Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-10-08

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat refers to the alternative of strengthening their state in case of a deadlock in the Cyprus talks

[02] The two leaders held their 43rd meeting yesterday

[03] Eroglu is departing for Alexandretta; He met with the British High Commissioner

[04] DP is against an interim agreement; Serdar Denktas said that the stubborn tactics of the government is dragging the occupied areas into chaos

[05] TDP leader informed Turkish politicians on the Cyprus problem

[06] Self-styled minister addressed the 10th CeBIT Informatics Eurasian Fair and Informatics Summit in Istanbul

[07] The representative of the breakaway regime in Qatar met with the Director General of the QNA

[08] Data on maritime and aviation traffic to and from the occupied areas of Cyprus in August

[09] KTOEOS argues that UBP policy created shortage of teachers in the schools in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[10] The illegal regime to participate in the 2009 World Easycart Karting Championship

[11] Turkey has reportedly tried to relax Azerbaijan by saying that it will not implement the protocol to be signed with Armenia; It reminded the protocol signed with the EU regarding the opening of its ports to Cyprus

[12] Turkeys Bagis met with Olli Rehn over Turkeys EU report

[13] Todays Zaman: Turkey wants to clear its record at Euro court

[14] Turkish State Minister on a world tour to promote commercial and economic ties

[15] Babacan: Turkeys income to fall by 6 percent

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[16] From the Turkish Press of 07 October 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat refers to the alternative of strengthening their state in case of a deadlock in the Cyprus talks

Noting that this alternative always exists, Mr Talat added that this is their essential duty and that every step taken on this issue will contribute positively to the solution. He said: I do not exclude anything, everything is possible and probable. As long as the policy that we follow is within this framework, failure is out of the question. I am hopeful on this issue, we are continuing together with Turkey the policy of a solution until the end of this year and referendum during the year of 2010.

Mr Talat reiterated the Turkish allegation that the situation changed in the world and that the Turkish side is perceived now as the side which supports the solution. He referred to the address of President Christofias at the UN General Assembly and claimed that the views expressed by the President were outside the UN parameters for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He said that Turkey supports the Turkish Cypriots in the negotiations and help them show flexibility in various issues. Claiming that Turkey is fulfilling a very important duty and announces this stance to the whole world, Mr Talat alleged that this is accepted worldwide.

Mr Talat refrained from saying what they will do in case a negative development happens regarding the Cyprus problem and added: It would not be correct to say if there is no solution we shall do this or that. I think that it is sufficient to say that if there is no solution this is the last chance and the road for finding a solution will become more difficult. By giving the necessary message in this manner, the importance of the solution is underlined.

He alleged that the Greek Cypriot media are attacking the United Nations consistently and claimed that this is a great insult against the UN. He expressed the view that this is carried out by the Greek Cypriot deep state and the secret services.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The two leaders held their 43rd meeting yesterday

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.10.09) reports that after the meeting with President Christofias within the framework of the Cyprus talks, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat stated yesterday that they will continue to discuss the issue of the executive power during their meeting today. Mr Talat said they have not reached to a definite result on the above-mentioned issue. He noted that the sides might submit interim proposals based on the views expressed by both sides on the executive power, but this will not take place today. Most probably tomorrow (today) we shall discuss the foreign relations. There could also be some other issues, he noted. The paper reports that the meeting between the two leaders lasted for three hours yesterday.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu is departing for Alexandretta; He met with the British High Commissioner

Meanwhile, the paper writes also that Mr Eroglu met yesterday at his office with the British High Commissioner, Peter Millet. No statement was issued regarding the meeting. However, it has been found out that they generally discussed the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem, adds the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[04] DP is against an interim agreement; Serdar Denktas said that the stubborn tactics of the government is dragging the occupied areas into chaos

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.10.09) reports that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) has argued that the stubborn tactics of the self-styled government is dragging the occupied areas of the island into chaos. In a written statement issued yesterday by the DP, Mr Denktas called on the government to reach to reconciliation with the trade unions and asked the latter to re-examine one of their six decisions which concerns the boycotting of some employers.

