Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-11-29

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu evaluates the meeting in NY and his contacts in Sweden

[02] Gul indicates that a "Cyprus Conference" is possible in 2011

[03] Ertug reiterates that two peoples exist on Cyprus

[04] The occupation regime opens "representation" in Stockholm

[05] "Geneva meeting on 25 January"

[06] Ozgurgun: the Turkish Cypriots want a settlement safeguarding their sovereignty, political equality and security

[07] Further reaction to the UN Secretary-General's report on Cyprus

[08] Talat to travel to Brussels and Berlin

[09] Illegal TAK signs cooperation protocol with Bosnia-Herzegovina's FENA

[10] The incidents in Korea are seen as justification of Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus

[11] UBP congresses in occupied Lefkosia and Famagusta

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[12] Cyprus and the NATO-EU divide

[13] Kurtulmus re-elected leader of People's Voice Party

[14] Erdogan to attend 3rd EU-Africa summit

[15] Erdogan comments on Wikileak documents

[16] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu evaluates the meeting in NY and his contacts in Sweden

Eroglu said "we are at the table with good will and that's how I went to New York" and added that the Turkish side had even put forward a road map to overcome the deadlock in the property issue but refrained from making it public in line with the principles of confidentiality.

Noting that he is pleased with the New York meeting, Eroglu said even if Christofias does not accept it, a time restriction has been implied.

Recalling the proposals he had put forward regarding the property issue, Eroglu said the UN and Alexander Downer liked the proposal and that he expected more emphasis on the issue in the Secretary-General's report.

He explained that efforts will be intensified to bridge the differences on certain issues by the end of January. Repeating his desire for the property issue to be solved through exchange, compensation or return Eroglu said: "If we give the Greek Cypriots the land they are asking for then there would be no place for us to live in Cyprus". He also said "we are aware of the need for a solution but what is most important for us is that the solution is viable".

Expressing his satisfaction over the meeting with the Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, Eroglu concluded by saying he was pleased that "Sweden had protected its neutrality during the years and was aware of the realities on the island".

Moreover, illegal Bayrak website (28.11.10) reports that on his return to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, Erolgu announced that he will meet with the political party leaders on Monday or Tuesday to discuss the proposal put forward by the Turkish side during New York summit.

Explaining that he will make the necessary statement on the UN Chief's report following a detailed evaluation, Eroglu recalled that the report has not yet been approved by the UN Security Council.

[02] Gul indicates that a "Cyprus Conference" is possible in 2011

Gul also recalled that Switzerland has a diplomatic tradition as a mediator in the Cyprus and Armenian issues and added that he supports Switzerland's readiness to be involved once again. Gul said: "We hope that (Switzerland) will be the host in Geneva of the conference on the Cyprus issue."

[03] Ertug reiterates that two peoples exist on Cyprus

Ertug said that "from the beginning the Cyprus Turkish side has been stressing the reality of the existence of two peoples in Cyprus and noted that the Turkish side's sensitivity on this issue has already been brought to the attention of the UN Secretary General".

Recalling that the same phrase was used by former UN Secretary Generals, Ertug said: "Eroglu soon after his election to the post had written a letter to the UN Secretary-General informing him of the reality that two peoples exist on the island. Our sensitivity on this issue has already been conveyed to the UN Secretary General".

[04] The occupation regime opens "representation" in Stockholm

[05] "Geneva meeting on 25 January"

[06] Ozgurgun: the Turkish Cypriots want a settlement safeguarding their sovereignty, political equality and security

Ozgurgun said that "the Turkish Cypriot side will continue its peaceful efforts towards reaching a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, safeguarding the Cyprus Turkish People's sovereignty, political equality and security".

Ozgurgun said that it will be a misperception on the part of the international community to expect the Turkish Cypriots to remain silent when the Greek Cypriot side manages to use its international recognition as a tool to serve its own interests.

