Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-01-04

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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] KTOS: "AKP government's policy on Cyprus is far from sincere"

[02] Talat says is doubts whether the UK desires a solution in Cyprus

[03] Rauf Denktas alleges that the Turkish Cypriots will have "troubles", if agreement is reached in Cyprus

[04] KTOEOS protests against "the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriots"; Economist warns of "civilian unrest"

[05] UBP to elect its new general secretary on Friday

[06] Reportedly HIS party to merge with DP

[07] The Imam of Hala Sultan Tekke reacts to the restoration of the restaurant near the Tekke

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Davutoglu says Turkey may take the most unexpected decisions

[09] "Arinc says legal barriers will be overcome to open Greek seminary"

[10] 2010 exports in Turkey reached $113 billion

[11] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] KTOS: "AKP government's policy on Cyprus is far from sincere"

In a written statement issued yesterday, Elcil said, inter alia, the following:

"The AKP government, which does not take a step on the issue of the solution and imposes policies which drag the Turkish Cypriot community to annihilation, will find the Turkish Cypriots before it. The progress of Turkey in its course towards the EU came this far due to the 'yes' vote of the Turkish Cypriots to the Annan Plan in 2004. As for today, Turkey's EU accession course stopped because of the Cyprus problem. The AKP government policy on Cyprus is far from being sincere. The AKP government, which relied on the 'yes' vote of the Turkish Cypriots, exposed this insincerity as, on the one hand said it wanted a solution and on the other continued its assimilation and integration policies regarding the northern part of our island. Transferring population, distributing citizenship, giving away the northern part of our island to capital close to the AKP, decreasing of wages and salaries, taxing the pensioners, blocking the Turkish Cypriots from production and making them poor are policies aimed at the non-solution and the colonization of the northern part of the island. Turkey, which is in Cyprus within the framework of its duties as guarantor power thanks to the struggle given by the Turkish Cypriots, is here to protect the disrupted constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. Keeping this reality in mind and showing respect to the international agreements which Turkey signed, will be an important step in its EU talks which have come to a deadlock..."

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat doubts whether the UK desires a solution in Cyprus

Referring to a statement by President Christofias' that first the Cyprus problem should be solved and then they will discuss about the bases, Talat underlined that the UK might have some fears that after the solution of the Cyprus problem, its bases on the island will be closed down. In this context, he noted that it is doubtful whether the British desire a solution to Cyprus, adding that in a sense, they reveal this with their diplomatic activities.

[03] Rauf Denktas alleges that the Turkish Cypriots will have "troubles", if agreement is reached in Cyprus

The paper writes that Rauf Denktas addressed the opening ceremony of an exhibition at the illegal Near East University on newspaper advertisements in the Turkish-language in Cyprus over the past 100 years. According to Kibris, the advertisements showed that trade in Cyprus before 1974 was under the complete control of the Greek Cypriots.

In his statements, Denktas noted that looking at the exhibits he had the opportunity to reflect on the situation of trade in the past and its present condition. He said he remembered that the Turkish Cypriots had no economic power and that they where only selling the products of the Greek Cypriot merchants. He added that the Greeks advertised their products in Turkish language newspapers and said: "What I am afraid the most is the loss of the financial struggle, the return to the past".

Denktas alleged that the Turkish Cypriots developed after they separated from the Greek Cypriots, because then they were given opportunities.

He claimed that many people think that they face financial difficulties because no agreement has been reached on the Cyprus problem, but no one will be spared from the difficulties that will emerge for the Turks if an agreement is reached. Denktas reiterated the allegation that the Greek Cypriots want to remove Turkey from Cyprus and cut its contact with the island.

(I/Ts.)

[04] KTOEOS protests against "the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriots"; Economist warns of "civilian unrest"

Eraslan noted that the 13th salary was not paid to the employees, the cost of living allowance was abolished and the VAT increased. All these resulted in increased prices in all fields of life, he said adding that people who depend on their salary are "shocked" with the coming of the new year and they will continue to be shocked. "This process is heading towards the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriot community", he argued.

Meanwhile, under the title "Warning that 'the people will revolt", Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (04.01.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriot "people" expects some steps on the economy by the "government" with the new year. The chairman of the "Chamber of Industry", Ali Cirali told the paper that the necessary steps should be taken as soon as possible and pointed out to the financial difficulties in the occupied areas of Cyprus. A plan should be made for the solution of the problems, he argued.

Moreover, economist Unal Akifler said no middle class will remain in the "country". Noting that the regime does not attach importance to "austerity", he warned that there might be a civilian unrest".

Furthermore, Hurrem Tulga, chairman of the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, said what must be done should be decide what to do as soon as possible, because "the ship is taking water and we are heading to the bottom".

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (04.01.11) reports that the "government", taking into consideration the cost of living rate announced by the "State Planning Organization", increased all licences and fees by 4-5% as of 1 January 2011.

(I/Ts.)

[05] UBP to elect its new general secretary on Friday

However, speaking to the paper, the "mayor" of occupied Lefkosia, Cemal Bulutoglulari, reiterated that he will be a candidate for the general secretariat as well.

[06] Reportedly HIS party to merge with DP

The paper also reports that another "thought-provoking information" is that Yonluer has been having frequent meetings lately with the so-called independent parliamentarian Tahsin Ertugruloglu.

[07] The Imam of Hala Sultan Tekke reacts to the restoration of the restaurant near the tekke

In his statements, Sakir Alemdar underlined that restoration works on land which belongs to the most important holy place of the Muslim family is unacceptable. He said, if necessary, a legal struggle will be launched, adding that they will protest raising the issue at international fora.

