Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-06-08

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Allegations by Erdogan on the presence of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus

[02] Atlasjet is the only company which submitted a proposal for the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines

[03] Turkey and the breakaway regime to implement cooperation protocol in the fields of education, information and technology

[04] Bagis will receive an honorary doctorate degree from illegal GAU on Thursday

[05] Complaints by self-styled MPs against the illegal BRT for not being impartial

[06] Next years international official tournament of the Global Taekwondo Federation to take place in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[07] Turkey and Palestine decided to set up joint committee

[08] Gul on Turkey Israel relations and Irans nuclear issue

[09] Turkey and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding on natural gas

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 7 June 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Allegations by Erdogan on the presence of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus

They are doing this any way, we are used to it. Our stance towards them is known, claimed Mr Erdogan and alleged that the Turkish army is not occupier in Cyprus, that Turkeys presence on the island aims at protecting peace as guarantor power and that comments outside this context are totally forged and unacceptable.

Mr Erdogan went on and claimed the following: You know that in the same manner, troops exist in south Cyprus as well. At the moment the UN Peace Keeping Force has troops there. All these are there. We must speak taking into consideration these realities. It is definitely not possible for us to see positively the label that the Turkish army is occupier. Our army is carrying out its duty there completely as guarantor power.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Atlasjet is the only company which submitted a proposal for the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines

Citing some information, the paper reports that according to a road map submitted on 22 May, 2010 by Atlasjet to the self-styled government, the offices of KTHY in the occupied areas of the island and abroad will be closed down and the administration of the company will be transferred to Atlasjet. The paper writes that as it is understood from the road map, the majority of the 660 employees of the illegal KTHY will not be able to continue working in the company.

Kibris reports also that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), filed a lawsuit yesterday at the court with the aim of stopping the tender regarding the KTHY. The decision of the court is expected to be announced today.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (08.06.10) reports that the administration of KTHY is expecting the decision of the court before examining the proposal of Atlasjet.

The paper writes that the self-styled minister of public works and transport, Ersan Saner said that the lawsuit filed by the DP will influence their decision. He noted that they invited eight companies from Turkey to the tender and that KTHY has a credit of 100 million US dollars, the 60 million of which are owed to the state and the rest 60 million are operational loans. Mr Saner said that the company is trying to find a partner for a five-year term.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkey and the breakaway regime to implement cooperation protocol in the fields of education, information and technology

The additional protocol is a part of a protocol signed between the government of Turkey and the breakaway regime on 29 August 2005 on cooperation in the fields of education, information and technology.

The protocol foresees the maintenance and the repair of Ataturk primary schools premises, the establishment of a computer and communication centre and the construction of a sports centre in the same school. It also provides for the construction of two kindergartens, one in occupied Morfou and one in occupied Trikomo, and the supply of the necessary equipment for them.

(ML)

[04] Bagis will receive an honorary doctorate degree from illegal GAU on Thursday

The paper writes that the graduation ceremony of GAU for the academic year 2009-2010 will take place on Thursday 10 June, 2010 at occupied Keryneias amphitheatre. The paper reports that 815 students will graduate this year from GAU, which has teaching staff from 24 different countries and students from 68 countries.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Complaints by self-styled MPs against the illegal BRT for not being impartial

Speaking on the same issue, the CTP leader, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer, stated that according to the law, BRT has to be impartial. He said that the chairman of BRT held an inconsistent and aggressive stance towards the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and supported the then self-styled prime minister Dervis Eroglu. He also stated that the SMS service of the illegal TAK news agency was transferred to BRT which continuously sends messages regarding the statements of the government especially during the election period.

Complaints were also expressed by the leader of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), Mr Mehmet Cakici, who stated that all radio and television stations should give equal time in their programmes to the candidates during the election periods.

(EA)

[06] Next years international official tournament of the Global Taekwondo Federation to take place in the occupied areas of Cyprus

According to the paper, Mrs Park and her delegation are in the occupied areas for the last three days and as they stated, they had the opportunity to exchange views on the issue of sports in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

In addition, speaking during the meeting, Mr Eyup Zafer Gokbilen, first vice president of the Global Taekwondo Federation, inter alia, stated that Mrs Park invited the self-styled minister of national education, youth and sports, Mr Nazim Cavusoglu, together with the TRNC taekwondo team to this years World Tournament that will take place in Kazakhstan.

Furthermore, the paper reports that Mrs Park met also with the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk. During the meeting, Mr Kucuk stated that the so-called government will offer every kind of support for the realization of the taekwondo tournament in the TRNC. On her part, Mrs Park said that she will be very happy to see the TRNC national team at the championship that will take place in Kazakhstan.

