Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-06-24

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] Statements by Eroglu after meeting with President Christofias within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations

[02] Eroglu will meet with the UN Secretary-General on Monday

[03] Alexander Downer meets with representatives of Turkish Cypriot organizations

[04] Saner says Atlas Jet will be the boss and illegal KTHY the auditor in the new partnership; Trade unions are preparing for general strike

[05] Turkish Cypriot trade unions call on the breakaway regime to control the black economy and the increase of population

[06] KTTO thanked Halkin Sesi newspaper for not publishing advertisements coming from Greek Cypriot businessmen

[07] The National Security Council will discuss the Kurdish issue today

[08] Joint Istanbul declaration which expressed regret over Israels attack on aid flotilla was released at the end of SEECP meeting

[09] Syria and Turkey signed protocol for a joint dam project

[10] Erdogan will attend G20 meeting in Canada

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 23 June 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Eroglu after meeting with President Christofias within the framework of the Cyprus negotiations

TRNC President Dervis Eroglu and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias have held another meeting within the framework of the UN-led negotiation process with the aim of finding a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. The property issue was again on top of the agenda of todays meeting.

Speaking on his return to the Presidential Palace, President Eroglu said that there were some differences between the positions of the two sides regarding the property issue.

The President said that the Greek Cypriot Leader was trying to bring some issues concerning the other topics to the table from time to time but added that he wasnt allowed to do so.

The UN Secretary Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer told reporters at the end of the meeting that the discussions took place in a friendly atmosphere.

The Envoy said that the two leaders will meet again on the 9th of July and that their senior aides will continue to hold further meetings in support of the work being carried out by the leaders.

He also noted that the UN wanted to see momentum at the talks.

Next month, Eroglu and Christofias will have three meetings, which are scheduled to take place on the 9th, 22nd and 28th.

[02] Eroglu will meet with the UN Secretary-General on Monday

President Dervis Eroglu will meet with the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in New York next week. This was announced today by the President himself.

President Eroglu told reporters after his discussions with the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias that he will leave the Republic for New York on Sunday.

The President will meet the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Monday.

The Cyprus negotiation process will top the agenda of the meeting which will be the first between the UN Chief and Eroglu since his election as TRNC President.

[03] Alexander Downer meets with representatives of Turkish Cypriot organizations

In statements to the press before the meeting, Ergun Olgun, coordinator of the Group, said the members of the Group wanted to discuss some issues regarding the Cyprus problem and expressed the hope that the meeting would be positive.

On his part, Mr Downer said that he visits various organizations both in the occupied north and the south part of the island in order to listen to their views and added that he wanted to listen to the views of the members of the Besparmak Group as well. He noted that his duty on the island is to assist the leaders to achieve what they want on the basis of the UN conventions and the resolutions of the UN Security Council (for Cyprus). He said this night he would depart for Australia because he gives lectures on the issue of federalism at a university and pointed out that Australia has also a federal system.

He noted that he is satisfied with the time he spends in Cyprus and that there are people on the island who want the complete division of Cyprus and others who support the federation or a unitary state, but all the people are hospitable and sincere.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Saner says Atlas Jet will be the boss and illegal KTHY the auditor in the new partnership; Trade unions are preparing for general strike

Responding to questions of illegal TAK news agency, Mr Saner said that the breakaway regime is withdrawing from the administration of the KTHY. He noted: They will administer and we will be the auditors. The sharing of the profits will be 50%-50%, but as required by the civil aviation rules, 50.01% of the shares will belong to Atlas Jet and 49.99% to the KTHY.

Mr Saner said they were trying to lease two airplanes in order to arrange two flights to Britain yesterday, one to Manchester and one to Stansted Airport.

He noted that they will try to re-float the KTHY within six months and allow the company to fly using its own name. He noted that if in the meantime Atlas Jet reduces the debts of KTHY from 40 million US dollars to 10 million or to a smaller amount, the KTHY will continue to function in its current form having in its administrative council representatives from both Atlas Jet and KTHY with the ratio of 3:2 in favour of Atlas Jet. He noted that if the debts are not reduced to 10 million dollars, the flights will continue for six months under the Atlas Jet Airlines Operation Certificate and a new company should be established as of 1 June, 2011.

