Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-03-05

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The results of KADEMs a public opinion poll on the Cyprus problem

[02] Halil Sadrazam refuted the accusations by Kenan Akin that he gave the order to shoot and kill Solomos Solomou in August 1996

[03] Flights from Italy to the illegal Tymvou airport. The illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines aim to increase their aircraft; The breakaway regime to participate in fairs in Berlin and Moscow

[04] The HP is reportedly joining the TDP; Pertev will reportedly be candidate of TDP in the elections in occupied Famagusta

[05] The activities of Ergenekon in the occupied areas of Cyprus started to be revealed

[06] The inflation rate for January 2009 has been announced

[07] Olgac says remarks about killing Greeks is a part of script

[08] Turkeys Revenue Administration Chairman was appointed financial advisor to the so-called Turkish embassy in occupied Lefkosia

[09] Kemal Dervis quits as UNDP head and becomes a member of Sabanci University in Turkey

[10] Bahceli criticizes Erdogan of creating tension by posing as a new Ottoman Sultan

[11] Turkey said likely to bar ICC arrest warrant for Sudanese President at UNSC

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 4 March 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The results of KADEMs public opinion poll on the Cyprus problem

The paper writes that 53.8% of the respondents said they would vote no in case the same Annan Plan, submitted to referendum in 2004, is once more put to a referendum next week. The percentage of those who would vote yes is 27.9%, while 15.1% said they are undecided and 3.2% gave no answer.

The paper notes that 1387 persons participated in the survey, conducted by KADEM for Kibris newspaper. Responding to the question what kind of a solution you want to the Cyprus problem, 62.6% of the participants in the survey said they want two completely separate independent states, 17.2 % supported a federation with a powerful central government, 9.5 % said they want the continuation of the current situation, 3.2% supported a confederation with a weak central government and 5.3 % are in favor of the integration with Turkey.

Replying to a question on whether they believe that a solution will be reached during the negotiations between the two leaders, 55.9% said they do not believe so at all, 18.6% said they do not much believe it, 15.9% said they partly believe so, 6.4% said they definitely believe it and 3.2% said that they do not know or gave no answer.

Asked whether they generally support the policy followed by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat on the Cyprus problem, the respondents gave the following answers: I fully support it 15.6%, I partly support it 38%, I do not support it at all 27.6 %, I do not support it 15.1% and No opinion, No answer 3.7%. According to the results, the policy pursued by Mr Talat receives the following support in the political parties: Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 94.4%, Social Democracy Party (TDP) 55.4%, Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) 45.6%, National Unity Party (UBP) 38.6% and Democratic Party (DP) 35.2%.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Halil Sadrazam refuted the accusations by Kenan Akin that he gave the order to shoot and kill Solomos Solomou in August 1996

I went to Dherynia area with the commander of the Security Forces (GK) and I had no place in the chain of command. It is in vain to present me as the only official and responsible. I do not know how many soldiers and how many policemen were there. From where and how does Mr Kenan Akin know that there were 300 soldiers, 300 policemen and contingency force in the area?

Bringing down someone who climbed on the mast to pull down the flag is a duty of every soldier. This is tantamount to the soldiers shooting at the battle field killing each other. However, letting civilians enter into the border area, under any guise, and shooting and killing any person with stones and sticks is an atrocious crime. Actually those who committed this and those who made them do it should be found and called to account. I have never called anyone dog until today. And I have not given the order to kill that dog. I did not see whether Akin shot during the uncontrolled firing which started after the warning shot which followed the verbal warnings. During that period I was in the building trying to inform by phone the colleagues in the headquarters about the developments. However, when I went out to the balcony after the incidents calmed down, I saw that Kenan Akin was also there. In the pictures in the newspapers I saw that he drew his gun. According to the laws, Akins taking out his pistol, aiming at a person and trying to shoot is a crime. However, I do not know why Mr Akin was there during the incidents that took place on 11 and 14 of August. .

(I/Ts.)