"The Greek Cypriot side claims that it supports a federal solution- which it defines as a substantial concession. What it actually wants however is a unitary state that will feature decision-making by the Greek Cypriot majority", he said.

Ozgurgun also said that "the international pledges on the lifting of isolation on Cyprus Turks could not be fulfilled as a result of the Greek Cypriot's".

Underlining the importance of motherland Turkey's continuous support to the Turkish Cypriots in "the rightful national cause", Ozgurgun said "it is clear that a solution is possible only through negotiations and we will continue the negotiations with good will as usual".

[07] Further reaction to the UN Secretary-General's report on Cyprus

Denktas said that the UN provides for the postponement of the negotiating process in January or in the middle of 2011 if a result is not reached. He noted that his party will seek briefing by the Turkish Cypriot leader on issues such as the cross-voting and the single sovereignty, before making a more comprehensive assessment. "However, when we look at the report as a whole, this is a report which calls on the Greek Cypriot side to behave with a little bit more good will", he argued.

Meanwhile, Bengu Sonya, general secretary of the DP, commented on the same issue, pointing out to the reference in the report that failure of the negotiating process will be attributed to the two community leaders, Sonya expressed the view that this gives the message that "the UN Secretary-General is aware of the game played by the Greek Cypriot leadership". He said that the report coincides with many positions supported by the DP since the very beginning of the negotiations. He claimed that "the limitation of the talks to weeks and days" shows how realistic the DP is when it opposes an interim agreement.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (27.11.10) reports that Ozdil Nami, adviser of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, said that a time frame is tantamount to arbitration. Responding to a question, Nami noted that the UN Secretary-General says in the report that he could not offer his aid to the sides if progress is not achieved until a certain date. Nami argued that both sides are being warned in the report that if a climate of give and take is not created until January, "the negotiations will be put into the freezer" until after the elections in the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Talat to travel to Brussels and Berlin

[09] Illegal TAK signs cooperation protocol with Bosnia-Herzegovina's FENA

[10] The incidents in Korea are seen as justification of Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[11] UBP congresses in occupied Lefkosia and Famagusta

Ali ?etin Amcaoglu was re-elected President of the Lefkosia District Office and Ahmet Eti was elected President of the Famagusta District office.

Speaking during the events, the leader of UBP and self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said "the party and the government are able to stand by and explain every single step that is being taken". Noting that "until the 2014 general elections the government will be for the prosperity of the people", Kucuk said "we must be united for the sake of the country, our future and the TRNC".

Referring to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Kucuk said "he would not take a step back from his oath that the TRNC comes first". He added "some circles are trying to drag the people into darker times, but they will find us standing before them". Finally, he said that "they will continue on their path with motherland Turkey's support, and that it was thanks to Turkey that they were able to balance the state budget."

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (29.11.10) reports that the candidates for the leadership of UBP at the general assembly on December 4 are Irsen Kucuk, Ahmet Kasif and Hasan Tacoy.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[12] Cyprus and the NATO-EU divide

The editorial maintains "Cyprus has become the main reason why most of the chapters dealing with foreign policy in Turkey-EU negotiations are blocked" and that "Many within the organization admit it was a historic mistake to admit divided Cyprus to the union."

On the NATO-EU cooperation, the editorial points out that "Using its leverage within NATO, Ankara prevents high-level formal meetings between NATO and the EU's Political and Security Committee on the grounds that Cyprus does not have any security clearance from NATO."

"No other frozen conflict has the luxury of hijacking the future of relations between the West and Islam or the ability to block much needed security arrangements between the world's most important military alliance and the most successful supra-national model of regional integration. In that sense, Cyprus defies all the classical norms of a frozen conflict. Although diminishing, there is still some willingness to solve the issue on the Turkish and Greek sides of the island. What may be missing is the crucial absence of international pressure for a solution" the editorial concludes.

[13] Kurtulmus re-elected leader of People's Voice Party

Kurtulmus, the only candidate, received 207 of 210 votes. Members of the party elected Teoman Riza Guneri as the party's council chairman. Kurtulmus shifted from Saadet last month after a long-standing intra-party rift.

