Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-11-19

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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] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the meeting in New York

[02] KTOEOS complains of Cicek to Erdogan

[03] Tatar argues that some trade unions want to harm the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey

[04] "GAU" signs academic cooperation agreement with the University of Bangkok

[05] Turkey will construct state dormitory in occupied Cyprus

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Bagis says that Turkey will not give up on Cyprus for the EU

[07] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the meeting in New York

The paper refers to the statement made by Ban Ki-moon after the meeting that he will meet again with the two leaders in Geneva in the end of January. Ban Ki-moon said the leaders decided to intensify their meetings in order to prepare a "practical plan" to overcome the existing points of disagreement. He noted that until the meeting in January, the leaders will identify convergences and the core issues which still need to be resolved, across all chapters. "That, in turn, will help the United Nations determine its own next steps", he said. The UN Secretary-General noted that their meeting was constructive and they discussed the chapters of "Governance and Power Sharing", the "Property", the "Territory" and the "Guarantees". He said that the solution in Cyprus will be reached by the Cypriot leaders.

Moreover, in statements after the meeting Dervis Eroglu said they will continue the negotiations with good will. He added: "It was a useful meeting. The negotiations will continue in an intensified manner. The UN Secretary-General will show in January whether he will continue his good offices mission".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (19.11.10) refers to the same issue under the title "Ban banged his fist on the table" and reports that the result of the meeting was a "warning" by the UN to the two sides to achieve progress by the end of January. The paper writes that Eroglu said that Ban Ki-moon might reconsider UN's good offices mission after their meeting in January.

Moreover, under the title "Threat by Ban", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (19.11.10) reports that the UN Secretary-General said that the commitment to the process is necessary and that the solution will be reached by the Cypriots. The paper refers to the statement made by Eroglu after the meeting. Eroglu said that six chapters exist in the negotiations and that there are some deadlocks today. He said they discussed what efforts they could exert for overcoming these deadlocks and that they decided to evaluate the situation during the meeting in Geneva.

Eroglu noted that after his "election" they discussed only the property issue with President Christofias and recalled that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and President Christofias had discussed the issues of "Governance and Power Sharing", "EU" and "Economy". He said that they will continue their efforts with President Christofias for the overcoming of the deadlocks shortly. He noted that they will prepare proposals on the chapters which have not been discussed until today.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that in a short statement before the three-party meeting, Eroglu said he was estimating that the UN Secretary-General would submit some proposals for the overcoming of the deadlock in the negotiations and listen to the views of the leaders. He noted that they would try to put their proposals onto the table during the meeting. Asked whether he expected a new step or had any expectations from the meeting, Eroglu said that "every meeting is a hope and we are going to the meeting with good will".

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (19.11.10) refers to the issue under the title "In Geneva in January" and "Ban: The negotiations cannot continue forever". The paper wonders whether there will be return to the 1960 agreements and recalls that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Turkey and Britain met in Geneva on 25 July 1974 and decided that the constitutional order on the island should be restored and that they will act in accordance with the 1960 Constitution. The paper reminds also that the same ministers met again in Geneva on 8 August 1974.

Furthermore, the paper reports that the flag of the "TRNC" hung on "The Plaza Hotel" where Eroglu stayed in New York. Before the meeting with Ban Ki-moon and President Christofias, Eroglu met with UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cyprus, Alexander Downer and exchanged views with him regarding the three-party summit.

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (19.11.10) refers to the developments under the title "Three-party summit in New York!" The paper cites information obtained from the UN political backstage according to which the result of the New York meeting could determine whether Alexander Downer will continue his duty in Cyprus. According to the same information, the reason for which Downer wants to leave his duty is "the fact that the Greek Cypriot side does not want an agreement and the attacks of the Greek Cypriots against him". Downer's resignation from his duty would constitute a pressure on the Greek Cypriot side, alleges the paper.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (19.11.10) refers to the issue under the title "'Geneva Summit' came up from New York".

Under the title "Three-party meeting was realized", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Volkan (19.11.10) writes that Eroglu participated in a dinner hosted in his honor by Ertuglul Apakan, Turkey's Permanent Representative in New York.

(I/Ts.)

[02] KTOEOS complains of Cicek to Erdogan

Ozkalp asked Erdogan to clarify whether Cicek's statements reflect the views of the AKP government or they are only his personal views. Ozkalp said that Cicek spoke as a "bully in the streets" and not as "minister of a friendly country".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Tatar argues that some trade unions want to harm the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey

"Cemil Cicek came here to share our joy. He is our guest", he said and alleged that some circles are annoyed because the relations between Turkey and the "TRNC" are continuously being strengthened recently.

Asked from where the trade unions are getting support, Tatar said: "There are people who come here from outside and from the Greek Cypriot side. During their contacts, these people always say that an agreement should be reached in Cyprus, that we are not far from an agreement, but we are far from the agreement with the policies which Turkey implements here".

Tatar alleged that the members of the trade unions do not support the protests organized by their leaders.

(I/Ts.)

[04] "GAU" signs academic cooperation agreement with the University of Bangkok

[05] Turkey will construct state dormitory in occupied Cyprus

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[06] Bagis says that Turkey will not give up on Cyprus for the EU

In an interview with Irish Times newspaper in Dublin, Bagis alleged that the EU needed Turkey, and said that the "double standard" which was applied by some EU member states caused disappointment. "What Turkey expects is fair negotiations. We don't want any special favours just because we are a large, economically feasible, dynamic and strategically situated nation with access to such a big market, but we don't want any additional burdens either," he said.

