Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-05-06

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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 Ahmet Davutoglu before leaving for occupied Cyprus

[02] Erdogan congratulates Eroglu and repeats that the solution in Cyprus should be based on two founding and equal states

[03] The new Turkish Foreign Minister pays a visit in occupied Cyprus

[04] Cicek sent a congratulatory message to Eroglu

[05] Yasar Yakis stated that the Turkish side remains firm on the Yes to the Annan Plan in its handling of the Cyprus problem

[06] Information on the applications submitted by Greek Cypriots to the illegal compensation committee in occupied Cyprus

[07] Mr Talat repeated that Constantis Kandounas could be prevented from crossing over to the occupied areas

[08] President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat met for the 27th time. Statements of Talat after the meeting

[09] Ozgurgun said that someone of the newly elected government will participate in the negotiations

[10] Ejder Aslanbaba new DP general secretary

[11] Turkeys Chief EU negotiator meets today with the British Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in London

[12] Turkeys Economy Minister Babacan briefs EU Ministers on the pre-accession economic program of Turkey

[13] Turk novelist is being tried in absentia of inciting religious hatred

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] From the Turkish Press of 06 May 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Davutoglu before leaving for occupied Cyprus

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu left for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Davutoglu said that 2009 had a critical importance with regard to negotiations carried out in Cyprus. Davutoglu added that they would assess the recent situation with negotiations during his visit to the island.

Outlines of a comprehensive solution (to Cyprus question) for Turkey are; bizonality, equality, development of a new partnership system, and implementation of this solution within the scope of the EU as well as under Turkey's actual and effective guarantorship,he said.

Davutoglu said that the important thing was to fulfill a final and fair solution in Cyprus as well as to make Cyprus an island of peace. He added that it was also important to restore peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean by making Cyprus an island of peace.

He said that Turkey was ready to make every contribution to bring peace to the island, however, a comprehensive solution, which took the demands of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots into consideration, was fundamental for Turkey.

[02] Erdogan congratulates Eroglu and repeats that the solution in Cyprus should be based on two founding and equal states

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Dervis Eroglu on Tuesday as the new Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).Erdogan sent a message to Eroglu, saying that finding a solution to the Cyprus problem was the common wish and goal of Turkey and the TRNC.

I am pleased to learn that your Government, following the TRNC elections of April 19, 2009, has been approved by President Mehmet Ali Talat. I am confident that your Government will assume successful duties to help the TRNC develop in all fields, Erdogan said in his message.

We appreciate and support the will of the Turkish Cypriots to find a just and lasting solution in Cyprus. It is important for us to see a solution in Cyprus based on two Founding States with equal status and that reflects the political will of the two peoples, Erdogan said.

Motherland Turkey, as a guarantor of the whole island, will continue to help the existence of Turkish Cypriots, Erdogan said.

Turkey is determined to take all measures to help the Turkish Cypriots live in peace and tranquility, Erdogan said.

It is among the priorities of our Government to make the TRNC economy competitive globally and to realize great projects on water and energy. The Turkish Cypriots will always find Turkey by themselves as they pursue welfare that they deserve. With these thoughts, I congratulate you for becoming the new Prime Minister of the TRNC and wish your Government success in the future, Erdogan also said.

[03] The new Turkish Foreign Minister pays a visit in occupied Cyprus

The new Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will pay his first official foreign visit to the Republic.

The Minister will arrive in the TRNC tomorrow for a one day visit.Soon after his arrival, Mr Davutoglu will be received by President Mehmet Ali Talat.

Later, a working lunch will be given at the Presidential Palace in honor of Mr Davutoglu and his accompanying delegation.

The Minister will also be received by Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu before holding discussions with Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun.

Before leaving the Republic, he will also meet with the Commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, Lieutenant General Hilmi Akin Zorlu.

The Turkish Cypriot press (06.05.09) covers Mr Davutoglus visit as follows:

Under the title Davutoglu is coming, in its front page, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper reports that the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu will be the first official quest of Dervis Eroglu and Huseyin Ozgurgun. Writes the paper: It is believed that with Davutoglu, who is called ´Kissinger of Turkey´, a new page will be opened in his Cyprus policy and speedy developments could take place...

