Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu submits new proposal on the property issue

[02] Serdar Denktas continues to worry that a solution might be reached in Cyprus

[03] Trade unions charge that thousands of new citizenships will be granted

[04] The Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent Society participated in the meeting of Arab Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation

[05] Foreign Press Union will invite the UN to participate in an activity for the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus

[06] Turkish Cypriots recourse to the ECHR

[07] Kucuk to travel to Ankara; Talks of efforts to form coalition government

[08] Press Day celebrations in the occupied areas

[09] Israeli base in Karpass

[10] Rise in number of visitors to the occupied areas

[11] European Parliament officials urge Turkish political parties to approve the constitutional amendments

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 10 and 11 July 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu submits new proposal on the property issue

In statements on Friday after his meeting with President Christofias, Eroglu noted that the meeting was productive one that detailed evaluation of the property issue continued. He added that Turkish Cypriots read out a text regarding the proposals submitted by President Christofias during the previous meeting.

Asked to comment on a statement allegedly made by DISY chairman, Nikos Anastasiades, that Eroglu is more concessive on the property issue, the Turkish Cypriot leader said it is not possible to talk about concessions at the moment and added that the views of both sides are on the negotiating table and that the give and take process has not started yet.

Replying to another question, Eroglu said the issue of Direct Trade Regulation is with the EU committee on legal affairs. He noted that if the issue is not discussed soon and if the debates take long at this committee, it will not be possible for us to talk about passing the Direct Trade Regulation within this year.

Replying to a question regarding the opening of the occupied port of Famagusta, Eroglu said, if invited, he will visit Brussels in order to hold talks on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Serdar Denktas continues to worry that a solution might be reached in Cyprus

He warned: In the end we will lose the freedom we acquired in 1974. A possible solution with the current situation will not be a solution. We are heading towards annihilation. The solution they want to create is not a solution. It is our dissolution. This is a warning.

Serdar Denktas alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are not in a position to compete with the Greek Cypriots and the world, and pointed out to the necessity of creating a formula whereby the Turkish Cypriots could stand on their own feet and compete with the world. He added:

When we reach the point of a solution in Cyprus, we will then be in the EU. Turkey, on the other hand, is still a candidate country. The Greek Cypriots, know our weaknesses well, and will lead us to annihilation within a very short period of time using economic methods. The system of tranquillity and security will be spoiled. Therefore, stability will also be spoiled. Let us say that the time comes when we need the intervention of Turkey. Will Turkey have the right to intervene in a Union to which she is a candidate? No. The new problem, which will start in Cyprus, will then be an EU problem. The EU will try to solve this problem in its own methods. It will try to sustain the process with some rights given to minorities or to individuals.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Trade unions charge that thousands of new citizenships will be granted

Dr Omer Gur, organizing secretary of TIB-Is, trade union of health employees, stated that while the government is saying that state resources are exhausted, at the same time it intends to grant citizenships to thousands of persons because for political reasons. He noted that tens of persons are referred sent every day to the health council for health reports, in order to acquire citizenship. He said as of today, they will react to these intentions.

Dr Gur noted: At a time when Turkish Cypriots emigrate, the administrators of the country, who have surrendered to the citizenship policies of Ankara, are following policies which are turning the Turkish Cypriots into a minority.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent Society participated in the meeting of Arab Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation

According to a statement by the Turkish Cypriot organization, its chairman, Namik Cafer made a presentation of the situation in Cyprus between the years 1963-74, referred to the isolations and the embargoes of the Turkish Cypriots and compared the situation to Gaza. He claimed that there are two peoples in Cyprus and demanded equal approach to the two national societies on the island (the Greek Cypriot Red Cross and the Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent).

Abdullah M. Al Hazaa, general secretary of the federation, informed Namik Cafer that the Red Crescent Federation has decided to treat the two organizations equally and noted that the decision will be conveyed to the ICRC, the Turkish Red Crescent and the Northern Cyprus Red Crescent (NCRC).

The NCRC described this decision as supportive and motivating, coming just before a meeting in Switzerland in early August, and one of the most important achievements since 1974.

