Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-07-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat agreed in principle on the issues of single sovereignty and single nationality

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot and the Turkish press covered yesterdays meeting between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader

[03] Reactions of the Turkish Cypriot parties to the meeting between the two leaders

[04] The illegal regime to establish a representation office in Israel

[05] Cakici called on Soyer to comment on the bribe claims regarding the establishment of the Freedom and Reform Party

[06] Blue flags at the beaches

[07] Ergenekon detentions dominate the political scene in Turkey

[08] Chief prosecutor argues for AKP closure at the Supreme Court of Appeals

[09] Kosovo-Turkey Chamber of Commerce formed

[10] Turkey signs trade agreement with the countries of South America

[11] Parliament rejects CHP bugging probe request

[12] Constitutional Court rejects the Supreme Court of Appeals requst on clos1ng HAK-PAR Party

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat agreed in principle on the issues of single sovereignty and single nationality

Taye-Brook Zerihoun, special representative of the UN Secretary-General and chief of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, told reporters after Tuesday's meeting that the leaders agreed on "a single sovereignty and single nationality" in principle after the meeting which lasted for four and a half hours. Zerihoun stated the meeting took place in a positive atmosphere and activities of technical and working committees were reviewed for the first time.

The two leaders would meet again on July 25th, Zerihoun said.

Talat and Christofias agreed late in March to resume negotiations aiming at a settlement of the Cyprus problem, and their envoys later agreed to set up a number of working groups and committees in an initial attempt to lead the way for substantial talks, concluded the A.A. report.

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot and the Turkish press covered yesterdays meeting between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader

Under the title Bargain for citizenship and sovereignty Kibris reports in its first page that the meeting, which lasted for about four hours and a half was the third meeting between the two leaders and notes that Christofias and Talat will meet again on the 25th of July.

Yeni Duzen reports on the issue under the title One sovereignty, one citizenship and publishes the text of the joint statement issued after the meeting of the two leaders.

Under the title The last meeting on the 25th of July, Star Kibris writes that the leaders met for four hours and a half and issued a joint statement of four and a half lines.

Volkan reports on the same issue under the title We reject this humiliation and writes that Talat succumbed to Christofias and accepted the one sovereignty and one citizenship under the roof of the Republic of Cyprus. Volkan also writes that Talat trampled upon his oath and the constitution. Therefore he does not represent the Turkish Cypriots. The things he has accepted do not bind the Turkish Cypriots. We reject this humiliation, writes the paper.

Under the title The crisis was prevented, Kibrisli reports in its first page that the only success after the four and half hours meeting between the two leaders was the prevention of a crisis. The paper also writes that President Christofias continued to be reluctant as regards the launching of comprehensive negotiations and tried to gain time. The paper also writes that the meeting came very close to a breaking point and it was due to Talats efforts that the crisis was overcome.

Under the title Again on the 25th of July, Vatan writes that the issues of citizenship and sovereignty were the only issues discussed at the four hours and a half meeting held between Christofias and Talat who are meeting again on the 25th of July.

Under the title Once again no date for negotiations!, Halkin Sesi writes that the date for the launching of comprehensive negotiations was not determined during yesterdays meeting and adds that Mr Talat will inform today at 16.30 the Turkish Cypriot political parties about the meeting.

Afrika reports on the same issue under the title One citizenship, one sovereignty and writes that these were the main issues discussed over the Christofias -Talat meeting.

In addition Turkish daily Milliyet (02.07.08) publishes a report on the issue by the papers correspondent in the occupied part of Cyprus Sefa Karahasan under the title Again no negotiation date according to which Christofias and Talat met yesterday for the third time. Prior to the meeting which did not result to anything, Christofias said to the Austrian paper Kurier that with Talat, they fight against the Turkish occupation and the dependence to the motherland, writes Milliyet. Mr Karahasan also observes that the leaders, who started the negotiations with shaking hands in the previous meetings, yesterday for the first time they did not pose together to the press. It is also observed that after the meeting there was a distance between the two leaders, concludes Milliyets report.

Turkish daily Radikal (02.07.08) under the title The Cypriot leaders have reached to agreement for a single sovereignty and citizenship, reports on yesterdays meeting between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. The paper also reports that it is confirmed that the former Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, will be appointed as the United Nations Special Representative for Cyprus.

