Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-08-25

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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] Kucuk reiterates support to Eroglus stance in the negotiations table

[02] Kucuk starts meetings to form a coalition government

[03] Saner: The aim is to carry more passengers from third countries to the TRNC

[04] So-called tourism minister in Ankara for contacts

[05] So-called education minister holds meetings in Ankara

[06] Turkish Cypriot delegation in Ankara to discuss energy issues

[07] Export of customs free products to England came to halt

[08] Serdar Denktas: I did not do anything mistake against Turkey

[09] Reaction to e-state system protocol

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Energy security makes its way into secret constitution

[11] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Kucuk reiterates support to Eroglus stance in the negotiations table

During a visit paid by the Association for the Protection of the TRNC, Kucuk reiterated his governments support to a lasting and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem, one that will not once again jeopardize Turkish existence on the island. Reaffirming his governments support to Eroglu, Kucuk said: We believe that through our support to President Eroglu, any settlement to be reached on the Cyprus problem will be in accord with the UBPs views.

He recalled that there had been fears during the former Turkish Cypriot leaders term of office that several vital concessions were being made, adding that this had greatly contributed to Eroglus election victory. Kucuk also pointed out that, unlike his predecessor, Eroglu briefed political parties regularly on the ongoing process.

[02] Kucuk starts meetings to form a coalition government

On the same issue, in a front page report under the title Kucuk asked for unconditional meeting, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (25.08.10) says that Kucuk sent the message to the political parties and to the independent deputies that the meetings will take place without any conditions.

Speaking to the papers journalist, Sefa Karahasan, Kucuk said that optimistic statements have come from all the political parties except the CTP, noting that the independent deputies is an alternative solution for the government. Kucuk added that there will be reshuffling of ministers with the new government.

(DPs)

[03] Saner: The aim is to carry more passengers from third countries to the TRNC

Evaluating the work carried out by the so-called ministry of public works and communications, Saner said the issue of the Cyprus Turkish Airlines (CTA) occupied most of the ministrys work agenda. Underlining the importance of utilizing all available alternatives to carry more passengers to the occupied areas, he said that the New Cyprus Turkish Airlines, through its new partner Atlas Jet Airlines, would launch its flights as soon as various problems are overcome.

Explaining that there were difficulties in obtaining a new AOC (Air Operation Certificate) for CTA flights under its partnership with Atlas Jet, Saner said that he will be meeting with the Turkish Minister of Transport and Communications Binali Yildirim in the coming days to seek ways to solve the issue.

Moreover, the Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (25.08.10) reports that, commenting on the ports issue, Saner said that both ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta are in good condition and ready to serve passengers. In particular, he said that safety precautions have been taken at Famagusta Port in view of the 35,000 passengers from Israel expected in the TRNC (the paper did not elaborate). Saner also said there is cooperation with a team of specialists from Turkey, in order to begin the necessary improvements of the airport at occupied Tymvou, as soon as possible.

[04] So-called tourism minister in Ankara for contacts

Speaking prior the meeting, Durust recalled that the long-standing TRNC tourism master plan had finally been approved by the council of ministers and that the goal is to improve the tourism sector. Durust expressed the belief that this goal will be accomplished with support from Turkey.

For his part, the Turkish Minister of State and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said that Turkey had set 2023 as a deadline to achieving all its goals and pointed out that the TRNC follows it closely. Referring to the new hotels in the TRNCs, Cicek expressed the conviction that these investments will further strengthen the tourism sector. Underlining the importance of tourism for the TRNC economy, Cicek said that the TRNC is within Turkeys sphere of special interest and added that Turkeys support will continue.

[05] So-called education minister holds meetings in Ankara

Cavusoglu announced after the meeting, that YOK agreed to include TRNC universities in the Farabi system, a university exchange programme for Turkish students and academics.

He added that it was agreed to start work on channelling Turkish students to the TRNC. For this reason, Turkish Cypriot Universities prepared special economic offers, reports Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (25.08.10). A student will be able to study in TRNC universities with 4,500 Euro, including the tuition fees, student residence and three meals per day.

(IS)

[06] Turkish Cypriot delegation in Ankara to discuss energy issues

Preparations of a project to carry energy to the occupied areas from Turkey via an underwater cable system were expected to discussed.

According to illegal BRT, Atun also met with the Turkish Minister of State in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Cemil Cicek.

[07] Export of customs free products to England came to halt

Moreover, Bicen said that the Greek Cypriot administration takes measures to obstruct the exports of potatoes, in the framework of the Green Line Regulation and requested the TRNC government to subsidize exports along the lines of difference in transportation cost bonus given to exports to Turkey.

(IS)

[08] Serdar Denktas: I did not do anything mistake against Turkey

(DPs)

[09] Reactions to e-state system protocol

Eralp Curcioglu, former coordinator for e-state system, said to the paper that he has

been preparing a project to implement the e-state system in the occupied areas, pointing out that a project cannot be prepared in Turkey without taking into consideration what has been done so far. He said he worked for 10 years on this project and during all this time, no one ever mentioned anything about this protocol. All this work is now going down the drain, he said.

