Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-08

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Serdar Denktas: The number of Turkish settlers is double the number of TRNC citizens

[02] Eroglu says trade unions and other organizations to participate in the Peoples Council

[03] The TRNC to open representation office in Stockholm

[04] Ozgurgun on Pyrgos Limnitis crossing point

[05] Cratos Premium hotel is built on Greek Cypriot land

[06] Ahmet Benli (CTP) re-elected mayor of Geuneyli; Huseyin Angolemli (TDP) wins seat in the TRNC assembly

[07] Two Turkish Cypriot banks to be sold

[08] New commander of 4th infantry regiment of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces

[09] Turkish Cypriot swimmers participate in sports festival in Austria

[10] Turkeys Constitutional Court annuls articles of the constitutional reform package

[11] Turkish President to attend D-8 summit; He is set to meet with his Nigerian counterpart

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 7 July 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Serdar Denktas: The number of Turkish settlers is double the number of TRNC citizens

Denktas evaluated developments in the occupied areas of Cyprus at a press conference yesterday. Following an eight-page introduction statement, Denktas replied to questions.

Denktas said the aid from Turkey to the breakaway the regime is completely controlled by Turkeys Aid Delegation which he compared to the IMF. He added that the public is misinformed on this issue through the press and statements by some ministers creating the impression that this aid is fully controlled by the TRNC.

He admitted that salaries, minimum wages and pensions in the occupied areas of Cyprus are higher than in Turkey, but added that the cost of living is also higher which, he said, is influenced by the embargoes.

Denktas said that while opening only the Mersin gate would have been enough to secure the economic development of the TRNC, receiving aid from Turkey encourages the attitude to expect everything on a silver platter.

The paper writes that Denktas addressed the following questions to Ankara:

Do you not see that with your practices and statements you validate the allegation of the Greek Cypriot side that the TRNC is a subordinate administration to Turkey? Do you realize that we cannot plan in health and education because we offer services to the entire population on the island? Do you realize that because of the harmonization of the school curriculum we cannot teach our young people their own past and therefore we cannot teach the young generation what is the value of the Anatolian people for us? Does the public opinion in Turkey know the reality that the money transferred from the TRNC economy to the economy of Turkey increases every year and that this year it reached 1.5 billion dollars? Is it a coincidence that for many years only negative news are published in the Turkish media regarding Cyprus? Is destroying the Turkish Cypriot airlines (KTHY) and abandoning our transport to the mercy of a private company a correct policy? Do you realize that the policy of eliminating institutions which we have integrated with our identity, such as the KTHY and the Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU), or transferring them to other institutions is offending the Turkish Cypriots? When will the implementation of the signed but not implemented Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the TRNC start? Do you realize that the recent practices and methods started to strengthen those who want to be offended with each other by weakening the unity between the Motherland and the Daughter-land? Will a plan similar to the Annan Plan be put before us at the end of 2010? Do you know that the belief that all that has been imposed on us recently in order to force the Turks of Cyprus to say yes to any plan is continuously gaining ground? Do you think that the Turks of Cyprus are not capable of administrating, if they really acquire the possibility of self-administration themselves? Do we not have the right to demand the possibility of achieving through our own methods the targets set in the recently signed protocol, the majority of which are correct?

Denktas said that because of the aid given to the breakaway regime from Turkey they could not evaluate which governments of the breakaway regime were successful and which were not, and that they have always been expecting Ankara to solve their problems. He noted that some parties related the solution of the problems to the solution of the Cyprus problem and urged people to looking for shortcuts. Denktas called on the people to think whether the established structure in the occupied areas of Cyprus is sustainable.

Under the title, 1.5 billion dollars from the TRNC to Turkey, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (08.07.10) refers to Denktas statements and reports, inter alia, the following:

In the end the impositions of Ankara on our community made those of us who were expressing gratitude to Turkey and were saying nothing against it, lose their patience ().

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu says trade unions and other organizations to participate in the Peoples Council

In statements yesterday during a meeting with the Employers Trade Union, Eroglu noted that they take strength from the public during the ongoing Cyprus negotiations. He added that efforts are exerted at the negotiating table to find a just, lasting and viable agreement, worthy of the support offered by the public. He said they will not disappoint the public which supports and trusts them and thanked the trade unions for their support.

On his part, Hasan Sungur, chairman of the Employers Trade Union expressed support to Eroglu in the negotiations and described him as a leader who gained the trust of his trade union. He said the trade union is happy with the Eroglus election at the presidency. He also noted that on the property issue no other formula will be accepted other than the exchange and compensation of property.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (08.07.10) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu also met with a delegation of the Turkish Cypriot Building Contractors Union headed by its chairman, Soner Yetkili.

