Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-09-28

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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] Cakici: Tores statement on TRNCs unification with Turkey raises questions on the sincerity of the Turkish Cypriot side in the Cyprus talks

[02] Ozgurgun welcomed the final communiqué of OIC

[03] This time the Britons in front of the Turkish Embassy

[04] Turkish Cypriot organization sends a letter to Buzek and Barosso

[05] Israels national team in swimming in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[06] Ozburak: Foreign workers should be brought down to 25% of working population

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Davutoglu: Turkey is more interested in issues that only concerns itself such as Cyprus, Iraq, the Balkans and the Caucasus

[08] British Minister comments on the ongoing Cyprus talks

[09] Turkey and Finland established a group called The Friends of Peace Meditation

[10] Turkey and Egypt to launch naval military exercise in Eastern Mediterranean

[11] Turkey and Russia may include Italy in Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline

[12] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Cakici: Tores statement on TRNCs unification with Turkey raises questions on the sincerity of the Turkish Cypriot side in the Cyprus talks

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that Tores statement is tantamount to the Turkish Cypriots shooting their own foot. He asked from the government to clarify its position on the Cyprus negotiations. Noting that the federal partnership is the official position of the Turkish side, Soyer said that the proposals submitted recently by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is a part of this policy and pointed out that such statements should not be made in a period when Eroglu is carrying out negotiations. He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side has come to the position it is today, because of the mistakes committed by the Turkish side in the past.

Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), expressed the view that the National Unity Party (UBP), which has been lying to the people for years on the Cyprus problem, started to abide by the international law today and prepared proposals in this direction. He said that Tores statement that the Turkish Cypriots will be united with Turkey could not be the policy of the government, but these statements bind the government.

Cakici noted that questions are raised regarding the sincerity of the Turkish Cypriots, when on the one hand they talk about finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and negotiate and on the other they make such statements.

Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, replied to the criticism and said that he agrees that they should be careful in their statements in a period during which the Cyprus negotiations are being carried out.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (28.09.10) reports also that the Trade Unions Platform protested against Kucuk and Eroglu because of Tores statement and asked them to explain and justify to the community the kind of the solution they want. In a written statement issued on behalf of the Platform, Memduh Ceto, chairman of the Trade Union of the Customs Employees (GUC-SEN), said they consider Tores statement as the disclosure of the secret intention of Eroglus statement that if a solution is not reached by the end of 2010 everyone will go his own way. Ceto noted that they strongly reject this view and express their protest against it. He added that they will unite all their forces in order for this view not to be materialized. (I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun welcomed the final communiqué of OIC

He also said to correspondent of illegal BRT that he had fruitful discussions during his stay in New York.

Ozgurgun welcomed the final communiqué issued at the end of the Coordination Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) which referred to the breakaway regime as the Cyprus Turkish State and called for the improvement of relations with it.

Noting OICs increasing reputation, Ozgurgun said OIC can play a significant role in the opening of the Turkish Cypriots to the international community. He also said that they received invitations from the OIC to three important meetings in the fields of agriculture, education and tourism, adding that TRNC ministers will be attending these meetings.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (28.09.10) reports that Ozgurgun said that he had the opportunity to meet with 25 out of the 43 Foreign Ministers of Islamic countries which participated in the meeting in New York. He also reiterated that the occupation regime has 21 representation offices abroad.

[03] This time the Britons in front of the Turkish Embassy

The group is planning to hold a peaceful protest with candles, on the 4th of October from 17:00 to 20:00.

Moreover, on the same day a protest will take place in London, in front of the Turkish Embassy, from 10:30 until 16:30. According to the spokesperson of the group, Pauline Read, British MPs will participate in the London protest, thus ensuring that the press will listen to the injustices that happen in Cyprus.

We have tried everything with the internal justice. The disorder continues. Victimization is experienced. Now we are begging. The Turkish government should step in; they should end violations of human rights for locals and foreigners said Read, referring to the problems of the Britons who illegally buy property in the occupied part of Cyprus.

[04] Turkish Cypriot organization sends a letter to Buzek and Barosso

According to the paper, the letter says that the fact that the Direct Trade Regulation for the Turkish Cypriots was not implemented and the issue is suspended for 2011 creates an unjust and discriminatory situation, contrary to the human rights. The letter, which is signed by organizations representative Cetin Ramadan, argues that the Turkish Cypriots have equal political and sovereign rights and that the EU and the UN should recognize these rights. The letter alleges that the implementation of the Regulation will put an end to discrimination and save the Turkish Cypriots from a great disadvantage at the negotiating table.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Israels national team in swimming in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The team is in the occupied areas upon an invitation it received from Aphrodite Company.

