Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-10-12

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on the UN to play a more active role in the negotiation process otherwise it seems hard to reach a solution until the end of 2009

[02] Afrika says the General Staff has not confirmed Talat on the issue of Toros Military Exercise

[03] Eroglu reiterated that the only alternative of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC

[04] Self-styled minister participated in an international congress on Renewable Sources of Energy in Turkey

[05] Havadis is publishing a public opinion poll

[06] A new racecourse will be built in 2010 in the occupied areas upon instructions by Cemil Cicek

[07] Verheugen: Overcome Cyprus, open the ports

[08] The Turkish building contractors invested around three million dollars in the occupied areas of Cyprus in 2008

[09] Serbian citizen to meet EU officials in Brussels on 24 November on the issue of the money allegedly taken out of Serbia during the period of Slobodan Milosevic

[10] The self styled minister of tourism explains the goals of the occupation regime in the field of tourism

[11] The illegal DAU is searching for cooperation possibilities with the Oxford St. Catherine College

[12] A cooperation protocol in the fields of Education, Tourism and Sports was signed between the illegal YDU and the Russian Sochi State University of Tourism

[13] Almost half of the population in occupied Agios Amvrosios village are settlers from Turkey; 3500 new buildings are being constructed in the area

[14] Gul stated that Turkey will make its final decision on EU membership after concluding the negotiation process

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[15] From the Turkish Press of 09, 10 and 11 October 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat calls on the UN to play a more active role in the negotiation process otherwise it seems hard to reach a solution until the end of 2009

TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the United Nations should play a more active role and negotiations should be intensified to reach a solution in Cyprus until the end of 2009.

If it continues in this way, it seems hard to reach a solution until the end of 2009 Mr Talat said speaking during a visit he paid to the Bulgarian Turks Culture and Solidarity Association.

Chatting with citizens, the President explained that the Cyprus problem would never be solved in case of acting with the Cypriot Solution logic as the Greek Cypriot Side is doing.

We are not thinking in the same way, if we thought the same we would have already solved it. So we need somebody to help us, this will only be the United Nations and the UN Secretary General. This is the reason that we need more active participation of the UN and the international community the President stressed.

He also described the negative propaganda against the UN Chiefs Special Adviser for Cyprus Alexander Downer as a Shame.

[02] Afrika says the General Staff has not confirmed Talat on the issue of Toros Military Exercise

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu reiterated that the only alternative of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC

Mr Eroglu said that if a result is going to come out of the negotiating process, this will be a result which will not harm the honour of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots and secure that the Turkish Cypriots will live forever. However, he added, it does not seem possible today for the Greek Cypriots to sign such an agreement and therefore the alternative of the Turkish Cypriots is the TRNC. [Breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus]. He alleged that as long as they have no alternatives, they are open to concessions and argued that an agreement could be reached only by taking into consideration the reality of the TRNC.

Mr Eroglu said that if no agreement is reached, this will not be the end of the world and added that many small states have declared their independence and are living. We shall also live, under the guardianship and protection of the Motherland, he argued. Mr Eroglu accused the Greek Cypriot side of not wanting an agreement and argued that the only thing that President Christofias wants is to get rid of the Turkish army and the guarantees of Turkey.

Referring to the statement made by Turkish officials that the status quo in Cyprus cannot continue, Mr Eroglu said: When it is said that the situation existing today, the status existing today cannot continue, it is intended to give the following meaning: There is a state in Cyprus, in the south. It is recognized by the world. It is a member of the EU. There is a state in the north. Only Turkey recognizes it, no one else recognizes it. This cannot continue like that. Either there will be an agreement or the world will recognize the TRNC. This is the message given.

Mr Eroglu expressed the opinion that the agreement on the issue of the single sovereignty was not right and that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat, should make some manoeuvres in order to get rid of this. He added: If you say one sovereignty, one identity, they will tell you the following: The Turks have abandoned their state and their sovereignty in order to reach to an agreement. As long as this is spread, it is not possible to reach to an agreement in Cyprus in the sense we want it.

