Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-11-08

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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] Gul: "No one should expect any gestures from Turkey on Cyprus"

[02] Eroglu chairs first Peoples' Council: "Hard to speak of a solution by the end of the year"

[03] Eroglu met with "KTIHV" delegation

[04] Eroglu says the "Turkish population of Cyprus" came from Anatolia

[05] Eroglu meets US Ambassador

[06] Tatar on the meeting in Ankara last week regarding the property issue

[07] Tatar: "Taiwan model is on the horizon"

[08] Kucuk accuses Greek Cypriot side of insincerity

[09] Turkey's Cukurova University branch in occupied Trikomo

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] "Secret bargaining to untie the EU knot"

[11] Cyprus property issue to dominate New York talks

[12] Columnist views Cyprus problem

[13] A researcher claims that the tomb of Urve bin Said is at the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas

[14] Gul to discuss Cyprus problem with British officials, statement before departure for London

[15] Ankara confirms that it will hold meeting between Iran and P5+1

[16] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Gul: "No one should expect any gestures from Turkey on Cyprus"

Gul said some EU members will hold referendum regarding Turkey's membership, adding, "We will respect the result, however Turkish people have something to say on the same issue. Maybe, when time comes, the Turks will say 'we have fulfilled the reforms, we have upgraded the standards to EU level, this is enough for us' and maybe they will not feel the need to become a member of the union."

"Turkey makes gestures but there will not be a need to make a new gesture if your gesture is not returned. Turkey is not in a condition to make a new gesture. The biggest gesture was Turkey's 'yes' vote to Annan and EU plan in 2004. Turkish Cypriots showed the biggest gesture by supporting that referendum. However, they could not get anything in return," he stated.

[02] Eroglu chairs first Peoples' Council: "Hard to speak of a solution by the end of the year"

Speaking during a session open to the press, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot side participates in the negotiations with the aim of settling the long standing Cyprus problem. He pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side had submitted to the Greek Cypriot side positive proposals in an effort to create an atmosphere that would yield an agreement.

"The Greek Cypriot side has submitted its proposals on the property issue as if nothing had changed in the north over the past 36 years. We, on the other hand, put forward our proposals bearing in mind the existing socio-economic structure in the north. We can not pave the way for a solution by ignoring the current structure of the northern part of the island", Eroglu said. He also noted that the Turkish proposals on the property issue are supported by members of the international community.

Eroglu said that it is hard to speak of a solution by the end of the year under the current conditions, and accused Christofias of trying to manoeuvre his way out of the property issue by bringing proposals on "TRNC citizens with Turkish origin" and the issue of Varosha.

[03] Eroglu met with "KTIHV" delegation

Speaking during the meeting, Dervis Eroglu expressed satisfaction over the work of the "foundation".

Emine Colak said, inter alia, that the "foundation" is cooperating with the "presidency" since 1995 in several fields such as human rights, properties and the missing persons, human trafficking, the disabled and children's rights e.t.c.

Emine Colak expressed support to the lawsuits filed by Turkish Cypriots in the "north" citing as examples the cases for Dohni and Zigi villages. Concerning the work of the "foundation" on properties, she said that Turkish Cypriots' properties in the north remained in the background and said that this is a violation of human rights. She also stressed the need for the issue of Turkish Cypriots properties in the north to be discussed in the negotiations.

(AK)

[04] Eroglu says the "Turkish population of Cyprus" came from Anatolia

For his part, the president of the "association", Huseyin Sancar, stated that their association will strengthen even more the bonds of affection and brotherhood between Anatolia and the "TRNC" and that they will continue to work in order to achieve unity and solidarity in their community.

[05] Eroglu meets US Ambassador

[06] Tatar on the meeting in Ankara last week regarding the property issue

Referring to last Monday's meeting in Turkey on the property issue, the paper reports that Turkish banks have set off to obtain the necessary resources to purchase the occupied Greek Cypriot immovable properties.

Ersin Tatar confirmed statements by Selami Kacamak, director of Is Bankasi in the occupied areas of Cyprus, who had told Havadis that Ersin Ozince is working on finding the necessary funds. Tatar said that Ersin Ozince participated in the meeting in Ankara on the property issue and added that efforts are exerted so that Turkish banks secure the necessary funds for the solution of the property issue.

