Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-11-22

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu in Sweden

[02] Ozersay to have contacts in Finland

[03] Political parties comment on NY meeting

[04] Kucuk: there is a time frame for the negotiations, even if this is not clearly declared

[05] CTP delegation attends meeting of the Socialist International

[06] "Karpass Bay Marina" ready in 2011

[07] "No obstacles left for water"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Eroglu's interview at A.A.

[09] How the Turkish press covers the meeting in New York

[10] "January rendezvous"

[11] "Turkey rejects EU's offer for Cyprus in order to open talks on new chapters"

[12] Gul says Cyprus cannot enter NATO activities

[13] Egypt's foreign minister visits Turkey

[14] AKP seats in Parliament dropped to 335

[15] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu in Sweden

Eroglu will meet with the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, as well as with state officials, representatives of various civil society and think-tank organizations.

[02] Ozersay to have contacts in Finland

[03] Political parties comment on NY meeting

The acting general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Mutlu Atasayan, speaking in Bayrak Haber TV programme said that the provision for a time frame until the meeting in Geneva in January actually destroyed the Greek Cypriot side's tendency to follow an open-ended negotiation process.

In his statement, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Ferdi Sabit Soyer expressed the view that the two leaders in Cyprus need to reach a conclusion on the chapters of governance and power-sharing by the next meeting in January.

For his part, the Leader of the Democrat Party (DP) Serdar Denktas said he is concerned about an interim formula on the Cyprus issue which he said may possibly be introduced by the United Nations.

Also, the Leader of the Social Democratic Party Mehmet (TDP) Cakici said that the outcome of the meeting is in favour of the Cyprus Turkish side as the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon discussed with the two leaders the resolution of core issues and ways of increasing momentum in the talks.

Moreover, as Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis reports (21.11.10), the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan commenting on the meeting said that the Cyprus problem reached a very critical stage. He also argued that the policy of the Turkish Cypriot side "I will not discuss another chapter unless the property chapter is closed" has failed and now all chapters are on the table.

[04] Kucuk: there is a time frame for the negotiations, even if this is not clearly declared

In a written statement, Kucuk alleged: "Even if it is not clearly declared, there is a time frame now. I hope the delaying tactics of the Greek Cypriot side come to an end and an agreement for a solution reached on the Cyprus issue. No one has the right to keep the Turkish Cypriot people victims of the non-solution, while the Greek Cypriot intransigence is obvious".

Kucuk expressed the view that the statement of Ban Ki-moon's statement conveys a "clear message to the Greek Cypriot side, which thinks that with threats regarding Turkey's full membership negotiations with the EU, it could extract serious concessions from the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkey". He said that after Ban Ki-moon's statement there is a "progress plan" and a "time frame" now in the Cyprus talks. Kucuk called on Ban Ki-moon and his team to be "fair and courageous" both in the report to the Security Council and during the process until the meeting with the leaders in January.

(I/Ts.)

[05] CTP delegation attends meeting of the Socialist International

[06] "Karpass Bay Marina" ready in 2011

Construction of the marina started in 2007. It is located in an area of 450-acres and will be able to provide service to around 350 yachts. Moreover, the marina will be able to provide services to commercial ships, in special or difficult situations.

[07] "No obstacles left for water"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Eroglu's interview at A.A.

Eroglu said that he was pleased to hold such a tripartite meeting, and added that they did not discuss the details, only confirmed that there were six negotiation topics.

Asked whether talks would gain momentum after this tripartite meeting, Eroglu said that they will continue talks in Cyprus till the end of January 2011, and determine whether there is a consensus on six topics.

Explaining how intensified talks will be held, Eroglu said the leaders could meet twice a week, and technical delegations could meet three times a week.

Asked whether it is possible that the UN's goodwill mission ends, Eroglu said that if the Secretary-General loses his hope, he could decide to create a new situation or release the sides.