He alleged that the Annan Plan was not in favour of the Turkish side and that it has been prepared to satisfy the Greek Cypriots. Mr Eroglu reiterated the Turkish allegation that there are two separate peoples with different languages, religions and races and two separate states in Cyprus.

Meanwhile, referring to the same conference, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.10.09) reports that the mayor of Alexandretta, Yusuf Civelek alleged that peace came in Cyprus in 1974 and added that they do not want to lose this peace.

Moreover, in the opening speech of the conference, Gokhan Gokten, chairman of the ISGIAD, alleged that the breakaway regime is unmercifully isolated by the world and reiterated the Turkish allegations that the solution in Cyprus should have two states and two zones. He expressed the belief that the international community will recognize the TRNC in the end and that the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots will have results.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Self-styled minister participated in an international congress on Renewable Sources of Energy in Turkey

Kibris reports also that Mr Atun made statements to Turkish NTV television during his stay in Turkey and said that a model focusing on the private sector is the basis of the development of the economy in the occupied areas of Cyprus now. He noted that by bringing electricity from Turkey to the occupied areas of Cyprus, the supply will be secured and the cost of electricity will fall. He argued that giving electricity from Turkey to the whole island will constitute a positive element in the direction of achieving a permanent agreement in Cyprus. Referring to the explorations for oil and gas in the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Atun alleged that the absolute sovereignty in the territorial waters of the TRNC belongs to the state of the TRNC.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Havadis is publishing a public opinion poll

(I/Ts.)

[06] A new racecourse will be built in 2010 in the occupied areas upon instructions by Cemil Cicek

In his statements, Mr Homurlu said they prepared the project upon directives by Mr Cicek and added that they have very good relations with the TRNC Jokey Club. He noted that their aim is to fulfil any duty assigned to them by the government. Mr Duzgun thanked the government of Turkey and the breakaway regime for the sensitivity they are showing for the issue. The paper notes that the project will cost 6.087.000 Turkish liras. The running track will be 1600 meters and the capacity of the building will be 2000 spectators. The foundation stone is expected to be laid in the beginning of 2010.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Verheugen: Overcome Cyprus, open the ports

(I/Ts.)

[08] The Turkish building contractors invested around three million dollars in the occupied areas of Cyprus in 2008

(I/Ts.)

[09] Serbian citizen to meet EU officials in Brussels on 24 November on the issue of the money allegedly taken out of Serbia during the period of Slobodan Milosevic

He told Kibris that the money taken out of Serbia was 10 billion dollars and reminded that money laundering is a crime in the EU, where the Republic of Cyprus belongs. He alleged that he does this for the Serbian people and that he has taken the necessary appointments and he will go to the Commission of the European Union on 24 November in order to discuss the issue of money laundering with three different units. He said: I hope that the EU will carry out the necessary investigation and it will interrogate the Republic of Cyprus. If I fail, the last step will be the European Court of Human Rights.

(I/Ts.)

[10] The self styled minister of tourism explains the goals of the occupation regime in the field of tourism

According to Mr. Sener, tourism is included among the state policies of the occupation regime and in this framework their aim is for the occupancy of the hotels to exceed the current 43%. Explaining that currently the occupation regime is facing great difficulties in the arrival of tourists, Mr. Sener added that the solution of the Cyprus problem will result to the inclusion in the occupation regime in the global market.

Noting that the hotels capacity is 15.000 of which 75% belong to four and five star hotels, Mr. Sener referred also to the money allocated from the budget in order to be spent for the promotion of the occupied territories as a tourist destination. According to the figures provided by Ersan Sener, the illegal regime has spent one million pounds sterling in 2007 for the promotion of the occupied territories in London, 538.000 in 2008 and during the first months of 2009, 700.000 pounds sterling.

Mr. Sener also said that they are holding contacts in Germany with a large German group consisting of 6.000 travel agencies in order to attract tourists from Germany to occupied Cyprus and added that the Turkish Cypriot airlines will launch flights to and from Germany, at the same time as they will start taking gradually steps for the Turkish Cypriot airlines to join the global market. Explaining that apart from Turkey, the main flow of tourists to the occupied areas comes from Britain and Germany, Mr. Sener also added that efforts are exerted for the Turkish Cypriot airlines to launch flights to ten new destinations.

