Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-11-04

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ercakica evaluated Talats recent visit to Ankara

[02] Talat is holding contacts in Brussels

[03] The occupation regime appointed two representatives in Brussels and Abu Dhabi

[04] The self-styled minister of finance expressed regret that the Turkish Cypriots are doing their shopping in the free areas of the Republic; KADEM research shows that 21.5% visit the free areas at least once per month

[05] Rising number of H1N1 cases causes closure of primary schools in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[06] The British Foreign Secretary is to discuss the Cyprus problem in Ankara with Turkish high-level officials

[07] Davutoglu asks his Malaysian counterpart to be more active in Cyprus

[08] Todays Zaman quotes EU officials and diplomas on the future of Turkey-EU relations

[09] Gul invited by Peres to Israel

[10] Bagis met with the former German Foreign Minister Genscher

[11] OIC Economic Committee meeting to be held in Istanbul

[12] Turkey was elected as a member of the UN Joint Inspection Unit

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Columnist in Sabah argues that a loosening is observed in the imposition of the EU on Turkey over the Cyprus problem

[14] From the Turkish Press of 03 November 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ercakica evaluated Talats recent visit to Ankara

Mr Ercakica stated, inter alia, that the fact that Talat is determined and capable of protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots at the negotiations, is obvious.

Referring to the statements of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that it was time to pass on to a new phase in the talks, Mr Ercakica stated that they welcome these statements.

As regards the visit of the Turkish Cypriot leader to Ankara, he stated that it was a very useful and effective visit. He also stated that during the meetings held with Turkish officials it was determined that the Turkish side will continue to be the side which is pushing for the solution of the Cyprus problem. He also added that the Turkish side will continue to do everything possible so that the Cyprus problem is solved as soon as possible. In this context we will continue to be active in the solution process, he said.

Mr Ercakica referred to the separate meetings held in Ankara by the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Huseyin Ozgurgun, and added that despite the fact that it was Ozgurguns right to hold separate contacts, this was not very nice of him, since he was participating in Talats delegation.

Asked why April 2010 was chosen as a solution target, Mr Ercakica reminded that at that time the presidential elections will be held in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus and said: Talats presence is an opportunity for the solution.

Asked if Mr Talat will be a candidate for the elections, Mr Ercakica stated that this depends on the form the solution prospects of the Cyprus problem will take.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (04.11.09) writes that during his press briefing Mr Ercakica announced the dates of the forthcoming meetings between Mr Talat and President Demetris Christofias. According to his statements, the two leaders will meet on the 13th, 17th, 20th, 24th of November and on the 2nd of December, to continue the intercommunal negotiations.

(CS)

[02] Talat is holding contacts in Brussels

(DPs)

[03] The occupation regime appointed two representatives in Brussels and Abu Dhabi

(CS)

[04] The self-styled minister of finance expressed regret that the Turkish Cypriots are doing their shopping in the free areas of the Republic; KADEM research shows that 21.5% visit the free areas at least once per month

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Mr Tatar, inter alia, expressed regret for the fact that the Turkish Cypriot citizens are doing their shopping in South Cyprus, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, and then called on them not to transfer the salaries they are taking from the TRNC state to the South.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.11.09) under the title Shopping is the priority publishes the results of a research conducted by KADEM Research Company.

According to the results of the research, 18.4% of the Turkish Cypriots have not visited yet South Cyprus not even once, 20.3% do not have the right to cross to the free areas of Cyprus, 21.5% visit the free areas of Cyprus at least once a month and 38.8% of the Turkish Cypriots visit the Republic of Cyprus more frequently. The research has shown that shopping is the most important factor for Turkish Cyprus to cross to the free areas of Cyprus.

According to the research, 61.2% cross to the South for shopping. The same research has shown that Turkish Cypriots who cross to the South for shopping spend on average 85.3 ¬ per person on every visit.

(AK)

[05] Rising number of H1N1 cases causes closure of primary schools in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Ten more primary schools have been shut down as cases of the H1N1 virus are on the rise in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Ministry of Education has announced that ten more primary schools have been shut down until Monday so that the premises may be disinfected.

