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

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] YKP says Turkey does not intend to solve the Cyprus problem

[02] Talat evokes UNSC resolutions on the solution of the Cyprus problem

[03] The Chamber of Industry is seeking communal consensus

[04] Interesting meeting between Ozgurgun and Ertugruloglu

[05] Rupert Murdoch offers private jet to fly Asil Nadir back to the UK

[06] Pop star Rihanna to appear foundation laying ceremony of new hotel

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Davutoglu said that Turkey will not drift away from the EU if there is no progress on Cyprus problem

[08] Gendarmerie Commander Atilla Isik to retire

[09] Turkish government under firestorm of criticism for Erdogans polygamous adviser

[10] Seaplane transportation to be launched from Turkey to occupied Cyprus

[11] TRNC a perfect deadlock

[12] Highlights - 5 August 2010

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] YKP says Turkey does not intend to solve the Cyprus problem

Referring to the statements made by the Turkish side regarding a solution by the end of the year, Durduran says that their most recent trick is that they are determined not to abandon the table.

Durduran expresses the view that it is obvious that there will be no outcome in the negotiations when the sides pretend that they make concessions at the table, knowing that they will not be implemented because there will be no result.

He goes on to add:

No one could imagine that the Greek Cypriot side would say yes to so-called compromises such as the rotating presidency, but Christofias said yes. In spite of this, no agreement has been reached. Even if they divide the sea, even if they divide the airspace, even if they say let us both pay for the Greek Cypriot properties, there will be no agreement. Because Turkey claims that I took this place and I am not giving it away. It has not given it up. There is no sign that an agreement will be reached within a few years and that it [Turkey] is preparing to withdraw its army and take its aid delegation and leave. And the Turkish Cypriots are not anxious to stand on their own feet.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat evokes UNSC resolutions on the solution of the Cyprus problem

In an interview with Kibrisli, Talat noted that the Court has directly referred to Cyprus and in a sense said that the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied part of the island, will not be recognized. Asked how he assesses the ICJs ruling, Talat recalled that the ruling stated that there are no UN Security Council resolutions on the final status of Kosovo like in the case of Cyprus, regarding non-recognition of the TRNC. Talat points out that the UN Security Council has decided that the solution in Cyprus will be a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with single citizenship and single sovereignty.

Evaluating the negotiations to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem, Talat reiterated the view that resuming the talks with the property issue was a great mistake, adding that they should have resumed with the chapter on governance and power sharing, which is the essence of Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Chamber of Industry is seeking communal consensus

Cirali read out a document calling on the parties to cooperate in achieving three targets: 1) restructure of the public finances, prevent underground economy and broaden the tax basis, 2) control the entry and exit point of the occupied areas and prevent illegal stay and 3) support the production of goods and services, and give incentives for exports.

The chairman of the TDP, Mehmet Cakici, said there are some points in the document with which they agree and added that they are ready to respond and offer their support. He noted that the common target is to create a state which could stand on its own feet. He said that they have proposals for some economic measures, and added that Turkish banks collect the deposits of the people in the occupied areas of Cyprus and send them to Turkey. He also said that underground economy reaches 65 % in occupied Cyprus, something which means that taxation is not fair.

The chairman of the CTP, Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that this package of measures is not the first to be implemented in the occupied areas of Cyprus with the aim of reducing public expenditure. He noted that despite the various packages, expenditure increased because the economic measures were not accompanied by democratic measures.

The chairman of the DP, Serdar Denktas said that the government should have taken the measures as a result of a dialogue with all the sectors of society. Denktas told the representatives of the Chamber, who had earlier expressed their support to the economic measures, to demand from the government to open Mersin port in order to enable sale of their products. He noted that the last meeting of the assembly lasted until the morning hours in order to complete the procedure and adopt the laws, because, otherwise, Turkey had said that it would not provide the necessary aid for the payments [of the breakaway regime]. He expressed the view that this is not the way relations between Turkey and the TRNC should be developed and the aid should not be given in this manner.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Interesting meeting between Ozgurgun and Ertugruloglu

Referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (06.08.10) reports that the invitation for the secret dinner was made by Ozgurgun. As it is reported, Ozgurgun has undertaken to mediate so that Ertugruloglu returns to the UBP. According to the paper, Ertugruloglu agreed, if he returns to the party, to support Irsen Kucuk for the presidency of the UBP during the congress in November.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Rupert Murdoch offers private jet to fly Asil Nadir back to the UK

Asil Nadir is bound to return to UK, after the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) agreed not to oppose bail if the stringent conditions were imposed, namely that Ģ250,000 is deposited with the court as security; that he is electronically tagged; and that he attends on Old Bailey hearing on September 3. Nadir is also required to apply for a British passport, which he must submit to the SFO upon landing.

[06] Pop star Rihanna to appear foundation laying ceremony of new hotel

Moreover, Bektas said the foundation laying ceremony will take place on September 15, and that the famous pop star Rihanna will perform.

(IS)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Davutoglu said that Turkey will not drift away from the EU if there is no progress on Cyprus problem

Davutoglu made these remarks in an interview in the August issue of Gorus (View) monthly magazine, published by the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen s Association (TUS0AD).