(AK)

[06] Ozburak: Foreign workers should be brought down to 25% of working population

Ozburak referred to the increase of the prices over the last year and said that based on official records 650 businesses closed down over the past year. He also commented on the wrong policies of the government and employers, which led more than 15,000 Turkish Cypriots to unemployment.

In order to exit this dead-end he proposed that the number of foreign workers should drop to 25% of the working population, meaning that every employer should employ one foreigner for every three Turkish Cypriots. This way unemployment could be prevented, money earned would return to the economy, the buying capacity of workers would increase and they could prevent illegal trade and workers, he said.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Davutoglu: Turkey is more interested in issues that only concerns itself such as Cyprus, Iraq, the Balkans and the Caucasus

Davutoglu said Turkey's foreign policy had been passing through a structural transformation, adding that the country had started to get involved in global issues directly.

Turkey is more interested in issues that only concern itself such as Cyprus, Iraq, the Balkans and the Caucasus. With a non-permanent seat in the Security Council, Turkey is now making some serious contribution to crisis solving in issues of global scale, he said.

[08] British Minister comments on the ongoing Cyprus talks

Commenting on Turkey's EU process at a press conference at the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in London, Lidington described Turkey as an important ally in NATO and the fastest growing economy in Europe, noting also that Turkey's effective position in its region should be seen as an opportunity as the country had access to regions that no other European country could reach.

Upon a question on the ongoing negotiation process in Cyprus, Lidington said all the parties in the island should display efforts for a solution that would satisfy both sides. He also noted that Turkey had a major role in guaranteeing a long-term agreement in Cyprus.

[09] Turkey and Finland established a group called The Friends of Peace Meditation

On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutolu and his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, hosted a working breakfast at Finland s permanent representation to the UN. The event was attended by ministers of active peace mediation countries from various continents, high representatives of regional organizations, including Martti Ahtisaari, a former president of Finland and also the head the Independent Commission on Turkey, which recently paid Turkey a visit.

Davutoglu, speaking at a joint press conference with Stubb following the meeting, noted that the idea of launching the initiative -- co-chaired by Finland and Turkey -- came from Stubb.

They will try to establish a network in the institutional sense for creating a new culture of mediation instead of the old type of mediation which solely aims at a certain crisis, Davutoglu was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.

Stubb said that the group of friends formed will have their second meeting within six months, either in Istanbul or in Helsinki. In my opinion, Turkey is more influential in world policies compared to a lot of EU countries. It has strong mediation roles in the Middle East, Africa, the Persian Gulf and the Balkans. It has a very close and strategic relationship with the US. I believe that it is very important to see such a country next to us, Stubb was quoted as saying by Anatolia, when asked why his country chose Turkey as partner in such an initiative.

Lynn Pascoe, the UN undersecretary-general for political affairs; Amr Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League; Jean Ping, chairman of the Commission of the African Union; and Ekmeleddin 0hsanolu, the secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), were among attendees of the meeting, Anatolia reported.

[10] Turkey and Egypt to launch naval military exercise in Eastern Mediterranean

According to General Staff, Egypt will host the military exercise which aims to boost cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries.

Turkey attends the exercise with two frigates, an oil carrier, a helicopter, a submarine assault mission team whereas Egypt joins the military exercise with frigates, a submarine, 2 assault boats, three helicopters, a submarine team and air forces.

[11] Turkey and Russia may include Italy in Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline

Responding to a question, Yildiz said a technical delegation visited Moscow last week regarding Samsun-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline Project and added: The parties decided to carry out the talks rapidly. We will decide this week whether to carry out this project two-way or three-way, in which Italy may join. We will have busy talks with the president of ENI and other group presidents on Wednesday.

[12] Highlights

a) CHP Leader's proposal about new Constitution

Hurriyet, in a report entitled I am sincere about the constitution quotes Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as saying that Mehmet Ali Sahin, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, should set up a committee to write a new constitution which, he notes, can be pushed through Parliament in one week if it is found satisfactory by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the CHP. He adds that contentious articles in the new constitution may be put off until after general election scheduled to be held in 2011.

Hurriyet columnist Fatih Cekirge, in article entitled "Could there be a AKP-CHP coalition?" interprets Kilicdaroglu's proposal to discuss the possibility of drafting a new constitution with other political parties as a sign that the new CHP leadership is trying to change negative perceptions about the CHP. He adds: "Efforts to write a new constitution will also decide the possibility of new coalitions in Turkish politics. In that sense, political parties will influence the mindset of others. From this angle, a AKP-CHP coalition is as likely as a CHP-MHP coalition which is expected in some camps."

b) Kurdish Question / Turkish-US-Iraqi relations

Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol in an article entitled "Where is the Kurdish issue headed?" draws attention to recent reports that the PKK is withdrawing its militants to avoid clashes with Turkish troops while Democratic Society Congress co-chairperson Aysel Tugluk will today tell PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan that people are not in favour of continued hostilities. Noting that these developments were apparently part of an ongoing process aimed at broadening democracy in Turkey in return for cessation of hostilities, Akyol says: "I support it because there is no other option. Actually, it has been significantly delayed which deepened and spread the problem."

