Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-07-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey has sent ships to carry out dredging and deepening works in the ports and the fishing shelters in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[02] Ozgurgun refers to the influence of Turkey in the OIC and the help it provides to the breakaway regime; The regime is exerting efforts to participate in the Islamic Games in Malaysia under the OIC flag

[03] Oya Talat completed her contacts in Abkhazia

[04] Turkey has prepared a new package of incentives for the Turkish businessmen who have not completed their investments in the occupied Vokolida area

[05] Tatar calls on the Turkish banks to take into consideration the title deeds given by the breakaway regime

[06] Religious classes started in the occupied areas

[07] British court judge visits the so-called speaker of the illegal regimes assembly

[08] More details on the expected decision of the British Court of Appeal on the Orams case

[09] Former head of the Special War Office retired General Kemal Yamak died

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Heron UAVs test case for Turkish defense industry

[11] From the Turkish Press of 27 July 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkey has sent ships to carry out dredging and deepening works in the ports and the fishing shelters in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Officials stated that the special ships will carry out dredging and deepening works in the TRNC ports and the fishing shelters, writes the paper adding that the self-styled minister of public works and transport, Hasan Tacoy said that other legal works will also be carried out, but he did not clarify what these works are. The ships under the name of Kazar 3 and Camur 7, which are bound to the General Directorate of Izmirs Railways, Ports and Airports, will be carrying out dredging and deepening works in all the ports and fishing shelters of the occupied areas of Cyprus as of today starting from the western coasts.

The paper notes, inter alia, the following: The works will last four months. Hasan Tacoy, noting that the legal works will be completed within a short period of time, said that in September we shall bring it to a situation so that it will be possible for it to be taken to the assembly. It was noted that the protocol regarding this issue was signed between Turkey and the TRNC on 21 May 2009.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun refers to the influence of Turkey in the OIC and the help it provides to the breakaway regime; The regime is exerting efforts to participate in the Islamic Games in Malaysia under the OIC flag

Mr Ozgurgun pointed out to the difficulties of moving forward in the international field and referred to the help that Turkey provides to the breakaway regime, especially within the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). He noted that Turkey has great influence in the OIC and thanks to this influence they achieved great things in that organization. Drawing attention to the fact that a Turk is the General Secretary of the OIC, he stressed that this has been very beneficial for them and added:

When we go there they help us a lot. For example, during the last meeting we would make an address on the last day. However, they transferred us to the first day. The first day is the most important one, because there is no one in the room during the last day. They arranged a meeting for us with the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is very close to the Greek Cypriots. We have even demanded to open a consulate in Egypt. Turkey has a great influence in the OIC. I see this influence even in the Council of Europe. Turkey has a very serious power in the international field. They manage to have influence on many issues. This is even greater in the OIC. I think that there is almost nothing it could not do, as long as it wants it. For example, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a dinner for 11 Ministers of Foreign Affairs and they invited us as well. They arranged for me to sit next to 11 Ministers of Foreign Affairs at that table, from Azerbaijan, from Guinea, and they introduced me as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the TRNC. I have talked with each one of them there. If it was not for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, normally these would not even sit by my side. As I said, Turkey has a real power in the OIC and this is the status it has secured for us. It has the power to lead us even to the full membership.

Moreover, Mr Ozgurgun said that the breakaway regime has 17 representations in foreign countries and noted that students from some of those countries study in the illegal universities in the occupied areas. He added: From this point of view, the ministries concerned in those countries establish a relation with you, even if they do not recognize you. They establish a tie with the personnel of our representation, because they are in contact for the situation of these students.

Referring to the Cyprus talks, Mr Ozgurgun said he is in contact with the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and he is informed about the negotiations. Noting that the negotiations have come to a certain point, he argued that there are serious problems and disagreements on important issues between the two sides. These serious problems are the territory and security, he pointed out and added: When I look at the papers they submit and the papers we submit, I have serious doubts on whether the sides will be able to come close.

Mr Ozgurgun noted that the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs is an institution, which says things that the Turkish Cypriot leader does not want or is not in a position to say. He argued that their statements complement the Turkish Cypriot leader and referred for example to the statements made on the issue of the researches for oil. He expressed the view that these strengthen Mr Talat and that they are forced to make such statements, because the Greek Cypriots make statements about Turkey and Turkey cannot reply to them, because it does not accept them as its interlocutors. This is a state policy, he said.

