Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-05-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ozgurgun to visit Ankara today for various contacts

[02] Exclusive statements by Eroglu to Kibris: I maintain no hope for the solution in the near future

[03] Turkey U Association Council calls on Turkey to open its ports and airports to the vessels of the Republic of Cyprus

[04] Statements by Davutoglu after the 47th session of the EC Turkey Association Council

[05] Swedish FM Bildt warns Turkey that no additional period will be given as regards the opening of the Turkish ports to the Republic of Cyprus

[06] Normalisation call from the Turkish tourist agents towards the Israelis

[07] Turkish general to command NATO center in Greece

[08] Today's Zaman representative led to opening of CHP Brussels office

[09] Survey among Turkish youth showed that three quarters of the Turkish youngsters would like to live outside Turkey

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] The Turkish Press Council on the brink of a crisis

[11] From the Turkish Press of 19 May 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ozgurgun to visit Ankara today for various contacts

(AK)

[02] Exclusive statements by Eroglu to Kibris: I maintain no hope for the solution in the near future

Evaluating the allegations that during the period of December 2009 until April 2010 there will be mobility for the solution of the Cyprus problem, and, replying to the question whether there is hope for a solution in the near future, Mr. Eroglu said that he maintains no hope for the solution in the near future. He then said the following: Of course we support the negotiations, however, I do not see light as regards the issue of reaching to a solution soon. Mr. Eroglu went on and said that the two sides have disagreements on the territorial issue, on the property issue, the guarantees, the administration, even on the EU issues, and added that he is of the opinion that those issues will not be overcome soon.

Replying to the question regarding his attitude in case a plan similar to the Annan Plan appears and in case the arbitration issue for the solution of the Cyprus problem comes into the agenda, Mr. Eroglu answered as follows: I am not warm on the issue of arbitration. It is important who will be the arbitrator. If it will be the EU, it will protect its members. Greece and the Republic of Cyprus are its members. If it will be the UN, we saw them during the Annan plan period. This plan was not a plan which made us satisfied. Consequently, we have concerns over the issue of a new plan. However, a timetable could be set for the negotiations.

Asked to reply to the question Have you received any indications from Ankara for a flexible behavior on the guarantees issue? Mr. Eroglu said that they have not received such indications, stating that they are opposed to the watering down of the guarantees. Mr. Eroglu referred also to the meeting they had with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu during his recent visit in Cyprus and added that the Foreign Minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun will pay an official visit to Ankara today. Mr. Eroglu stated also that he will visit Ankara very soon. He then reminded the fact that the Turkish government has never watered down the issue of guarantorship.

Regarding his relations with Talat, Mr. Eroglu said that they decided to meet every Tuesday.

(AK)

[03] Turkey U Association Council calls on Turkey to open its ports and airports to the vessels of the Republic of Cyprus

The European Union yesterday presented a document to Turkey calling for more reforms and complaining that the Turkish military still has powers that are not in line with EU standards. The common position paper from the 27 EU member states was the top item at a meeting in Brussels between top EU officials and a Turkish delegation headed by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The latest developments in the Turkey's EU accession negotiations and the country's ongoing reform process were discussed at the Turkey-EU Association Council, the highest decision-making body between Turkey and the EU.

In addition to Davutoglu, Turkey's chief EU negotiator, State Minister Egemen Bagis, also attended the high-level meeting. Issues related to the functioning of the Turkey-EU Customs Union, Turkey's alignment to the EU acquis communautaire and financial cooperation were also reviewed at the gathering.

In its position paper, the EU made it clear that it would be closely following developments in Cyprus, calling on Ankara to open its ports to Greek Cyprus and implicitly stating that there would be repercussions if it does not do so. In 2006, the EU decided to review progress regarding the opening of Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot vessels in 2009. The European Council is expected to look into the issue in December. The EU has already frozen eight out of 35 negotiation chapters as Turkey has refused to open its ports. Turkey, however, argues that the EU has not kept its promise to establish direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

The EU has criticized the government for a slowdown in reforms in recent years, calling for an impartial and independent judiciary.

Davutoglu, who was the architect of Turkey's new foreign policy approach as chief foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan before taking office as foreign minister at the beginning of the month, meanwhile, received a veiled welcome message from the bloc, with Turkey's foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East and the southern Caucasus, being applauded.

The EU recalls the strategic importance of Turkey for the union. The EU welcomes the active and constructive role Turkey plays with its diplomatic initiatives in relation to the south Caucasus and the Middle East, and welcomes the close political dialogue between Turkey and the EU on all these matters. The EU encourages Turkey to pursue its current efforts in normalizing its relations with Armenia and welcomes the joint statement of April 22 announcing a roadmap in this regard, the EU document said.

