Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-09-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas said the Turkish army was handing over the Greek Cypriot prisoners of war to the Turkish Cypriots in 1974 invasion o the Island

[02] The second round of Cyprus talks to start on September 10th

[03] Nami stated that the problems regarding Limnitis to be raised at the forthcoming meeting between Christofias and Talat

[04] Ozugergin responds to the Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesmans statement on Davutoglus illegal visit to occupied Cyprus

[05] The British High Commissioner to Lefkosia paid a courtesy visit to illegal Bayrak television

[06] Decisions by the self-styled Council of Ministers

[07] A Turkish Cypriot delegation to participate in the general assembly of UWE in Vienna

[08] Bagis called on European Union countries to live up to commitments over Cyprus Port dispute He criticized Greek Cypriot side move to cancel the 3rd September meeting

[09] Turkey to unveil major strategy to convince skeptics in Europe

[10] Davutoglu to continue his trips abroad

[11] A security meeting under the chairmanship of PM Erdogan took place in Ankara

[12] Turkey, Iraq and Syria sign a memorandum of understanding on the use of the waters of Euphrates and Tigris rivers

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish Press of 03 September 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas said the Turkish army was handing over the Greek Cypriot prisoners of war to the Turkish Cypriots in 1974 invasion o the Island

Mr Denktas reminded that once he had asked from former President Clerides to tell him the places of the occupied northern part of Cyprus where the Greek Cypriots buried those who were killed during the conflicts between the illegal EOKA B organization and supporters of President Makarios. He said he had asked this in order for sound investigations to be carried out, because otherwise the Greek Cypriots might have said that all those who were found in the excavations in the occupied areas had been killed by the Turks.

Referring to the 320 Greek Cypriot prisoners of war, who, according to the allegations of an anonymous eye witness published in Afrika, were murdered by Turkish soldiers at the beach in occupied Keryneia, Mr Denktas argued, inter alia, the following: In any case their bodies have not been carried elsewhere. It is said that they were killed at the beach. These, they say, were prisoners of war who would have been taken to Turkey and were murdered! While the war was going on, Turkey was handing over to the Turkish Cypriots the Greek Cypriots who had been taken as prisoners and was continuing its course. As soon as it was established that Turkish Cypriots whose relatives had been murdered by EOKA started taking their revenge, Turkey decided to transfer the prisoners to Turkey and these prisoners were registered in a list by the Red Cross and sent to Turkey. From the lists the Red Cross established those who returned from Turkey to Cyprus.

In my view it was not right for us to accept searching for remains in the north before the Greek Cypriot administration determines the places where those who were killed in the conflict among the Greeks were murdered and buried secretly. Searching for excuses and making up stories in order to blame Turkey, is an inhuman crime.

Referring to Mr Denktas statement, Afrika writes that he implied that the Greek Cypriot prisoners of war were killed by Turkish Cypriot fighters and not by Turkish soldiers.

(I/Ts)

[02] The second round of Cyprus talks to start on September 10th

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders will come together next Thursday within the framework of the comprehensive peace talks aiming to find a solution to the Cyprus issue.

President Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias could not hold the first meeting of the second round of peace talks today, as the Greek Cypriot party did not want to attend the meeting showing "the recent attitude towards Greek Cypriot worshippers at Yesilirmak [occupied Limnitis] passageway" as the reason.

After the cancellation of the gathering, the two leaders held a phone conversation today thanks to the efforts of United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer.

During their phone-talk, the leaders assessed the developments that took place yesterday and decided to precede with the peace talks on September 10.

The first meeting of the second round of talks was scheduled to take place today and parties would start the new round by discussing the "executive" issue under the main title of "administration and power sharing".

Due to a tension at Yesilirmak passageway on Wednesday, the Greek Cypriot administration decided to "cancel" today's meeting.

The peace talks had started on September 11, 2008 and the first round was completed on August 6, 2009.

