Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-06-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on the Turkish press not to publish unrealistic news regarding the issue of territory

[02] Ozgurgun stated that if a solution is reached on the Cyprus problem, this must be in the framework of the policies of the National Unity Party

[03] Milliyets correspondent in the occupied areas reports that Mr Downer is preparing a new plan for Cyprus

[04] Self-styled parliament speaker: Turkeys guarantee is a sine qua non

[05] Ozer Kanli takes over as new Director of the illegal BRT

[06] Reports about membership of the occupation regime to Federation International Footballtennis Association

[07] Delegation of the US Democrats held contacts in Turkey

[08] Turkeys Foreign Minister holds contacts in the USA

[09] Iraqs oil began to flow to international markets via Turkey

[10] Indian navy pays goodwill visit to Turkey

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 01 June 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on the Turkish press not to publish unrealistic news regarding the issue of territory

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said it is inevitable for the Turkish Cypriot Side to give land in case of a settlement in Cyprus. He also added that this has been approved by the parliament since the former President Rauf Denktas term in office.

In response to the news published at a Turkish newspaper claiming that Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou] will be transferred to the Greek Cypriot side Mr Talat said there is not a certain map on how much land or which places to be transferred.

Speaking to the TAK news agency, the President called on the Turkish press not to publish such news before finding out the realities on the issue. He also said that the map, which will include the arrangements of land, can only be put on the agenda on the latest phase of the negotiations in case of agreements on other issues.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.06.09) reports that Kemal Kilicdaroglu, vice president of the parliamentary group of Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), has reacted to the statement made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that returning territory to the Greek Cypriot side is inevitable.

In statements yesterday during a visit to the Parliamentary Correspondents Association Mr Kilicdaroglu argued: Mr Talat is anyway giving from the beginning. If Mr Talat is incapable of protecting the rights of the TRNC, he should leave this duty immediately. He says we have to give land. At least let him draw the borders. Certainly, such a mentality of a state administration is seen for the first time in the world. Let God give him wisdom.

Meanwhile, Afrika reports also that the general secretary of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Hasan Ercelebi issued a written statement on the same matter and argued that the problem today is that the Annan Plan of 2004 is being warmed up and brought before us once more. He alleged that the statement of Mr Talat revealed the give away and get rid of it policies of the AKP government and constitutes the confession of a bitter reality. He argued that this approach of Mr Talat is unacceptable and added that no one has the right to put the TRNC territories onto the negotiating table.

(ITs)

[02] Ozgurgun stated that if a solution is reached on the Cyprus problem, this must be in the framework of the policies of the National Unity Party

According to the paper, the Association thanked the self-styled foreign minister for making clear in every platform the red lines of the Turkish Cypriot side. On his part, Mr Ozgurgun stated that he shares the same political views with the Association on the issue of the foreign policy. He also stated that the two founding states, bizonality which is not watered down, political equality and Turkeys guarantees are the red lines of the Turkish Cypriot side.

(CS)

[03] Milliyets correspondent in the occupied areas reports that Mr Downer is preparing a new plan for Cyprus

Invoking reliable sources the paper writes that the UN Special Advisor Alexander Downer has set up a camp in the TRNC during the last two weeks. Mr Downer passed the previous weekend in a hotel in Keryneia where he held contacts with businessmen and representatives of NGO´s.

The UN does not want the ongoing negotiation process between Talat and Christofias to come to a deadlock, the paper writes.

In this framework, after they examine the negotiations between the Turkish and the Greek leaders from 1974 until today, they will prepare a new report.

As the paper writes, Mr Downer is holding personal contacts during the last two weeks with NGO´s and businessmen in the TRNC. During his contacts, Mr Downer has been informed about the sensitivities of the Turkish side about Cyprus and as it was learned he will prepare a preliminary study on the issue of the stance that it is necessary to be followed by the UN when they will enter into an active effort on Cyprus.