As the paper writes in its inside pages, during their visit to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs Park and her delegation held also meetings with the self-styled parliament speaker, Mr Hasan Bozer, and the self-styled minister of tourism, environment and culture, Mr Kemal Durust.

(EA)

[07] Turkey and Palestine decided to set up joint committee

Turkey and Palestine have signed an agreement for the establishment of a joint committee that will organize the construction of schools and improvement of educational infrastructure in Palestine. Turkey will also offer Palestine diplomatic and political advice under the agreement.

The agreement was signed between Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Maliki, yesterday, ahead of Tuesdays Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit.

The committee, which will be co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two countries, will convene at least twice every year in order to determine areas of cooperation and lay out action plans.

Under the agreement, Turkey will provide political assistance to Palestine, training to its diplomats and training in the areas technical cooperation. The committee will also organize investments to improve the use of water resources and the agricultural sector. There will also be joint projects in health, education, culture and science. Turkey will increase the number of scholarships it awards to Palestinian students each year and help Palestine build better infrastructure.

Observers say the establishment of a joint committee shows that Turkey -- a supporter of Gaza and the Middle East peace process-- is taking concrete steps to indicate its political support for Palestine.

President Abdullah Gul and Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas also met yesterday at the C1ragan Palace ahead of the CICA summit. The meeting was closed to the press.

[08] Gul on Turkey Israel relations and Iran s nuclear issue

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Monday that Turkey would not forgive Israel as long as it made an acceptable correction.

President Gul was speaking to the guest heads of state and government of the countries who visited Turkey to participate in the Third Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA).

Recent developments in Turkey's relations with Israel was discussed at the meeting.

Tehran Agreement was discussed during Gul's meeting with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad. Iranian president thanked to Turkey over the support it showed and the two parties underlined the importance of diplomatic talks of Iran with its interlocutors on all matters including nuclear.

Gul said it should be shown to the world that diplomatic efforts would yield outcome and Iranian President said they were open to this.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai referred to Turkey's role between the East and the West and noted Turkey's contribution to the peace process in Afghanistan was eulogized during his visit to Washington D.C.

Energy issues was discussed during Gul's meeting with Kazakh President Nazarbayev.

[09] Turkey and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding on natural gas

The Turkish energy minister defined on Monday the Shah Deniz II project as a significant natural gas resource.

Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said the Shah Deniz II project would be an important source to provide natural gas to Turkey within 15 years.

'2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas will be transported through Shah Deniz II pipeline in 2017, and this amount will be raised to 4 bcm in 2018 and 6 bcm in 2019', Yildiz said during energy signing agreements in Istanbul. Turkey and Azerbaijan signed a memorandum of understanding on sale and transportation of Azerbaijani natural gas to Turkey and to Europe via Turkey. Also, natural gas will be transported to Turkey's Petrochemical Industry Corporation (PETKIM) through the pipeline to meet the annual need of the corporation. Also, Azerbaijani Minister of Industry & Energy Natiq Aliyev said with the Shah Deniz II project, 16 bcm natural gas would probably be added to the 9 bcm gas in Shah Deniz I.

Aliyev said Turkey would keep the natural gas it needed from the 16 bcm natural gas within the scope of the security of energy supply. Shah Deniz gas field is the largest natural gas field in Azerbaijan. It is situated in the South Caspian Sea, off the coast of Azerbaijan, approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of Bakubat, at a depth of 600 metres (2,000 ft). The field covers approximately 860 square kilometres (330 sq mi).

The Shah Deniz field is operated by BP which has a share of 25.5%. Other partners include Statoil (25.5%), SOCAR (10%), Total S.A. (10%), LukAgip, a joint company of Eni and LUKoil (10%), NICO(10%), and TPAO (9%). Within the framework of the Shah Deniz II project, gas will flow to European countries via Turkey.

The initial phase of Shah Deniz forecasts 318 billion cubic feet of gas production. That will increase to 706 billion cubic feet once Phase II comes online in 2012.

Gas production at Shah Deniz began in December 2006.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[10] From the Turkish Press of 7 June 2010

Aid Flotilla Issue

Focusing on the results of a Metropol survey that 66 percent of the population finds Turkey's reaction to Israel on the aid flotilla issue insufficient in an article in Milliyet, Taha Akyol questions what the public thinks should be done. Asking whether the public wants the government to send troops to Gaza, cancel the Heron agreement, or sever its relations with Israel, Akyol warns that one cannot engage in politics based on the emotions of the masses. Noting that the "unexpected" remarks of Fethullah Gulen have, at least, expanded our range of thought on the issue, Akyol concludes: "I respect the sentiments of the '66 percent,' but I believe that they cannot be a point of reference for 'diplomatic reason.' Turkey's reaction was sufficiently harsh. One should not border on the extreme."

