Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-05-26

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot leader says that both sides intend to find a solution to the Cyprus problem

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader alleges that President Christofias has no intention for an agreement on the Cyprus problem

[03] The breakaway regime issues a statement on UN Secretary-Generals report

[04] Eroglu states that he will benefit from the experiences of Denktas and Talat during the Cyprus negotiations

[05] Talat denies the news regarding a secret agreement for the return of occupied Varosha to the Greek Cypriots

[06] Illegal DAU was represented at a conference in Poland

[07] The Turkish Cypriot national team in Bocce is participating in the International Bocce Champion in Poland

[08] Bagis: Turkey will neither give up on Cyprus for the EU, nor will it leave aside its EU process for Cyprus

[09] Senior Spanish diplomat in Turkey states that no new EU negotiating chapters will be opened unless a full settlement is reached on Cyprus

[10] Turkish President Gul addresses Kazakh Parliamentarians; He notes that Cyprus problem is a national cause for Turkey

[11] Turkish Prime Minister due to Latin America

[12] Turkish Trade Minister holds contacts in Qatar

[13] New head has been appointed to Turkeys intelligence organization MIT

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] From the Turkish Press of 25 May 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot leader says that both sides intend to find a solution to the Cyprus problem

President Dervis Eroglu of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Tuesday that both Turkish and Greek Cypriot parties had the intention to solve the Cyprus issue.

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias over dinner at a restaurant at the buffer zone in Lefkosia upon an invitation from the United Nations (UN) head's special adviser Alexander Downer, Eroglu said they had dinner in a quite sincere atmosphere.

Eroglu said the gathering aimed at both leaders' getting to know each other better, adding such meetings would be held again as peace talks between the parties continued. Both parties have the intention to reach a settlement and to find a solution to the Cyprus issue. I hope this intention is maintained at the negotiation table as well, Eroglu said.

Making a statement to the press, Christofias thanked Downer for his invitation and said it had been a good social gathering. Christofias also said that he had never rejected a dinner offer from Eroglu before.

Commenting on the two leaders' gathering, Downer said the leaders and their spouses had the opportunity to get to know one another, adding political issues had not been discussed during the dinner. Downer also said wives of the leaders had an interesting conversation during which they told each other about their brothers who went missing during wartime.

Special representatives of Eroglu and Christofias attended tonight's dinner as well.

Eroglu was elected TRNC's president on April 18. The Cyprus peace talks are expected to resume on Wednesday.

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader alleges that President Christofias has no intention for an agreement on the Cyprus problem

Mr Eroglu alleged, inter, alia, the following:

The first thing I will say to Mr Christofias is the following: Why you are trying to declare me as intransigent here and there before sitting at the negotiating table with me? I have never been at the negotiating table. However, you have been at the negotiating table with your close friend Talat for two years. Given that you consider Talat as having a conciliatory spirit, it means that you are the intransigent...

The statements made by Christofias after my election to the presidency show that he has no intention for an agreement. I wish for the states of the world to see the intention of the Greek Cypriots not to reach reconciliation and decide on the issue of some measures necessary for them to take. The lifting of the isolation on the TRNC will oblige more the Greek Cypriots to reach reconciliation.

We sit at the negotiating table hoping that there will be an agreement until the end of the year. It is not easy for this job to finish until the end of the year. There is a principle in the negotiations. Esteemed Christofias refers to it during the past few days. No issue is considered to be agreed unless all issues are agreed. Therefore, when it is said that we start from the point [at which the negotiations] were left, there are six chapters on the table. We have to take them all up and secure an agreement in order for a solution to be achieved.

The issue of the single sovereignty and single identity was a concession for us. Esteemed Talat said I accepted it, in order for Christofias not to leave the negotiating table...That is, this is an agreement on principle. This will be debated. It is a debate on a sentence, a sentence which has been decided.

