Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-09-03

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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] Members of the Black Sea Association ask to visit the Hala Sultan Mosque in Larnaka

[02] Atun calls EU to show courage

[03] Turkeys self-styled ambassador said the Cyprus problem is not an occupation problem

[04] Kucuk: Cyprus Turkish Airlines to re-launch flights soon

[05] Co-operation protocol for the restoration of the church and the historical market in occupied Morfou

[06] Persons illegally in the country, more than the population

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] The Presidents of Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet

[08] US military chief to visit his newly appointed Turkish counterpart

[09] Turkeys defence costs up, despite fewer foes

[10] Thousands resign from Turkeys DSP to say yes in charter poll

[11] EP Rapporteur on Turkey urges Turkish citizens to vote in the referendum

[12] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Members of the Black Sea Association ask to visit the Hala Sultan Mosque in Larnaka

As BRT reported, welcoming the delegation, Eroglu described the Greek Cypriot attitude as discriminatory and said he would raise the issue at his meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader in the framework of the negotiations.

The associations chairman, Arif Ozbayrak, expressed support to Eroglus stance at the negotiations. He said that the Greek Cypriot Administration is acting in breach of human rights by not allowing some TRNC citizens with Turkish origin to cross to the south.

Reiterating the Turkish Cypriot sides full cooperation with Turkey in the negotiations, Eroglu said that the pre-1974 period cannot be ignored while working towards a political agreement based on the principle of equality.

[02] Atun calls EU to show courage

Atun also called on the EU to show courage. He added that while the EU works towards the improvement of the lives of Turkish Cypriots, on the other hand, it postponed the discussion on the Direct Trade Regulation. He said these are contradicting approaches.

[03] Turkeys self-styled ambassador said the Cyprus problem is not an occupation problem

Referring to the negotiation process, Turkmen said that the negotiations in Cyprus are taking place with the participation of the authorities of the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot Administration. As regards the meeting he had recently with the special UN representative to Cyprus Alexander Downer, Turkmen said that when asked by Downer he said he had not seen the proposal package prepared by the Turkish Cypriot side on the property issue.

Responding to a question Turkmen said he does not intend to invite President Christofias to a reception he is giving.

Asked to comment on the issue of the harmonization of the occupation regime with the EU, the self-styled ambassador said that efforts are exerted towards this direction, adding that the TRNC is a small community and thus it will not be difficult to integrate with the EU. However, he added, Turkeys EU accession is more difficult than that of the TRNC.

Asked if he has any message for President Demetris Christofias, Turkmen wished President Christofias health and a happy life. Moreover, he wished the Greek Cypriots a peaceful and secure future and asked them to understand that Turkish Cypriots too have this right. He added that he expects that Greek Cypriots to understand that the Cyprus problem is not an occupation problem, and that they will say We have committed a mistake.

(AK)

[04] Kucuk: Cyprus Turkish Airlines to re-launch flights soon

Kucuks words came at the opening of the 3rd Hellim festival organized by the occupied Lefkoniko municipality. In an opening speech, Kucuk said that hellim, which is also internationally known as the Cyprus Cheese, is a symbol promoting the country. In no way can give up on this culture, he said.

On his part, speaking during the event, the so-called Lefkoniko mayor, K1vanç Buhara, stressed that hellim is in fact part of the Cyprus Turkish culture, and not part of the Greek Cypriot culture as claimed by the Greek Cypriot side , illegal BRT reported.

[05] Co-operation protocol for the restoration of the church and the historical market in occupied Morfou

The protocol was signed by the self-styled minister of tourism, environment and culture, Kemal Durust, the director of the department of culture, Emine Pilli, and the chairman of the administration board of the Vakif Foundation, Tekin Kose, and the director of Vakif Foundation. In the framework of the protocol, Vakif Foundation will provide executive, financial and technical support for the restoration project of the historical market.

Speaking before the signing ceremony, Durust said that one of the most important duties of the ministry is the protection of the cultural heritage, adding that this is a priority for Vakif Foundation as well.

(AK)

[06] Persons illegally in the country, more than the population

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] The Presidents of Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina meet

Gul also said that Turkey attached great importance to Bosnia-Herzegovina's integration into EU and NATO, and pledged support to Bosnias NATO bid. Because, we believe security and stability in the Balkans could be achieved more easily under the roof of both EU and NATO, Gul said. However, Gul urged Bosnian government to make the necessary reforms and said Bosnia-Herzegovina should act together with surrounding countries to become members of EU and NATO.