Meanwhile, under the title The flights started, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (24.06.10) reports that the self-styled ministry of public works and transport announced the flights which the illegal KTHY will carry out today and tomorrow. The illegal company will carry out eight flights, one of which will be to Manchester.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.06.10) reports that many trade unions support the struggle of the members of HavaSen, trade union of the employees of the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines. Under the title Towards general strike, the paper writes that the trade unions, which discussed the decision of the government regarding the transfer of the administration of the KTHY to Atlas Jet, have decided to organize a series of activities, including going on general strike.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (24.06.10) refers to the issue under the banner-front page title Uncertainty and reports that the future of the employees in the illegal KTHY is not known yet and the government does not disclose the content of the agreement with Atlas Jet. The paper writes that the trade unions are preparing for serious actions.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Cypriot trade unions call on the breakaway regime to control the black economy and the increase of population

In statements to Kibris, the chairmen of Kamu-Sen, KTAMS and Hur-Is trade unions said that they are ready to make sacrifices and put their hand under the stone after the necessary measures are taken by the government.

The chairman of Kamu-Sen, Mehmet Ozkardas noted that in order for going out of the economic crisis, the black economy, which reaches 60%, should be confined. The chairman of KTAMS, Ahmet Kaptan also said that the black economy should be confined and asked the control of entrances and exits to the occupied areas of Cyprus. Agreeing with the above-mentioned views, the chairman of Hur-is, Yakup Latifoglu pointed out to the importance of the breakaway regime taking financial contribution from those who are illegally employed and stay as tourists in the occupied areas of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[06] KTTO thanked Halkin Sesi newspaper for not publishing advertisements coming from Greek Cypriot businessmen

Mr Cerkez stated that while Turkish Cypriot advertisements are not being accepted by the Greek Cypriot newspapers, Greek Cypriot advertisements are being published by some Turkish Cypriots media. However, he said, Halkin Sesi acted very shrewdly on this issue and he thanked the chairman of the newspapers administrative council, Mr Mehmet Kucuk and the personnel of Halkin Sesi for their stance.

Mr Cerkez stated: We should play the game on equal terms, but the Greek Cypriots are not doing this. And this damages us.

On his part, Mr Kucuk, alleged that there are a lot of reasons behind the fact that the Greek Cypriot media do not publish Turkish Cypriot advertisements and one of these is that the Greek Cypriots do not want the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots.

(EA)

[07] The National Security Council will discuss the Kurdish issue today

The National Security Council (MGK) is set to discuss today both military and political options to put an end to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorism that has recently targeted big cities, with the government caught between forging ahead with its currently suspended initiative to settle the years-long Kurdish question and resorting to violent military measures to prevent future acts of terror.

PKK terrorism has been the primary issue of debate in Turkey for the past couple of weeks. Terrorist attacks that mainly targeted military bases left dozens of security forces dead and even more wounded. PKK terror attacks usually gain speed in the spring and summer months as warmer weather brings increased infiltration of PKK terrorists from the mountains of northern Iraq. Several thousand terrorists are based in the mountains across the border.

Turkey is now discussing whether the strengthening of the AK Party peaceful efforts to curb PKK terrorism through the expansion of cultural and political rights for Turkey's Kurds may be sufficient to reverse the escalation of terrorist acts, or whether the military should display a more decisive and violent approach in its decades-old fight against terrorism.

All eyes are on today's National Security Council meeting for two reasons: to see what the state will do to fight acts of terror perpetrated by the Kurdistan Workers' Party and to see whether the AK Party government will reiterate its determination to once again go ahead with its Kurdish initiative in the hope of ending terrorism through peaceful means.

[08] Joint Istanbul declaration which expressed regret over Israels attack on aid flotilla was released at the end of SEECP meeting

Turkey and other participating countries of the Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) on Wednesday expressed regret over Israel's attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31.

The participating countries released joint "Istanbul Declaration" following the summit meeting.

The declaration expressed regret over the attack of Israel on international waters on ships carrying aid to Gaza.

The declaration said "there should be an impartial, independent and internationally credible investigation on this matter."

Nine people, including eight Turkish and one U.S. citizen of Turkish descent, died when Israeli forces raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31. Around 30 people were wounded in the attack.