[03] Flights from Italy to the illegal Tymvou airport; The illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines aim to increase their aircraft; The breakaway regime to participate in fairs in Berlin and Moscow

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (05.03.09) reports that Ahmet Akpinar, general director of the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines, told the paper that they are planning to increase the number of the aircraft of the company from 7 to 12 until 2012 and their capacity of seats to 2000. Mr Akpinar said that they have started work to establish communication with the Western, Middle and Eastern Europe, Israel, Iraq, Iran and Egypt through the airports of Turkey. He noted that they plan to increase the number of their airplanes to 17 by 2017.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (05.03.09) reports that the so-called council of ministers, which was convened yesterday, decided that the occupation regime will be represented in the Moscow and Berlin Tourism Fairs. The so-called minister of public works and transportation Mr Salih Usar said that representatives of civilian organizations of the tourism sector, as well as so-called officials from the economy and tourism ministry will go to the ITB Berlin 2009 Tourism Fair that will be held between 11-15 March and to the Moscow MITT 2009 Tourism Fair that will be held between 18-21 March.

(I/Ts.-DPs)

[04] The HP is reportedly joining the TDP; Pertev will reportedly be candidate of TDP in the elections in occupied Famagusta

The chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), Serdar Denktas said that some members of the HP have joined his party. We suggested to HP to cooperate with us and to Mr Pertev to be in the fourth place of the list in Nicosia, but he did not like it and did not accept it, said Mr Denktas. According to the newspaper, Mr Cakici is expected to hold a press conference tomorrow in order to reply to the questions raised regarding the developments with HP.

(M/L-I/Ts.)

[05] The activities of Ergenekon in the occupied areas of Cyprus started to be revealed

According to the paper, the entire technical equipment used by ART was purchased from Japan with the financial contribution of the Turkish Metal Syndicate and was set by Mustafa Ozbek in 2005. The bugging device was purchased from Japan at the same time as the rest of the equipment and for a period of time the equipment was left in the syndicates branch in Pendik, Turkey. At the time, Saban Unver was the Chairman of Pendik branch, the paper writes.

(M/L-E/A)

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (05.03.09) reports on the relation of the Ergenekon organisation with the illegal regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus. The paper writes that the Denktas family was among those who were monitored by the headquarters established in the TRNC. As it is being said about the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas, he is old, emotional and risky.

According to the paper, the monitoring centre in the TRNC established by the Ergenekon organisation in 1998 was following closely all the elections, the international contacts, the politics, the army, the bureaucracy and the entrepreneurs throughout the daughter land. It was found that the organisation has started intensive structuring prior to the 5 December 1998 self-styled elections and then it used the TRNC as a base. The organisation had an active role in many issues related to the island and most importantly, during the Annan Plan.

In this organisation some military officers, politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and representatives from non-governmental organisations were tasked to take responsibility. A Supreme Council was established as the Western Working Group (BCG). The financial role was undertaken by the chairman of the Turkish Metal Syndicate Mustafa Ozbek, who is currently Ergenekon detainee.

The paper goes on and cites some of the correspondence carried out by the organisation in the occupied areas of Cyprus under the subtitles: Covering of the 1998 general elections, Giving out of money in the TRNC, Denktas set up a trap, The hostesses have been assigned, Area monitoring were carried out and Denktas is old and emotional.

The paper also refers to the monitoring and tapping tactics used by Ergenekon. Specifically, the letters were written on a typewriter rather than on a computer for security reasons, the numbers of the mobile telephones were being replaced at the same time. For important people, it was arranged to have SIM telephone cards that were not registered on their names. For area monitoring undercover agents were used as peddlers in the areas near-by the buildings. For the area monitoring some apartments and offices was rented near-by the buildings under observation. In each political party and institution specific persons were singled out and were closely followed. Exploiting the personal weaknesses of some people was monitored through prostitutes.

(I/Ts-EA)

[06] The inflation rate for January 2009 has been announced

Main Groups Rate of Changes according to previous month (%)

Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages 3.1

Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 0.0

Clothing and Footwear -12.6

Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels -2.5

Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine

Household Maintenance 1.3

Health 1.5

Transport 0.2

Communication 0.0

Recreation and Culture -1.5

Education 0.3

Restaurants and Hotels 2.3

Miscellaneous Goods and Services 1.8

(D/Ps.)