[08] US military chief to visit his newly appointed Turkish counterpart

[09] Turkeys defence costs up, despite fewer foes

HDN, inter alia, reported: Turkey currently spends more than $4 billion a year on defence procurement, a figure that is expected to rise by at least $1 billion not long after 2015 due to the new large-scale buys. Under the draft of Turkeys latest national security document, expected to be finalized in the fall, Ankara no longer views Greece, Iran, Iraq or Russia as threats, a change that reflects the Turkish governments zero problems with neighbours policy. The draft, however, does not contain any recommendations to reduce arms spending, despite considerable public discussion on such a move, which some defence analysts suggest would be a natural outcome of this kind of major change in national security strategy. Instead, Turkeys procurement spending will peak shortly after 2015, and is expected to remain at that level for several years, a senior procurement official said. We and the government are talking about measures to meet that increased level of spending, and we will find ways to do that.

By 2015, three of Turkeys top multibillion-dollar weapons programs --including the $13 billion purchase of around 100 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II fighter jets-- will particularly gain speed. Deliveries of the jets are expected to start shortly after 2015. Delivery of 50 A129 attack helicopters to the Turkish Army by the Italian-British partnership of AgustaWestland should meanwhile begin by 2014 as part of a nearly $3 billion deal. And in 2015, a partnership led by Turkeys Otokar is expected to complete the design, development and manufacture of four prototypes of the Altay, the countrys first domestically produced battle tank. The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) will likely award a contract for mass production of at least 250 tanks, a deal worth billions of dollars. In addition, Turkey has started co-production with Germany of four modern diesel submarines, and is expected to select later this year either a U.S. company or a European group for joint manufacture of hundreds of utility helicopters for all major branches of its military. The multibillion-dollar programs are expected to begin deliveries around 2015.

[10] Thousands resign from Turkeys DSP to say yes in charter poll

DSP leader Masum Turker, however, has declared that the party will vote no in the September 12 referendum.

The partys executive staff has been unsuccessful since DSP founder and former leader Bülent Ecevit died in 2006, Ek said, adding that they would vote yes because they want a brighter future without military juntas and alleged gangs like Ergenekon. Ek said the no voters were against a civilian constitution and modern democracy.

[11] EP Rapporteur on Turkey urges Turkish citizens to vote in the referendum

[12] Highlights

a) Referendum on Constitutional amendments

In an article in Milliyet entitled "Pressure to boycott," columnist Taha Akyol calls on Kurdish voters to defy the BDP and go to the polls on 12 September because it will be in their best interests if pro-democracy organizations flourish in the southeastern part of the country which, he notes, will facilitate the settlement of the Kurdish question.

Milliyet columnist Fikret Bila, analysing recent statements made by Tayyip Erdogan about the Kurdish issue, emphasizes the unitary nature of Turkey. He predicts that the speech to be delivered by Erdogan in Diyarbakir on 3 September will not include a promise to meet demands made by the PKK and BDP as a condition for changing their decision to boycott the referendum and comments: "The PKK-BDP coalition will keep those demands on the agenda after the referendum. They will attempt to place their demand for autonomy atop the agenda through civil disobedience."

Star columnist Gurkan Zengin describes Erdogan's visit to Diyarbakir as crucial for the upcoming referendum because its outcome will be determined by Kurdish votes.

Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin draws attention to recent opinion polls which showed a narrow margin between the yes and no votes and concludes that the AKP may not be able to form a majority government after the next general election scheduled to be held in 2011 if the percentage of votes in favour of the amendments remains below 60%.

In an article in Yeni Safak, Fehmi Koru writes that the no front has turned the referendum process into a battle. Koru adds that this campaign is a matter of life and death for the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) whose position will be threatened if a yes vote emerges from the referendum. The situation is worse for the BDP, Koru argues, explaining that the rejection of the package will place the BDP in the position of a party that is blocking the democratization process and freedoms.

Sahin Alpay writes in Zaman that the referendum campaign has given the new CHP leader a rare opportunity to draw a profile that is very different than that of former leader Baykal. Quoting CHP leader Kilicdaroglu on the headscarf issue, the unresolved murders, terror, claims of government negotiations with the PKK, and the Kurdish problem, Alpay deduces that the new CHP leader is trying to change the image of his party and adds: "No doubt, only through the alliance of the two major parties in the country can an end be put to the bureaucratic tutelage regime." At the same time, Alpay poses the question whether Kilicdaroglu is serious in his position or whether he is after the "no" votes for the referendum.