(CS/ITs)

[05] TDP leader informed Turkish politicians on the Cyprus problem

The Leader of the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici has held discussions with representatives of political parties in Ankara. The TDP Leader was in the Turkish capital for the Justice and Development Partys Congress.

In a written statement, Mr Cakici said that various social democratic and leftwing parties in Turkey were in cooperation with some rightwing parties in the TRNC, which he said, are in support of the non-solution in Cyprus. `Leftwing parties in Turkey should formulate new policies developing empathy with the Cyprus Turkish leftwing political parties` he said.

The TDP Leader noted that during his contacts in Ankara, he briefed Turkish politicians on the Cyprus issues at first hand, adding that they agreed on the need to continue such contacts in order to inform the Turkish officials on the latest developments in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

[06] Self-styled minister addressed the 10th CeBIT Informatics Eurasian Fair and Informatics Summit in Istanbul

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (08.10.09) reports that the Transportation Minister of Turkey Binali Yildirim has stated that in case they transform Cyprus to an island of free informatics the restrictions which are imposed on the Turkish Cypriots will be meaningless. Speaking during the 10th CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia Fair, at TUYAP Beylikduzu Fair and Congress Centre in Istanbul, Mr Yildirim thanked the self-styled minister of public works and transport, Hasan Tacoy for his participation in the event and added the following:

We have a great vision to bring to an end the injustice which exists for years and to bring the global peace to Cyprus. Certainly, the island should be an island of peace, an island of beauties and all the obstacles should be removed, however, obviously there are sides which have no will to hear this. Therefore, this job falls on our shoulders. Turkey is strengthening its ties with Cyprus. If we transform Cyprus into an island of free informatics, then these obstacles will have no meaning. You are aware of the fact that in informatics there are no physical barriers.

(I/Ts.-AK)

[07] The representative of the breakaway regime in Qatar met with the Director General of the QNA

(I/Ts.)

[08] Data on maritime and aviation traffic to and from the occupied areas of Cyprus in August

Moreover, according to data given by the so-called Ports Department, the following number of ships entered into the occupied ports of Cyprus during August 2009: Keryneia106, Famagusta 97, Gastria Gypsum and Cement Installations 7, Gemyat Delta Marina 13 and Teknecik Power Plant 4. The ships brought 12.950 passengers and 931 vehicles to Keryneia, as well as 1673 passengers and 620 to Famagusta.

The numbers of the ships which departed from the above-mentioned ports in the same period are the following: Keryneia105, Famagusta 91, Gastria Gypsum and Cement Installations 7, Gemyat Delta Marina 11 and Teknecik Power Plant 4. The ships which departed from Keryneia carried away 11.569 passengers and 2.049 vehicles, while the ships which departed from Famagusta carried away 1849 passengers and 549 vehicles.

(I/Ts.)

[09] KTOEOS argues that UBP policy created shortage of teachers in the schools in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Under the title, Protest from KTOEOS, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (08.10.09) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers Union (KTOEOS) is to protest on Monday against the lack of teachers in the schools in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus. According to an announcement issued by the KTOEOS Chairman, Adnan Eraslan, the new school year in the occupied areas has started with problems, among which the shortage in books and the lack of teachers. The reason over the lack of teaching staff and their appointment in the occupied areas, as Mr Eraslan said, is the aim of the National Unity Party (UBP) to fill the vacancies in schools with temporary teachers and the fact that officials put some obstacles for this. He said that teachers have been sent from Turkey before the schools opened and that these teachers were placed in schools where no need existed.

[10] The illegal regime to participate in the 2009 World Easycart Karting Championship

[11] Turkey has reportedly tried to relax Azerbaijan by saying that it will not implement the protocol to be signed with Armenia; It reminded the protocol signed with the EU regarding the opening of its ports to Cyprus

Under the title, It could not happen without Karabakh, the paper publishes a report by Ugur Egan from Ankara who notes that the two Presidents held a four-party meeting at Nahcivan with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, Ahmet Davutoglu and Elmar Memmedyarov respectively. The paper notes that during the meeting evaluations were carried out taking into consideration the sensitivities in the public opinion of the two countries regarding the signing of the protocol between Turkey and Armenia.

