Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-11-25

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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] Ozgurgun: No agreement will be signed if Turkey's guarantees are not included

[02] Durust alleges that the time for the recognition of the "TRNC" has come

[03] Ozersay's contacts in Norway

[04] Durduran comments on NY meeting

[05] Atun calls for joint oil explorations by Turkey, "TRNC" and the Republic of Cyprus

[06] "YDU" founding rector to attend congress in Frankfurt

[07] "YODAK" chairman attended the 5th Bologna Conference in France

[08] Data on the imports and exports of the occupation regime

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] The readmission agreement to be discussed in Ankara

[10] Three Generals suspended

[11] Construction of power plant approved

[12] Turkey and Lebanon sign free trade agreement

[13] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun: No agreement will be signed if Turkey's guarantees are not included

Ozgurgun participated in a meeting of Trabzon's county council yesterday. In his statements, he said that the negotiations in Cyprus continue since 1968, that the Turkish Cypriot side participates in the negotiations submitting "constructive" proposals, but no result has been achieved because of the "intransigent stance" of the Greek Cypriot side, as he alleged. He claimed that the aim of the Greek Cypriot side to "turn Cyprus into a Greek island" has not changed. "Their target is an agreement which will make the Turks of Cyprus a minority and secure the Greek hegemony in Cyprus," he alleged.

Referring to the Cyprus talks, Ozgurgun said all chapters have been discussed during the negotiations and that "some convergences" have been achieved on the chapters of "governance and power sharing", "EU" and "economy", but no convergence have been achieved on the issues of property, guarantees and security.

He said the target of the negotiations is clear for the Turkish Cypriot side, which negotiates "in order to reach a comprehensive agreement which will provide for the sovereignty, the political equality and the full security of the Turkish Cypriot people." He added: "The Turkish side's target is to reach an agreement establishing a new partnership on the basis of an undiluted bi-zonality, the political equality of the two peoples and the equal political status of the two founding states, and in which Turkey's active and effective guarantees will continue."

He said they will oppose proposals which will "harm the equal political rights of the Turkish Cypriots registered with the 1960 agreements," and any "details" which will be contrary to "the existence of two separate peoples" and the bi-zonality. "We are stressing that the solution to be reached should take into consideration the existing realities in Cyprus," he noted.

Ozgurgun argued that solution for the Greek Cypriot side means actually the abolishment of the "rights of Turkey on the island" and the withdrawal of the Turkish army from Cyprus. Ozgurgun alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side participates in the negotiations with good will, but "it would be a delusion to think that the Turkish Cypriot side will be at the negotiating table forever."

Ozgurgun also referred to the sales of land to foreigners in the occupied areas of Cyprus and said: "There is no problem for the citizens of the TRNC and Turkey to buy land. The power on the issue of purchase of land by foreigners, however, belongs only to the Council of Ministers."

Moreover, Gunes reports that Ozgurgun met with journalists in Trabzon and replied to questions during a press conference. Ozgurgun referred to the Cyprus talks and said that "all countries" may have a Plan B for problems such as the one in Cyprus, but "it would not be correct now to talk about this plan". He alleged that the Turkish side really wants an agreement which would be in favour of both sides on the island. The target, he said, is a lasting and viable agreement which "will take into consideration the rights of motherland Turkey in Cyprus and the rights of Greece of course."

Ozgurgun argued that there is a time limit in the Cyprus talks and that this time limit was set last week by the UN Secretary-General in New York. He alleged that the UN is tired of the Cyprus problem and recalled that the United Nations Peace Keeping Force is on the island for 46 years. He added: "Will it be there continuously? This cannot be. Therefore, in Geneva in two months, the UN Secretary-General might put something forward. Perhaps the UN will make an evaluation from its own point of view."

Ozgurgun alleged that many people do not know the Cyprus problem and that is why the Turkish Cypriots should explain the issue everywhere, give lectures at universities etc.

He said that 17 meetings have been held on the property issue during the Cyprus talks, but there is absolutely no point of reconciliation. He alleged that even the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce said that the proposals submitted by the Turkish side on this issue should be evaluated.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Durust alleges that the time for the recognition of the "TRNC" has come

In his address, Durust said that the "TRNC" wants to organize "such a meaningful meeting" and would be happy to host the Ministers of Culture of the Turkish speaking countries.

