Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-09-24

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Self-styled foreign minister to address the British Parliament

[02] Talat criticizes President Christofias on the issue of arbitration and timetable alleging that his stance is negative and sign of lack of will; He met with various ministers and other officials in New York

[03] Eroglu accuses Talat for calling on the foreigners to interfere in Cyprus and alleges that no one has the right to comment on the illegal Turkish settlers

[04] Soyer argues that Eroglus statements are made in the name of internal politics only for the continuation of the non-solution

[05] The DP claims that the Turkish proposal on the executive waters the two democracies down

[06] Cakici said the solution to be found in the negotiating process carried out by the Cypriots should be a Cypriot solution

[07] Korkmazhan accuses Talat of negotiating to open the way of Turkey instead of struggling to find a solution

[08] Ercakica believes that the contribution of the international community will be needed

[09] Prime Minister Erdogan and President Christofias met at a lunch given by the UN Secretary-General and talked on foot for a long time

[10] Davutoglu is holding contacts in New York discussing main foreign policy topics, particularly Cyprus

[11] Turkeys illegal ambassador in the occupied areas of Cyprus: The TRNC is our shop window

[12] The imam of Hala Sultan Mosque complains about a tavern to be opened near the mosque and says he will carry the issue to the OIC and the ECHR

[13] The spouse of late Kutlu Adali is being intimidated

[14] PM Erdogan plans talks with US President Obama in December

[15] Turkish Parliament to discuss motion on US troops in early 2010

[16] Turkish Foreign Trade Minister in China

[17] Turkish President attends the inauguration of Saudi Arabian University

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Self-styled foreign minister to address the British Parliament

Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun is to address the British Parliament.

Mr Ozgurgun was given an official invitation to speak at the parliament by All Party Parliamentary Friends of the TRNC Group, formed by members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Foreign Minister Ozgurgun, who is in London, met with members of the group for a working dinner. Mr Ozgurgun was given an official invitation to speak at the parliament by the General Secretary of the Group Lady Butterworth.

After dinner, Ozgurgun and Butterworth came together with a group of volunteers, politicians and representatives of NGOs carrying out lobbying activities in support of the TRNC. An exchange of view was made on the activities held in the past and those to be made in the future. The Chairman of the Turkish-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry Remzi Gur expressed the chambers readiness to back all the steps to be taken in support of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

[02] Talat criticizes President Christofias on the issue of arbitration and timetable alleging that his stance is negative and sign of lack of will; He met with various ministers and other officials in New York

Speaking to the illegal TAK news agency and Bayrak television during a visit to the Foreign Relations Council in Washington, Mr Talat said: Let Christofias, who says we do not accept timetable, arbitration and the participation of the international community, bring an end to this and say we do not accept the solution of the Cyprus problem and let this job be finished. Arguing that the statement of President Christofias seems to be influenced by the National Council of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Talat alleged that a process without timetable will have no result and this statement of President Christofias is negative and a sign of lack of will.

Mr Talat reiterated the allegation that the disagreements during the negotiating process arise on points where the Greek Cypriot side submits proposals outside the parameters of the UN and added that this should definitely be prevented.

Mr Talat said that they asked from the USA to lift the isolations on the Turkish Cypriot people in order to contribute positively to the solution process in Cyprus and to appoint a special envoy, who could be appointed by both the state department and the presidency.

The Turkish Cypriot leader noted that he explained the positions of the Turkish side on the executive to those who participated in the briefing at the Foreign Relations Council. He claimed that the problem on the property issue, where the most serious impasse is observed, derives from the fact that the Greek Cypriot side is not committed to bi-zonality.

Moreover, Mr Talat replied to questions during the meeting and explained the positive role of Turkey and the timing regarding the period when the progress report of the EU Commission on Turkey will be published and the elections in the occupied areas of Cyprus will be held in April 2010.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (24.09.09) reports that Mr Talat met last night in New York with the British Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband and the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. Tonight he is expected to meet with the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt. He also met with the General Secretary of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. Moreover, Mr Talat will follow the address of Mr Erdogan at the General Assembly of the UN. He will also attend a dinner given by ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, Turkeys Permanent Representative at the UN. On Friday, he will participate in the reception given by Mr Ihsanoglu on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the OIC.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu accuses Talat for calling on the foreigners to interfere in Cyprus and alleges that no one has the right to comment on the illegal Turkish settlers

Asked whether he has received a response to the demand regarding the participation of a representative of his government in the negotiating team of Mr Talat, Mr Eroglu said there is no such a response for the time being.