In its sports pages, Havadis reports that Mr Ozgurgun said that the Turkish Cypriot athletes might participate in the Islamic Games which will take place in Malaysia in two years. He noted that because they have the status of the observer country, they could participate in the games only under the flag of the OIC. He said they are trying to participate in the games in Malaysia under the OIC flag. Mr Ozgurgun said that Turkish Cypriot officials will attend as observers the Islamic Games which will take place in Iran.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Oya Talat completed her contacts in Abkhazia

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (27.07.09) broadcast the following:

A Friendship and Cooperation Agreement has been signed by the Cyprus Turkish Womens Council and the Union of Businesswomen of Abkhazia.

The agreement was signed during a visit paid to Abkhazia by a TRNC delegation headed by the Chairwoman of the Cyprus Turkish Womens Council First Lady Oya Talat. The delegation returns to the Republic this evening.

The Friendship and Cooperation Agreement was signed by the Chairwoman of the Cyprus Turkish Womens Council Oya Talat and the Chairwoman of the Union of Businesswomen of Abkhazia Yulia Gumba.

The agreement draws attention to the active role and contributions of women in the development of countries ruined by war or fighting.

`We sincerely believe that women should play an active role in social life with the realization of equality between women and men and should be represented as equals in social and political life`, the agreement said, adding that they have agreed to work in cooperation to realize this objective.

The two organizations also agreed to cooperate in the fields of economy, education, culture, tourism and sports. The two chairwomen also expressed their belief that civil society organizations should take part in the joint work to be carried out within the framework of the agreement signed.

The TRNC delegation consisted of women from various civil society organizations.

[04] Turkey has prepared a new package of incentives for the Turkish businessmen who have not completed their investments in the occupied Vokolida area

(I/Ts.)

[05] Tatar calls on the Turkish banks to take into consideration the title deeds given by the breakaway regime

(I/Ts.)

[06] Religious classes started in the occupied areas

Meanwhile, Halkin Sesi (28.07.09) reports also that the trade unions of the primary and secondary school teachers, KTOS and KTOEOS respectively, have announced that they would boycott the inspection of these courses.

(I/Ts.)

[07] British court judge visits the so-called speaker of the illegal regimes assembly

On Monday 20 July the President of the TRNC Assembly, Hasan Bozer, and his wife entertained Hazel Marshall QC, a senior Chancery Judge at the Central London Civil Justice Centre, and her husband Conservative Westminster Councillor Dr Harvey Marshall to celebrate North Cyprus Peace and Freedom Day. During the event Bozer said that international law is biased in its treatment towards Cyprus.

He went on to claim: We [Turkish Cypriots] complained about international law between 1963 and 1974 and even the law developed after 1974 is still not looking upon Cyprus fairly. Bozer said that Britain has a special role regarding Cyprus and that the real problem on the island started after 1963 when South Cyprus wanted to manage the country. Therefore, after that year South Cyprus started fighting to take the power in its hand and exclude the Turkish Cypriots in a de facto way. Until 1974 the Turkish Cypriots were very seriously assaulted and experienced a lack of democratic rights and security. In 1974 the Greek Cypriots declared Enosis and this cause pushed the Turkish Cypriots over the limit of tolerance. On 20 July 1974 Turkey entered the island as a result of the serious safety problems experienced by the Turkish Cypriots. Since that day the Turkish Cypriots have their own state and live in a happy and democratic way with contributions from Turkey. Bozer said, A peace agreement is needed and added that Cyprus has an international role because of its geopolitical situation but still experiences difficulties in the solution process. At the meeting, Bozer gave a TRNC Assembly memorial plate to Hazel Marshall.

Fact-finding mission

Councillor Dr Harvey Marshall reported that the reason for him being in North Cyprus is to get more information about the Cyprus problem. He mentioned the old relationship between UK, Turkey and North Cyprus and stated that the legal situation in Cyprus is too complex. Marshall said that he understood the situation better after the United Kingdoms problems in Northern Ireland and said that the Conservative Party has always supported Turkey and North Cyprus EU memberships. The one-time Westminster Lord Mayor said that the only way for Turkey and Northern Cyprus to progress is by achieving EU membership, Turkey has, he went on to say, an important position for the European Union, Russia and the Middle East, so Turkeys EU membership is very important for the whole of Europe. He reported that it is important to understand the different opinions of both sides. Turkish Cypriots have passed through hard times during the last 35 years and now it is time to solve the problems for the two sides happiness. Life is short; Dr Marshall said, and people should live in harmony which is why he wanted to see a solution in Cyprus.