Asserting that "the EU countries are imposing isolations on TRNC", Eroglu said that this was a shame for humanity, adding that EU is acting unjustly towards Turkish Cypriots. "We want embargoes and isolations to be lifted, and we say that if they are lifted, the Greek Cypriots will be motivated for a solution," said Eroglu.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak channel (online, 21.11.10) reports that in his interview to Anatolian news agency, Dervis Eroglu also said that "the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias persistently raised the issue of TRNC citizens of Turkish origin and territory while they were discussing the chapter on property".

However, he pointed to the fact that chapters related to territory and guarantees have not yet been negotiated.

Eroglu reiterated that the continuation of Turkey's active and effective guarantees in Cyprus is red lines for the Turkish Cypriot side.

While in New York, Erolgu also had a telephone conversation with the EU Commissioner on Enlargement Stefan Fule. Eroglu said they exchanged views on the Cyprus negotiations process as well the tripartite Cyprus summit.

[09] How the Turkish press covers the meeting in New York

Under the title "Geneva is the last stop", Turkish daily Sabah (20.11.10-online version) highlights the statement made by Ban Ki-moon after the meeting that "There is a serious gap and that the negotiations in Geneva is the last chance". The paper also reports on a statement by a diplomat that the division of the island might follow.

The Turkish daily Hurrriyet reports on the tripartite meeting under the banner headline "Cyprus might be divided officially" (20.11.10-online version). The paper reports in its subtitle on the statement made by Ban Ki-moon that "there is a serious gap" between the sides, and on a warning statement made by a diplomat concerning the probable official division of the island.

Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (19.11.10-online version) reports on the issue under the title "The solution in Cyprus put off for Geneva Summit". The paper writes that during the tripartite meeting in New York, it has been decided that a new summit takes place in Genera at the end of January. UN sources say that UN Secretary General gave the signal to the two leaders that he might withdraw from the negotiations if an agreement is not reached in Geneva.

Turkish daily Taraf (20.11.10-online version) reports on the tripartite meeting under the headline "A summit came up from the summit".

(AK)

[10] "January rendezvous"

"Whatever the result might be it is almost certain from now that the end-of-January meeting of the two communal leaders of Cyprus and the United Nations Secretary-General will constitute a landmark for the future of Cyprus. The eastern Mediterranean island will proceed after the January summit either towards a federal resolution of the almost half-century-old inter-communal power sharing problem between its two ethnically, linguistically, culturally and religion-wise different peoples, or towards transforming the de facto partition of the island into a de juro partition."

He argues that "neither of the two peoples of Cyprus wants to rebuild a common state and a common future on Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot side, enjoying international recognition as the 'sole legitimate government' ?..Turkish Cypriots, because of their international isolation, pressures from Turkey and the international community and perhaps because of frustration with the uncertainty they have been in for the past many decades, are ready to buy any' "honourable' settlement that Ankara would not object to and continue be the 'guarantor' for the Turkish Cypriot existence and wellbeing."

Kanli describes Secretary-General's reference to "serious differences" and that a second summit at the end of January "will help the United Nations to determine its own next steps", a veiled threat, an implicit warning that there is a "serious risk of him withdrawing from this exhausting futile effort and to allow the de facto partition of the island become de juro, that is to formalize the partition."

Therefore, he concludes, the end-of-January Geneva rendezvous is a declaration of a "closing date" for the Cyprus talks. "The January summit will be a landmark as by that date the Greek Cypriots will have to commit themselves to an accelerated negotiations process and achieve convergences on all outstanding headings with Turkish Cypriots, or get prepared for either an enhanced UN role ? including mediation and bridging ideas ? or a UN withdrawal from the process.

In the mean time, the January rendezvous will help as well to diffuse to some degree the coming December Council meeting crisis in Turkish-EU relations over the Cyprus issue."

[11] "Turkey rejects EU's offer for Cyprus in order to open talks on new chapters"

The article continues:

"The EU insists that Turkey is obliged to open its ports and airports to traffic from Greek Cyprus under an agreement known as the Ankara Protocol. There have been intensified efforts in the past two months to overcome this obstacle. In a recent attempt, Belgium, which is currently chairing the EU presidency, offered opening the energy chapter and the justice and fundamental freedoms chapter in return for opening the ports. Another proposal from Belgium was enlarging the extent of the bylaws of the Green Line between the Turkish and Greek sides to improve trade between them.