Referring to the statement made by the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk who said that Mr Eroglus chance to be elected president in the April 2010 elections is as much as the possibility of a male to give birth to a child, Mr Eroglu noted that he has not yet declared he would be a candidate. He said the National Unity Party (UBP) intends to determine its own candidate for the presidential elections and to win the election.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (24.09.09) reports that in the same statements, Mr Eroglu alleged that the other countries cannot comment on the citizens of the TRNC, as he described the illegal Turkish settlers, and noted that such comments cannot be accepted. He claimed that neither the Greek Cypriots nor other countries can comment on persons who accepted the citizenship of the TRNC, and especially those who came from Turkey, and decide for the future of these people.

Replying to a question, Mr Eroglu said he knows nothing on the information published recently in the press that Russia might recognize the breakaway regime in return of the recognition of Abkhazia by Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Soyer argues that Eroglus statements are made in the name of internal politics only for the continuation of the non-solution

(I/Ts.)

[05] The DP claims that the Turkish proposal on the executive waters the two democracies down

Mr Sonya issued a written statement yesterday arguing that the statement made recently by Mr Talats advisor Tufan Erhurman is not reflecting fully the realities. Mr Sonya claimed that Mr Talat has formed a strategy on discussing the Annan Plan again at the table during the first round of the negotiations and he targeted to arrange the points in the Annan Plan which were against the Turkish side. He noted that the Greek side went to the table with the aim of reaching a result in the direction of its own national interests and with proposals to change every point in the Annan Plan. Mr Sonya described the proposal of the Turkish side regarding the single list in the election of the president and the vice president as extremely unnecessary and unacceptable.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Cakici said the solution to be found in the negotiating process carried out by the Cypriots should be a Cypriot solution

Mr Cakici criticized the statement made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat that the solution will not be a Cypriot one and added: Of course we will take the assistance of all foreign powers which want a just and lasting solution to be found in Cyprus, but the solution to be found in the negotiating process carried out by the Cypriots should be a Cypriot solution. Mr Talat should look for a Cypriot solution.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Korkmazhan accuses Talat of negotiating to open the way of Turkey instead of struggling to find a solution

(I/Ts.)

[08] Ercakica believes that the contribution of the international community will be needed

Presidential Spokesman has stated that President Mehmet Ali Talats words in Washington that a Cypriot solution is not possible was especially reflecting the current situation at the talks. Hasan Ercakica said that the President used the expression as he lost his belief that the solution of the Cyprus problem would not be possible without the support of the international community.

Speaking on BRTs first channel today, Mr Ercakica said President Talats words that a Cypriot solution is not possible came in response to the Greek Cypriot leaders statement that he was against arbitration in the talks. Underlining the need to evaluate a draft agreement to be put to the referenda as a whole, he said it was not possible for both sides to accept everything put forward, adding that the support of the international community would be needed at this point. He stated that there were indications that the United Nations would become more involved in the Cyprus negotiation process, giving the possibility for the UN Secretary-General to have a trio meeting with Talat and Christofias in Cyprus as an example.

Asked to comment on the decisions taken by the Greek Cypriot National Council regarding the Cyprus issue and Turkeys EU membership process, Mr Ercakica said it seems that the current attitude of the Council would not make it possible for the Greek Cypriot leader to continue the negotiations. He warned that the chaotic political situation on the Greek side could break off the talks.

[09] Prime Minister Erdogan and President Christofias met at a lunch given by the UN Secretary-General and talked on foot for a long time

[10] Davutoglu is holding contacts in New York discussing main foreign policy topics, particularly Cyprus

The Turkish foreign minister will meet more than 60 counterparts in New York. Turkeys Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will have talks with foreign ministers of more than 60 countries on the sidelines of the 64th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

We have had the opportunity to establish close relations with all countries, as not only a member of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly, but also as a requirement of our international obligations, Davutoglu told reporters after a Balkan leaders meeting. Davutoglu said Turkey had the opportunity to discuss main foreign policy topics, particularly Cyprus, developments in the Middle East, Balkans and Caucasus.

The Turkish foreign minister said he met his African counterparts on Wednesday, and the ministers asked Turkey to intervene in solution of their regional problems. This is a reflection of the increasing prestige, reliability and influence of Turkey, Davutoglu said.