Namik Cafer had a meeting with the Foreign Relations Secretary of the Saudi Arabian Red Crescent and grandson of Saudi Arabias King and invited him to visit the occupied areas.

Cafer stated that he has been invited to hold official contacts in Iraq and Gaza. He said he exchanged information on the aid to Iraq, Somalia and Gaza and noted that as Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent they will offer their support to these regions.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Foreign Press Union will invite the UN to participate in an activity for the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish Cypriots recourse to the ECHR

According to the report, a statement by the plaintiffs said they had resorted to the ECHR as they did not receive a proper reply from the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, while the Attorney General is said to have rejected the application on the grounds that it was in Turkish.

[07] Kucuk to travel to Ankara; talks of efforts to form coalition government

Moreover, illegal Bayrak (11.07.10) reports in its website on an interview by Irsen Kucuk to the BRT newsroom according to which Kucuk stated that a new coalition government may be established. Efforts to this end, Kucuk said, will begin after August 3. The report adds that Kucuk expressed readiness to work with all parties and particularly thanked the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) for all of its support.

[08] Press Day celebrations in the occupied areas

In a message to mark the occasion the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said that, like in the past, the press will continue its course in line with social interests and the national struggle. He also underlined journalists leading role in protecting the Cyprus Turkish peoples existence in the country and fight for freedom.

Ergolu added: The press continues to illustrate our trust and devotion to motherland Turkey, to fight against the Greek Cypriot press which only publishes one-sided stories, and to successfully fulfil its duty as the eyes and ears of the Cyprus Turkish people in the world public opinion.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (12.07.10) under the title, Press is not free, reports that politicians, trade unionists and lawyers, responding to a question on press freedom, said that the press is not free and can be bought. Turgay Avci, chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) and Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) share the opinion that press is not completely free.

Moreover, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party United Forces (CTP-BG), Kutlay Erk, said: In our country, independent publishing has almost become a crime. On his part, Nazim Beratli, also a CTP-BG member and former MP, stated: There is no freedom of the press because there is automatic censorship.

(IS)

[09] Israeli base in Karpass

Lewis is described on Islamic websites, as an active supporter of the Zionists and it is alleged that he channels his capital in Britain to the occupied Palestinian territories, reports Afrika.

In spring 2011, the marina in occupied Karpass peninsula will offer services to 300 yachts. It will include an 18.000-square metre dry basin and a crane 300 tons capacity. Two five-star hotels, shops, restaurants will be built for the marina.

The paper notes that with this investment will be the end to the only virgin area of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Rise in number of visitors to the occupied areas

Commenting on the situation regarding the Turkish Cypriot Airlines (KTHY), Durust said that despite efforts, the negative repercussions will be felt in the near future. Durust repeated his strong support towards new types of tourism, and especially religious tourism as Cyprus is so close to the Islamic world.

(IS)

[11] European Parliament officials urge Turkish political parties to approve the constitutional amendments

As it is reported, Oomen-Ruijten, together with EP President Jerzy Buzek, Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee Co-Chairperson Helene Flautre and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule welcomed the proposal as a positive step in the right direction. However, European politicians who have backed the amendments also called on Turkey to work for a new constitution in line with EU norms and standards and guaranteeing fundamental freedoms.

The paper also writes that CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli have already announced that they would vote "no" in the referendum. The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), which often criticizes the Constitution for lacking fundamental freedoms, has called on its supporters to boycott the referendum.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 10 and 11 July 2010

Columnist Ilhan Tanir in Hurriyet Daily News (10.07.10) argues, that though Obamas relationship with Israel were going off a cliff and relations with Turkey were almost perfect, following the last visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, this Israel is 'in' in Washington, and Turkey is 'out'.

Cengiz Candar writing in Radikal (10.07.10) observes that Obama's latest rapprochement with Netanyahu is tactical and is in line with the current conjuncture while his view of Turkey is strategic. Candar quotes from President Obama's latest statement to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera in which says that: Turkey is a NATO ally and its economy is booming. The fact that it is both a democracy and a country with a Muslim majority makes it a critically important model for other Muslim countries in the region. For these reasons, we believe it is important to cultivate strong relations with Ankara. And it is also why, even though we are not members of the EU, we have always expressed the opinion that it would be wise to accept Turkey into the Union."

