Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-10-26

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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] Eroglus statement in Berlin

[02] Eroglu: Merkels duty is to lift the embargo on the Turkish Cypriots and the obstacles in Turkeys EU accession

[03] Eroglu says the issue of the UN documents seized, might influence the Cyprus talks

[04] Claudia Roth: The Turkish proposals on the property issue very realistic

[05] It was a restless day

[06] Settlers associations call for pardon to illegal workers

[07] So-called minister Tore to participate at OIC meeting in Sudan

[08] The Turkish Cypriot municipalities at a congress in Strasburg

[09] So-called municipalities union and Eastern Black Sea Municipalities Union sign cooperation protocol

[10] German groups are visiting the occupied areas

[11] Ramazan Gundogdu: More marinas should be constructed

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[12] Turkish-Greek joint economic committee meeting in Ankara

[13] Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission to convene in Brussels

[14] Turkeys National Security Council meets with the new military command

[15] Turkey aims at boosting trade volume with Egypt

[16] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglus statement in Berlin

As illegal BRT reported, Eroglu stressed the need for the Greek Cypriot administration not to ignore the socio-economic structure of north Cyprus that emerged after the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation. He noted that the Turkish side is seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem that will safeguard the structure of north Cyprus.

Moreover, Havadis (26.10.10) reports that in his speech Eroglu also said that there are two peoples and two democratic structures in Cyprus which we are trying to bring under one roof. This effort entails painful consequences which should be shared equally by the two peoples.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.10.10) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, addressed a meeting in Berlin on Turkish German perspectives organized by the Turkish Community in Germany (TGD), said that the mission is to maintain the Turkish presence in Cyprus.

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot administration [as he called the Cyprus government] had rejected all agreements reached so far, Eroglu said: We are standing firm on our feet with the support of Turkey and the Turkish Armed Forces, and we support a compromise. It is the Greek Cypriot administration which is trying to gain time by just sitting at a negotiation table.

Eroglu said: The two sides in Cyprus began to negotiate on the property issue, and TRNC has prepared and put forth a programme, which was welcomed by countries involved in Cyprus but has been rejected by the Greek Cypriot side. The Greek Cypriots want to go back to the days before 1974, and pretend as if no state has been established in the north of the island and that there is no separate people living there. Turkish Cypriots are tired of negotiations, fed up with the EU stance, and have started to lose their confidence in the EU.

Eroglu said: Planes taking off from Germany cannot land at the TRNC due to embargoes, and many countries are aware that the intransigent party is the Greek Cypriot side and that it is also deceiving the EU. He added: You know this, so lift embargoes on Turkish Cypriots and then the Greek Cypriot administration will consent to negotiate and reach an agreement.

Eroglu also said the European Union (EU) has always presented the Cyprus problem as an obstacle to Turkey's membership.

Furthermore, the Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (26.10.10) reports that during the same meeting Turkish Ambassador in Berlin Ahmet Acet called on the Turkish entrepreneurs operating in Germany to make investments in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus as well, adding that the Turkish community should always think how they can help the TRNC.

Noting that there are approximately 70,000 Turkish enterprises in Germany, Acet said that the TRNC is an open place to any investment.

[02] Eroglu: Merkels duty is to lift the embargo on the Turkish Cypriots and the obstacles in Turkeys EU accession

Within the framework of his contacts in Berlin, Eroglu participated last night in a meeting organized by the Turkish Community Association in Germany. Responding to questions by participants after the meeting, Eroglu reiterated the Turkish position that the Turkish army and the Turkish guarantees are red lines for the Turkish side and recalled that their self-styled parliament had taken a decision on this issue when he was prime minister.

When reminded by the press of the forthcoming visit of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to Cyprus, Eroglu said: We will ask to have a meeting with her of course. We do not know whether she will come or whether the Greek Cypriot side will allow her to come, but it is difficult to decide without seeing what is happening in Cyprus.