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper reports in its front page on Davutoglu´s visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus under the title Ahmet Davutoglu is coming today. The paper reports that Mr. Davutoglu will pay today a one-day ´official´ visit to the occupied areas and in the framework of his visit he will have meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, the self-styled Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, the Commander of the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus, lieutenant general Hilmi Akin Zorlu and the self-styled Prime Minister, Dervis Eroglu. According to Kibris, at 12.30 hours Mr. Davutoglu will attend a launch at the presidency and after the talks at 14.00 hours statements will be made. Mr. Davutoglu is expected to depart from the occupied areas of Cyprus at 17.00 after concluding his contacts. The paper adds that the visit of Mr. Davutoglu to the occupied areas will be his first visit abroad after his appointment to the position of the Foreign Minister of Turkey.

YENI DUZEN: Seven-hour visit by the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu to Cyprus´.

KIBRLISLI: Davutoglu in the TRNC today.

VATAN: The new Foreign Minister of Turkey, Davutoglu will be in the TRNC today. The paper writes that Mr. Davutoglu will meet today with the president, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister during his 7-hour visit in the TRNC.

HALKIN SESI: Davutoglu is coming to the TRNC. The paper writes that the new Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu is coming to the TRNC today for official talks. According to the paper, Mr. Davutoglu will evaluate with the state officials the ongoing negotiation process in Cyprus and the situation after the Orams case.

VOLKAN: Motherlands Foreign Minister Davutoglu is paying his first visit abroad in the TRNC.

(AK)

[04] Cicek sent a congratulatory message to Eroglu

(DPs)

[05] Yasar Yakis stated that the Turkish side remains firm on theYes to the Annan Plan in its handling of the Cyprus problem

(AK)

[06] Information on the applications submitted by Greek Cypriots to the illegal compensation committee in occupied Cyprus

Greek Cypriots continue applying to the compensation committee in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which was established with the aim of finding local remedy to the property issue through domestic law.

The number of Greek Cypriots applying to the committee for their properties left in the northern part of Cyprus after 1974 has reached up to 390.

The compensation committee, with its local and foreign experts, acts as a court. The Committee has already concluded 59 cases. Fifty two of those were resolved with compensation, 2 with both compensation and exchange, 4 with return and compensation, and 1 with return after the solution of the Cyprus problem.

All cases have been resolved through mutual agreement.

Cases resolved with exchange belong to two Greek Cypriots who also brought their cases to the European Court of Human Rights.

Officials from the compensation committee do not provide information about the amount of compensation but note that immoveable properties concerning the return consist of lands.

According to the Property Law, properties, which are not owned by juristic people having the right of use and do not present any threat to public order and national security, are subject to return.

If return is envisaged for other properties which are in use, then the return is postponed after the Cyprus political settlement. Equivalent properties are not subject to return.

Property Law states that the compensation is to be paid by the Ministry of Interior and the right of property of the Greek Cypriot who receives the compensation is ceased.

The compensation committee was established in December 2005 which aimed to provide local remedy to the problem of property through compensation, exchange and return.

[07] Mr Talat repeated that Constantis Kandounas could be prevented from crossing over to the occupied areas

Under the subtitle: President Talat: The entry of Kandounas to the TRNC may be prevented! writes, inter alia the following:

President Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the issue of forbidding the entry into the TRNC of the lawyer of Meletis Apostolides, who opened the property case against the British couple of Linda and David Orams, may come on the agenda for the public interest.

President Talat, who participated in a TV program last night assessed the decision taken by the European Court of Justice in the Orams case and developments after it.

[08] President Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat met for the 27th time. Statements of Talat after the meeting

President Mehmet Ali Talat of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias met in Lefkosia on Tuesday to assess the latest situation in Cyprus.

Cypriot leaders, who met at the buffer zone accompanied by their representatives, are expected to discuss the latest developments in the island after the recent decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the Oram's case. It was previously announced that Talat and Christofias would discuss economy-related issues during the meeting, however, instead of carrying on with full-fledged talks, the two leaders later decided to assess the situation in the island after ECJ's verdict.

On the meeting, illegal Bayrak television (05.05.09) broadcast the following:

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the best way to remove any obstacles which may disrupt the current talks is to speed up the negotiations process.

The President was speaking to reporters upon his return to the Presidential Palace following todays meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias.

The course of the direct negotiations was taken up at todays meeting.The two leaders also decided to continue negotiations and intensify them even more, by more frequent meetings between their aides, Ozdil Nami and George Iacovou.

The two leaders met this morning as part of the talks continuing between the two sides since September. Senior aides of the two leaders, Ozdil Nami and George Iacovou, were also present at the meeting. Work carried out until now was discussed at the quartet meeting which lasted nearly two hours.