Also, Davutoglu said that Turkey pursued zero problem and maximum cooperation policy with its neighbours, and Turkey had achieved this goal with almost all of its neighbours, except Armenia. Davutoglu said Turkey wanted to have good relations with Armenia, but at the same time a comprehensive normalization process in the South Caucasus was necessary, which meant normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations. The Turkish foreign minister said all parties would benefit from a comprehensive normalization process in the region, and Turkey was working on that.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Turkeys illegal ambassador in the occupied areas of Cyprus: The TRNC is our shop window

Pointing out that Turkey will continue its investments in the occupied areas of Cyprus, Mr Fakili added:

The TRNC is our shop window. We shall continue our support of course. I feel proud of sharing our bread with you. There is no need for the Turkish Cypriots to express their gratitude continuously and for Turkey to remind this every time. We are like the flesh and the nail. We are not separate.

(I/Ts.)

[12] The imam of Hala Sultan Mosque complains about a tavern to be opened near the mosque and says he will carry the issue to the OIC and the ECHR

(I/Ts.)

[13] The spouse of late Kutlu Adali is being intimidated

The paper points out the following: Now similar things are done against Mrs Ilkay, spouse of Kutlu Adali. The power holders of the regime do not like the application she submitted to the ECHR for the investigation of the crime.

(I/Ts.)

[14] PM Erdogan plans talks with US President Obama in December

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is planning to visit Washington in December for talks with US President Barack Obama.

Erdogan's remarks on the planned visit came in New York on Tuesday while speaking with Turkish reporters, the Anatolia news agency reported. The prime minister has been in New York since Monday to attend the UN General Assembly.

While US Embassy officials in Ankara referred Today's Zaman to the White House when asked about the planned visit, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials in Ankara were not immediately able to provide information. Obama had paid a landmark two-day visit to Turkey in early April as part of a European tour and also as the last leg of his maiden trip on the world stage as president. It was widely considered a nod to Turkey's regional reach, economic power, diplomatic contacts and status as a secular democracy seeking European Union membership that has accommodated political Islam.

It was also his first official trip to a predominantly Muslim country as president, a visit closely watched in the Islamic world.

Ahead of his visit to the United States, Erdogan faced harsh allegations by opposition parties suggesting that the aim of his visit was to get US approval for his government's recent initiative on resolution of the Kurdish issue as well as on Armenia and Turkey's recent declaration of its desire for normalization of bilateral ties through parliamentary approval of two protocols following internal debate.

While in Turkey, Obama appealed for reconciliation between Ankara and Yerevan. Obama, who pledged to recognize the Armenian diaspora's genocide claims in his election campaign, avoided using the g-word in his traditional April 24 message.

In an address to the Turkish Parliament, Obama then praised the government for steps such as lifting bans on teaching and broadcasting in Kurdish, saying that the world noted with respect the important signal sent through a new state-run Kurdish television station.

Erdogan has already called on opposition leaders to support a national unity project, also known as the democratization initiative, with the ultimate aim of reaching a comprehensive resolution to the decades-old Kurdish question by granting more rights to the country's Kurdish citizens, while speaking to reporters in Ankara ahead of his departure for the US.

Speaking to Turkish reporters, Erdogan touched upon the same issue, particularly on remarks by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader, who has indicated that Erdogan travelled to the US to inform the US administration about the government's democratization initiative.

We haven't come here for the democratization initiative. [CHP leader Deniz Baykal] is acting as if we have come here to give an account of something; this is a shame, Erdogan was quoted as saying by Anatolia. This is first of all a disrespectful manner against the Republic of Turkey. This harms Turkey. It's so awful to make such an epithet, he said, underlining the importance of both the UN General Assembly and the upcoming meeting of the Group of 20 industrialized and developing countries.

Erdogan will attend the G-20 meeting, which is scheduled to be held on September 24-25 in the US city of Pittsburgh. The agenda of the G-20 summit is obviously not the democratization initiative. The agenda of the meeting is set and that is the global financial crisis, he said.

Subtitle: Bilateral talks

When asked whether he would have any contact with Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan while in the US, Erdogan replied that Sarksyan has not been scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly according to his information. There is no meeting exactly scheduled to take place between any Armenian and Turkish officials either, he said.

Turkish newspapers have reported that Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will meet with his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, on the sidelines of the gathering.

Erdogan also said he might hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if any request is conveyed by the Israeli side.

As of Tuesday, Erdogan had separate talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Turkmen President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, while also delivering a speech on the UN-led Alliance of Civilizations initiative at the State University of New York-based Levin Institute.

During his visit to the US, Erdogan has been accompanied by Davutoglu, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek as well as by Turkey's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu.

[15] Turkish Parliament to discuss motion on US troops in early 2010

Parliament is set to discuss two separate motions in the new legislative year which would enable the Turkish military to conduct new cross-border operations into northern Iraq to eliminate separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) hideouts in that country and allow US troops deployed in Iraq to withdraw from the country through Turkish soil.