I am a person who has patience. I listen. I know very well to listen. Afterwards, we evaluate the views put forward and put our own views on the table. In the end, the aim here is to find a solution, to reach an agreement, not to force each other to leave the table. If we sit at the table thinking of forcing each other to leave, it means that we do not want an agreement. Christofias will definitely have some plans in order for me to leave the table. However, I intent to reach an agreement, I will not leave the table. My aim is to register our rights on the table, to make our voice heard from the table

Mr Eroglu went on and said that the UN, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots started to feel tired from the Cyprus negotiations and added: The negotiations will continue until the end of the year, if they continue for two years and still no agreement can be reached, it means that this cannot continue any more, it means that it cannot happen. A limit must definitely be put to the negotiations.

Mr Eroglu alleged that the Turkish side wants an agreement and reiterated the Turkish view that the Greek Cypriots should also have the same will in order for an agreement to be achieved. Until now, we are face to face with a Greek Cypriot side which carries out the negotiations with the intention of not agreeing, claimed Mr Eroglu, adding, inter alia, the following:

Given that the negotiations could not last forever, the existence of the TRNC will continue as long as the Greek Cypriot side is not coming close to an agreement. Time will show whether we will come to the point of recognition or not. Currently we are trying to continue the negotiations. If the Greek Cypriot side continues its intransigence by keeping us at the negotiating table, the world must see this reality

Referring to Turkeys obligation to open its ports to the vessels under the flag of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Eroglu reminded of the statements made by Turkish officials on this issue and alleged that the Greek Cypriots should stop asking for the opening of the ports. Our ports should also be opened in return of the opening of the [Turkish] ports, claimed Mr Eroglu adding that they support the policy of Turkey on this issue. If the ports are opened before the lifting of the embargoes, we will sustain an injury in this cause, he said.

Referring to Turkey, Mr Eroglu expressed the view that their experiences taught them to say, thanks God we have a motherland like Turkey, and added: Our brothers in the motherland love us and we love them. We live here and they live there as Turks. We know from where and why we came to Cyprus. We struggle for years and resist against the Greek Cypriots in order for our youth to grow up with the love of the motherland and to be proud of their Turkish identity. If Palestine had a motherland, it would not be in this situation

Referring to the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, Mr Eroglu said he would benefit from his experience. He said: I will benefit from Talats views. He is not my enemy. I want to benefit from his experiences, especially from the points he will suggest us regarding Christofias, because of the fact that he is a person who knows Christofias well.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The breakaway regime issues a statement on UN Secretary-Generals report

The Turkish side has welcomed the UN Secretary-Generals report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus. The Turkish sides commitment to resume talks aimed at reaching a negotiated settlement to the Cyprus problem, was stressed in a statement issued by the TRNC Presidency.

The statement expressed the Turkish sides desire to speed up the talks and said that the removal of the isolation on the Cyprus Turkish people could motivate the Greek Cypriot side to work towards a settlement.

The TRNC Presidencys statement evaluating the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moons report dated 11th of May 2010, welcomed the UNs support given to a settlement on the basis of UN parameters.

While expressing the Turkish sides sincere desire to successfully conclude the talks before the end of this year, the statement said that the UN Secretary-General too underlined the importance of time, in his report.

Stating that the Turkish side will constructively contribute to reaching a solution, it said that the Turkish sides goal was to reach a mutually acceptable, lasting and just solution in Cyprus on the basis of UN parameters and one which safeguards the interests of the two peoples on the island.

[04] Eroglu states that he will benefit from the experiences of Denktas and Talat during the Cyprus negotiations

Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia Sakir Fakili gave a reception last night in honour of members of the Turkish-TRNC Business Council. Former President Rauf Denktas, the second President Mehmet Ali Talat , the current President Dervis Eroglu, Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk and some ministers were among the guests attending the event.

Speaking at the reception, Rauf Denktas vowed to provide support to President Eroglu while struggling not to be enslaved by the Greek Cypriots.Also speaking, Mr Talat expressed his determination towards working for the benefit of the Cyprus Turks.