Speaking to reporters after returning from todays meeting, the President said that todays meeting had focused on the course of the direct negotiations and what is further needed to be done.

Commenting on the meeting, the President said that he had underlined at todays meeting that a settlement to the Cyprus Problem could only be reached through comprehensive negotiations and that the property dispute would be solved within the framework of a settlement. A solution to the Cyprus Problem cannot be solved through legal battles in courts but through negotiations he added.

He added that they had decided to continue negotiations and intensify them even more, by more frequent meetings between their aides, George Iacovou and Ozdil Nami.

The best way of removing any outside obstacles such as the ECJs judgment that could disrupt the talks is to intensify and speed up the process and to reach an end result. We need to ensure that our special representatives work harder in order to achieve this he added.

Asked to comment on Christofias reaction to the Turkish Cypriot sides response on the ECJs decision, the President said: He has issued a statement on the matter. He has stressed that the problem will be solved through negotiations.

[09] Ozgurgun said that someone of the newly elected government will participate in the negotiations

Reminding that Turkeys National Security Council and the Turkish government in their last meeting supported the negotiation process, Mr Ozgurgun said: A bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with equal political rights under the guarantorship of Turkey can be discussed. Besides, the federation is also presented in our election manifesto.

Commenting on the judgement of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the Orams case, Mr Ozgurgun said that they will discuss very soon with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat the political and legal situation after the Orams case. Noting that in the negotiations held under the auspice of the UN it is accepted that a different authority exists in the North and that the decisions that are taken are also applied, Mr Ozgurgun said: They abide by the decisions that we take, they cross to the North at the border gates by showing their identities. I dont believe that the authority in the North is not recognized and the decisions that are taken in the South are valid.

(DPs)

[10] Ejder Aslanbaba new DP general secretary

The Party Assembly of the Democrat Party (DP) convened last night to elect a new General Secretary and members of the Executive Board.

Ejder Aslanbaba has been elected as the new General Secretary of the DP.

The Party Assembly which met for the first time since Party Congress on the 8th of March also elected ten members of the Executive Board and assessed the results of the 19 April Parliamentary election.

The Party came third in the election by winning 5 seats in the Parliament.

[11] Turkeys Chief EU negotiator meets today with the British Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in London

The meeting between Egemen Bagis and Miliband will be held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Bagis is set to meet Turkish journalists at the Turkish embassy in London and he will meet Caroline Flint, Miliband's minister for Europe.

The Turkish negotiator will also deliver a speech at the London School of Economics on Turkey's accession with the EU.

[12] Turkeys Economy Minister Babacan briefs EU Ministers on the pre-accession economic program of Turkey

Turkish state minister for economy gathered on Tuesday with his European counterparts at a Brussels meeting aimed at strengthening dialogue between the European Union and candidate countries.

Ali Babacan, Turkey's top economy chief in the newly re-shuffled cabinet, briefed European economy and finance ministers about Turkey's targets in its pre-accession economic program and latest economic developments in the country. The European Commission predicted on Monday that Turkey's economy would shrink 3.7 percent in 2009 and it would resume positive growth with 2.2 percent in 2010.

Turkey's pre-accession economic program estimates that the country's economy would shrink by 3.6 percent in 2009 and it would grow 3.3 percent in 2010.

[13] Turk novelist is being tried in absentia of inciting religious hatred

the trial of a novelist accused of inciting religious hatred in his last novel "The daughters of Allah" opened and adjourned in Istanbul yesterday. Nedim Gursel, who lives in Paris and is being tried in absentia, faces between one and three years in jail if convicted.

Gursel's lawyer Sehnaz Yuzer said his client had not attended due to concern about "incidents" but that he had made a deposition on a previous visit.The court heard testimony yesterday from the plaintiff Ali Emre Bukagili, a follower of Adnan Oktar who is known for his belief in creationism and rejection of the Darwinian theory of evolution. He said he was offended by the book because it was "insulting to the Prophet and the Koran." He added, "Freedom of expression has limits."

