Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-08-20

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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] Eroglu reiterates: End-date for the negotiations set for the end of 2010

[02] Ozersay continues his contacts in Copenhagen

[03] Kucuk on ECHR rulings regarding property issue

[04] Political complication grows

[05] Initiative for Russian investors in the TRNC

[06] Turkish Cypriot patients not accepted in Turkeys hospitals due to debts

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Turkeys chief EU negotiator: EU should also extend necessary support for permanent solution in Cyprus

[08] Turkeys National Security Council convenes

[09] Turkeys ruling AK Party refutes claims that it spoke to PKK

[10] Highlights: 18 August 2010

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu reiterates: End-date for the negotiations set for the end of 2010

Noting that the country faces economic problems, Eroglu said that Turkey will continue to be the only country to support the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus while struggling with these problems.

On the Cyprus problem, Eroglu said that the main aim is to reach a permanent agreement on the island and added, The end-date for the negotiations was set as the end of the year, stressing we will not abandon our rights.

Referring to the unjust isolation of the TRNC, Eroglu said from the humanitarian aspect it is a shame for the European Union to connive in isolations. He also expressed the hope that EU officials will end this mistake and lift the isolation in the course of time, illegal BRT reported.

[02] Ozersay continues his contacts in Copenhagen

Ozersay is expected to return to the occupied areas today.

(DPs)

[03] Kucuk on ECHR rulings regarding property issue

Speaking to illegal BRT, Kucuk noted that the Turkish Cypriot leaders stance at the talks is sincere, adding that there are difficulties concerning the Greek Cypriot leaders sincerity. The Cyprus problem is a package which must be solved as a whole. Discussing the problem and taking up proposals piece by piece is totally unacceptable, he said. Kucuk also added that the latest rulings by the ECHR concerning the property issue, contained provisions which could help solve the thorny chapter on property.

Touching upon the issue of the Cyprus Turkish Airlines (KTHY), Irsen Kucuk said that a joint effort with Turkish Airlines for the recovery of the debt stricken national carrier had reached its final stages. He said that working with a prestigious company like the Turkish Airlines, is a great opportunity, one that will be used to win back the peoples trust and confidence in KTHY.

[04] Political complication grows

On the contrary, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (20.08.10) reports that Mustafa Gokmen denied allegations regarding his resignation, adding that the party stands united.

(IS)

[05] Initiative for Russian investors in the TRNC

This is a non-profit organization, named Northern Cyprus Contractors Initiative (AZSK), which will evaluate contractors in the TRNC. The information will be available to Russian real estate investors. A statement by AZSK said that it was founded following studies which indicated the need for such an advisory service. Its main purpose will be to provide support and information to potential buyers from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States regarding procedures and institutions in the TRNC, and try to develop trade relations between the TRNC and Russia.

(IS)

[06] Turkish Cypriot patients not accepted in Turkeys hospitals due to debts

According to the paper, Kasif met with the Turkish Minister of Health Recep Akdag, where they discussed the problem and was agreed to solve it immediately. It is also reported that the monthly cost of Turkish Cypriot patients in Turkeys hospitals is over 1 million TL (600,000 euro).

Kasif returned to the occupied areas last night.

(DPs)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Turkeys chief EU negotiator: EU should also extend necessary support for permanent solution in Cyprus

In an exclusive interview with the A.A. correspondent, Bagis said he assessed some other issues like Cyprus and the fight against terrorism as well as the recent flood disaster in Pakistan during his talks in the UN.

I referred to the determination of President Dervis Eroglu of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in maintaining the negotiations. I told them that continuation of the talks was also important for the EU. We particularly underlined that pressure on Greek Cypriot administration should grow and that the EU should extend necessary support for a lasting and fair solution, Bagis said.

Bagis said he also relayed to the ministers Turkey's expectations on the fight against terrorism, adding we have reiterated our demands that particularly some representatives of the PKK terrorist organization in Europe should be handed over to Turkish justice.

Bagis met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Steven Vanackere, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and German State Minister Werner Hoyer.

[07] Turkeys National Security Council convenes

In a written statement released after the meeting, MGK once again emphasized Turkeys determination to fight PKK, underlining that the terrorist organization is targeting Turkeys unity and its peoples right to life. The council said the terrorist organization was seeking to disrupt social peace and solidarity urging citizens to act with common sense.

