Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-08-23

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkeys Chief EU negotiator evaluates the Cyprus problem

[02] Ozersay: Prospects for a meeting between the two leaders in New York in September

[03] BKP Secretary blames Turkey and Eroglu

[04] A re-development project on a turtle beach at occupied village of Vasileia

[05] Cavusoglu in Istanbul to attract students

[06] Durust in Ankara to discuss Tourism Master Plan

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Military statement on Heron accusations left unanswered question

[08] Israel delivers remaining four heron UAVs to Turkey

[09] An increase of 12% in cement production

[10] Highlights: 19-22 August 2010

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Turkeys Chief EU negotiator evaluates the Cyprus problem

Bagis accused the Greek Cypriot side of running away from an agreement. As usual the Greek Cypriot side is trying to play for time and is using its EU membership to exert pressure on Turkey, Bagis said, adding that Turkey will never be forced to choose EU membership over the Cyprus or vice versa. We are just in our cause and we have explained at every opportunity that this is based on judicial grounds, he noted.

Touching upon his meeting with the German Minister of State Werner Hoyer, the Chief Turkish negotiator said that he had made an offer for Lufthansa Airlines to launch direct flights to and from Ercan [occupied Tymvou] Airport and in exchange, Ankara will consider opening its ports to the Greek Cypriot traffic.

Reiterating that there are two separate republics on the island, Bagis said that the international communitys insistence on ignoring this reality was a great shame.

Moreover, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.08.10), reporting on the same issue, Bagis said the Greek Cypriot administration was the only country to freely have commercial ties trade with the TRNC but prevented other EU countries to establish relations. There is a relation between the two communities in Cyprus that grows more mature every day. We hope that the two leaders reach an agreement by the end of the year, he said.

[02] Ozersay: Prospects for a meeting between the two leaders in New York in September

Ozersay said that his meetings with Swedish and Danish officials had raised prospects for a meeting between the two leaders in New York for this coming September, as well as a separate international summit to be attended by all the related parties to the Cyprus problem. He added that such meetings aimed at speeding up the ongoing process, could make a solution to the Cyprus problem possible by the end of this year.

[03] BKP Secretary blames Turkey and Eroglu

Regarding the negotiation process he added that a comprehensive solution is something different from driving the Cyprus Turkish society down the cliff by entering dead ends like recognition or raising the TRNC status. The only way out for the Cyprus Turkish community, Korkmazhan said, is an early solution on the basis of a federation as described in the UN Security Council relevant decisions and agreed by the two sides. If we want to reach it as soon as possible, we must refrain from maximalist requests and remain on the solution level.

(IS)

[04] A re-development project on a turtle beach at occupied village of Vasileia

Conservationists are battling an ambitious £500,000 plan to revamp facilities on Karsiyakas [occupied Vasileia] Guzelyali beach. It is the second largest nesting ground for sea turtles after Alagadi beach, and Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister Kemal Durust has reportedly told turtle watchers that it would be protected against development.

The paper adds that Karsiyaka Anamur Sports Club wants to restructure the area and build a new restaurant, childrens park, open air club including DJ area, a barbeque area and wharf for yachts and small boats, in an effort to generate income for the club and also contribute to the local economy.

The paper hosts statements by Ozdemir Mertler, a member of the clubs board that the project will also create jobs for the youth of the village.

The paper adds: Halil Pasa, a volunteer at the beach for the Society for the Protection of Turtles (Spot), said it would be a disaster for the turtles if the scheme went ahead. Loggerhead turtles usually nest on the beach and this year, for the first time, green turtles have used it to lay their eggs. The turtles come here every year and they nest all over the beach, he told Cyprus Today. However, the lights and sound from the venues nearby disturb the mothers-to-be and scare them away. The lights in particular are harmful for the hatchlings because right after they come out of the nest they go towards the lights. I found many dead hatchlings around the area last year. If we cannot protect that beach, which is the cleanest free beach along the Girne [occupied Keryneia] coastline, the turtles will have no other place. The club could generate more money through protecting the turtles and attracting tourists that way.

[05] Cavusoglu in Istanbul to attract students

Cavusoglu, in statements to the Turkish press, called on Turkish students to show preference to universities, adding that the quality is high, and that they are preferred by students from 90 different countries.

Noting that education in the occupied areas is not as expensive as it is thought, Cavusoglu said that the universities have already prepared various alternative packages for students, adding that the students are not allowed to enter casinos.

Cavusoglu, who is accompanied by representatives from all the illegal universities, will meet in Ankara today with the Chairman of the Council of Higher Education (YOK) Prof. Dr Yusuf Ziya Ozcan, to brief him of the difficulties the universities face, their proposals and their demands.

Cavusoglu will also meet on Tuesday with Turkeys deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek. Cavusoglu and his delegation are expected to return to the occupied areas on Tuesday night.

