Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-07-15

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ergun Olgun has sent a letter to the Turkish Cypriot leader expressing his disagreement with Mr Talats policy on the Cyprus problem

[02] Kalyoncu criticizes Ertugruloglu for his statements against the CTP and Talat

[03] Ertugruloglu discussed the Cyprus problem with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce

[04] The Civilian Defense Seminar-2008 started; Soyer: The TRNC should continue its way

[05] Turkey refused to give the breakaway regime 200 million YTL

[06] Turkish Cypriot MPs held contacts in Strasbourg

[07] Reactions to the environmental disaster in the occupied areas continue

[08] Alanli said he would join a political party next week

[09] A new chairperson and a judge are appointed to the high court

[10] Foreign Badminton teams will participate in a tournament to take place in occupied Lefkosia.

[11] Gul to host meeting on Turkeys EU process

[12] Turkish prosecutor briefs media on Ergenekon case

[13] Turkey, Israel committed to giant energy project

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist in Kibris assesses Erdogans illegal visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus

[15] From the Turkish press of 14 July 2008

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ergun Olgun has sent a letter to the Turkish Cypriot leader expressing his disagreement with Mr Talats policy on the Cyprus problem

Under the title Strong criticism to Talat by Olgun, Kibris writes that in his letter, Mr Olgun argued that in the current conditions no reference could be made to the sovereignty deriving from the two peoples/ two communities as it was provided for in the Ghali Set of Ideas in 1992. He argued that no reference could also be made to the establishment of a new partnership of two peoples/ states and even to the formula of virgin birth as it was provided for in the Annan Plan in 2004.

Mr Olgun alleged that Mr Talat by accepting as guide the concepts of single sovereignty and single citizenship has mortgaged both a possible agreement and the future of the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Kalyoncu criticizes Ertugruloglu for his statements against the CTP and Talat

Mr Kalyoncu, in a statement issued yesterday, accused Mr Ertugruloglu of insulting the people and said that Mr Ertugruloglu is exerting efforts to show that Talat and the government, who have been elected by the great majority of the people, do not have any authority in the solution process. He argued that Mr Ertugruloglu should first see his position in his own party.

Mr Kalyoncu described the statement by Mr Ertugruloglu that Mr Talat is giving away the sovereignty of the people to the Greek Cypriots, as statement from the past and added that it seems comical.

Referring to Mr Ertugruloglus statement regarding the national cause, Mr Kalyoncu wondered who determined the national cause and added: This understanding is an insult to the people and their will. It seems like Mr Tahsin has no intention of abandoning the habits of the former UBP government period. ...

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ertugruloglu discussed the Cyprus problem with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce

In his statements, Mr Ertugruloglu argued that the ground regarding the Cyprus problem is wrong and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is dictating the process. Mr Ertugruloglu claimed that Mr Talat has become a toy in the hands of the Greek Cypriot leader in an aim to prevent President Christofias from abandoning the negotiating table.

The chairman of KTTO, Hasan Ince, in his statements before the meeting, argued that the fact that the UBP opposed the referendum in 2004 and wanted to prevent the will of the Turkish Cypriots was a historic mistake. I hope you will not commit this historic mistake once more, he said to the UBP delegation.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Civilian Defence Seminar-2008 started; Soyer: The TRNC should continue its way

Addressing the opening ceremony, the self-styled prime minister, Ferdi Sabit Soyer underlined the importance of the seminar and said that what is important is to ensure that the TRNC continues its way as a modern, democratic country, a productive country deserving to be among the European countries and a country in which both its citizens and the foreigners feel secure from every aspect.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkey refused to give the breakaway regime 200 million YTL

Mr Soyer justified the stance of Turkey, noting that this is the right approach and that Turkey itself has been influenced by the world economic crisis and needs 52 billion US dollars just to close the deficit caused by the increasing oil prices.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish Cypriot MPs held contacts in Strasbourg

The TRNC Parliamentary delegation has returned to the Republic at the end of its contacts at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

During their stay in the city, the Republican-Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) MP Salih Izbul and the National Unity Party (UBP) MP Hasan Tacoy attended the Socialist and Liberal groups meetings with an observer status.

Mr Izbul told the BRT that they explained the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue during their discussions at the European Parliament.