Explaining why Fethullah Gulen might have felt the need to make a statement to the Wall Street Journal on the issue of the Gaza aid flotilla and the subsequent developments, Milliyet columnist Asli Aydintasbas in an article writes that he must have seen the psychological atmosphere that is rapidly distancing Turkey from its mission of being a bridge between the East and the West and rendering it the international patron of HAMAS and Ahmadinezhad and that must have wanted to put a stop to it. This should not be interpreted as a political split between the Gulen Movement and the Justice and Development Party, AKP, underlines Aydintasbas, recalling that Gulen had also issued warnings directed at the National View Movement in the past. Asserting that the AKP received 47 percent of the votes in 2007 because it moved toward the center and promised to make Turkey part of Europe, Aydintasbas argues that Gulen's recent statements should be interpreted as a reminder to the AKP "to return to the Center and not to slide toward the National View line." Gulen must have realized that the government's "confrontational" style in foreign policy will, in the long run, be harmful for Turkey, writes Aydintasbas, predicting that the government will heed the warnings of Gulen. Stressing that Turkey should make Israel account for its deeds, Aydintasbas continues: "However, the developments should not push Turkish foreign policy to a point where it is indexed to the IHH, is protective of HAMAS, and is defiant of the West and Israel. Turkey, which is a part of the Western bloc, should be 'reasonable' and not 'confrontational' on the issue of Gaza. Only then can the embargo be lifted. Unfortunately, if someone does not say stop, the current atmosphere carries the risk of marginalizing Turkey in the long run."

Predicting that very difficult days are awaiting Ankara in its relations with the West in an article in Milliyet, Semih Idiz argues that the Western media has begun turning against Turkey. Idiz writes: "At the moment Turkey seems like 'the advocate of radical Islamist elements' in the eyes of not only the West but of the representatives of the established order in the Middle East. The recent incidents have further consolidated that impression. From our point of view, the primary factor that has consolidated that impression is the fact that Davutoglu never says anything about the anti-democratic policies in Iran and about the serious human rights violations being committed both in Iran and in Gaza against the opponents of HAMAS. Arguing that the AKP government has begun to sail towards dangerous waters from the viewpoint of Turkey's long-term interests, Idiz expresses the hope that Gulen will have a "calming" effect on the government, because, he says, it is as clear as daylight that the AKP government has failed to see the traps that Gulen is able to see.

Summing up the flotilla incident in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Soner Cagaptay writes: "This episode on the Mediterranean has severed bilateral ties between Turkey and Israel, at least for the foreseeable future." Israel has lost its second-most important ally and Turkey has lost "its ability to be Muslim and Western at the same time," asserts Cagaptay.

Examining the developments in the aftermath of the flotilla incidents in an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Yusuf Kanli writes that Western diplomats have begun asking the question of whether Turkey is tilting toward becoming a radical state. Underlining the need for Israel to make an official apology, pay compensation, abide by UN Security Council resolution, and lift the blockade on Gaza, Kanli asks: "But should Turkey act with high emotions and in a manner to win hearts and minds on the streets of Middle Eastern cities or concentrate on bringing Israel to a point where it will face the consequences of its illegitimate barbarism in front of international law?"

A report by Ceyda Karaaslan in Sabah sums up the three-stage plan of the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK, regarding Israel, noting that military exercises will be cancelled in the short-term, defense industry projects will be postponed in the medium-term, and military agreements will be reviewed in the long-term.

In an article in Sabah, Omer Taspinar argues that Turkey is experiencing a crisis in its relations not only with Israel but with the United States as well, adding that a look at the a Washington Post article on the issue is sufficient to understand the dimensions of this crisis. It is not only the Washington Post that perceives the AKP as an Islamist party, writes Taspinar, adding that high-ranking officials within the Obama Administration also share this perception. Questioning the reason for this perception, Taspinar writes: "There is a single response to this question. Iran. Turkey's policy on Iran has created an unbelievable anger in Washington. Recently many US officials have seen no drawback in stating the following: If Turkey casts its vote against economic sanctions on Iran at the United Nations, we will experience a crisis worse than the one experienced during the 1 March, 2003, note. As a matter of fact, had the recent crisis with Israel not emerged, the topic of the Davutoglu-Clinton meeting last week would have been Iran and nothing but Iran." Taspinar concludes: "If only the United States could have better managed this crisis. The formula of demanding Turkey's support on the issue of Iran at the United Nations instead of condemning Israel did not even occur to Washington. Everyone is angry. However, crisis management necessitates strategy, not anger."