Tatar noted that the aim of providing long-term credits is to clear up the "title deeds" of some businessmen so that they are able to continue their business. "Securing long-term funding possibilities will activate the economy", he said.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Tatar: "Taiwan model is on the horizon"

Commenting on the ongoing negotiations process, Tatar said that he did not believe the talks will yield a positive result. "Since recognition of the TRNC seems unlikely, what we see on the horizon is the Taiwan model, a model where the TRNC will integrate with the world through trade. Foreign Investments in the country are on the rise. It seems that the process is inevitable" he stated.

[08] Kucuk accuses Greek Cypriot side of insincerity

The Confederation President Feridun Cevahiroglu said that the time has come for the recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state and expressed the belief that "TRNC President" Dervis Eroglu will put his signature under lasting peace in Cyprus.

Kucuk thanked the delegation members and said that it is not possible to reach a peaceful agreement with the good will of one side alone and urged "south Cyprus to sit at the negotiations table in the same spirit".

Moreover, Kucuk described the Greek Prime Minister's and Foreign Minister's references to occupation by the Turkish Armed Forces as claims only meant to sabotage the negotiations process between the two sides on the island. He added that the presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus brought democracy both to the Greek Cypriots and to Greece.

[09] Turkey's Cukurova University branch in occupied Trikomo

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] "Secret bargaining to untie the EU knot"

According to the paper, Stefan Fule, Commissioner responsible for the Enlargement of the EU, is playing the main role in the bargaining. At first, Ankara was urged to make a gesture but afterwards the strategy of taking "mutual steps" was adopted, as Turkey told Brussels clearly that it would not undertake any initiative which would "pamper further" the Greek Cypriots.

Noting that Fule is exerting "special efforts" for the successful conclusion of the negotiations, the paper reports that the content and the details of these negotiations are not shared with the EU Commission and the low ranks of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The process is carried out through high level direct meetings and special messages, named "closed telegraphs" in diplomacy.

According to the paper, the starting point of the bargaining is the opening of one or some Turkish ports to vessels under Cyprus flag and in return one or more EU countries begin direct flights to the illegal Tymvou airport. "The final target of these steps is to overcome the blockades in the negotiating process", writes Milliyet.

The paper writes that the fact that no more chapters remain to be opened in Turkey's accession negotiations played an important role in the commencement of the bargaining. Noting that eight chapters are blocked because of the Additional Protocol, Milliyet recalls that only three chapters remained to be opened and underlines that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) should work intensively so that these are opened. The fact that Turkey entered into a pre-election climate reduces the possibility of opening of these chapters easily, the paper writes.

Circles close to the EU Commission expressed their concern that the Republic of Cyprus might react differently in comparison with previous years, reports Milliyet, noting that according to the Commission, the worst scenario is the complete blockade of Turkey's accession process by one or more member-states because of the Additional Protocol.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Cyprus property issue to dominate New York talks

In a report released in the first half of 2010 Ban had voiced expectations for reaching a solution through ongoing negotiations by the end of this year, but a solution even in 2011 seems unlikely, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu told a group of Turkish journalists over the weekend. Eroglu cited general elections slated to take place in Turkey in June 2011 as well as general and local elections to be held in the Greek part of the island in 2011 as probable reasons that could prevent further progress in negotiations.

Eroglu explained that the Greek Cypriot side constantly argues that 'the Republic of Cyprus' will become a joint state following a resolution, despite the fact that UN Security Council Resolution 750 adopted in 1992 asserts that a settlement must be based on 'a state of Cyprus with single sovereignty, an international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded and comprising two politically equal communities.' Additionally, a UN plan drafted by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also mentions the replacement of 'the Republic of Cyprus' with a 'new entity,' he added.

Protection of the majority of the population and property is essential for both constituent parties, Eroglu said. Around 1.5 million acres of property in the KKTC belong to Greek Cypriots, while Turkish Cypriots have around 500,000 acres of property in the southern Greek part of the island, Eroglu said.

To have their property rights in the southern part restituted, Turkish Cypriots assigned these rights to the KKTC administration by signing disclaimers.

These assignments will be used for exchange with Greek Cypriot properties in the KKTC, Eroglu said. Some of the land that is not subject to exchange, including that in Varosha, the sealed-off section of Famagusta, could be turned over to Greek Cypriots, while compensation could be paid for some of those properties through decisions made by Immovable Property Commission (IPC) of the KKTC, which will continue accepting applications until the end of 2011, he said.

