Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-02-27

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sadrazam gave to shoot order

[02] Cemil Cicek, is visiting today the occupied areas of Cyprus

[03] German MP holds contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[04] Soyer stated that initiatives regarding NATO should not be ignored

[05] Jasmine scent at the left

[06] Cyprus among the issues discussed at yesterdays meeting of Turkeys National Security Council

[07] US envoy to the Middle East met with the Turkish Prime Minister

[08] Turkeys President to attend economic summit in Iran

[09] World Bank on Turkeys financial future

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 26 February 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Sadrazam gave to shoot order

The incident, which occurred in 1996 in Deryneia with the violation of the border by the Greek Cypriots during which Solomou was shot when he climbed on the flag mast trying to bring the Turkish flag down, is continuously changing dimensions! After the distortion of a statement made by the former minister of agriculture Kenan Akin to a Greek newspaper, the incident which took place many years ago started to be discussed again and be on the agenda.

During the program Good Morning Cyprus of Kanal T television in which he participated, Kenan Akin, who is wanted by Interpol with Red Bulletin because of this incident, poured out his feelings, if this is the right expression, and asserted interesting claims.

According to the statements made by Kenan Akin yesterday, the order to shoot Solomou, who attempted to bring the Turkish flag down, came from Halil Sadrazam, then officer of the Security Forces Command (GKK), who was at the back in a hut!

He said that when Solomou climbed to the top of the mast trying to bring the Turkish flag down, the guns fired as soon as Sadrazam who was at the back said I want that dog, shoot him and the Greek Cypriot young man who attacked the Turkish flag was punished!

While Kenan Akin, who said that he also grabbed his gun reflectively but Solomou was shot before he fired, was crying out on the program yesterday saying I am not a murderer, he showed his reaction adding that years after this incident Halil Sadrazam took duties in the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH) and presented himself to be apostle of peace.

Kenan Akin, who said that for many years he has been unjustly made a scapegoat, noted that it is necessary to investigate the question of why the barbed wire was opened by the United Nations Peace Keeping Force when it was obvious that incidents would take place that day.

Subtitle: Sadrazam: Kenan Akin is lying

Right after the program, we held a long telephone discussion with Halil Sadrazam who was subject of these allegations. In the interesting statement he made, Halil Sadrazam, who said that these accusations were not made for the first time, but it is the first time that his name was mentioned, noted that in the past, when he has been involved in politics, Prime Minister Soyer was behind these accusations, which were made to wear him out, but he could not understand the meaning of this issue coming onto the agenda once more now.

Sadrazam, who said that the allegations of Kenan Akin are unreal and a lie, noted that this is only an issue of being cheap hero, that Akin who is candidate for becoming a candidate in the parliamentarian elections is trying to present himself as hero and that he is pursuing political gains in this manner.

Halil Sadrazam, who verified that at the time of the incident he was an officer of the GKK and he was present at the place of the incident, noted that there were many other high ranking officers higher than him at that place and that he had no authority to give such an order.

[02] Cemil Cicek, is visiting today the occupied areas of Cyprus

(CS)

[03] German MP holds contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Jurgen Walter, German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Hessen State MP is having contacts in the TRNC as guest of the Girne [occupied Keryneia] Municipality.

Mr Walter, who entered in the Republic through the Ercan [occupied Tymvou] Airport, started his contacts with a visit to the Mayor of Girne Sumer Aygin. The CTP-BG Foreign Relations Secretary Unal Findik and Ozan Ceyhun, a former Euro-MP, accompanied the German Minister during the visit.

Welcoming the visiting Minister, Mr Aygin explained that his municipality, which has been continuing its efforts towards becoming a European city, is in close contact with several German MPs and mayors.

Underlining the importance for European officials to learn more about the island, he said that German officials, who entered North Cyprus through Ercan Airport, played a leading role in easing the international isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people.