Durust reiterated the Turkish allegation regarding the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots and alleged that the time has come for the states of their kinsmen to "enter into a process of recognizing the TRNC".

He argued that the countries, which come from the same race and have the same culture, should support each other economically and culturally. Durust said the "TRNC" is always ready for any kind of cooperation and invited the Culture Ministers who participated in the meeting to visit the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Before the meeting of the council, Durust met with the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ertugrul Gunay and exchanged views with him on tourism of the occupied areas of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay's contacts in Norway

Ozersay also gave a lecture at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) entitled, "Cyprus: Where are we?". Inter alia, he referred to the present phase of the Cyprus problem, the difficulties in the property issue of the negotiation process, the tripartite meeting in New York held on November 18 and the upcoming Geneva meeting. Moreover, Ozersay participated in a working lunch at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), on the invitation of Kristian Berg Harpviken, director of PRIO, in which views were exchanged on the Cyprus negotiations and PRIO's studies on the Cyprus problem.

Ozersay will proceed to Sweden to join the delegation accompanying the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

[04] Durduran comments on NY meeting

Durduran argued that even though the Greek Cypriots took a step regarding the rotating presidency issue, because they have not explained the federal solution to the people in order to gain its support, it is still considered the intransigent side. "It is understood that many more sacrifices are expected from the Greek Cypriot leader, but they are not concessions. No matter how many proposals they make, which seem like concessions, they will not be able to be the good side"

Durduran also argued that Eroglu and "supportive" Turkey do not care if the Cyprus problem enters deadlocks and that they defend the uncertainty of Turkish Cypriots' future. He said that members of the so-called government support the Alexandretta example. However, he expressed his objection saying: "Woe to those who stand for dividing an EU member country into half and consume it."

[05] Atun calls for joint oil explorations by Turkey, "TRNC" and the Republic of Cyprus

He referred to the explorations of the Republic of Cyprus for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea alleging that they cause tension. He claimed that "silence and lack of information" exist on this issue in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

He said that the Turkish Cypriots should claim their sovereignty over the entire island and their rights on the exclusive economic zones, but this is not done. He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side "plays with fire" when it undertakes initiatives on the issue of oil and natural gas and ignores the Turkish Cypriot side.

Replying to Yektaoglu, Sunat Atun, self-styled minister of economy and energy, thanked him for his "warnings" on the issue of the exclusive economic zone and called on "south Cyprus", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey and the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied part of Cyprus, to carry out joint explorations for oil in the Mediterranean Sea. He said it would be useful to see this as a confidence building measure.

(I/Ts.)

[06] "YDU" founding rector to attend conference in Frankfurt

As the paper reports, the Congress is organized by the Azerbaijani Presidency, the Ministry of Diaspora Activity and the Ministry of Youth and Sports together with the Azerbaijani Embassy in Berlin. More than 300 delegates will attend the Congress. Azerbaijani state and government officials, members of parliament, Azerbaijani ambassadors to Russia, France, Austria, Germany, UK, Switzerland and Turkey, as well as many university rectors are expected to attend the Congress.

[07] "YODAK" chairman attended the 5th Bologna Conference in France

As the paper reports, Bicak, who recalled that the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) and Near Eat University (YDU) are EUA members, said, inter alia, that he convened ESU officials an invitation to visit the "TRNC". He added that during his visit, he held separate meetings with the ENQA president, the ESU vice president, the EUA programme director and the EURASHE president.

[08] Data on the imports and exports of the occupation regime

According to the data given by the trade department of the so-called ministry of economy and energy, the exports of the occupation regime in the first eight months of 2010 rose by 41.37% in comparison to the same period of the previous year. The biggest increase was noted in the exports of citrus fruits. In addition, imports rose by 25.5% and the foreign trade deficit by 24.4%.

As it is reported, in the first eight months of 2010, imports of 967.672.421 USD and exports of 68.346.801 USD were realized, compared to 770.781.525 USD imports and 48.343.709 USD exports in the previous year. Moreover, in the first eight months of 2009, the foreign trade deficit was 722.437.816 USD, whereas in 2010 it reached 899.325.620 USD.