The paper writes, inter alia, the following:

The Turkish side has especially emphasized that the signing of the protocol does not mean that Turkey will open its Armenian border before the Nagorno Karabakh problem is solved. The Turkish side, which said that by signing the protocol it will express its political declaration with good will in the solution of its problems with Armenia, conveyed the following views:

There are paragraphs in this text such as the establishment of a joint historic committee and the opening of the border. However, these will be materialized after the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem. Before the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem, this protocol will not be sent to the TGNA. Even if it is sent, it will not pass from the Assembly. You should be relaxed on this issue. During its EU accession process, Turkey has signed a protocol regarding the Greek Cypriot Sector. What happened? Have seaports and airports been opened to the vessels under the Greek Cypriot flag for four years? With this protocol we have dragged into the process of the solution of the problem both Armenia and the Minsk Group. The Minsk Group, which for 17 years has been holding the key of the doors regarding Nagorno Karabakh, was forced to get into action. ...

[12] Turkeys Bagis met with Olli Rehn over Turkeys EU report

Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin met separately with Jacques Barrot, the European commissioner for justice, freedom and security, and Olli Rehn, the European commissioner for enlargement in Brussels on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters following their meetings, Egemen Bagis said that both meetings were extremely fruitful. Barrot will pay a visit to Turkey in November, Bagis said. In our meeting with Barrot, we discussed fight against illegal migration and EU-Turkey negotiations. In our meeting with Rehn, we exchanged opinions on the Progress Report to be made public on October 14, Bagis said.

Turkey has made crucial reforms in 2009. Each passing day, new draft laws are being submitted to the Turkish parliament, Bagis noted. We will continue to work so that new chapters do get opened in Turkey's EU negotiations, Bagis said. I am hopeful that the chapter on environment, an issue with technical details, will get opened for negotiations in December, Bagis also said.

Minister Ergin, in his part, said that Turkey's judicial reform strategy is a must for EU membership negotiations. Egemen Bagis will proceed to Paris on Wednesday night to join President Abdullah Gul who is visiting France.

[13] Todays Zaman: Turkey wants to clear its record at Euro court

Turkey aims to eliminate hundreds of complaints filed against it by its own citizens in the top European human rights court through adopting new laws and regulations at home that are expected to shortly enter into force, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin has stated.

Ergin's remarks came as he spoke with the Deutsche Welle Turkish service during talks in Strasbourg, which is home to the European Court of Human Rights. Ergin had talks with the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner and the president of the European Court of Human Rights as well as with officials from the European Union.

During his talks Ergin signalled that Turkey is determined to clear its record in the top court through adopting new legal regulations in compliance with EU standards, Deutsche Welle reported on Wednesday. We want to drop more than a thousand files from the agenda of the court by passing the necessary laws and regulations. Turkey is one of the countries against which most of violation of human rights decisions are made. We want to change this [situation], Ergin was quoted as saying.

[14] Turkish State Minister on a world tour to promote commercial and economic ties

Turkish State Minister Zafer Caglayan will begin a tour of five African countries on October 7. Caglayan's visits to Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Republic of South Africa and Tunisia aim at boosting commercial relations with the countries in the African continent. Caglayan, who would pay visits to these four countries in the African continent in October, told a written statement on Wednesday that they would be in an effort to achieve the target of the government with exports.

Libya would be the first stop of Caglayan's tour of Africa. Caglayan will visit Libya between October 7 and 9 to boost bilateral relations and seek cooperation opportunities. There is a significant rise in commercial relations between Turkey and Libya in the past five years. Trade volume was reported as 1.4 billion USD between Turkey and Libya according to January-August, 2009 data.

Following his visit to Libya, Caglayan will fly to Egypt between October 12 and 14. He will attend International Business Forum Congress to be organized in Cairo. A crowded group of businessmen will accompany Caglayan during the visit. Trade volume with Egypt is currently 2.4 billion USD.

Caglayan will pay a visit to Algeria between 20 and 22. He is expected to have talks on contractor services in Algeria. Share of Algeria in Turkey's total exports was reported as 1.2 billion USD in the first 8 months of 2009.

Caglayan would visit Republic of South Africa between October 31-November 5. This visit aims at boosting commercial and economic cooperation opportunities.

