Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-05-27

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cyprus negotiations resume; President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu held their first meeting

[02] Turkish Cypriot newspapers coverage of the first meeting between Cyprus President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu on the resumption of Cyprus peace talks

[03] Statements by Egemen Bagis to Kibris newspaper on the negotiations in Cyprus

[04] The chairman of the Chamber of Industry sees possibilities for export in the Arab countries

[05] The rector of illegal DAU was elected member of the Committee of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World

[06] Imports and exports in the occupied areas increased

[07] Data on the arrivals and departures from the occupied areas of Cyprus in April

[08] Yachtsmen were called on to contribute to the recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[09] EPs Turkey Rapporteur said that many problems in the EU-Turkish relations will be solved if the Cyprus problem is resolved

[10] Turkey inaugurates a new Consulate General in Brazil

[11] Turkish President Gul inaugurates Turkeys embassy in Kazakhstan

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 26 May 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Cyprus negotiations resume; President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu held their first meeting

The TRNC president Dervis Eroglu and the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias have met to resume the negotiations process. President Eroglu told reporters on his return to the Presidential Palace that there were six chapters on the table and that the negotiation process started with discussions on the property issue. He said that the other chapters would be taken up after discussions on property were completed.

The negotiations started this morning after a break of two months. Todays meeting between the two leaders lasted about two hours. On his return to the presidential palace, president Dervis Eroglu said that the two sides made their positions clear on the issue of property with statements they read at the beginning of the meeting. The president said that they agreed to continue the talks on the topic at their coming meeting on Thursday, next week.He said that other chapters would be brought to the table after the completion of talks on property, which he said, is a hard topic. Eroglu said that he wanted to continue the talks with goodwill and to reach an agreement by the end of the year, an objective also shared by the UN Chief.

Reading out a brief statement at the end of todays meeting between the two leaders, the UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, said that the discussions were held in a very warm and positive environment. The UN Envoy told reporters that at the start of the meeting, he read a message from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who said that the international community is committed to continuing its support for the process. The Envoy said that the two leaders discussed the issue of property and confirmed existing convergences. He added that the leaders agreed to continue the talks from where they were left off two months ago.

In his message, the UN Chief said that the peace process is at an important point. A settlement is within your grasp and this opportunity must be seized, as time is not on your side, Mr Ban said.

[02] Turkish Cypriot newspapers coverage of the first meeting between Cyprus President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu on the resumption of Cyprus peace talks

HABERDAR: They began with the property issue

AFRIKA: They made their first sale of the day. The paper also reports that Eroglu and Christofias held no discussions during their first meeting. Eroglu reaffirmed his commitment to the joint statements made on the 23rd of May and the 1st of July, which envisage single sovereignty and a single international identity.

GUNES: The positions were defined

ORTAM: The aim is for the end of the year. The paper reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that their intention is to reach a solution by the end of the year.

BAKIS: The aim is solution by the end of the year

YENI DUZEN: Is he sincere? The paper wonders whether new Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is sincere or not regarding his positions. The paper also reiterates an old statement made by Eroglu. According to the paper, Eroglu on 14th of April 2010 said: President Talat made a huge mistake for us by accepting single sovereignty and single identity in the first session. Definitely, I will discuss the sovereignty issue at the negotiation table. The TRNC will be on the table.

The paper goes on to report that Mr Eroglu on 11th of April 2010 said: Talat made concessions to Greek Cypriot leader Christofias on many issues at the negotiation table. He wants to solve the Cyprus problem by making concessions to the Greek Cypriots. One of them is the abandonment of sovereignty. We will not give up our sovereignty in the negotiations.

Columnist Sami Ozuslu writing in Yeni Duzen newspaper, under the title Mehmet Ali Eroglu, inter alia, reports: Dr. Dervis Eroglu sat at the negotiation table and made the difference from the first day. His first difference was very clear: until his elections, it was the era when he used to say two separate sovereignties. Now he says single sovereignty. He even withdrew the world 'confederation' from his letter to Ban.

