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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-04-08Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No. 67/08 08.04.08[A] NEWS ITEMS
[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkey and China share similar views on CyprusUnder the title, Support from China on the UN Security Council membership, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (08.04.08) reports that the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Mr Koksal Toptan, who is in China for formal contacts, met yesterday with the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and with Mr Wu Banggua, Chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC). Mr Toptan, after his meetings, stated: We are of the same view with China first of all on Cyprus, the fight against terrorism and Turkeys non-permanent membership for the UN Security Council. Mr Toptan added: The People's Republic of China supports openly Turkeys 2009-2010 non-permanent membership for the UN Security Council and shares similar views with Turkey on the Cyprus issue.(EA) [02] Laos supports Turkeys candidacy as non-permanent U.N. Security Council member. Babacan met Chinas Deputy Foreign MinisterAnkara Anatolia news agency (07.04.08) reported from Ankara that the Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos People's Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara on Monday.The two ministers held a press conference following their tete-a-tete meeting. "Sisoulit came to Ankara for comprehensive and helpful talks. Sisoulit's visit to Turkey is important in terms of development of bilateral relations and discussion of regional and international issues pertaining to the two countries. We have agreed with minister Sisoulit to continue high level meetings between Turkey and Laos in the future," Babacan told. "Sisoulit's current visit takes place on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Laos. Sisoulit's visit to Ankara is the first high level visit by an official of the Laos government in 50 years. We have signed today an agreement on commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries," Babacan indicated. "In the upcoming term, we will sign an agreement with Laos to prevent double taxation and encourage mutual investments," Babacan stressed. Answering a question on Turkey-EU relations, Babacan underlined that the government is presently working on a national program. "The national program encompasses reforms to be made in the EU process in the short, medium and long run," Babacan underscored. "We have come a long way in our EU process. One of the important steps we took was the foundations law," Babacan noted. We pay high attention to political reforms despite how difficult they may be to implement, Babacan also said. "The issue of an amendment to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) will be handled very soon," said Babacan. Article 301 of TCK makes it a crime to insult Turkishness. Touching on the issue of terrorist PKK organization, Babacan stressed that "how the regional government in north of Iraq acts on PKK will help future dialogue between Turkey and north of Iraq." Meanwhile, Thongloun Sisoulit said that his visit to Turkey is the first official visit from Laos. "I would like to thank the Turkish government and Mr Babacan for the warm welcome and hospitality," Sisoulit told. "The commercial and economic agreement signed Monday establishes the base for cooperation in the future," Sisoulit indicated. In the press conference, Sisoulit drew attention to economic and touristic developments and investments in Laos in the past two years. "The New York Times listed Laos as one of the must see 50 locations in the world in 2008," Sisoulit said. Asked about what he thinks on Turkey's candidacy for non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, Sisoulit stressed that Laos supports Turkey's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Babacan met Deputy FM of China Wang Yi prior to receiving Sisoulit on Monday. No statement was issued to the press regarding Babacan's meeting with Yi. [03] The Minister of Economy of Guinea-Bissa continues his contacts in occupied CyprusTurkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (08.04.08) reports under banner headlines Guinea asked for our Assistance, and reports about the illegal visit and the contacts of the Minister of Economy, Finance and Planning of Guinea-Bissau Ousmane Dore. The paper writes that Mr Dore had separate meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Talat, self styled prime minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, the so-called foreign minister Turgay Avci and he visited the so-called East Mediterranean University (DAU). He also signed a so-called Education cooperation protocol with the so-called Near East University (YDU).The paper reports that Mr Dore arrived in the occupied area at the invitation of the so-called foreign minister Turgay Avci. During his meeting with Mr Avci, the Guinean official demanded the occupied areas assistance so that the Guinean people can be able to continue the sustainable development of their country. He welcomed the cooperation in the higher education field. In his turn Mr Avci declared that within the framework of cooperation in the education field ten students from Guinea-Bissau will receive scholarships to study in the so-called universities in the occupied area. Mr Dore invited Mr Avci to attend the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Guinea Bissau celebrations in October. (MHY) [04] The mayor of Munich is holding contacts occupied CyprusTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.04.08) reports about the illegal visit of the mayor of Munich and chairman of the Municipalities Union of Germany Christian Ude, who arrived in the occupied area through illegal Tymvou airport yesterday. The paper reports that Mr Ude arrived in the occupied area after an invitation by the so-called mayor