Bagis also noted: "We want the EU but we will not give up on Cyprus for the EU, and we will not give up on the EU for Cyprus. We have a just cause on both issues and we will negotiate on finding a feasible solution."

He added, "just as today's Turkey is much better than yesterday's, tomorrow's Turkey will be much better that today's."

Bagis acknowledged that in several EU states where governments supported Turkish accession, including Ireland, public sentiment did not always match the official position. "The day Turkey completes the negotiations, it will be a very different country, and Irish public opinion, along with that in other EU states, will change," he said.

Commenting on assessments such as Turkey's focus appeared to have tilted eastward, Bagis said: "The fact that we are enhancing our relations with countries to our east does not mean that we are giving up on our national goal to become a member of the EU."

Bagis added: "Turkey was, is, and will continue to be the most eastern part of the west, and the most western part of the east. For centuries we were seen as a bridge between the two. For a bridge to be dependable, it needs four strong legs what Turkey is doing is strengthening the eastern, western, southern and northern legs simultaneously. And that bridge is needed by Europe now more than ever."

[07] Highlights

a) Missile Shield/ NATO Summit

In an article, "Turning point in relations with the West" Radikal's Murat Yetkin comments on Turkey's probable stance at the Lisbon summit: "President Gul will announce Ankara's decision at the Lisbon summit which may constitute a turning point for Turkey's relations with the US and the EU. ... The latest information indicates that Turkey will give its half-hearted approval to the missile shield project as long as it is taken as a project of NATO. ... It can be enhancing for Turkey's regional situation if missile shield is approved as a NATO project and if Turkey participates in the project through its terms as much as possible. Otherwise there are serious risks of uncertainties."

Recalling the Cuba missile crisis in 1960s in his article entitled "Cuba Lessons" Milliyet's Derya Sazak writes: "During the Cuba missile crisis, the US and Soviet leaders were negotiating, and Turkey was not even aware of becoming a potential target for Russia missiles. Soviet Union was going to target Turkey if the United States would hit Cuba. ... Now we should draw a lesson from the Cuba crisis. The US wants to install missile shield to Turkey, and this is more about security of the United States than anything else."

Onur Oymen, a member of the parliament from opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) writes in Cumhuriyet's guest columnist. In an article entitled "Missile shield and strategic concept", Oymen makes a reference to Cuba crisis and second to Gulf War: "Turkey had some bad experiences in the past regarding missile defence. It was very difficult to get Patriot missiles from NATO for Turkey's protection at the beginning of the second Gulf War. There were serious efforts to prevent them delivered. ... It is quite likely that Turkey cannot get these missiles from NATO today even on a temporary basis." Oymen concludes: "Solution is to establish a national missile defence system which is owned and operated by Turkey, just like Israel and India already have."

Senay Yildiz in Aksam interviews Mustafa Kibaroglu, a professor at Ankara Bilkent International Relations Department. Entitled "Turkey is Under a Psychological Campaign" professor Kibaroglu says: "Turkey is facing a psychological campaign. There is an imposing attitude on Turkey by presenting missile shield project as in black and white. If Turkey does not accept the project it means this is not serving to national interests. It does not indicate a change of axis as some of the campaigners are suggesting. Turkey may say yes or no, and the decision will be taken under consideration of Turkey's national interests. ... I believe the Lisbon summit will conclude with an open ended decision regarding missile shield."

Nerdun Hacioglui in Hurriyet quotes Gen. Alexander Zelin, commander of Russian Air Forces as saying: "With the permission of God, I believe Russia will be a partner with NATO for the missile shield project."

In an article entitled "From the broader Middle East project to Missile Shield", Bugun columnist Ahmet Tasgetiren argues that the ruling AKP's objections to the proposed missile defence project against Iran indicate that in agreeing to take part in the Broader Middle East Initiative, the ruling AKP expected to be able to prevent possible regional "mistakes" that could be made in the implementation of this undertaking. He also asserts that Ankara's reservations about the missile defence project will shape the agenda of the NATO meeting in Lisbon.

b) START Agreement and US-Russia Relations

Mehmet Altan in Star analyzes the current phase of Washington-Moscow ties particularly after the signing of START. In his article entitled "Observing the world via Obama," the writer underlines: "There is no way of forming a meaningful political strategy without understanding as well as analyzing the US stance. ... One of the many important outcomes of President Obama's trip to Asia was the signing of START agreement between the United States and Russia. This agreement goes beyond reducing nuclear arsenal because it also signifies the very closeness of the US-Russia ties. As President Obama said, he decided to open a brand new page on relations with Russia as soon as he took in charge." The writer lists some goals that the US and Russia want to achieve, and concludes by urging Turkey to think more on foreign policy: "The goals are reducing armament, accelerating peace processes, eliminating globally tension-causing problems and working for economic integration. I want to underscore that because the missile shield and Iran will be other two hot items on the agenda after the Lisbon summit. Even though our debate in Turkey tends to focus only on domestic politics, let us not forget that our fate is drawn by the foreign policy developments." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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