Speaking to the BRT yesterday evening, the Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports Kemal Durust said that they have agreed in consultation with the Ministry of Health to close all schools where two or more cases of the H1N1 have been detected. The ten schools, which will remain closed until Monday, will be disinfected.

Earlier in the week, four other schools had been shut down due to precautionary measures. Meanwhile, the first consignment of swine flu vaccines has arrived in the TRNC.

Speaking on the issue, the Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health Nuri Goksin said that all those working in the health sector, including those in private clinics, pharmacies and laboratories will be vaccinated. He noted that a vaccination campaign would be launched at all schools throughout the TRNC.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (04.11.09), in its front page under the title, First life...!, reports that priority was given again to the deputies for the swine flu vaccination that will start tomorrow. It was announced that the vaccination campaign will start in the first stage from those who work in the health sector and then to those who work in the TRNC assembly including the deputies.

[06] The British Foreign Secretary is to discuss the Cyprus problem in Ankara with Turkish high-level officials

Turkey, which exerts efforts for a road map regarding the Cyprus problem, is to inform Mr Miliband on the stage the ongoing negotiations process in Cyprus has reached and convey Ankaras message to the British Foreign Secretary, the paper writes.

(ML)

[07] Davutoglu asks his Malaysian counterpart to be more active in Cyprus

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu began his talks on the second day of his official trip to Malaysia. Davutoglu met with his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Aman, Davutoglu said that he was pleased to be in Malaysia. I thank Aman for organizing a successful meeting of D-8 Foreign Ministers, Davutoglu said. Though Turkey and Malaysia do not share borders, there are historical and cultural bonds between the two countries. Malaysia happens to be one of Turkey's friends, Davutoglu said. Economic, political and cultural relations between Turkey and Malaysia should get developed more, Davutoglu stressed.

The two countries can cooperate in the Asian region. Turkey can share its experiences in the Middle East and Balkans with Malaysia, Davutoglu noted. We can establish strategic partnership with Malaysia in all corners of the world, Davutoglu said. Minister Aman said that they held very fruitful talks with Davutoglu. We can promote our relations in the fields of commerce, tourism, education and military, Aman said.

Sources said that Davutoglu asked Aman to be more active in Cyprus and help in ending the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. Davutoglu conveyed his thoughts on the possibility of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's opening an office in Malaysia.

[08] Todays Zaman quotes EU officials and diplomas on the future of Turkey-EU relations

Negotiations between Ankara and Brussels, which have experienced a slowdown in recent years, may soon come to a halt due to a decrease in the number of so-called negotiation chapters that are available to be opened.

The European Union opened accession negotiations with Turkey in October 2005. Countries hoping to join the bloc must fulfil EU requirements in 35 policy negotiating areas, or chapters. Ankara has so far formally opened 11 chapters, of which it has provisionally completed negotiations on just one, science and research. In 2006, while blocking eight chapters of the accession negotiations with Ankara due to its refusal to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot traffic, the European Council said it would review the situation at the end of 2009.

In addition to the eight chapters frozen due to a customs dispute, France has been blocking another five chapters that are directly linked to full membership. Greek Cyprus, meanwhile, accused by Ankara of using its veto rights over Turkeys EU accession process, has clearly said it would not let talks on the energy part of the accession process start until an oil exploration dispute with Turkey is resolved. Greek Cyprus is also blocking talks on education and culture.

According to officials from the European Commission, there are now only five chapters that seem available to be opened. Those chapters are on environment and food safety.

In December, before the end of the ongoing Swedish rotating presidency of the EU, negotiations on environment are expected to be opened, leaving only four chapters to deal with for the upcoming Spanish term presidency, which will commence on Jan. 1, and other upcoming presidencies.

The Cyprus issue needs to be resolved urgently to avoid a halt in Turkey-EU relations, EU diplomats told Todays Zaman. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso recently appointed Austrian diplomat Leopold Maurer as his special envoy to negotiations in Cyprus to find a lasting solution through the unification of the island. However, ongoing negotiations do not foretell a bright future, with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias clearly saying that he sees no solution to the long-running Cyprus problem before the end of the year or even by next year.

