Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-06-03

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Afrika comments on Turkeys reaction against Israel

[02] Durust: Morfou cannot be taken out of the TRNC borders

[03] Alexander Downer participates in a ceremony at illegal DAU

[04] Breakaway regime was represented at the General Assembly of Turkish World Architecture and City Planning in Kazakhstan

[05] Kucuk explained the main objectives of his self styled government

[06] The International TRNC Fair is starting tomorrow

[07] Security Summit in Ankara regarding the recent attacks by Israel and the PKK

[08] Turkish Ambassador to Israel returned to Turkey

[09] Turkey considers taking legal action against Israeli attack to Gaza flotilla

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 2 June 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Afrika comments on Turkeys reaction against Israel

Commenting on the issue, Afrikas columnist Sener Levent wonders in his daily column whether Turkey would run to the UN to secure a censure resolution or it would send its military jets against Limassol.

(CS)

[02] Durust: Morfou cannot be taken out of the TRNC borders

Mr. Durust made these statements on Wednesday during a meeting with a delegation of the occupied Morfou union of chamber of tradesmen and craftsmen headed by Ulus Ese.

(ML)

[03] Alexander Downer participates in a ceremony at illegal DAU

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Downer congratulated the students for the efforts they exerted during the elections and for sharing these results. He noted that as former parliamentarian, he knows what losing or winning in the elections means. Noting that the media play important role during the elections, Mr Downer said that during the election campaign last April, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu behaved in a disciplined manner, insisted on what he was saying and did not change his strategy. He noted that this plaid important role in Eroglus winning the elections. He pointed out that former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat was insistently inviting Mr Eroglu to a television debate, but the latter refrained from conflicting with Mr Talat.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Breakaway regime was represented at the General Assembly of Turkish World Architecture and City Planning in Kazakhstan

The breakaway regime was represented by the general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Union of Chambers of Engineers and Architects, Zihni Turkan.

(ML)

[05] Kucuk explained the main objectives of his self-styled government

Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk has repeated that the main objective of the government is to improve economy and realize public sector reform. The Premier pointed to the difficulties concerning the financial structure and said that the budget deficit will reach 150 million Turkish Liras by the end of the year.

Prime Minister Kucuk told the TAK news agency that the main objective of the new government is to improve the economy and to allow stable development.

'There is a need for new resources, but we havent decided what to do on this. We are new. There is a need to discuss all financial issues and problems with Ankara', Kucuk said, but added that no date has yet been set for a visit to the Turkish capital.

He said that efforts were still underway to eliminate the financial problems being faced by the Cyprus Turkish Airlines.

Asked his views on comments that his government will remain in office until November when the UBP Congress is to be held, Kucuk said: 'We have prepared a government program for a period of four years. This is our objective'.

Responding to another question, he said that there is no a need for a coalition government as the Democrat Party and the Freedom and Reform Party provided their unconditional support to the government.

Illegal Bayrak television (02.06.10) also broadcast the following:

Prime Minister Irsen Kucuk has promised to support the industrialists to increase their production.

The Premier, who received a delegation from the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry, stressed that production and exportation are vital for a strong economy in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Kucuk reminded that the need to increase the production and exports was among the priorities listed in the program of his government.

The chamber President Ali Cirali also underlined the need for the government to encourage production and exports in order to strengthen the economy.

Touching upon the Cyprus negotiations process, Cirali said: 'The Cyprus Turkish existence on the island and the economic power are proportional and the TRNC economy must be strengthened whether there is a solution or not'.

[06] The International TRNC Fair is starting tomorrow

(CS)

[07] Security Summit in Ankara regarding the recent attacks by Israel and the PKK

The Turkish prime ministry said on Wednesday that the recent terrorist attack in Turkey's southern Iskenderun town and the Israeli attack on ships carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza had been on the agenda of the 'Security Summit' held in the Turkish capital today.

Security Summit was held Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Ministers that are members of the National Security Council, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug and force commanders attended the summit.

Releasing a statement following the gathering, the Turkish prime ministry said both Monday's terrorist attack on a military unit in Iskenderun and the Israeli attack on an aid flotilla the same day had been discussed in detail during the Security Summit. Participants assessed the terrorist attacks that took place in the recent term, counter-terrorism activities and measures to be taken on the issue during the summit, the statement noted.

Expressing determination to carry on with a multi-dimensional fight against terrorism, the summit also assessed the developments after Israel's attack, the latest situation concerning the incident and the steps to be taken on the issue, the statement added. 'Political, military, economic and legal aspects of the matter were discussed', the statement said, adding international efforts displayed on the matter had also been assessed at the summit.

'As a result of the activities carried out by our government, the transfer process of the wounded, deceased and all the volunteers back to Turkey has been initiated. Our military and civilian ambulance planes sent to Israel will bring the wounded to Turkey', the Turkish prime ministry said.