Abdulkadir Aksu, deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Veysi Kaynak, deputy of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), Nuri Yaman and representatives from parties other than the Felicity Party (SP) attended the convention.

Muhammed Ibrahim, deputy chairman of Pakistan's Islam Party; Suaiyibani El Habib, from the Justice and Development Party of Morocco; the Iranian ambassador to Turkey; and Oman Merdusi from the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq also attended the convention.

[14] Erdogan to attend 3rd EU-Africa summit

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government is planning to open several diplomatic missions across Africa to boost relations with African nations. Turkey already has friendly ties with Libya and Sudan.

[15] Erdogan comments on Wikileak documents

[16] Highlights

a) WikiLeaks documents/United States-Turkey

In an article in Radikal (28.11.10) entitled "Washington contacted Ankara on the WikiLeaks", Murat Yetkin highlights the importance of upcoming meeting between Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Davutoglu, and ties this visit with the WikiLeaks: "There was a communication between Ankara and Washington prior to release of the WikiLeaks documents. A high level US diplomat in Ankara brought up the issue during a meeting at the foreign ministry about Davutoglu's visit to Washington. ... In any case, the soon-to-be released WikiLeaks documents will cast a shadow on Clinton-Davutoglu meeting."

Ismail Kucukkaya of Aksam (27.11.10) who is accompanying Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu en route to Washington recounts his talk with the Minister who is quoted saying "Contrary to the public opinion perception, we do not have any tension with the United States. ... We have not made any mistakes on Israel. During the voting in Geneva, the United States voted in favour of Israel which was disappointing for us. Regarding the sanctions against Iran, we had to vote against it during the UNSC session. We worked hard to conclude a swap deal and we thought that we had a joint strategy with the United States on this issue. Even though there are differences of approach on these two issues, we work closely on many issues, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans."

A report in Bugun (28.11.10), notes that the WikiLeaks have caused the United States to panic and that the US Embassy in Ankara has issued a disguised "apology" regarding the soon-to-come-out revelations on US-PKK ties. The report says that a US diplomat at the Embassy in Ankara, who briefed the Turkish Foreign Ministry on documents that include claims that the United States provided weapons and logistic support to the PKK in Iraq. According to the paper, the diplomat is reported to have conveyed the message: 'Do not take the documents into consideration, let our relations not be damaged.'"

A featured story in Milliyet (27.11.10) cites a report by AFP that: "The United States rushed to warn Turkey of potential embarresment prior to the release of confidential documents by the WikiLeaks. Both American and Turkish diplomats in Ankara denied the allegation about Turkey's support for Al-Qa'ida in Iraq, and about the US support for PKK."

A report by Bahadir Selim Dilek in Cumhuriyet (27.11.10), quotes Turkish diplomatic sources regarding the content of a recent "phone diplomacy" between Ankara and Washington: "Washington told Ankara that Turkey and the United States are two important allies, and the cooperation against terrorism will continue. In response to this, 'cooperation will certainly continue but we should see the documents first' Ankara told Washington." The report notes Washington has warned Ankara that "the new round of documents might contain some upsetting information for Turkey."

Vatan (26.11.10) gives front-page prominence to the further release of State Department documents by WikiLeaks under the banner headline "Documents of treachery will cause a major crisis between Washington and the Turkish government."

Radikal's (26.11.10) front-page report emphasizes that the United States government is panic-stricken fearing that the exposure will damage United States' relations with friendly countries, especially with Turkey.

In his column in Radikal (26.11.10), Eyup Can describes the documents as "Pandora's box" and points out that Turkey too will be embroiled in this issue, for many allegations, like the suspicion that the United States is helping the PKK. Describing this revelation as the real "bombshell," Can says the US officials are now engaged in damage control.