Davutoglu also stated that Turkey would support revived proximity talks between Israel and Syria, dismissing allegations that Turkeys former allies lost Turkey. Declining claims that Turkey changed its orientation and is slowly drifting away from its former allies, Davutoglu said international stakes are dynamic and ever-shifting and that Turkey cannot be told what positions to take.

Davutoglu added that what makes Turkey a meaningful country is its intervening capability with its historic experience and that this is why the shift in orientation argument is brought up.

[08] Gendarmerie Commander Atilla Isik to retire

Commentators said Isik's petition could be interpreted as a protest against attempts by the government, which had suggested him for the post, to interfere in military decisions.

Isik had been expected to be named Land Forces Commander before he and 18 other officers were summoned earlier this week to testify in a probe of an alleged anti-government online propaganda campaign.

[09] Turkish government under firestorm of criticism for Erdogans polygamous adviser

The Turkish government confirmed that Ali Yuksel, a man who has married three women in religious ceremonies and considers himself a Sheikh al-Islam, a title of superior authority in religious issues, is employed as an adviser to the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Commenting on the issue, Mustafa Mutlu in Vatan (05.08.10) asks the Turkish prime minister if he considers it fit to appoint as an adviser a person who disregards the laws of the Turkish Republic. A prime minister does not appoint an adviser whose views are not compatible with his own, writes Turker Alkan in Radikal, (05.08.10) noting that Yuksel is the president of the European National View Organization and carries the title of seyhulislam, a title given to the chief religious official in the Ottoman Empire.

[10] Seaplane transportation to be launched from Turkey to occupied Cyprus

[11] TRNC a perfect deadlock

On the other hand, the TRNC institutions are an extension of Turkeys institutions. Therefore, the TRNC is at a perfect deadlock, since it cannot be abandoned, incorporated, or annexed (by Turkey). Nor can it be recognised.

Munir also writes that probably negotiations will be unsuccessful by the end of the year and like Cicek said recently: Everyone will continue its own road. So what comes to mind next is recognition. However, this is not possible, argues the writer saying that even Turkey does not want to start a practice of establishing a separate state for a minority, by occupying territory of an independent country. Moreover, the EU will not recognise the TRNC because Cyprus is a member state. Neither will the USA recognise it, in compliance with the UN decisions.

It seems, the writer concludes, that TRNC will remain in the international limbo for some years, however this should not stop it from organizing and distancing itself from Turkey

(IS)

[12] Highlights - 5 August 2010

Writing in Milliyet on the YAS meeting, Asli Aydintasbas doubts whether this is a 'turning point' for Turkish democracy and notes that this is the last round in the show of strength between two centers of power. He concludes: However, the reality is that the tradition of the appointment of the force commanders through civilian will has begun."

Yusuf Kanli in Hurriyet Daily News, viewing the tension between the military and the civilian wings at the YAS meetings, asserts that this crisis is the first serious demonstration of the rift between the ruling Justice and Development Party, (AKP), and the TSK, adding that the result will set a precedence in many ways.

In an article in Cumhuriyet, Cuneyt Arcayurek writes that whatever the result, the YAS meetings reflect the civilian-military discord and adds: "Assessing the events during the YAS meetings from the viewpoint of legal difficulties is tantamount to covering up the realities and, naturally, the views of Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the soldiers." He argues that the recent incidents are the last phase of the liquidation plan Erdogan envisages in connection with the army which he views as the last obstacle to his goals.

Ahmet Altan writing in Taraf, interprets Republican People's Party ( CHP) leader Kilicdaroglu's remarks on the YAS decisions to mean that he favours an army independent of the civilian authority. Accusing the CHP of exerting every possible effort to continue the military tutelage and an anti-democratic system, Altan argues that this is the real reason why the CHP is opposed to the constitutional amendment package. Drawing attention to the fact that two of the generals who participated in the YAS meetings are suspected of belonging to a "terror organization," Altan underlines that this is the result of an "independent" army. Referring to the struggle waged by the generals against the civilians during the YAS meetings to protect and, if possible, promote those suspected or accused of crimes, Altan details the various crimes committed by military personnel, adding that an "independent army" can only lead to chaos.

Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru questions the suitability of the YAS to implement promotions in the military and adds that the latest YAS meeting has demonstrated how unbefitting this mechanism is by current democratic standards.

b) Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad assassination attempt

Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul describes the "attempted assassination" of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinezhad yesterday as a very dangerous development with potentially major regional repercussions. He asserts that the situation in the Middle East is reminiscent of the build-up to the Lebanese war in 1996, adding that if Ahmadinezhad's prediction of military attacks on two countries in three months is based on sound information, Lebanon is highly likely to be one of these targets. He also argues that the region should be put on alert against the possibility of a civil war in Lebanon followed by an Israeli assault on that country.

c) US Approach to Turkey's EU Accession

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Henri Barkey writes that President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates are wrong in their analysis that the continued reluctance of the EU to accept Turkey into its ranks has pushed Turkish leadership closer to other Muslim nations in the Middle East. "Blaming Europe oversimplifies the situation and could lead to unintended consequences." Barkey points out and continues: "The Turkish government's increasing overtures toward non-Western governments is driven in part by an over-inflated sense of its importance on the world stage." Focusing on the Kurdish issue and democratic reforms, Barkey argues that if Turkey's EU membership is in US interests, then the Washington Administration should "develop a more comprehensive approach to the country that also pays attention to its domestic concerns."

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