In an article in Zaman, Mumtaz Turkone underlines the fundamental and deep meaning of the constitutional package from the viewpoint of the essence of democracy and argues that especially the amendments concerning the judiciary and the military will make rooted change is Turkey' constitutional order, adding that this referendum is a test of democracy. Turning the referendum into an issue of personal contentions and missing this historic opportunity would be a pity, argues Turkone.

In an article in Bugun, Ahmet Tasgetiren draws attention to the lack of harmony between the MHP stand on the referendum and the values of the party grassroots and argues that, unlike the CHP, the MHP grassroots do not want to preserve the status quo, nor do they want to be on the same front with the CHP. Questioning whether the MHP administration is aware of the shift in axis in party politics, Tasgetiren points out the absurdity of a CHP-MHP-BDP front on the referendum issue. The writer agrees with Huseyin Yayman, a faculty member at Gazi University, that the MHP is faced with a political crisis and that if it fails to manage this crisis well and if it fails to convince its grassroots, the party might experience an ideological clash. The no campaign of the MHP might increase the attractiveness of the CHP, argues Tasgetiren, adding that the MHP administration's no decision will, in the long run, place the problems of the headscarf and the death sentence on the party's doorstep.

b) Kurdish issue

In an article in Today's Zaman, Muhammed Cetin draws a parallel between the US invasion of Iraq and the situation in the Southeast: "The facts and figures on the US invasion and withdrawal show significant similarities with the struggle between separatist Kurds and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Yet, neither the big brother nor little brother of NATO, though fighting in proximity, seem to have learned much from the other's tragic experiences." The writer concludes by calling on the government not to be trapped by the harsh rhetoric of ultranationalists and separatists and to seek ways to end the conflict.

c) Tension between Turkish government and military

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News entitled "Gul played the leading role, Erdogan fully supported him," columnist Mehmet Ali Birand says that Turkish President Abdullah Gul played a crucial role during a recent crisis between the government and the military and managed to dictate his terms about the promotion of generals with strong support given by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He comments: "If the AKP or any future administration continues with this approach then appointments of upper level command staff will first get the approval of the chief commander, then the prime ministry and then the military council. This is an important step toward a new order."

d) Reactions to Obama's speech on withdrawal from Iraq

Hurriyet Daily News carries an article entitled "Iraq war ends for a second time; good for Turkey" by Cengiz Candar who says that the US pullout from Iraq also turns a new page for Turkey. Drawing attention to the possibility of strategic integration between Turkey and Iraq, Candar says: "The 'war' has come to an end for Americans for the second time. Turkey's historic role has become critical again due to the rapprochement of Turkey with Iraqi Kurds. The war's end is a tremendous 'strategic advantage' for Turkey following the collapse of the Saddam regime in Iraq."

e) US-Turkish relations

In an article in Hurriyet entitled "Is there a crisis between Turkey and the United States?" columnist Fatih Cekirge quotes Namik Tan, Turkish Ambassador in Washington, as denying allegations that the United States is putting pressure on Turkey by refusing to sell weapon systems. He comments: "There were some problems between Turkey and the United States due to certain misunderstandings for some time. It seems that recent talks have eliminated those problems. In short, I can say that there is nothing that could break off or hinder strategic partnership between Turkey and the United States."

In an article in Hurriyet entitled "Turkey's foreign policy," columnist Cuneyt Ulsever says that there are serious problems between Turkey and the United States because US President Obama has shelved agreements to sell Reapers, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Cobra attack helicopters to Turkey due to fears that they might not be ratified by the US Congress. He also notes that the Turkish government has not kept promises that it had given to the Obama Administration in order to help the latter prevent a resolution supporting Armenian allegations of genocide.

In an article entitled "Israel has delivered herons silently," Milliyet columnist Asli Aydintasbas predicts that current strain in relations between Turkey and the United States is expected to continue over the short term because the Obama Administration is disappointed with the Turkish government's policies and does not need to hide its discontentment. She notes: "But, Washington is perfectly aware that it has to work with Ankara in many areas, including Afghanistan. Two NATO allies cannot keep their distance from each other in this critical part of the world." Pointing out that the Obama Administration has sent its proposals to sell weapon systems to Turkey after a recent visit paid by a high-ranking Turkish diplomat, Aydintasbas cautions that the US Congress still wants to teach Turkey a lesson because of its policies vis-a-vis Israel and Iran. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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