In the declaration the participants also stressed the urgent need to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on Israeli government to start to implement their previous statements, pertaining easing of blockade in Gaza, with tangible measures.

The declaration agreed on the importance of peace, security and stability in Southeastern Europe and that this should include all the parties.

Diplomatic sources said with this article in the declaration, there could be differences of views regarding status in Kosovo, but, it was reaffirmed that Kosovo was among the network of European Security and Cooperation.The diplomatic sources underlined that this summit showed that the parties could "meet at the least common denominators in case they sit at the table".The declaration also condemned every kind of terrorism, extremism and violence and referred to the importance of dealing with organized crime and corruption.

[09] Syria and Turkey signed protocol for a joint dam project

Turkish Environment and Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu and Syrian Irrigation Minister Nader al-Bunni have signed a technical protocol over a project to jointly build a dam on the Turkish-Syrian border, a statement from the Turkish minister's office said on Wednesday.

Eroglu defined the protocol for "the Friendship Dam" on the River Asi as "a milestone" for Turkish-Syrian relations, adding that the project would further strengthen ties between the two nations.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the dam is expected to be held by the end of the year with the participation of Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad.

[10] Erdogan will attend G20 meeting in Canada

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Canada on Friday, June 25 to attend G20 summit.

Erdogan's office said in a statement on Tuesday that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will accompany Turkish prime minister during the G20 summit in Toronto on June 26 and 27.The G20 Toronto Summit will focus on recovery from global financial crisis, measures that can be taken in the future, reform of international financial institutions, policies in trade and investments, financial sector reform, as well as sustainable growth and development.

Turkey supports the role of G20 which is considered the leading forum on international economic cooperation, the statement said.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press on 23 June 2010

a) PKK Attacks-Kurdish Overture:

Expressing his condolences both for the 11 soldiers and the 12 PKK members who were killed in the Semdinli attack, a column by Orhan Miroglu of Taraf laments that the statement issued after the security summit shows that the Kurdish issue, which was regarded as a political problem thanks to the efforts made by the Justice and Development Party [AKP] administration last year, is once again "turning into a security problem." Noting that the decisions made at the security summit are similar to the decisions made by the National Security Council [MGK] in 1990s, Miroglu says: "It might be impossible to resist the calls for state of emergency or martial law in the next MGK meeting. The government's new stance shows that the Kurdish problem is turning into a fight against the PKK with an improved security and intelligence mechanism." He concludes by urging the government to cooperate with the United States and the EU to draw up a political solution to the Kurdish problem.

Hurriyet Daily News carries an article by Mehmet Ali Birand, who urges calm in the wake of the escalating terrorist attacks. Opposing those who call for the declaration of state of emergency in the Southeast, Birand warns that that would be a move in line with the expectations of the PKK. He says: "It [PKK] wants to go back to the old days so that military pressure increases and the people of the region experience so much pressure that they finally rebel. The PKK wants the fighting to increase so that it is able increase its supervision on people of the region."

Writing in the same newspaper, Burak Bekdil criticizes Erdogan for trying to escape from his responsibilities by pointing to Israel as the country behind the deadly attacks carried out by the PKK. In his article entitled "A long hot summer," Bekdil says: "Mr. Erdogan rightfully calculates that he could successfully hunt votes with his love affair with Hamas and hate affair with Israel. He also calculates that his unpopularity due to an increasing number of coffins wrapped in the crescent and star could be minimized if the blame is put on a country that Turks are only too willing to accuse for every evil. It works!"

In his article entitled "I am against this chorus," Samil Tayyar of Star lams those who started to talk about the need for dialogue with the PKK. He argues that the PKK was established by the "deep state" in 1978 in an effort to eliminate the Kurdish organizations. The PKK has become a strong structure since the 12 September military coup and the 28 February process and managed to establish a large "propaganda network" not only in Turkey and northern Iraq but also in the United States and the EU countries, he says. The columnist asserts that instead of discussing some "irrational proposals," such as the declaration of state of emergency in the Southeast, Turkey should insist on its Kurdish overture which, he says, is the only way to prevent the PKK from exploiting the cultural and economic problems of the Kurds in the region. Noting that the PKK is aware of the fact that it will be unable to place the Kurds under its control when the government takes democratic steps in the region, he says: "Turkey cannot isolate the PKK and find a permanent solution to the Kurdish problem unless it cuts the ties between the PKK and the Kurdish people. That is why the PKK reacts against the investments, democratic overture, and the broadening of basic democratic rights and freedoms." Tayyar concludes by warning Ankara against focusing only on internal measures and urges it to seek international cooperation against the PKK.