As it was announced, after completing his contacts, Mr Downer will submit to the two leaders the final form of his report. Invoking diplomatic sources, Milliyet also writes that it was underlined that the report which will be submitted to the leaders will be the general outline of the agreement and for this reason, the Turkish Cypriot side should be very careful.

(AK)

[04] Self-styled parliament speaker: Turkeys guarantee is a sine qua non

The Speaker of the Republics Assembly Hasan Bozer says the only missing thing within the Turkish Cypriot struggle for freedom remains the peace agreement to be reached between the two sides in Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots can adhere to a peace agreement which will enable them to maintain their secure existence on the island, Bozer stated.

Welcoming a delegation from the Turkish Cypriot Fighters Association today, the Speaker emphasized that Turkeys non-diluted active and effective guarantee is a sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriot side.

Underlining the significant role of fighters in the Turkish Cypriot struggle, Hasan Bozer said Turkish Cypriots have reached today with the struggle waged by fighters and Turkeys support. Mr Bozer noted that the Cyprus policy of the ruling National Unity Party remains the same and its based on an agreement which envisages a bi-zonal and bi-communal solution with the existence of two sovereign states. We are not going to run away from the negotiations table. We will sit on the table and defend our rights, Bozer added.

Also speaking during the visit, the President of the Turkish Cypriot Fighters Association Vural Turkmen said President Mehmet Ali Talat welcomes ideas of single state and single sovereignty whereas the Turkish Cypriot People is in favor of two states. Claiming that the red lines of the Turkish Cypriot side are still not clearly defined, Mr Turkmen stressed the need for the protection of the Turkish Cypriot state constituted already.

[05] Ozer Kanli takes over as new Director of the illegal BRT

Ahmet Okan handed over his post to Ozer Kanli today. Ozer Kanli was appointed as the new Director for the Bayrak Radio and TV Corporation (BRTK) with the decision of the Council of Ministers last week.

Transferring his duty to Ozer Kanli after serving the Corporation for nearly 2 years, Ahmet Okan said he was pleased to see a precious journalist who worked for BRT for long years come on duty. He said he was leaving the post happily after doing his best for the Corporation.

Ozer Kanli for his part promised to carry the Corporation forward with the groundwork established by Ahmet Okan. He noted that BRT is an original institution of Turkish Cypriots with a very good staff. Also thanking to the former Head of the BRT Executive Board Vasfi Candan, Ozer Kanli stated that he is coming on duty with new members to the board; Huseyin Metin Beyoglu and Yilmaz Baskaya.

[06] Reports about membership of the occupation regime to Federation International Footballtennis Association

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (02.06.09) writes that the news as regards the participation of the occupation regime in FIFTA came from the journalist Celal Demirbilek, of the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper, who visits the occupied areas very often and makes troubles with the false news he is reporting. According to the paper, there is no TRNC Footballtennis Platform in the occupied areas and the journalist is spreading false news to the Turkish public.

(CS)

[07] Delegation of the US Democrats held contacts in Turkey

Turkey can always depend on the US, while the US can always rely on its close friend Turkey was the powerful message delivered by a group of Democratic senators and a congressman who paid a brief visit to the Turkish capital last week.

Following in the footsteps of US President Barack Obama, who paid a historic visit to Turkey in April, a delegation from the US Congress represented by three senators and one congressman also delivered their own message to their Turkish counterparts on Friday. Senators Robert (Bob) Casey of Pennsylvania, Edward E. Kaufman of Delaware and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey along with Congressman Timothy Waltz from Minnesota -- all Democrats -- met with Turkish officials to discuss a number of bilateral issues.

Stressing that Turkish-US relations will improve and gain strength, Casey said with the new administration and new Congress in place, challenges and common threats face both Turkey and the United States. As [Abraham] Lincoln said, we should appeal to the better angels of our nature' in our relations, he said, adding that he had personally learned much during his talks in Ankara.