He said that the meeting held on the 1st of July between President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias was on top of all the meetings they attended during their stay in Strasbourg.

He noted that they also underlined the need to encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards immediately starting the fully-fledged negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

[07] Reactions to the environmental disaster in the occupied areas continue

The Environmental Committee of the Social Democrat Party (TDP) issued a statement noting that the tens of thousands, who have come to these days with the success they achieved in the squares, should not forget that they are also being eliminated together with the environment.

The United Cyprus Party (BKP) issued a statement saying, inter alia, the following: The Ipsaro Hill and the Pentathaktylos Mountains are a property of the people of Cyprus. We will not allow you to put the Ipsaro Hill for sale and eliminate the Pentathaktylos Mountains.

In its statement issued by Murat Kanatli, secretary of the executive committee of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), it is noted that: A comprehensive action is needed for saving Karpass, Ipsaro and Agios Sergios. Our country cannot be plundered for more profit, more unearned income. The YKP also expressed the view that the population in the northern part of Cyprus should be taken under control and all kinds of tourism activities carried out in a non-ethical manner (commercial education, gambling, health) should be examined.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Alanli said he would join a political party next week

I am open to all parties. I will evaluate their proposals and take my decision, said Mr Alanli.

Responding to accusations that he has been sold to another party for money, Mr Alanli said: Yes, I have dept in the market, I am not denying this. However, I sold my block of apartments in Famagusta and by one week I will pay all my debts...

(I/Ts.)

[09] A new chairperson and a judge are appointed to the high court

(I/Ts.)

[10] Foreign Badminton teams will participate in a tournament to take place in occupied Lefkosia.

Halkin Sesi reports that except the «Turkish Cypriot National Badminton team», the national teams of Turkey, Bosnia Herzegovina and FYROM will participate in the tournament.

(AK)

[11] Gul to host meeting on Turkeys EU process

President Abdullah Gul is preparing to host a meeting next week of bureaucrats and deputies in charge of relations with the European Union amid widespread criticism that the process of Turkey's membership bid in the 27-nation bloc has lost pace.

Foreign Ministry diplomats, bureaucrats from the Prime Ministry's Secretariat-General for EU Affairs and executive members of Parliament's EU Harmonization Commission will gather at the Cankaya presidential palace on July 21. The participants will discuss measures that need to be taken to sustain momentum in Turkey's membership process, stalled amid domestic political tensions at home and opposition to Turkish entry from certain European countries.

Turkey was declared a candidate to join the EU in 2005, but progress in the accession talks on 35 chapters, or policy areas, has been very slow since then. France, a fierce opponent of Turkey's membership in the EU, took over the bloc's rotating presidency this month. But French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who claims Turkey that does not geographically or culturally belong to Europe, told Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday that talks will continue as planned during the French presidency. Erdogan and Sarkozy met for about half an hour on the sidelines of a summit in Paris held to launch the 43-nation Union for the Mediterranean.

Gul, who played a key role in opening of accession talks with the EU as the Turkish foreign minister, has continued to treat the EU membership bid as a priority since his election as president in 2007. In February Gul visited the Foreign Ministry and the Secretariat-General for EU Affairs, asking the officials to treat EU matters as a top priority. On May 9, marked in Europe as Europe Day, Gul also hosted a reception.

Next week's meeting is expected to reiterate that membership efforts must be revitalized and focus on legal reforms pending at Parliament's EU Harmonization Commission. There are 16 reform bills at the commission, which is tasked with examining the compliance of bills and proposed reforms with EU standards. Since autumn of last year the commission has assessed 10 bills, later forwarding them to Parliament for a vote.

[12] Turkish prosecutor briefs media on Ergenekon case

The indictment regarding the operation "Ergenekon" was filed at an Istanbul court on Monday, indicting 86 people on charges of attempting to overthrow Turkish government, a prosecutor said.

Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Aykut Cengiz Engin unveiled technical details of the indictment on Ergenekon investigation at a press conference.

The indictment includes 86 suspects, 48 of whom are in prison, Engin said. He said the 2455-page indictment and its 441-folder annexes accused the suspects of being members of an armed terrorist organization, aiding the armed terrorist organization, attempting to overthrow Turkish government by force, inciting people to armed insurgency, possessing and throwing explosives, instigating these crimes, instigating the attack on Council of State and bombing of daily Cumhuriyet, having secret documents on state security, recording personal data, encouraging military disobedience, inciting people to enmity and animosity.

