Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-06-19

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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 Turkish Cypriots will be called Turks of Cyprus by illegal Bayrak

[02] Search and rescue exercise completed. Eroglu: The whole world needs to accept the fact that there are two separate states and peoples in Cyprus

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat rounded up his contacts in Helsinki

[04] The self-styled assembly will establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate Ergenekons ties with the occupation regime

[05] The orchestrated reaction to the decision of the ECJ continuous; The established for this purpose Platform of Economic Organizations to convey a declaration to EU and UN officials

[06] Petition has been given to the British PM regarding the ECJs decision on the Orams case

[07] Turkish Cypriot tourist guides have concerns regarding tourists who cross over to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] Greek Embassy in Ankara: Bitsios did not mean to threaten Turkey

[09] Konya Air Base to be used by NATO AWACS for Afghanistan. Statements by Ozugergin on the violence in Yemen

[10] The Turkish Naval Forces Commander met with the commander of the Saudi Arabian Naval Forces

[11] Gulf ministers set to gather in Istanbul

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 18 June 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Cypriots will be called Turks of Cyprus by illegal Bayrak

According to the paper, the director of illegal Bayrak, Ozer Kanli, confirmed to Yen1 Duzen this information: The expression Turkish Cypriots describe the persons who were born in Cyprus. But it does not include our compatriots who came to our island after 1974. The expression Turk of Cyprus includes both the Turkish Cypriots and the Turks who came later to Cyprus and has a broader meaning. Besides, this was the expression being used by Bayrak since 1963. The term Turkish Cypriots was used by foreigners. This expression started to be used during the latest period and such an expression never existed in Bayraks history, he stated.

According to Yen1 Duzen, before 2004 the use of terms such as Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots , which were used by the Platform this Country is Ours , were forbidden by the government of the National Unity Party (UBP).

(CS)

[02] Search and rescue exercise completed. Eroglu: The whole world needs to accept the fact that there are two separate states and peoples in Cyprus

The two-day exercise was carried out in the international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean sea and in the territorial waters of Cyprus under the occupation of Turkish troops with the participation of civil and military personnel from Turkish and Turkish Cypriot search and rescue organizations.

Speaking during yesterdays segment, Prime Minister Eroglu stressed that the exercises delivered a strong message to the Greek Cypriot side that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has the right of say over the waters of the island.

Watching the exercises from a Turkish military ship, Mr Eroglu said that the exercises gave a significant message that the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people is secured by the Turkish Armed Forces. The whole world needs to accept the fact that there are two separate states and peoples in Cyprus, and this fact must be the ground for a possible political agreement, Eroglu stated. Adding that the Turkish Cypriots are equal arbiters with Greek Cypriots on this island, Mr Eroglu finalized his words by making emphasis on Turkeys guarantorship in Cyprus.

At the end of the second segment of the exercises, a press briefing was also held by Vice-Admiral Erdal Bucak, who is involved in the management of the exercise. He said the cooperation between Turkey and the illegal occupation regime has been strengthened further with the conduction of the exercises. We have once again declared to the international community that Turkey and the 'TRNC' can jointly carry out successful search and rescue activities within their areas of responsibility, he concluded.

[03] Mehmet Ali Talat rounded up his contacts in Helsinki

In the framework of his contacts, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat met with Juha Matti Seppanen and Kirsi Joenpolvi, who are the directors of the think-tank, Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), founded and led by the former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. During their meeting, they exchanged views on the Cyprus problem. Mr Talat also met with Mr Erkki Tuomioja, deputy of the Finnish Social Democratic Party, who was Minister for Foreign Affairs between 2000-2007. Mr Erkki Tuomiojas father Sakari Tuomioja was the UN mediator for Cyprus in 1963. During a luncheon with the Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, Mr Talat briefed him on the latest phase of the Cyprus problem.

(DPs)

[04] The self-styled assembly will establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate Ergenekons ties with the occupation regime

The bill for the discussion of the issue has been submitted during yesterdays meeting of the self-styled assembly by MPs of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP). As the paper writes, the MPs of the CTP expressed their views on the issue in a preliminary discussion and then the bill was approved by majority. The paper further writes that the issue has caused disputes between the MPs.

In his statements regarding the issue, Mr Serdar Denktas, the chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) stressed the need for the issue to be investigated by the office of the attorney general.

On the same issue, Mr Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) stated that he supports the proposal of CTP and then he asked from the representatives of his party to perform their duty in the committee. Mr. Cakici said also the following: UBP is fearful, it cannot investigate these. He then accused the National Unity Party (UBP) that it contributes to the covering up of the events.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (19.06.09) writes, inter alia, that speaking yesterday at the self-styled assembly Mr Cakici brought into the agenda the activities of the Special Warfare Department which from the 1950s came into the life of the Turkish Cypriots. Mr Cakici posed the following question: In a place where the police is bound to the army, who are you going to ask to conduct the investigations?. Mr Cakici, who referred to various events, which took place in the occupied areas of Cyprus, like the assassination of journalist Kutlu Adali and the bomb attacks against the offices of Afrika newspaper, noted: The headquarters of Ergenekon are here.