On the same issue, the chairman of Public Servants Union (KAMU-SEN) Mehmet Ozkardas, in a press release on behalf of the Unions Platform (Sendikalar Platformu), said that Turkey did not invite any official from the TRNC to sign a protocol that will be implemented in the occupied areas.

(DPs)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Energy security makes its way into secret constitution

TZ reports the following:

The National Security Policy Document, sometimes referred to as Turkey's secret constitution because of the dominant role it plays in determining domestic and external security priorities, is revised every five years to reflect changing internal and global circumstances. The latest revision, the first one conducted by civilians in Turkey's history, is expected to be finalized in the next meeting of the National Security Council (MGK) in October.

According to the document, Turkey now considers the security of energy lines and corridors to be strictly associated with world security, a conviction that is expected to further increase security and intelligence cooperation with energy supplier Russia.

(...) As part of expanding cooperation in the field of energy, Turkey has granted Russias state-run natural gas monopoly, Gazprom, use of its territorial waters in the Black Sea, where Moscow wants to route its South Stream pipeline to deliver gas to eastern and southern Europe. In exchange, Gazprom has agreed to build a pipeline across Turkey from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Both deals appear to have advanced Turkeys goal of becoming an energy hub.

The revised National Security Policy Document states that Turkey has become an important energy route given its location next to gas and energy reserves in Russia, the Caspian region, Iran and Iraq. The government believes that political developments and tensions in Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Bulgaria and Greece should be closely followed so as to ensure security of energy reserves and transportation lines, a sign that Turkey will continue to have an active foreign policy and expand its influence in the region.

In addition, according to the paper, the revised document notes that the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline, transporting oil from the north of Iraq to Turkeys Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, now operates on a daily capacity of 300,000 barrels, even though the pipeline is capable of carrying 16 million barrels a day, because of security issues. The PKK frequently carries out attacks on the pipeline, and policymakers fear the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, running from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz fields to Ceyhan, could also be targeted.

The new document states that Turkey should work together not only with Russia but also with the United States for long-term plans to ensure energy security, because any disagreement between Russia and the United States in regards to the energy lines transiting Turkish territory would constitute a risk for the entire region. Ensuring the security of energy lines is expected to help Turkeys troubled efforts to join the European Union as well. According to the revised National Security Policy Document, up to 70% of oil and gas supplies for Europe could be transiting Turkish territory in the next decade.

[11] Highlights

a) Referendum on the constitutional amendment package

Writing in Hurriyet Daily News, Semih Idiz argues that the stand adopted by the opposition parties and Prime Minister Erdogan's threatening style cause serious confusion and the people in the street do not know whether the proposed changes are really good or whether they will deepen the existing rift in Turkey and destabilize the country.

In an exclusive interview to Taraf's Rasim Ozan Kutahyali, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan promises a civilian constitution in 2011 and argues that the PKK's statements to the effect that the government has held meetings with Ocalan aim to ensure that the constitutional amendments are rejected in the upcoming referendum.

b) Kurdish problem

In an article in Hurriyet Fatih Cekirge writes that the state has understood that it will not be able to resolve the Kurdish problem through militarist measures and that therefore it has to seek methods "that have no losers". Noting that some organs of the state have held talks with the leading names in the PKK with the aim of laying down arms, he points out that the talks are the wisest and the most strategic efforts made by the state for preventing killing.

Cengiz Canda in Radikal describes the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) demand for democratic autonomy as "just demands at wrong timing" and stressing that this may obstruct a possible negotiation process. Candar explains democratic progress in Turkey is dependent on the approval of the constitutional amendment package.

In an article in Radikal, Murat Yetkin argues that the PKK and the BDP were late to understand that their decision to boycott the referendum has divided their grass roots, and emphasizes that the pro yes statements by various Kurdish non-governmental organizations have struck a heavy blow on the PKK's policy and have led to comments that the PKK does not represent the entire Kurdish population. Referring to Erdogan's adviser Akdogan's remarks that it is normal for the government to talk to Ocalan, Yetkin says: "Akdogan knows that the boycott decision is a timid 'yes.' Part of the Kurdish voters have announced that they will vote 'yes' in spite of the PKK's pressure -- pressure that may reach the dimensions of physical violence on 12 September. Yetkin adds that the boycott will serve the interests of the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) and wonders how the AKP government will pay for this support after the referendum.

Ali Sirmen writes in Cumhuriyet that Abdullah Ocalan has finally revealed that he has the Catalan model in mind, and argues that the proposals for democratic autonomy is in fact the waiting room for independence.

c) Turkish-US ties / New missiles unveiled by Iran

In an article in Milliyet, Sami Kohen draws attention to the deterioration in Turkish-US ties, calls upon the government to make certain changes in its foreign political approach and style for the sake of improving these ties.