The 2006 European Council decision has widely been considered a strong motive for Greek Cyprus to postpone reaching a resolution through ongoing UN-led negotiations between Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

In an annual progress report on Turkeys membership efforts released last month, the European Commission refrained from imposing a deadline on Turkey to open its ports and airports to traffic from EU member Greek Cyprus, but some EU countries, already opposed to Turkish membership, are willing to kill Turkeys membership hopes over the issue.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn says he believes neither a country nor an individual can be punished twice over the same issue, referring to the freezing of eight negotiation chapters. Yet, Greek Cyprus insists that all options will be on the table during the December summit.

Diplomats in Brussels do not see it likely that the EU will impose any new sanctions on Turkey in its December summit. They warn that any sanctions that might come out of the summit may lead to a permanent halt in Turkeys accession process.

For its part, Ankara says the EU still has not approved commission reports prepared upon the completion of screenings on nine negotiating chapters despite the fact that Turkeys screening process was completed in 2006. The government also says Turkey will know what kind of technical preparations it should make on these nine chapters once the EU approves the screening reports.

[09] Gul invited by Peres to Israel

Peres invitation was extended in a congratulatory message to Gul on the 86th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic. The message arrived at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara on October 28, a day before the anniversary.

In his message, noting the importance he attaches to Israels relations with Turkey, Peres highlighted historical aspects of the two countries relations which experience complications from time to time. Extending his invitation to Gul, Peres underlined that they have long wished for this visit to happen.

Despite considering Peres message and invitation positive for bilateral relations, diplomatic sources, who said that they have been working on arranging the visit, declined to elaborate on an exact date. Sources involved in the issue say that Ankara wants to see concrete developments regarding the months-long humanitarian tragedy in Gaza before Guls visit takes place.

[10] Bagis met with the former German Foreign Minister Genscher

Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis came together with Hans-Dietrich Genscher, one of former foreign ministers of Germany, over a working dinner.

The dinner in Ankara was closed to the press members.

[11] OIC Economic Committee meeting to be held in Istanbul

The 25th Meeting of Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC) will take place in Istanbul between November 5 and 9, 2009 at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Centre. A "COMCEC Economy Summit" will be held on November 9 with the participation of several heads of state at Istanbul's Four Seasons Hotel.The COMCEC works to promote economic and commercial relations among its member states. The COMCEC is chaired by Turkish President Abdullah Gul. The committee is formed of 57 members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and five observer states.

[12] Turkey was elected as a member of the UN Joint Inspection Unit

Turkey became a member of the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit after receiving 146 votes in a voting at the United Nations General Assembly.

In the "Western Europe" group, France was also elected member of the unit after receiving 117 votes, while Spain got the lowest number of votes and could not be elected. During the voting, 186 out of 192 members of the United Nations General Assembly cast their votes.

The unit is composed of not more than eleven inspectors appointed by the General Assembly on the basis of their special experience in national or international administrative and financial matters, including management questions, and with due regard to the principle of equitable geographical distribution and of reasonable rotation. Inspectors serve in their personal capacity and are appointed for a term of five years, renewable once.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Columnist in Sabah argues that a loosening is observed in the imposition of the EU on Turkey over the Cyprus problem

Bulent Aras argues that the aim of Mehmet Ali Talats recent visit to Ankara was for holding a series of high level contacts on the priorities of the Turkish foreign policy with emphasis to be given on the Cyprus problem which retards Turkeys relations with the EU and creates tension on the Turkish EU NATO relations. This problem also damages the image of the secular/economic power which Turkey is developing in the region as well, the columnist argues and adds that the direct consequences of the Cyprus problem are faced by the Turkish Cypriot community itself.

Making a reference to the results of the Annan Plan referendum held in Cyprus in 2004 and the Yes vote of the Turkish Cypriots, Bulent Aras writes as follows:

Since that date, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot sector gained a moral advantage before the international community. The Turkish side has started being perceived as the pro-solution side, while the Greek Cypriot sector has started being perceived as the actor which drags on the deadlock over the problem.