President Eroglu, for his turn, said making benefit from the past experiences of the two former presidents will help him in defending the Cyprus Turkish rights while resuming the peace talks. He added that he is willing to put his signature under a political agreement which is to be applauded by the people of the TRNC.

[05] Talat denies the news regarding a secret agreement for the return of occupied Varosha to the Greek Cypriots

In his statement, Mehmet Ali Talat described the news published in the Greek Cypriot press regarding a secret agreement which foresaw the return of occupied Varosha to the Greek Cypriots and the materialization of which was prevented by the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan as unrealistic. Mr Talat, yet, confirmed the information that officials from Luxembourg, Finland and Spain exerted efforts for the connection of the issue of occupied Famagusta port with occupied Varosha and held contacts on the issue with Turkish officials and him himself.

(ML)

[06] Illegal DAU was represented at a conference in Poland

Ms Sabriler explained that although embargoes are imposed on the breakaway regime, DAU, as a state university, has succeeded to be an international university. The paper also reports that 42 universities from different countries and local businessmen participated in the conference.

(DPs)

[07] The Turkish Cypriot national team in Bocce is participating in the International Bocce Champion in Poland

(DPs)

[08] Bagis: Turkey will neither give up on Cyprus for the EU, nor will it leave aside its EU process for Cyprus

Turkey's chief EU negotiator said on Tuesday that his country would not respond to extreme demands just to open a new chapter in its EU negotiation process. Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis replied to questions of commission members during the Turkey-European Union Joint Parliamentary Commission meeting in Istanbul.

Upon a question on Spanish term presidency's intense efforts for the opening of four chapters to negotiation in Turkey's EU process, Bagis said two of the four chapters could not be opened due to one EU-member country's rejection. Spain was hopeful about convincing the statesmen of that country on the opening of such chapters. However, there have not been any developments so far, Bagis said.

Bagis also said that some asked why Turkey did not sign certain maritime agreements while commenting on the suspension of the energy chapter. Turkey will definitely protect its national interests. We will not respond to any country's extreme demands just to open a new chapter. Cyprus issue is a national cause for Turkey. Turkey will neither give up on Cyprus for the EU, nor will it leave aside its EU process for Cyprus, he said. The chief negotiator also said that not a single Turkish citizen could understand why Cyprus issue had not been a problem for the Greek Cypriot party's EU membership, but it was presented as an obstacle in Turkey's EU process.

Commenting on the re-opening of the Heybeliada [Halki] seminary as well, Bagis said Turkey was positive on such matter and all relevant ministries carried out studies to take a series of steps on the matter. Bagis said Heybeliada seminary had been closed down due to a judicial ruling given by Turkish courts. We are currently reviewing the laws and regulations that have been amended since that day 40 years ago. We are assessing whether any legal amendments are needed for the re-opening of this institution, Bagis said.

Turkey's European Union (EU) chief negotiator said on Tuesday that Turkey was determined to lift visa with the European Union (EU). Turkey's State Minister and EU chief negotiator Egemen Bagis said Turkey had no expectations of visa facilitation. Turkey is determined to lift visa with the EU, Bagis told the Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) in Istanbul. Bagis said Turkey was determined to fulfill its responsibilities to that end, and to clearly express its expectations from the EU.

Turkey had decided to lift visa procedures with 22 countries in the last eight years, Bagis said. It is an unacceptable fact to see Turkish citizens waiting in front of consulates and embassies of EU member states when we have had intense relations for 51 years and we have held 64 JPC meetings, Bagis said.

Bagis said it was time to put an end to that practice, and he was expecting EU's contributions.