Yetkili explained the problems building contractors are facing concerning calls for tenders in Turkey and pointed out that recent tenders for the construction of the Central Prison and the Telecommunication Authority headquarters in the occupied areas of Cyprus, were sought abroad.

In his statements, Eroglu said that it is not possible to make a business with a bank interest rate of 50-60%, sometimes even 100%, and added that he asked for an investigation of the issue.

Eroglu said that when the property issues are driven to court and the purchases take place based on court rulings, the Turkish Cypriot side finds itself in a difficult situation at a period when the negotiations regarding the Cyprus problem are continuing.

Especially putting forward the economic problems whets the other sides appetite and makes it think of us as convicted persons, Eroglu said pointing out that for this reason the urgent improvement of their economic situation is necessary.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The TRNC to open representation office in Stockholm

The office will be headed by Damla Guclu who has already acquired residence and work permit.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozgurgun on Pyrgos Limnitis crossing point

(I/Ts.)

[05] Cratos Premium hotel is built on Greek Cypriot land

(IS)

[06] Ahmet Benli (CTP) re-elected mayor of Geuneyli; Huseyin Angolemli (TDP) wins seat in the TRNC assembly

The President of the Supreme Electoral Board Nevvar Nolan said that no irregularities had been observed during the voting vote-counting process.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (08.07.10) reports that the YSK yesterday also turned down unanimously UBPs objections on the by-elections results for Famagusta. According to YSK ruling, Huseyin Angolemli --Social Democrat Partys (TDP) candidate-- is the winner of the by-election.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (08.07.10) reports on the new distribution of seats in the TRNC assembly as follows:

UBP (National Unity Party)24CTP (Republican Turkish Party)15DP (Democratic Party)4TDP (Social Democratic Party)3ORP (Freedom and Reform Party)2Independents2

Total

50

[07] Two Turkish Cypriot banks to be sold

The Fund has also attempted to sell Yesilada Bank Ltd last April with the same conditions, but the effort did not materialize.

(IS)

[08] New commander of 4th infantry regiment of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces

The handover ceremony at Gulseren Barracks in occupied Famagusta was attended by the commander of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Major General Abdullah Recep, the commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Hilmi Akin Zorlu and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

Addressing the ceremony, Major General Abdullah Recep said that the Turkish Cypriots paid a high price for sovereignty and stressed that since their establishment, the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces together with the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus have been the strongest guarantee of the existence and prosperity of the TRNC.

[09] Turkish Cypriot swimmers participate in sports festival in Austria

(IS)

[10] Turkeys Constitutional Court annuls articles of the constitutional reform package

Turkeys main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) filed an application with the Constitutional Court on May 14 for invalidation of some articles of the package. The application was signed by 97 CHP deputies, 7 independent, 6 from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and 1 deputy from the Democrat Party (DP). The constitutional amendment package was adopted by the Turkish parliament on May 7, and was approved by the President on May 12. Except for the annulled articles, the package is to be put to a referendum on September 12 in line with the Turkish Constitution.

Furthermore, A.A. news agency reports on some details of the annulments as it was stated by chief judge Kilic. Particularly, Kilic said: "The request by the plaintiff for annulment of the package as a whole was rejected. The court unanimously accepted to debate articles 8, 14, 16, 19, 22 and 26 of the package under Article 4 of the Turkish Constitution banning any proposal for amendment to the first three articles of the Constitution.

Accordingly, the fourth paragraph of Article 16 of the package amending Article 146 of the Constitution was cancelled. According to the article, chairmen of the Supreme Court of Appeals, the Council of State, the Military High Court of Appeals, the High Military Administrative Court, the Audit Court, the Higher Education Board and bars were able to vote for only one candidate in election of members for the Constitutional Court, he added.

Kilic told reporters, The third paragraph of Article 22 of the package amending Article 159 of the Constitution was also annulled. Under the article, members of the HSYK to be appointed by the president will be chosen from high-level executives from the disciplines of economics and politics. The terms high-level executives and from the disciplines of economics and politics were cancelled. Election of members of the HSYK from academics and lawyers from the other disciplines of law will continue.

[11] Turkish President to attend D-8 summit; He is set to meet with his Nigerian counterpart

D-8 is a group aiming at boosting economic and commercial relations, and this is a good example for cooperation within the framework of south dialogue, Gul told reporters before he flew to Nigeria to attend the summit. President Gul said he would also have the opportunity to have talks with leaders of other D-8 member states (that is, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan).