Casey also told Today's Zaman that he appreciated the backing of Turkish-Americans in his state when he launched his bid for a senate seat to oust incumbent Republican Senator Rick Santorum in 2006. Turkish-Americans had run fund-raising campaigns to support Casey at the time. Even though the number of Turkish-Americans in Pennsylvania is small, their influence is much greater as most are representatives of the well-educated and affluent class, which is very active in the community and state affairs of Pennsylvania.

Casey said, The message on Armenia was helpful to hear from Turkish officials. Turkey and Armenia started a process of normalization in 2007 and are working to find a solution to common problems under the brokerage of Swiss mediators. Senator Casey did not support Senate Resolution 106, which calls for recognition of the Armenian genocide, and declined to support another resolution drafted in connection with the 2007 assassination of Hrant Dink, the Armenian-Turkish journalist, by a Turkish teenage hit man in Istanbul.

What you are doing on the Armenian and Cyprus issues is making our jobs in the Senate easier, said Kaufman, who replaced Vice President Joe Biden when he vacated his Senate seat. The reason we are here is that we care about Turkey, he added. Kauffman talked about the countries' similarities in terms of the search for basic liberties and democratic values. Your position stands out, he emphasized, recalling Obama's extraordinary visit last April.

Turkey-US Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group leader and Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy from Antalya Mevlut Cavusoglu said the bilateral relations between Turkey and the US are improving rapidly. The US providing a real-time actionable intelligence feed is a notable development in helping us fight terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activities in southeastern Turkey, he said. Cavusoglu further stated that the strained relations felt during the previous administration were rapidly recuperating based on what Obama described as a model partnership between a predominantly Christian nation and a predominantly Muslim nation with a unity based on ideals and values rather than religious faiths.

Cavusoglu hosted a dinner in honor of the visiting congressional delegation in Ankara on Friday. Representatives from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and advocacy group leaders from trade and media organizations also attended the dinner.

[08] Turkeys Foreign Minister holds contacts in the USA

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with the United States President Barack Obama's National Security Adviser James Jones in Washington, D.C. on Monday. Minister Davutoglu also met with the U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Davutoglu will deliver a speech on Tuesday evening as part of the 28th annual conference of the American-Turkish Council (ATC). Ahmet Davutoglu is expected to meet with U.S. Special Envoy to Iran diplomat Dennis Ross. Davutoglu will come together with representatives of U.S. think tank organizations in a meeting that would be closed to the press corps.

Minister Davutoglu will meet with several U.S. congressmen and senators while in Washington, D.C. He will hold talks in New York City on Wednesday and Thursday within the framework of Turkey's rotating presidency at the United Nations Security Council.

Ahmet Davutoglu will go back to Washington, D.C. on Friday to meet his U.S. counterpart Hillary Clinton. He will proceed to Turkey after completing talks in D.C.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News.com (02.06.09) reports the following from Washington D.C.:

Key Turkish and U.S. officials attending an annual conference here on relations between Ankara and Washington on Sunday praised an improvement in ties between the two allies since President Barack Obama took office in January.

Obama visited Turkey in early April as part of efforts to restore the bilateral relationship damaged during former president George W. Bush's term, mainly due to disputes related to the invasion of Iraq.

Our ties were already at a high point, and after the president's visit they were elevated to an even higher degree, U.S. Ambassador to HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/Ankara/" \t "blank" Ankara James Jeffrey told the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review at a reception marking the conference at the Turkish embassy here. His remarks were in Turkish.

Jeffrey said the United States and Turkey were now cooperating closely on a number of matters ranging from HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/iran/" \t "blank" Iran and Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said the U.S.-Turkish ties were having their best time since he became minister six-and-a-half years ago.Ross Wilson, Jeffrey's predecessor as U.S. ambassador to HYPERLINK "http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/Ankara/" \t "blank" Ankara, said Obama's very successful trip to Turkey had greatly contributed to the improved ties.