of the occupied part of Lefkosia, Cemal Bulutoglulari. Yesterday Mr Ude attended a reception given by Mr Bulutoglulari at the Goethe Center where the Mayor of Lefkosia Mrs. Eleni Mavrou was also invited but did not attend the reception. However, KIBRIS also reports that Mr Bulutoglulari gave a dinner at the Goethe Institute and Mrs. Mavrou took part in the dinner.Speaking at the reception Mr Bulutoglulari said that the visit of the mayor of Munich and chairman of the Municipalities Union of 80 million Germany Christian Ude, to the occupied area is an important event. During his contacts in the occupied area Mr Ude said that it is impossible to accept a divided city or a country and he expressed his wish that an early solution will be found to the Cyprus problem. Mr Ude further said that the division in the island could only be overcome through joint positive developments and through creating a common Cyprus: There is no alternative to common Cyprus, he stressed. Mr Ude had separate meetings with Mr Talat and Mr Soyer. (MHY) [05] A delegation of the Republican Turkish Party will have contacts in GermanyTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.04.08) reports that a three-man delegation from Republican Turkish Party (CTP) headed by the Partys General Secretary Omer Kalyoncu is to leave for Germany today to hold a series of contacts there. The paper writes that the delegation will be meeting in Berlin with the General Secretary of the German Social Democrat Party and with officials of other parties.(MHY) [06] The general secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party is visiting occupied Cyprus upon an invitation by AvciTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.04.08) reports, that the general secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party, Ali Ahmedov arrived in the occupied area at the invitation of the so-called foreign minister Turgay Avci. He will hold a number of contacts in the occupied area.(MHY) [07] The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans pleased from the opening of Ledra Street barricadeTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.04.08) reports, that the Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans Hurrem Tulga, commenting on the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point declared that apart from the positive contribution it had on the Cyprus problem the opening made the peoples faces to smile. He warned the Turkish Cypriot shop owners and shopkeepers not to try to exploit the visitors who will cross to the occupied area by overpricing and over charging.(MHY) [08] Permanent Representative of the TGNA to the European ParliamentUnder the title Permanent Representative at the European Parliament by the TGNA, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (08.04.08) reports that together with the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the European Union, now Turkey will be represented in the European Parliament as well. The representative will be selected from the staff of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and will be appointed by the TGNAs Speaker, Mr Koksal Toptan.The TGNA, who wanted to be informed as quickly as possible on the progress in the EU, after the beginning of the accession negotiation to the EU, created relations with the European Parliaments General Secretariat and asked for a representative office. In the new building of the Parliament an office is expected to be assigned to the TGNA. The TGNA representative to the EU will work according to the regulations for the permanent personnel who work abroad. The representative will be in the post for four years and one person can only be appointed for two terms at the most. (EA) [09] Istanbul to host Foreign Ministers meeting of Pacific IslandsAnkara Anatolia news agency (07.04.08) reports the following:Pacific Islands foreign ministers will convene in a meeting that will take place in Istanbul between April 9th and 11th. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will host the meeting which aims to improve Turkey's relations with the countries in South Pacific region. Foreign ministers of Pacific Islands Forum's sixteen member countries as well as the Forum's Secretary General were invited to the meeting which will be held at Conrad Hotel. Foreign ministers of Nauru, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Republic of Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia and Samoa as well as the undersecretary of the foreign ministry of Tonga will attend the meeting. [10] Four companies submitted tenders for Turkish nuclear plantAnkara Anatolia news agency (07.04.08) reports the following:Four companies submitted bids on Monday for construction of a nuclear power plant in a southern province of Turkey. This will be the first nuclear power plant in Turkey, and will be built near Mersin's Akkuyu town. AECL of Canada, Hochu of Japan, Vinci Corp of France, Suez-Tractabel of Belgium have acquired specifications forms for the tender. "We expect Turkish companies to set up consortia with experienced foreign firms and join this tender," executives of the Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Ministry said. The tender for construction of 4,000-megawatt of nuclear power plant is scheduled for October 24th, 2008. The Turkish Energy Trade & Commitment Corp. will buy the electricity generated at the nuclear power plant for 15 years. [11] The Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey left for Russia in order to participate in the 2008 Turkish Culture Year in MoscowAnkara Anatolia news agency (07.04.08) reports the following from Istanbul:Turkey's Culture & Tourism Minister left for Russian capital of Moscow on Monday. Minister Ertugrul Gunay will attend the inauguration of the "2008 Turkish Culture Year" events in Moscow. The events will take place within the scope of "2008 Turkish Culture Year" in Russia and include concerts by famous Turkish singers such as