The key meeting in Brussels came amid domestic debates over the government's aim to change the current Constitution, which is a legacy of the country's 1980 coup d'état.

The EU welcomed governmental efforts for constitutional changes, but warned the government about deficiencies in the current Political Parties Law.

European standards in Turkish constitutional law: In this context, the EU recalls that on March 14, 2009 the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe delivered its opinion on the Turkish legal provisions governing the closure of political parties. The EU invites Turkey to amend these provisions in line with the case law of the European Court of Human rights and taking into account the above-mentioned opinion of the Venice Commission, the document noted.

[04] Statements by Davutoglu after the 47th session of the EC Turkey Association Council

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that relations between Turkey and the European Union were deep-rooted and has a vision.

Together with Turkey's chief EU negotiator and State Minister Egemen Bagis, Davutoglu spoke at a joint press conference after the 47th session of the EC-Turkey Association Council with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt whose country will take over the presidency.

This council has a special place in Turkey-EU relations, Davutoglu told reporters. Even its existence and having held the 47th session shows how deep-rooted Turkey-EU relations have become, he said.

Davutoglu recalled that relations began in 1959 and said relations with EU were a strategic choice of Turkey. He reiterated that Turkey had only one goal since that time. It is full membership to EU. Today we are fully committed to that goal, he stated.Davutoglu also warned that nobody should discuss advantages, disadvantages and history of relations to create a new uncertainty. More than anything, this is a matter of commitment. As we have earlier made our commitment, we have to fulfill our obligations in the future and we are aware of our responsibilities, he said.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.05.09) reported from Brussels that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday that Turkey's EU membership process was a one-way road with no turning back.

Davutoglu, who is currently in Brussels together with Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis to attend the 47th session of the EC -Turkey Association Council, held talks with journalists.

Commenting on Turkey-EU relations, Davutoglu said: Everybody should understand that Turkey's EU bid is a one-way process which is carried on through negotiations. There is no turning back in this process.

Davutoglu said that the membership process of a candidate country had never stopped unless such country refused membership itself in EU's history.If such country kept displaying the will, there has never been other alternative than full membership, he said.

Davutoglu also asked EU to be committed to its promises and not to use Turkish-EU relations for political discussions within itself.

During the gathering, Bagis said that Turkey had the necessary political will for its EU process. Everybody in Turkey agree that the country will become more modern, democratic and wealthy through this process, Bagis said.

Before attending the 47th session of the EC - Turkey Association Council, Davutoglu and Bagis met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (20.05.09) under the title in its world-news pages, The EU warned; Turkey remained silent, reports about the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Brussels to attend the EU-Turkey Association Council by its correspondent in the Belgian capital Guven Ozalp. Main issues of discussion of the Turkish FM were the freedom of the press and Cyprus. During the discussion in the Association Council, Turkey maintained a harder stance regarding Cyprus, but remained silent to the criticisms regarding the freedom of the press.

The paper continues under the subtitle, The Cyprus exit, and reports that Mr Davutoglu stated that it is unacceptable that the Cyprus problem is being put as an obstacle before Turkey. According to EU sources, they faced a much harsher stance on the Cyprus issue than the one they expected. Speaking during a joint press conference, the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt stated that Cyprus will be the most important issue for EU during the next six months.

(EA)

[05] Swedish FM Bildt warns Turkey that no additional period will be given as regards the opening of the Turkish ports to the Republic of Cyprus

As the paper writes, Sweden is one of the most important supporters of Turkey in the EU. Sweden during its presidency aims to open at least two negotiation chapters with Ankara. However, according to Mr Bildt, unless the ports issue with the Government of Cyprus is settled in the next six months, it will be meaningless to expect the opening of other negotiation chapters. Because the EU three years ago set a period for Turkey until the end of this year, to open its ports to the aircrafts and vessels of Cyprus. Swedish FM Bildt stated that on the issue of the ports, there is no possibility of additional period to be given and added that the peace negotiations in Cyprus should end by the end of this year as well.

In addition, replying to a question concerning the opening of new chapters for Turkey during the Swedish presidency and the fact that Cyprus blocks the energy chapter, Mr Bildt said: In my opinion, the most critical subject is the Cyprus negotiations and the Protocol of Ankara. Since eight of the negotiation chapters are remaining unsolved because of the Ankara Protocol. Our priority will be on this issue. If we cannot make any progress in this issue, no benefits will be provided. I think that the ports issue is a very difficult issue. We are expecting progress. At the end of this year an evaluation will be made. This is definite!

To the question if Turkey does not open its ports until that date what stance will you adopt?, Mr Bildt said: I do not want to enter into different scenarios regarding this issue. However, if there is no progress, then this situation will be concluded with negative developments.