(DPs)

[06] Durust in Ankara to discuss Tourism Master Plan

The paper reports that Durust will discuss how the tourism sector can be developed within the economic structure of the TRNC and the implementation of the TRNC Tourism Master Plan which was approved by the council of ministers.

During his visit, Durust will also meet with Turkeys State Minister Responsible of Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek.

(DPs)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

Todays press reports cover the change in Turkish policy as depicted in the red book, a National Security Policy document, according to which neighbouring countries are no longer considered as threats but as opportunities for cooperation. Reference is also made on the defence Turkey presented to the ECHR regarding the Hrant Dink case.

(IS)

[07] Military statement on Heron accusations left unanswered question

Particularly, HDN reports: The General Staffs statement released over the weekend in response to accusations that the military knew the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was planning attacks, said an investigation is ongoing, but has left many questions unanswered. The General Staff said it did not release a statement earlier because it wanted to avoid misinforming the public. The militarys response was limited to allegations regarding the Cukurca-Hantepe assault, even though accusations had included the Gediktepe assault, which was also in Hakkari province. The assaults cost the lives of 7 soldiers in Hantepe and 11 in Gediktepe. The statement was posted on the official website of the General Staff around noon on Saturday and said an investigation is ongoing just like for any incident that ends with death.

The daily Taraf has accused the military of doing nothing to prevent the July 20 PKK attack on a post in Cukurca in the eastern province of Hakkari. Its headline said, Generals watched soldiers die. Citing a video from a Heron, an unmanned surveillance aircraft that showed the PKK methodically conducting its operation, the daily said the military failed to intervene even though the drones pictures were broadcast live to over 30 different military units, including the Chief of the General Staff. According to the statement, the units do not all receive the same broadcast. Which units were receiving the Hantepe recordings was not mentioned.

Top military brass has said the forces were unable to send air support to the military post under attack because of poor weather conditions. This claim is repeated in the statement with a minor change; helicopters lifted off, but they could not reach the scene due to fog and dust clouds in a nearby valley. The mentioned video, however, appeared to show the weather was clear enough to capture smoke from the bombs used. It is mentioned in the statement that the helicopters opened fire at the retreating PKK, along with mortar support, two hours after the assault. However, it is not mentioned whether any PKK members were captured or killed during this counterattack.

The General Staff argued the leaked Heron video of Hantepe begins 46 minutes after the attack, since the Heron captured the video was at a different location. Taraf denied this in its Sunday edition; stating they have recordings before the attack. Also in its Sunday edition Taraf asked how the DShK guns, a Russian made anti-aircraft weapon also known as dhocka that weighs 175 kilograms when mounted, were transferred to the location by PKK without being noticed.

The General Staff has also faced criticism over the late deployment of support ground troops who arrived on foot hours after ambulance services had already reached the area. The Saturday statement did not mention anything about the ground troops.

Taraf also published a similar story on the June 19 Gediktepe assault, again based on images from a leaked Heron video, which has neither been verified nor denied by the Chief of General Staff. This accusation also remained unanswered in the Saturday statement. Apart from the videos, both attacks were also mentioned in the intelligence reports, which were also leaked to Taraf.

[08] Israel delivers remaining four heron UAVs to Turkey

The first six UAV aircraft ordered from Israel were delivered to Turkey in March, following a delay of over two years. (...) Turkey had agreed in 2004 to buy 10 Heron UAVs for more than $180 million from Israeli companies IAI and Elbit. However, the Israeli firms missed the deadline for delivery. Israel said the delay was caused by the difficulty in strengthening Heron engines to enable local Aselsan-made electro-optical payloads (Aselfir300T) to be fitted onto the Heron UAVs.

The Israeli companies were expected to deliver four Herons in August of 2009, followed by another two and then the last four by the end of October 2009. However, the deadline passed, and the Israeli Herons that were delivered failed to reach the predicted aerial elevations or to fulfil the maximum flight times specified in the agreement.

One Heron UAV can watch six different targets at the same time. In addition to intelligence gathering, it can also illuminate targets for airplanes, helicopters and guided missiles. Heron UAVs can also stay in the air for 24 hours at an elevation of up to 30,000 feet, and transfer data within a range of 350 kilometres.

[09] An increase of 12% in cement production

According to HDN, Turkey has shown 12% increase in cement production in the first five months of this year, making nearly 24 million tons of the construction material. Turkey increased the total amount of cement produced by nearly 4 million tons in the first five months of the year compared to the same period last year, according to TCMA. Seventy-two percent of the material was sold in the domestic cement market and the rest exported, said the association.