A total of 6 Turkish soldiers were killed and 9 were wounded when terrorists attacked with rockets on a military command in southern town of Iskenderun early on Monday. On the same day, Israeli naval forces stormed a convoy of ships of Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, killing at least 9 people and injuring 30 others. 4 of the dead were Turkish citizens.

[08] Turkish Ambassador to Israel returned to Turkey

Turkey's senior diplomat in Israel returned on Thursday to Turkey after Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

Turkey's Ambassador to Israel Oguz Celikkol arrived in Istanbul, and will proceed to the capital Ankara later on Thursday. Turkey recalled Celikkol after Israeli navy forces raided on Monday a convoy of aid ships of Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, killing nine people and injuring 30 others.

Celikkol came back to Turkey for consultations in January 2010 after Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon summoned him to express Israel's uneasiness over a Turkish TV-series showing Israeli agents kidnapping a child. During the meeting, Ayalon had Celikkol sit at a lower armchair in front of a table with only the Israeli flag on it, refusing to shake his hand in front of the press.

The diplomatic crisis ended when Israel apologised with a letter after repeated calls from Turkey which warned otherwise that it would withdraw its ambassador. Celikkol then returned to Israel.

[09] Turkey considers taking legal action against Israeli attack to Gaza flotilla

Although calls have been made for the Israeli government to face justice in international courts due to its piracy and killing of at least nine people aboard the Mavi Marmara, which was sailing humanitarian aid to Gaza, pundits have argued that the likelihood of this happening is low. The only option to make the Israeli government face charges, they say, is to take them to Turkish courts.

Yet the same experts have underlined that Turkey has a variety of diplomatic options at its disposal and that the country is using them.

Professor Hasan Koni of the Galatasaray University law faculty notes that while there have been some calls to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, this is impossible, for in order to apply to the court the country in dispute must agree for the case to be adjudicated there.

He added that the other option in terms of taking Israel to the ICJ requires that the crime be referred to the court by the United Nations Security Council. As the United States holds veto power on the council, it is highly unlikely that the country will allow Israel to be sent to the court.

Professor Mustafa Kibaroglu of Bilkent University also underlines that it is more or less impossible to take Israel to the ICJ. However he says there are multiple diplomatic options to express reaction and asserts that Turkey is using them effectively. According to Kibaroglu, Turkeys asking NATO to hold an emergency meeting concerning the Israeli attack on the aid flotilla was one of the best diplomatic moves available.

'While your citizens are still under arrest in Israel, first you have to show your strength. Then you can start taking action. To ask NATO to hold a meeting and to remind it of its responsibilities to an ally is very important. Secondly, when Turkey is holding security meetings it is openly declaring the participants, especially high-ranking army officials. Here the message is very clear: We are ready for any confrontation; we are considering all the options', he said.

However taking the Israeli government to Turkish courts is possible under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). A lawyer from Izmir, Yusuf Ak1n, has already filed a criminal complaint with the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor s Office against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A similar move came from the Diyarbak1r Bar Association and the Human Rights Association.

According to TCK Article 77, crimes against humanity, regardless of who committed the crime(s), are within the jurisdiction of Turkish courts only if the Ministry of Justice gives permission for their prosecution. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ar1nc on Tuesday said the public prosecutors have been ordered to conduct an investigation into the raid.

On the same issue, Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 02.06.10), under the title Turkey mulls legal action against Israel for Gaza flotilla attack, reports, inter alia, the following:

Possible legal action against Israel, potentially including demands for compensation, is being analyzed by a Turkish governmental commission in the wake of Mondays deadly raid on an aid flotilla in international waters.

As they await the outcome of a yet-to-be established international commission on the incident, which left nine dead, Justice Ministry officials are looking at both domestic and international law as they investigate their legal options. 'We need to have clear data on the incident first', a senior ministry official said. 'But of course mulling possible steps that could be taken would save us time'.

Turkeys potential options could involve filing a criminal complaint with prosecutors domestically or at the International Court of Justice. Demands are likely to include an official apology accompanied by compensations for the victims among the passengers of the Mavi Marmara vessel.

According to Sertac Baseren, a professor of international law at Ankara University, ships are subject to the laws of their own country when on the open seas. 'Under the Flag Law', countries can use their power on foreign boats only in cases of human and drug trafficking, Baseren told the website of daily Haberturk on Wednesday. 'Israel could be asked to apologize and compensate for the damage under what is called International Responsibility'. However, for this to happen, Israel and Turkey need to be on the same page', he added. 'This is unlikely to happen and [the case] will remain unresolved'.

Other experts on laws pertaining to international waters suggested two other potential avenues of legal action for Turkey.