The public prosecutor has recommended acquitting the author on the grounds that an "imminent and clear public order danger" as required by the law has not been established. The novel was published in 2008. The case was adjourned to May 26.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] From the Turkish Press of 06 May 2009

a) UBP victory means failure for AKP:

In an article entitled "Why are they silent?" Milli Gazete columnist Hasan Unal slams part of the Turkish news media for imposing a "blackout" on the election victory of the National Unity Party, UBP, in occupied Cyprus. He recalls how the same newspapers that have represented the election results as an "ordinary" development maintained in the wake of the 2003 elections that the Cyprus policy should be changed completely "despite the fact that [Mehmet Ali] Talat's party had not won enough votes to form a single-party government" in that election. He also asserts that the results of the latest elections in occupied Cyprus means the collapse of the foreign policy arguments of the ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, and its supporters within the news media, adding that the results warrant the resignation of Talat as Turkish Cypriot president.

b) Davutoglus approach in foreign policy and Babacans appointment in the Ministry of Finance:

Commenting on the appointment of Prof Ahmet Davutoglu as Turkey's new foreign minister, Sami Kohen believes that expecting a radical change in foreign policy would be wrong because he has been in the field during the past seven years. In a commentary in Istanbul Milliyet, entitled "New era with Davutorlu," he says that Turkey will have to attach more importance to its priorities in foreign policy in the new era and notes: Davutoglu will take up his work when Turkey has to make quick decisions on many problems in foreign policy. His knowledge and vast experience show that he will make the right and courageous decisions to solve them.

In a column in Istanbul Hurriyet Daily News, entitled "Ahmet Davutoglu," Cuneyt Ulsever lauds the appointment of Ahmet Davutoglu as the new foreign minister and poses questions on the problems he will have to deal with in foreign policy.

In an article entitled "Turkey faces Af-Pak test", Yeni Safak columnist Akif Emre asserts that Turkey's foreign policy performance in the coming period will be tested not by Mideast developments, but by US subterfuges in the "Af-Pak region." He argues that contrary to assumptions about the peaceful agenda of the Obama administration, the United States maintains the "Bush line" on Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding that Barack Obama is looking into using the "military option" to neutralize what is claimed to be the "threat" posed by the possibility that terrorist groups could lay their hands on Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. He also claims ironically that Turkish supporters of the US war on Iraq who believe that the United States' "likable" new president has cleared Turkey's path in the Middle East cannot be expected to understand the implications of the US policy on Pakistan.

In an article entitled "Davutoglu finds his place", Zaman columnist Sahin Alpay comments on some of the latest cabinet appointments. He expresses dissatisfaction with the reappointment of Cemil Cicek as deputy prime minister, asserting that Cicek should be a member of the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, rather than of the AKP because of his views on the Armenian and Kurdish issues. He describes Davutoglu, the new foreign minister, as the architect of the AKP's "generally very successful foreign policy." He also lauds Bulent Arinc, who has been appointed as deputy prime minister, for his "resolute democratic stance" and his opposition to the authorization bill on Iraq.

According to Erdal Saglam, the business and financial circles in Turkey welcomed Ali Babacan's appointment as minister of state responsible for economic affairs. He notes in a column in Istanbhul Hurriyet, entitled "Babacan's Role in Relations with IMF," that he is expected to work with the IMF and the bureaucrats in harmony and draw up a new program for the cooperation of the two sides. Saglam compares Babacan with former Deputy Prime Minister Nazim Ekren, who has been accused of failing to take the necessary steps to maintain economic development, stressing that he will have a rather free hand to realize his decisions without being obstructed by the initiatives Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched in the past to prove that he was the person who made the final decisions on economic issues.

c) Constitutional changes:

According to an exclusive statement by Oktay Vural to Istanbul Cumhuriyet, the MHP [Nationalist Action Party] prefers to decide whether or not it should support the AKP [Justice and Development Party] plan to make constitutional changes after it establishes the kind of agreement it will reach with the CHP [Republican People's Party] and DTP [Democratic Society Party]. It quotes Vural as saying that the MHP also wants to establish why the AKP plans to change the constitution.

Under the headline, "Free Constitution urgently required," Vakit runs a front-page report which asserts that a number of non-governmental organizations have called on the Government to urgently pass a libertarian civil constitution.

Also front-paged in Vakit is a report entitled "This Constitution shames us before the world," which quotes Parliamentary Constitutional Commission Chairman Burhan Kuzu as saying that they believe in the importance of including provisions in the new constitution that arrange for some of the members of the Constitutional Court to be appointed by Parliament and that make the filing of closure lawsuits against political parties by the chief public prosecutor of the Supreme Court subject to the permission of a higher authority.

According to a front-page report in Vakit entitled "AK Party mulls referendum if consensus impossible on new Constitution," the ruling AKP has decided to hold a referendum on "a new constitution with a broader scope of changes if it fails to reach a consensus with other political parties represented in Parliament over the planned changes."

EG/

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