[07] Olgac says remarks about killing Greeks is a part of script

Atilla Olgac, a former actor at the Istanbul State Theater (0DT) who recently claimed on television that he had killed 10 Greeks -- one a prisoner of war -- during Turkey's 1974 intervention in Cyprus, has given a statement to the Bak1rkoy State Prosecutor in which he apologizes for misrepresenting Turkey abroad and says his words were misunderstood.

Olgac told a Turkish television program in January that while serving in the Turkish army during the 1974 intervention he shot at least one prisoner -- a 19-year-old -- dead on orders from a superior. He also said he killed nine others while serving in Cyprus.

In his testimony to prosecutor Ali Cak1r, Olgac said: 'All of my words were part of a script I wrote. I performed my military service in a non-combat area. I'm very sorry'. He claimed that he had been explaining a script he wrote on the television program where he made the controversial remarks. 'But when the program's broadcast was cut off, I was unable to explain that it was just a script. I didn't kill anyone', he said. He also submitted a script to the prosecutor as evidence.

Olgac has been released from custody, and the other participants on the program will be called in to give testimony. The prosecutor's office has written to military officials requesting details on Olgac's military service, including his commanders and where he was stationed.

[08] Turkeys Revenue Administration Chairman was appointed financial advisor to the so-called Turkish embassy in occupied Lefkosia

According to the paper, Mr Ulusoy who is on his annual leave was removed from office and, as he stated, a formal announcement was not given to him. Ulusoys removal from office and his appointment as a financial advisor in occupied Lefkosia was announced yesterday in Turkeys Official Gazette.

Speaking to the newspaper, Mr Ulusoy said that he will consider the option of resigning rather than being financial advisor.

(EA)

[09] Kemal Dervis quits as UNDP head and becomes a member of Sabanci University in Turkey

(EA)

[10] Bahceli criticizes Erdogan of creating tension by posing as a new Ottoman Sultan

The leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli, has lashed out over a banner displayed during the inauguration ceremony of Istanbul's new Metrobus line on Tuesday that called Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan an "Ottoman sultan.

'Erdogan first became the conqueror of Davos. He later became the co-chairman of the Middle East and the chief religious official of the Muslim world. And finally he became the new Ottoman sultan. What does this mean? Where is Turkey headed?' Bahceli asked. Bahceli's remarks came during a speech he delivered yesterday in the central Anatolian province of Yozgat, where he traveled as part of his party's campaign for the March 29 local elections.

A ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) supporter unfurled a banner during the inauguration ceremony of the new Metrobus line that read, 'Last Ottoman sultan, Recep Tayyip Erdogan I'.

Bahceli accused the prime minister of dragging Turkey into an atmosphere of polarization and separation. 'Erdogan is trying to protect the percentage of votes he garnered in the July 22 [2007] polls through a strategy of tension. We need to see clearly where Turkey is headed', he said.

[11] Turkey said likely to bar ICC arrest warrant for Sudanese President at UNSC

The International Criminal Court issued Wednesday an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, news agencies reported.

The three-judge panel that issued the warrant said however there was insufficient evidence to support charges of genocide. The warrant is for five charges of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes including murder, extermination, torture and rape, AP quoted court spokeswoman Laurence Blairon as saying.

The United Nations' Security Council should accept a resolution that calls on member states to arrest Bashir, a situation that places in Turkey in a difficult position.

Turkey, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has close ties with Africa and Bashir himself. Bashir paid a couple of visits to Turkey in recent months.

Diplomatic sources said Turkey is likely to push for a delay of the implementation of the arrest warrant in the Security Council.

Turkey aims to prevent its relations with Africa from being harmed and to protect Sudan from a possible intensification of internal clashes, sources added.

Turkey had garnered the support of Africa states in its bid for the Security Council.

Bashir, who has dismissed the allegations, was accused of orchestrating a campaign of violence in Sudan's western region of Darfur, starting in 2003. ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has said 35,000 people were killed outright and at least 100,000 more through starvation and disease.

'He is suspected of being criminally responsible ... for intentionally directing attacks against an important part of the civilian population of Darfur, Sudan, murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians, and pillaging their property', Blairon added.