On Turkish troops on Cyprus, Bagis said Turkey was not so happy to have troops in the island but it could neither ignore the security of its kinsmen there. Bagis said Turkey was not the only country having troops in Cyprus, and it was thanks to Turkish troops that no injuries or deaths or unfavorable incidents occurred in the island since 1974. Turkey will do everything in its power for a comprehensive settlement under United Nations (UN) parameters, Bagis said. However, Turkey should not be the only country doing that and what other countries that had troops in the island were doing should also be observed, he said.

Bagis said he was considering the EU important to prevent recurrence of racism in Europe, and he was working hard to make Turkey and EU member for that reason. EU is the most comprehensive peace project of human history, and EU member states are the countries that had fought with each other throughout history but that had decided to establish a union not to battle with each other again, he said. Bagis said Turkey had no concerns or doubts that it would be subject to any conditions that other EU candidates had faced. However, we will not accept any problems that are put before us, but that are not brought before any other country, he said.

Bagis said no EU member state had faced the problems Turkey had faced during their negotiations. There were no countries that launched negotiations with the EU but that failed to complete negotiations, he said. Bagis said all obstacles would be lifted sooner or later. The minister also said it was time for Europe to discuss whether it could do without Turkey.

The Turkish European Union (EU) chief negotiator said on Tuesday that Turkey was one of the key countries in Europe. Turkey's State Minister and EU chief negotiator Egemen Bagis said Turkey was no more a sick man, kept waiting at Europe's door for years. It has become one of the key countries in Europe today, Bagis said during the Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) meeting in Istanbul.

Bagis said Turkey had drawn attention of the world as an emerging power thanks to its economic development, democratization and socio-economic transformation. The minister said it was not so easy to say the same thing for the EU, and the new situation had deeply shaken balance of Turkey-EU relations. Bagis said Turkey was the number six economy in Europe, and had an economic power and production that entered the top three in many areas. Turkey has become a sine qua non actor of the EU that can shape up the future of the continent of Europe, thanks to its dynamism and potential, he said. Bagis said eminent persons of Europe were saying that, referred to several reports that indicated that Turkey-EU relations were improving on mutual win principle.

[09] Senior Spanish diplomat in Turkey states that no new EU negotiating chapters will be opened unless a full settlement is reached on Cyprus

The senior diplomat of Spain, holding the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU), in Turkey said on Tuesday that there was still progress Turkey had to make regarding Copenhagen criteria.

Spanish Ambassador to Turkey Joan Clos Matheu said that the EU appreciated Turkish government's initiatives regarding a constitutional reform package. However, there were many areas Turkey had to make progress regarding Copenhagen criteria although it had taken some positive steps so far, Matheu said during the Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) meeting in Istanbul. Matheu said the Spanish presidency of the EU was determined to make progress on Turkey's EU membership process. Broadening political and economic reforms in Turkey was important for spreading peace, democracy and stability in Europe, Matheu said. The EU has launched negotiations with Turkey on 12 chapters, but closed one of them temporarily.

Matheu underlined importance of reforms in Turkey for human rights and democratization, and expressed belief that Turkey would maintain that momentum. The Spanish ambassador said Turkey had to take concrete measures, ensure same rights and freedoms for all its citizens, and rehabilitate situation in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Matheu said there should be more freedom for press, and there was need for more progress in religious freedom. The ambassador appreciated the Foundations Law passed in 2008, but said no result had been reached regarding the law on properties of non-Muslim foundations.

Matheu said it would not be possible to open negotiations on some chapters unless a full settlement was reached on Cyprus, and a solution had to be found in Cyprus in the first place. The EU also attached importance to Turkey's good neighborly relations policy, Matheu said. In that context, the EU did not want to see any tension or obstacles that would hamper good neighborly relations or prevent peaceful solution of disagreements, the ambassador said. Matheu said the union wanted Greece and Turkey to better their relations, and defined recent visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and some Turkish ministers to Athens as a positive step.