Star columnist Ardan Zenturk, in an article entitled "The PKK will not be eliminated," argues that efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question by eliminating the PKK would not be a realistic approach because the organization could only disappear if global powers can put an end to production of heroin in Afghanistan which, he notes, is the primary source of income for the PKK. Describing the PKK as a narco-terrorist organization, he says: We must resolve this problem in spite of the PKK and its international supporters. Turkey clearly defines its position. What about the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party)? Does it have organic links with a narco-terrorist crime organization or a political party which is loyal to our homeland and demanding its electorate's rights in line with laws? The answer to this question will bring about a solution.

Cumhuriyet in a report entitled "All eyes on Northern Iraq motion" says that the Turkish Cabinet has to decide whether or not a motion authorizing the military to conduct cross-border operations against the PKK in northern Iraq will be extended for one year before it expires on 17 October.

Hurriyet in a report entitled "Ankara's secret about Arbil" reports that National Intelligence Organization Undersecretary Hakan Fidan will fly to northern Iraq next week to hold talks with President Mas'ud Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government, local security authorities, and US military officials about disarming PKK militants in Qandil, northern Iraq amid speculation that some important developments are expected to take place about the issue.

Star in a report entitled "New Commander of US Forces in Iraq General Austin to visit Ankara" reports that General Lloyd Austin will arrive in Ankara tomorrow for talks with military officials and Minister of Interior Besir Atalay to review the anti-terrorism action plan agreed by the tripartite mechanism set up by Turkey, Iraq, and the United States. The Turkish government will ask for continued and stronger US support against the PKK, according to the report.

Cumhuriyet columnist Utku Cakirozer, in an article entitled "Business Council to mediate between Ankara and Washington," quotes Douglas Silliman, US charge d'affaires in Ankara, as saying that a business council to be made up of prominent Turkish and American businessmen will be formed in order to make recommendations to the Turkish and US governments about opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investments while ensuring that investment policies are formulated. Cakirozer says: It remains to be seen whether or not positive steps to be taken in the economic field will be sufficient to lead to amelioration in Turkish-American relations at a time when Turkey cannot receive concrete US support for its fight against the PKK and the crisis in relations with Israel continues.

Yeni Safak's Ankara correspondent Abdulkadir Selvi, in an article entitled "Stateless PKK militants" argues that Ankara is carrying out an extensive effort to solve the Kurdish issue, disband the PKK, and end terrorism in a new process that entails new players as well as new policies. He claims that this undertaking does not include any projects based on PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, adding that Ankara is increasingly focusing on the option of isolating Ocalan by severing his links with the outside world. He asserts that the Government is conducting talks with four countries capable of exerting influence on the PKK elements on Mount Kandil, namely the United States, Germany, Britain, and Israel, as part of its efforts to disband the terrorist group. He also quotes Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin as having told Peace and Democracy Party, BDP, representatives during the recent AKP-BDP meeting that the referendum results had set the scene for greater democratic participation, creating the right climate for the BDP to state what it wants included in a new constitution.

c) Cyprus Talks

In the third part of his analysis in Hurriyet Daily News (24.09.10), Yusuf Kanli is viewing the proposals submitted by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders regarding the property issue in the ongoing Cyprus talks. Kanli praises Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu's creative ideas to overcome the deadlock and push the talks closer to a settlement. A new living has started for Turkish Cypriots in northern Cyprus, mostly on properties left by the Greek Cypriots after Turkey's invasion in 1974 and exchange of population in 1975, notes Kanli and argues that uprooting Turkish Cypriots would not contribute to peace. He concludes: That is why the alternate property or establishment of a Property Development Corporation to develop those Turkish (and of course Greek) former properties and increase their value is a creative, indeed revolutionary approach.

In the fourth part of his analysis in Hurriyet Daily News (26.09.10) entitled Cyprus Talks columnist Yusuf Kanli argues that the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot leaders are not expected to reach a compromise about the property issue soon due to a wide divergence between proposals put forward by the two sides. He concludes by saying: Now, it is perhaps time to seriously consider the five-party conference (with Turkey, Britain and Greece) to which EU and the P5 should attend as observers. Only at such a conference there might be prospect of a breakthrough as on some thorny aspects of the problem in which neither Greek Cypriots nor Turkish Cypriots would voluntarily accept to compromise on their own. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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