In his column in Sabah (26.11.10), Erdal Safak notes that the documents will be catastrophic not only for the United States but for many other countries as well, adding that the American government has already sent a message to the Turkish Foreign Ministry urging it not to permit the damage of the alliance because of the documents.

b) Erdogan's visit to Lebanon

In his article in Yeni Akit (28.11.10, Hasan Karakaya examines the reasons why Erdogan is so loved and esteemed in Lebanon. While the Lebanese perceived Turkey as a very close friend of Israel during the "28 February process," [postmodern coup of 1997] our country became a "real friend" during the AKP government, writes Karakaya, adding: "The 'changing perception in Turkey' has played a significant role in this 'friendship' Drawing attention to the school, hospital, and water network constructed by Turkey in Lebanon, Karakaya asserts that the Erdogan government has turned the love of Israel of the 28 February supporters into the love of human beings. The writer notes that Erdogan's "one minute" rebuke in Davos, his sensitivity to Gaza and Jerusalem, and the flotilla incident have further contributed to the Lebanese people's love of Erdogan. In conclusion, Karakaya writes that Erdogan is a powerful leader whose words are heeded in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe because he is sincere, he takes risks, he is courageous and, most of all, because he is a born leader.

In an article in Radikal (27.11.10) entitled "The Lebanon message: we are in the Middle East as a rival to Iran", Cengiz Candar writes: "Some commentators in Lebanon consider Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's efforts as a sign of Turkey's gradual participation in the anti-Israel front; in other words [they think] Turkey joins in the Iran and Syria line. The Israeli lobby in the United States also tends to support this argument. However, Turkey's policy on the Middle East wants to progress on the basis of competing with Iran."

In an article, by Mustafa Karaalioglu in Star (27.11.10) sees "Turkey in the Middle East as a European power" and maintains: "As proven by his recent trip to Lebanon, Prime Minister Erdogan has become a trademark of trust and sympathy in this geography. Just like he raised the benchmark for domestic success on economy and democratization, the same has been applied to foreign policy."

Yeni Safak (27.11.10) columnist Hakan Albayrak interprets the "massive public interest" in Lebanon in Erdogan's visit as a confirmation of what Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu calls "the normalization of history." He notes the role of Erdogan's "anti-Israeli" messages and moves, particularly his walkout from his debate with Israeli President Peres at Davos, in changing opinion on the Arab street in favour of Turkey. He also claims that the "psychological wall" between Turkey and the Arab world maintained by an Arab nationalist rhetoric of "Turkey has not lost a single drop of blood for the sake of Palestine" was brought down completely when a number of Turkish nationals were killed in the Israeli raid on a Turkish relief vessel bound for the Gaza Strip.

Zaman (26.11.10) Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanli describes the "massive" public interest in Lebanon in Prime Minister Erdogan's ongoing visit to this country, as a manifestation of gratitude for Turkey's public works projects in Lebanon as well as a response to Erdogan's "support for the oppressed" and his outburst at Israeli President Peres at Davos.

c) US-Turkey relations

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News (27.11.10), Ali Birand comments on "Turkey's changed foreign policy rhetoric" and "the US as a big brother figure" He opines: "Turkey is not looking at the world in the way it did in the past. Turkey becomes a country no longer taking decisions that depend on neither Washington nor Brussels. Turkey siding with Iran, supporting the regime in Sudan, and having rows with Israel, infuriates the United States and old allies. ... The negative attitude of the EU and counter-policies of the U.S. as a super power have played a role in this. The U.S. begins to act like a 'big brother' causing reactions in Turkey."

In an article in Today's Zaman (27.11.10) entitled "US' choice and Turkey", Today's Zaman columnist Ergun Babahan explains why there is "nothing" that people like former US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman and the Jewish lobby in Washington could do to eject the ruling AKP from power. He also claims that the United States would be well-advised to "think about what it will do to maintain a relationship based on trust with Turkey after documents published on Wikileaks suggested US support for the PKK ..."