Turkey was ready to fulfill more membership liabilities each passing day, Matheu said. Matheu said the EU was appreciating Turkey's progress in many areas, and underlined importance of Turkey's efforts to adjust itself with the EU acquis. Also, Matheu highlighted Turkey's importance as an energy corridor and a part of Alliance of Civilizations. Matheu said the Spanish presidency of the EU foresaw normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations and continuation of dialogue between the two countries.

The EU condemned terrorist attacks and violence in Turkish territories, and declared that it was in solidarity with the Turkish nation, Matheu said. Matheu also said the union respected Turkey's fight against terrorism and its efforts to protect its own rights, but it was thinking that Turkey should respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly right to organization and freedom of expression when doing that.

Also speaking in the meeting, Marc Pierini, the head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Turkey, said Turkey had an important place in EU's global competitive power in industrial respect. Pierini underlined importance of Turkey, which had made great progress in many areas including banking, insurance and telecom, for EU markets, and said Turkey had a very high dynamism.

The EC representative said Turkey had brought all its state institutions closer to EU standards, and underlined importance of EU's cooperation with Turkish non-governmental organizations. Pierini said the EU had provided resources to Turkey for development of small and medium scale enterprises, some part of which was allocated to the Southeast and to projects to increase energy efficiency. The EU was trying to introduce a visa system that would enable business trips and simplify reciprocal travels, Pierini also said.

The EU-Turkey JPC was established on the basis of the European Parliament's resolution of 14 May 1965 and the resolutions of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Turkish Senate, adopted respectively on 22 June and 14 July 1965 and on the basis of a decision by the EEC-Turkey Association Council of 1965. In accordance with the European Parliament's resolution of 14 May 1965, it is the task of the JPC to deliberate on all matters relating to Turkey's relations with the European Communities, in particular on the basis of the annual report of the Association Council. The Committee has held discussions on the relations between the Community, later the Union, and Turkey. After the entry into force of the Customs Union on 31 December 1995, it has also scrutinized its application and implementation. The EU-Turkey JPC normally meets twice a year, alternately in Turkey and in one of the work places of the European Parliament. The chairmanship rotates between the delegations from one meeting to another.

[10] Turkish President Gul addresses Kazakh Parliamentarians; He notes that Cyprus problem is a national cause for Turkey

Turkish President Abdullah Gul addressed Kazakh lawmakers on Wednesday. Gul said that Eurasian geography, which also hosted Turkish world, was preserving its strategic importance today as it did in the past too. He added that the importance of Eurasia grew today thanks to its rich resources. Gul said that the location and power of Turkey and Kazakhstan were offering great cooperation opportunities in a region where world's biggest producers and markets took place.

Gul noted that Turkey and Kazakhstan would undertake important responsibilities to develop a new transportation, communication and energy corridor which would contribute to economic improvement of regional countries, and bring Asia and Europe closer to each other. He said that when Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Line --which would connect Far East with European markets in a fast and secure way-- was completed, Turkey and Kazakhstan would have taken an important step to revive historical Silk Road. Noting that Kazakhstan supported Turkey's targets in energy transportation sector, Gul said that Kazakh oil reached world markets through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. He added that Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline would carry energy cooperation between Turkey and Kazakhstan into a new dimension.

Gul said that the active stance of Kazakhstan in friends group of Alliance of Civilizations under UN roof was very important. Gul also said that Turkey extended full support to constructive efforts of Turkish Cypriots during Cyprus talks, and added that Turkey expected Kazakhstan to support rights of Turkish Cypriots who were an inseparable part of Turkish world. Gul added that Cyprus issue was a national cause for Turkey.

Before addressing Kazakh Parliament, Gul held meetings with Kazakhstan's Senate Speaker Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev and Parliament Speaker Ural Muhamedjanov.

[11] Turkish Prime Minister due to Latin America

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey's trade volume with Latin American countries had been 1 billion U.S. dollars in the beginning of 2000s and it had reached 5.5 billion U.S. dollars in the recent period.