The exact number of properties that are subject to return, exchange or compensation is not yet clear since negotiations are still under way, diplomatic sources underlined, while noting that Turkey paid around 46 million pounds arising from the 100 applications finalized through the IPC. The total number of applications filed with the IPC is 703, they said.

Property is one of the thorniest aspects of ongoing UN-led talks since it requires the resolution of numerous complex claims between the two sides on properties seized decades ago.

Means of return, exchange and compensation are all on the table at the same time, Eroglu, said, while also cautioning that neither the Cyprus issue nor the related property issue should be reduced to only legal and technical talks. The Turkish Cypriot leader drew attention to political aspects of both of the issues.

The structure formed in northern Cyprus over the last 36 years cannot be ignored, and those who have lived there for that period of time cannot be put in the position of immigrants, Eroglu said."

[12] Columnist views Cyprus problem

Every year, Turkey gives about $1 billion collected from its tax payers to Cyprus. This has been the case for many decades in the past, and there is no sign on the horizon that imply a potential change in the near future. Turkish Cypriots have to face cold treatment due to this money and say this money is used not for Turkish Cypriots, but rather to clean up after and compensate for the problems caused by Turks who come to the island from Turkey. While the number of citizens of the KKTC is around 250,000, its population is about 650,000. The KKTC cannot adequately deal with the education, health and other problems its own citizens face because it has to make investments according to a population inflated by the Turks coming from Turkey to work in Cyprus. Moreover, it has to deal with serious unemployment among Turkish Cypriots, which is attributable to the cheap labour force from Turkey.

Given the fact that more than half of the 250,000 Cypriot citizens had come from Turkey after the Turkish military operation of 1974, the distinction between Turkish Cypriots and Turks from Turkey is becoming more and more pronounced in the northern part of the island, leading to serious concerns among those closely monitoring developments in Cyprus. An international issue that cannot be settled at an international level despite numerous talks between leaders (around 90) and technical committees as well as many meetings held with the participation of international actors may lead to an internal problem in future, and we have to come up with measures to prevent this.

For instance, isn't it possible for the financial aid given to northern Cyprus to be used for employment-creating investments, except where immediate needs are concerned? If this could have been done, we would not have to deal with a potential internal dispute in Cyprus along with the international one."

[13] A researcher claims that the tomb of Urve bin Said is at the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas

According to Akcan, Urve bin Said came to the island in 1171 and stayed for sometime in the area where Apostolos Andreas monastery now stands. It is said that the monastery was just a small chapel at that time. The tomb of Urve bin Said is at the monastery. It is also believed that the holy spring which is in the monastery is a miracle by Urve bin Said.

The paper reports that there are some people who want to build a mausoleum and a mosque there.

[14] Gul to discuss Cyprus problem with British officials, statement before departure for London

Moreover, Turkish News Agency Ankara Anatolia reports from London (A.A, 06/11/2010) that Gul will deliver a speech at the Chatham House on Turkey, Europe and the international system in the first quarter of the 21st century. He will also attend a conference on democracy and development in Islam world at the University of Oxford.

According to the Turkish Daily Hurriyet (06.11.10) in his statements at the airport Gul described his visit to the UK very important from the point of view the Cyprus problem.

[15] Ankara confirms that it will hold meeting between Iran and P5+1

Diplomatic sources said that Iran had notified Turkey about this issue on Saturday, and Turkey had been exerting great efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the issue from the outset. The same sources said Turkey was ready to do its best, and parties had agreed in principle to hold the talks in Turkey, although the venue and timing of the negotiations were not immediately clear.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motaki told reporters that Iran had told Turkish executives that negotiations could take place in Turkey and talks were under way to set the date and content of the negotiations. Iran and P5+1 countries could not get any result from their last meeting in Geneva on October 1, 2009.