An alleged criminal network that came to be known as Ergenekon was revealed after police seized hand grenades, TNT explosives and fuses in a shanty house in Istanbul on June 12th, 2007 and Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into weapons.

Several Turkish figures, including two senior retired generals, a political party leader and a business leader, were detained and sent to prison within the scope of the investigation.

The court had 15 days to decide whether to accept the indictment, Engin said. He said the contents of the indictment would only be unveiled if accepted by the court.

He responded to criticism that preparation of the indictment had taken more than a year, saying it was an extensive probe and there was a huge volume of documents and number of suspects.

Engin also said that prosecutors had not launched any investigations into coup diaries published by a magazine and claimed to be written by former Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ozden Ornek.

[13] Turkey, Israel committed to giant energy project

Israel's infrastructure minister is set to arrive in Turkey Thursday to participate in the formal launch of another major phase in a strategic multi-purpose pipeline to carry oil, natural gas, water and electricity from Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan to southern Israel, learned the Turkish Daily News.

Benjamin Ben-Elizer will hold detailed discussions with Turkey's Energy Minister Hilmi Guler over investment and operational costs of the planned pipeline. Given the positive outcome of the preliminary feasibility studies, the two sides are expected to launch the next stage in the project: A comprehensive feasibility analysis that requires serious investments and strong political will.

The project - estimated to cost around $4 billion--is considered an extension of the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline project and if realized, will pump oil from Ceyhan to Israel's 254-kilometer Ashkelon-Eilat pipeline - also known as the Trans-Israel pipeline or Tipline--and from there to a Red Sea port via the existing pipeline network to reach its final destination, India.

By using the same undersea pipeline network Israel will also be supplied with fresh water from Turkey's Manavgat Dam and electricity for domestic consumption.

The energy project was one of the issues discussed by Turkish and Israeli diplomats during a recent economic consultations meeting at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Officials say the project can be considered challenging but it is not impossible - citing the 1,768 kilometre Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline shipping crude oil from the Caspian region to the Mediterranean Sea since 2006. The Turkish and Israeli governments will finance the project but the private sector needs to be a part of it in order to realize the plans. As the pipeline will extend toward the Far East, the involvement of China and India is seen as inevitable. Officials say the details and the alternative financing models will mature during negotiations between the two sides. Guler has previously said Turkey is holding talks with Russia to supply the planned conduit with natural gas. Central Asian countries including Azerbaijan and states from the Caspian Sea - the world's third-largest oil and gas reserve--are also among the options.

Projections about the finalization of the giant project are not available yet but the feasibility studies are expected to complete in 2009.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist in Kibris assesses Erdogans illegal visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus

Under the title Who gives a damn about Cyprus, begins his column with the reply of Yasar Yakis, Turkeys former Minister of Foreign Affairs, to a Greek Cypriot Member of the European Parliament who asked him what will Turkey do regarding the Cyprus problem. According to Mr Duzgun, the reply of Mr Yakis could be summarized as our house is burning now, who cares about Cyprus?

Mr Duzgun adds the following:

The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan is preparing to come to Cyprus within the framework of the 20 July activities. Erdogan came before as well for the celebrations of 20 July. However, those visits remained within the framework of one-day visits. This time, in a climate where Ankara has been turned into a place of fire, Erdogan will spend exactly three days in Cyprus. What is the meaning of the visit being as long as three days? Of course, it is definite that Erdogan wants to give the image that he is on duty and he is closely interested in the overseas issues. He wants to show that he is not behaving like a prime minister the party of whose will be closed down. This is the part regarding Turkey. Very well, what the part regarding the Cyprus problem will be? Are important decisions going to come out from the three-day visit in the eve of the beginning of the negotiations? Or no one cares about Cyprus, like Yasar Yakis said?