According to the data, an important share of the exports is made to Turkey, which is followed by Middle East countries. Particularly, 46.2% of the exports are made to Turkey, 37.4% to Middle East countries, 6.1% to EU countries, 0.2% to Far East countries, 5.3% to other European countries and 4.8% to other countries.

Furthermore, the imports from Turkey reached 67.9%, from EU countries 16.8%, from Far East countries 6.5%, from Middle East countries 4.6% and the rest from other European and other countries.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] The readmission agreement to be discussed in Ankara

A technical delegation from the European Commission is to hold talks with Turkish officials in Ankara on Friday to conclude the agreement, diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review. "There might be a follow-up at a higher level, but in principle we see that the road is clear. We think that the technical team can wrap up the negotiations. That's all we hope," said an EU diplomat who wished to remain anonymous.

The agreement to be signed with Ankara will be binding for the entire union and the financial burden is expected to be shared. The readmission agreement could turn up on the agenda for an EU interior ministers' meeting scheduled December 2 and 3.

[10] Three Generals suspended

Minister of Interior Besir Atalay suspended Major General Halil Helvacioglu who is among the defendants standing trial in the "Sledgehammer" case, while Minister of Defence Vecdi Gonul suspended Major General Gurbuz Kaya and Rear Admiral Abdullah Gevramoglu.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who responded to reporters' questions at Esenboga Airport prior to his departure for Lebanon, confirmed that Major General Helvacioglu had been suspended. He said: "Both the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Defence have exercised their powers within their established boundaries."

The power to suspend officers emanating from Article 65 of the Act on the Personnel of the Turkish Armed Forces was exercised on November 22, 2010. The decisions were notified to the General Staff for taking prompt action and they include references to the ongoing trials of the three generals. Who have been in the limelight since the Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting held in August.

The generals who were not promoted because of charges brought against them, were excluded from a decree submitted to President Abdullah Gul for approval. The General Staff, however, temporarily appointed the three generals as acting commanders to head various units which should have been normally commanded by higher-ranking generals.

Following their appeal to the Higher Military Administrative Court, the generals obtained an injunction. The court dismissed an appeal by the Ministry.

[11] Construction of power plant approved

During his visit to Turkey on May 12, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the agreement on nuclear power plant, which will have capacity 4.8 GW and will have four units. The approval of the agreement will also be signed by Medvedev.

Yuri Lipatov, Chairman of the Energy Committee of Duma, said in an earlier statement that the project is the most important strategic cooperation between Turkey and Russia. He noted that the first phase of the power plant will be constructed by Russian companies, and will be given to commercial use seven years after all documents and licenses are delivered. The project will be undertaken by Russian "ZAO Atomstroyeksport", "Inter RAO UES", "Rosenergoatom", "Atomenergoremont" and "Atomtehenergo" companies.

[12] Turkey and Lebanon sign free trade agreement

Trade volume between Turkey and Arab countries rose to $29 billion in 2009 from $13 billion five years earlier, Erdogan said in June. More than 2,000 Arab companies operate in Turkey, he said. Turkey and Lebanon had agreed in June on establishing a free trade zone that also includes Jordan and Syria.

Under the Turkish-Lebanese accords, industrial products have been divided into three groups, with some products being exempt from custom tariffs as soon as the Lebanese Parliament endorses the agreement, Hariri said. Tariffs on the second group of industrial products will be gradually freed from tariffs over five years. Hariri and Erdogan also agreed to establish a joint committee to oversee trade ties.

[13] Highlights

a) Turkish-US relations/NATO Summit

In an article in Milliyet, Melih Asik criticizes Turkey's accord with the NATO defence system and predicts: "From now on, we will be the watch tower. Radars will be deployed on our land. These radars will watch the cat, I mean Iran, 24 hours a day. When Tehran fires its missiles, NATO will launch its own missiles to destroy them in the air. Iran was Turkey's close friend until yesterday. It is now our future enemy. When/if Iran gets into a confrontation with the West, it will naturally hit the missile radars in Turkey first. In Turkey today, we see the sad picture of a dependent country that gives priority to the protection of US interests. We are going to protect Israel against Iran."