Asked what the German initiative meant in his view, Eroglu responded: We do not know whether Merkel will visit an EU member or whether she will come to motivate the Greek Cypriot side, but Mrs Merkel has two duties: To lift both the embargoes and the obstacles regarding Turkeys EU accession process. Germany is a powerful state. It has the power to do these with its allies.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu says the issue of the UN documents seized, might influence the Cyprus talks

Asked to comment on the issue yesterday before delivering a speech in Berlin, Eroglu said: I do not want to make many comments on this issue. We will certainly say that the UN documents have been stolen. The UN minutes regarding the negotiations have passed into the hands of the Greek Cypriots. Now the Greek Cypriots are in possession of those minutes the content of which we do not know, he said.

Asked whether this incident will influence the negotiating process, Eroglu said that such a possibility exists because the Greek Cypriots might come to the negotiations prepared with a programme and a plan since they possess some information. Therefore, I do not want to make too many comments. The UN representatives themselves will make the necessary comments on these issues, he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Claudia Roth: The Turkish proposals on the property issue very realistic

Speaking to illegal Bayrak after the meeting, Eroglu said it was a cordial meeting, he expressed his satisfaction and thanked Roth for her concern. He noted that they informed Roth regarding the negotiating process and their proposals on the property issue, and had the opportunity to discuss with her their problems regarding the EU. He added that Roth has been invited to visit to Cyprus.

Claudia Roth expressed her satisfaction for making his acquaintance with Eroglu and added: I promise him that we will do whatever we can to demolish the last wall in Europe. She said that it is natural to hold negotiations especially on issues concerning property and security, in order to demolish walls similar to the Berlin Wall and noted that she found Eroglus proposals on the property issue realistic.

Roth said: Mr President said that 34 years passed, that exchange of property is needed on the property issue and that compensations should be given in cases where there is no agreement. This seemed to me very realistic. We will exert every effort we can.

(I/Ts.)

[05] It was a restless day

Moreover, the employees of the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines, which have been liquidated recently by a court order, organized a silent protest in the occupied part of Lefkosia.

In addition, on the initiative of the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOS) the unions which are members of the Trade Unions Platform, organized a protest. The protest of the trade unions was organized to express their support to 19 trade unionists, who are accused of obstructing the police from exercising their duty, and of beating the police. The trial of the 19 unionists started yesterday.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (26.10.10) refers to the same issue and reports that the accusations against eleven of the suspects have been withdrawn, while the other eight will be tried. KTOS general secretary, Sener Elcil stated that those who say that they came to the island in 1974 to bring freedom and peace, brought prison, courts and oppression to the Turkish Cypriots.

Furthermore, under the title Ayse go home [Tr. Note: Ayse is a name used for the Turkish army by the Turkish Cypriots], Afrika reports that two protests were held yesterday by trade unions outside the assembly, against the law which adjusts the salaries and the pensions and is called migration law by the unions, which was in yesterdays agenda. One protest was held by members of KTOS, students of Ataturk Teachers Academy and members of the Baraka Cultural Centre. The protesters chanted slogans such as we do not want to migrate, build barricades for the capital, not for the students, no to the migration law and follower of Sharia AKP, collaborator UBP. After the protesters read out a declaration, the members of Baraka sang the song Ayse go home.

A second protest was organized by the Trade Unions Platform headed by Dev-Is.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (26.10.10) refers to the developments under the title Poorer and describes the law as becoming poorer law. The paper writes that the law was adopted yesterday in parliament with majority with the votes of the National Unity Party (UBP) and Ejder Aslanbaba, independent MP. The law provides for decrease in the salaries and pensions of public servants.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Settlers associations call for pardon to illegal workers

Moreover, the Culture and Solidarity Association of people from Alexandretta in a written statement expresses disapproval of the measures of the government, adding that they will not remain inactive while people are being taken from their homes and childrens education is ignored. The association also called on the government to re-evaluate the measures and adopt a law acquitting those with no work permit.

[07] So-called minister Tore to participate at OIC meeting in Sudan

(AK)

[08] The Turkish Cypriot municipalities at a congress in Strasburg

Oktay Kayalp, the self-styled mayor of Famagusta, as well as the self-styled mayor of Lefka Mehmet Zafer will represent the union of Turkish Cypriot municipalities.

[09] So-called municipalities union and Eastern Black Sea Municipalities Union sign cooperation protocol

Speaking during the signing of the protocol, the chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Municipalities Union and so-called mayor of occupied Morfou, Mahmut Ozcinar, said that the protocol will help improve relations between municipalities in the TRNC and Turkey. He also explained that the protocol will help share information and experiences on implementing urban projects.