[08] More details on the expected decision of the British Court of Appeal on the Orams case

The British Court of Appeal has set 11 and 12 November for the hearing of the controversial Orams versus Apostolides case.

According to Constantis Candounas the lawyer of Greek Cypriot refugee Meletis Apostolides, who launched proceedings against British couple David and Linda Orams for building on his property in the occupied areas it is not yet known whether the Appeal Court will reach a final verdict on those dates or later on. We hope it will be before the end of the year, said Candounas. In April, the European Court of Justice ruled in seminal judgment that Apostolides could enforce a Nicosia court judgment against the Orams in the UK, even though the case involved exploitation of his property in the North, where the EU acquis is suspended.

The ruling opens the door for displaced Greek Cypriots to go after those who occupy their land in the North by pursuing any assets they have in the EU, and possibly beyond.

The speculation as to when the London hearing of the Orams case will take place has now ended as 11 and 12 November have been firmly put into the Court Diary.

Currently there is concern about Cherie Booth, who is being treated for Swine Flu, but there is a sense of certainly that come November, she will be fully recovered and ready to play her part in the two-day hearing.

There is a sense of jubilation over the fact that a full two days has been allocated as it has been reported that Mr Apostolides legal team had asked for just a morning. They had, in the words of someone closely connected to the Orams team hoped that their victory could be simply rubber stamped, but now we will have plenty of time to state our defense.

Recently, the Turkish Chamber of Commerce held a meeting in London discussing aspects of this case at which Nicholas Green, one of the Orams lawyers, had been present. Many at the meeting were disappointed as Mr Greens comments appeared to be restricted and there were those who were busily criticizing various aspects of the case.

The Orams were encouraged by the support shown by so many Turkish Cypriot groups such as Embargoed, the North Cyprus Action Platform, the Association of Turkish Cypriots abroad and the untiring and determined work of the team fighting on their behalf.

We have been trying to clear some of our Hove garden, which currently resembles a jungle, said Linda, discovering that the fickle British weather soon turned to rain.

All we can do now is to enjoy the remainder of the summer and wait calmly for November. We continue to have complete faith in our excellent legal team and in the fairness of the British justice system.

The couple, and all those who wish them well, hope that the summer will enable them to lead a quieter, less stressful period of their lives, especially after seeing the programme Mediterranean Nightmares which Linda found a little frustrating and upsetting. She reported that she realized, seeing herself on old TV footage from four years ago, just how much the stress had affected her appearance.

Now that he rumours of timing have been laid to rest the Orams are showing patience in dealing with the wait and are a good example to all those who might be affected by the outcome of this case. Linda and David wish to publicly thank everyone for the support, love and compassion shown to them and assure Cyprus Observer readers that should there be any news then they will share it with them.

[09] Former head of the Special War Office retired General Kemal Yamak died

The paper reports that when General Yamak was head of the Special War Department in 1971 the then Ecevit Government was unaware of the existince of the Department which was being financed by the USA. General Yamak referring to this fact in his memoirs wrote that at that time there were parliamentarians belonging to Ecevits party who were civilian members of the Special War Department.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (28.07.09) reports the death of General Yamak under the title Symbol Name of the Special War Department. Hurriyet newspaper reports the generals death under the title Ozals General Secretary Died referring to the First Gulf War period during which Turgut Ozal was Turkish president and General Yamak was his offices General Secretary.

(MHY)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] Heron UAVs test case for Turkish defense industry

Persistent technical problems occurring in Israeli-made Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), partly because local Aselsan-made payloads have failed to meet the required standards, have raised questions over the degree of success of the relatively new trend to boost the local defence industry through Turkish development programs.

Turkey introduced a new policy in 2004 which emphasizes research and development (R&D) programs in the defence industry, to decrease Turkey's dependence on military products from foreign outlets from about 80 percent to 50 percent by 2011.

In addition, foreign companies willing to transfer certain technologies to local industry while jointly building arms systems for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have increased their chances of winning Turkish arms acquisition tenders.

Both Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul and the head of the Undersecretariat for the Defence Industry (SSM) Murad Bayar said on various occasions this year that Turkish dependence on military technologies abroad has been reduced to about 60 percent. However, that percentage remains hypothetical until the first military systems, manufactured as part of R&D and as part of development programs contracted to local companies and built jointly with their foreign counterparts, are successfully completed in 2015 and later.