HALKIN SESI: The will for a solution

VOLKAN: Eroglu: We will protect the rights of our people at the negotiation table

KIBRISLI: They began with the property issue

STAR KIBRIS: 72 times, well-done (masallah). The paper reports that the meeting yesterday was the 72nd in the negotiations following the last one that was held with former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

VATAN: The aim is again a solution by the end of the year

HAVADIS: The aim is the end of the year

KIBRIS: They will continue the negotiations from the point where left off

(DPs)

[03] Statements by Egemen Bagis to Kibris newspaper on the negotiations in Cyprus

Stating that Dervis Eroglu will remain at the negotiating table and will surprise everybody by his stance at the negotiations, Mr Bagis said, inter alia, the following:

As a politician who has years of experience, Eroglu will negotiate until the end remaining at the table and he will exert the right efforts for reaching to the best possible solution for the Turkish Cypriot people. The agreement the president will reach, will be greatly supported by the entire people of the island and by Turkey as well.

Asked to evaluate the stance the Greek Cypriot side and Greece have so far followed at the negotiations, Egemen Bagis said that the continental shelf is not the only difficulty Turkey experiences with Greece and pointed out that Greece bears a significant duty for the solution in Cyprus, while he called on Greece to stop hiding behind Cyprus.

Referring to the Annan Plan, Mr Bagis said, inter alia, the following:

Due to our kindness, we, until now have overlooked the responsibility the Greek Cypriot sector bears for the Annan Plan tragedy. Those, who even after six years call our soldiers as occupation army, should be ashamed. How many soldiers would have been left in the island by now if the Annan Plan was implemented?

Asked to comment on the goals of the recent visit paid by Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Athens, Turkeys State Minister said that the Turkish side has conveyed important messages and proposals, including the proposal put forward by Prime Minister Erdogan on the holding of an international summit on the Cyprus problem.

Upon a question on the news that Dervis Eroglu will continue the stance Mehmet Ali Talat followed on the issue of the single sovereignty, Mr Bagis said that Prime Minister Erdogans statements from Athens on the issue were clear and repeated that Dervis Eroglu will continue the negotiations from the point left by Mehmet Ali Talat.

Referring to the new self-styled government formed in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Bagis said that Turkey will continue its cooperation with the government of the breakaway regime and described the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Huseyin Ozgurgun, as a key name and a close friend of his.

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side is exerting efforts for the world to get the impression that the Turkish side is not in favour of a solution, Egemen Bagis said the Turkish side will not leave the table of the negotiations without reaching a solution and added that Turkey will neither give up Cyprus for the EU, nor will it abandon its EU course for the sake of Cyprus.

Asked to comment on Eroglus thesis of two people and two states and whether it is possible for a consensus to be reached on this issue, Mr Bagis stated that the Turkish side has expressed from the start the wish for the negotiations to be conducted on a formula which will be based on the political equality of the two sides and added that they consider this issue as important. Mr Bagis, further stated that in Cyprus there are two separate communities, two separate languages, religions, cultures and two separate active democracies, repeating that Turkey will continue to support the continuation of guarantees in Cyprus.

(ML)

[04] The chairman of the Chamber of Industry sees possibilities for export in the Arab countries

Mr Cirali made these statements while speaking at a seminar about the exports of the occupied areas organized by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, the so-called ministry of energy and the Research Centre of Exports Development. Mr Cirali stated, inter alia, that they are new in the field of exports, but added that during the contacts they held with the Arab countries, it was showed that there are possibilities to export to these countries.

(CS)

[05] The rector of illegal DAU was elected member of the Committee of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World

According to the paper, Dr Oztoprak was elected to the post during the 5th conference of FUIW which took place between May 12-14 in Baku, in Azerbaijan. The paper also writes that 160 universities from 42 countries participated in the election of the committee. Professors from fifteen universities were elected as members of the committee.

(CS)

[06] Imports and exports in the occupied areas increased

The paper also writes that imports were increased from 249.4 million US dollars to 333.3 million US dollars. In addition, exports were increased from 16.7 million US dollars to 24.4 million US dollars.