Viewing the developments since the Israeli raid on the Gaza aid flotilla in an article in Vatan, Can Atakli writes: "Turkey's honor has been bruised in this incident. Turkey has been humiliated. The harsh statements issued have had an effect on only part of the population, whereas they have had no value for the outside world. The government has tried to benefit from the aid flotilla by backing an NGO, but has failed." The developments have portrayed Turkey as a country that is speedily being dragged toward a radical Islamist regime, notes Atakli, accusing the government of having done nothing but roar. Questioning the role of the government in these developments that have dragged the country into the quagmire of the Middle East, Atakli underlines that while the government was silent during the flotilla's journey, it was supportive of the demonstrations staged in the aftermath of the raid, arriving at the conclusion that the government's goal was to create a wave of heroism. Noting that Turkey gained nothing from these developments, Atakli writes that the Islamist flavor of the demonstrations caused anxiety in many sectors of the society. When the heat of the developments subside the errors and imprudence of the government will be questioned, according to Atakli, who predicts that the decline of the AKP government has begun.

The bloody Israeli raid on the aid flotilla has escalated the Turkish-Israeli tension to new proportions and the drums of war have begun to sound both in the government and within the society, writes Samil Tayyar in an article in Star, adding: "Common sense is needed here. The statement made by Fethullah Gulen at this stage might have been the result of this need. One might view it as beneficial from the viewpoint of calming the public and causing the government to step on the breaks." Underlining the need to make Israel pay for its deeds and to avenge the killing of innocent human beings, Tayyar writes: "What is more important is to secure the termination of the Gaza blockade that prompted the flotilla to sail. War is one method to obtain results; however, it is the last resort. The policy Turkey has been implementing in the international arena to isolate Israel has begun to yield results. We should act with common sense in this process. Gulen's statement can be assessed within this framework." Tayyar, however, takes issue with Gulen's remarks about "defying authority," asking Gulen to clarify this phrase, adding that, otherwise, these remarks might cause a trauma in the grassroots of the Gulen community.

Under the headline, "Responding to Israel abroad and within," Yeni Safak publishes a report which slams "certain quarters" at home for holding the "innocent" "activists" "martyred" by Israel en route to Gaza responsible for the consequences of the Israeli military operation against the humanitarian flotilla rather than calling Israel to account for its "inhuman interception of a totally civilian initiative."

In an article entitled "Mud cannot stick to the Mavi Marmara", Yeni Safak columnist Hakan Albayrak responds to what he describes as efforts by certain local commentators to justify the Israeli raid on the Gaza flotilla by maintaining that Israel gave advance warning of its intention to block the relief effort, that the passengers provoked the bloodshed by resisting the Israeli troops, that the relief initiative was Islamic rather than humanitarian in character, etc. Albayrak argues that the ship Mavi Marmara stormed by Israeli soldiers represented a "conscientious uprising" against Israel's "inhuman, immoral, illegitimate, and illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip," adding that "those slinging mud at the Mavi Marmara" appear to be as much unaware of international law as they are of such concepts as righteousness, bravery, commitment to a cause, and honor.

In an article entitled "I am curious to learn the story of the photographs", Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru, writing under the pseudonym Taha Kivanc, comments on the "previously unseen" photographs of some of the events that occurred during the Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara, published in the Hurriyet daily yesterday. He claims that contrary to Hurriyet's representation of these photographs as documents censored by the Israeli military but electronically retrieved by Hurriyet from memory cards of cameras destroyed during or after the operation, the photographs are of the sort that Israel would go out of its way to make public property because they reflect the fear of Israeli soldiers attacked and captured by the activists on board the Mavi Marmara rather than any instances of Israeli troops shooting passengers at close range during the operation. He also asserts ironically that there would have been nothing wrong with Hurriyet disclosing that the photographs were provided by the Israeli military.

In an article entitled "Two flags, two camps", Vakit columnist Mustafa Ozcan asserts that the Israeli attack on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara has caused a "blood feud" between Israel and Turkey. He also claims that the Turkish flag has become a global symbol of anti-Zionism in the wake of the events involving the Gaza flotilla and that humanity is already set to be divided into two camps represented respectively by the Israeli and Turkish flags.

In an article entitled "Taking leave", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak argues that the "Zionist" Israeli regime is a dictatorship where not only the Palestinians but also the Jews are under the oppression of a "psychological warfare and propaganda" centre. He calls for the removal of this "Fascist and inhuman" regime where young Israeli people are "brought up to be killers and bionic robots." He also expresses bafflement at Fethullah Gulen's remarks criticizing the organizers of the relief campaign for Gaza for not seeking Israel's prior permission and discloses that he does not understand why Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc expressed support for Gulen's remarks.