The Israeli attack on Mavi Marmara was also discussed in detail during the meeting, the statement said.

A wide range of issues ranging from talks over Iran's nuclear programme, the recent skirmish in the Israeli Lebanese border, and efforts in Iraq to form the new government in the aftermath of the elections as well as the monsoon floods in Pakistan were also discussed during the meeting, the statement said. In addition, the council said it assessed Turkey's aid efforts to Pakistan vowing to continue helping victims in flood-hit places, A.A. reported.

[08] Turkeys ruling AK Party refutes claims that it spoke to PKK

Murat Karayilan, one of PKKs chief commanders, was quoted by some media outlets on Wednesday as saying the recent cease-fire, unilaterally announced last week, was the result of talks between AKP officials and the PKK.

The statement said that the claims were part of attempts to manipulate the process of a public referendum scheduled for September 12 on constitutional reforms, and to confuse the public. The statement also said the AKP had full confidence that the hostile attitude of the opposition parties and affiliated media organisations would be recognized by the nation for what it is.

[10] Highlights: 18 August 2010

In his article in Hurriyet, Metin Munir writes that the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" has been in the process of bankruptcy since its establishment, adding: "Neither Ankara nor the Turkish Cypriots have exerted efforts to establish an economic order that will enable the Turkish Cypriots to stand on their own feet during the 36 years that Turkey has been on the island." Drawing attention to the further deterioration of the economy during the 2004-2009 period, Munir goes on to criticize the irresponsible public spending of Turkish Cypriot officials and Ankara's negligence in supervising the financial aid sent to the island. Now the Turkish Cypriots are facing another administration in Ankara, one that is no longer ready to subsidize that irresponsible attitude, writes Munir, concluding: "With the support of Prime Minister Erdogan, Cemil Cicek, who is responsible for Cypriot affairs, has placed an IMF kind of agreement in front of Irsen Kucuk who has replaced Eroglu as the prime minister. The period of 'I extended aid, you do whatever you want with it' is closed."

b) Constitutional amendment package / Referendum

Cuneyt Ulsever in Hurriyet considers it impossible not to turn the referendum vote into a political choice, and points out that this is the reason why one side has reduced its propaganda strategy to ending military tutelage and the other to a vote of no-confidence in the government. Referring to the prime minister's remarks about the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Ulsever argues that the prime minister is guided by a desire for revenge and not by a desire for a state of law.

Erdal Saglam in Hurriyet, questions the threats made by Prime Minister Erdogan to TUSIAD, wonders whether this is the kind of democracy awaiting the Turkish people, and writes: "In other words, the prime minister is trying to say that those who do not think like him are not considering the interests of the country, that they do not want a powerful and a prestigious Turkey, and that everyone should abide by his wishes."

In his column in Vatan, Can Atakli notes that the prime minister is concerned that the referendum is turning into a vote of confidence for the government, and adds that his anxiety and his anger over a possible no vote is pushing him to a paradox, that of damaging democracy in the name of democracy.

Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru, in an article entitled "TUSIAD: A fallen star?", criticizes the TUSIAD for the way it is "positioning itself like a political party" and having recourse to "partisan methods" at the cost of denying its own previous posture in opposing the constitutional reforms that are going to public vote next month.

A front-page report in Vakit under the headline, "TUSIAD hypocrisy," asserts that the TUSIAD has frequently called for amendments to the 1980 Constitution in the past and that because of this it faces accusations of hypocrisy over its stance on the reform package.

c) High Council of Prosecutors

Yusuf Kanli in Hurriyet Daily News argues that with the constitutional amendment article that changes the structure of the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) "the HSYK is not becoming independent or being given some degree of autonomy; on the contrary it will become totally affiliated to the Justice Ministry as if it were one of the ministry's many departments."

Yeni Safak carries a front-page report under the headline "Ergenekon Payback Effort Backfires", which accuses the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors of paving the way for a new crisis by trying to reassign some 20 judges and prosecutors conducting the Ergenekon and Sledgehammer trials by drawing up a "rogue" list of appointments. According to the report, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin thwarted the HSYK's bid to "intervene in judicial appointments" by "withdrawing" its draft decree.