Interfering with a ship carrying humanitarian aid is against the laws of warfare, said Associate Professor Yucel Acer of Canakkale 18 Mart University. 'Israel should not have interfered with ships not in its territorial waters when it wasnt even certain if the boats were headed toward Israel', he said. 'They needed to wait for the ships to enter territorial waters'.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 2 June 2010

Reaction to flotilla incident

One of the missions of the air flotilla was to break the Israeli embargo on Gaza, writes Mehmet Ali Birand in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, adding: "Ankara could have prevented the incident but did not. On the contrary it facilitated the job of people resisting." Predicting that balances and alliances in the Middle East will change as a result of this incident, Birand explains how, with the Israeli invasion of Gaza, Turkish-Israeli relations have been disrupted with no prospect of healing for a long time.

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Yusuf Kanli writes that in addition to the strong condemnations, perhaps Turkey should also send a message of appreciation to Israel for the great contribution it has made toward a demonstration of national unity in Turkey. The writer also raises certain questions with regards to the flotilla incident: "Did the Ankara government engage in diplomatic dialogue with Tel Aviv to resolve a possible catastrophe off Gaza? Or, did the Turkish government just prefer not to take Israeli warnings seriously?" Also questioning whether Turkey has any affirmative evidence that Israel might be abetting and supporting PKK terrorists, Kanli calls on the government to release any such information if there is any.

Dismissing proposals made on the internet to send troops to Gaza in an article in Milliyet, Taha Akyol welcomes the harsh but diplomatic speech made by Prime Minister Erdogan at the meeting of the Justice and Development Party, AKP, parliamentary faction. Drawing attention to the absence of any threats to sever political or commercial ties with Israel in Erdogan's speech, Akyol adds that neither any reference was made to halting military cooperation or the purchasing of arms. Predicting that Turkey will advance the process in line with the developments, Akyol lauds Erdogan for not making any reference to military methods against Israel, adding that the Turkish army has no business in Gaza.

Questioning why Turkey is spearheading the initiative to break the embargo imposed on Gaza while other Muslim and Arab countries are silent in his article in Milliyet, Melih Asik also draws attention to the fact that AKP deputies who were intending to be part of the flotilla were later discouraged from participating in the campaign probably in the aftermath of the contacts held with Israel and the realization of the intensity of the Israeli reaction. Accusing the government of sending the civilian vessels well aware of the risks involved, Asik concludes: "We all condemn and will continue to condemn the piracy and murders committed by Israel. However, we should be informed about the other dimensions of the incident as well."

Conceding that the Gaza flotilla was not only an aid flotilla but that "its major goal was to draw attention to the illegal embargo Israel has been imposing on Gaza," Milliyet columnist Semih Idiz points out that this goal was more than attained because of the Israel act of piracy. Drawing attention to the US support for the UN Security Council statement condemning the flotilla raid and for the joint appeal made to Israel regarding transparency in its nuclear program, Idiz underlines the increasing isolation of Israel in the international arena. Idiz stresses the necessity of imposing punitive sanctions against Israel to achieve concrete results in this isolation. Noting that the guilty conscience of Europe vis-à- vis Jews and the dislike of the West toward HAMAS render the adoption of serious sanctions against Israel more difficult, Idiz questions what Turkey intends to do on the issue. Declaring that the speech delivered by Erdogan in parliament was disappointing for some, Idiz writes: "From the viewpoint of those who wanted concrete actions against Israel, this speech did not put forth the expected 'road map.'" Erdogan did not declare that he would put an end to joint defense projects, reduce the level of diplomatic relations, diminish trade relations, or file suits compensations at international courts, writes Idiz, adding that there was no indication that Turkey would impose painful unilateral sanctions on Israel.

Nothing will come out of all the world condemnations against Israel, writes Turan Turenc in his article in Hurriyet, adding that so long as Israel does not agree for a just distribution of the geography and so long as Palestine is not purged from terror there will never be peace in that region. Israel will continue its acts of piracy so long as it is supported by the United States, declares Turenc, pointing out that only Turkey supports Palestine. Criticizing the silence of many Arab countries, Turenc assesses Erdogan's speech as many fancy words that received a lot of applause from AKP deputies, adding that, however, Israel continues to do as it pleases in Ashdod.

Making a distinction between a UN Security Council, UNSC, presidential statement and a UNSC resolution in an article in Hurriyet, Sedat Ergin points out that the statement issued denouncing Israel is not binding whereas a resolution would have been. Finding the option of a statement a swifter and more realistic one, Ergin says that the most important section of the statement is the reference made to the unsustainable situation in Gaza, indicating that Israel is left alone in its embargo. The uncertainty as to who will conduct the investigation into the flotilla incident is the most problematic aspect of the statement, according to Ergin. Drawing attention to the support extended by the United States to Israel's opposition to extending aid to Gaza via sea, Ergin, nevertheless, describes the diplomatic initiative of calling the UNSC to a meeting as successful despite certain US demands to tone down the statement.