(CS)

[07] Data on the arrivals and departures from the occupied areas of Cyprus in April

According to the data, 92.642 persons arrived to occupied Cyprus and 93.013 persons departed from the occupied areas in April 2010.

(CS)

[08] Yachtsmen were called on to contribute to the recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

A reception has been given by the TRNC presidency in honour of yachtsmen participating in the 21st Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally. The reception was held at the Girne [occupied Keryneia] Castle last night. Speaking during the event, David Gerrard --a member of the organizing committee-- pointed out that despite having historical and natural beauties as well as hospitable people, the TRNC is not recognised. He called on the yachtsmen to act as voluntary envoys and to help the TRNC gain recognition.

Speaking on behalf of the TRNC presidency, the presidential undersecretary Mustafa Tokay said that president Dervis Eroglu has made it clear several times that he would continue the Cyprus negotiations with good will and that the Turkish side would be doing its utmost to settle the problem by the end of the year. He said that the talks could be concluded with success if the Greek Cypriot side responded positively to the Turkish sides efforts.

Seventy yachts with 230-crew members arrived at the Girne [occupied Keryneia] port yesterday. The 67-day rally begun in Istanbul on the 23rd of April.

[09] EPs Turkey Rapporteur said that many problems in the EU-Turkish relations will be solved if the Cyprus problem is resolved

European Parliament's (EP) Turkey rapporteur considered on Wednesday Turkey's progress positive. Rapporteur Ria Oomen Ruijten said the parliament was looking at Turkey's progress, and evaluated the progress made so far positive. Ruijten said that in her opinion, Turkey was not ready for the European Union (EU) membership, and that the union was regarding whether candidate countries had fulfilled Copenhagen criteria. The Greek Orthodox Church should have equal opportunities with the Muslim community, which was one of their democratic criteria, Ruijten told students of Istanbul's Bogazici University. The rapporteur is visiting Istanbul for the Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) meeting.

Ruijten said the Muslim community could build a mosque as the Catholic community built a church in her country. The rapporteur said that whether or not to become an EU member, when it fulfilled the required criteria, was an issue Turkey would decide on. Ruijten also said many problems in EU-Turkey relations would be solved if the Cyprus problem was resolved, and opening and closing the EU accession negotiations mainly depended on the will for a solution in Cyprus.

The EU-Turkey JPC was established on the basis of the European Parliament's resolution of May 14, 1965, and the resolutions of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the Turkish Senate, adopted respectively on June 22 and July 14, 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 May 14, 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 December 31, 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] Turkey inaugurates a new Consulate General in Brazil

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday the agreement signed on Iran's nuclear program last week, with the initiatives of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and him, was a highly important step. We are now on the agenda of the world and the whole world is talking about this agreement, Erdogan said.

Prime Minister Erdogan attended the inauguration ceremony of Turkey's new Consulate General in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. Speaking at the ceremony, Erdogan said that he was very happy to open a consulate general in Latin America.

We do not think the trade volume of 350-400 million USD with Brazil is sufficient. We are determined to boost our commercial relations with Brazil. We are taking political steps in this direction, Erdogan said. The Third Summit of the Alliance of Civilizations will take place in Brazil. Around 120 representatives from the close friends group will be there, Erdogan said.Also speaking at the ceremony, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that they were excited to see the Turkish flag in Sao Paulo, thousands of kilometres away from Turkey. Sao Paulo is a symbol of growing Turkish-Brazilian ties. In the past several years, Turkish-Brazilian relations developed highly, Davutoglu said. The step we have taken in Iran shows the will of Turkey and Brazil to find solutions to problems together, Davutoglu also said.

[11] Turkish President Gul inaugurates Turkeys embassy in Kazakhstan

Turkish President Abdullah Gul laid a wreath at Ataturk Monument, and inaugurated Turkey's Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. Delivering a speech in the inauguration ceremony, Gul said, we are very happy because we are opening the new building of the Turkish embassy. Gul recalled that Turkey was the first country that recognized the independence of Kazakhstan.

