Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-07-23

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkeys Constitutional Court to begin hearing AKP closure case on 28 July

[02] Statements on the Cyprus problem by Erdogan at the Parliament

[03] Statements on the Cyprus problem by Baykal at the Parliament

[04] Avci is satisfied with Erdogans statements

[05] Warning by Serdar Denktas to Talat before the 25 July meeting

[06] Rasit Pertev is asking for the Turkish side to submit a detailed document on the issue of sovereignty

[07] Statements by Ertugruloglu on the Cyprus problem

[08] The CTP is reportedly discussing the reshuffle of the government of the breakaway regime

[09] Bi-communal activities against the war will be organized

[10] Turkeys possible election in the UN Security Council will give greater leverage for Ankara to defend its national interests such as Cyprus

[11] Turkey to acquire a new type of German submarines

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Tango in Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkeys Constitutional Court to begin hearing AKP closure case on 28 July

Under the Constitution, qualified majority of votes is required to disband a political party. Accordingly, at least 7 out of 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 its dissolution.

The chief prosecutor of the Court of Appeals filed a lawsuit on March 14th, asking the top court of Turkey to ban the AK Party for anti-secular activities. In his indictment, the chief prosecutor also demanded 71 people, including President Abdullah Gul, former foreign minister, and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to be banned from politics for five years.

Earlier, rapporteur Osman Can advocated in his report that the court should reject the closure case.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Todays Zaman newspaper (23.07.08) reports that this timetable means that the decision of the Constitutional Court may have immense influence on the appointment of the chief of general staff and on decisions to be made by the Supreme Military Council (YAS). Both the appointment of the chief of general staff and the YAS meeting, at which decisions are made on promotions, retirements and dismissals of army personnel, will take place within the very first few days of August. If the Constitutional Court decides to close the AK Party and manages to have its decision published in the Official Gazette before the YAS meeting, the prime minister to decide the future chief of general staff will be someone other than Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Suggestions had circulated in the past that if the AK Party is closed before the YAS meeting and the appointment of the chief of general staff, Turkey would be dragged into another period of chaos. Constitutional experts had played with different scenarios on who would appoint the next chief of general staff in the absence of a prime minister, who would chair the YAS meeting and, above all, whether the government would fall as soon as the closure decision is given or not. The timetable set yesterday made all these discussions more serious and immediate. According to the timetable set by the Constitutional Court, Turkey may enter into a chaotic period after July 28, and this chaos may hit the military ranks. The court made its decision on the timetable of the closure case yesterday after first deliberating 10 cases dealing with the cancellation of various laws.

[02] Statements on the Cyprus problem by Erdogan at the Parliament

He said that it is not possible for them to give concessions on these issues and referring to those who accuse the AKP government and its policy on Cyprus, he added:

Those who accuse our government of thinking differently on these issues should once more know the following: I am speaking under this roof. If those who accuse us attach great importance to this issue, I would like them to be present at the 34th peace and freedom celebrations, and I have especially asked this. However, we could not see them there. We would like everybody to be there, the government and the opposition, and thus all together to give the world a message from there. This is what we wanted. ...Let no one, absolutely no one expect the Turkish Cypriot people to abandon their own administration, their equal status and their equal partnership. Let no one expect that Turkish Cypriot people will accept living as minority. Let no one dream in vain and desire to change these parameters. Let no one expect such a thing from the AKP government. I am not saying this here. It is also noted at all the international meetings. ....

Referring to his recent illegal visit to the occupied part of Cyprus for the celebrations on the 34th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the Island, Mr Erdogan reminded that he attended the opening ceremonies of many new installations, which have been built with the support of his government. The Turkish Prime Minister reiterated the known views of the Turkish side regarding the invasion and alleged that from the beginning they supported peace in Cyprus. Both before and after the Operation [Translators Note: The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974] we showed our stance in favour of peace and dialogue. We are maintaining this stance today as well.

Noting that some circles accuse the AKP government of selling out Cyprus and of making concessions, Mr Erdogan asked: What have those who are saying these things done for Cyprus until today? What have they done for the solution? What have they done for the economy of Cyprus, the education and the health system? What have they contributed to the tourism of Cyprus? What have they done for the Cyprus cause and for explaining this cause to the whole world? What step have they made for peace in Cyprus? What distance have they covered?

Mr Erdogan said that there is no reply to these questions and added:

Why? Because the reason for their existence is the non-solution. They have neither made a step for the political solution nor did they exert effort for economic development. ...The AKP government has considered the Cyprus problem as a national cause. It has developed an active and constructive policy according to the needs of the time, taking into consideration our national interests on a realistic basis. This policy secured a great opening until today without causing the slightest harm to the national interests of Turkey or the northern Cyprus.

Referring to the growth rate of the economy of the breakaway regime, Mr Erdogan said that in the year 2002 this was 6.9 %, in 2003 11.4 %, in 2004 15.4 %, in 2005 13.5 % and in 2206 13.2 %. He said that the growth decreased in 2007 but they are expecting a high rate of growth in 2008. He noted that per capita income in the occupied areas of Cyprus was 4.409 US dollars in 2002 and today it increased to 14.047 dollars. The exports of the breakaway regime were 45 million US dollars in 2002 and they increased to more than 80 million today. He said that the beds in the tourism sector were 4.493 in 1974, 10.611 in 2002 and 15.832 by the end of 2007. Our target for 2013 is to reach a capacity of 30.000 beds, he added. Referring to the students studying in the illegal universities, Mr Erdogan said that the number of the students from all countries was 24.000 in 2002. This number increased to 43.000 today and their target is to reach 60.000. He noted that together with the Middle East Technical University which built a campus in the occupied areas, the Istanbul Technical University is also building a campus and it will start offering education in two years.

Mr Erdogan said that they are now taking steps to solve the water problem in the occupied areas. I wish that by the end of the year this project will be completed. We will build an undersea system for carrying 75 million cubic meters of water from Anamur to north Cyprus, he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Statements on the Cyprus problem by Baykal at the Parliament

Addressing the parliamentary group of his party yesterday, Mr Baykal argued: These are deceiving words aiming at satisfying the public and covering the concessions given there.

Noting that Mr Erdogan said that land which is taken with blood will not be given away, Mr Baykal asked addressing the Prime Minister: With the Annan Plan did you not accept to give away land taken with blood? Referring to the 1 July agreement between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat for a single sovereignty, Mr Baykal wondered to whom will the sovereignty belong.

Alleging that this will mean the elimination of the TRNC, he wondered: How will you talk about a single state, a single sovereignty and single citizenship in a geography where two separate communities, two separate geographies, two separate histories, two separate religions and two separate languages are living for hundreds of years?

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (23.07.08) refers to the statements made by Mr Erdogan and Mr Baykal under the banner front page title Cyprus caused tension at Turkeys Assembly.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Avci is satisfied with Erdogans statements

In statements to Radio Vatan, Mr Avci argued yesterday that the message sent by this visit is that the Turkish Cypriots are not alone. Mr Avci alleged that the statements of Mr Erdogan during his visit in the occupied areas regarding the two founding states, the guarantees of Turkey and its military presence, are a message which the world should take. He pointed out to the importance of giving this message before the meeting between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat on 25 July.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.07.08)refers to the issue under the title Turgay Avci is satisfied with the messages of Erdogan.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Warning by Serdar Denktas to Talat before the 25 July meeting

Mr Denktas said that Mr Talat should not take a decision for the launching of negotiations on the 25th of July meeting he will hold with Mr Christofias, unless the issues of single sovereignty and single citizenship in the 1st of July agreement are clarified and unless guarantees are given for the equality of the two founding states. Otherwise, Mr Denktas stated he will make a fuss.

Mr Denktas also argued that the country is living a disaster and noted that when DP was in power the occupied areas did not live a similar economic crisis. Referring to the statements made by the self-styled mayor of occupied Lefkosia, Cemal Bulutoglulari, who stated that DP and the National Unity Party (UBP) could be united into a single party, Mr Denktas said that Mr Bulutoglulari has no authority to make comments on this issue.

(CS)

[06] Rasit Pertev is asking for the Turkish side to submit a detailed document on the issue of sovereignty

Mr Pertev alleged also that the term of a new partnership is a completely new concept which was created by President Christofias and he reiterated that the red lines of the Turkish Cypriot community have not changed.

(A/K)

[07] Statements by Ertugruloglu on the Cyprus problem

Speaking in a meeting he had yesterday with the members of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, Mr. Tahsin Ertugruloglu argued that the existence of the «TRNC» constitutes a guarantee for the new partnership to be established. Pointing out the need for a stronger «TRNC», Mr. Ertugruloglu said that this will contribute to the fields of the economy, tourism, agriculture and other sectors.

Mr. Ertugruloglu, in his statements also stressed that the National Unity Party always struggles for the strong existence of the «TRNC» and for that reason they will not accept a solution to the Cyprus problem that would not be based on the existence and sovereignty of the «TRNC».

Mr. Goksu, chairman of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, on his part expressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot side to make single citizenship and single sovereignty priority issues in the meetings of the two leaders. If this does not happen, he said, «then the whole procedure should not continue further». Concluding, Mr. Goksu said that if a solution is not found in the Cyprus problem, the «TRNC» should be recognized.