Actual foreign trade between Turkey and Republic of South Africa is 1.6 billion USD. Share of this country in Turkey's total exports is 771 million USD in the first 8 months of 2009.

Within the scope of his tour of Africa, Caglayan will travel to Tunisia in December. He will attend eighth Europe-Mediterranean Trade Ministers Conference (Euromed) targeting creating a peace, stability and prosperity area in the Europe-Mediterranean region.

The statement said Caglayan visited China three times, Chile and Brazil in the South America continent. The free trade agreement signed with Chile was the first free trade agreement Turkey signed with a country in that continent. Caglayan also paid visits to Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Romania, Poland, Germany, Syria, Macedonia [FYROM], Kosovo, Singapore, Senegal, Iraq and Lithuania.

[15] Babacan: Turkeys income to fall by 6 percent

The Turkish state minister for economy said on Wednesday that Turkey would catch up with its national income in 2008 only at the end of 2011.

Turkey's State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said that Turkey's national income would be 6 percent less than that at the end of 2008. We can only catch up with our national income in 2008 at the end of 2011, he told the state-run TRT-2 channel.

Turkey's national income was 741,8 billion USD and national income per capita was 10,479 USD in 2008. Babacan said the economic crisis cost three years for Turkey, and the most affected area from the crisis was trade.

The minister said Turkey forecast the year-end unemployment rate around 14.8 percent. It was 11 percent in 2008. Babacan said unemployment figures would start to drop in the following years. However, he projected the rate around 13.5 percent in 2012. Also, Babacan said that Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would continue technical negotiations.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[16] From the Turkish Press of 07 October 2009

a) Kurdish problem

According to a report by Namik Durukan in Milliyet, PKK's Murat Karayilan has said that the motion extending the government's mandate to launch cross-border operations "is tantamount to a declaration of war." In a statement to Firat News Agency, Karayilan is reported to have said that Turkey could not have taken the decision on this motion alone and that the prime minister received US consent for the motion.

Viewing the polls being conducted to determine the support being extended to the Kurdish initiative in an article in Hurriyet, Cuneyt Ulsever says that one should not get the impression that the majority is supportive since, for the time being, the overture is nothing but a declaration of will and intent. It is meaningful that between 35 to 45 percent of the population is opposed to the overture even before its contents and its "road map" is announced, writes Ulsever, adding that if the percentage of those opposed to a "peace project" is so high, then those promoting it should ask themselves what it is that they are doing wrong. If such a high percentage mistrusts this project, the prime minister cannot continue on his path by declaring them as "traitors," claims Ulsever, adding: "The 'National Unity Project' is gradually becoming the 'National Division Project." In conclusion, Ulsever urges the Justice and Development Party (AKP) either to announce a concrete road map or to remove the project from its agenda.

Assessing the current stage reached in the Kurdish overture in his article in Vatan, Mehmet Tezkan claims that the process is about to die, adding that both the MHP and the DTP are displeased with the situation. Summing up the position of the various parties on the issue, Tezkan writes: "The CHP is hesitant; it is trying to comprehend what the AKP wants to accomplish... The MHP is totally opposed... The DTP is undecided whether it is a respondent or a go-between... Sometimes it acts as if it is a respondent in the problem... Sometimes it waits for messages from the 'mountain' or the 'island' as though it were a go-between... In actual fact, one cannot say that the 'mountain' and the 'island' are on the same frequency..." Given this chaotic situation, this overture cannot yield results, concludes Tezkan.

In an article in Referans, Cengiz Candar views the AKP and DTP congresses held recently saying that the AKP congress was a "declaration of a joint will" regarding the struggle to be waged on the Kurdish overture in the period ahead. Responding to criticisms that the DTP is not the sole representative of the Kurds and does not reflect the demands of all the Kurds, Candar argues that the DTP, while it might not be the sole representative of the Kurds, is no doubt their most important legal representative. Pointing out that the DTP does not have the "power of decision" to end the "armed struggle" since the leading cadres of the DTP are not the leading cadres of the PKK, Candar argues that for the "weapons to be silenced" the PKK and its leaders should, at one stage, become part of the solution and not the problem, adding that this is what the DTP means when it says that one should go to Imrali regarding the armed clash dimension of the issue. Candar concludes by advising all to reread DTP leader Ahmet Turk's address at the party congress to see that he uses a "conciliatory" language and that the demands put forth contain significant clues to the "final solution" of the Kurdish problem.