Later Gul and Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the International Exhibition of Arms and Military-Technical Equipment KADEX-2010 in Astana. President Gul also met with Kazakh and Turkish businessmen over a luncheon.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 26 May 2010

a) Nuclear dispute; Uranium swap deal:

In an article entitled "'Iranian chess' is turning into a poker game," Milliyet columnist Semih Idiz says that Iran's formal notification to the IAEA that it has accepted the uranium swap formula offered by Turkey and Brazil has exacerbated Washington's anger toward Turkey because some prominent figures such as former IAEA Director Mohammed El Baradei lend support to the plan. Pointing out that the formula has delivered a blow to the United States' efforts to impose new sanctions on Iran, Idiz says: "Only time will tell whether this will eventually be an accomplishment on the part of Ankara which has to pursue a multi-faceted and flexible foreign policy because of the country's geographical location or a failure which may cause Turkey to pay a high price in the future."

In an article entitled, "Are we parting company with the United States?" Milliyet columnist Sami Kohen cautions that current strains in relations between Turkey and the United States stemming from the nuclear swap deal may escalate in the coming days because both Erdogan and US President Barack Obama are resolved to pursue their own strategies. Kohen quotes diplomats from both countries as saying that the disagreement has emanated from a failure to reach a common understanding rather than lack of coordination ahead of the deal worked out with Iran.

In an article entitled "Turkey in nuclear bargaining," Radikal columnist Ismet Berkan questions whether it would be justifiable to impose new sanctions on Iran before seeing whether the nuclear swap agreement will permit Iran to prove that it is a reliable country. Drawing attention to criticism that Turkey has challenged the United States' leadership by brokering the uranium swap deal, Berkan says: "Yes, it is true that what Turkey has done amounts to a challenge. Considering that the Cold War era is over, it would be only natural if Turkish-American relations in particular and Turkish-Western relations in general are no longer maintained like relations between an employee and his boss. Turkish-American relations are gradually turning from one in which one of the parties meets the other party's demands into a relationship based on mutual dependence." He concludes by advising the Turkish government to act independently of both the United States and Iran and to clearly show that it does not want Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

In a report entitled "Unfair attitude toward us and our neighbour," Cumhuriyet columnist Mumtaz Soysal accuses the United States and four other permanent members of the UN Security Council of treating Iran in an unfair manner. He comments: "This unfair treatment given to Iran does not only undermine mediation efforts based on good intentions, but also causes countries like ours to be in a position always lagging behind others in the field of new technologies because of its prohibitive nature. Does that monopolistic attitude become an ally which is said to be our 'strategic partner?'"

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

Analyzing reasons behind Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's critical remarks about Kemal Kilicdaroglu, newly elected leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in an article entitled "Erdogan Fooling Himself," Hurriyet Daily News columnist Yusuf Kanli argues that Kilicdaroglu's election has undermined morale in the ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, because it sees him as a serious threat. Kanli also draws attention to conspiracy theories about Kilicdaroglu's election which are highlighted in newspapers supportive of the AKP.

In an article entitled "Kilicdaroglu just does not get it," Hurriyet Daily News columnist Mustafa Akyol argues that Kilicdaroglu does not seem to be fully prepared for his new role which, Akyol notes, he did not even dream about two weeks ago. Emphasizing that Kilicdaroglu must develop a reformist vision on political issues, he says: "Even on the economic issues that he insists on, he needs a new vision that will go beyond populism and include some realism. It is easy to promise more wealth, it is much harder to create it. Kilicdaroglu needs to see that the only successful means for that is free-market capitalism, and develop his social democratic rhetoric accordingly. What he actually needs is a form of the 'New Left' that Tony Blair created in the late '90s."