(ML)

[11] The illegal DAU is searching for cooperation possibilities with the Oxford St. Catherine College

According to information provided by Dr. Necdet Osam, dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Charles Smith from the Oxford St. Catherine College visited the faculty the previous days and held a meeting with him.

Mr. Osam, stated, inter alia, that during the meeting, the possibility of cooperation between the two foundations was among the matters of discussion. Mr. Osam stated also that they discussed how they will make possible the signing of an agreement between the Faculty of Education of DAU with St. Catherine College in the fields of the English language and Linguistics.

(AK)

[12] A cooperation protocol in the fields of Education, Tourism and Sports was signed between the illegal YDU and the Russian Sochi State University of Tourism

In his statements, Prof. Dr. Yorov Igor stated, inter alia, that the illegal Near East University is a global university and that they are ready to cooperate in any field with YDU.

The cooperation protocol was signed by Prof. Dr. Yorov Igor, vice-rector of the Sochi State University of Tourism and Prof. Dr. Fagreddin Sadikoglu, vice-rector of the illegal Near East University.

(AK)

[13] Almost half of the population in occupied Agios Amvrosios village are settlers from Turkey; 3500 new buildings are being constructed in the area

The paper publishes statements by the so-called mayor of Agios Amvrosios, Erdal Barut who said that within the framework of decisions taken by previous governments, the occupied villages of Kalogrea, Hardjia and Trapeza have been included in the borders of Agios Amvrosios and added that together with these villages his municipality has around 2300 citizens. Mr Barut said that because of the great development 3500 houses are being built in this area. He argued that the population to which they provide their services is much more than the population which has been counted, as not all those who settled and live in the area are included in the 2,300.

(I/Ts.)

[14] Gul stated that Turkey will make its final decision on EU membership after concluding the negotiation process

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Friday Turkey may not wish to join the EU like Norway after concluding negotiation process. President Gul said the EU should back Turkey go on its path towards the EU and to reach EU standards, while relaying a message to France that is opposing to Turkey's EU membership.

If the negotiation process is completed successfully, French and Austrian people will resort to referendum and they will either say 'yes' or 'no' to Turkey. Maybe Turkey of that time may say 'no' to EU and prefer to go on its own path, Gul said during a conference on French-Turkish Partnership: Being Stronger in Europe and the World.

Gul said whether or not to join or refuse the EU was a matter to be discussed after the process ended. Therefore let us altogether see and discuss what we can do now, Gul said.

President Gul referred to rooted relations between Turkey and France, indicating that Turks were in the middle of Europe for centuries. Gul said, although actual 11 billion euro trade volume between Turkey and France is pleasing, it has potential to rise to 15-20 billion euro in a short time.

Turkey has always embraced French companies. Around 700 French companies are doing business in Turkey, Gul said pointing to the endeavors of the government on the matter. Gul said Turkey was an important market and source of employment for France.

Durability of Turkish economy is once again proved in the global crisis. Of course like every country, Turkey was also affected. European institutions say Turkey would grow 4 percent next year, he added.

President Gul said Turkey's strongness is in the benefit of France. You should be happy over this. You would like a strong partner. I think the things you will do with a weak partner are limited.

Referring to Turkey's giant potential, Gul said, don't only think of Turkey with its own 71 million population. Turkey has a vast hinterland. You may reach to Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, Russia from here. Turkey has a very exclusive economic and cultural relations.

Turkey's importance in energy will rise gradually, President Gul said. Gul said, although economic relations between Turkey and France are strong, it does not reflect real potential. Turkey has revealed long before its intention to make cooperation with France in nuclear energy."