Deniz Zeyrek, underlines in Radikal that the fact that Iranian President Ahmadinezhad has unveiled a new missile and an unmanned air vehicle on the eve of the visit by the Turkish delegation headed by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu in Washington, harms Ankara's credibility in the US capital.

d) Nabucco shareholders modify supply line concept

According to a report in Cumhuriyet, as a result of US pressure, Nabucco shareholders have agreed to modify the supply line concept and have excluded Iran as the third supply line. The report draws attention to the fact that the decision has coincided with the US delegation's visit in Ankara and its warning against economic ties with Iran.

e) Hanefi Avci's book

Writing in Milliyet, Can Dundar says that rather than investigating the allegations voiced by Avci in his book on the influence of the Fetullah Gulen Community on the police forces, the government has launched an investigation into the person who has made these allegations. Dundar poses the questions: "Who has established a data bank containing information that is so powerful that may replace the chairman of the main opposition party in a single day? Where and for what reason has this date bank been established?"

In an article in Yeni Safak entitled "What is Hanefi Avci Trying To Say or Do?" , columnist Ali Bayramoglu comments on Eskisehir Police Chief Hanefi Avci's claim in a recently published book called Simons Living in the Golden Horn that the Turkish police force is dominated by members of a religious community. He accuses Avci of making biased, exaggerated, wrong, and unsubstantiated observations particularly in arguing that the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was not the result of an organized conspiracy involving certain elements within the intelligence community. He also asserts that Avci's interpretation of certain recent political developments at home, as the result of a "power struggle" between a religious community and the Turkish military reflects an incomplete conception of social events in this country.

Vakit columnist Yener Donmez draws attention to the "timing" of the publication of Hanefi Avci's latest book, "calculated" to coincide with the run-up to a referendum, the results of which, he asserts, are expected to help the Government root out the Ergenekon network. He cites the book as an instance of "people we assumed to be democratic-minded" being "exposed" as supportive of the very criminal organizations "we thought they were trying to eliminate." He also calls attention to a recent article by Sabahattin Onkibar, a columnist for Yenicag, "which gives Ergenekon full support," in which he advises Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya to file a new closure lawsuit against the AKP based on the disclosures made in Avci's book.

f) Economy

According to Aysel Alp in Hurriyet, a report prepared by Prof Ali Donmez for the Prime Minister's Office Family and Social Studies General Directorate reveals that the economic growth in Turkey has not created employment opportunities and has not resolved unemployment. The report draws attention to the fact that as Turkish economy continues to grow, the number of the citizens who live in unprecedented poverty has also risen to 14.7 million.

g) General staff statement on Heron unconvincing

Zaman columnist Bulent Korucu criticizes the "belated" General Staff statement in response to allegations that hold the top command of the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK, responsible for the casualties sustained in the PKK attack on the Hantepe outpost in Hakkari's Cukurca district on 20 July as an unconvincing declaration that fails to answer any of the questions raised by the terrorist assault and that has created the impression that the Turkish military cannot make effective use of the superior technologies at its disposal or confront its mistakes.

h) Fighting bureaucratic tutelage is fighting discrimination

Zaman columnist Sahin Alpay argues, in an article under the above headline, that Turkey is struggling to switch from "a democracy under bureaucratic tutelage" to a libertarian and pluralist regime. Commenting on the "cultural" aspect of this struggle, which is "less visible" than its "political" dimension, he claims that Turkey is evolving into a country that consists as much of those who call themselves Turks as of those who refer to themselves as "citizens of the Republic of Turkey." He also warns the ruling AKP about what he describes as statements by government officials that conflict with the spirit of initiatives intended to promote this transition, such as remarks by Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek and Prime Minister Erdogan making references to CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu's ethnic background and the Foreign Ministry's characterization of Hrant Dink's articles as "hate speech" in its statement of defence in a lawsuit against Turkey filed with the European Court of Human Rights by Dink's family.

i) Is Israel a national security threat for Turkey?

In an article in Today's Zaman under the above headline, columnist Abdullah Bozkurt asserts that it would not be surprising if Turkey were to "list Israel as the 'real' potential threat" to its national interests in its "new National Security Policy Document" in the wake of the Israeli military operation against a Turkish relief vessel en route to the Gaza Strip. He also asserts that the threat assessments in the said document will "likely reflect changing dynamics in the new security environment Turkey is facing today."

j) Constitutional Courts ruling on CHP appeal

Under the headline, Strongest yes comes from Top Court, Yeni Safak carries a front-page report which lauds the Constitutional Courts reasoned ruling on the Republican Peoples Partys appeal against the constitutional amendment package to be submitted to referendum on 12 September, as the most meaningful endorsement ever to be given to the reform package by an official body. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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