Tarkan, Sertab Erener and Sebnem Ferah and pianist Idil Biret. The "Turkish Culture Year" in Russia will kick off on April 8th with a concert by renowned Turkish pianist Fazil Say, Presidential Symphony Orchestra and Polyphonic State chorus in Moscow. Events ranging from dance shows to photo exhibitions will be held in the country throughout the year. [12] AKP submits bill to amend article 301Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.04.08) reports the following from Ankara:Turkey's ruling party submitted a bill on Monday to parliament to amend a law that makes it a crime to insult Turkish identity. The Justice and Development (AK) Party presented the bill in a bid to amend Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which was used to prosecute those who "insult Turkishness." The bill requires prosecutors to receive a green light from the Turkish president before they could press any charges under the law. It also lowers the upper limit of prison sentence from three to two years, opening the way for the suspension of the jail term of those convicted under 301. [13] Prosecutor's office objects to Fethullah Gulen acquittalUnder the above title Turkish Todays Zaman newspaper (08.04.08) reports the following:The Chief Prosecutors Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals objected yesterday to the acquittal of Fethullah Gulen on charges of establishing an illegal organization to undermine the states secular order, which was upheld by the appeals court in early March. The Chief Prosecutors Office said Gulen, one of the worlds most influential religious scholars, should be tried on charges of establishing an organization with the objective of committing crimes and demanded that lawsuits filed against Gulen be dropped due to the statute of limitations. The 9th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld Gulens acquittal unanimously on March 7, stating that there was no evidence to prove that Gulen had formed an illegal organization to undermine the secular structure of the state. The accusations directed at Gulen by the Chief Prosecutors Office, however, contradict the provisions of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). According to Article 131 of the TCK, an organization with the aim of committing crimes must constitute two or more people, but Gulen has so far been tried alone on charges directed at him. The Chief Prosecutors Office also stated in its indictment, filed yesterday with the Supreme Court of Appeals, that Gulens activities cannot be considered acts perpetrated by a terrorist organization. There is no evidence to prove that Gulen was engaged in terrorist activities or that his organization has perpetrated armed attacks, read the indictment, which contradicted accusations included in the first lawsuit filed against Gulen. The lawsuit was first filed against Gulen in 2000 by the chief prosecutor of the Ankara State Security Court (DGM). Gulen was tried under Counterterrorism Law no. 7 on charges of establishing an illegal organization to undermine the secular structure of the state with the aim of replacing it with a state based on Shariah law as well as engaging in various activities to this end. [14] General Basbug to visit occupied Cyprus tomorrowIllegal Bayrak television (08.04.04, 13:00 hours) broadcast that the Commander of the Turkish Ground Forces, General Ilker Basbug, will pay a visit to occupied Cyprus. The Turkish General will arrive in occupied Cyprus at 10:00 tomorrow morning.According to Bayrak TV, General Ilker Basbug will inspect military units. (CS) [B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis[15] Document on Ergenekon's Principles, ActivitiesRadikal newspaper (05.04.08) publishes the following unattributed report under the title: Here is the document in question:Ergenekon's activities within the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] are mentioned, the JITEM [alleged intelligence unit within the Gendarmerie] experience is praised, and "assassination of politicians" is considered permissible. Istanbul -- Sevgi Erenerol, spokesperson for the Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate who was detained within the framework of the Ergenekon operation, was one of the suspects who underwent the longest and the most detailed questioning. Erenerol was asked for the first time the most detailed questions about the document entitled "Ergenekon Analysis, Restructuring, Administration, and Development Project 29 October 1999 Istanbul" that was found in Tuncay Guney's home. Veli Kucuk had not been questioned in such detail about this document. The questions that Sevgi Erenerol was asked by the police showed the kind of detailed and multidirectional plans that the Ergenekon document had included. Sevgi Erenerol gave the same answer to each and every question on the Ergenekon document: "I do not have any information in this regard." The Ergenekon document was written by keeping in mind all the details such as the illegal wings of the organization, the conditions for staging an assassination, the training of the triggermen, and the conditions for carrying out executions within the organization. According to the Ergenekon document, the organization took the risk of applying to illegal routes for creating financial resources. It was had been planned to plant agents in several banks in various countries and to transfer funds from accounts. To become owners of banks, holding companies, and media organs was also among its goals. According to the questions that the police asked Erenerol, the document entitled "Ergenekon Analysis, Restructuring, Administration, and Development Project 29 October 1999 Istanbul" that had been found in the homes of Tuncay Guney, retired General Veli Kucuk, and retired Major Zekeriya Ozturk, included the following: Secrecy is the preliminary condition: This will ensure the country's economic and social determination. Secrecy is the preliminary condition for its success. It is of utmost