Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-10-29

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The meeting between Talat and Christofias came to an end. Statements by Talat after the meeting

[02] Talats Ankara schedule

[03] Eroglu: Our red lines must be drawn on the slogan No to the return of Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou]

[04] Bagis stated from Helsinki that failure to achieve progress in the ongoing negotiation process by April 2010, could result in Talats failure to re-elect in the presidency of the occupation regime

[05] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on last weeks meeting on the Cyprus problem, on Turkeys ties with Israel and on Afghanistan

[06] The Istanbul Technical University was allocated a piece of land for 49 years in occupied Famagusta

[07] The ECHR has charged Turkey of violating article 2 of European convention

[08] Turkish security sources reports on the arrest of 3 PKK members in Limassol

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] From the Turkish Press of 27 and 28 October 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The meeting between Talat and Christofias came to an end. Statements by Talat after the meeting

The two leaders in Cyprus have held further discussions on the competences of the federal government within the framework of the negotiation process continuing since September last year.

President Mehmet Ali Talat and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias both told reporters at the end of their meeting that a break will be given to the talks on the issue of executive and that they would hold further discussions on the thorny issue of property next week.

The UN Special Adviser for Cyprus Alexander Downer who was also present at yesterdays meeting said that the two leaders had a good and open discussion on governance.

Speaking to reporters on his return to the Presidential Palace, President Talat said that the two leaders discussed the issue of federal government competences.The President said that the two leased used the meeting to ask each other questions and exchange proposals.

He noted that the two got to understand each other better although no conclusion was reached at the meeting.

In a statement after the meeting, the Greek Cypriot Leader Christofias said that issues concerning the topic of governance were difficult and that they will give a break to the discussions on the chapter.

Senior aides of the two leaders, Ozdil Nami and Georges Iacovou will meet tomorrow to prepare the groundwork for the next topic on property.

The two leaders will hold two more meetings next week, the first on Monday and the second on Friday.

Property issue will be discussed by the two leaders at the first meeting of the week but an agenda has yet to be fixed for Fridays talks.

[02] Talats Ankara schedule

According to the paper, a delegation in which the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Huseyin Ozgurgun, will also participate, will accompany Mr Talat in his journey.

Mr Talat and his delegation will depart from the occupied areas of Cyprus today at 14.30 hours. At 16.00 they will have contacts at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the evening they will participate in the reception to be given by the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. On Friday Mr Talat will have at 14.00 hours a tet a - tet meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan, and at 14.30 hours he will meet, along with his delegation, with President Gul. After the meeting a joint press conference will be held. Mr Talat and his delegation will leave Turkey for Cyprus at 18.00 hours.

(CS)

[03] Eroglu: Our red lines must be drawn on the slogan No to the return of Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou]

Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has underlined the need not to make any concession while negotiating a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Speaking before entering todays meeting of Council of Ministers, the Premier said he hasnt got a problem with President Mehmet Ali Talat who is conducting the talks. Mr Eroglu said as Prime Minister he has as much responsibility as the one sitting at the negotiation table.

Complaining of attempts to divide the country into two; those in support of a solution and those not, he reminded that peace efforts were launched when his party was in power. I have grown bored of the claim that the UBP is against a solution, he said.

Mr Eroglu stated that the UBP Government was in support of a lasting solution which will make it possible for the Cyprus Turkish people in live in peace forever and underlined the need for a possible agreement to be based on the existence of two states and two peoples in Cyprus.

Noting that giving concessions would make it easier to bring a solution to the Cyprus problem, the Premier said he wanted President Talat not to be too flexible at the table and to remain insistent on issues, on which he is rightful.

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (27.10.09) broadcast the following:

Nine civil society organizations based in Guzelyurt [occupied Morfou] have formed the Guzelyurt Civil Society Platform to voice the problems being faced in the district.

Members of the Platform visited Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu who said our red line must be drawn on the slogan No to the return of Guzelyurt.

Speaking on behalf of the Platform during the visit, Sinasi Ozdes said that the main source of the difficulties being faced in the district was the Cyprus problem.

Uncertainty is our biggest problem he said.

Speaking after listening to the views of members of the Platform, Prime Minister Eroglu explained the work being carried out by his government to help develop the region.