In an article entitled "DTP: Dreams and realities", Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru criticizes the Democratic Society Party (DTP) for what he describes as its tendency to "confuse dreams and realities" and its inability to act and think independently of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan indicated by the way speakers at the DTP's recent extraordinary convention called on the Government to treat Ocalan as a counterpart and the congress hall was "awash with Ocalan's posters." Koru claims that the DTP appears to be under the delusion that it is the only political party that represents the southeast and that it is indispensable in this sense. He argues that the ruling AKP enjoys enough popular support in the southeast to easily emerge as a representative of the populace in this region, as Prime Minister Erdogan implied in his speech at the AKP's recent convention, adding that the DTP should be prepared for a major disappointment if it has failed to get this message from Erdogan's address.

Finally, in an article entitled "Upside down", Today's Zaman columnist Yavuz Baydar asserts that the DTP's calls for changes to the Constitution and its demands for Ocalan's recognition as a counterpart in a negotiation process over the southeast issue are "bound to set obstacles [to the Government's bid to solve the Kurdish problem] in the coming delicate weeks and months."

b) Erdogans row with the Dogan Media Group

Criticizing the analogy Prime Minister Erdogan made between Aydin Dogan and Al Capone in the absence of any court ruling on the issue, Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol in an article laments the absence of such values as justice, equity, and proportionality. These remarks by the prime minister violate not only values such as justice and equity, but also the fundamental principles of liberal democracy such as a state of law and the impartiality of public services, concludes Akyol.

Also expressing his total amazement at Erdogan's analogy in an article in the same daily, Fikret Bila reminds his readers that of the many citations Dogan received for being a champion taxpayer some were signed by the prime minister himself.

Questioning how Erdogan can compare a respected businessman who is involved in many social projects with a record for paying the highest taxes in the country to an evil and ferocious gangster, in an article in Hurriyet, Tufan Turenc says that he is pessimistic about and fears for the future of the country. Turenc urges the prime minister to consider the remarks made by President Gul in his recent address to parliament to the effect that in democracies governments are established through the will of the majority but their authorities are not unlimited and that no one can be declared guilty without a court decision on the issue.

Viewing the analogy Erdogan made between Dogan and Al Capone in his article in Sabah, Hincal Uluc argues that this analogy should mostly disturb the prime minister and not Dogan, adding: "The United States used taxes in order to destroy and annihilate Al Capone. Now let the prime minister's advisers tell us who can benefit from this analogy?"

Assessing the Dogan-Al Capone analogy as a prison threat made by the prime minister to silence his critics in an article in Radikal, Turker Alkan underlines that Erdogan aims at destroying the "bad" press and strengthening the "good" press that applauds him. Questioning how such a mentality can undertake a democratic overture, Alkan warns the prime minister that attempts to intimidate the media had not worked in the past and are bound to fail now.

Under the banner headline, "What did you discuss for seven hours?" Vakit runs a front-page report which asserts that it has turned out that businessman Aydin Dogan has virtually "laid siege" to a tax court in Istanbul in order to obtain a stay of execution against the Revenue Administration's decision to levy a major tax fine on the Dogan Media Group. According to the report, Dogan's advisors recently held a seven-hour meeting with some justices at the tax court in Istanbul's Yeni Bosna district.

In a front-page report entitled "Court rejects Dogan Group's $3,3 billion tax guarantee appeal," it is noted that "a court on Tuesday rejected a challenge by Turkey's largest media company [the Dogan Group] against tax authorities' demand for $3,3 billion in collateral to appeal a fine."

c) Protocols to revive Turkey-Armenia relations

Viewing the strong opposition of the Armenian Diaspora against the Turkish-Armenian protocols in an article in Milliyet, Sami Kohen notes that this is the first time that such a division has been caused between Yerevan and the Diaspora. Explaining the reasons for their opposition to the protocols, representatives of the Diaspora state that they will endanger efforts toward world recognition of their Armenian genocide claims, validate the 1921 Kars Treaty thus making null and void Armenia's historical territorial rights, and force Armenia to change its stand on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Although the Armenian Diaspora and the opposition within Armenia agree on these points, the voice of the Diaspora is much stronger, points out Kohen, concluding that Armenian President Sargsyan has the power to have the protocols endorsed in parliament but not the power to receive the consent of the Diaspora.