Ferai Tinc in Hurriyet (11.07.10) cites a conversation with US Consul General Sharon Anderholm Wiener on the last developments in US-Turkish ties. According to Wiener, the writer says, the "model partnership" that President Obama put forth during his visit to Turkey is continuing despite the developments in the last months. The Obama Administration is "really concerned" about the Turkish-Israeli ties, notes Tinc and quotes Wiener: "We attach great importance to ties between Turkey and Israel in terms of stability in the Middle East. The situation today, to be sincere, is worrisome." Tinc concludes that, in light of recent developments, improvement in Turkish-Israeli ties is highly unlikely in the near future.

In an article entitled "Damn Israel, Damn Mossad" columnist Ayhan Bilgin writing in Vakit (11.07.10) says Israel and Mossad are behind the PKK's terrorist activities, accusing them of using "subtle and sinister" methods to indirectly organize and arm the PKK and help it carry out its campaign of violence against Turkey and the Turkish military. He asserts that Turkey cannot obtain decisive results against the PKK unless it exposes and documents Mossad's "regional conspiracies" including its use of the PKK for drug trafficking worldwide, adding that Ankara can no longer afford to make veiled references to "the intelligence organization of a neighbouring country" in talking about PKK's foreign supporters.

b) Turkey part of West or Middle East?

In a commentary in Milliyet (10.07.10) Semih Idiz argues that if Turkey turns its back on the West, it has nowhere to go, because "the Middle East does not have the institutionalized multilateral partnerships Turkey enjoys with the West; and creating such bodies is more difficult than one may think." He says that the Arab League and the OIC are ineffective, and that the Middle East has been unable to establish institutions such as NATO, the EU, the OSCE, or the Council of Europe.

c) AKP said fostering anti-Western, anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli, and anti-American sentiments

In an article in Hurriyet Daily (10.07.10, Soner Cagaptay warns: "The problem in Turkey is not that the country's foreign policy towards the West is changing, for such changes can be reversed under a new government, but rather that under the AKP, Turkish attitudes towards Jews and Americans, and Israel and America are changing. In the post-September 11 world, once the Turks cross the line from the West to the "Muslim world" such changes may prove to be irreversible."

d) Kurdish issue

An article by Murat Yetkin in Radikal (11.07.10) entitled "USA Opened Iraqi Airspace" says that Turkish and US sources confirmed that the US Administration opened "all the corridors in northern Iraqi airspace." Yetkin maintains that the decision was reached following PKK announcement that it will attack military, economic, and metropolitan targets and once Turkey had welcomed and held high-level contacts with Mas'ud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Recalling high-ranking officials such as President Gul and Foreign Minister Davutoglu remarks to the effect that PKK's existence in Iraq is intolerable and that a new era begins in which new methods will be used in the fight with the PKK, Yetkin argues that Turkey is determined to render the leading cadre of the PKK ineffective. He adds that Prime Minister Erdogan's silence in the last two weeks, and the US decision to open the Iraqi airspace, indicate that "definitely, something is cooking."

Also in Radikal (11.07.10), Oral Calislar looks into the Turkish and Kurdish public opinions being shaped following the recent escalation in violence. Calislar warns that a "completely different emotional state and public opinion" has been formed in the southeast. And adds that the "two sides are psychologically breaking away from each other." The "psychological split in the southeast" will continue as long as the mentality which disregards the social, cultural, and psychological aspects of a profound issue and reduces it to a "military problem" prevails, he concludes.

e) Professional army in Turkey

In a front-page report under the headline, "Operations to be carried out by professional commandoes," Yeni Safak (11.07.10) asserts that a project for the establishment of a professional army as part Turkey's counter-terrorism efforts, launched by the General Staff on 22 January, 2008, will be completed in the first week of August, with the number of "specialist senior privates" rising to 7,482. According to the report, the project entails "the professionalization of commando brigades actively taking part in anti-terrorism operations." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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