Milliyet columnist Fikret Bila laments the recent PKK attacks in Semdinli and Istanbul and warns the political parties against using the problem of terrorism as a tool to attack each other. Bila says in his article that both the government and the opposition should avoid accusing each other in order not to serve the interests of the terrorist organization and weaken the counterterrorism efforts. He asserts that cooperation between the intelligence organizations and implementation of the necessary measures as fast as possible are vitally important to prevent new attacks. Also calling for the implementation of the decisions made during President Gul's meeting with party leaders, he says: "Terrorism is a national problem. The best way to solve the national problems is the cooperation between the government and the opposition."

A column by Rusen Cakir of Vatan lists his three alternative proposals to end terrorism and solve the Kurdish issue, saying: 1. The government stops the operations against the PKK and issue general amnesty. 2. The government and the PKK stop the clashes at the same time. 3. The PKK unconditionally lays down its arms and later the government takes similar steps. Noting that the implementation of the first two options is unlikely, Cakir calls on influential circles to make every effort to persuade the PKK to lay down its arms without putting forward any conditions.

Radikal carries a report citing pro-Kurdish BDP [Peace and Democracy Party] Deputy Ufuk Uras calling on the PKK to lay down its arms and end its "active defense" strategy. According to the report, Uras also urged the government to clarify the Kurdish overture, take concrete steps to meet the expectations of the Kurds, and release the arrested BDP members.

In an article entitled "The nightmare and what it brings to mind", Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru asks why the PKK is causing Turkey to relive the "nightmare" it experienced in the 1990s by staging raids on military outposts and bomb attacks on military buses. Questioning the "logic" behind the surge in PKK terrorism, he asserts that the increased terrorist attacks are taking place at a time when the PKK is in no position to accuse Ankara of restricting the rights and freedoms of the people of the southeast or preventing them from learning or speaking their mother tongue or engaging in politics. He also asks whether the PKK might actually be annoyed by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation's continuous Kurdish language broadcasts, or steps by the Government to mitigate punishment for Kurdish children taking part in street riots, or the allocation of a significant part of national revenues for the purpose of economic development in the southeast.

In an article entitled "Violence cannot be an alternative to the [Democratic] overture", Vakit columnist Ahmet Varol interprets the latest PKK attacks as a possible sign that Israel is carrying out its unofficial "threats" to support PKK terrorism in response to Turkey's sharp reaction to the Israeli military operation against the flotilla carrying relief supplies to the Gaza Strip.

In the second of an unspecified number of installments of an article entitled "Fascism or damnable racism", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak cites "the scourge called Fascism" as the underlying cause of all wars and acts of terrorism in the world. He describes the conflict between the Turkish military and the PKK as the result of a "blood feud," adding that all political blood feuds amount to "collaboration with the devil" because they are a violation of the Prophet Mohammad's warnings against racism.

In an article entitled "New action plan against the wave of terrorism", Zaman columnist Mustafa Unal calls on the public, political parties, and the news media to show a "mature" and calm response to the PKK's terrorist attacks, asserting that "sentimental" reactions fueled by the news media's high-pitched and emotive coverage of the assaults are causing tensions across the country and demoralizing the people in a way that is playing into the PKK's hands.

In an article entitled "Let us keep a clear head", Zaman columnist Ali Bulac warns of what he describes as the "dangerous" possibility that the problem posed by the PKK attacks will increasingly take on a "social dimension" in the days to come, assuming the form of a "Kurdish intifada" in provinces like Hakkari. He also asserts that the declaration of emergency rule or martial law in the southeast would only pave the way for "a more authoritarian and military regime" in Turkey with "disastrous" consequences.