In addition, Gul said he would also pay an official visit to Nigeria following the D-8 summit. Talks with Nigerian President (Goodluck) Jonathan will focus on economic issues, trade, investments, military and defence industry as well as bilateral relations. He also noted that both he and the Nigerian President will participate in a Turkey-Nigeria Business Forum in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Gul added that during his visit he will have the opportunity to discuss with Nigerian officials international and regional issues.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 7 July 2010

a) Turkey's tyrannical form of secularism:

Criticizing the "tyrannical form of secularism" in Turkey Mustafa Akyol writing in Hurriyet Daily News, advocates "a secular state which is neutral to religion, not hostile and oppressive to it." Noting that the anti-religious form of secularism is the only one that the Turkish state establishment knows, Akyol argues that "protecting secularism" in Turkey means banning the symbols of religion as much as possible.

b) Turkish-Israeli relations:

Milliyet columnist Semih Idiz in an article writes: "The growing quarrel with Israel might have transformed Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Davutoglu into the 'heroes of the Middle East streets'. However, concern felt by the Arab regimes in the region over this development is increasing because this quarrel is not in their interests. This quarrel is, at the same time, diminishing Turkey's influence in the region." Referring to the recent remarks Syrian President al-Asad that the Turkish-Israeli crisis might adversely affect stability in the Middle East, Idiz underlines that this is a concrete indication of the discomfort felt by the Arab regimes. Describing al-Asad's remarks as the second shock for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) following the assessment by Fethullah Gulen regarding the aid flotilla incident, Idiz argues that the warning from Syria, which is at war with Israel, is in contradiction with the atmosphere Ankara is trying to create. Idiz refers to Davutoglu's ultimatum that Turkey will sever its relations with Israel unless it receives an apology, pointing out that the countries in the region are not pleased with such an eventuality. Noting that the AKP has placed itself in a difficult position with no margin left for a withdrawal, Idiz concludes by questioning the AKP government's claim to be the country that is best acquainted with the regional realities.

Questioning whether Turkey will sever its relations with Israel Serkan Demirtas of Hurriyet Daily News, interprets Foreign Minister Davutoglu's remarks on the issue to mean that "there will be no improvement in ties, and even worse, they could be downgraded to a record low level". He adds that Davutoglu did not mean, "Turkey will no longer recognize the state of Israel and close its embassy in Tel Aviv."

In article in Hurriyet, Sedat Ergin views the initial conditions set by Turkey to normalize its relations with Israel and draws attention to the recent statement Foreign Minister Davutoglu on the issue. He points out that there is a degree of flexibility in those conditions, though, he argues, this is countered by Davutoglu's threat to sever relations if those conditions are not met. Ergin adds that this threat might be directed toward President Obama prior to his meeting with the Israeli prime minister in a bid to cause him to exert pressure on Netanyahu. Expressing his doubt that such a threatening style might yield results, Ergin argues that Obama, who is already unhappy with Turkey, might see through this bluff on the part of Davutoglu and might choose to ignore it. One should not underestimate the damage Davutoglu's threats might cause to Turkish-US relations at a time when the Jewish Lobby in the United States is taking action against Turkey, writes Ergin, adding: "Furthermore, the new climate indicating that US-Israeli relations are getting back on track, as can be observed in Netanyahu's visit yesterday, should be taken into consideration." One should not expect the US president to take a stand against Israel for the sake of Turkey, Ergin notes, adding that the recent concern expressed by the Italian foreign minister over Turkish-Israeli relations demonstrates the unease Europe is feeling on the issue as well.

c) Armenian overture:

US Secretary of State Clinton's visit to the Genocide Memorial in Yerevan has once again placed the Armenian overture on the agenda, writes Sami Kohen in Milliyet, adding: "If the 'dormant' genocide bill is revived in Congress, then the 'forgotten' Armenian overture will again be remembered. Actually, Hilary Clinton, in her statement in Yerevan, sent a reminder to Ankara. She praised the efforts exerted by Armenia to implement the protocols and said: 'Now, the ball in on the other side'." Given the atmosphere of clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh, there is no hope for a solution in the horizon, writes Kohen, concluding that the consequence of a lack of solution in Karabakh will be the prolonged suspension of the Armenian overture.

d) Eastern and Western perceptions of Erdogan:

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Mehmet Ali Birand notes that Erdogan has become "a beacon of hope in the East". Birand underlines that the leaders of these Eastern countries are not pleased with Erdogans new image while the West sees him with suspicion because of his stand on Iran and HAMAS.

e) Turkey's EU accession:

Viewing the report called "Project Europe 2030: Challenges and Opportunities" on the future of the EU prepared by the EU Reflection Group Joost Lagendijk in Hurriyet Daily News, underlines that "the Reflection Group is very clear on the necessity for the EU to stay open to potential new members," adding that it states unambiguously that "the Union must honour its commitments with regard to the current official candidates, including Turkey, and carry on with the negotiation process." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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