Jurgen Walter, for his part, said `What we want is the opening of sea and air ports in North Cyprus to direct trade. We have been voicing this expectation in every corner of Europe`. He also praised the CTP-BG which he said, has been waging efforts towards bringing a solution to the Cyprus problem at the table for its courage and expressed his partys support to these efforts.

[04] Soyer stated that initiatives regarding NATO should not be ignored

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has pointed out that a debate has been continuing in South Cyprus on the establishment of cooperation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO and the Greek Cypriot Administration which is not a member of the Alliance.

Before entering yesterdays meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Premier pointed to the importance of the issue for the country and said this proves the urgency of a solution in Cyprus.

Mr Soyer noted that such initiatives should not be ignored.

[05] Jasmine scent at the left

(CS)

[06] Cyprus among the issues discussed at yesterdays meeting of Turkeys National Security Council

Turkey will continue to contribute endeavours for a lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, MGK told a statement that was released after its regular meeting.The statement said that the participants assessed the developments inside and outside the country and reaffirmed that Turkey would continue to implement measures against developments affecting security of the country.

The statement said, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, situation in the Middle East, peace process, Gaza crisis, disagreement between Palestinians as well as the developments as regards to elections in Israel and Palestine were also assessed.

Further on the issue, Turkish dailies Milliyet and Sabah (27.02.09) report that Turkey-EU relations, Cyprus, the developments in the Middle East and Afghanistan and issues related to the energy lines were discussed during yesterdays meeting of Turkeys National Security Council.

[07] US envoy to the Middle East met with the Turkish Prime Minister

George Mitchell, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East said Thursday that Turkey was a crucial ally of the United States and important force for peace and security in the Middle East.

Mitchell, held a press conference in Ankara after a series of meetings with Turkey's top officials including Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

As an important democratic nation with strong relations with Israel, Turkey has a unique role to play and has significant influence on our efforts to promote comprehensive peace in the Middle East, said Mitchell.

Mitchell pointed out that his visit was a sign of Obama Administration's appreciation of Turkey's continuing commitment to a comprehensive peace and to a two-state solution to the Palestine problem.

We welcome Turkey's participation in the upcoming donors' conference in Sharm El Sheikh and we look forward to its leadership, as we actively pursue that peace, beginning with a durable cease fire and with strong efforts to meet the humanitarian needs in Gaza, said Mitchell.

Mitchell said it was important to look forward, and work together to build a secure and prosperous future for all of the people of the region.

[08] Turkeys President to attend economic summit in Iran

President Abdullah Gul will visit Iran on March 10 to participate in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit to be held in Tehran.

Regional developments and bilateral relations will be dealt with at the ECO summit, which aims to develop economic and commercial relations among the member countries.

The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are also expected to participate in the event. Gul is expected to return to Turkey on March 11 after the ECO summit meeting. It was revealed this week that Iranian officials asked Turkey to mediate between Tehran and HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/washington/" \t "blank" Washington while former U.S. President George Bush was in office, and Prime Minister Recep HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/receptayyiperdoan/" \t "blank" Tayyip Erdogan had then conveyed the message to the White House.

Speaking to the British daily Guardian this week, Erdogan said he was also considering raising the matter with the new U.S. president, HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/BarackObama/" \t "blank" Barack Obama, who has said he wants to engage with HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/iran/" \t "blank" Iran at a G20 summit in London in April.

If the United States also wants and asks us to play this role, we are ready to do so. The Iranians told us that if something like this happened, they would want Turkey to play a role. These were the words that were said openly. And I told this to President Bush myself, Erdogan said.

[09] World Bank on Turkeys financial future

World Bank Turkey Director, Ulrich Zachau, said Thursday growth in Turkey would slow down and unemployment would increase.