The total amount of cement exported during this period reached nearly 6.8 million tons, up from last years approximately 6.4 million tons, representing an increase of 6.2%. (...) Turkey exported nearly 14 million tons of cement in 2009. Iraq, Syria, Italy, Libya, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria were the top 10 export destinations. Neighbouring Iraq imported nearly 3.4 million tons and Syria nearly 2 million tons last year. Turkey exported nearly 1.3 million tons of cement to Italy and 1.3 million to Libya by the end of 2009.

[10] Highlights: 19-22 August 2010

Metin Munir in his article in Milliyet (21.08.10), argues that the real problem of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is political and not economic, adding that the financial aid received from Turkey has turned the Turkish Cypriots into "beggars". Maintaining that unless the economy bottoms out the Turkish Cypriots will never look for solutions, Munir opines that the best alternative would be to leave northern Cyprus alone with its fate, though he does not think that Ankara can choose this path. Munir asserts that the most realistic solution is for Prime Minister to sit down with Turkish Cypriot leaders and convince them to implement all the necessary political and economic reforms. Otherwise, he concludes, the Turkish Cypriot population will be erased either by the people migrating from Turkey or by the Greek Cypriots.

b) Constitutional amendments / Referendum

Cevdet Akcali in Yeni Safak (22.08.10) writes that it is wrong to describe constitutions as military or civilian and stresses: "If the Turkish Constitution has shortcomings this does not stem from the soldiers but from the civilian Councils that the soldiers have set up and from the civilian institutions that interpret that Constitution."

Taha Akyol in his article in Milliyet (20.08.10) wonders why the ruling party does not concentrate on that content of the amendments, which he considers positive, instead of engaging in discussions concerning the ethnic origins of Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kilicdaroglu. Accusing Prime Minister Erdogan of exacerbating the tension in the country, Akyol underlines that the duty of a prime minister is to be a "unifying and soothing" force.

An editorial in Hurriyet Daily News (20.08.10) criticizes the threats made by Prime Minister Erdogan against the Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD). The editorial wonders what kind of a contingency plan Erdogan has for this business association if it does not accede to his will.

Hurriyet (20.08.10) columnist Tufan Turenc assesses the reason why the prime minister is so insistent that everyone vote in favour of the amendment package to the extent that he has begun to threaten every organization, institution, association, and union in the country. He argues that this referendum is matter of life or death for Erdogan, adding that he wants to make sure that he will not be prosecuted after his term in office. Drawing attention to the increasing atmosphere of fear in the country as the referendum approaches, Turenc concludes that Turkey is not making a transition to a more advanced democracy but rather a transition to fascism.

Gungor Mengi in his article in Vatan (20.08.10) writes that the AKP method of distributing bribes in exchange of votes is not sufficient for the referendum because Erdogan is in need of 50% of the votes if he wants to realize his dream of becoming the president, and 60% if he wants to eliminate his opponents. Mengi adds that his threats against TUSIAD will become part of his biography as phrases that define his personality and his understanding of democracy. Moreover, Mengi adds, these threats, will backfire, noting that the AKP is causing damage to the party through its campaign of threats and fear.

c) Government-PKK negotiations / Kurdish vote in referendum

Fehmi Koru, in an article in Yeni Safak (22.08.10), focuses on claims that the state has been negotiating with the PKK and argues that there is no evidence on the issue. Those who have for years been resorting to violence, have finally realized that the conditions have changed in the world and in Turkey, Koru points out and adds: "The BDP has recently been pursuing a policy that is harmonious with the realities of life. This stand will grant the BDP the right to be an interlocutor in future developments." Welcoming the inclusion of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) into the process, Koru urges those acting in the name of the state to take action and not to miss this opportunity for peace.

In an article in Vakit (22.08.10), Hasan Karakaya considers claims that the PKK has declared a cease-fire following an agreement reached with the state, as nothing but a big lie. Assessing the current situation within the PKK and the ongoing power struggle within the organization, Karakaya says that a "violent internal war" is taking place within the PKK between the cadres of Murat Karayilan and those of Cemil Bayik. The writer argues that the PKK-BDP front, having realized that the regional people are revolting against the violence, has made a u-turn in order not to lose its grassroots.

Mumtaz Turkone in Zaman (22.08.10) dismisses claims about an agreement between the PKK and the state, adding: "In actual fact, no one has reached an agreement with the state; everyone is making his own calculations. Concluding that the recent cease-fire decision was made at Qandil, Turkone argues that claims of negotiations with the state is nothing other than a tactic to save appearances.

Erhan Basyurt in an article in Bugun (22.08.10), warns politicians not be deceived by the tactics of the terrorist organization. Referring to the accusations made by the opposition parties that the government has been conducting negotiations with the terrorist organization, Basyurt argues that the fact that discussions about such negotiations are occupying the country's agenda shows that the PKK has attained its goal of influencing the referendum process. Detailing the actions undertaken by the PKK to force and threaten the people in the Southeast to boycott the referendum, Basyurt underlines that if the PKK had been convinced that continuing its attacks would increase the no votes it would not have declared a cease-fire.