The first delivery of Turkish attack and reconnaissance helicopters, recently produced in cooperation with Italian AgustaWestland, and the first prototype of tanks, produced in cooperation between local Otokar and South Korea, are scheduled to be released in 2015.

However, one of the first major developments by local military electronics company Aselsan, the electro-optical payload (Aselfir300T), did not fit onto Israel's Heron UAVs as the Aselsan payload was too heavy. The weight of the Aselfir300T prevented the Heron UAVs from reaching 30,000 feet with endurance of 24 hours, as agreed in the contract.

Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems have been working on strengthening the Heron engines to enable the Aselsan payloads to meet Turkish requirements.

However, since the first two Heron UAVs were delivered to Turkey late November last year after an almost two-year-long delay, the UAVs are still not operational.

Bayar said in May that Turkey has given Israel a deadline, due to expire by the end of July, to solve the problems occurring in Heron UAVs, indicating that it may cancel the project if the technical problems are not addressed by then.

However, the problems have not yet been solved as July comes to an end. A local defense industry source told Today's Zaman that the first two Herons delivered in November of last year will be taken back to Israel for more tests after which improvements will be made. The delivery of 10 Heron UAVs are scheduled to be completed by December if the technical problems are resolved, said the same source.

Israeli delegation in Ankara

To ease Turkish concerns, retired Gen. Udi Shani, head of the Foreign Defence Assistance and Defence Export Department of the Israeli Ministry of Defence (SIBAT), accompanied by a delegation from both IAI and Elbit, visited Turkey this past week where he spoke with Bayar as well as with generals at the Turkish Ministry of Defence.

Bayar reportedly expressed to the Israeli delegation his unease over the delays and the Israeli companies' failure so far in strengthening the Heron engines to fit the Aselsan payload. However, Bayar did not talk about a possible cancellation of the project, Today's Zaman learned. This is mainly because of his concern that the cancellation would mean a partial defeat of his policy of local development programs.

However, one Western defence industry source recalled that military development and R&D programs take many years to be completed and to be successful, and Bayar has mistakenly been pursuing a very ambitious timetable for the completion of these locally designed and developed military systems.

Turkey has, meanwhile, turned down renewed Israeli offers to fit Heron UAVs with Israeli payloads instead of Aselsan payloads to enable the UAVs to become operational as quickly as possible. However, Heron UAVs, if not upgraded, cannot reach 30,000 feet and cannot stay in air for 24 hours. These conditions are required for the UAVs to operate successfully in Turkey's mountainous southeastern region where Turkish security forces have been fighting with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey, in the meantime, will continue using two Heron UAVs previously leased from Israel for another six months.

Turkey signed a $183 million contract with Israel's IUP consortium (then Israeli Aircraft Industries and Elbit Systems) in 2005 for the delivery of 10 Heron UAVs.

Paradoxically, Turkey, which eliminated US General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. due to its refusal to assume responsibility for the integration of Aselsan payloads on its UAVs, has now asked the US company to provide two Predator UAVs as a stop-gap measure to meet its urgent requirements in the fight against the PKK.

[11] From the Turkish Press of 27 July 2009

a) Kurdish Issue

In a commentary in Milliyet, Semih Idiz points out that "at a time when Arab-Kurdish tension is on the rise in Iraq, the Obama administration wants the Turkish-Kurdish tension reduced." He assures the reader that the US Administration does not intend to divide Turkey and establish a Kurdish state in Turkish territory. Furthermore, he says, the United States has realized that a divided Iraq will jeopardize regional stability, and is trying to ensure that the country's territorial integrity remains intact. To be able to achieve that, the United States expects Turkey to take certain steps to solve the Kurdish issue, such as a PKK amnesty, Kurdish education, and building bridges between Ankara and Arbil, Idiz maintains. "The only way to solve the problem," he concludes, "is for the Turkish Government to view the issues objectively and bravely, and take the necessary political and social steps, without leaving the arena to US and PKK arguments."

"The elections in Iraqi Kurdistan may not remove the Barzani-Talabani alliance from the administration, but a new era has begun in the region since yesterday," Ferai Tinc opines in an article in Hurriyet. From now on, she says, there will be a loud opposition there, and Turkey will not be able to solve its Kurdish problem solely through its ties with north Iraq. "Good relations with the region should be based not on the solution of the Kurdish problem or on a joint struggle against terrorism, but on the vision of a shared future with our border neighbours," Tinc argues. Focusing on the government's reported preparations for steps to solve the Kurdish problem, she advises the authorities "to strive for a social consensus that will involve Kurdish political and nongovernmental organization representatives." Otherwise, she warns, the steps will remain as steps and not lead to a solution. The same is valid for the Greek Orthodox Seminary on Heybeli island, Tinc affirms: "The government is taking steps to open the seminary but it is not even asking the Patriarchate -- which will meet its needs for priests from that seminary -- what its real necessities are."