The Turkish sides moral advantage, however, could not safeguard the lifting of the economic embargo from North Cyprus. South Cyprus has been accepted as a member to the EU with capacity of representing the whole of the island. Turkeys reaction was to close its ports to the vessels of South Cyprus. It was stated that the additional protocol signed in 2005 did not mean the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus. Eventually, the Republic of Cyprus has acquired a position that creates difficulties to Turkey in the EU. North Cyprus is being punished with embargo and isolation.

After referring to the ongoing negotiations and the views of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides at the table of the negotiations, the columnist continues:

The EU is the actor which has the most potential to influence the Cyprus dispute. Yet, it was necessary for 5 years to pass for the EU to partly understand this role. In the progress report and in the strategic document of the enlargement, a loosening is observed in the imposition of the EU on Turkey over the Cyprus problem. This stance is the result of the fact said by Prime Minister Erdogan in the speech he addressed in the UN that the negotiations in Cyprus cannot continue for ever and the fact that the Foreign Minister Davutoglu stressed with determination the necessity for progress to be achieved until the end of 2009.

And Bulent Aras concludes:

Turkeys diplomatic offensive and the negotiations Talat is holding, are aiming to the lifting of embargos from the Turkish sector in 2009 and the opening of the Turkish ports. Together with this development the Cyprus problem could become a history in the first half of 2010. With this hope we shall continue to follow the Cyprus offensive for the next six months.

[14] From the Turkish Press of 03 November 2009

Foreign Policy issues

A column in Hurriyet by Sedat Ergin focuses on the messages President Gul conveyed on his way to Slovakia on Iran's nuclear program and Turkey's relations with Israel. According to the columnist, the president's approach seemed to be slightly different from the views expressed by Prime Minister Erdogan who strongly criticized Israel and described Iran's nuclear program as a peaceful project. Ergin says that while clarifying Turkey's assessment of Iran's nuclear activities, Gul emphasized that he is "against the presence of nuclear weapons in the region, particularly in a neighbouring country." Sedat Ergin also says that by calling on Iran to pursue a "more transparent" policy to remove the doubts about its nuclear activities, Gul implied that he finds Tehran's stance "unsatisfactory." As for Israel, he adds, the president stressed that "Turkey should maintain its strong relations both with Israel and the Islamic countries in order to be able to contribute to the peace process."

In an article entitled "Turkey's power map and re-establishing D-8", Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul discusses the significance of the D-8 [Developing Eight] Foreign Ministers Council Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur over the past few days. He recalls how the establishment of the D-8 on the initiative of the former Erbakan government in Istanbul some 12 years ago was perceived as "a revolt against the global system" by the West, adding that if its "revival" today is not seen as "defiance" or if "nobody heeds those who perceive it as defiance," it is because global conditions have changed entirely since then. He also argues that the D-8 is likely to become a component of Turkey's recent regional "overtures."

Under the headline, "New vision for D-8," Vakit carries a report which quotes Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as saying that the D-8 will be strengthened by adopting a new vision and that Turkey will play a leading role in this endeavour. According to the report, Davutoglu has also dismissed claims that Ankara is changing its foreign policy orientation as being "shallow."

In an article entitled "Turkey has not abandoned the West. Rather the West has abandoned Kemalists", Zaman columnist Ihsan Dagi argues that "open society," "market economy," and "democratic politics" will never allow the Kemalist-militarist order to be re-established in Turkey, adding that for this reason anti-AKP circles should not hope to be able to revive Turkey's former government structures by unseating the Government with the support of certain "power centres" in Brussels and Washington. Explaining why it is "unreasonable" to try to recruit foreign support against the AKP, Dagi asserts that "nobody in their right minds would want to see an authoritarian and aggressive government in Turkey at loggerheads with its own people and the region."

In an article entitled "Pakistan thrown into chaos by cooperating with the US", Milli Gazete columnist Huseyin Altinalan discusses the factors responsible for the ongoing "cycle of violence" in Pakistan. He quotes passages from an interview he held with Abdulgaffar Aziz, Secretary General of the Pakistani Islamic Community, in June this year in which Aziz asserted that the Pakistani military was waging a war on behalf of the United States against groups labelled as terrorists by Washington and cited cooperation with the United States as the cause of the "chaotic situation" in Pakistan.

/ES

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