Zaman Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli, in an article entitled "HSYK forcing the people to vote in favour of the reform package", asserts that the HSYK's "efforts to cover up" a number of alleged anti-government conspiracies through "rogue" judicial appointments are causing a major public backlash that might translate into increased support for the constitutional amendment package in the upcoming referendum "provided" voters are not "blinded by partisan sentiments."

Under the headline, "Guardians of Ergenekon," Milli Gazete runs a front-page report which criticizes calls by the HSYK for the replacement of "all the prosecutors in the Ergenekon, Cage, and Sledgehammer" coup trials as an example of how pro-status quo players are "prone to create crises" wherever bureaucratic appointments are concerned.

d) Kurdish issue / PKK terror

In an article in the Star, Ibrahim Kiras views the internal and external reasons that have led the PKK to declare a unilateral cease-fire and writes that the domestic reason was the signals coming from the "Kurdish street" that it was not fully supportive of the negative stand adopted by the PKK toward the Kurdish overture and the referendum, while the external reason might be connected to the withdrawal of the US troops from Iraq. The writer argues: "Had the PKK continued in its actions, Turkey might have intervened in North Iraq and this intervention might have led to certain 'permanent' results. The current structure drawn by the United States in Iraq might have been 'damaged'."

According to Taraf columnist Mithat Sancar, for the PKK cease-fire to turn into a lasting non-action and for it to subsequently lead to laying down of arms, one needs a fully functioning democratic political atmosphere. Sancar believes that the restructuring of the DTK and the election of Ahmet Turk and Aysel Tugluk to the DTK co-chairmanship are positive developments in the solution of the Kurdish problem. The writer further describes the ongoing developments against military tutelage as steps that will pave the way toward democratic politics in the country.

e) Democracy or dictatorship

In his column in Milliyet, Mehmet Tezkan argues that the country is ruled by a regime the first letter of which is D but the rest is blurred. At times D becomes democracy and at other times it becomes dictatorship, Tezkan notes and describes as "pressure, intimidation, and threat" the remarks made by Prime Minister Erdogan with regards to the silence maintained by the TUSIAD on the referendum issue.

f) Turkish defence at ECHR

Mehmet Altan of the Star describes the defence in the Hrant Dink case sent by the Foreign Ministry to the European Court of Human Rights, as shameful. Focusing on the reaction of Foreign Minister who is reported to have said that his signature was not under the defence, Altan wonders who is running the Foreign Ministry. Viewing the defence file as a document that is in total contradiction with contemporary principles and values, Altan writes: "Can a defence document be so contradictory to democracy, to human rights, and to our sincerity in our approach to the EU? Shall we believe in what is said or what is in the file?"

g) Turkish-Azerbaijani relations

An editorial in Hurriyet Daily News, views Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, underlining that "Turkey can and should do much more to build and deepen ties with this important ally." Noting that bilateral relations were needlessly allowed to erode, the editorial concludes that healthy bilateral relations will not only be beneficial for Turkey and Azerbaijan, but will also help reconcile both countries with Armenia.

Zaman columnist Fikret Ertan argues that Russian President Medvedev's two-day visit to Yerevan marks a turning point in military cooperation between Russia and Armenia in the sense that it will see the extension of an agreement that allows Russia to maintain a base in Gyumri for another 24 years. He claims that the agreement is intended to be a deterrent against Turkey and Azerbaijan. He also emphasizes the importance of the "deep" and "historical" ties between Russia and Armenia and asserts that Turkey cannot implement a realistic policy on Armenia or Karabakh without taking the "Russia factor" into account.

h) Attack on Turkish Embassy

An article in Vakit, under the headline Attack on Turkish Embassy Smacks of Provocation" argues that the disclosure that Nedim Encaz, the Palestinian suspect in the attempted hostage-taking at the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv, used to work for the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet, has led to increased suspicion that the attack on the embassy was an act of provocation.

Columnist Ahmet in Vakit article argues that the fact that the raid on the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv was carried out by an "exposed" Shabak agent raises the possibility that the attack was intended to achieve any one of the purposes of Israeli operations where agencies like Mossad deliberately "blow the cover" of certain agents before they are used in a particular mission so that Israel can deny involvement in the operation. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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