Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-01-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels

[02] Discussions on the relation of Ergenekon organization with the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Stone quarry in the occupied areas is given to the Israeli businessman who builds the marina in Yalousa

[04] Reactions to the attacks against Turkish Cypriots in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus; The so-called Turkish Cypriot Football Federation said the attacks might influence the negotiations carried out with the CFA

[05] The rectors of the illegal universities of the occupied areas of Cyprus said the agreement signed recently with Turkey will contribute to their recognition

[06] The Turkish Cypriot Tradesmen organized a protest yesterday demanding for the solution of their problems

[07] The so-called Turkish Cypriot Federation is discussing in Turkey the developments in the negotiations with the Cyprus Football Association

[08] ¤ender for construction and operation of Turkey s nuclear power plant

[09] Retired colonel related with the Susurluk scandal has reportedly committed suicide

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 19 January 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels

Under the title My army is not an occupier, Kibris reports also that the Turkish Prime Minister strongly reacted to the strange questions of the Greek Cypriot member of the European Parliament (MEP), Marios Matsakis during a dinner last night. Replying to Mr Matsakis, Mr Erdogan alleged that the Turkish Armed Forces are not an occupier in Cyprus and claimed that south Cyprus deceived the EU.

Mr Erdogan reiterated the Turkish allegations that the Turkish army invaded Cyprus in 1974 with the aim of rescuing the Turkish Cypriots and it continues its presence as guarantor power, like the Greek army. Mr Erdogan claimed that it is not Cyprus the member of the EU, but south Cyprus.

Furthermore, under the title Make your choice well, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.01.09) refers to Mr Erdogans statements at the European Policy Centre in Brussels. According to the paper, Mr Erdogan warned the EU regarding the Greek Cypriots who oppose to the opening of the chapter on the energy in Turkeys negotiating process.

The EU should not prefer a 700-800 thousand-country, which does not make a step in harmony with the acquis, to a 70-million state, argued the Turkish Prime Minister.

Referring to the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, Mr Erdogan said that this happened without a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, in spite of the fact that this was against the acquis communautaire. Shall we not speak out this reality and swallow it? It cannot be swallowed, he added.

Mr Erdogan reminded that the Republic of Cyprus objects to the discussion of the chapter on energy during Turkeys accession negotiations to the EU and added that this makes the Nabucco project more difficult. If this chapter does not open, we shall review our situation, he threatened.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (20.01.09) publishes Mr Erdogans statements under the title The accession of the Greek Cypriots to the EU cannot be swallowed and reports that the Turkish Prime Minister said that they expect the EU to be fair and that they will not accept discrimination against Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Discussions on the relation of Ergenekon organization with the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

These gangs exist in all the cities of Turkey. The existence of this group (Ergenekon) in Cyprus as well is not very surprising. Who threw the bombs in front of the house of Mehmet Ali Talat? Where are the assassinators of Kutlu Adali? The debate of whether Denktas has a relation with Ergenekon is held in the press. No one can know this. This would be a big accusation. During the period of the Annan Plan, Denktas was distributing the citizenship like the salary paid by the Sultan....

Yeni Duzen reports also that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) and son of the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas, referred to the Ergenekon issue and stated: If being cross examined and arrested would be in favor of Turkey, Rauf Denktas would go and surrender.

Mr Serdar Denktas made these statements speaking during a television program where he was asked about his fathers relation with the terrorist Ergenekon organization in Turkey. If they want to arrest Rauf Denktas who is accepted by the Turkic world as a leader, let them come and do it, he stated.

Moreover, under the title They are not unknown perpetrators, they are well-known perpetrators, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (20.01.09) refers to the Ergenekon case and reports, inter alia, the following:

Those who expect the opening of the Cyprus register of the members of Ergenekon and their being arrested and inquired, are waiting in vain. Ankara is not daring to pursue the leg of Ergenekon on the island, because of political reasons. Ankara, which exerts efforts to present the TRNC to the world as independent and sovereign state, avoids getting the Turkish Armed Forces on the island worn-out and the position regarding the occupation to be documented, in case the members of Ergenekon open the register of Cyprus. The bombs of political character which exploded in Northern Cyprus and the fact that the perpetrators of the murder of Kutlu Adali remain unknown are strengthening the allegations that the members of Ergenekon are widely active on the island as well.

(I/Ts.- CS)

[03] Stone quarry in the occupied areas is given to the Israeli businessman who builds the marina in Yalousa

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Volkan newspaper (20.01.09) refers also to the issue under the title I will take from you the stone quarry and give it to Israelis and reports that Mr Canalp said that he asked for a meeting with the minister of foreign affairs, Turgay Avci, he went to the offices of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) in occupied Famagusta and waited for him, but Mr Avci did not go. Mr Gokmen went in his place and informed him that the reason for which the stone quarry will be taken away from him is that he is not able to give stone to the Israelis, who are building the marina n occupied Yalousa.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Reactions to the attacks against Turkish Cypriots in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus; The so-called Turkish Cypriot Football Federation said the attacks might influence the negotiations carried out with the CFA

Moreover, referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (20.01.09) reports that the general secretary of TDP, Mehmet Harmanci issued a statement asking from President Christofias to control and punish those who organized these attacks. If these organizations are not controlled and the necessary punishment is not implemented, the reconciliation between the communities will suffer a blow, he argued. The chairman of the youth organization of the CTP, Erbay Akansoy expressed their sorrow for these events of violence and called on the Greek Cypriot side to change its history books, as the CTP administration did in the occupied part of Cyprus. The self-styled mayor of occupied Vadili village, Sahin Sapsizoglu condemned the attacks and said he had no doubt that the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat would raise the issue during his meeting with President Christofias on 28 January.