Speaking at a summit on Risk Management in Istanbul, Zachau said that Turkey would go through an economic crisis worse than that of the year 2001. This period is a good one in which to make reforms. Furthermore, policies for long term growth plans are crucial, Zachau said. In this period, the most important topics are establishing new areas for employment and protecting sensitive groups, such as women and children, Zachau said. Turkey's labour force will continue to grow. Turkey will experience slow economic growth and there will be high unemployment. An economic crisis worse than that of 2001 will be experienced in Turkey, Zachau said. How will we overcome the risk? The implementation of macroeconomic policies and the continuation of such policies are important to minimize risks, Zachau said. What Turkey needs to do in the short run is to provide flexible, part-time jobs so that women and the young population find employment, Zachau said. Turkey's financial sector continues to preserve its strength when compared to many other countries. The economic risk in 2009 is based on the impact of the global crisis on structural and real economy, Zachau also said.

In addition, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.02.09) reports the following:

Poverty in Turkey will rise drastically between 2008 and 2010, especially among the children, youth and the elderly, the World Bank warned in a presentation to members of the Turkish bureaucracy. According to its findings, unregistered employment in agriculture will also rise dramatically.

The banks study was based primarily on two alternative scenarios. The optimistic one assumes that the economy will begin to get better in the second half of 2009, while the other does not factor in any improvement until the second half of 2010.

Turkey, which is expected to encounter more economic problems until 2010, should focus further on developing social projects, the bank said. It also urged the bureaucrats to focus more on generating new approaches to help job-seekers and on projects to help provide more employment opportunities.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 26 February 2009

a) Local Elections

In an article in Milliyet, Taha Akyol describes two possible scenarios for the post-election period. The first scenario which he describes as a nightmare is the implementation of an "illiberal democracy," one that comes about through elections but is authoritarian. In this authoritarian democracy the opposition will be ineffective, freedoms will be curtailed to dimensions that will not disturb the government, state institutions and NGO's that are supposed to be autonomous will fall under the supervision of the government, and the media will be brought into line. The writer fears that a prime minister emerging victorious from the local elections might embark on this path with added anger and rage. The second scenario Akyol envisages is one of hope whereby the prime minister, again emerging victorious and confident from the elections, will refrain from disputes that might increase the tension in the country and will focus on the economy. Referring to rumours that Prime Minister Erdogan wants to be elected president in 2012, Akyol maintains that the path of an "illiberal democracy" will not facilitate the attainment of this goal but will, on the contrary, render it impossible. In conclusion, the writer expresses the hope that common sense will prevail and the prime minister will chose the second scenario which will be favourable both for the country's democracy and its economy.

Sabah columnist Mahmut Ovur in an article points out that the local elections are being conducted in an atmosphere resembling general elections. Summing up the major topics of discussion in this election atmosphere as corruption allegations, requests for a new constitution, and the Kurdish issue, Ovur urges the political parties to clarify their stand regarding a new constitution. Lamenting that the corruption discussions will not lead to any transparency, Ovur refers to Turk's speech in Kurdish saying that though it is against the existing laws, politicians should take steps toward amending these laws that have lagged behind the times.

The most important factor in elections is the economic situation and employment, underlines Mehmet Tezkan in the first section of his column in Vatan, adding that if the Justice and Development Party, (AKP), wins in the upcoming local elections then all we know to be true about domestic politics will have to be revised. Given the economic situation and the incompetence of the government in taking the necessary measures, the AKP should be defeated in the ballot box, argues the writer, declaring that if the contrary happens then all our knowledge and experience should be thrown into the garbage bin and the link between the economy and the government should be questioned because "we will be faced with the picture of a new Turkey, a multitude of voters who remain silent in the face of poverty."