Subtitle: ATC seeks bolstered ties

The conference is organized by the American-Turkish Council, or ATC, a group that seeks to boost the two nations' political, defense and trade ties. The ATC's members include major U.S. and Turkish companies doing business in each other's countries.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug and Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen were due to address the conference's opening dinner Monday night as the Daily News went to press. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will be keynote speaker at the conference's closing dinner Tuesday.

The ATC's chairman of the board of directors is Brent Scowcroft, national security adviser to former presidents Gerald Ford and George W. H. Bush. The group's president is James Holmes, a former U.S. ambassador.

[09] Iraqs oil began to flow to international markets via Turkey

Oil from Iraq's north was pumped on Monday to international markets by a pipeline to a Turkish Mediterranean port.

An inauguration ceremony was held in Irbil for the beginning of the first official exportation of oil from fields in the region through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline at an initial planned rate of about 100 thousand barrels per day. The level of oil from Taq Taq field is expected to reach 250,000 barrels per day by the middle of next year.

The Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline is a 970 km long pipeline and it is Iraq's largest crude oil export line that reaches Turkey's Ceyhan terminal, a major hub in the eastern Mediterranean.

[10] Indian navy pays goodwill visit to Turkey

A tanker and a ship from the Indian navy began a three-day goodwill visit to Turkey on Sunday.

The INS Delhi and the INS Aditya docked at the Aksaz Naval Base in Marmaris to improve the understanding and friendship between the navies of Turkey and India and to contribute to the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

Goodwill visits to foreign countries by navies are generally undertaken to enhance relations between nations and foster greater defense cooperation. The INS Delhi and the INS Aditya, in their current voyage, have already visited ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt and will proceed from Turkey to Libya before completing their tour in the UK. The commander of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, Rear Adm. S.P.S. Cheema, is accompanying the ships.

The last such goodwill visit from the Indian navy to Turkey took place in July 2006, when Indian navy ships docked in Izmir.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 01 June 2009

a) Kurdish problem

According to a report by Abdurrahman Simsek in Istanbul Sabah, entitled "Centre for financing PKK in Germany," the Union of Association of Kurdish employers [KARSAZ] is the centre that transfers funds from many companies to support the PKK activities. The report says that a Sabah correspondent has been able to trace the companies that handle the funds for the PKK and notes that the companies that are affiliated with KARSAZ in Frankfurt are responsible for the transfers that are made to help the PKK buy arms and realize its activities. It notes that 1,000 companies are affiliated with KARSAZ and that the official reports in Turkey, the Netherlands, and France indicate that KARSAZ transfers 1 billion to the PKK every year. The report also says: Sabah has been able to establish that the PKK transfers the funds it raises to various bank accounts in Armenia and south Cyprus through a German bank. They are used to buy arms and ammunition for the organization.

A column by Yakup Kepenek in Istanbul Cumhuriyet, entitled "Kurdish problem needs to be solved," argues that journalists, scholars, trade unions, and the chambers of industry and trade must do more to contribute to the solution of the Kurdish problem. Stressing that a comprehensive program can be drawn up for that purpose, it notes: The political aspect of the problem has priority. The Turkish Grand National Assembly is where the problem can be solved. The presence of the DTP in the parliament should be seen as an opportunity. However, the party must be able to categorically condemn terrorism in the country. Warning that various forces in Turkey and the foreign countries might not want a solution to be found, it expresses the view that Turkey has the experience to solve the problem and notes: The politicians must realize that they have to solve the problem without wasting time.

In a column in Istanbul Vatan, entitled "The people have the right to ask," Ruhat Mengi criticizes the views Prime Minister Erdogan expressed when he addressed his party's recent congress in Bingol. She argues that he was wrong to create the impression that the reaction of the media organs and a section of the community obstruct the initiatives the government plans to take to solve the Kurdish problem and urges the prime minister to avoid using expressions outlined by the pro-PKK writers to defend his position. Mengi argues that the prime minister should realize that being in power does not give him the right to think that his views are always right and that they cannot be challenged.

b) Removal of mines in Southeastern Turkey

In a column in Istanbul Cumhuriyet, entitled "Corridor to the sea," Isik Kansu urges Prime Minister Erdogan to heed the proposal of the Chamber of Map and Cadastre Engineers for the removal of mines in southeastern Turkey. Kansu quotes the chamber as saying that allowing foreign companies to control an area of 216 million square meters will not be in the country's interest and that the government must realize the project through the services it will buy in Turkey. The leasing of the area to the capital circles or foreign countries in the world for 49 years will be a historic mistake.