Questioning why Turkey assumed the responsibility of a vessel which was not under the Turkish flag in Hurriyet, Cuneyt Ulsever goes on to ask more questions: Who were those who attacked the Israel soldiers and why did they attack them? What was expected from this attack on the soldiers? Wasn't the Turkish government aware that the aid would be sent via the Red Cross through Ashdod? Were the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, IHH, officials informed of the situation and what kind of instructions were they given? Pointing out that it will be very difficult for Israel to explain its bloody attack to the world, Ulsever, nevertheless, argues that this flotilla attack might eventually adversely affect Turkey as well portraying it as a country that is sending "Islamic aid to Gaza." Ulsever explains: "Turkey's disregard for Israel's prior warnings will spread the view that the aid was actually being sent to HAMAS and not to Gaza, therefore the mission being 'Islamic aid to HAMAS.'" The view that the major goal of the flotilla was to break the embargo in the name of HAMAS will spread, argues Ulsever, adding that the picture of a Turkey-Iran-HAMAS triangle in the Middle East will be consolidated. Noting that Turkey is being assessed as a country that has turned its back on Western values as a result of the nuclear swap deal with Iran, Ulsever maintains that if the UNSC adopts a resolution to impose an embargo on Iran with the participation of Russia and China, Turkey will have received a very heavy blow from the West.

Stressing that there is no excuse for the murders committed by Israel, Vatan columnist Okay Gonensin in his article questions how this vessel received "political approval," adding: "One should see that certain circles have behaved as though they have not heard the statements Israel has been issuing from the moment the aid vessels began their journey." Referring to the government's "zero problems" policy, Gonensin draws attention to the "different" style used by Prime Minister Erdogan when it comes to issues concerning Iran and Palestine that have led to a discussion of a "shift of axis" in Turkish foreign policy. The deteriorating Turkish-Israeli relations have put an end to Turkey's attempts and intentions to be a "mediator" in regional problems, argues Gonensin, concluding: "We should also note that serious efforts directed toward domestic public opinion are necessary to put an end to the 'religious' and 'anti-Semitic' flavor in the domestic reactions to the heavy crimes committed by Israel."

Questioning for how much longer the Obama Administration will continue to shield the Israeli government and its actions that defy reason and conscience in an article in Radikal, Murat Yetkin writes that the results of the Erdogan-Obama phone conversation will have an effect on the security meeting to be held today. Noting that Erdogan did not announce the expected road map in Turkey's relations with Israel such as cancelling the two military cooperation agreements and reducing the level of diplomatic ties, Yetkin declares that, however, the prime minister delivered a very harsh speech stopping short of a declaration of war. The writer goes on to point out that the tension created by the flotilla incident has overshadowed the tension regarding Iran's nuclear program, adding that, however, there has so far been no change in the US plan to submit a proposal on sanctions against Iran to the UNSC tomorrow.

Viewing how the flotilla incident and PKK terror will affect the Turkish economy in an article in Milliyet, Gungor Uras writes that "there is the danger of the Israeli and the PKK terror of halting the amelioration in the economy." Noting that the flotilla incident has not affected the economy because the volume of Turkish-Israeli trade is insignificant, Uras explains that only Israel can be adversely affected given the Turkish military purchases from that country. Pointing out that the absence of Israeli tourists, though not desired, will not affect the economy, Uras adds that, however, if Turkey attempts to singlehandedly advance the Gaza and Palestinian cause and increases the tension in its relations with Israel as a result, then the economy might be affected since tension in relations with Israel might affect Turkey's relations with the United States and with many other pro-Israeli countries. Drawing attention to the human factor in the economy, Uras notes that the PKK terror is affecting consumption in the country and concludes: "Therefore the decision to be made and the policies to be implemented by the government in the period ahead are very important. One should bear in mind that the strength of the government within and outside the country is dependent on its economic strength. A weak economy can destroy the strength of the government as well."

In an article entitled "Ber Sheba and 300 Ottoman Martyrs: It is Over", Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul interprets the Israeli military operation against the Turkish vessel in the flotilla of relief aid for Gaza and the terrorist attack on a naval base in the coastal town of Iskenderun as a message to Turkey to the following effect: "The Mediterranean Sea is not safe for you anymore. The Eastern Mediterranean region is Israeli territory, controlled by the Israeli navy, which has been strengthened by the addition of German submarines. ... So much for the security of your energy strategies." Karagul also expresses "our need to have faith" in Prime Minister Erdogan's latest statements announcing that Turkish-Israeli relations will never be the same in the wake of Israel's latest actions. "Otherwise," he claims, "what happened will be a disgrace for us. ... A systematic and well thought out process needs to be launched. ... We need to take realistic and concrete steps [against Israel]."

/ES

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article