Kibris reports also that the self-styled Turkish Cypriot Football Federation issued a statement noting that it will inform FIFA and UEFA regarding the attack made by supporters of APOEL football club against Turkish Cypriots who were visiting the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus. The federation noted that the issue might influence the negotiations carried out with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA).

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (20.01.09) reports that the President of the Republic, Demetris Christofias has also condemned the attacks.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The rectors of the illegal universities of the occupied areas of Cyprus said the agreement signed recently with Turkey will contribute to their recognition

The deputy rector of the illegal university of Lefka, Hukuk Levent said that the agreement would contribute to the increase of the number of the European students in the occupied areas of Cyprus. The deputy rector of the illegal Near East University, Senol Bektas described the agreement as historic.

The rector of the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University, Ufuk Taner said that the agreement is important from the point of view of the recognition and the prestige of the universities. The rector of the illegal International Cyprus University, Mehmet Ali Yukselen noted that the way for the universities has been opened. The rector of the illegal University of Keryneia, Nilgun Sarp said that this accreditation strengthens the TRNC internationally and forces all countries, which accept the Higher Education Council (YOK) of Turkey, to accept the illegal universities of the occupied part of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The Turkish Cypriot Tradesmen organized a protest yesterday demanding for the solution of their problems

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.01.09) refers to the issue and reports that the protesters demanded for the interest rates to be absolved and the illegal workers to be prevented.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (20.01.09) refers to the issue and reports that the protest was lifeless.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The so-called Turkish Cypriot Federation is discussing in Turkey the developments in the negotiations with the Cyprus Football Association

Speaking last night to illegal Bayrak television, the Chairman of TCFF, Omer Adal stated that it is impossible for them to accept the proposals of FIFA and described them as unacceptable. Mr Adal alleged that the proposal regarding the four-member committee changed on 12 January after a meeting held between FIFA and the CFA. He said they could not accept this committee to be only a supervisory organ. When reminded the latest statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on the issue, Omer Adal noted that they will never agree with any decision that will put Mr Talat in a difficult situation.

(ML-I/Ts.)

[08] ¤ender for construction and operation of Turkey s nuclear power plant

The bid submitted by the consortium in a sealed envelope on September 24, 2008 was opened in Ankara on Monday.

The consortium's bid for total sale was 86.3 billion USD.

Turkish Electricity Trading & Contracting Inc. (TETAS) Deputy Director General Yasar Cakmak said that the consortium was willing to make a more appropriate offer.

TETAS launched the tender process in 2008 for the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu region of the southern province of Mersin.

AECL Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited (Canada), Suez Tractebel (France-Belgium), Unit Investment N.V. (the Netherlands), Hattat Holding-Hema Consortium (Turkey) and Ak Enerji (Turkey) also submitted their sealed envelopes, but they did not make any offers.

The offer of the JSC Atomstroyexport-JSC Inter Raoues-Park Teknik was assessed by Turkey's Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) in terms of technical requirements.

[09] Retired colonel related with the Susurluk scandal has reportedly committed suicide

(EA)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 19 January 2009

Criticism of Erdogan's policy in Gaza The regional role of Turkey

Following are the summaries of reports and commentaries of selected items from the Turkish press on 19 January 2009:

Ferai Tinc analyzes the gains and losses of the relevant countries and international organizations after the cease-fire in Gaza, in her article entitled "We all lost in Gaza" in Hurriyet. Pointing out that, before the war, Turkey had begun to assume an influential role in the region by acting as mediator between Israel and Syria, Tinc maintains that during the war, however, Turkey followed a path that forced it to become the "voice of HAMAS leaders in Syria." She adds that this policy also led to a rise in anti-Semitism in Turkey.

In an article entitled "The Gaza fiasco" in Hurriyet, Tufan Turenc criticizes Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Turenc maintains that Erdogan makes use of two issues, namely, the Ergenekon case and the tragedy in Gaza, in order to gain votes in the coming local elections. Referring to the Ergenekon investigation, Turenc argues that it is being used for creating a society of fear. With regard to Erdogan's Gaza policy, Turenc claims that this is "the first time that the world ignores Turkey to this extent." Arguing that Erdogan's style became harsher when he was ignored by the international circles, Turenc says Erdogan's fiery speeches "put in danger the security of our Jewish citizens."

Semih Idiz criticizes Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's policy on Gaza in his article in Milliyet. Arguing that, by taking sides with the HAMAS, Erdogan has placed Turkey to the "radical side" in foreign policy, Idiz maintains that the only role left for Turkey to play in the region is to convince HAMAS to refrain from provocations.

In an article entitled "Unilateral ceasefire", Vakit columnist Mustafa Ozcan asserts that the Erdogan government is causing Turkish foreign policy to look weak and helpless in issuing statements saying that "it is easy for a bachelor to divorce a wife" in response to calls for the severance of ties with Israel even as he is urging the UN to expel Israel from membership. Ozcan also warns that Turkeys "balanced" policy toward the Gaza crisis could cause it to be "placed in Egypt's orbit" in the process started by Israel's unilateral declaration of a ceasefire.

In an article entitled "Who is blocking Turkeys path?", Yeni Safak columnist Yusuf Kaplan argues that the way Ankara was "hastily removed from the picture" in the Gaza crisis as a mediator and France, Egypt and Jordan were made to step in as negotiators constitutes an example of how western states and particularly Israel will never leave Turkey to its own devices because they fear that otherwise Turkey might awake to a consciousness of its historical missions and stage a comeback that could change the course of history.

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