In an article entitled "Could Ismailov win the mine clearance contract?", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak comments on the debate over the project to award a foreign company a contract to demine and cultivate a large area along the Turkish-Syrian border. Dilipak asserts that opposition to an Israeli company being given this contract appears to mask an effort to block the mine clearance and agricultural cultivation project entirely, adding that certain quarters seem to be trying to prevent new employment opportunities from being created in this area. He also argues that while "we should act wisely and cautiously, we should not let our fears get the better of our hopes."

c) Outcome of Bahcesehir University opinion poll

According to a column by Yusuf Kanli in the Istanbul Hurriyet Daily News, entitled "A warning of growing xenophobia," the Erdogan administration must take the results of the recent Bahcesehir University opinion poll seriously if it is sincerely committed to the European ambitions of Turkey. Kanli warns that the outcome of the research shows a growing xenophobia in Turkey.

Commenting on the Bahcesehir University research, Okay Gonensin draws attention to the fear of the 76 percent of the people that the Western world plans to divide Turkey. In a column in Istanbul Vatan, he argues that the fear in the country might force Turkey to distance itself from the rest of the world and notes: However, the positive side of the matter should also be considered. The solution of the Kurdish problem will strengthen self-confidence and encourage the people to change the way they look at the world.

Under the headline, "Survey: Neighbourhood pressure is rare in Turkey but intolerance is not," Today's Zaman publishes a front-page report which asserts that "only" ten percent of the people in Turkey feel they are "subject to social discrimination and societal pressure because of their religious beliefs" according to a new survey conducted by Bahcesehir University.

d) Turkey and the Shanghai cooperation organisation

In an article entitled "Turkey and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization", Milli Gazete columnist Abdullah Ozkan criticizes Turkish state and government officials for what he describes as their lack of interest in a recent visit to this country by Bolat Nurgaliyev, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, an international body that "controls half of the global oil production and consumption." Ozkan warns that Turkey's disinterest in this organization is threatening to make it dependent on the United States and the EU in a way that could force it to pay a major price in the future.

e) Turkey-IMF relations

In an article entitled "Yoke", Yeni Safak columnist Tamer Korkmaz criticizes warnings by Moody's and Merrill Lynch as well as "domestic supporters of the IMF" that Turkey can survive without an IMF financing program only through this summer or that foreign capital inflow into Turkey will decrease unless Turkey signs a new deal with the IMF. Korkmaz expresses regret at the fact that "nobody is asking how Turkey has managed to do without the IMF through a summer and a winter already despite the effects of an economic crisis," adding that such questioning should break the "illusion" that Turkey depends on IMF support to be able to put its economy back on track. He goes on to recall "a very important event" that "pro-IMF circles at home have refrained from trying to explain in the past three years," namely an outflow of some $25 billion from Turkey in a matter of three weeks in May and June 2006, triggered by a "secret visit" by Paul Wolfowitz, an event that "rocked the financial markets yet failed to pave the way for a huge economic crisis," proving Turkey's ability to "overcome financial traumas" without IMF support.

In an article entitled "A road map urgently needed", Zaman columnist Ibrahim Ozturk argues that while a new standby agreement with the IMF is not "the last exit before the bridge," the Erdogan government should not delay announcing a fully coordinated, sound, and consistent economic program including medium and long term reform targets, adding that it will be advisable to avoid signing new deal with the IMF if the IMF insists on a stability agreement and objects to Turkey giving priority to production and employment.

EG/

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