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[15] From the Turkish Press of 09, 10 and 11 October 2009

a) Tax Imposed on Dogan Media Group

Referring to the Wall Street Journal report on Finance Minister Simsek's statement to the effect that the tax imposed on the Dogan Media Group is a "purely technical" issue, Cengiz Candar in his article in Referans (09.10.09) argues that the tax is nothing but political and is bound to have "political consequences, showing the 2009 Progress Report of the European Commission as an example. Pointing out that this unprecedented tax fine imposed on the Dogan Group is covered in a special section in the EU report, Candar writes that this section "constitutes the newest and most negative paragraph of the EU report regarding Turkey" by establishing a relation between the fine and the violation of the freedom of the press in the country. Describing the fine as "disproportionate" and as a "source of concern," the report raises doubts about the existence of a state of law in Turkey, writes Candar, adding that this EU perspective adds a new political dimension to Turkish-EU relations. Asking the prime minister whether it is wise to add new and illogical obstacles to an already difficult path, Candar warns Erdogan that he will not have the strength to fight for his democratic overture.

In an article entitled "The Dogan Group and the Jewish Lobby" in Yeni Safak (09.10.09) columnist Ibrahim Karagul comments on news reports that Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag, Chairperson of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association, TUSIAD, and daughter of businessman Aydin Dogan, recently complained to the Jewish lobby in the United States about the Erdogan government. Discussing what he refers to as the wrong timing of Yalcindag's bid to obtain the support of the Jewish lobby against the ruling AKP and the Turkish Revenue Authority's decision to levy a major tax fine on the Dogan Group, Karagul claims that the TUSIAD chief's complaints to the Jewish lobby have taken place at a time when Turkish-Israeli interests no longer coincide and the Turkish-Israeli axis has started to lose its meaning, as displayed most recently by Ankara's decision to "forbid" Israeli warplanes from using Turkish airspace in conducting military exercises.

Under the banner headline, "Dogan dailies exposed, go into panic," Vakit (09.10.09) runs a front-page report which asserts that Dogan newspapers have been thrown into panic by Vakit's disclosure of the "secret" meetings held between Aydin Dogan's aides and certain tax courts in Istanbul concerning the tax penalty recently imposed on the Dogan Group.

In Hurriyet (10.10.09) an article entitled "There is also a heartening situation in Sabah," by columnist Mehmet Yilmaz attacks Sabah newspaper for publishing fabricated reports about the tax fine imposed on Dogan Yayin Holding in a bid to influence the judicial process and to prevent judges from rendering a fair judgment about the record tax fine imposed on the group.

Under the headline, "Who does the State Council side with?" Vakit (10.10.09) runs a front-page report which slams the State Council for ordering a stay of execution in favor of an appeal by the Dogan Media Group against the Revenue Administration's decision to levy a tax fine of TL 826 million on this group. According to the report, the State Council has failed to announce this ruling on its own Web site.

In an article entitled "European blackout on mountain incident?" in Zaman (10.10.09) columnist Abdulhamit Bilici criticizes the draft EU Progress Report on Turkey for not making any mention of an "accreditation incident" involving military officials' refusal to airlift a journalist from the mountainous area where Grand Unity Party, BBP, leader Muhsin Yazicioglu's helicopter had crashed [on the grounds that he was not accredited with the military] while devoting "specific" attention to what it calls a disproportionate tax penalty against the Dogan Media Group.

In an article entitled "Erdogan is more intelligent, powerful, and lucky," in Vakit (11.10.09) columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak says that the Dogan Group may launch a counter-offensive in a bid to show that it will not accept a defeat in its fight against the AKP. He says: "You should be prepared for a new operation involving the military, judiciary, media, and the business community and for the revelation of new information and documents in November. Some people may open new cards about Ataturk and secularism. Some television stations may attempt to create confusion by airing sensational reports about some conservative people who have done something wrong." Emphasizing that current conditions are in favor of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Dilipak comments: "Those men were so self-confident that they have committed all kinds of wrongdoings without even taking precautions. Now, they are trying to find a safe haven in vain."