In addition, inter alia, Mr Bildt stated that 22 out of the 27 member-states support Turkey or they are avoiding to express their opinion on the issue. As he said, France and Austria are clearly opposing, but the German coalition government is divided as regards the issue.

(EA)

[06] Normalisation call from the Turkish tourist agents towards the Israelis

Speaking during the meeting, the President of TURO-FED, Mr Ahmet Barut, said that in no period of the history did the Turks and Israelis fight. Last year, 560 thousand Israelis visited Turkey. However, this year a decrease has been noticed. Mr Barut said: We consider the Israeli market very important. I hope that this meeting will be the beginning of a new normalisation.

(EA)

[07] Turkish general to command NATO center in Greece

The Combined Aerospace Operations Center (CAOC) in Larissa, Greece, will be under the rotating command of a Turkish lieutenant general and a Greek general, each serving for two years, the Turkish newspaper Aksam reported on Tuesday. This is the first time a Turkish general will be serving in Greek territory since Greece won its independence from the Ottoman Empire in the early 19th century.

Larissa is also where Greek jet fighters take off to intercept Turkish warplanes flying over the Aegean. Turkey and Greece have long-running territorial disputes over the Aegean, and the fighter jets of the two countries are frequently engaged in dogfights due to disagreements over the boundaries of Greek airspace, concludes the paper.

[08] Today's Zaman representative led to opening of CHP Brussels office

A speech delivered by a main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy has revealed that the party opened its office in Brussels because it was highly disturbed by the close journalistic contact between a Today's Zaman Brussels representative and senior EU leaders. CHP deputy Sahin Mengu stated in a recent panel named The Ergenekon Organization held in Krefeld, Germany, that the party opened its Brussels office due to close interaction between Selcuk Gultasli, a Today's Zaman Brussels representative, and EU officials.

What I mean by explaining some issues to Europeans is not to bow to Europeans. I lived in Brussels and witnessed some things. There is an outstanding representative of a religious newspaper [referring to Today's Zaman] in Brussels. I guess they offer him a pretty good salary. He is together with senior European officials every day. Europeans know us [the CHP] through this man. It is our fault. But we realized our fault. You must have heard about it. The CHP has opened an office in Brussels. We will open many more all across Europe, Mengu remarked.

The CHP Brussels office was opened in September 2008. Onur Oymen, the deputy chairman of the CHP, stressed that the opening of the office was aimed at raising the party's profile within the EU. Mengu's remarks, however, contradicted those of Oymen. According to Mengu, Gultasli's popularity among EU officials was the first factor that led the CHP to open its Brussels office.

The opening of offices in Europe does not mean bowing to Europeans. We will do it to convey our messages more correctly. Otherwise we will continue to be misunderstood. This is our fault. We have to make up for it, Mengu added. Shortly after the opening of the Brussels office, CHP leader Deniz Baykal met with some EU officials in Brussels and complained that his party is misunderstood in Europe.

Gultasli, who has worked as journalist since 1995, serves as the Brussels representative of Today's Zaman and its sister company, Zaman daily. He also prepares the program Avrupa Masasi (European Table), which hosts famous EU officials and experts. The program is broadcast on STV every fortnight.

[09] Survey among Turkish youth showed that three quarters of the Turkish youngsters would like to live outside Turkey

A study commissioned by the Ankara Young Businessmen Association, or ANGIAD, showed that 73.3 percent of Turkish youth would like to live overseas. The survey, conducted among 1,829 individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, showed that 80.2 percent did not participate in sports.

Of those questioned, 52.8 percent were men, and 62.9 percent were high school graduates and 27.4 were university graduates. According to the survey, 29.1 percent were employed, 32.5 percent were students and 4.8 percent were both working and studying. 33.6 percent said they were unemployed.

While most want to go overseas for better financial security, 59.4 percent said ifthey came back to the world again, they would still want to be born in Turkey.

Among the men, 18.1 percent saw their parents as role models, while 9.8 percent saw Acun Ilicali, a game show host, and 9.2 percent saw Polat Alemdar, a mafia boss in a television show, as their role models.

Women saw businesswoman Guler Sabanci and Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu as role models after their parents. Some 51.5 percent of respondents said they did not read newspapers, while 31.7 percent of those who do usually prefer the sports pages, and 19.3 percent prefer the magazine section.

The study showed 32.6 percent drank alcohol and smoked. 83.5 percent of respondents said they faced physical violence, with 59.2 percent saying they were victims of domestic violence. 32.1 percent said they did not want to respond to questions about violence.

The study revealed that the biggest fear youth have is to be unemployed or lose their jobs (19.2 percent), followed by the break-up of the country (17.1 percent), the death of a relative (15.7 percent) and their parents separating (15.3 percent).49.2 percent are against Turkey joining the European Union while 18.5 percent are for a closer relationship with the United States and 12.7 percent are for closer ties with the Islamic world.