In an article entitled "Freedom Flotilla for Gaza and a test", Zaman columnist Ali Unal comments on Fethullah Gulen's remarks criticizing the organizers of the latest relief campaign for Gaza for "defying authority" and not seeking Israel's approval for the plan to send a flotilla to Gaza. Unal asserts that the Wall Street Journal correspondent who interviewed Gulen did not act in good faith in not publishing the full text of the interview and presenting Gulen as an "imam in the Shiite sense of the word." He also applies Zaman writer Ahmet Selim's following principle of conduct to his own stance on Gulen's remarks: "When I see or hear people of higher standing who have proven their worth speak or act in a manner that goes against my beliefs, I never engage in criticism, choosing instead to remain silent in the belief that they know something I do not."

In an article entitled "The anatomy of Turkey's frustration with Washington", Today's Zaman columnist Omer Taspinar asserts that "Turkey's already strained relations with Washington have now reached an unprecedented low" as a result of the events caused by Israel's attack on the Gaza flotilla. He also discusses "what has gone wrong in Turkish-American relations over the last 10 years."

In an article entitled "Israel's Turkish predicament", Today's Zaman columnist Ihsan Dagi asserts that it is "nonsense" to explain the latest "crisis" between Turkey and Israel through references to "the so-called Islamic character of the Erdogan government." He also advises "pro-Israeli forces" to "get used to living and working with the AK Party government and try to understand the 'new Turkey' because, even in a post-AK Party period, things will never be as they were in days past."

Kurdish Issue

A report in Radikal details the indictment prepared in the case of the Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan, KCK, stating that prison terms ranging from 15 years to life sentences with no possibility for parole have been requested for the suspects who are accused of disrupting the unity and integrity of the state, of being a member or an administrator of a terrorist organization, and for aiding and abetting a terrorist organization. The report adds that 28 administrators of the now defunct Democratic Society Party, DTP, as well as 12 mayors, including Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir, are among the suspects.

Barzani Visit to Turkey

Assessing Barzani's visit to Turkey in an article in Vatan, Okay Gonensin notes that Turkey's fear that the establishment of a Kurdistan in North Iraq will encourage separatist movements in the Southeast region has not subsided. Referring to a frequently asked question regarding the possibility that the regional people might wish to annex themselves to the Kurdistan Regional Administration through a plebiscite, Gonensin argues that it is difficult to predict what will happen in the coming decades and writes: "Turkey's friendship will gain great importance for the Kurds in North Iraq in the division process of Iraq. The current problem is that the PKK still has the ability to easily move in within North Iraq. Barzani says that a 'military solution' is not sufficient to eliminate this problem." Noting that it is not realistic to expect the Kurds to fight the PKK, Gonensin asserts that every possible rapprochement between Kurdistan in North Iraq and Turkey will be an "element of trust" from the viewpoint of the Turkish Kurds. He concludes: "Important duties befall the North Iraqi leaders who are aware of the damage the PKK is causing all the Kurds. A Turkey that has put an end to bloodshed and that has silenced the weapons can provide significant support for the security and future of the North Iraqi Kurds. Explaining and demonstrating this to Kurdish citizens in Turkey will cause the PKK to lose ground."

CICA Conference in Istanbul

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Kazakh ambassador to Turkey Baghdad Amreyev praises President Nursultan Nazarbayev's initiative regarding the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, CICA, and the work achieved since its inception. Valuing Turkey's support for all the initiatives aimed at strengthening global and regional security and stability, Amreyev notes Nazarbayev's proposal to elect Turkey as the next CICA chairman during the CICA conference to be held in Istanbul on 8-9 June.

Forthcoming Visits of Putin and Aliyev

Viewing the forthcoming visits of Russias Putin and Azerbaijan's Aliyev in an article in Hurriyet, Erdal Saglam declares that the decisions to be made in the next few days will be very important from the viewpoint of Turkey's energy security as well as its energy bill. Pointing out that the agreements to be signed during these visits are of vital importance not only for Turkey but for Europe as well, Saglam notes that during Putin's visit the price of gas, an issue that could not be resolved during the recent visit of Medvedev, will be discussed, stressing that during these discussions Turkey's strategic and financial interests should be protected. Predicting that Russia's new Turkish partner in the nuclear power station can be determined during the Putin visit, Saglam wonders whether the agreements to be signed within the next few days might facilitate Turkey's EU accession.

/ES

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