Turkey says the proposals are not adequate. It has also relayed to the EU that the party at fault for the stalled talks between Turkey and the bloc is the EU, which unjustly accepted Greek Cyprus into the bloc as a full member. It also emphasized that the EU should act on the principle of equality and try to produce solutions on the Cyprus issue and other issues that lay an equal amount of burden on both sides."

[12] Gul says Cyprus cannot enter NATO activities

Gul said: "Cooperation between NATO and the EU is a topic that interests us very much. It is an issue that creates a lot of work. In 2002, when NATO-EU cooperation was first discussed, a consensus was reached. At that time, southern Cyprus was not an EU member; it became a member in 2004 and then problems began to emerge. Naturally, they encountered sharp reaction from us as well. This is a defensive organization; if you push back solidarity within NATO and push the EU to the fore, this is not right. Additionally, certain commitments were not fulfilled. There were promises made to us regarding the European Defensive and Security System. But because of southern Cyprus, this was blocked. What we have to say to these people is this: Go and say whatever you have to say to the Greek Cypriot sector on the other side. Do not put strategic issues of NATO under mortgage to south Cyprus. The strength of Turkey, and the role it will play, are great; consider this. Our stance is this: The Greek Cypriot administration cannot enter into NATO activities."

[13] Egypt's foreign minister visits Turkey

Gheit will also participate in the third Turkish-Egyptian foreign ministerial meeting, under the Memorandum for a Framework for Turkish-Egyptian Strategic Dialogue, which was signed in the autumn of 2007. The memorandum is considered a show of mutual will of the two countries to upgrade their bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership. According to the memorandum, the ministers and senior officials from the two countries will hold regular meetings and establish consultation and cooperation mechanisms.

Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, Iraq, the upcoming January referendum in Sudan, developments in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear programme, the Balkans and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation will be on the agenda of Aboul Gheit's talks in addition to bilateral relations between Ankara and Cairo.

[14] AKP seats in Parliament dropped to 335

As a result the new distribution of the 550 seats in Parliament is as follows:

AK Party: 335

CHP: 101

MHP: 70

BDP: 20

Independent: 7

DSP: 6

DP: 1

TP: 1

Vacant: 9

(CHP: Republican People's Party, MHP: Nationalist Movement Party, BDP: Peace and Democracy Party, DSP: Democratic Left Party, DP: Democrat Party, TP: Turkey Party)

[15] Highlights

a) Missile Shield/NATO Summit

Hurriyet (21.11.10) daily's Ferai Tinc expresses disappointment over the image Turkey presented at the summit as "Turkey vs NATO." She cites headlines such as: 'We [Turkey] got what we wanted' and 'Turkey put forward three conditions and all were accepted', and points out that this is the second time since Rasmussen was chosen as NATO secretary general that Turkey is faced with such a situation, because there is a difference between the NATO goals and the targeted audience, which Justice and Development Party (AKP) wants to reach." The columnist concludes with a question: "After the Lisbon summit, can we possibly say that NATO is very different than before and Turkey's role is much easier than the cold war era? Particularly given Iran's latest reaction about whoever permits the use of its territory for missile launchers will be considered an enemy."

In an article in Radikal (21.11.10) entitled "From change of Axis to influential Turkey in NATO," Cengiz Candar considers the Nato summit a successful outcome for Turkish foreign policy. He argues: "it seems that Turkey almost got everything it wanted. There was no crisis between NATO and Turkey. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the most influential member of NATO after the United States. ... The NATO Lisbon Summit strongly reaffirmed Turkey's place in the Western collective security system and closed [the door] for the change of axis argument."