In his column in Hurriyet Daily News (26.11.10), Ali Birand comments on the tension between Turkey and United States and urges Turkish leaders to modify their positions for, in the end, Turkey needs the United States for its prosperity and regional influence. "When push comes to shove, Turkey needs the U.S. in the long-run more than U.S. needs Turkey. The weakest aspect of Ankara is fragile economy and politics and nobody could predict what might happen next. Washington is for now on stand-by. They will wait and see if Ankara fine-tunes its policies and adopts a different approach following the general election. The year of 2011 will be critical considering all these aspects," Birand notes.

Cuneyt Ozdemir in his column in Radikal (26.11.10) criticizes Mehmet Ali Birand for trying to scare Turks about the American ire over Turkish policy just when Prime Minister was abroad forging a new global image for Turkey with his charismatic personality. Yes, the Turks have angered the Americans and they are in a better position for that, Ozdemir says, adding that columnists like Birand suffer inferiority complex in the presence of a few noecon American bureaucrats and the Israeli lobby. Ozdemir says he himself will tell these Americans to "get lost!"

In his column in Sabah (26.11.10), Engin Ardic comments on the Arab world's fascination with PM Erdogan, adding that Turks, especially the Kemalists, should stop feeling bad when Turkey is described as a "bridge" between the West and the East, for Turkey is profiting from being a bridge. Listing several reasons for the Arab world's love of Turkey and its leader, Ardic says among the reasons is the longing among the Arabs and Turks for a strong leader commanding respect. And Erdogan is that leader, Ardic says, adding that Erdogan used the last eight years as a "prelude" to build up that leadership and after 2012 presidential elections he will display that leadership spectacularly.

d) Ergenekon heroic resistance

In an article in Yeni Akit (27.11.10) entitled "For the sake of a few men", columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak argues that however much Ergenekon might represent itself as a neo-nationalist and anti-US group, its "heroic resistance" to the Government is ultimately intended to "save a few despots that are the Trojan horses of the Zionist lobby" in Turkey. He claims that Ergenekon's anti-US stance is merely a response to the Erdogan government's close relations with the current US administration, adding that Ergenekon's anger stems from the fact that the United States no longer wants to do business with its former "hired gun" in Turkey, preferring instead to cooperate with the AKP in restructuring Turkey. Dilipak also warns that a new Ergenekon is being established while the old Ergenekon is being disbanded and claims that it is rather difficult to alert "our Muslims brothers" to the threat posed by this new illegal network.

e) "Not Missile shield but Cyber war"

In an article in Milli Gazette (27.11.10) with the above headline, columnist lists his objections to Turkey's involvement in NATO's missile defence project. He warns of NATO, the EU, the United States, and Israel's "secret purposes" and draws attention to the "link" between the missile defense project and the Cyprus issue. He also argues that Turkey should base its arguments against the project on the fact that "more than half of the Iranian population consists of people of the same racial origin as citizens of the Turkish Republic, namely Turks, Kurds, and Turkomans."

f) Who is Europe planning to destroy

In an article in Yeni Safak (26.11.10) columnist Ibrahim Karagul criticizes Germany for adopting an "exclusionary," "intolerant," and "aggressive" attitude toward Turkish nationals in this country in a way that suggests it is discarding "the values that it has cherished for the past sixty years" and regressing to the "dangerous mood" that governed it during World War II. He accuses German Chancellor Angela Merkel of using claims of a terrorist threat stemming from aliens as a means of placing Muslims and Turks in Germany under close scrutiny ultimately with a view to forcing them to leave Germany. He also asserts that ultra-rightist trends are gaining strength in Europe as a whole, that multiculturalism in Europe is being suspended, and that the EU is increasingly turning on itself.

g) National Security Policy

In Today's Zaman (26.11.10), columnist Ali Bulac discusses the significance of the absence of any references to religious "reactionarism" in the latest version of the National Security Policy Document adopted at the recent cabinet meeting. He claims that while "reactionarism" has been removed as a "threat" from Turkey's "secret constitution," it has been "replaced with politics based on abuse of religion." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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