want. You are provided a big part of your army logistics support from Turkey. We will have to cut this, said the head of the delegation Egemen Bagis after his meeting with Nicholas Burns, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs. Turkey is the only source of inspiration for the democracy of the region. If you accept the bill, you will have great pressure from the Turkish public opinion. Here it is not an emirate or a dictatorship. No government can endure this kind of pressure.

Moreover, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan supported the messages of Mr Bagis saying that the interruption of the logistics support of the troops in Iraq is a very serious message. He said that the troops will return through Turkey and reminded that this too will be interrupted, reports the paper.

They were also tough reactions from the military Generals.

(EA)

[08] Georgian nationals arrested in occupied Cyprus after trying to enter the Republic of Cyprus by the occupied Keryneia port

(ML)

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[09] Columnist in Todays Zaman argues that as the economy improves in occupied Cyprus, solution no longer seen as essential

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan flew directly to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) yesterday after finishing his 10-day visits made on account of the United Nations General Assembly.

In this way Babacan, just like President Gul, realized his first official visit abroad to northern Cyprus, to highlight the degree of importance he attaches to national causes. Along with Taha Akyol from Milliyet, I accompanied the minister on his day trip to Cyprus on the ATA plane.

I'd previously had similar opportunities to travel with Babacan, who used to be a state minister and Turkey's chief negotiator for EU affairs. However, we were going to be together with the foreign minister this time and were going to have the opportunity to ask questions of him on many issues. Listening to the minister, one understands that the concept of being busy has become routine for Turkish foreign policy. Apart from the multi-sided meetings in New York, he met with 40 counterparts of his at a bilateral level. It's not easy; Turkey is not a single-axis country, unlike many. It's both a European and an Asian country. It's also a part of the Caucasus, the Mediterranean and the Balkans. It retains close ties to both the Islamic and the Western worlds. Therefore, the foreign minister who represents Turkey is supposed to attend forums on all these fields. Since Turkey's candidacy for temporary membership on the Security Council is in question, it now encompasses some more geographical lands that were not on its agenda before. In this regard, the minister for the first time attended the meeting in New York of an organization that unites 15 Caribbean countries.

Babacan's northern Cyprus program was very busy; he is also to go on a Middle East tour that covers Syria, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. In Cyprus, he fit in eight meetings in eight hours. President Mehmet Ali Talat, former President Rauf Denktas and Prime Minister Soyer were parts of the meeting traffic. Additionally, the program included visits to the Cyprus Turkish Forces Command and cemeteries for martyrs. Babacan's not skipping former President Denktas during official visits was a loyal attitude. An average Turkish Cypriot says that Denktas, now a historical symbol, is respected by everyone and that his venerability has even grown after he quit politics.

Leaving the minister with his busy schedule, we decided to listen to Cypriots, who are now passing peaceful days following a tense period caused by the Annan Plan. Suleyman Erguclu, the editor-in-chief of Kibris, the largest paper of the sister land, paints a picture of the current scene for us. The sentence I underlined in his speech also summarizes the increasingly popular mood among the Turkish Cypriots: "We can live without a solution." As a matter of fact, the economy has grown by threefold in the last five years. Although the degree to which it is felt in the street is controversial, the income per capita has exceeded $11,000. The income gap between Turkish and Greek Cyprus has gone down to a half from one-fourth; the rate of the economic growth has reached 12 percent, overtaking even China. The Green Line has ceased to be a wall --anyone can now travel to the southern part. Unemployment has become almost non-existent. The average salary for a teacher exceeds YTL 3000. The minimum monthly wage is YTL 1000. The ferry line running between the Syrian city of Latakia and the Turkish Cypriot city of Magosa, that was halted 30 years ago, has been resumed. There are even dreams of building the greatest yacht harbor of the Mediterranean. An important point is that everybody understood after the Annan Plan was rejected by Greek Cypriots that the obstacle before peace is not Turkey, but that Greek Cypriots in fact do not crave to embrace them. Therefore, the debates in 2004 that caused the opponents and proponents of the Annan Plan to take to the streets have been replaced with usual internal problems, such as environment, health and economy. A Turkish Cypriot recalled that the discrepancy over the Annan Plan had divided even families, setting fathers at loggerheads with their sons.

Erguclu notes that the chances of a solution are increasingly weaker and shows us the front page of his paper's issue of the day before, evidence that the agenda on the island has undergone a very major change. The headline is about the debates surrounding the constitutional amendment; not the one in Turkey, of course, but the debate on the Turkish Cypriot Constitution. Smiling, he asks, "Well, you are changing it [the Turkish Constitution]; do you think we cannot [change ours]?" In his last 10-15 articles, he has dwelled on an environment problem in Karpaz. He waged a war on installing an electricity line on an island where the only inhabitants are donkeys. He approached the issue mockingly, by speaking on the tongues of Hector the donkey and Hera the turtle, whose miniatures stand on his table.

It is essential that Greek Cypriots, who are not willing to be a part of any solution, and the international community, which hasn't removed the embargos on the Turkish Cypriots, much contrary to the promises it made, take this new atmosphere on the island into account -- because if the current problem is allowed to persist, it may never again be possible to unite the island under a single roof.

EG/

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