In an article in Milliyet (21.11.10) entitled "Collapse of AKP Foreign Policy in Lisbon" Kadri Gursel argues: "The ruling AKP's foreign policy on the Middle East is filled with ideology and romanticism, and this foreign policy has just collapsed in Lisbon. The AKP foreign policy makers did the right thing by accepting, even though reluctantly, the missile shield project. ... The insistence on zero-problem with Iran was like issuing an open invitation for trouble with the rest of the region as well as with major powers. The AKP policy makers faced with the reality in Lisbon also realized that they could not afford to let this happen. From now on, the government should find ways to persuade the conservative, Islamist, and nationalistic public opinion, which it has conditioned along the lines of its own ideology-based foreign policy, to espouse the 'NATO radars'. Turkey also made some symbolic efforts in NATO in order to avoid a negative image vis-a-vis Iran. Iran's name was not mentioned in the documents and in the delivered statements, and in fact Turkey did the right thing by making this happen."

Yeni Akit (21.11.10) columnist Ali Ihsan Karahasanoglu questions NATO's sincerity in representing the missile defence project as an undertaking aimed at promoting Turkey's security. He poses the question why NATO has never supported Turkey's fight against the terrorist PKK, why it occupied Afghanistan although no attack on any NATO member state that would have justified the occupation according to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty took place, and why NATO did not take any action against the Israeli attack on a Turkish vessel in a relief flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip.

In news analysis in Zaman (21.11.10) entitled "NATO Umbrella for Missile Shield", Lisbon correspondent Celil Sagir describes the Strategic Concept document released at the end of the NATO summit in Lisbon as one that reflects Turkey's "principled" stance on the missile defence project and the issue of NATO-EU cooperation. He also claims that Turkey appears to have achieved its aim of ensuring that the missile defence project does not officially target any one country, that it covers all NATO territory, and that its costs and risks are shared in a fair manner.

Under the headline "No to the bloody shield," Milli Gazete (21.11.10) carries a front-page report which criticizes NATO's missile defence project as part of an attempt to "push Iran into a corner" and set Turkey against its neighbours. The project forms the last stage of "the United States' new Middle East Concept intended to secure Israeli interests," the report says.

In an article entitled in Zaman (20.11.10) "Iran, NATO, and Turkey", columnist Ali Bulac catalogues Iran's "justified" and "understandable" reasons for developing a nuclear programme, namely the disclosure that Israel possesses some 400 nuclear bombs, the nuclear threats that forced Tehran to sign a ceasefire agreement with the Saddam-ruled Iraq in 1988, the deterrent capacity of nuclear weapons as demonstrated by the way the United States is refraining from staging a military campaign against North Korea, and the fact that the nuclear programme can answer Iran's future energy needs. Bulac also asserts that as far as the United States is concerned, installing missile defence systems on Turkish soil is the most effective means of keeping Iran under control, adding that Turkey should not make a "mistake" because its future depends on cooperation with Iran, Turkic republics, and the Middle East.

In an article in Sabah (19.11.10), Yavuz Donat writes excerpts from his interview with Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul, prior to his departure for Lisbon. Minister Gonul gave some brief answers about the Lisbon summit and missile shield: "Missile shield was developed by the United States with requests from some European countries. NATO had nothing to do with the project. We want Turkey to have a say in this project since it is going to be included as well. The way to achieve this goal is to turn this into a NATO project. ... There are certain benefits of the missile shield for Turkey. We do not have a high capacity air defence system, and we were going to issue a tender for it. If NATO missile defence covers the whole of Turkey, it will provide significant savings for us. (?)The missile defence is not targeting any country. It should be a project developed for NATO countries and has to be compatible with NATO's founding principles. It should also protect the whole of Turkey. We will accept it based on these grounds. ... Decisions in NATO are made unanimously. Missiles cannot be used if Turkey says no."

b) Warning against unquestioned confidence to the government

In an article in Yeni Akit (21.11.10) entitled "Confidence in Davutoglu Should Not Lead to Intellectual Indolence", columnist Serdar Demirel warns Muslim circles against the possible consequences of placing unquestioning confidence in President Gul, Prime Minister Erdogan, and "particularly" Ahmet Davutoglu's political visions and future perspectives especially where the proposed missile defence project against Iran is concerned. He criticizes "pious" commentators for their "intellectual indolence" in this regard as illustrated by articles on the NATO summit in Lisbon that do not offer any critical contribution to the Government's perceived "strategic depth" and indicate implicit trust in the Government's ability to "never make mistakes." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article