Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-01-30

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] Former German Chancellor to meet with Talat and Soyer in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[02] Soyer accuses again the Greek Cypriot side of opposing to the solution of the Cyprus problem

[03] British fugitive has reportedly run away to the occupied areas of Cyprus

[04] Soyer says that the Turkish occupation army is one of the greatest supports of the Turkish Cypriot people

[05] The reactions to the Karamanlis visit to Turkey continue

[06] A report on the higher education and the illegal universities in the occupied areas has been prepared

[07] OICs Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union approves draft proposal on greater cooperation between Islamic countries and the occupied areas of Cyprus

[08] UN Secretary-General and Slovak President discussed about Cyprus

[09] EU to help Turkey build nuclear power plants

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] From the Turkish Press of 30 January 2008

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Former German Chancellor to meet with Talat and Soyer in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Mr Schroeder will be accompanied by the Turkish Prime Ministers advisor, Mr Cuneyd Zapsu. The former Chancellor will hold meetings with Mr Soyer, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat and officials from the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. On Saturday in the morning, Mr Schroeder will give a press conference with Mr Soyer at the Colony Hotel in occupied Keryneia. He will depart from the occupied areas on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (30.01.08) refers to the same issue and reports that Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, has said that the government is exerting great efforts on the issue of the opening of the Turkish Cypriots to the world and added that within this framework it has established various contacts with political and business circles in Germany.

He noted that Mr Schroeders visit will develop their business relations and will give the opportunity of explaining the Turkish Cypriot positions to the German public. He said that Mr Talat will give a dinner in honour of the former German Chancellor and will convey to him the wish of the Turkish Cypriot side for an early and comprehensive solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Soyer accuses again the Greek Cypriot side of opposing to the solution of the Cyprus problem

In statements during a meeting yesterday with the newly elected administrative council of the Foreign Press Union, Mr Soyer accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Erato Kozakou Markoulli of opposing to the solution by opposing to this harmonization process of the Turkish Cypriots. He called on Mrs Markoulli to be happy with the harmonization process of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Mr Soyer thanked the Turkish media which are represented in the occupied areas of Cyprus because they are making the voice of the Turkish Cypriots heard to the world. He also referred to the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus and alleged:

The fact that the Greek Cypriot National Guard and the Greek Cypriot side are in the third position in the world in the field of light weapons, the development of their tank systems and other applications are the main factors for preventing the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey of advancing further the steps they continuously make.

(I/Ts.)

[03] British fugitive has reportedly run away to the occupied areas of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (30.01.08) reports that five of the persons who stole 53 million pounds sterling from the store of the security firm named Securitas, were arrested. The British press argued that a suspect named Sean Lupton has run away to the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Two Turkish Cypriot brothers, Huseyin and Mustafa Basar, who are believed to be involved in the incident, are wanted in the occupied areas. The Times newspaper argued that the above-mentioned brothers have come to the occupied areas of the island at the same period with Sean Lupton. The British police have found the 21 million out of the 53 million pounds but 32 millions are still missing, notes the paper adding that the British media draw attention to the fact that the TRNC is an illegal piece of land.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Soyer says that the Turkish occupation army is one of the greatest supports of the Turkish Cypriot people

Mr Soyer said before one of his meetings yesterday that they pressed the button for the rapid implementation of this arrangement. In his statements Mr Soyer described the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus as one of the greatest supports of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The paper notes: Noting that the Cyprus Turkish Peace Force (KTBK) [Turkish occupation army in Cyprus], which is carrying out its duty in Cyprus, is one of the greatest supports of the Turkish Cypriot people, Soyer said: Just as the very careful work which the GKK (Security Forces Command) has carried out regarding the military service reached a certain conclusion, it is the guarantee that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which is one of the greatest supports here and the KTBK which carries out its duty on the island within the framework of the Treaty of Guarantee, could burden us with some new obligations. Therefore, it is my duty to thank the KTBK Commander and esteemed commanding delegation.

Furthermore, Kibris reports also that Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and Turgay Avci, self-styled minister of foreign affairs, have also commented on the arrangements regarding the military service of the Turkish Cypriots who live aboard.