(CS/DPs)

[03] Reactions of the Turkish Cypriot parties to the meeting between the two leaders

Kibris reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) stated that it is not satisfied with the fact that comprehensive negotiations are not starting following yesterdays meeting between President Demetris Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat. The party also stated that the fact that the two leaders are meeting on the 25th of July is very positive and asked for the determination of a date for launching negotiations at that meeting.

Volkan reports that Mr Serdar Denktas, the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), reacted sharply to the agreement between President Demetris Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, for one citizenship and one sovereignty and stated that they will fight against this agreement.

Mr Denktas stated that they will never adopt the approach of one sovereignty whatever its principle and its content may be and that they will oppose to this until the end. He added that the Turkish Cypriot people are far from accepting this approach and that Mr Talat must act as a president approaching issues according to the will of the people and not with the views of CTP. Mr Denktas emphasized that they will fight against this agreement until the end.

Penning on yesterdays meeting between the two leaders in Kibris, columnist Hasan Hasturer writes, inter alia, that during the meeting Talat insisted that a date for the launching of comprehensive negotiations be determined in order to be announced to the public. As he notes, if Talat insisted even harder on the issue, the negotiations would have been ended.

Volkan reports on the reaction of Mr Ahmet Yonluer, chairman of the Politics for the People Party (HIS), to statements by President Demetris Christofias to the Austrian newspaper Kourier. According to Volkan, Mr Christofias stated to the Austrian newspaper that he and Mr Talat are fighting against the occupation and the dependence to the motherland.

Mr Yonluer reacted sharply to these statements stating that Mr Talat did not react but he is obliged to make a statement on the issue. Mr Yonluer wonders whether or not Mr Christofias and Mr Talat had a secret agreement and if this is the case why the Turkish Cypriot people are not aware. Mr Yonluer stated that Mr Talat has to answer these questions to the people. This is a great accusation, Mr Yonluer added.

(CS/EA)

[04] The illegal regime to establish a representation office in Israel

Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci has announced that work towards opening a representation office in Israel will soon be completed.

Mr Avci was speaking during a visit paid to him by a delegation from the Turkic World Youth Organization.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr Avci pointed the importance of the support being provided by the Alliance to the efforts aimed at explaining Turkish Cypriot peoples rightful cause to the Turkic World and other countries.

He complained that the Greek Cypriot Side was doing everything it could to maintain the international isolation on the Turkish Cypriot People at a time when the negotiations process was continuing but said that the TRNC will continue its initiatives towards lifting the isolation.

During the visit, the Foreign Minister also briefed the members of the Turkic World Youth Organization on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue.

[05] Cakici called on Soyer to comment on the bribe claims regarding the establishment of the Freedom and Reform Party

(CS)

[06] Blue flags at the beaches

Mr Thomson, who is accompanied by the General Secretary of the International Development Association, Mr Tahir Pirgalioglu, visited the beaches of Acapulco, Alagadi and Escape and gathered information regarding the environment. According to the paper, Mr Thomson, who will stay on the island for two days, will examine all the coasts in occupied Cyprus and he will determine if the coasts fulfill the criteria for the Blue Flag. Tahir Pirgalioglu stated, inter alia, to Star Kibris that in case no political issue arises, the beaches in occupied Cyprus can carry the Blue Flag.

(CS)

[07] Ergenekon detentions dominate the political scene in Turkey

Turkey's main share index closed down more than 4 percent in the morning session on Tuesday as the new round of detainments increased the political risk perception and the weakness in global markets continue.

The Istanbul main share index ended the first session 4.2 percent weaker at 33,615.6 points, its weakest since July 2006.

Benchmark bond yields rose to 22.67 percent in individual trade, their highest levels since October 2006. The average yield for the Jan. 13, 2010 was 22.52 percent.

Turkey's lira currency had also weakened to as far as 1.2400 against the dollar 1.3 percent weaker than Monday's closing level of 1.2235 after new round of detainments in the Ergenekon.

Turkey is in uncharted territory and we can't be sure what's going to happen, Emre Tezmen, managing director of Tera Stockbrokers, told Reuters, adding that it was the first time such high profile officials had been detained. Turkey's politics are in chaos and meanwhile global markets are in terrible shape.