In the first round of talks, parties discussed Cyprus issue under 6 main topics as; "administration and power sharing", "property", "EU", "economic issues", "territory" and "security and guarantees".

[03] Nami stated that the problems regarding Limnitis to be raised at the forthcoming meeting between Christofias and Talat

TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talats Special Representative Ozdil Nami has said that the problems faced about the Yesilirmak Gate will definitely be raised at the forthcoming meeting on Thursday the 10th.

Mr Nami said the agenda of the second round of talks has already been determined and the chapter of power sharing and governance is the first to be discussed with a hope to overcome the deadlocks on the issue.The Property issue will then be taken up he added.

Stating that its been expected to complete the second round at the end of October, the special representative said they are aiming to come closer on some issues as they did at the first round of talks.

Touching upon problems faced at the Yesilirmak Gate yesterday, Mr Nami said Turkish Side can not be demolished by this kind of crisis and they will not allow the collapse of the negotiations process.

He also said that the Turkish side is expecting the proposals of the Greek Cypriot Side in second round of talks to be within the United Nations parameters.

[04] Ozugergin responds to the Greek Foreign Ministry Spokesmans statement on Davutoglus illegal visit to occupied Cyprus

Turkey has urged Greece to support efforts to reach a settlement on the Cyprus issue."As one of the guarantor countries, Greece should extend constructive support and contribution to the process on island and to the goal to reach a comprehensive settlement by the end of this year," Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Burak Ozugergin said Thursday in response to a question. Ozugergin's remarks came two days after a statement by his Greek counterpart who alleged Tuesday that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's recent visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) "contradicted UN resolutions on Cyprus."

"Turkey's efforts to secure a comprehensive solution by the end of 2009 are known to all those concerned," Ozugergin said, and added Davutoglu's visit to the TRNC aimed to that end.

[05] The British High Commissioner to Lefkosia paid a courtesy visit to illegal Bayrak television

The British High Commissioner to Lefkosia Peter Millet paid a courtesy visit to the Bayrak, Radio and Television Corporation today.

The British High Commissioner was received by the Corporation Director Ozer Kanli and Chairman of BRTs Board of Director Yilmaz Baskaya.

Speaking at the meeting, the BRT Director Ozer Kanli expressed his happiness from receiving the British High Commissioner.

Explaining that Bayrak Radio Television had a constitutional and historical mission, he said that this mission was to voice the just cause of the people of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Pointing out that the Turkish Side desired a peaceful settlement in Cyprus, the corporation director however pointed out that any settlement to be reached had to be viable, just and based on the political equality of the two peoples of the island.

For his part, the British High Commissioner Peter Millet expressed his happiness from visiting BRT.

Sharing the BRT directors views on the Cyprus Problem, the British High Commissioner said that the media had an important role to play in any future settlement to be found to the Cyprus Problem.

He said that the media has to demonstrate to both sides that reunifying the island will bring huge economic, political and social advantages and that the continuation of the non-solution of the Cyprus Problem created important difficulties.

[06] Decisions by the self-styled Council of Ministers

The Turkish Cypriot Football Federation and the London Turkish Football Federation will organize the London Cup between 17-24 of September. The paper writes that a group of 71 people consisting of players from the sport teams of Kioneli and occupied Omorfita, as well as representatives from the ministry, the federation and press members will participate.

The appointment of Ahmet S. Erdengiz from the 26th of August to the Representation of the TRNC in Brussels was published in the Official Gazette. At the same time, Mr. Mustafa Evran, consul of the TRNC in Izmir was removed from his duty and returned to his duties at the ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A 6-member delegation from the Department of Labor, the self-styled ministry of National Education, Youth and Sport and the self-styled prime ministry, will hold contacts in Riga, Latvia between 13-16 of September on issues regarding career consultancy and e-guidance.