Nowadays, everybody is talking about the virtues of a solution to be found by the Cypriots, but no one can ignore the influence of Turkey in the Cyprus problem. Turkey is in a position further from being a side in the Cyprus problem. According to the international law, the northern part of Cyprus is under Turkeys responsibility. If a solution is to be achieved, there are many steps that Turkey should make. In case of a non-solution, the responsibility may belong to Turkey. Therefore, whatever the situation in Ankara, Turkey has the obligation of being closely interested in the Cyprus problem. We hope, Erdogans three-day long visit is evaluated from this point of view and is turned into an opportunity for taking important decisions in the way which will reach a solution. Otherwise, it could be the beginning of a painful process.

(I/Ts.)

[15] From the Turkish press of 14 July 2008

a) Turkish-Iraqi Talks:

In an article entitled "Erdogan returns from Baghdad with a last-minute oil deal," Turkish Daily News columnist Cengiz Candar highlights comments made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the results of his recent visit to Iraq.

A report entitled "Oil exploration in Black Sea set to begin after US application" in Hurriyet quotes Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler as saying that they discussed various proposals, including transmission of surplus electricity generated in countries in the Persian Gulf to Europe via Iraq and Turkey and to build a new pipeline to convey natural gas to be produced in Iraq during Erdogan's visit to Iraq.

In an article entitled "So you thought 1 March was the end of the world", Yeni Safak columnist Hakan Albayrak argues that the results of Prime Minister Erdogan's recent visit to Iraq - the signing of a "High-Level strategic cooperation" treaty as well as other agreements arranging for the Turkish Petroleum Corporation to be added to a list of oil companies eligible to place bids for oil contracts in Iraq - have given the lie to earlier predictions that Ankara's refusal to let the United States open a northern front on Iraq in 2003 would effectively prevent Turkey from taking part in the restructuring of Iraq.

b) New Pipeline for Iranian Natural gas:

According to a report entitled "Pipeline for Iranian natural gas enters bidding phase," Iran has accelerated efforts to invite proposals for the construction of a 420-km long pipeline between Miyandoab and Bazergan for conveying natural gas to Turkey and Europe.

c) Foreign Investors:

Under the headline, "Foreigners make a killing," Milli Gazete runs a front-page report which calls attention to the "serious economic problems" heralded by foreign investors' transfer of the money they earn in Turkey to their own countries. According to the report, foreigners have transferred abroad some $7,5 billion earned from direct investments and some $17 billion earned from portfolio investments ever since the AKP came to power.

d) Attack Against Police Post in Istanbul:

A report entitled "First arrest in attack on consulate" in Hurriyet says that a suspect named Dursun Patan has been remanded in custody after appearing before a court in connection with an armed attack carried out by a group of terrorists against police officers outside of the US Consulate in Istanbul on 9 July. According to the report, two other suspects, including Served Cinar and Resat Anli were released on bail. Sources said that the suspects were the members of an organization with a religious motive and their suspected connections with Al-Qa'ida were still under investigation.

In an article entitled "The fact behind the attack," Hurriyet columnist Fatih Cekirge analyzes factors that led to the terrorist attack in Istanbul and says that the PKK and Al-Qa'ida have decided to cooperate against Turkey and the United States which they regard as their common enemies.

A report entitled "It was a hit-and-run attack, not a suicide attack" in Taraf quotes associate professor Ihsan Bal, an expert on international terrorism and security from the International Strategic Studies Agency, as saying that the terrorists who attacked police could not carry out their plan to kill some people and to run away because the police officers responded quickly and surprised them. He says: "This attack was carried out by Turkish Al-Qa'ida. People should know that there is not a central Al-Qa'ida which controls all groups. Al-Qa'ida is actually a doctrine and manifesto.

Under the headline, "'Deep suspicion about attack in front of consulate general," Zaman carries a front-page report which asserts that some of the suspects in the attack on the US Consulate General in Istanbul have claimed that Erkan Kargin, "the person who organized the assault," was visited frequently by certain state officials prior to the attack.

e) Turkish-Armenian Relations:

A report entitled "We hope that Gul will watch the match" in Hurriyet quotes a US official in Washington as saying that Turkey would make an important overture to Armenia if Turkish President Abdullah Gul flies to Yerevan to watch a World Cup qualifier between Turkish and Armenian soccer teams in response to a formal invitation extended by Armenia's President. The same source said: "We are in favour of talks, rapprochement, and normalization between the two neighbouring countries."

EG/

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