Todays Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press cover the Ergenekon detentions as follows:

In its front page, under the banner headlines Arrests in the army , Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (02.06.08) reports: Sixth wave in Ergenekon case. Retired general Eruygur has been taken into custody at the military officers' club and Hurit Tolon has been taken into custody at the military housing. With the decision of Istanbul 10th Assize Court, simultaneous operations were held in four different cities at the early hours in the morning yesterday. Eight retired generals, three journalists, the chairman of ATO and one constructor have been taken into custody. The paper under the subtitle Retired full generals taken into custody at officer's club , reports: Former First Army Commanding General Hurit Tolon was taken into custody, during which he told Sabah there is no arrest. Twenty-three people were taken into custody, including retired full general Hurit Tolon, the chairman of the Kemalist Thought Society and retired general ^ener Eruygur. A former deputy for the AK Party, Turhan Çömez and two other individuals are still wanted. Buildings housing the Kemalist Thought Society in both Ankara and Istanbul were searched. It is claimed that the 1,500 page indictment on the investigation into Ergenekon will be completed by the end of the week and will be submitted to the court. It is stated that an additional indictment will be prepared for those who were taken into custody in the latest operation.

In its front page, under the title A raid to generals Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (02.06.08) reports that the retired general Eruygur has been taken into custody at the military officers' club and Hurit Tolon has been taken into custody at the military housing. Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun and Cumhuriyet s correspondent in Ankara Balbay were also taken into police custody.

In its front page under the banner headlines The biggest detention, Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (02.06.08) reports that two former army commanders, a journalist and a leader of a business group were taken into custody under the Ergenekon operation.

In its front page under the banner headlines Finally some big fishes, Turkish daily Radikal newspaper (02.06.08) reports that Egenekon reached to some very powerful names.

In its front page under the title Ergenekon reached to four commanders, two of them were generals; a blow to the moonlight , Turkish daily Bugun newspaper (02.06.08) reports that twenty persons were taken into custody among them Former First Army Commanding General Hurit Tolon and former commander of Gendarmerie General Command retired Gen. Sener Eruygur with the allegation that they were planning a coup d état with the code names moonlight and blonde girl during his Gendarmerie General Commandership.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (02.06.08) reports in its first page about the arrest in Turkey of 21 persons in the framework of the investigations into the Ergenekon organization. Among the persons who were arrested are the chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Sinan Aygun, the retired General Sener Eruygur, the retired General Hursit Tolon and journalist Mustafa Balbay, Director of the Ankara Office of the Cumhuriyet newspaper.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.06.08) reports on the same issue under the title Custody earthquake in Ergenekon and writes that those persons in Turkey who were very close friends with Denktas for years now are one by one put under arrest.

Afrika notes that among the persons who were arrested yesterday in Turkey is the chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Sinan Aygun, who was recently granted the TRNC citizenship and two retired generals. This development created shock in Turkey, notes Afrika and invoking political sources, writes that the issue of the arrests was discussed at the last meeting held between the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan and General Ilker Basbug.

(DPs/ CS)

[08] Chief prosecutor argues for AKP closure at the Supreme Court of Appeals

A Turkish chief prosecutor made a verbal statement in a closure case against the ruling party on Tuesday.

Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya, chief prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals, made a verbal statement regarding the closure case against the Justice and Development (AK) Party in Ankara.

The verbal statement at the Constitutional Court, the top court of Turkey, lasted one and a half hours.

AK Party executives will make a verbal defense on Thursday. State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and Bekir Bozdag, deputy chairman of the AK Party group at the parliament, are expected to defend their party.Later, a rapporteur to be assigned by the court will prepare a report on the merits of the case.

In this phase, the chief prosecutor can submit further evidence and AK Party can submit additional material to the rapporteur. Then, the report will be distributed to the 11 members of the court for consideration.

Afterwards, Constitutional Court Chief Judge Hasim Kilic will set a date and the court will start hearing the case on its merits.

Under the Constitution, majority of votes is required to outlaw a political party. Accordingly, at least 7 of the 11 members of the court need to vote in favor of the closure of the party.

The Constitutional Court can also rule to deprive the AK Party of financial assistance of the Treasury instead of closing it down.

Yalcinkaya filed a lawsuit on March 14th, asking the top court of Turkey to close the AK Party. He claimed that the party has become the focal point of anti-secular activities.

In his indictment, the chief prosecutor demanded 71 people, including President Abdullah Gul, former foreign minister, and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to be banned from politics for five years.