In an article entitled "Who benefits from the tension", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that the results of the recently held Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and Istanbul Chamber of Industry elections indicate that the CHP is set to suffer a major defeat in the local elections. He claims that the CHP has lost the support of Kurdish and Alevi groups and liberal leftists and that it has alienated Kemalists and neo-nationalists through some its latest moves, adding that it nevertheless continues to benefit from a growing social polarization caused by an increasingly aggressive political rhetoric in the run-up to 29 March.

b) DTP Leader's Speech in Kurdish

Arguing that the ban on the Kurdish language has not ended despite the progress made on the issue since 1991 when Leyla Zana took her oath in parliament in Kurdish, Milliyet columnist Hasan Cemal notes that Democratic Society Party, DTP, leader Ahmet Turk's "Kurdish provocation" at the faction meeting in parliament aimed at showing the oppression regarding the Kurdish language. Viewing the progress made on the issue so far as insufficient, Cemal, in his article, details cases in which citizens were prosecuted for using the Kurdish language and its alphabet.

Likening Ahmet Turk's Kurdish speech to the Republican People's Party, (CHP), overtures regarding the chador and the Koran courses and the AKP's Alevi overtures in an article in Milliyet, Derya Sazak argues that Turk's overture was not problematic from a democratic viewpoint even if disputable from a constitutional one. From the viewpoint of democratic rights and freedoms, Turkey is at a far advanced position than the 90ies when Kurdish deputies were being prosecuted and imprisoned for taking oath in Kurdish, writes Sazak, adding: "The prime minister is allowed to say 'may it be auspicious' in Kurdish while inaugurating TRT 6. Remembering Erdogan's address, Ahmet Turk is asking whether Kurdish will be banned to the Kurds and allowed to the AKP and the state." Declaring that "a community that wants to find a political democratic solution to the Kurdish question and to live in peace should not have a 'language problem," Sazak calls on the political groups within the parliament to focus on the solution of the Kurdish problem instead of criticizing Turk. The writer continues: "Somehow, the circles that defend HAMAS because it has come to power through elections do not choose the path of a 'dialogue' with the DTP. The AKP government is linking the solution of the Kurdish problem to winning the elections in Diyarbakir. Whereas, the most valid solution is a solution in which the PKK will surrender its arms, Kandil will be evacuated, and the Kurds will be represented in parliament by the DTP and by other political movements."

Referring to the move of TRT 3 to cut its live broadcast of the DTP group meeting as soon as Turk began to speak in Kurdish, Taraf columnist Mithat Sancar in his column says that it was a "sorrowful reflex" on the part of the TRT. Disagreeing with the view expressed by the broadcasting authority, government officials, and the AKP circles that Turk's move was against the Constitution and the laws, Sancar recalls the incident of Merve Kavakci in 1999, adding that "a mentality that finds it befitting to subject others to the injustices it has suffered cannot be convincing on the issue of democracy and freedoms." Sancar points out the contradiction between launching a state TV channel in Kurdish and prosecuting those who speak in Kurdish and use the Kurdish alphabet, arguing that Turkish politics lacks a sense of shame.

In a column in Gundem Online, Yuksel Genc asserts that DTP leader Ahmet Turk "broke a taboo and drew attention to the facts in Turkey" by addressing his party group meeting in Kurdish. He lauds Ahmet Turk for "refuting" the government's argument that it lifted the ban on the use of Kurdish language. The ruling AKP will be unable to exploit the Kurdish demands for political purposes any more thanks to the DTP leader's initiative, he adds.

In an article entitled "Meaningless pressures and bans on Kurdish", Zaman columnist Mumtazer Turkone asserts that Democratic Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk's use of the Kurdish language in delivering part of his parliamentary group address on 24 February was part of a bid to cause efforts to solve the Kurdish issue by launching a Kurdish language television channel to end in "miscarriage." He cites Turk's behaviour as proof of how essential the current "bans" on the use of Kurdish are to the DTP's continuation of "Kurdish identity politics." He also claims that the reactions to Turk from Speaker of Parliament Koksal Toptan and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and CHP representatives have proven the DTP leader right in talking about the "meaningless" pressures on Kurdish in Turkey.

EG/

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