importance to become aware of the fact that the secrecy of information is of critical importance. Consists of elites: "...Ergenekon will not face any difficulties in overcoming the most important problems that it encounters or will encounter in the future in terms of making use of 'civilian' personnel who also include the elite class of the intellectuals and of all kinds of professions, outside the TSK's valuable personnel." Education abroad is banned: Ergenekon should avoid hiring personnel who have received education abroad. Ties with terrorism: It is absolutely necessary to keep the terrorist organizations under control. If necessary, it is necessary to direct the world of terrorism by establishing 'fake terrorist organizations" and to take place in the game staged by strong intelligence organizations. Cooperation with organizations: It is compulsory to cooperate with national and international legal and illegal organizations that conduct activities within the framework of similar ideals. Assassination is the only way: All systems that have been able to exist in the world have obstructed politicians who used to adopt ideologies that ran counter to the interests of the country and the principles of the existing regime. There are two ways to achieve this goal: 1- Assassination 2- Disinformation. Assassination is the only remaining way for the obstruction of politicians who engage in politics in order to serve their personal interests and who view all means as permissible for achieving their goals. Cadres that consist of university students: We have even a greater problem and that is the employment of personnel who adopt and believe in Kemalism which is the basic reason for the existence of the Turkish Republic and who are able to understand the importance of embracing Ataturk's doctrine and principles. Nonetheless soldiers from army units and youths in their first and second year in the university are positive resources that may be used. The JITEM experience: Ergenekon has gained sufficient experience from a similar experience with the JITEM reality within itself. When a healthy analysis is made in the face of the prejudiced concerns that will be created by the idea of making use of civilian personnel within Ergenekon: When the JITEM experience and the problems that currently exist within Ergenekon are taken into consideration, the concerns will disappear by themselves. No Confidence: The number of the personnel who will take place in the central administration of Ergenekon should be as few as possible. It is necessary to refrain from feeling infinite confidence in the personnel who will be recruited by the organization. This is the requirement of the art of intelligence. As for the personnel who will be selected from illegal circles, it is necessary to prefer those, whose ethnic and political ideologies mostly resemble the ideology and the goals of the organization. Professionals: Three people who will be selected from among the young, capable, educated, and equipped personnel should be able to act on behalf of the organization within Ergenekon (among the units) and outside the organization and they should ensure contact. These people should not be assigned any duties within the organization and they should be employed in a legal job outside the organization. It will be positive to make use of professionals. 'Civilian' organization: Ergenekon is in need of nongovernmental organizations [NGO's] that it will establish. It is easily possible to influence and direct the world public by means of the NGO's. Ergenekon should establish control over all the NGO's that conduct activities in Turkey. Nuclear cadres: Ergenekon should consist of four department commands and two civilian chairmanships that directly operate under the chairman of the organization. The commanders and the chairmen of a total of six units should have two assistants, consisting of one assistant and one department chief. The department expert who will work by the side of the two commanders and chairmen of the units will be in charge of presenting illegal operations as legal operations on legal platforms at home and abroad. The commanders and chairmen of these units should not know anything about each other's duties and responsibilities. This principle will grant Ergenekon a unique characteristic and security among intelligence organizations. Apart from the commander, the chairmen, and the assistants in their own units the agents who will work in these six units should not be able to contact in any way whatsoever the other units or the other personnel. Armed units: Among the units the "Operation Department Command" is the only department that may be given privileges in the assessment of information. It is an absolute reality that no one other than the Ergenekon Organization chairman commander should have information on the existence of this department. Executions within the organization are legitimate: To be inside the operational field means resolving the problems that may arise in procedures such as cleaning or eliminating during the operations. Their second jobs is to kill any agent who has passed to a rival intelligence organization, who has been captured, or who acts in a way that runs counter to the goal of the operation. Merciless agents: ...It is absolutely necessary to select the agents that will be assigned to duties in the Control Department from among very honest and trustworthy persons from the TSK or special operation units. These agents should be merciless and they should be able to perform independently. They should receive their instructions directly from the Ergenekon commander. They should not be recognized by the high-level administrators, organization personnel, or agents. Each and every agent that will be used should undergo training. Activities in the TSK: It is compulsory and necessary for Ergenekon which conducts activities within the framework of the TSK to establish a new structure. When the police began to question Sevgi