(AK/CS)

[05] The orchestrated reaction to the decision of the ECJ continuous; The established for this purpose Platform of Economic Organizations to convey a declaration to EU and UN officials

The Platform of Economic Organizations consists of the following organizations: The Trade Union of Turkish Cypriot Building Contractors, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry, the Association of Turkish Cypriot Businessmen, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade, the Association of Turkish Cypriot Young Businessmen, the Trade Union of Turkish Cypriot Hotel Owners and the Trade Union of Turkish Cypriot Employers.

(DPS)

[06] Petition has been given to the British PM regarding the ECJs decision on the Orams case

Earlier, the Chairman of the Union of Turks Living Abroad Kerem Hasan said they wanted to draw attention to the fact that the verdict on the case will not only affect the British people but also hundreds of thousands of Turkish Cypriots as it will have political, economic and social impacts.

In its ruling last April, the European Court of Justice said that judgments of the Greek Cypriot courts must be recognized and enforced by the other member states even if it concerns land situated in occupied Cyprus.

[07] Turkish Cypriot tourist guides have concerns regarding tourists who cross over to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot tourist guides have concerns regarding tourists who cross into the North from the South. The President of the Cyprus Turkish Tourist Guides Union, Mr Hasan Karlitas, has underlined the need for the correction of several mistakes being made while tourists arriving in Cyprus from the South cross into the North for day-long trips.

In a written statement, Mr Karlitas noted that there have been unequal procedures being implemented during the crossing of tourists from South into the North. He complained that tourist guides from the South who cross into the North together with the tourists are making biased promotions in North Cyprus. Thus, the economic contribution that the tourism brings is diminished, he said.

The Union President went on saying that tourist guides and buses based in North Cyprus are not allowed to operate in the South as a result of the prevention by the Greek Cypriot Tourism Organization, while however Greek Cypriot and foreign tourist guides working in the South are serving the tourists in the North.

Hasan Karlitas said this is an honour-injuring situation for Turkish Cypriot tourist guides. No one else can know and promote the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus better than us, he stressed. He called for taking measures to ease these problems with the establishment of cooperation among the tourist institutions and governmental departments.

[08] Greek Embassy in Ankara: Bitsios did not mean to threaten Turkey

Constantinos Bitsios, secretary general of the Greek Interior Ministry, made an observation on the impact of the issue of illegal immigration but did not mean to threaten Turkey at all about its European Union accession, the Greek Embassy in Ankara has stated.

Bitsios had gathered with a group of Turkish journalists on Monday evening following talks with Turkish officials earlier that day. We are full, Bitsios was quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying, adding that Greece would carry this issue [to the] agenda of Turkey's membership negotiations. When asked whether his remarks meant to threaten Turkey, Bitsios replied: No, this is just a fact.

Mr Secretary General made an observation about the consequences that the phenomenon of illegal immigrants could lead to and did not utter a threat concerning Turkey's European Union process, the Greek Embassy said in a written statement posted to Anatolia on Wednesday evening.

Both countries comprehend well the importance of the issue and have confirmed their initiatives for increasing cooperation between each other to cope with this phenomenon both at a bilateral level and at an international level and within the framework of the Europe[an Union]. It's obvious that the flux of illegal immigrants, in consideration of its meaning, will keep the European agenda busier each passing day, the embassy added.

Christos Markoyiannakis, a Greek deputy interior minister for public order, said last week that Greece would urge the EU to pressure Turkey to take back immigrants who leave its shores to head to nearby Greek islands. Without the support of the European Union, what are we supposed to do, go to war with Turkey? he said. These people jump into the sea when they see the coast guard. Are we supposed to let them drown?

[09] Konya Air Base to be used by NATO AWACS for Afghanistan. Statements by Ozugergin on the violence in Yemen

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that Turkey felt sad over the recent acts of violence in Yemen which targeted the political stability in the country.

Releasing a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey desired such acts to end as soon as possible. 'Yemen's stability is of great importance for the peace and stability of the whole region', the statement said. The ministry's statement also said that Turkey supported the stability, national unity and territorial integrity of Yemen.

On the other hand, Burak Ozugergin, spokesperson for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, confirmed on Thursday that NATO AWACS aircrafts would use the Konya Air Base within the framework of the operations carried out in Afghanistan.

Commenting on several news published in German newspapers, Ozugergin said that NATO officials asked for Turkey's permission to use the air base in the central Anatolian province of Konya.

'It is appropriate for AWACS aircrafts to use the Konya Air Base for a specific period of time within the scope of Turkey's comprehensive contributions to the ISAF operation', Ozugergin said.

[10] The Turkish Naval Forces Commander met with the commander of the Saudi Arabian Naval Forces

Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Metin Atac met with Fahd bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud, the commander of the Saudi Arabian Naval Forces, in Istanbul on Thursday.

Prior to the meeting, Admiral Atac said that they would discuss opportunities of cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries during their meeting.

The meeting was closed to the press.

[11] Gulf ministers set to gather in Istanbul

Foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council will hold a meeting in Istanbul next month, diplomatic sources have said.

Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, will host the meeting on July 6-8 and we all look forward to the consolidation of relations and the broadening of cooperation between Turkey and the GCC, Haldun Osman, Turkey's ambassador to Bahrain, told Gulf News on Tuesday.

The meeting in Istanbul is to be held eight months after the GCC ministers declared Turkey "a strategic partner of the GCC" and signed a memorandum of understanding that would provide for cooperation in the economic, political and security spheres. A rare diplomatic document made Turkey the first country outside the Gulf to be given the status of strategic partner to the GCC. The GCC foreign ministers said that the memo was a significant step forward on the way to reinforcing strategic relations and it was vital for both the GCC countries and Turkey. For Ankara, the memo underlined the importance of Turkey for the Gulf countries stability and security.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 18 June 2009

Taraf report on alleged military action plan

A column by Melih Asik of Milliyet lauds Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the "reasonable" speech he delivered after his meeting with Chief of the General Staff Ilker Basbug on a document published by the daily Taraf on an alleged military action plan against the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Gulen group. Recalling Erdogan's remarks that the General Staff adopted a "responsible and sensible" approach by launching an investigation into the claims of the daily, Asik says that contrary to the pro-AKP media, the prime minister questions the reliability of the controversial plan and warns against possible efforts to create a conflict between the government and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). He concludes by speculating that certain circles from the Directorate of Security might have prepared a fake document with the aim of creating a conflict between state institutions.

Writing in Milliyet, Fikret Bila cites Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal as denying that he implied that Gen Basbug should resign if the claims published by the daily Taraf are proved to be true. In his column, Bila says that Baykal clarified his remarks by explaining that if the said document is prepared by high-ranking officials from the General Staff, Gen Basbug should not only take the necessary action against those officials but also "apologize to the public." Expressing the hope that Col Dursun Cicek is telling the truth while saying that he did not draw up the plan, Baykal says that "the problem will become more serious if the said document is prepared by the circles that try to place the TSK in a difficult position," adding, "if that is the case, then those who are responsible for the document and their aim must be revealed and the necessary legal action must be taken against them."

In his article in Taraf, columnist Ahmet Altan questions the reliability of the investigation the military prosecutor will carry out against the colonel who is said to have signed the action plan against the AKP. Altan argues that the people will not be convinced with a ruling to be made by the military courts. Recalling that an "independent military court" acquitted the perpetrators of the Semdinli attack who were sentenced to 39 years in prison by a civilian court, he asserts that the recently seized military plan should be investigated by civilian authorities in order to achieve a healthy result. He adds: "There is a very serious document. It is a 'memorandum' directly targeting the civilian administration. It is a signed text revealing the infrastructure of a 'coup attempt.'" Stressing that Turkey is discussing whether the memorandum was actually signed by the colonel or by someone else who used his name, he asks why the colonel refrains from giving his deposition to a civilian prosecutor.

A column by Mehmet Yilmaz of Hurriyet asserts that as stated by Fethullah Gulen some time ago, the members of the Gulen community naturally have the right to serve in the army, in the directorate of the police, or in another state institution. However, he notes, the issue has another aspect: Those who are employed in the state institutions are expected to behave as "civil servants." They should avoid acting as the members of a community, a party, or an association. According to Yilmaz, the intentions and the policies of the Gulen community are unclear as it avoids becoming a transparent organization with open financial resources. Meanwhile, criticizing those who call on the "civilian judiciary" to deal with the controversial military plan published by Taraf, the columnist recalls that "the plan was initially seized by civilian officials within the framework of the Ergenekon investigation." Yilmaz adds: The Prosecutor's Office neither broadened its investigation as per the seized document nor launched a new probe. Instead, it leaked the document to the press. The columnist goes on to note that the Prosecutor's Office has either failed to understand the importance of the document or deliberately leaked it to the press to create the current chaos.

In an article entitled "A plan to change the world and internal score-settling for the sake of the regime, Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul asserts that Turkey should not let the political "storm" over the alleged military document disclosed by the Taraf daily divert its attention away from significant international developments such as the latest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Yekaterinburg, Russia, an event whose importance, he claims, is highlighted by the fact that Iranian President Ahmadinezhad chose to take part in it regardless of the ongoing unrest in Iran caused by the results of the presidential elections in this country, and the recent BRIC summit in Russia, which saw Brazil, Russia, India, and China make "very important decisions" that entail the changing of the global economic system, the termination of the dollar hegemony, the creation of a new global reserve currency, etc.

In an article entitled "Why is the general staff not talking clearly?, Vakit Editor-in-Chief Hasan Karakaya poses several questions about the "dirty action plan" against the AKP and the Gulen movement such as why General Basbug chose to issue a statement to the Hurriyet daily regarding the document in question rather than responding to the allegations at a news conference attended by the representatives of all media outlets accredited with the General Staff, to which higher military authority the "action plan" was submitted after it was prepared, what the "master plan" of which the action plan must be a part entails, why the Erdogan government has not exercised its authority to remove the deputy chief of staff, the person authorized to order the preparation of such plans, from office, etc. Karakaya also asks whether General Basbug's "problem" might be that he has difficulty controlling lower-ranking officers in the military who are looking into staging a coup.

ES/

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