b) Early elections

Agreeing with writer Fehmi Koru that early elections might be held in 2010 in an article in Radikal (09.10.09), Murat Yetkin details the two different reasons why this might be possible. According to Koru, 2010 is a favorable year for holding early elections because the positive effects of the democratic overture and the termination of the economic crisis. Yetkin notes, however, that according to serious economists the reason for holding early elections in 2010 will be that the unemployment rate in 2011 will be higher than that in 2010. Whatever the reason, those most adversely affected by speculations regarding early elections are Justice and Development Party, AKP, deputies, claims Yetkin, explaining that it is doubtful whether the AKP will receive the percentage of votes it did in 2007. Recent poll results indicate that the Nationalist Action Party, MHP, and the Democratic Society Party, DTP, have increased their votes, that the CHP has preserved its votes, and that the AKP votes are on the decline, writes Yetkin, adding that Erdogan might favor holding elections in 2010 rather than in 2011 while he still has a chance to come to power as a single party even if with a reduced number of deputies. Another election victory might open the path to Erdogan's presidency, Yetkin concludes.

In an article entitled "A political party that fears elections" in Zaman columnist Mustafa Unal accuses CHP leader Deniz Baykal of revealing his "fear" of an early election in issuing the following statement yesterday: "While it does not fall on me to give advice to the AKP, I believe that a government decision to call an early general election would cause the AKP to get flustered as well as being perceived as a pretext for running away from office." Unal also asserts that there are expectations that the Government will call an early election in the fall of 2010 in order to translate the results of the democratic initiative into votes.

c) Turkish-Armenian Protocols

Based on a conversation he held with Prof Ferman Demirkol, head of the Azerbaijani Strategic Research Center, (ASAM), Hurriyet (09.10.09) columnist Yalcin Bayer explains what he calls certain realities regarding Azerbaijan in his article. Pointing out that Armenia is not economically, militarily, and psychologically able to occupy any territory, Bayer stresses that Karabakh is occupied by Russia and that the key to the solution is in the hands of Putin. According to Demirkol, Russia favors the nonsolution of the Karabakh issue in a bid to control both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Arguing that Azeri President Aliyev can help solve the Karabakh issue by reaching an agreement with Putin and extending financial aid to Armenia, Demirkol believes that Turkey has unjustly become a party to the Karabakh issue and that it should not be the one paying a price for its solution. Warning the Turkish politicians against "unnecessary sentimentality" on the issue, Demirkol stresses: "It should not be Azerbaijan showing the path to Turkey but the other way around."

Viewing the opposition of the Armenian Diaspora to the protocols in an article in Taraf (09.10.09), Amberin Zaman underlines that this strong opposition covered by the world media does not reflect the views of all Armenian organizations in the Diaspora. Pointing out that certain Diaspora organizations, among them the Dioceses of the Armenian Church of America, the Knights of Vartan, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, have issued a joint statement expressing their support for the protocol, Zaman quotes a representative of one of the organizations who says that the "silent majority" in the Diaspora supports a rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia although it might have certain concerns with regards to the protocols. It would be beneficial for Turkey to contact these organizations and to launch joint projects in Armenia, writes Zaman, calling on the government to invite the representatives of these organizations to Turkey.

In an article entitled "The Armenian initiative", in Yeni Safak (10.10.09) columnist Ali Bayramoglu discusses the "vital importance" of the Turkish-Armenian protocols to be signed today from the viewpoint of Turkey's energy policies in the Caucasus. He argues that the way to secure a prominent place on the regional energy map is to become an influential player in the Caucasus, adding that what Turkey needs to do to achieve this goal is to show strategic flexibility, create a peaceful model by establishing good relations with neighbors like Armenia, and promote democratic stability. He also asserts that Turkey's efforts to bring about a rapprochement with Armenia are functioning to change the "militaristic" aspects of its regime.

In an article entitled "Armenian initiative and Davutoglu effect", in Today's Zaman (10.10.09) columnist Gurkan Zengin comments on the "Davutoglu effect" on Turkey's foreign policies and argues that the Turkish-Armenian protocols to be signed in Zurich today are "the biggest success of Turkish foreign policy" based on Ahmet Davutoglu's principle of "multi-lane, multidimensional relations."