"For a long time now, the government has been working on a comprehensive plan to bring a lasting solution to the Kurdish problem," Rusen Cakir affirms in an article in Vatan. "The plan will be announced soon and it will be implemented soon after that," the columnist states, adding: "If this historic opportunity is caught, then it will be a historic opportunity for the Kurdish movement as well. "If the Kurds fail to realize this and insist on seeing a resort to arms as the basic and only struggle tool, they will lose very badly," Cakir warns. He then goes on to state that the Kurdish problem cannot be resolved unless the PKK problem is solved, but that once the Kurdish problem is settled, this does not mean that the PKK problem will be solved automatically. As a final observation Cakir states: "In the event that serious and sincere steps are taken for the solution of the Kurdish problem, the PKK and Ocalan cannot survive if they insist on their old policies; they will become quickly marginalized like ETA in Spain."

In her weekly interview column in Taraf, Nese Duzel converses with Kurdish intellectual and author Enver Sezgin on what he thinks Ocalan will propose in his road map and what the prospects are for the solution of the Kurdish problem. According to Sezgin, the Turkish Government will have to conduct a dialogue with Ocalan sooner or later, and Ocalan will be released from prison at some stage. The Kurdish writer says he does not believe Ocalan will call for a complete PKK disarmament. Nor will Ocalan say something new in his 15 August road map, Sezgin predicts.

Under the headline, "Kurds try to unify their demands," Today's Zaman carries a front-page report which asserts that the question of "whether a viable settlement to the Kurdish question would absolutely have to involve terrorist leader Ocalan" proved the most contentious subject of a workshop called "Toward a Settlement and Unity on the Kurdish Question" held in Diyarbakir over the weekend.

In an article entitled "Who should lead the 'Kurdish solution?'", Today's Zaman columnist Ihsan Dagi argues that President Gul should be put in charge of conducting the process of solving the Kurdish problem so that this process can be "managed in a politically risk- and cost-free manner by the government."

b) High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) crisis

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News.com, Yusuf Kanli views the positions of the AKP and the secularist camp on the HSYK, or High Council of Judges and Prosecutors. He says: "The AKP, is fuming nowadays over the refusal of the HSYK to abide by the dictates of the government conveyed to the board by Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin and his undersecretary Ahmet Kahraman while the secularist camp is fuming over the attitude of the government which they condemn as 'blatant political mortgage on justice' or as the government holding hostage the HSYK in a bid to consolidate its campaign against the remaining secular judicial establishment." This underlines the desperate need for a judicial reform, Kanli stresses.

Under the headline, "HSYK resists European Court of Human Rights, too," Zaman runs a front-page report which asserts that the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors, HSYK, has for months been delaying the implementation of a European Courts of Human Rights ruling ordering the reinstatement of prosecutor Sacit Kayasu, who was earlier expelled from the judicial profession over an indictment he drew up against former coup leader Kenan Evren.

c) Dying left-wing convict

Riza Turmen highlights the condition of convict Guler Zere, a member of the DHKP/C, a left-wing terrorist organization, who is dying of cancer and whom the authorities are refusing to release. In a commentary in Milliyet, the columnist urges the woman prisoner's release on humanitarian grounds, recalling that "only this year, six convicts died in Turkish prisons because they were not released despite their serious health problems." He also cites rulings by the European Court of Human Rights which had condemned France for similar cases.

d) On next YAS meeting

In an article entitled "YAS", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that police operations against serving TSK members affiliated with the Ergenekon network will increase if the Supreme Military Council, (YAS), meeting in August fails to result in the expulsion of illegal elements from the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK. He cites continuing problems of human rights and the rule of law in this country and the Government's failure to change the Constitution and "bring putschists to justice" as evidence that Ergenekon remains intact and influential as ever. He also asserts that the forthcoming YAS meeting amounts to a major turning-point in Chief of Staff Ilker Basbug's professional career and urges him forcefully to show the "intelligence, performance, courage, and integrity" expected of him in determining who is promoted in the army and who is expelled.

EG/

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