Yeni Akit columnist Asim Yenihaber poses the question whether Turkey can abandon its struggle against Islam entirely and remain a NATO member. He identifies this proposition as the case that Ankara made at the NATO summit in Lisbon, adding that neither the "big guns of NATO" nor Ankara made any headway in contesting or defending this point and that the "the problem was put on hold." He also claims that the results of the Lisbon summit can be convincingly presented as a "victory" from Turkey's viewpoint only if President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Erdogan, and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu are "rewarded" by the West. "This is very unlikely, however. There is no doubt that the United States is seeking an opportunity to get rid of this trio."

Today's Zaman columnist Beril Dedeoglu interprets the results of the Lisbon summit as meaning that "NATO has once again taken Europe under its control" and will not allow it to "utter dissident voices" against its regional policies.

Milli Gazete carries a front-page report criticizing the Erdogan government for failing to make "satisfactory" disclosures about the ultimate purposes of the missile defence project. The report also asserts that Prime Minister Erdogan has confused the public by making contradictory statements as to who should assume command of the project.

In an article in Milli Gazette entitled "NATO: Nothing new, just a cosmetic makeover", columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan dismisses the post-Lisbon "rhetoric" of a "new NATO" as a ploy to ensure that new generations could "swallow more easily the 60-year lie about the functions of this organization." He claims that NATO remains as much an entity that is out to impose capitalist and imperialist states' demands on the rest of the world as it has ever been.

b) Red Book and Turkey's current perception of threat

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News.com entitled "Threat Perception", Yusuf Kanli analyzes the new National Security Document, or "Red Book", approved by the government this week. Recalling how Islamist radicalism had been listed in the Red Book as the prime threat to the country from 2005 until now, Kanli asks: "In a government document which does not accept Islamist terrorism and Islamist radicalism, why should it be a surprise development to see that radical Islam is no longer listed as a security threat for the democratic and secular Turkish Republic?"

Zaman columnist Huseyin Gulerce describes the changes made to the National Security Policy Document at the latest National Security Council meeting as a "well-meaning move in favour of the democratization of civilian-military relations."

c) CHP-BDP alliance

Zaman columnist Mehmet Kamis accuses certain "social engineers in favour of the status quo" who are trying to set the scene for an election alliance between the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) of attempting to exploit opposition to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) by certain segments of society as a means of obstructing the "structural transformation" that Turkey is undergoing under the AKP. He also asserts that while the CHP and BDP appear to have made a U-turn on their plans to form an alliance in response to reactions from their grassroots, they cannot be said to have scrapped this project for good.

Zaman columnist Mustafa Unal criticizes CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu for accusing the "rightist" news media of distorting facts in claiming that the CHP and BDP are looking into establishing an election alliance. Unal asserts that it is Kilicdaroglu and his aides' own initial responses to questions about a possible CHP-BDP rapprochement that led to press reports on a CHP-BDP alliance. He also claims that Kilicdaroglu's latest remarks ruling out an alliance with the BDP have nevertheless ended the discussion, adding that this does not mean that the CHP's "ethnic" and "sectarian" policies will not continue to be a matter of debate.

d) CHP and Kurdish question

In his column in Milliyet, Fikret Bila rules out an election alliance between the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). He explains: "Under Kilicdaroglu, the CHP is opposed to the demands made by the PKK and placed on the political agenda by the BDP. When he talks about a pro-freedoms-CHP, Kilicdaroglu refers to personal rights and freedoms, not to collective rights, that is, to minorities. Furthermore, he strongly opposes the BDP's demand for autonomy. The CHP leader defends the teaching and free speaking of the mother tongue, and the freedom of all sections of the society to uphold their culture; but he is opposed to the giving of autonomy to the southeast, and opposed to politics based on ethnic identity. While the views of the two parties are so very different, speaking about their alliance can only be part of a campaign to undermine the CHP."

e) People's Voice Party

Yeni Akit carries an interview entitled "We are indigenous and believe in the power of faith" with People's Voice Party (HAS) leader Numan Kurtulmus. Kurtulmus describes the HAS as a party opposed to imperialist designs on Turkey and wants all segments of society to get their fair share of freedoms, justice, and prosperity.

f) JITEM

Yeni Akit carries a front-page report which highlights a "classified" document that discloses "the organizational chart of JITEM" [alleged gendarmerie intelligence organization], a clandestine military body the existence of which is "denied" by the Turkish Armed Forces. According to the document, dated 11 November 1993, JITEM was founded on 27 August, 1987, the report says. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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