The study also showed that 60.4 percent believed there would be no military coups in Turkey anymore while 67.4 percent said Turkey would not face an Islamic revolution.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] The Turkish Press Council on the brink of a crisis

The Zaman daily, the most highly circulated paper in the Turkish newspaper market, has canceled its membership in the Turkish Press Council, citing as a reason the organization's insensitivity to professional ethics. The daily's decision was announced by Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli in his Monday column.

The Turkish Press Council has seen significant ruptures in its membership in the last four years and lost most of its credibility in the eyes of Turkish press representatives. This time, Zaman, the sister company of Todays Zaman, left the organization, following the departure of Turkish dailies Sabah, Aksam, Gunes, Yeni Safak and Tercuman. As well as those newspapers, several TV channels including Show TV, SKY Turk TV, Kanal 7 and ATV have also departed from the council, claiming that it has lost its impartiality and failed to defend its constituent members' rights.

Dumanli said they did not have any choice but to leave. Unfortunately they succeeded in leaving. They did not leave us any choice. They did the same thing they do for others, too. We, as the Zaman daily, tried to stay in the council to the last minute. Did we receive any benefit? No! Did we have expectations? Never! Were we afraid or anxious? Absolutely not! We just didn't want the council to be an organization of a particular group [Dogan Media Group]. We just didn't want the bridges between the media outlets come to grief, he wrote yesterday.

Specifying the reasons that led them out of the council, Dumanli stressed that the council's executives have never criticized themselves and always blamed the outgoing members. Unfortunately, the administration of the Press Council has collapsed the organization and corroded it from the inside by turning everyone against them. And, they always blamed those that left the council. Those managers who have never criticized themselves would have understood what kind of a story of failure theirs was if they had looked in the mirror even once. It never took a step, nor did it become embracing to all to prevent its own doom. It has become increasingly more marginalized and isolated. They could not exercise the attitude they were expected to in order to guard the freedom of their colleagues, explained Dumanli.

The Turkish Press Council stood by the General Staff in the case of the abandonment of Cihan news agency reporter Lutfi Aykurt in a mountainous area by a colonel in the Turkish army. The colonel refused to allow Aykurt to board a military helicopter after learning that he worked for Cihan and left him in freezing cold weather, confirmed to be between -5 to -8 degrees Celsius by the State Meteorology Bureau. The figure was earlier reported as being 13 degrees Celsius by Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, who was supported by the council, too. Dumanli wrote that this attitude of the council was the last of a series of its unperceivable moves, which ultimately led them to decide to cancel their membership.

[02] From the Turkish Press of 19 May 2009

a) Democratic Party leadership:

Assessing the race for leadership in the Democratic Party, DP, in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Mehmet Ali Birand says that DP congress turned into a race of electing a leader for the future centre-right. Describing Cindoruk as a custodian who will gather the Motherland Party, ANAP, and True Path Party, DYP, sympathizers and leave the flag to a younger leader, Birand assesses Ali Bayar as a person who needs to take his place among the future leaders.

Viewing Cindoruk's election to the DP leadership in an article in Cumhuriyet, Cuneyt Arcayurek argues that the articles written in the Islamist press against Cindoruk reflect the profound concern felt by the pro-government circles over the unification of the center-right. Arcayurek writes: "The emergence of the possibility of uniting the center-right through Cindoruk has caused the religious circles - including the pro-Fethullah Gulen circles - to enter into the vortex of fear." Dismissing all the accusations leveled against Cindoruk, Arcayurek declares that this experienced politician has always fulfilled the duties given to him "honorably and within the framework of the Constitution and the laws." If Cindoruk succeeds in his mission of uniting the center-right, then secular democracy will be victorious, stresses Arcayurek, concluding: "If the Democratic Left Party, DSP, which has a big name but few votes in the political arena, abandons its dreams that are hard to realize and unites with the CHP, then a unification can be achieved in the left just as the one in the center-right, thus reviving our hopes and expectations directed toward the future."

b) Legal case against Gul for the missing trillions of the Welfare Party:

Under the headline, "Another decision instigated by Kanadoglu," Yeni Safak carries a front-page report which blasts the "controversial" First Criminal Court in Ankara's Sincan district for rendering a "shocking" ruling saying that President Abdullah Gul should be put on trial on charges of falsification in the so-called missing trillion case against a number of former Welfare Party officials. The report claims that in making this ruling "in utter disregard of the Constitution," the Sincan court was guided by a 2007 article by former Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court Sabih Kanadoglu which argued that Gul could be prosecuted "like an ordinary citizen."

EG/

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