[16] Highlights

a) Turkey-EU

In an article in Hurriyet (7.11.10) entitled "Progress Reports, Toward Infinity," Hurriyet's Ferai Tinc refers to the EU draft progress report on Turkey soon to be released and writes: "It seems that the upcoming report will call Turkey for immediate action on Cyprus as well as emphasize the problematic areas on human rights. ... As for the foreign policy formation, the EU wants to see Turkey remain fully committed to the European Union integration process and shape its policy in coordination with the EU."

b) Kurdish issue / PKK

In an article in Zaman (7.11.10), Mumtazer Turkone writes: "Now that TAK has assumed responsibility for the Taksim action, the links of this organization with the PKK and Ergenekon are being questioned. The first view is: There are two PKK's and TAK is another PKK outside the PKK that aspires for peace. This organization does not relinquish terror and wants to be the PKK heir. The second view is: TAK is a link between the PKK and Ergenekon." Disagreeing with both views, Turkone charges that "TAK is the PKK's organic extension." "Therefore, awareness of the identical nature of the PKK and TAK will have a deterrent effect on terrorism."

Radikal (6.11.10) columnist Cengiz Candar welcomes the unveiled talks between certain state officials and Ocalan, saying that the PKK decided to extend its "nonaction" decision until after the general elections thanks to the dialogue established with Ocalan in Imrali. The columnist points to the need for a change in the old rhetoric for the solution of the Kurdish problem and argues that politicians and the media should abandon using terms like "separatist leader" and "terrorist chieftain" while referring to Ocalan. He adds: "A new era requires a new language." According to Candar, the government should adopt a respectful approach toward its interlocutor if it is willing to make peace.

c) Turkish domestic politics; CHP power struggle

In an article in Radikal, Murat Yetkin (7.11.10) comments on the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and observes: "Both AKP leader Tayyip Erdogan and CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu are trying to break the ideological boundaries set by their party roots. (?) In both cases, they have a common goal of opening themselves up to voters at the centre."

Abdurrahman Dilipak in Yeni Akit (7.11.10) assesses the political scene and predicts that given the current chaos within the CHP, this party cannot even make 25% of the votes, while the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) will barely make the 10% election threshold.

Writing in Zaman (7.11.10), Mustafa Unal argues that Kilicdaroglu has emerged victorious from the last battle with Sav, though he predicts that the intraparty strife will continue. Unal writes that with the new rules and regulations of the party Kilicdaroglu holds all the power. Unal concludes that the CHP is at a crossroads and that in this period it will have to change not only its cadres but its policies as well.

Ihsan Yilmaz in Sunday's Zaman (7.11.10) assesses the current situation within the CHP and declares that the oligarchic bureaucracy has sacrificed Sav having realized that Sav's influence within the party would continue to be a stumbling block on the way towards a long-dreamed election victory against the Justice and Development Party, (AKP).

In an article in Milli Gazete (7.11.10) on the developments within the CHP, Erkem Kiziltas accuses the warring sides in the CHP of creating problems from issues that do not seem to constitute a problem for the Turkish people. In conclusion, the writer asserts that there is no difference between a CHP that ignores the fact that 70% of the women in the country wear a headdress and a CHP that pretends to attempt to solve this issue.

An article in Hurriyet Daily News (6.11.10), Yusuf Kanli warns that if the new CHP leader fails to convince the country there is a new and changed CHP that aims to change Turkey for the better, he and his party will not be able to escape from a "humiliating electoral defeat."

Goksel Bozkurt says, in an article in Hurriyet Daily News (6.11.10), that the CHP is split into three factions today as a result of the "anticipated crisis" after the reshuffle in the party: Supporters of Kilicdaroglu, supporters of Sav and supporters of former party leader Deniz Baykal. Commenting on former leader Deniz Baykal's influence on the CHP, Bozkurts asserts that "forced to resign because of a video tape scandal, Baykal might play a key role in the days to come."

Milliyet (6.11.10) carries an interview with Kilicdaroglu by Fikret Bila on the rift within the party. Kilicdaroglu denies that the CHP is suffering a serious rift. He says that his discussions with the deputies and members of the party assembly revealed that there is "no problem" within the CHP and rejects any plans to remove the dissidents from the party.

Yeni Akit (5.11.10) columnist Serdar Arseven asserts that Turkey is headed for what approximates to the US political paradigm of Democrat vs Republican. He argues that CHP leader Kilicdaroglu's political career is developing in a way that suggests he is cut out for the role assigned to him vis-?-vis Recep Tayyip Erdogan in "a new bipolar model of politics" as a leader who appears to favour change and entertain a global perspective, is potentially capable of reaching out to low-income groups, does not repudiate Kemalism, supports a partial removal of the headscarf ban, and has proven his resolve to purge his party of "radicals" like Onder Sav.