Referring to the rallies organized in the past under the slogan Guzelyurt cannot be returned, Mr Eroglu said I stood behind my words at the cost of being swept from power. I am still standing behind my words. Our red line must be drawn on the slogan No to the return of Guzelyurt.

[04] Bagis stated from Helsinki that failure to achieve progress in the ongoing negotiation process by April 2010, could result in Talats failure to re-elect in the presidency of the occupation regime

Turkish Minister of State - Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis has said failure to achieve progress in the ongoing process by April 2010, could result in President Mehmet Ali Talat loosing the Presidential elections in the Republic.

The Minister who is in the Finnish Capital Helsinki complained that South Cyprus, a country which is geographically advantaged and does not have any energy problems, is preventing Turkey, a country which could easily solve Europes energy crisis, from opening negotiations with the EU on the chapter of energy.

Touching upon the Cyprus problem Mr. Bagis reiterated the Turkish sides desire for a settlement to be reached on the island.

Reminding that presidential elections are approaching in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, he underlined the need to achieve progress at the talks.

Failure to achieve progress could cost President Talat the elections resulting in the election of a candidate who may not be in favor of a solution in Cyprus.

[05] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on last weeks meeting on the Cyprus problem, on Turkeys ties with Israel and on Afghanistan

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Turkey wanted to support Iraq's rebuilding process.

Burak Ozugergin, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press briefing on Wednesday, since economic development is the indispensable part of prosperity, social harmony and political compromise, Turkey wants to support Iraq's rebuilding process. A crowded delegation of Turkish businessmen will pay a visit to Baghdad in the coming weeks.

Ozugergin told reporters that Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would also visit Iraq and formally inaugurate the Turkish consulates general in the cities of Mosul and Basra.

Upon a question about the tripartite mechanism among the governments of Turkey, the United States and Iraq, Ozugergin said, those works are carried out with the aim of eradicating the presence of the terrorist organization in Iraq. Turkey maintains its cooperation relations with both the United States and Iraq. Another meeting will take place in November.

Referring to a meeting which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week to evaluate recent developments in Cyprus, Ozugergin told reporters, the first round of the negotiations ended. We have a six-month period ahead of us. Last week's meeting aimed at brainstorming about what Turkey can do to resolve the Cyprus issue. But a timetable has not been set yet.

Upon a question about Turkey-Israel relations, Ozugergin said, Turkey's reaction to Israel stems from humanitarian reasons. We want the situation in Gaza to be improved. This is not an anti-Israeli stance. On the other hand, Turkey-Israeli relations have passed the history's test. They are strong enough to overcome such ups and downs from time to time. Turkey improves its relations in the region. We establish good neighborly relations with Syria, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Greece and Bulgaria. This is not against NATO on any other country. We need to set aside such restricting paradigms.

Replying to a question about recent developments in al-Haram al Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) [Temple Mount], Ozugergin said, we are deeply concerned about escalating tension there. Jerusalem is the center of three monotheistic faiths. The same sensitivity displayed for the other holy sites should be displayed for the al-Haram al Sharif too. Everyone should refrain from inciting acts. Israel has some responsibilities to this end. We expect Israel to take the necessary steps. Ozugergin replied to a question about Afghanistan, we attach great importance to our relations with Afghanistan and make the biggest assistance to this country. Turkey's commitments for Afghanistan is long term. We will continue taking part in social and cultural development of Afghanistan. We will discuss the issue of sending more troops to this country. Our priority is Afghanistan's rebuilding process."

[06] The Istanbul Technical University was allocated a piece of land for 49 years in occupied Famagusta

(CS)

[07] The ECHR has charged Turkey of violating article 2 of European convention

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found Turkey guilty for the death of a Greek Cypriot soldier killed in 1996.

The European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey guilty for the death of a Greek Cypriot soldier killed in 1996.

According to the Anatolian News Agency, the European Court of Human Rights charged Turkey with violating article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights- the right of life in a case brought by the family of the Greek Cypriot soldier against Turkey.

In line with the courts decision, Turkey will have to pay 80 thousand Euros in damages which include court expenses and costs.

Kallis and Androulla Panayi took Turkey to Strasburg after they claimed that their 19 year old son Stelios Kalli Panayi had been shot dead by Turkish soldiers in the buffer zone in 1996.

Turkey has the right to object to the courts ruling and apply to the court of appeal.