Erdogan held a press conference at Esenboga Airport in Ankara prior to his departure for Brazil, the first leg of his formal visits to Brazil, Argentina and Chile. We aim to increase trade volume with these countries to 10 billion U.S. dollars as soon as possible. We are being accompanied by 150 Turkish businessmen and we will hold talks with Brazilian, Argentine and Chilean authorities, he said. During my visit to Brazil, five agreements will be signed. I hope that the visit would be the beginning of a new era towards a strategic partnership with Brazil, he said.

State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, state ministers Zafer Caglayan and Mehmet Aydin, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, Energy & Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay, and a number of businessmen are accompanying Erdogan during his tour of Latin America.

Erdogan will attend the third forum of the Alliance of Civilizations that will take place in Rio de Janeiro on May 28 and 29, 2010. These visits will be the first of its kind in the prime ministerial level. The visits aim to deepen Turkey's developing cooperation opportunities with the countries in Latin America and the Caribbeans.

Erdogan is scheduled to meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and exchange views on international and regional matters. Two countries are expected to sign several agreements during the prime minister's visit. Premier Erdogan will meet Michel Elias Temer, the president of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, and formally inaugurate Turkey's Consulate General in Sao Paulo. Erdogan is also expected to meet Turkish citizens living in Brazil and visit Brazilian Oil Company PetroBras, which carries out joint oil research activities with Turkey's TPAO in the Black Sea.

The Turkish prime minister will proceed to Rio de Janeiro on May 27 to attend Third Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations which will take place on May 28-29. Erdogan will address the opening of the forum and attend lunch which will be hosted by Brazilian President Silva.

He will proceed from Brazil to Argentina where 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations will be celebrated. On May 31, Erdogan will meet Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and sign agreements on air transportation and cooperation in customs agreements.

On June 1, Erdogan will proceed to Chile and meet President Sebastian Pinera. The two leaders are expected to take up bilateral economic and commercial relations within the scope of Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2009. Erdogan will return to Turkey on June 2.

[12] Turkish Trade Minister holds contacts in Qatar

Turkish Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani in Doha on Tuesday. Ergun is currently in Qatar to attend International Arab Industry Forum.

Al-Thani said that many Turkish companies were operating in Qatar, adding that there were common business areas between the two countries. He added that Turkish companies made eight billion USD of business in Qatar so far, and this figure should rise to 10 billion USD. Al-Thani said that his country would provide every type of support to increase the trade volume.

Meanwhile, Ergun said that he previously visited Doha to attend Turkish Export Products Fair, adding that Qatar promised a permanent fair stand for Turkey to exhibit its products.

[13] New head has been appointed to Turkeys intelligence organization MIT

Turkey appointed a new undersecretary to its intelligence organization on Tuesday. Turkey designated Dr. Hakan Fidan, the deputy undersecretary of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), as the undersecretary of the same organization. Fidan will replace Emre Taner, who will resign due to age limit.

Hakan Fidan had served as the undersecretary to the prime minister for two and a half years before he was appointed as the deputy MIT undersecretary the previous month. Earlier, Fidan served as the head of the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] From the Turkish Press of 25 May 2010

a) Reactions to Kilicdaroglu's election as CHP leader:

In an article entitled "The beginning of the road," Hurriyet columnist Oktay Eksi says that Kemal Kilicdaroglu who was elected as the new leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in its national convention which ended on 23 May should first set up a team to be entrusted with the task of drawing up a resolution aimed at democratizing the party's charter in order to ensure that the party's policies are elaborated based on a bottom-up approach rather than being dictated by the leader.

In an article entitled "Kilicdaroglu's soft spot: Foreign policy," Hurriyet columnist Sedat Ergin argues that a speech delivered by Kilicdaroglu before his election showed that he lacks a clear vision in foreign policy. He comments that the first priority of the CHP's new leader must be correctly identifying and analyzing the reasons behind his party's poor image especially in the Western world and rectifying this problem because of the widespread preconception that the CHP is opposed to change.