Writing in Hurriyet Daily News (5.11.10), Burak Bekdil analyzes the reasons behind the power struggle in the Republican People's Party and argues that CHP leadership is squeezed between the old guard and reformists within the party. Pointing out that Kilicdaroglu must perform a delicate balancing act between the two groups, Bekdil comments: "Mr Kilicdaroglu must not forget that his party's voters are a bunch of secularists who merely reluctantly support the CHP because they fear/dislike the AKP. Ideologically, Mr Kilicdaroglu's party will not be thriving for an easy 'rise.' Liberalizing the party's illiberal policies on difficult issues like secularism and the Kurdish dispute may cost the party some of its "archaic" voters. In the meantime, a nod to the headscarf or a more compromising stance on the Kurdish issue may not make up for the lost vote."

Hurriyet (5.11.10) columnist Sedat Ergin points out that the CHP's power base is mostly limited to the coastal belt and the party cannot attract votes from lower classes who feel excluded Ergin adds: "If the CHP is content with being a political organization which gets neither larger nor smaller in a safe area within those boundaries, it may continue to pursue its old policies. If, however, it will aim to grow, then it must do something in a different fashion."

Milliyet (5.11.10) columnist Guneri Civaoglu says that a lower than 30% for the CHP in the general election, may pave the way for the return of former CHP leader Deniz Baykal.

d) US midterm elections - Turkey

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News (6.11.10), columnist Ilhan Tanir evaluates the results of the midterm elections in the United States and the relations between Ankara and Washington. He notes that if Turkey wants to become a regional power, it should "start re-considering its relations with Obama administration in this post-election season, while studying the alternative administration of the future, which is in the fast making since Tuesday."

In an article in Today's Zaman (6.11.10), Beril Dedeoglu maintains that "if the date of expiry for Obama's policies is closer than we think, then Turkey has to quickly take precautions against a new period marked by renewed harsh policies by the US."

Hurriyet (5.11.10) columnist Ferai Tinc says "the new balance of power in the US Congress does not fully overlap with Turkey's new foreign policy. While presented with the opportunity to make its opinions about the genocide issue heard by the Congress more effectively, it seems quite unlikely that it will be equally easy for Turkey to explain its stance toward Israel and Iran. In this context, there is a possibility that its arguments about the genocide issue will be overshadowed by other sources of tension. The change in American political dynamics is apt to create difficulties for both the Obama Administration and Ankara."

e) NATO missile defence system

According to a report in Sabah (6.11.10), Ankara is planning to "conditionally" say "yes" to NATO's request for permission to install missile defence systems in Turkey. The decision was made in a summit chaired by President Abdullah Gul at the Presidential Mansion in Cankaya. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of the General Staff Isik Kosaner, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul participated in the summit, the report adds.

f) Attack on liberal journalists in Sakarya

In a column in Hurriyet Daily News (6.11.10) entitled "The banality of fascism," Mustafa Akyol narrates the nationalist attack by a group of students during a conference he attended in Sakarya because of his criticism of the "Turkish version of secularism." He laments that Turkey's official ideology has long defined all opposing ideologies as treacherous deviations with evil intentions, but welcomes the fact that this has become an "ideology on the retreat." In the past, he adds, "its advocates were really using hangman's nooses to execute their political opponents. Today, thank God, they only can throw them at speakers."

g) NGOs

Yeni Safak (7.11.10) columnist Cevdet Akcali laments the fact that not a single Turkish NGO participates in a Council of Europe meeting on the role of NGO's in democracies on 6-7 November. Akcali explains that this is due to inexperience and unwillingness to establish NGO's. Moreover, he adds "in Turkey establishing associations are practically dependent on state permission", though the recent constitutional amendments have introduced some changes on the issue, Akcali notes that the provisions of the law that is to be enacted in line with this amendment have not yet been determined. Akcali adds: "If a state views its NGO's as detrimental institutions, then this means that that the democracy of that state has certain shortcomings." Explaining that NGO's cannot join any foreign body without the permission of two ministries, the writer charges that this is one of the reasons why no Turkish NGO is registered in the Council of Europe. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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