(AK)

[07] A Turkish Cypriot delegation to participate in the general assembly of UWE in Vienna

(AK)

[08] Bagis called on European Union countries to live up to commitments over Cyprus Port dispute He criticized Greek Cypriot side move to cancel the 3rd September meeting

Turkey's chief European Union negotiator urged Thursday European Union countries to live up to their commitments for the settlement of a dispute over Turkey letting the Greek Cypriot vessels using Turkish ports.

"We are ready for a solution. And we may take any step including the opening of our ports but they also have to honour their commitments, which are about removing economic isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people," Egemen Bagis told reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport upon his arrival from an official visit to Austria.

"The idea of letting Greek Cypriot ships and planes to use our harbours and airports is anything but sincere and credible unless EU countries started direct trade with Turkish Cyprus, and their planes landed on the Ercan Airport," Bagis said.Bagis also criticized Greek Cypriot administration's move to cancel a meeting scheduled for Thursday between Cypriot leaders, who have been holding since September 2008 a series of talks to reunify the island.

"The first round of the peace talks is over and the second round was supposed to begin but Greek Cypriot side once again skipped. It is all very clear who wants a settlement and who wants to obstruct it," Bagis said.

[09] Turkey to unveil major strategy to convince skeptics in Europe

The government of Turkey is gearing up to launch a major comprehensive communication strategy aimed at persuading a skeptical public in Europe by utilizing all assets available to connect with a wider audience, a senior government official has said.

Egemen Bagis, Turkey's top EU negotiator, announced on Wednesday in Vienna that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is about to finalize the details of a communication strategy and that his office will be submitting the plan for approval to the Cabinet meeting on Sept. 14.

Bagis, who is also a member of the Cabinet as a state minister, noted that Turkey's Secretariat General for EU Affairs (ABGS) has asked for input from all embassies representing Turkey in EU member states to come up with proposals on how best to address the domestic audience in those countries. According to a preliminary report, the government is planning to actively use Turkish expatriates in EU countries and will reach out to print and broadcast media to communicate Turkey's stance on a number of issues.

In a gathering with Turkish community leaders in Vienna, Bagis also announced that the government is planning to establish an agency to deal specifically with Turks living abroad. He conveyed his government's position that Turkish expats are expected to integrate into the larger society they live in.

We want you to be actively engaged with the community and get better education for the younger generations so that you won't isolate yourself and instead will live in harmony with the indigenous population, he said, adding a caveat, however, that his government draws a line between integration and assimilation -- the latter of which, he said, is a crime against humanity.

The chief EU negotiator also made a plea for Turks living abroad to better organize themselves and act in solidarity with each other. A better-educated Turkish community whose strength comes not from sheer numbers but rather qualitative assets will play a prominent role in overcoming the prejudices and biases widely prevalent in EU member countries he remarked.

Bagis stressed that Turkey does not interfere with the domestic politics of the EU member states and never endorses or signals its support of one party or specific candidate to its diaspora. The important thing is that you employ your constitutionally guaranteed rights and vote for the party or candidate of your choice, he underlined.

The government is also establishing a special department for legal counseling within the ABGS to address the legal problems of Turks living abroad. With this agency, we will better serve our citizens through our consulates and embassies, Bagis stated. In a bid to allay concerns in the Austrian public, which Bagis believes thinks first of the siege of Vienna in the 17th century when thinking of Turkey, Bagis reiterated his message of peace and said that Turkey is present in all European institutions aside from the EU. Economically, we are already integrated with the EU, including with Austria, where Turkish businessmen are investors, he said, pointing out that it is time to get over unsubstantiated fears and anxiety.

Bagis also drew attention to the fact that Turkey is undertaking huge reforms not because it wants to please EU states but rather because its own citizens deserve higher standards in democracy and human rights. These initiatives will strengthen our democracy and solidify our commitment to freedom, he said. We no longer sweep our problems under the rug, he added.