Mr Denktas said yesterday that this amendment will relieve thousands of citizens who live abroad as well as their families. He thanked the Security Forces Command and the command of the Turkish occupation army, which he described as the architects of this application.

Mr Avci said that the amendment has been prepared by the Security Forces and it has the characteristic of a revolution.

(I/Ts)

[05] The reactions to the Karamanlis visit to Turkey continue

Speaking during his weekly briefing, Mr Ercakica said that they were expecting more encouraging statements by Mr Karamanlis on the issue of the initiatives which are expected after the presidential elections in Cyprus and alleged that this did not happen.

Mr Ercakica said that the Karamanlis visit to Turkey contributed to the development of the cooperation between Turkey and Greece and to the efforts for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem. He also expressed his sympathy to the Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (30.01.08) reports that Izzet Izcan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), has said that the positive climate created between Turkey and Greece should be reflected in Cyprus.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Izcan noted that it is known that the new negotiations process regarding the Cyprus problem will begin on the basis of the UN resolutions, the international law and the EU acquis communautaire.

He said that the sides should refrain from making statements referring to the two states and trying to demolish the bridges for dialogue between them with a propaganda based on separatism, nationalism and chauvinism.

(I/Ts.)

[06] A report on the higher education and the illegal universities in the occupied areas has been prepared

The paper notes that Mr Buyukuslu prepared a report under the title Report on the Globalization Trend in the Higher Education and Forming a New Paradigm and Vision for the TRNC Universities.

Mr Buyukuslu noted that the annual contribution of the higher education sector to the economy of the occupied areas is 750 million US dollars. Prof. Buyukuslu drew the attention to the fact that the illegal universities, in addition to their financial support to the breakaway regime, are important in the struggle which the TRNC gives in the international arena for existence and political life.

He noted that in case the number of the students from Turkey is increased from 30 thousands to 100 thousands within 5 - 10 years, the TRNC economy will be able to stand on its own feed. He reminded that in November 2007 illegal LAU participated in a meeting of the World Universities Union in Malaysia, in which 500 representatives of 100 universities participated.

(I/Ts.)

[07] OICs Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union approves draft proposal on greater cooperation between Islamic countries and the occupied areas of Cyprus

The Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) has approved a draft proposal, which envisages greater cooperation between Islamic countries and the Turkish Cypriot people in the fields of politics, economy, culture and sports with the aim of easing the international isolations.

The draft proposal will be forwarded to the 5th conference of the OIC Parliamentary Union for approval, which is taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo tomorrow.

The Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu and her delegation are representing the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus at the conference.

The draft proposal approved by the Executive Committee of the OICs Parliamentary Union is seen as an important step in efforts aimed at lifting the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The draft proposal, presented earlier by the TRNC and Turkey underlines the need to exert efforts in order to achieve equal representation for the Turkish Cypriot people at international organizations, until a settlement is found to the Cyprus problem.

The draft proposal also emphasized that the Cyprus problem should be solved on a bi-zonal, bi-communal order based on the political equality of the two sides and under UN guidance.

During the Executive Committees session participants were called on to take initiatives aimed at promoting the Turkish Cypriot peoples equal representation at international institutions.

Previous proposals approved during the 4th conference of the OIC Parliamentary Union were also once again confirmed.

These included the representation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus under the title of the Turkish Cypriot State, as well as the launching of an initiative towards the removal of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The Parliamentary Speaker is expected to meet with her Turkish counterpart Koksal Toptan later this evening.

Ms Ekenoglu and her accompanying delegation will be returning to the Republic on the 1st of February.

[08] UN Secretary-General and Slovak President discussed about Cyprus

The Cyprus issue was one of the topics discussed during the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moons visit to Slovakia.

The issue was brought to the agenda during a meeting between the UN Chief and the Slovak president Ivan Gasparovic.

According to a statement from the United Nations, Mr Ban told a press conference after his meeting with Mr Gasparovic that they discussed Slovakias contributions to the issues concerning the United Nations, ranging from peace and security to development and human rights as well as on key regional issues, especially in the Middle East and Balkans, including Kosovo and Cyprus.