The president of the Eastern Black Sea Municipalities Union and Mayor of Turkish city of Trabzon, Orhan Gumrukcuoglu, said that projects on infrastructure, festivals, logistics and transportation will be transferred to municipalities in the TRNC.

[10] German groups are visiting the occupied areas

The paper reports that at the moment a parliamentary group of 20 persons is in the occupied areas having contacts with officials of the occupation regime as well as sightseeing.

During the meeting with the German parliamentary group, Gencay Eroglu said that they are very pleased to host the group and that such steps are important in promoting their country. She said that it is really important that the German deputies and German citizens are content with these trips and that cultural bridges will be established between Germany and the occupation regime.

Groups from three schools from Waldjhirken have already visited the occupied areas and more groups will follow, the paper reports.

[11] Ramazan Gundogdu: More marinas should be constructed

According to a press release by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade, Ramazan Gundogdu made the above statement during a congress organized the last week by Izmir Chamber of Trade on International Mediterranean Trade and Port Cities: Congress for the Past and the Future.

(AK)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[12] Turkish-Greek joint economic committee meeting in Ankara

We believe that there is no problem between Turkey and Greece that cannot be resolved. With mutual good intentions, honesty and courage, we can easily resolve issues concerning the Aegean, Cyprus, Halki Seminary and the Turkish minority in Greece, State Minister Egemen Bagis, who is also Turkey's chief negotiator for accession talks with the European Union, told reporters after talks with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis, who is in Ankara to attend a Turkish-Greek joint economic committee meeting.

Bagis said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Greek counterpart, George Papandreou, have achieved significant progress in resolution of all bilateral disputes between Turkey and Greece but declined to reveal further details. Results of these meetings will be shared with the public when the time comes. But there is an improvement, he said.

In the meantime, Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.10.10) reported that Turkey and Greece signed the protocol on a joint economic committee meeting in Ankara. Turkeys Foreign Trade Undersecretary Ahmet Yakici and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis signed the Fourth Term Protocol of Turkey-Greece Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting.

In the meeting, executives of the two countries discussed commercial and economic issues and agreed on several issues, including solution of problems of Turkish and Greek businesspeople.

[13] Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission to convene in Brussels

Turkey's constitutional reform and democratization process will be high on the agenda. Several documents prepared by Turkey-European Union Joint Parliamentary Commission's co-presidents Lutfi Elvan and Helene Flautre, Turkish lawmaker Sukru Elekdag of the main opposition Republican People's Party and Arlene McCarthy, will also be discussed. Turkey-European Union cooperation in "international fight against terrorism" is another topic to be taken up. Recent developments about Cyprus will also discussed.

[14] Turkeys National Security Council meets with the new military command

According to the paper, the ongoing campaign against terrorism, the unilateral cease-fire of the PKK and the planned adjustment of the national security paper, widely known as the red book, are expected to be discussed in the meeting. The U.S.-led missile defence system is likely to be on the meetings agenda as well. The radar part of the system is planned to be deployed on Turkish soil. The project will be discussed at a NATO summit in Lisbon in November.

The paper adds: The adjustments to the national security document will be finalized by the end of 2010. As an outcome of Ankaras zero problems foreign policy, Russia, Iran, Iraq and Greece will not be on the enemy list in Turkeys revised security paper. The national security document is a key defence policy dossier that includes internal and external threats to national security. The government, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the General Staff have been working on its adjustments.

This is the first MGK meeting that Chief of General Staff Gen. Isik Kosaner will attend.

[15] Turkey aims at boosting trade volume with Egypt

Speaking to reporters in Cairo, leading a group of Turkish businesspeople, Hisarciklioglu said Turkeys immediate region, in reach within a three-hour flight, offered a market worth of nine trillion USD, with 51 countries, 1 billion people and 5 trillion USD foreign trade volume, adding, Our target is this nine-trillion USD market and there is no need to fear. Hisarciklioglu added that Turkish investments in Egypt currently totalled 1.5 billion USD, adding that they aimed to increase the figure to 2 billion USD next year.