Erenerol, press spokesperson for the Turkish Orthodox Church, at the Counterterrorism Branch at 0400 on 25 January 2008, the first question was about the Ergenekon document. The police summarized the Ergenekon document as follows: "It has been revealed that there is a secret organization, Ergenekon Analysis, Restructuring, Administration, and Development Project 29 October 1999 Istanbul, that allegedly conducts activities within the framework of the TSK and that is named Ergenekon; that it consists of five department commands and two department chairmanships that operate under the Ergenekon chairman; that the commanders of the five departments consist of TSK members, while the two department chairmen consist of civilians; that there is a structure under the Operation Department Command that is known by the Ergenekon chairman; that the organization conducts activities within the framework of written rules that serve a certain purpose; that the activities that the organization conduct within the framework of written rules and that serve a certain purpose are feasible; and that the organization's goals are: to establish an organization by using TSK members and civilians; using the name, principles, and reforms of Great Leader Kemal Ataturk as a mask; making illegal profits; engaging in secret intelligence activities; engaging in legal and illegal activities; establishing fake terrorist organizations; establishing fake companies; and engaging in methods such as assassination and propaganda; to seize all state positions on the basis of the secrecy principle; and to establish a state structure that is in line with the goals of the organization." Following this question, the police asked Erenerol whether she is the member of the Ergenekon organization. Erenerol said: "I am not a member of the Ergenekon organization. I have not information in this regard. I have not conducted any activities." The Plan About Planting a 'Hacker [last word in English]' in the Bank and Transferring Funds An important part of the Ergenekon document consists of illegal alternatives that are required for finding financial resources. The organization is so daring that it even thinks about opening a bank. Some of the financial activities are as follows: To establish a bank: Ergenekon should rapidly establish holding companies and banks that operate within the framework of its organization and it should ensure an economic-political balance that is in line with its ideology. Pharmaceutical industry: Pharmaceutical and chemistry industries are the leading sectors among the legal commercial activity fields that bring very high profits. Similarly air cargo transportation also occupies an important place. The commercial activities that are conducted in these fields are very suitable for money laundering. Transfers from banks: In order to create financial resources it is necessary to make use of companies that are structured as middle and large-scale corporations, to infiltrate into these companies, and with the information that will be obtained on bank procedures, account numbers, and password codes to transfer funds from accounts via the agents that have been planted in international banks and banks in various foreign countries. These operations should be completed within two to three days. This way, no one will be able to understand who has meddled with the accounts. It is possible to carry out these procedures simply and successfully and there are many computer thieves described as "hackers [last word in English]" for these procedures. It is necessary to make use of these hackers. Companies: The legal commercial companies that will be established by Ergenekon should be kept alive, developed, and strengthened as long as they are not deciphered. Land mafia: Ergenekon should not make use of treasury land in this manner, but it should create resources by making use of the land in terms of speculative profit. Ergenekon should create speculative resources by establishing new organized industrial areas and new collective residences on treasury land. Establishing media institutions: Within the framework of Ergenekon's efforts to control media institutions, it is imperative for Ergenekon to establish its own media institutions. Briefly: Ergenekon is in need of production facilities, commercial holding companies, and banks. Furthermore it is in need of being the direct and the absolute owner of these institutions. There is need for civilian personnel who are experienced in the fields of media, international trade, and banking and whose views are in line with the Kemalist ideology. He Sent Kerincsiz Documents from the Courthouse It has been understood from the testimony he gave to the police that Atilla Aksu who works at the Istanbul Courthouse and who was released after being detained within the framework of the Ergenekon operation used to constantly send Kemal Kerincsiz documents from the courthouse. It was possible to listen to his telephone conversations with Kemal Kerincsiz with a court warrant. In his testimony Aksu noted that he is not a member of the Ergenekon organization. In his phone conversations, [Aksu] called Kerincsiz and constantly said that he has found documents. In his testimony he admitted that he sent Kemal Kerincsiz the documents of the company, whose general manager is Recep Tayyip Erdogan's son in law. Furthermore, during a telephone conversation Aksu said to Kemal Kerincsiz: "I send something on 30 to 40 people. There was a list. O.S. (suspect for Hrant Dink's killing) their addresses are there. Nonetheless later O.S. and their addresses appear, but," Asked about this conversation, Aksu said: "I sent in an envelope the documents associated with the court records of 30 to 40 faculty members who organized the Armenian and Kurdish conference. O.S.'s name was mentioned in these documents." Aksu also noted that he sent Kemal Kerincsiz the case files of various journalists and writers. ES/ Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |