Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-09-16

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriots are not ready for a solution

[02] Erdogan replied to those who accuse him of making concessions in Cyprus

[03] Babacan alleged that an open ended procedure will be risky in Cyprus

[04] The Turkish Cypriots replied to FIFAs proposals; They want a commission to be formed by the self-styled Turkish Cypriot Federation, CFA and FIFA/UEFA until a political solution in Cyprus is reached

[05] The chairman of the Nicosia Bar Association said that 60 % of the serious crimes committed in the occupied areas of Cyprus are imported from abroad

[06] More illegal migrants from Syria were arrested in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[07] The First Turkish Italian Government Summit to take place in November

[08] The US Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed regional matters with Turkish President and Gen. Basbug

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Commentary by Ilter Turkmen about Babacans statements on the Cyprus problem

[10] From the Turkish Press of 15 September 2008

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriots are not ready for a solution

In his presentation Mr Talat said that the Turkish side was the one that asked for the blackout to the press regarding the negotiations and alleged that the Greek Cypriot press publishes speculative information which could influence the procedure negatively. Mr Talat said that he asked from President Christofias not to communicate with him through the press and to tell him personally if he wants something. He argued that the Greek Cypriot side did not listen to his call regarding not bargaining through the press and added that all the Greek Cypriot politicians continue to reply to everything that the Turkish side says.

Mr Talat said that after the meeting on 11 September, he gave an interview to the Turkish TRT television because he had promised earlier to do so. He alleged that in that interview he referred to general issues and did not bring onto the agenda the topics discussed during the negotiations. Mr Talat said that what he has asked was not to talk about the issues discussed during the negotiations and added that he had not asked not to talk about the Cyprus problem.

Mr Talat alleged that in case he makes statements to the Greek Cypriot press on these issues, the Greek Cypriot newspapers will not publish them. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot press does not publish things that the government does not want it to publish. He argued that the Greek Cypriot newspapers do not even publish advertisements given by the Turkish side.

Mr Talat argued that the conditions existing today are the most appropriate for the solution of the Cyprus problem and alleged that the situation is this in spite of the behavior of the Greek Cypriots. Mr Talat said that the solution will be a solution acceptable and approved by both sides and added that they will experience very serious give and take processes until reaching this solution.

Mr Talat described as unacceptable the allegation of the Greek Cypriot leadership that the Greek Cypriot side made its concession in 1977 and that it cannot make another concession and cross its red lines. Mr Talat argued that in case the Greek Cypriot side says in advance that it is not open for a progress on this issue, no progress will be achieved.

We tried to ask what concession was given to us and received a reply mixed with anger, said Mr Talat and wondered whether this is federation. He said:

Was the Republic of Cyprus not a kind of federation already? Was the Republic of Cyprus not administered with a method in which the decision taking mechanism would stop in case of a veto by the Turkish vice president? And were the Turkish Cypriot not holding their elections as separate community? Was the Communal Chamber not carrying out the functions of the founding state provided for in the Annan Plan? It means that turning that Republic of Cyprus, which we call functional federation, into a bi-zonal federation, has come out as a result of the new conditions created by the events experienced in 1974, created by the Peace Operation after the coup. This was not a concession. It was a rearrangement. The Turkish Cypriots were not taking additional rights. They were re-forming in these conditions their rights formed before in those conditions.

Mr Talat said that 31 years passed since 1977 and argued that it is meaningless to consider that agreement superior to the agreements of 8 July and 23 May, where new terminology was used. All these are nothing else than efforts to squeeze or erode in a sense the rights we as Turkish Cypriots acquired since then, he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Erdogan replied to those who accuse him of making concessions in Cyprus

Referring to Cyprus he argued: What have we done that they say we are giving it away? On the contrary, they are currently running away and we are chasing them. However, before us they were those who were chasing, because Turkey as a guarantor power was not at the table. North Cyprus was also not there. However, now North Cyprus is at any moment at the table. Turkey as guarantor power is at any moment at the table. They are those who are running away. We will always be a step ahead, but we shall never allow our rights to be usurped. The formula is the win-win formula. You win and I win. That is, the one cannot lose and the other to win. It is not possible for us to accept that mentality.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Babacan alleged that an open ended procedure will be risky in Cyprus

I think that the open ended procedure will be risky. I see a benefit in achieving quick progress without spoiling the existing climate. The lost opportunity may not be given once more for many years.

Mr Babacan noted that they acquired the impression that efforts are exerted for a tradition to be established regarding the opening two chapters of the accession negotiations with Turkey during each presidency of the EU. He said that Prime Minister Erdogan asked from the French President Sarkozy the opening of three chapters and added that France is exerting efforts for launching negotiations in three chapters. He said that they will be happy if these efforts give a result.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Turkish Cypriots replied to FIFAs proposals; They want a commission to be formed by the self-styled Turkish Cypriot Federation, CFA and FIFA/UEFA until a political solution in Cyprus is reached

The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriots prepared two packages of proposals under the name Plan A and Plan B and that after the meeting with Mr Talat they decided to send to FIFA the Plan B. Mr Adal stated that in Plan A they were not accepting to become a member of the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) and added:

A very sensitive period is experienced because of the political negotiations carried out by the two leaders. If our federation becomes a member of the CFA this could constitute a precedent for similar issues in the process and may influence the negotiations negatively. Starting from this view, as an alternative solution, we are proposing the creation of a committee formed by representatives of the Turkish Cypriot Federation, CFA and FIFA/UEFA until a political solution is reached and this commission to act on the issue of projects which we will be preparing for the Turkish teams to participate in international friendly matches and tournaments as well as for the development of our football.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The chairman of the Nicosia Bar Association said that 60 % of the serious crimes committed in the occupied areas of Cyprus are imported from abroad

(I/Ts.)

[06] More illegal migrants from Syria were arrested in the occupied areas of Cyprus

(C/S)

[07] The First Turkish Italian Government Summit to take place in November

Italian Ambassador to Ankara Carlo Marsili said on Monday that the first Turkish-Italian Government Summit would take place in Aegean province of Izmir in November.

In an exclusive interview with the A.A correspondent, Marsili said that bilateral relations between Turkey and Italy continued to progress within the scope of a road map.

Giving details about the road map, Marsili said the summit would be chaired by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He also said some ministers of the two parties would also attend the summit.

The summit takes place alternatively once in a year in the framework of the Strategic Document signed by Italy and Turkey in January 2007.

I wish to underline that this is a Government Summit, a kind of meeting that Italy regularly holds with its main European partners, such as Germany, France, Britain, and Spain, Marsili said.

President of the Italian Parliament and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Gianfranco Fini will pay a visit to Ankara on October 31st upon an invitation from Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan.

Members of the parliaments of the two countries will organize Twinning Project financed by the European Commission.

The 5th Turkish-Italian Dialogue Forum, that would be organized in Rome in November will also assume a role in improvement of relations.

Foreign ministers of Turkey and Italy will chair the forum that is organized every year. The two prime ministers are also expected to sign a protocol regarding establishment of Turkish-Italian University in Istanbul.

Separately, the second Italian-Turkish Media Forum will take place in Istanbul between December 12 and 13, and on October 12th, a cooperation seminar will be organized in Istanbul.

Marsili said, as you know, Italy has welcomed a very well-known Turkish movie director, namely Ferzan Ozpetek. His last masterpiece A Perfect Day has been presented to the International Film Festival in Venice. For many years Mr. Ozpetek has been playing a key role for the enhancement of the Turkish-Italian cultural relations. I will be glad to confer upon Mr. Ozpetek a very high decoration on behalf of the Italian President of the Republic.

[08] The US Joint Chiefs of Staff discussed regional matters with Turkish President and Gen. Basbug

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen met with the Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug in Ankara on Monday.

Adm. Mullen was later received by the Turkish President Abdullah Gul at Cankaya Presidential Mansion. The U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Ross Wilson also attended the meeting.

Both meetings were closed to press.

The Turkish and U.S. military chiefs talked during a meeting on Monday over issues concerning Turkey and the United States as well as regional matters, a statement from the Turkish General Staff said.