[16] Highlights

a) Cyprus issue

Hurriyet Daily News columnist Yusuf Kanli assesses the past mistakes made by the United Nations and the EU on the Cyprus issue and the upcoming meeting with the Cypriot leaders the UN secretary general has initiated. Viewing the contradictory statements issued by UN and Greek Cypriot officials on the issue of the tripartite meeting in New York, Yusuf wonders whether the meeting will actually be held.

b) Headdress issue/Republic Day reception

In an article in Milliyet, Semih Idiz argues that the ongoing discussions on the headdress issue shallow way and do not address the real issue which is the level of education and the place of Turkish women in the society. Idiz underlines that the tolerance shown in our "secular laws" regarding incidents of violence within the family, honour killings, and cases of rape demonstrates that we live in a society in which the male is supreme and women are not free in the real sense of the word. In conclusion, Idiz writes: "No matter who says what, we are not discussing the issue of the headdress in Turkey. Through our babbling, we are reflecting our ignorance and our backwardness. This issue is not linked to being pious or being faithless, it is linked to the level of education in our society."

Yeni Safak columnist Yasin Aktay criticizes the CHP for asking the Erdogan government to provide guarantees that there will be no demands for the removal of the restrictions on wearing Muslim headscarves at primary and secondary schools if the headscarf ban at universities is lifted. He cites that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Turkey is signatory, designates parents as the sole authority for deciding what religious and ethical principles to follow in the education of their children. He further criticizes AKP Deputy Zafer Uskul, Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, for announcing in a recent interview that parents who insist on sending their children to primary or secondary schools wearing Islamic headscarves may lose custody of their children. The writer claims that Uskul's remarks suggest that the state regards parents who want their underage daughters to wear headscarves as being guilty of child abuse.

Yeni Akit columnist Kenan Alpay slams AKP Deputy Zafer Uskul for his "threatening" remarks. Alpay describes Uskul's "warning" as the "quintessence" of the sort of state "despotism" based on unchangeable articles of the Constitution that describe the Turkish state as "an indivisible whole with its country and nation." He claims that the wording of the said article serves to designate the state as an entity that defines the limits of individual rights and freedoms.

c) Ideological blindness on Iran/ Missile shield

Writing in Hurriyet Daily News, Barcin Yinanc views Turkey's stand on the NATO missile shield saying that once Turkey's conditions are met and its reservations answered it will be very hard for Turkey to say no to NATO because a rejection will mean that its interest in maintaining good relations with Iran overweighs its commitments to the alliance. Turkey's argument that Iran does not constitute a threat to NATO is not a reasonable argument, writes Yinanc, adding that so far Turkey has not gained much from its relations with Iran that justifies such a move. Only Turkey's ideological affinity with Iran and its dislike of the West can explain its stance, notes Yinanc, warning Turkey against basing its policies on ideology rather than strategic, political and economic interests. Yinanc concludes: "The AKP's ideological blindness on Iran is working to the detriment of short-, mid- and long-term interests of Turkey."

In an article in Yeni Akit entitled "Missile road from NATO to Hakkari", columnist Sibel Eraslan calls attention to what she describes as a "depopulation" campaign in the southeastern province of Hakkari taking place simultaneously with extensive military deployments to the area. She asks whether the said developments in Hakkari mean that this southeastern province has been chosen as the location for the anti-missile systems against Iran that NATO wants to install in Turkey in line with Israeli interests.

d) Europe and multiculturalism

In an article in Todays Zaman entitled "Is Europe Drifting Away From the West?", columnist Sahin Alpay criticizes what he describes as a recent trend in Europe whereby "political parties with openly anti-immigrant, Islamophobic and thinly disguised racist agendas" have for some time been coming to the fore.

Today's Zaman columnist Omer Taspinar refers to European politicians who rush to pronounce the untimely death of their continents' multiculturalism. The writer brings to mind Gandhis passive resistance against British colonialism and his response when he was asked by European journalists what he thought of Western civilization: 'Western civilization. It would certainly be a good idea.' Such sarcasm should apply to the current situation in Europe, multiculturalism would be a good idea, but unfortunately, it was never tried in Europe, the writer concludes. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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