[10] Davutoglu to continue his trips abroad

As the paper writes, Mr Davutoglu, who this week visited Iraq, Syria, occupied Cyprus and Egypt, is set to fly to the Swedish capital of Stockholm to attend the Gymnich meeting. Next week, the Turkish FM will travel to the Middle East. In Georgia, Mr Davutoglu will try to set free the five blockaded Turkish vessels, as well as the Turkish captain, who was convicted to 24 years of imprisonment.

Right after, Mr Davutoglu for once more will visit Egypt to attend the Arab League Meeting and then he will proceed to Jordan and Iran.

(EA)

[11] A security meeting under the chairmanship of PM Erdogan took place in Ankara

Turkey's high-level officials gathered Thursday at a "security meeting" in capital Ankara under the chairmanship of the Turkish premier.

The chief of Turkish General Staff, military officials and ministers of state, justice, defense and interior attended the three-hour meeting at the Prime Ministry headquarters.Releasing a written statement after the meeting, Turkish Prime Ministry said that measures taken so far to provide domestic security and peace in Turkey as well as policies to be followed in the fight against terrorism were mainly on the agenda of the gathering.

[12] Turkey, Iraq and Syria sign a memorandum of understanding on the use of the waters of Euphrates and Tigris rivers

Turkish Minister of Environment and Forestry Veysel Eroglu said Thursday his government pays high attention to developing cooperation between Turkey, Syria and Iraq and that they will do what is needed for this purpose.

Veysel Eroglu, Iraqi Water and Natural Resources Minister Abdullatif Jamal Rashid and Syrian Irrigation Minister Nadir al-Buni signed a memorandum of understanding following their ministerial meeting on the Firat (Euphrates) and Dicle (Tigris) rivers in Ankara on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, Eroglu said that the memorandum of understanding focused on the establishment of joint measurement stations on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, exchange of meteorological information, observation of water amount that goes into Syria and Iraq every season, and evaluation of the impact of climate change on the two rivers.

"We favor the development of cooperation between Turkey, Syria and Iraq. We will do whatever is necessary for this goal. There is shortage of water due to drought. We are aware of this situation. We will take into consideration the demand of Syria and Iraq. If we have the water, we will not be in a position to not share this water with our neighbors," Eroglu also said.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] From the Turkish Press of 03 September 2009

a) Turkey-Armenia Relations:

Recalling Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement that the border between Turkey and Armenia can be opened only after an agreement is reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the Nagorno Karabakh problem, Mehmet Yilmaz challenges Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's pledge to do everything he can to have the border between the two countries opened by the end of the year. In a column in Istanbul Hurriyet, he notes: Armenia and Azerbaijan reiterated their positions on the problem yesterday. Considering what they said, the problem cannot be solved in a short time. However, Davutoglu will do everything he can to open the border as soon as possible. Turkey's foreign policy has never been managed in such a way throughout the republic's history.

Senih Idiz supports the protocols Turkey and Armenia agreed on to improve their relations. In a column in Istanbul Milliyet, he laments the opposition of the CHP and MHP to Ankara's initiatives on the matter and urges them to realize that the rejection of the protocols will be a historic loss for the two countries. Idiz warns: Those who oppose the protocols will be held responsible if the opportunity is missed.

A column by Kadri Gursel also in Milliyet urges Azerbaijan to realize that liberating its occupied lands through an economic embargo or armed force is impossible. Noting that Baku can secure the withdrawal of the occupation forces from its lands through diplomacy, provided that it agrees to the establishment of a corridor between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, he urges Turkey to consider the return of Azerbaijan's occupied territories when it tries to improve its relations with Armenia. Gursel says: Turkey has been informing the Greek Cypriots and the foreign countries that putting the clock back to the pre-1974 era in Cyprus is impossible. Considering that, it should inform Azerbaijan that reinstating the era that existed in the Caucasus prior to 1992 is also impossible.