A report in Hurriyet (11.10.09) says that the signing of the agreements were delayed for several hours when the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan objected to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's post-ceremony statement linking the implementation of the protocols to the solution of the Karabakh problem and calling on historians to question the past events. The paper adds that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy Rey's intervention resolved the crisis with an agreement that no post-ceremony statements would be made by the Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers. The two "sulking" ministers then signed the protocols in a 10-minute ceremony in the presence of "witness" ministers, namely, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana, and Slovene Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar in his capacity as the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Sabah (11.10.09) reports also details of the crisis ahead of the signing ceremony, and notes Armenian President Serj Sarkisyan's [Serzh Sargsyan] address to the Armenian nation that he chose the path of normalization with Turkey with a deep sense of historic responsibility, and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's statement that the protocols should be implemented in a way that will not harm Azerbaijan and that Turkey is not going to cave in to Armenian demands in the future. The report also quotes Erdogan as saying that he will make a detailed statement on the protocols after today's party executive council meeting.

On the other hand, MHP [Nationalist Action Party] leader Devlet Bahceli has described the signing of protocols as a "black day" for Turkey, according to a report in Milliyet (11.10.09).

CHP [Republican People's Party] deputy leader Onur Oymen describes the protocols as "one-sided concessions" by the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government, according to a report in Cumhuriyet (11.10.09). Oymen expresses puzzlement that there exist circles in Turkey who are as pleased as those countries, especially the United States, which "imposed" this agreement on Turkey hurriedly before AKP loses power in an early election. Oymen believes the Turkish government will not be able to link the implementation of the protocols to various conditions, like Karabakh, because of intense pressure from outside to implement these protocols quickly.

In a commentary in Hurriyet (11.10.09) soon after the signing ceremony, Zeynep Gurcanli wrote that despite the signing of the protocols, the Turkish side has no intention of implementing them and that the Turkish government is relying on the Turkish parliament to block the agreements until the Karabakh problem is resolved in favor of Azerbaijan. Gurcanli adds that the Turkish "game plan" is that even if the Armenian parliament adopts the agreement it will not go into effect unless the Turkish parliament too endorses it, and, in the meantime, the Turkish side will still have the added advantage of using the signed protocols against the recognition of the genocide by the Obama administration.

In his column in Radikal (11.10.09) Murat Yetkin writes that approval of the protocols from the Turkish parliament depends on an Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement on Karabakh. If Erdogan tries to impose the protocols on the parliament then there is the danger that some AKP deputies might revolt and join the opposition against the protocols which were already signed with difficulty in Zurich. Yetkin say Armenia has to realize that its path of normalization with Turkey passes through Baku.

Joost Lagendijk says in his column in Radikal (11.10.09) that the Turkish government is displaying the vision and courage of reversing the 15-year-long wrong police of blockading Armenia which not only did not solve the Karabakh problem but also damaged Turkey's image as a European country. He believes once Armenia reaps economic benefits from the agreement it will be more inclined for a solution in Karabakh. Lagendijk thinks the Turkish government will be able to convince suspicious AKP deputies to vote for the protocols, but fears that an easy adoption of the protocols in Turkey might encourage Armenian radicals to oppose the endorsement of the protocols on the suspicion that its implementation would amount to Armenia's surrender to Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Erdal Safak says in his column in Sabah (11.10.09) that the Turkish exhibition "From Byzantium To Istanbul" in Paris is more important for Turkey than the protocols signed with Armenia, because one day the Armenian and Turkish relations will normalize as the normal course of events, but France's, and hence Europe's, "obstinate" hostility to Turkey could only be overcome by explaining to them that Turkey is the guardian or the representative of ancient civilians in Anatolia.

Finally, in an article entitled "The meaning of the signatures affixed in Zurich," Yeni Safak (11.10.09) columnist Fehmi Koru says that the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia have opened the door to the resolution of a long-standing dispute between the two countries. Pointing out that Turkey aims to ameliorate bilateral relations by eliminating problems as part of a "vision of regional peace," Koru says: "Opening Armenia's door to Turkey and leaving its door to Azerbaijan closed would, therefore, not be very meaningful from Ankara's perspective. What is actually desired is a new order in the Caucasus where disputes will be eliminated and peace will prevail."

EG/

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