Highlighting possible changes within the CHP's under Kilicdaroglu in a word article entitled "Much to do for the new CHP," Hurriyet Daily News columnist Semih Idiz says that whether Kilicdaroglu's election represents a new page for Turkey is not clear yet although the party has turned a new page by dumping its "old ossified" leadership. He notes: "It too has much to do, first to dissipate the dark clouds that have been hovering over the party under its previous leadership. Then it has to campaign tirelessly across the country on social policies in order to capitalize on the growing public anger at the AKP for neglecting wage earners, be they white collar or blue."

In an article entitled "Where are the CHP's foreign policy scorers?" Sabah columnist Meliha Okur says that the United States is making preliminary preparations in light of new developments in Turkish politics, including the recent change of leadership in the CHP. She says: "But, I would not want to mislead anybody. This is not a situation stemming from its choice between the AKP and the CHP. This is the way how the United States approaches to issues." Pointing out that the CHP ascribes great importance to relations with the United States, Okur quotes a CHP deputy as saying that the party plans to open an office in Washington. She comments: "The office which it plans to open is a critical issue which should not be disregarded in the diplomatic journey embarked upon by Turkey which is trying to become a regional power."

In an article entitled "Could Kilicdaroglu's election be a US operation?" Radikal columnist Deniz Zeyrek draws attention to speculation that the United States has prepared the ground for Kilicdaroglu's election as CHP leader as part of a plan designed to get rid of the AKP. Pointing out that a government led by Kilicdaroglu could pose obstacles to US plans like those created by the coalition government led by late Bulent Ecevit, Zeyrek comments: "The new CHP leadership should put forward a serious vision on foreign policy, read diplomatic developments and the international situation correctly, and seize opportunities resulting from those developments in order to convince the United States to support Kilicdaroglu. The CHP leadership elected on the weekend has shortcomings in that regard. This being the case, the United States would try to convince the AKP to rectify its mistakes rather than waiting for a CHP government maintaining the party's current mentality."

Under the banner headline, "Ergenekon appoints new defence lawyer," Yeni Safak publishes a front-page report which asserts that the change of leadership in the main opposition Republican People's Party, CHP, brought about by a "deep conspiracy" against Deniz Baykal, has not entailed any alterations in the CHP's "mindset" as a party that defends the Ergenekon network. According to the report, the CHP congress over the weekend saw the new party administration led by Kemal Kilicdaroglu "hail" some of the suspects in the Ergenekon trial remanded in custody in the Silivri Prison in Istanbul.

In an article entitled "Kilicdaroglu needs to wear a skullcap not a cloth cap", Yeni Safak columnist Ozlem Albayrak explains why Kilicdaroglu's inaugural speech as the CHP's new leader made her feel "hopeless" about the prospects of change in the CHP's political stance. She notes that Kilicdaroglu did not express any disapproval of the ban on the wearing of Islamic headscarves at universities while voicing sympathy for the predicament of young veiled women who have to work without insurance in unregistered jobs, that he "did not even utter the word 'Kurdish'" in his address, choosing to look at the southeast issue only from an economic standpoint, that he used a "neo-nationalist" rhetoric based on opposition to the EU and the United States, that he wore an expensive shirt even as he called attention to the woes of the poor, etc.

A report in Vakit entitled "There is nobody in the Kilicdaroglu family whose name is not implicated in a scandal" asserts that everybody in Kemal Kilicdaroglu's family from his wife to his daughters, his son, and his "three-year-old grandson" has been implicated in legal irregularities. The report also highlights allegations that as former president of the Social Security Institution (SSK) Kilicdaroglu provided employment mostly for Alevis and Kurds at the SSK.