He also thanked the Slovak President for his countrys contributions to the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus. Mr Ban added that Slovakia has been playing an important role by bringing representatives of political parties from the two communities in Cyprus together from time to time.

On Kosovo, the UN Chief said that the European Union should take responsibility in determining the final status of Kosovo.

[09] EU to help Turkey build nuclear power plants

The European Union is ready to offer candidate Turkey assistance and advice on its plans to build nuclear power plants, the bloc's commissioner for enlargement, Olli Rehn, said yesterday.

Responding to a formal question on Turkey's nuclear plans, Rehn said the decision to build nuclear plants was under the Turkish government's authority, though he warned that Ankara has to carefully assess its ability to provide high security at all levels of construction and operation of the power plants.

European Commission officials recently told Turkish authorities that any initiative to produce nuclear power must meet security standards and reminded them that the EU was ready to offer assistance and advice if needed, according to Rehn. Turkey is preparing to open a public tender for the construction of its first nuclear power plant and plans to build at least two nuclear reactors by 2015.

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[10] From the Turkish Press of 29 January 2008

a) Headscarf Issue: A report by Hurriyet's Nuray Babacan outlines the views expressed by the Justice and Development Party [AKP] women deputies in connection with the efforts to lift the headscarf ban. It quotes Fatma Sahin, Gaziantep deputy and head of the AKP Women Branches, as saying that the party's priority is to have the female students receive their right to education. It will be wrong to talk about the public workers' right to wear headscarf at this stage, she notes. According to the report, Sahin points to the importance of "compromise" in the society and notes that certain policies should be adopted "step by step.

In his article in Hurriyet, columnist Oktay Eksi writes an "open letter" to Prime Minister Erdogan to criticize his inclination to change the entire Constitution with the strength he derived from his recent "election victory." Accusing Erdogan of failing to keep his promise to seek compromise for the election of the president, Eksi warns in his column that the prime minister's recent move to place the headscarf issue on the political agenda might yield unfavourable results. He goes on to say that the prime minister has the power to change the Constitution with the support of the Nationalist Action Party [MHP] but he should be aware of the fact that certain changes might create unexpected problems in Turkey. Eksi concludes by cautioning that neither the AKP, nor the other parties will be able to cope with those problems.

A report in Milliyet says that the Association for Supporting Modern Life [CYDD] issued a statement to "strongly criticize" the AKP Government's efforts to lift the headscarf ban in universities. According to the report, the CYDD accused the ruling party of "changing the Constitution for the sake of a militant group who refuses to comply with the laws" and stressed that "no one can benefit from challenging the republic."

Also in Milliyet Abbas Guclu views how the amendments to be made to the Constitution to lift the headscarf ban in universities might affect the students of the War Academies and Police Academy. In his column, Guclu says: "Both the War Academies and the Police Academy are the institutions of higher education. They have representatives at the Interuniversity Council and they have to comply with the Higher Education Law no. 25457 except for the military regulations." He adds that according to former Education Minister Necdet Tekin, who is "concerned" over the recent developments, the inclusion of a clause changing the dress code in universities might pave the way for the entrance of female students to the Gulhane Military Academy, Land, Naval, and Air Force academies, and the Police Academy with Islamic headscarf.

Stressing that everyone is aware that "Turkey is at a crossroads" now, a column by Zulfu Livaneli of Vatan recalls that he viewed the recent presidential elections as a "turning point for a regime change" in Turkey. Arguing that all the preparations have been made for that purpose, Livaneli says: "[The government] pushed the button to change the regime in Turkey with the support of external circles. The inclusion of the headscarf issue in the Constitution is just the beginning of this process. No one will remember the former Turkey in a couple of years." He accuses the Republican People's Party [CHP] for strengthening the hand of the AKP through its racist and militarist policies and laments the main opposition's failure to ignore the concepts like democratization, freedoms, and minority rights.

Under the headline, "Double Guarantee for Freedom," Yeni Safak publishes a front-page report which asserts that the ruling AKP and the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, are submitting a joint proposal to Parliament today that entails constitutional amendments guaranteeing the right to education of female students who wear Islamic headscarves. According to the report, the proposal also arranges for a provision defining how headscarves should be tied below the chin to be added to the relevant article of the Higher Education Council (YOK) Law.