In his article in Milliyet (21.08.10), Melih Asik refers to Murat Karayilan's statement to the effect that the PKK decision to declare a unilateral cease-fire was made as a result of the negotiations held between the state and Abdullah Ocalan and quotes Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) leader Selahattin Demirtas as saying: "We must see the steps that will be taken before laying down arms." Asik concludes that Erdogan is left between two fires of getting Kurds' yes votes in the referendum and the public reaction to holding negotiations with the terrorist organization.

Radikal's Murat Yetkin also refers to Karayilan's statement on cease-fire and maintains that the PKK is using the cease-fire as a trump card in negotiating with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government for Kurds' yes votes in the 12 September referendum.

In his article in Hurriyet (22.08.10), Yalcin Dogan lists the course of events since 31 May when Ocalan announced that he is withdrawing from efforts to reach a solution in the Kurdish issue. The number of casualties reached 40 in June when terrorism escalated, notes Dogan, adding that Ocalan warned of the tension spreading to urban areas and began talking about democratic autonomy in the beginning of July. Dogan says that some state officials met with Ocalan between 28 July and 11 August and as a result, announcing democratic autonomy was put on hold and instead cease-fire was declared on 15 August. More importantly, he adds, Kurds will say yes in the referendum. Dogan concludes that the AKP is in a tight corner for yes votes in the referendum and that continuing the negotiations is inevitable.

Fikret Bila in Milliyet (21.08.10) refers to AKP statement denying that the government is engaged in any kind of negotiation with Ocalan. The signs surfacing in the political scene indicate that the PKK-BDP front has expectations, Bila opines and maintains that the government's low-profile reaction to autonomy demands stems from the referendum. And concludes that it is unrealistic to believe that the government will agree to such demands that radically change the structure of the Turkish Republic.

d) Turkey against Dink at ECHR

Writing in Milliyet (22.08.10), Hasan Cemal describes the defence statement the Turkish government presented to the ECHR, over the prison sentence passed against Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, "A shameful defence, a disgrace," and continues: "The defence is sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but Foreign Minister expresses his uneasiness over the defence in public. The defence is submitted on behalf of the Republic of Turkey but the head of the state expresses in public his uneasiness over its contents." Cemal concludes: "This is the state and the government. Undoubtedly, both the state and the government should be criticized. Isn't this, however, the image of a madhouse?"

Cengiz Candar writing in Referans (20.08.10), views what he describes the "scandalous defence" the Turkish government sent to the European Court of Human Rights, and urges Foreign Minister to immediately withdraw that defence and to take action against those who are responsible for it. Candar urges the government to bring to justice those who have been negligent in Dink's protection and to clear Hrant Dink's name in the court case accusing him of being an "enemy of Turkey."

e) US withdrawal from Iraq

Milliyet's (21.08.10) Sami Kohen analyzes what the US withdrawal from Iraq signifies for Turkey. Recalling that the US military presence will continue in Iraq despite withdrawal of fighting units, Kohen maintains that no significant change is expected regarding Turkey in the short term. Two issues --both related to the PKK and northern Iraq-- closely concern Turkey, Kohen points out. He notes that the influence of US withdrawal on the US-Turkish cooperation, particularly in the field of intelligence, regarding the PKK is the first issue, adding that this cooperation is also an important aspect of US-Turkish ties. The second issue is the nature of relations between Turkey and the Kurdish Regional Government, writes Kohen and notes that the US withdrawal will not have a negative effect on the ties. He points out that a Kurdish-Arab clash in the region, however, can upset the balances in the region in which the Iraqi Turkomans are left between two fires. This is something that Turkey absolutely does not want, Kohen writes and concludes that --more than ever-- Ankara should adopt a careful and balanced policy.

f) Turkey's arms purchases / Financing of political parties

In an article in Star (20.08.10), Eser Karakas disagrees with the general belief that all issues are open to discussion in Turkey and argues that there are two taboo subjects that are never discussed and that lack transparency, namely the Turkey's arms purchases and the financing of political parties. Questioning the purchases made by the Defence Industry Support Fund (SSDF) in 2099 and the firms through which these purchases were made, Karakas asks whether the SSDF is being supervised and whether retired generals are involved. Another black hole is the financing of political parties, writes Karakas, wondering whether the fact that no political party questions the legal or illegal financing of any other party is the result of a joint deception. In conclusion, the writer demands transparency on these two issues.

g) Turkey warned on sanctions against Iran

According to report by Utku Cakirozer in Cumhuriyet (20.08.10), a high-ranking US delegation has arrived in Turkey to warn firms that conduct business with Iran that they will be placed on the US black list. The paper cites US sources as stating that if the Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation (TUPRAS) and The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) continue their contacts with Iran they will be placed on the black list. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

JG/

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