In an article entitled "Not a country that plays roles but one that establishes orders", Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul argues that the AKP's "democratic overture," its preparations to sign agreements with Yerevan that entail the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border, and its other possible "surprise" moves in the days ahead should be seen as part of a process whereby Turkey is reestablishing 1000-year partnerships, embarking on a new growth phase, and is turning from a country that plays the roles assigned to it into one that builds new orders, in the words of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

In an article entitled "Sargsian, just what we needed", Vakit columnist Serdar Arseven censures Democratic Society Party (DTP) executives Ahmet Turk and Aysel Tugluk for issuing "provocative" messages that he asserts that could only sabotage the Government's Kurdish initiative problem and serve to increase the chances of the Republican People's Party, CHP, and the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, polling enough votes in the next election to establish a coalition government. He goes on to slam Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan for announcing that any solution to the Karabakh issue would have to be based on a referendum and defending the status quo in Karabakh by asserting that the current administration in this region is supported by all Armenians. Arseven warns that with the DTP and Yerevan undermining the Government's southeast and Armenian initiatives in a way that serves the CHP and the MHP's political objectives, the AKP would only place itself in an increasingly difficult situation by pressing ahead with its plan to reopen the Orthodox seminary in Istanbul.

In an article entitled "Tricky part of the Armenian initiative", Today's Zaman columnist Abdulhamit Bilici asserts that refusing to "establish dialogue [with Yerevan] if the occupation in Karabakh is not terminated is an easy option for Ankara but one without benefit."

In an article entitled "May God protects our Nation against the AKP's initiatives", Milli Gazete columnist Hasan Unal analyzes the two protocols signed between Ankara and Yerevan as part of an effort to launch diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia. He claims that it is far-fetched to interpret the section in the second protocol where the sides "reiterate their commitment to the peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes" as meaning that Armenia has made a pledge to end its occupation of Azerbaijani territories. He asserts that Turkey should have insisted on the inclusion of provisions in the protocols requiring Yerevan to remove regulations from its own laws that are contrary to the principle of good neighborliness. He also argues that the fact that the protocols entail the establishment of commissions to investigate the Armenian claims of genocide is a major achievement from the Armenian viewpoint.

In a commentary entitled "Questions waiting to be answered regarding the Armenian overture", Milli Gazete writer Oya Akgonenc asserts that the latest agreements between Turkey and Armenia are contrary to Prime Minister Erdogan and Chief of Staff Ilker Basbug's earlier statements announcing that the Turkish-Armenian border can never be opened until Armenian troops have withdrawn from Karabakh. Akogonec asserts that this situation prompts the question of who exactly is the architect of the said agreements.

b) Strong Turkish Army Security Concept

A front-page report in Zaman under the title "I do not find the slogan 'Strong Army, Strong Turkey' Right," highlights remarks by Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay who criticizes the slogan "strong army, strong Turkey" which appeared in the bills posted by the General Staff as part of the celebrations marking 30 August Victory Day. The report quotes Gunay as saying that "Turkey" should have preceded the word "army" in the wording of this slogan and that the fate of the Saddam regime in Iraq attests to the inability of a powerful army to ensure the wellbeing of a country, its people, and its leaders.

In an article entitled "Why a strong army?", Zaman columnist Mumtazer Turkone argues that he is not adopting an anti-military position to object to the slogan "strong army, strong Turkey" used by the General Staff as part of a recent PR campaign, as he did in a recent article. He writes: "If you try to protect the military by declaring it sacrosanct ... and treat criticisms as enmity, you cannot even hope to have any armies to deploy to the battlefield let alone being able to wage war." He also explains what is "logically wrong" with this slogan.

In an article entitled "Turkey should change its national security concept", Today's Zaman columnist Lale Sariibrahimoglu calls on the "civilian authority" to redefine Turkey's national security policies, which she claims are based on military threat perceptions that are at variance with the Government's efforts to "mend fences" with some of Turkey's neighbors.

EG/

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