The arrest warrant for al-Bashir is a milestone for the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal, which was established in 2002 and has never before ordered the arrest of a sitting head of state.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 4 March 2009

a) Local Elections

In his article in Hurriyet, columnist Cuneyt Ulsever comments on a banner that reads: 'The Last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire: I. Recep Tayyip Erdogan'. Recalling that the banner was carried by a group of AKP [Justice and Development Party] supporters in a recent election rally, the columnist asserts that the banner reflects a fact about the prime minister because 'it is now common knowledge that Erdogan has been ruling both the country and the AKP as a sultan for some time'. Ulsever also criticizes Erdogan for ignoring the foreign policy issues and Turkey's economic problems for the sake of the approaching local elections and argues that the prime minister is not telling the truth by saying that he is 'unable to solve the unemployment problem' because the current economic crisis is caused by "external factors."

A column by Muharrem Sarikaya of Sabah views the peaceful atmosphere in Diyarbakir saying that the approaching local elections brought peace to the region because all the competing political parties, particularly the Democratic Society Party [DTP], are aware of the fact that they will be unable to win the elections if they provoke tension. Sarikaya says that the PKK did not conduct any terrorist attack in the last 2.5 months because the DTP has realized that its support for chaos and tension will lead to the weakening of the party. Meanwhile, he adds, the tradesmen in Diyarbakir started to refuse to close their stores at the instructions of the DTP because they have been suffering from serious economic problems caused by the draught and the crisis. He concludes by expressing the hope that peace will prevail in the region after the elections as well.

b) Ergenekon Investigation

Hurriyet carries an article by Cengiz Candar on the military takeovers in Turkey and the purpose of the Ergenekon investigation. Stressing that the second Ergenekon indictment is expected to be issued soon, Candar says that the prosecutor's denial of the reports regarding the second indictment is not convincing because the media have already been informed that that indictment will include the accusations against many retired generals, including certain force and army commanders. He views the 1982 Constitution as a "product of the military regime" and argues that Turkey will be unable to become a democratic country and establish the supremacy of law with the present Constitution. According to the columnist, the easiest definition of Ergenekon is the presence of a network that aims to obstruct the functioning of the parliamentary system and prepare the ground for a military coup by instigating acts of violence. He concludes by warning that the Ergenekon investigation will fail to achieve a concrete result if it excludes "Coup Diaries" [the diaries of a former commander who allegedly said that two coup attempts were planned in 2003 and 2005], the 28 February process, and the assassination of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

In an editorial entitled "Where Is the Second Indictment?" Cumhuriyet's Ilhan Selcuk, one of the suspects of the Ergenekon investigation, says that the "Ergenekon plot" is gradually turning into a "historic settling of accounts" rather than a legal investigation. Recalling a Milliyet report saying that the second indictment, which has not been officially announced yet, claims that the PKK cadres are being ruled by the Ergenekon organization, Selcuk says that according to the indictment, not only the PKK but also the DHKP-C, Al-Qa'ida, and Hizbullah are controlled by the Ergenekon network. According to the writer, the government wanted to silence Cumhuriyet by having its columnists arrested within the framework of the Ergenekon investigation, but it has failed to that. He goes on to claim that the "deceitful" AKP government has created Ergenekon as a method to "eliminate the Ataturkist, neo-nationalist, democratic, revolutionist, and secular individuals" in the country.

c) Kurdish problem

In an article entitled "President Gul Must Visit Arbil," Taraf columnist Yasemin Congar says that she is optimistic about the implementation of the "Return Home" project led by the Regional Kurdish Administration in northern Iraq. Pointing to the strong international support for the project that aims to persuade the PKK to put down its arms and come down from the mountains, Congar expresses the hope that the circles that benefit from the ongoing war will be unable to obstruct that initiative. Stressing that the Obama Administration regards the "normalization" of ties between Ankara and Arbil as a significant step for regional stability, she asserts that President Gul should pay a "historic" visit to Arbil during his upcoming visit to Iraq. That will help Ankara make the decisions related to the implementation of the "Return Home" project more easily, she adds.

ES/

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