The Turkish military's government authorization to launch cross-border operations into northern Iraq is set to expire on October 17, and a new authorization by Parliament will be required to launch new cross-border operations. The prospect of an extension of the northern Iraq mandate has sparked heated debates among politicians, with supporters claiming that it is a must to continue the fight against the terrorist PKK, while opponents of the motion argue, new cross-border operations into northern Iraq would undermine ongoing efforts to settle the long-standing Kurdish issue.

A bill authorizing the government to launch military offensives into northern Iraq was passed in October 2007 with 507 votes for and 19 against. Parliament last year agreed to extend the government's authority to deploy ground troops and conduct operations in northern Iraq.

The Cabinet will focus on debates over the Iraq mandate on September 28. A bill to extend the duration of the mandate is expected to be sent to Parliament after the Cabinet meeting.

The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) is reluctant to pass any new motion. The military request came at a time when Turkey has been discussing a recent move by the government to settle the country's long-standing Kurdish issue with a democratic initiative.

Parliament is set to return from its summer recess on October 1 and is expected to pick the extension of the Iraq mandate as the first topic of deliberation.

The General Staff dropped hints earlier this month that it is not considering launching cross-border operations into northern Iraq once the motion is passed in Parliament. The General Staff plans to cooperate with the government to bring PKK terrorists down from the mountains through peaceful means.

Subtitle: Motion on US troops to be discussed in 2010

The US administration began preliminary talks with Turkish officials over a parliamentary motion that would allow US troops deployed in Iraq to withdraw from the country through Turkish soil earlier this year. A motion to that end is expected to be submitted to Parliament in early 2010.

On March 1, 2003, Parliament rejected a motion to allow US troops to open a northern front before the war in Iraq began; however, the prospect of a second motion has generally been welcomed by Parliament. Observers believe the main reason behind Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the US is to discuss the details of the anticipated motion.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government is not against the withdrawal of US land forces from Iraq via Turkey and wants the US administration to set an exact withdrawal timetable.

Weapons in the hands of US troops in Iraq, however, are feared to be a cause for tension between Turkey and the US during the withdrawal of land forces from Iraq. Turkey is concerned that the weapons could be seized by any ethnic group in Iraq. In recent talks between Turkey and the US, American authorities have given assurances that some of the weapons would be kept at US bases in the country while others would be left to the Iraqi government.

According to a US withdrawal plan, the US troops would conclude the withdrawal process in 2011. There are 142,000 US troops in Iraq, and 30,000 of these troops are expected to be shifted to Afghanistan.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) favour the idea of total withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. The AK Party, however, does not support this idea. It believes the US should withdraw from the country, but partially.

Murat Mercan, the head of Parliament's Foreign Relations Commission, told Today's Zaman that he does not think Turkey and the US will experience any trouble during the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

The two countries will not experience a problem similar to March 1 [2003, when Parliament rejected a US request to open a northern front in Iraq from Turkish soil]. Today's conditions are totally different. US President Barack Obama announced that US troops will withdraw in 2010. I do not think there has been a change in the schedule. What is important for us is the political and territorial integrity of Iraq. We want all US soldiers to withdraw from Iraq in theory. But I believe their partial withdrawal would be better for the protection of peace and stability in Iraq, Mercan said.

[16] Turkish Foreign Trade Minister in China

Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan left for China late on Wednesday to attend a trade forum. During his four-day visit, Caglayan will attend the Turkish-Chinese Business Forum in Shanghai on September 25.

As part of the event, Caglayan is expected to have talks with representatives of Turkish and Chinese companies and meet with high-level executives of several Shanghai-based firms. On September 26, Caglayan will chair the annual meeting of commercial counsellors of Turkish embassies in the Asia-Pacific region, to be held in Beijing.

Caglayan will also attend the 16th term meeting of the Turkish-Chinese Joint Economic Commission (JEC), to take place in the Chinese capital on September 27. Turkish and Chinese officials are expected to sign several agreements and protocols as part of the JEC meeting. Minister Caglayan will return to Turkey on September 28.

[17] Turkish President attends the inauguration of Saudi Arabian University

The Turkish president participated on Wednesday the inauguration ceremony of a Saudi Arabian university. Turkeys President Abdullah Gul attended the inauguration ceremony of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was held on a national day of Saudi Arabia some 90 kilometres north of Jeddah. Besides President Gul, King Abdallah of Jordan, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; Kuwaiti Amir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah; the heads of state of Bangladesh, Djibouti, Mauritania, Philippines, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan; and Prince Andrew of Britain attended the ceremony as well.

After the ceremony, President Gul had a tete-a-tete meeting with King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia.

EG/

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