[08] Turkish security sources reports on the arrest of 3 PKK members in Limassol

Three outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants were caught with 10 kilograms of heroin in southern Cyprus on Tuesday, the Anatolia news agency reported. Following a police operation, Mehmet K., the head of PKK operations in Greek Cyprus, escaped to Greece with the terrorist organization's money, the Anatolia noted.

The operation came after the US labeled senior PKK members Murat Karayilan, Ali Riza Altun and Zubeyir Aydar as significant foreign narcotics traffickers. Mehmet K. was reportedly called to the PKK headquarters to give an account but, afraid of being killed, allegedly fled to Greece with 150,000 euros on his person.

Security sources speaking to the Anatolia news agency said they had launched a comprehensive operation in the coastal city of Limassol targeting the PKK after increasing complaints came from Kurds living in southern Cyprus.

Police tried to stop a suspicious car in a traffic control carried out in districts where Kurds live, but the people in the car did not heed the officers' calls to stop. Following a long pursuit, the police detained Ahmet K., the son of Mehmet K., and two other PKK militants. After a search of the car, 10 kilograms of heroin, a G3 infantry rifle, two masks, a knife, a mobile phone and a considerable amount of money and important documents on the terrorist organization were found. The militants were arrested and sent to jail.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] From the Turkish Press of 27 and 28 October 2009

Turkeys policy on foreign issues

The Iranian declaration on 21 September regarding the secret uranium enrichment facility at Qum after having concealed the existence of that installation for three years has increased international mistrust of Tehran, writes Semih Idiz in an article in Milliyet (27.10.09). Referring to Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks about Turkey's policy of a region free of nuclear weapons, Idiz argues that Erdogan should convey this message to his Iranian counterparts during his visit to Tehran, adding that this is what is expected of a Turkish prime minister, not the advocacy of Iran.

Assessing Turkish foreign policy in an article in Milliyet (27.10.09), Sami Kohen writes that while Turkey's policy on the Iranian nuclear program has been received with concern in the West, it has been welcome by the Arab and Islamic world. On the other hand, Turkey's Armenian overture has received worldwide acclaim for different reasons, underlines Kohen, analyzing the various reasons why it was well received by Washington, Moscow, and the French.

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Hayri Abaza examines the strategic choice made by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) "to reintegrate Turkey into the regional Arab political system." Viewing Turkey's integration into the politics of the region as a natural outcome of the geographical and historical ties between the Arab world and Turkey, the writer, nevertheless, argues that "involvement in Arab politics could be tricky or destructive if Turkey follows the path of Iranian involvement in the Arab world."

Viewing the Azerbaijani government's ineffective lobbying efforts regarding the Turkish government's Armenian overture in an article in Hurriyet Daily News (27.10.09), Barcin Yinanc writes: "It is high time for Baku to adopt a professional approach for lobbying. That new professional effort should not only target Turkey but the European capitals, as well as Washington." Given the welcome the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation process has received in Europe and the United States, Yinanc believes that Azerbaijan should convey its message "at the right time, the right place with the right arguments."

Summing up the political atmosphere in Pakistan and the rumors about an impending coup in an article in Radikal (27.10.09), Murat Yetkin refers to behind-the-scenes contacts being held by Turkey to ease the atmosphere there and to help establish a national unity government with the support of the military. Drawing attention to the role of Turkish diplomacy in the invitation extended to Navaz Sharif, the former prime minister and the leader of the opposition, to attend the dinner given in honor of Erdogan, Yetkin says that this move, a first in Pakistani politics, was aimed at creating a détente between the government and the opposition. In conclusion, Yetkin says that the message conveyed by Erdogan to the Pakistani parliament was that rallying around a national unity government would help the parliament stand erect and regain its self-confidence.

In an article entitled "Was this not the guy who uttered those words?", in Yeni Safak (27.10.09) columnist Ibrahim Karagul discusses the domestic and international reaction to Prime Minister Erdogan's recent statement to The Guardian "reminding" the world of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's earlier remarks calling for the use of nuclear weapons against the Gaza Strip. After relating how Erdogan's words have been characterized as a "second one minute incident" [referring to the Turkish prime minister's walkout from his debate with Israeli President Shimon Peres during the World Economic Forum meeting at Davos], Karagul criticizes the Turkish and Western news media for failing to "rise up in arms" over Lieberman's nuclear "threats" against the Palestinian people "while the horrible massacre in Gaza was in progress." He also argues that Israel's response to Erdogan's remarks reflects its general displeasure with developments that have for some time been changing "the region's chemistry."