In an article entitled "Will the CHP continue to be Ergenekon's backyard?", Zaman columnist Mumtazer Turkone discusses Kemal Kilicdaroglu's recent inaugural speech from the viewpoint of the question of whether the CHP will continue to defend the Ergenekon network. He calls attention in this context to the significance of Kilicdaroglu's remarks comparing the CHP to the National Forces, which was "a guerrilla force that disregarded the law in the name of liberating the country from Greek occupation," and the Society for Defence of the Law, which waged a "political struggle" against the enemy during the Turkish War of Independence. Turkone also argues that the CHP can emerge as a formidable political opponent to the AKP only by repudiating military tutelage and "winning over the people."

In an article entitled "Hope fades for transformation after CHP congress", Today's Zaman columnist Lale Kemal asserts that the "winds of hope" created by Kemal Kilicdaroglu's election as the CHP's new leader are set to "fade away because the new party assembly, the second decision-making organ after the congress, has been stuffed with mostly new names who may be anti-Baykal but [are] pro-status quo."

b) Alleged plan to assassinate Erdogan:

A report entitled "They would use dolls to assassinate Erdogan" in Taraf says that two suspects linked to the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front who were recently arrested by the Turkish police were planning to assassinate Erdogan by exploding a bomb while he was distributing toys to children. According to the report, the suspects who reportedly received training on making bombs in Greece would also carry out bomb attacks in Istanbul and Ankara on 12 September 2010 when a referendum on constitutional amendments is scheduled to be held.

c) Nuclear dispute and swap deal:

An editorial entitled "Incendiary Quality of Enriched Hypocrisy" in Hurriyet Daily News cautions that the Turkish public may become more radicalized and anti-American if the US Government turns a blind eye to the nuclear swap deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil. It says: "We appreciate that Obama spent Saturday lecturing military cadets on the importance of soft power and diplomacy. And we applaud him. But such statements only make the juxtaposed symbolism all the more incendiary if Americans allow a hard-won deal in Tehran to languish with more of the insensitivity exhibited in recent days. A portrait of hypocrisy is being etched more deeply in the Turkish public mind. We think enriched hypocrisy is at least as dangerous as enriched uranium."

Highlighting a telephone conversation between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Nicolas Sarkozy about the nuclear swap deal, a report entitled "Sarkozy was not convinced" in Milliyet says that Erdogan urged Sarkozy to support the deal. According to the report, Sarkozy described the agreement as a very positive step and went on to say: "The international community should thank you. Your agreement to store uranium in Turkey really entails a very important responsibility. But, people have concerns about this agreement. Iran should also drop its plans to enrich uranium to 20 percent."

In an article entitled "Iran, Turkey, and uranium," Radikal columnist Ismet Berkan says that the international community does not trust Iran because it has demonstrated its intention to push ahead with its uranium enrichment program which may eventually lead to production of nuclear weapons. He comments: "Lack of confidence between Iran and the international community, especially the United States is not totally unfounded. Unfortunately, the role that Turkey wants to play and is actually playing is open to debate."

In an article entitled "Iran has kept its promise despite Western suspicions," Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin says that Iran has taken the first step under the joint declaration issued on 17 May in Teheran by delivering a letter about its promise to ship 1,200 kilograms of low enriched uranium to Turkey. Emphasizing that the ball is now in the Vienna Group's court, he comments: "If Iran keeps its promise and delivers 1,200 kilograms of uranium to Turkey under the United Nations' supervision within one month, eyes will turn to the United States, Russia, and France again. Frankly, nobody believes that Russia and France will veto the proposal if it is accepted by the United States. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Obama holds the key to a solution."

In an article entitled "New goals in foreign policy," Milliyet columnist Sami Kohen argues that statements made by Turkish leaders after the nuclear swap deal concluded with Iran denote a very important shift in Turkish foreign policy. He says: "This shift is toward a more independent and unique policy at the cost of deviating from the West's fundamental strategies. The ultimate goal is to ensure that Turkey emerges as a new power on the international arena while spearheading efforts to establish a 'new order' in a large area comprising the Middle East, Balkans, and the Caucasus."

EG/

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