On March 31st, the Constitutional Court convened to make a preliminary assessment of the indictment and the judges accepted to open a debate on it unanimously while they voted 7-4 on the part of the indictment related to President Gul.

AK Party submitted its preliminary written defense to the court on April 30th, and the chief prosecutor submitted his opinion on the merits of the case on May 30th.

[09] Kosovo-Turkey Chamber of Commerce formed

Mustafa Sarnic, undersecretary of Turkey's coordination bureau in Kosovo, said at a news conference on Tuesday that the chamber would act as a bridge between Kosovar and Turkish companies.

"The chamber was established with the support of Turkish businessmen. It will provide Turkish businessmen with some facilities in their investments in Kosovo," he said.

Oguz Turkeli, director of the Turkish Airlines Office in Pristina, was elected as chairman of the Kosovo-Turkey Chamber of Commerce.

[10] Turkey signs trade agreement with the countries of South America

Turkey has opened to South American market, economy bureaucrats said on Tuesday. Turkey signed a preferential trade agreement with Mercosur, the common market of South America, in a summit in Argentina.

Mercosur is a Regional Trade Agreement (RTA) among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay founded in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción, which was later amended and updated by the 1994 Treaty of Ouro Preto. Its purpose is to promote free trade and the movement of goods, people, and currency. Turkish foreign trade bureaucrats aim to open to South American market by signing a free trade agreement with Mercosur. The preferential trade agreement signed in Argentina would constitute a frame agreement for free trade agreement negotiations, the bureaucrats also said.

Turkish exports to Mercosur states were around 171 million USD in 2006 and 304 million USD in 2007. Imports from the region by Turkey were around 1.3 billion USD in 2006 and 1.6 billion USD in 2007.

Mercosur is defined as the third biggest economic integration in the world following the European Union (EU) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Venezuela joined the market in 2006. Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico signed free trade agreements with Mercosur and became a partner to the market.

The bloc has a market figure around 1 trillion USD and comprises a population of around 200 million.

[11] Parliament rejects CHP bugging probe request

The motion was submitted by CHP deputy group chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu and 56 other deputies when CHP Secretary-General Onder Sav accused the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) of using its alleged influence inside the police force to bug CHP headquarters. Although Sav's claims were mostly refuted, the CHP went ahead with the motion.

[12] Constitutional Court rejects the Supreme Court of Appeals requst on clos1ng HAK-PAR Party

The prosecutor had demanded that HAK-PAR be closed as its bylaws and program contains provisions that violate the indivisible integrity of the state with its country and nation. However, the court had rejected the case as it could not secure the qualified majority necessary for party closure. The courts decision noted that political parties are lawful organizations established freely by citizens having similar political views and to which they can freely join and from which they can resign at will, and they are protected under the Constitution as well as the European Convention on Human Rights.

Given the fact that in countries where democracy is adopted with all of its institutions and principles, political parties are not banned unless they pose a serious threat to the regime, it is not possible to argue that our Constitution, which has as a goal the attainment of the level of a contemporary civilization, allows for party bylaws and programs, which can be treated as manifestations of freedom of speech, to be cited as reasons for the closure of parties, it said.

It stated that HAK-PAR saw the Kurdish problem as Turkeys primary problem and pledged to solve it in a fair manner. The party coming up with its own proposals for a solution to a problem which it describes as the Kurdish problem, as stated in its bylaws and program, cannot be regarded as the rejection of the concept of nation on the basis of citizenship, it read.

The courts decision further noted that the closure case had been brought soon after the party was established, adding: The expressions concerning the existence of a certain problem and proposals about its solution should be considered as within the scope of freedom of speech and expression in a democratic regime. It further indicated that the prosecutor failed to provide evidence showing that the party will use unconstitutional methods to achieve its goals.

While six members voted for the closure of the party, five members voted against it, effectively eliminating the possibility of the court deciding to shut down the party. The Constitution stipulates that at least seven members of the court must vote for closure for it to be effective.

The members of the Constitutional Court who voted for the closure of HAK-PAR maintained that some phrases in the bylaws and program of the party clearly violated the indivisible integrity of the state with its country and nation. They argued that even this is sufficient to close the party because party closure should be regarded as a necessary measure in a democratic society within the limits of the legitimate purpose notion under paragraph two of Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

EG/

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