In an article entitled "A matter of perception", Today's Zaman columnist Dogu Ergil argues that since "a wide segment" of the people regard the PKK's acts of violence "not as a crime or murder but rather as a reaction ... required for freedom and justice," a "smart" government would not treat the PKK attacks as "absolute terrorism" but rather as a manifestation of a "social dispute" and look into solving this dispute by addressing "reasonable complaints, expectations, and demands."

In an article entitled "Is it possible that the PKK possesses this technology?", Milli Gazete writers Mustafa Kurdas and Mustafa Yilmaz ask whether the terrorist PKK might have used the same electronic jamming technology to avoid timely detection by the Turkish military in staging the recent attack in Semdinli as the one utilized by Israel in "cutting off the Turkish relief vessel Mavi Marmara from the outside world" during its military operation against the Gaza flotilla.

In an article entitled "Counterterrorism strategy", Milli Gazete columnist Abdullah Ozkan calls for the adoption of the following measures against "separatist" PKK terrorism: 1. Central coordination of all intelligence activities against terrorism. 2. "Multi-dimensional" analysis of counterterrorism intelligence so as to make it usable for tactical or strategic purposes. 3. Increasing the effectiveness of the Supreme Board of Counterterrorism 4. Turning the newly founded Public Order and Security Under secretariat into a strategic body capable of fighting terrorism. 5. Addressing socio-economic factors that work in the PKK's advantage like poverty, corruption, and underdevelopment.

b) Erdogan Criticized for Remarks Over Israel:

In his article entitled "Can the symbols of Nazism and Judaism be considered equal?", Sedat Ergin of Hurriyet Daily News criticizes Prime Minister Erdogan's spontaneous speeches which put himself into "awkward positions." Referring to a speech Erdogan delivered in a bid to tarnish Israel's image in the world, Ergin notes: Netanyahu's government and the Israeli people are two separate entities; mentioning the Nazi ideology and a divine value of Jews in the same speech is way off limits." The columnist also recalls the prime minister's "striking" remarks over the start of the EU accession process and the opening of the Turkish airspace to US warplanes during the Iraq war.

c) Turkish-Israeli Crisis Affects Tourism Sector:

A report by Kazim Celiker of Taraf says that the Turkish-Israeli crisis that started with Erdogan's "One Minute" reaction in Davos and increased with Israel's "murderous" attack on Mavi Marmara affects the tourism sector in Turkey. Recalling that 550,000 tourists were visiting Turkey every year, the report notes that two-third of the Israeli tourists are said to have cancelled their reservations for 2010 because of the increasing tension between the two countries. According to the report, a delegation made up of the representatives of various tourism associations is planning to visit Israel as "peace envoys." The report goes on to note that some 2 million Arab tourists are expected to visit Turkey in 2010.

d) Turkey's role in Iran issue:

A column by Semih Idiz of Milliyet views Brazil's decision to withdraw from the Iran conflict as showing that it did not want to harm its relations with the United States by insisting on its cooperation with Turkey against the UN resolution imposing additional sanctions on Iran. Noting that it is not that easy for Turkey to get rid of this problem, the columnist says: "Ankara's no vote to sanctions on Iran was an inevitable result of the policy it has pursued since the beginning. In other words, the AKP has no choice but to defend Iran." According to Idiz, Turkey could have remained as a convincing "mediator" if it had raised its voice when an Iranian official disclosed immediately after the swap deal that they will continue to work for uranium enrichment. Noting that Turkey has become an ineffective actor in the Iran issue since it lost its "impartiality," Idiz says that "no one should be surprised if Tehran takes a new position under the current circumstances and starts looking for new international support."

e) Ergenekon probe:

In his column entitled "Week of victory for Ergenekon," an article by Ahmet Kekec of Star ironically refers to the "positive developments" related to the Ergenekon probe by saying that the Ergenekon trial has entered a "new phase" with a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeals to release Erzincan Chief Prosecutor Cihaner. The Court is expected to order the release of more suspects in the coming days, he notes. Criticizing the compensation penalty given to the judges that tried Ergenekon suspect Prof Mehmet Haberal, Kekec laments that this was a "something happened for the first time in the history of international law. Pointing to the rumors that the United States and Israel withdrew their support from the AKP government after the Mavi Marmara incident and started to look for a "harmless" partner in Turkey, the columnist describes the possible implementation of this plan as a "victory for Ergenekon."

EG/

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