In an article entitled "Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu," Radikal columnist Haluk Sahin ascribes Kilicdaroglu's popularity to the public perception that he is fighting against corruption which, he notes, was consolidated by various televised debates. Pointing out that Kilicdaroglu has selected pro-AKP elite as his target, Sahin comments: "They are the pro-AKP rich whose numbers and life styles are gradually capturing more attention. They are the 'new conservative nouveau riche characterized by silk headscarves worth 400 euros, ATVs worth 250,000 euros, and vacations spent at seven-star Hotel Rixos. This approach is welcomed in city slums which were once regarded as the AKP's backyard because many people there are angry because their expectations which rose when the AKP had come to power have not been met."

In an article entitled "It is the beginning of the end, but for whom?" Milliyet columnist Metin Munir says that Kilicdaroglu's speech at the CHP's national convention was disappointing because his remarks and appearance were reminiscent of the 1960s in spite of the fact that he has inspired hope among the public. Stressing that Kilicdaroglu's CHP may become an alternative to the AKP only if he can offer concrete solutions to political and economic issues and transform his party, Munir concludes by saying: "Kilicdaroglu may be the beginning of the end for Erdogan or he may also be the beginning of his own end."

A report entitled "Returns to CHP about to begin" in Milliyet says that Kamer Genc and Emrehan Halici, both independent MPs, as well as some former MPs plan to join the CHP after the change of leadership in the CHP.

In an article entitled "Bidding farewell to Milliyet," Milliyet columnist Hursit Gunes says that he will leave the daily because he has been elected as a new member of the CHP's Party Assembly which, he notes, will prevent him from writing for the newspaper because of the Dogan Group's ethical principles.

In an article entitled "Kilicdaroglu talk in the AKP", Vakit columnist Serdar Arseven asserts that while Prime Minister Erdogan is undaunted by the change of leadership in the CHP, quite a number of AKP deputies are worried that Kilicdaroglu's election is part of a "project" to lay the groundwork for an "Ergenekon coalition" in the form of a CHP-MHP [Nationalist Action Party] alliance. He asserts that MHP leader Devlet Bahceli's recent remarks "praising" Kilicdaroglu as "a social democrat of high calibre" suggest that the MHP looks sympathetically on the idea of forming a coalition government with the CHP.

In an article entitled "Are these guys journalists or CHP spokesmen?", Vakit Editor-in-Chief Hasan Karakaya accuses the "media cartel" of "partisanship" in arranging for some "860" journalists and correspondents to cover the recent CHP congress and publishing some 585 reports, articles, and commentaries on the congress. He also slams some of the "comrade" journalists at the congress for the way they tried to "outdo one another in sycophancy" by "brown-nosing" Kilicdaroglu through references to him as a "much-awaited reformist leader."

In an article entitled "Before it is too late", Zaman columnist Mustafa Unal asserts that while Kilicdaroglu has become the CHP's new "chairman," he has not yet become its "leader" and that he will have to get himself established in the party and his style established in politics to be recognized as a true leader. He claims that the only way for Kilicdaroglu to achieve his goal of increasing the CHP's share of the vote to 40 percent would be to reconcile the CHP with the values of the people, adding that a pro-status quo approach on Kilicdaroglu's part will only erode the existing public support for the CHP rather than putting it on track to come to power.

In an article entitled "What is changing in the CHP?", Zaman columnist Ali Bulac argues that the replacement of Deniz Baykal as CHP leader with Kemal Kilicdaroglu is a "mechanical" change rather than one signalling any deep transformation in the CHP's policies. He cites Prime Minister Erdogan and the ruling AKP as the "target" of this "political engineering" project, adding that the architects of this "operation" consist of "state" elements at home who appear to be trying to prepare the ground for a CHP-MHP coalition and "lobbies in Washington" that are annoyed by the Erdogan government's Mideast initiatives, its relations with Iran, and its efforts to curb the United States and Israel's influence in this region. He also claims that the local planners of the "operation" are trying to capitalize on the increase in public support for the CHP in the local elections last year.

In an article entitled "What does Kilicdaroglu promise in foreign policy?", Today's Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bulent Kenes finds it "not only scandalous but also sad" that Kemal Kilicdaroglu's congress "harangue, replete with populism-tainted empty rhetoric," was devoid of any references to foreign policy aside from "three cryptic sentences."

EG/

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