Turkish Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug and U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen met in the Turkish capital of Ankara.The two chiefs of staff took up military issues, the fight against the terrorist organization of PKK/KONGRA-GEL, recent developments in Iraq, Afghanistan as well as Georgia, the statement said.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Commentary by Ilter Turkmen about Babacans statements on the Cyprus problem.

According to Mr. Turkmen, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mr. Ali Babacan, briefed last week some journalist and reporters on the different aspects of the Turkish foreign policy. Mr. Babacan referred to the developments in the Caucasus, to Turkeys relationships with the Gulf States and with Armenia, to the Karabahk issue and to the Cyprus problem. According to the columnist, when Mr. Babacan was asked about the Cyprus problem, he expressed his optimism due to the fact that President Demetris Christofias is more in favor of a solution than his predecessor.

The columnist goes on and writes that it is early for optimism, due to the fact that President Christofias is opposed to the Guarantee Agreements and he is pursuit of to change the political balance which was created with the Annan Plan between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots.

(AK)

[10] From the Turkish Press of 15 September 2008

Lighthouse Scandal Case:

A report in Hurriyet notes that the Deniz Feneri [Lighthouse] case relating to the illegal transfer of charity funds to Turkey will conclude at the Frankfurt court this week, adding that Mehmet Gurhan, director of Kanal 7 in Europe, will also address the court and that Republican Peoples Party (CHP) deputies are expected to travel to Frankfurt to monitor the trial.

Tufan Turenc says in his column in Hurriyet that Erdogan wants the Dogan media group to be as subservient to him as are Sabah, Star, Vakit, Yani Safak, Zaman, and Turkiye dailies and ATV, TRT, Kanal 7, TV Net, Mesaj, Ulke, Samanyolu, TGRT, TV 24, Mehtap, and Kanal Turk televisions.

In his column in Milliyet, Sedat Ergin says Erdogan has raised his ill-temper to an art form, adding that despite trying to take the moral high ground Erdogan has done nothing to raise the political ethnical rules in Turkey to EU standards. Ergin argues that Erdogan has an "autocratic" understanding of administration and is "intolerant" to plurality of thought. Ergin finally tells Erdogan that his problem is not with the Dogan media group but with the German prosecutor who says in his indictment that some of the charity money was transferred to the prime minister himself.

In his column in Milliyet, Tahay Akyol says Erdogan has made important contributions to the Turkish economy and democracy, but he remains highly "intolerant" to criticisms directed at the government, adding that this "illiberal" trait is the reason why he gets angry, bellicose, and schismatic.

Yigit Bulut argues in his column in Referans that PM Erdogan is creating an uproar over Dogan media group to divert public attention away from the economic downturn.

Sabah columnist Hasan Bulent Kahraman says the Dogan-Erdogan fight is actually a fight between the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as the representative of the "Anatolian bourgeoisie," and the Dogan group, as the representative of the "Istanbul bourgeoisie," and that this struggle has now sharpened simply because Erdogan wants to shift the economic heartland from Istanbul to Anatolia. Looked from this angle, Erdogan's attack on Dogan was an expected "revolutionary" move, the columnist declares. Other columnists too believe the fight over media actually hides a real political struggle.

Nasuhi Gungor says in his column in Star that Turkeys' new role in the Caucasus necessitates the elimination or downsizing of certain groups, especially those groups which cannot read the international developments correctly. Gungor says Aydin Dogan wants to carve a niche for himself in this changing world, but not only the government the ordinary people too are opposed to his designs.

This point is also made by Mustafa Karaalioglu in a column in Star. He believes by challenging PM Erdogan to a TV duel, Aydin Dogan, who is like Turkey's Bill Gates or Rupert Murdoch, is probably aiming to enter politics seized by "Berlusconi complex."

Writing in Taraf, Ahmet Altan says it is not yet clear if Erdogan's row with Aydin Dogan is motivated by "principles" or "anger." Altan notes that if it is only an expression of personal "anger," Aydin Dogan might simply change sides and start praising Erdogan and in the process obtain business privileges once more. If, however, Erdogan's fight is based on "principles," then it could be a revolutionary move that would lift up both the media and politics from the present muck they are in.

EG/

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