(/)

[08] The CTP is reportedly discussing the reshuffle of the government of the breakaway regime

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (23.07.08) refers to the issue under the title The CTP is boiling and argues that the fight in the CTP is getting bigger. Invoking reliable sources, the paper writes that Mr Soyer has tabled before the committee of the party a suggestion for changing the ministers of finance, health and public works, Ahmet Uzun, Esref Vaiz and Salih Usar respectively. According to the paper, Mr Soyer wants also to sacrifice Mrs Canan Oztoprak, minister of education, but for the time being she will remain at her post because of her close family relations with the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Bi-communal activities against the war will be organized

(I/Ts.)

[10] Turkeys possible election in the UN Security Council will give greater leverage for Ankara to defend its national interests such as Cyprus

Turkey's previous efforts to win a temporary seat on the 15-member Security Council have mostly failed in the past because of the fact that the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), the UN regional group to which Turkey belongs, is full of powerful countries, according to Sedat Laciner, head of the Ankara-based Strategic Research Organization (ISRO/USAK). Ankara is competing with two more candidates in the WEOG, namely Iceland and Austria, to win one of the two seats reserved for the group.

Taking the job seriously, the Turkish government has lobbied intensively for support for its bid in recent years. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan is currently in New York to lobby for Turkey's bid, and he is scheduled to meet top UN officials and representatives of UN countries. The election for the Security Council will be held in October.

Laciner said Turkey's increased activism in regional politics and growing participation in global projects, such as the UN-backed Alliance of Civilizations initiative, have boosted Turkey's chances of being elected to the Security Council. He told the Anatolia news agency that, unlike in the past, the government is now focusing heavily on lobbying efforts to win the UN seat.

Ankara may find allies in Europe and also receive support from Asia and Africa. The number of Turkey's friends is increasing. Countries that don't love each other love Turkey, Laciner said, referring to ongoing Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel as an example of how enemy countries can both have good ties with Ankara. Turkey has a special talent in this respect. The UN Security Council needs such a country, a country that can generate stability, make peace and boost UN influence, Laciner said.

A temporary seat at the UN Security Council may mean increased international credibility as well as greater leverage for Ankara to defend its national interests in a series of conflicts, such as Cyprus. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who drafted a reunification plan for Cyprus, said in a report to the Security Council following the collapse of his plan after it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots that the Greek Cypriot side was to blame for the failure and called for steps to ease international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, who had supported the plan. But the report has never been approved by the Security Council, reportedly due to veto threat from Russia, a close ally of the Greek Cypriots. Election to the Security Council requires a two-thirds vote in the UN General Assembly. Turkey, which has been working intensively to win support from the world countries since it declared candidacy for the UN seat in 2003, has so far received pledges of backing from many countries. These countries have already exceeded the minimum number of 128.

[11] Turkey to acquire a new type of German submarines

The German Company Howaldswerke-Deutch Werft GMBH in cooperation with the Marine Force International LLP will build the modern submarines which could stay 50 days under sea and with 20 thousand miles cruising capability. The submarines will be commissioned in 2015.Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said that decision has been taken to start negotiations regarding the building contract with the German company. The German company will introduce a new technology and for the first time in the Golcuk Naval shipyards a submarine will be built on a vertical platform.

(MHY)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Tango in Cyprus

First of all, we should thank Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for the commitment he made to Turks in Cyprus in the 34th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation.

Mr. Prime Minister officially and clearly declared in front of Turkish Cypriot Talat and crowd:

"A comprehensive solution is possible only on the basis of the realities of the island. Nobody should expect Turkish Cypriots to give up the idea of self-administration, equal status and equal partnership and to accept living as a minority group.

Nobody should fall into an illusion and make efforts to change these parameters. A comprehensive solution can only be achieved with a new partnership in which Turkish Cypriot people participate equally and as a founder element."

We were not expecting him to speak so frankly given the pressures piled by the European Union.

We did not expect this because the statement made after the meeting of TRNC President Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Christofias on July 1 was completely on the contrary with these remarks.

As you can remember Two leaders discussed the issues of single sovereignty and citizenship which they agreed in principle, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, U.N. special envoy to Cyprus had said following this meeting.

With this, Turkish Cypriots had declared that they gave up on the thesis of a new structure must be formed with two nations, equal status of two founder states, and two zones.

Talat has not denied this declaration until now. On the contrary he defended this view to visiting Turkish Cypriot citizens, according to the presidencys official website.

However, the only way that an agreement based on the one sovereignty, one citizenship principle would take the country is that TRNC would be articulated to Greek Cypriot administration that represents the state of Cyprus state and Turkish Cypriots would become minority. Moreover, Talat gave up the virgin birth principle of the Annan Plan with the declaration of July 1.

The Turkish society in the island had said yes to Annan Plan because it included the minimum requirements they could accept.

Since the Erdogan announced that the promise Talat gave to Christofias was invalid for Turkey, we need to monitor the developments more careful and all together. At the end we all need to know who to condemn or appreciate.

EG/

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