(AK)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Davutoglu says Turkey may take the most unexpected decisions

Noting that some EU countries for domestic political reasons put Cyprus as a precondition before Turkey's membership, Davutoglu said: "Nobody should try to cause a Cyprus impasse, and nobody can urge us to make choice that we do not want". Davutoglu said Turkey may take the most unexpected decisions under hard circumstances when its international interests are in question.

The minister said Turkey will continue to walk on the road to the EU, and some EU member-friends of Turkey are trying to explain to the others how a great global actor the EU will be if it includes Turkey.

On relations with neighbouring countries, Davutoglu said Turkey has seen itself equal to even the smallest countries in its vicinity, and will spread its visa free and free trade practices all around its environment. "We are determined to change the image of the Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East--which all have a negative image as they are associated with crises," Davutoglu said.

He also said Turkey has appointed eight ambassadors to Africa, is about to open eight new embassies in the region, and legal process for two embassies are about to be completed. "Thus, we will have 18 embassies in that region," he added.

Davutoglu said Turkey is increasing its representations in Latin America, and is planning to inaugurate at least two or three embassies in Central America and one or two others in Southeast Asia.

Turkey has 203 representations and 1,500 diplomats all around the world right now. The number of Turkey's representations will soon reach 214.

[09] "Arinc says legal barriers will be overcome to open Greek seminary"

Indicating that this is his first visit to the patriarchate, Arinc said he came to wish the patriarch a happy new year. He added that in their meeting on Buyukada (Prinkipos) in August last year he had told Patriarch Bartholomew that he was going to visit him at the patriarchate. Patriarch Bartholomew said his hope for the reopening of the school was solidified by Arinc's visit yesterday.

Arinc said yesterday that the Law on Foundations, which enables foundations owned by non-Muslim communities to possess property and receive financial assistance, was adopted by the government and then taken to the Constitutional Court by the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). However, the top court "positively" overturned CHP's application, giving the government the opportunity to "meet the valid demands of minorities," Arinc said.

[10] 2010 exports in Turkey reached $113 billion

The driving force of exports was the automotive sector, as car exports rose 16% on an annual basis to $17.38 billion. The textile sector posted an annual export rise of 10%, accounting for $14.64 billion. The third best performer was the chemicals sector, as its exports surged 32% to $12.72 billion.

Agricultural sectors accounted for 13.4% of overall exports, while industrial sectors accounted for 82.3% and mining for 3.22%

[11] Highlights

Foreign policy ? EU

Barcin Yinanc in Hurriyet Daily News.com dwells on Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's "Turkey vs. others" approach in the NATO Alliance and asserts: "The negative connotation of front-line state in the understanding of Davutoglu seems to imply a master-servant relationship. That's why he keeps repeating that Turkey has become (under AKP [Justice and Development Party] rule obviously) a country whose words are taken into account by NATO. Objection, Mr. Minister! Turkey certainly did not have the power it exerts currently during the Cold War period but this does not mean that it was a junior partner in NATO at the mercy of the big powers within the alliance. Turkey's relationship with NATO was not one of decisions taken at the expense of national interests. It was one based on reciprocal interests. There lies the fundamental mistake of the AKP when it comes to its policies with NATO. It juxtaposes Turkey against the 'others' within NATO."

Yeni Safak publishes an interview entitled "BDP, MHP are Political Twins" with State Minister and Chief Negotiator with the EU Egemen Bagis, who responds to questions about Turkey's EU membership bid, Kurdish demands for democratic autonomy and a bilingual society, the issue of a new constitution, the recent student protests, etc. Bagis asserts that Turkey will be ready for EU membership by the end of 2013, that the draft constitution to be drawn up after the election in June might envision a presidential or semi-presidential system, and that the BDP is trying to increase its popularity ahead of the June election in voicing its latest demands for autonomy and bilingualism.

Zaman columnist Ali Bulac comments on what he describes as Europe's failure to develop a viable model of coexistence with Muslims or to protect itself against the "vulgarizing" effects of the "carnival model" of multiculturalism promoted by the United States. He asserts that Europe is increasingly detaching itself from reality and adopting a "neurotic attitude" in turning in on itself defensively in response to the said model and "demonizing" Islam and Muslims, adding that in repudiating multiculturalism and "falling into the trap of Islamophobia," Europe is following a course that is likely to harm itself most.

Middle East peace/Israel-Syria-Turkey

Semih Idiz in Milliyet recounts several recent articles in foreign press which he considers as signaling "Turkey's upcoming role in the Middle East peace process." In an article entitled "Turkey is the best mediator for and Syria and Israel" he gives the following examples: "An editorial in the Kuwaiti daily El Rai talks about potential restart of American diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Newly appointed US Ambassador to Damascus after five years indicates the fact that Washington does not consider Syria in the same category with Iran. Syria is cooperating with the United States and the two even can sign an agreement for the Middle East peace." The writer also notes that recent statements by Denis Ross, President Obama's special envoy for Middle East were supportive to this argument, and then refers to a Jerusalem Post article: "Professor Alon Ben-Meir asserts in his article that Turkey remains the best possible mediator between Syria and Israel even though the conditions are not right at the moment. ... In any case, if Washington resumes peace talks between Syria and Israel, the process will continue on the path opened by Turkey."

Ergenekon ? Masonic lodges

Yeni Akit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak comments on press reports linking the Ergenekon network to the Supreme Council of Turkish Freemasons, a body which "includes 33 degree freemasons." He asserts that there is no way of finding out the entire truth about coup conspiracies in Turkey without discovering their connection to Masonic lodges and deep state forces in Ankara. "If you compare a coup plot in Ankara to a cancerous cell, complications in non-adjacent places are only metastasis. You cannot get rid of the illness without removing the essential malignant tumor in the capital." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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