In an article entitled "Using the Promise of Victory as a Means of Leading You into a Trap?" Vakit columnist Selahaddin Cakirgil warns AKP Deputy Husnu Tuna about the implications of his statement that they intend to lift the headscarf ban not only in universities but in all public institutions. Cakirgil asserts that while Tuna's remarks are reasonable and fair, it is very important to know where and when to issue such statements at a time when secular circles are accusing the Government of trying to prepare the ground for a "religious dictatorship."

Under the headline, "Middle Ground Found in Headscarf Issue: Constitution, YOK Law to Change," Zaman carries a front-page report which asserts that the AKP and the MHP have reached a "full consensus" on the legal amendments to be passed to end the headscarf ban in universities.

Under the headline, "See Realities, Turkey," Milli Gazete runs a front-page report which slams the AKP administration for launching disciplinary proceedings against AKP Deputy Husnu Tuna and AKP Isparta Mayor Hasan Balaman for saying that the headscarf ban should be lifted in the entire public sphere and that women who cover their heads should be eligible to serve as mayors.

In an article entitled "What is it to You?" Milli Gazete columnist Ismail Muftuoglu argues that the method chosen by the AKP and the MHP to solve the headscarf issue is contrary to human rights and the essence of the Constitution in the sense that it will restrict employment opportunities for female university graduates. He also asks the "minority" that is objecting to the Government's bid to remove the headscarf ban "what percentage of the nation it represents" and accuses it of trying to "incite certain state institutions" to suppress the will of the "majority."

b) Operation Ergenekon: A column by Milliyet's Hasan Cemal focuses on the investigation against the Ergenekon gang, which is accused of planning assassinations and bomb attacks in the country in an effort to lay the groundwork for a military takeover in 2009. Recalling that in an interview with the daily Taraf, Murat Belge viewed the Gendarmerie Intelligence Organization, JITEM, as the "deep state" in Turkey, Cemal expresses the hope that the investigation into the activities of the Ergenekon gang will continue uninterruptedly and reveal Ret Gen Veli Kucuk's links within the state. He urges the Erdogan Government to adopt a resolute stand to have the police, the prosecutors and the judges solve the mystery in order to turn Turkey into a democratic and lawful country.

In an article in Sabah, columnist Ergun Babahan urges the officials to find out how the members of the Ergenekon gang seized the weapons produced for the army. He says that the democratic forces should always remain on alert because those who support and conduct a military takeover are never punished in Turkey. The only way to strengthen the democratic and lawful regime is to intensify the efforts for the adoption of the EU-related reforms, he adds.

A report in Yeni Safak entitled "Which Commander Did He Call That Night?" claims that Retired Brigadier General Veli Kucuk, who has been arrested as part of the investigation against the "terrorist" Ergenekon group, asked for permission to make a number of phone calls when the police came to his house on the night of 22 January. According to the report, Kucuk called the General Staff, the Land Forces Command, and a number of judges but could not get the help he sought.

Under the headline, "We Were Put up to it by the News Media," Vakit carries a front-page report which asserts that "those who launched a lynching campaign against Vakit" accusing this daily of masterminding the armed attack on a group of State Council justice some time ago have started to "confess" that they were influenced by mainstream news reports and commentaries to lay such charges "now that it has been disclosed that the Ergenekon gang was involved in the assault on the State Council.

In an article entitled "Number One", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak advises the Government to pursue the investigation against the Ergenekon group to the very end, and track down the extensions of Ergenekon in the news media, the Mafia, business circles, and politicians, asserting that otherwise the "deep state" will be emboldened to step up its efforts to create chaos and stage a military coup.

In an article entitled "Is Ergenekon a Private or Official Group?" Zaman columnist Ihsan Dagi expresses "my conviction" that Ergenekon is an "official" group and a "Turkey-adapted version of a Cold War organization - name it what you will - set up against the threat of communism." He also urges the Government to show "resolve" in disbanding such "remnants of the Cold War."

/PL

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