Under the headline, "Sargsyan criteria," Yeni Safak publishes a front-page report which asserts that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will be visiting Turkey's Bursa Province on 14 October to watch the Turkish-Armenian soccer match. According to the report, Turkey has taken "special measures" to prevent the unfurling of Azerbaijani flags as well as the use of political slogans and placards during the game.

d) Possible IMF loan/ IMF-World Bank meetings

Viewing speculations that the IMF can extend a loan of some $45 billion to Turkey in an article in Milliyet, Gungor Uras argues that the atmosphere to be created by such an agreement will cause the exchange rate to drop drastically, predicting that the exchange rate of the Lira to the dollar might be one to one. Assessing the effect of such an exchange rate, Uras maintains that "it will be good for the markets in the short run, but bad for the economy in the long run." Explaining that such an exchange rate will cause consumers to purchase cheaper imports, Uras concludes that this development will destroy the real economy and lead to further unemployment.

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Emre Deliveli sums up the IMF and World Bank meetings held in Istanbul, saying that there was consensus that US recovery will be slow and that the woes of the financial system are far from over. Pointing out that most participants did not see inflation as a threat in the short-run, Deliveli states that the IMF has emerged stronger from the meetings.

Under the headline, "Take heed of protestors' voices while drawing up new order," Today's Zaman publishes a front-page report which highlights Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks at the World Bank-IMF meetings in Istanbul "calling on key economic decision makers to put their heads between their hands and carefully ponder the faults of the current system, which led to the devastating global economic crisis, and to focus more on social development."

Under the headline, "A meeting intended to save IMF," Milli Gazete runs a front-page report which quotes Felicity Party (SP) Deputy Chairman Ertan Yulek as saying that the sole purpose of the IMF-World Bank meetings in Istanbul is to revive the IMF and save it from going bankrupt.

e) Blair as first President of Europe

Viewing the strong possibility that Tony Blair will be the first president of Europe, a position envisaged by the Lisbon Treaty, Taraf columnist Yasemin Congar in an article says that those who favour an effective Europe in the world stage support Blair whom they believe will conduct a "macro policy". Congar argues that Blair is a positive alternative for Turkey since he extends full support to Turkey's membership in the Union, adding that now everything depends on Prague since Czech President Vaclav Klaus is inclined to suspend the Lisbon Treaty.

f) On Al-Aqsa Mosque and Israel

In an article entitled "Where are you, Turkey?", Vakit columnist Ahmet Varol asserts that the ongoing Israeli "siege" of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and "bloodthirsty Netanyahu's conspiracies" are no less dangerous and destructive than the "massacres" in Gaza carried out by Israel some time ago. He claims that in placing Al-Aqsa in the "crosshairs," Israel is aiming to destroy "the spiritual bridge binding the Islamic world to Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause." He also asserts that if Turkey is to emerge as a regional power and obtain the support of regional peoples, it should take diplomatic measures to force Israel to change its policy on the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In an article entitled "What Obama could do to Israel", Zaman columnist Abdulhamit Bilici slams Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for endorsing the continuation of the construction of "new Israeli settlements on Palestinian soil" and the Israeli government for preventing Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa. He also argues that while the answer to the question of whether Washington can persuade Israel to start peace negotiations with Israel is to be found in "the amount of determination" possessed by the Obama administration, it is obvious that there are "major cards" that the United States could use against Israel such as stopping exercising its right of veto at the UN Security Council in favour of Israel, lowering the level of military cooperation with Israel, publicly urging Israel to take part in the NPT review conferences to be held next year, and reducing loan guarantees for Israel, as suggested by Pierre Razoux in a Herald Tribune article.

EG/

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