In an article entitled "Multicolored yet single-minded", in Yeni Safak (27.10.09) columnist Fehmi Koru comments on Prime Minister Erdogan's ongoing visit to Pakistan. He refers to Pakistan and Southeast Asia as one of most important areas for the implementation of Turkey's multi-dimensional foreign policy, adding that what renders this region highly important is the fact that it is a potential epicenter of conflict. He also argues that despite Erdogan's remarks to the contrary, the Pakistani parliament's ability to pass its decisions unanimously is nothing to be envious about before he goes on to express the need for "a more powerful opposition" in this country.

In an article entitled "Israel's isolation syndrome", in Milli Gazete (27.10.09) columnist Huseyin Altinalan describes Israel's "stupid," "impudent," and "mean" reaction to Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks about Iran in his statement to The Guardian as an indication that Israel has failed to draw the right lessons from changes in international balances that should lead this country to stop "state terror," end its "occupation" of Palestinian soil, start respecting international law, and adopt policies that would prevent Israel from being isolated internationally.

Pointing out that Prime Minister Erdogan's visit to Iran is taking place at a critical stage in the nuclear tussle between the West and Iran, in Sabah (28.10.09) columnist Erdal Safak in his article sums up Ankara's point of view on the West-Iran crisis as follows: The West is applying double standards; claims that Iran is trying to acquire nuclear weapons are nothing but Western rumors; considering air strikes against Iran would be tantamount to madness. Detailing the ongoing nuclear negotiations between the West and Iran, Safak concludes by saying that contrary to claims, Iran does not aim at acquiring nuclear weapons but if it so desires it can attain that goal within 18 months.

In an article in Sabah (28.10.09), Bulent Aras views Iranian-Pakistani relations in the lights of the recent terror attack perpetrated by the Jundullah organization in Sistan-Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran. Pointing out that Erdogan's messages to Iran and Pakistan underline the importance of a joint struggle against terror, Aras maintains that Erdogan's courageous responses to Western criticisms of these two countries increase the effectiveness of his messages. This approach, which is viewed by certain circles as Turkey's detachment from the West, causes Pakistan to adopt a more constructive approach in its regional policies and Iran to be more temperate toward Western proposals regarding its nuclear program, argues the writer. In conclusion, Aras views Turkey as one of the very few actors that might contribute to the resolution of the Pakistani-Iranian tension without it turning into a clash.

Viewing the government's harsh anti-Israeli rhetoric in an article in Hurriyet Daily News (28.10.09), Soner Cagaptay believes that the AKP, now that it "is comfortably in charge in Turkey" has once again begun to promote the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood agenda initially implemented by the now defunct Welfare Party, RP. After paralyzing domestic opposition and planting the seeds of anti-Western sentiments in Turkish society, the AKP now feels free from the checks and balances that have traditionally forced Turkey's Islamists to behave, writes Cagaptay, adding that now the AKP is reappearing as a party embracing the ideology of the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood.

Viewing Ankara's Cyprus policy in an article in Hurriyet Daily News (28.10.09), Yusuf Kanli, based on some well-placed sources with insight into Ankara's Cyprus diplomacy, writes that Turkey has come to a very important crossroads: Should it continue supporting the Cyprus talks process even though there has been no tangible progress on any of fundamental issues or should it start changing track and favor a two-state resolution without ruling out the possibility of a confederation following the April elections? The writer also details the new "accelerated proactive diplomacy" drafted by Davutoglu and other officials in Ankara.

In an article entitled "That is it", in Vakit (28.10.09) columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak comments on developments signifying that "an Asian bloc is being established against the EU" and that "we are on the brink of a new Potsdam." He asserts that the formation of a new "Asian alliance" consisting of countries like Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, etc could pave the path for an Islamic alliance led by Turkey as well as causing the United States, for whose economy "the bells are continuing to toll," to be demoted from its status of global leadership.

In an article entitled "About the G-20", Today's Zaman (28.10.09) columnist Dogu Ergil discusses the "difficulties that lie ahead" for the G20 after it "took control of the world economy at Pittsburgh from the aging giants of Europe and North America ..."

EG/

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