Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-08-29

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Summit in Turkey over the Syria crisis

[02] Turkey rotates missiles towards Syrian borders; Davutoglu and Erdogan intensify diplomacy on Syria

[03] OIC's Ihsanoglu calls UNSC for decisive action against Syria

[04] Turkey has reportedly deployed Patriot missile batteries in southern-Turkey; German Defense Minister clarifies that Patriot missiles in Turkey will not be used against Syria

[05] "Possible Syria intervention poses serious pitfalls to Turkey", experts say; Columnist shares the same view

[06] Turkish Lira hits historic low amid the possible intervention against Syria

[07] More statements by Turkish Cypriot political parties on a possible attack against Syria

[08] CTP and DP agree to establish a "coalition government"

[09] UBP's extraordinary congress to be held on Saturday; Ozgurgun's first comment on the establishment of a CTP-DP "coalition government"

[10] Eroglu complains that his letter to President Anastasiades was leaked to the press and says that give and take should start in the negotiations

[11] Occupied Keryneia "municipality" becomes member of the 'Global Design Cities' Organization

[12] A joint project to purchase a firefighting helicopter for the buffer zone in Nicosia

[13] Twitter ban at the Assembly

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Summit in Turkey over the Syria crisis

The leaders will discuss possible steps in Syria crisis in the coming days. Erdogan will meet with President Abdullah Gul before the summit.

[02] Turkey rotates missiles towards Syrian borders; Davutoglu and Erdogan intensify diplomacy on Syria

Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Wednesday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier authorized army to change its engagement rules and take decisive military action against any threats coming from Syria.

Davutoglu's remarks came amid reports that Turkey has rotated its ground-to-ground missiles towards Syria in the southern province of Hatay.

Turkey, which has a 900-kilometer border with Syria, hosts half a million refugees from the two-and-a-half year conflict and is braced for a new influx should Western powers strike.

As Turkey is readying itself for a possible military operation against Syria, the Turkish army has deployed a number of missiles in Hatay's K1
r1
khan district. The army has rotated Stinger and I-Hawk missiles towards Syria.

(& )

Davutoglu spoke about the necessity to take an action for "our brothers" killed in Syria, including by chemical weapons and that all options remain on the table. He added that he hopes to see United Nations Security Council to come up with a decision that will end the bloodshed in Syria but the response is required if the Security Council fails to act.

Davutoglu noted that Turkey has taken all necessary military measures in the most effective way against threats coming from Syria and that Turkish army has successfully realized punitive actions against Syrian targets as a response to even a single bullet that hit Turkey.

The Foreign Minister said no one should doubt Turkey's power and the capabilities of Turkish army when it comes to defending itself.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (28.08.13) Davutoglu met with Saudi Arabian counterpart Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Wednesday in Jeddah.

Speaking to AA following the meeting as part of his official visit, Davutoglu said that Turkey has put its armed forces on alert to guard against threats from Syria as Western allies weigh possible military action against President Bashar al-Assad adding: "We are now at a more alert position ... Turkey will take whatever measures necessary within the framework of its own strategic interests," Davutoglu said, pointing out that "all options" remained open on the possible international action.

Davutoglu stated that they had addressed regional issues, primarily Syria and added: "We have a common perspective on the chemical attack and other developments in Syria. We have decided to join our efforts on the barbarian attacks which caused a humanity tragedy and to share our joint perspective with the international community."

He pointed out that the two countries would raise the level of their consultations about Syria.

Davutoglu also said that Egypt was also among the issues on the table. "Although we differ on some ideas about the developments in Egypt, we saw that differences were not an obstacle before making a joint contribution for a solution," said Davutoglu.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.08.13) reports also that Davutoglu spoke on Wednesday to his British and American counterparts, William Hague and John Kerry respectively, over the phone.

Diplomatic sources said that the leaders handled the latest developments in Syria as well the steps to be taken over the upcoming days.

Last week's alleged chemical attack by Bashar Assad's regime in Syria was a crime against humanity, said the ministers while pointing out that the Syrian crisis was a clear threat to international peace and security.

Hague also informed the Turkish Minister on the resolution which the UK drafted condemning the chemical weapons attack in Syria and authorizing the necessary measures to protect civilians in the country.

Davutoglu voiced Turkey's demand for a consensus on the matter and called on the international community for immediate steps to prevent deaths in Syria.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the latest developments in Syria with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Erdogan said the international community should not remain silent on the usage of chemical weapons by the Bashar al-Assad regime but should instead take concrete steps.

[03] OIC's Ihsanoglu calls UNSC for decisive action against Syria

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stressed the need to hold the Syrian government legally and morally accountable for this heinous crime and to bring its perpetrators to justice. He called on the Security Council to discharge its duty of preserving international security and stability, take a unified position against this monstrous crime and its perpetrators, and put an end to such violations.

Indicating that this attack was a blatant affront to all religious and moral values and a deliberate disregard of international laws and norms, which requires a decisive action, Ihsanoglu called for all forms of support to be extended to the Syrian people to defend themselves and for promoting international efforts to help them face these critical circumstances.

[04] Turkey has reportedly deployed Patriot missile batteries in southern-Turkey; German Defense Minister clarifies that Patriot missiles in Turkey will not be used against Syria

A US air base in 0
ncirlik in southern Turkey will likely be used as a logistics base in the event of a military intervention targeting the Syrian regime. The United States is expected to lead the widely anticipated intervention, which is reportedly set to begin this week, while France and Britain are also likely to take part.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said earlier this week that Turkey would take part in an international coalition against Syria if the UN Security Council, deeply divided due to Chinese and Russian backing for the Assad regime, remains unable to act even after what the Syrian opposition says was a chemical attack by the regime last week in Damascus.

(?) In preparation for an imminent military intervention against Syria, the Turkish military has deployed Stinger and I-Hawk missiles along the Syrian border. Reporting from the K1
r1
khan district of the border province of Hatay, private 0
hlas news agency said that the military has rotated its Stinger and I-Hawk missiles toward Syria.

But these old-technology missiles are not fully effective against ballistic missiles and thus cannot by themselves be relied on to defend Turkish airspace. Ankara doesn't have its own long-range air defense system; a $4-billion tender for such a system has not yet been finalized.

That leaves six Patriot batteries, sent to Turkey by the US, the Netherlands and Germany as part of a NATO decision to boost Turkey's air defenses, as the most effective bulwark against a Syrian missile attack. The batteries, deployed in the southern provinces of Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras and Adana, have been operational for the past seven months.

Military sources say a Syrian attack on Turkey is a remote possibility because it would trigger a collective NATO retaliation against Syria under Article 5 of the alliance's charter, known as the collective defense clause. "NATO Allies will continue to consult, keep situation in Syria under close review and continue to assist Turkey," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen tweeted on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish website Worldbulletin.com (29.08.13) Germany's Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Wednesday that Patriot missiles, which Germany sent to southern Turkey as part of a NATO mission to deter cross-border air strikes, would not be used in case of a possible military intervention in Syria.

The patriot missiles in Turkey are totally for defense purposes, said Maiziere during his visit of a marine training centre in Neustadt, northern Germany.

Chairman of Die Linke Parliamentary Group Gregor Gysi, on the other hand, wanted the German patriot missiles to be withdrawn as he said they would risk German army in a possible military intervention in Syria. He also opposed to the idea of military intervention in the country.

(?)

[05] "Possible Syria intervention poses serious pitfalls to Turkey", experts say; Columnist shares the same view

If it takes part in such a coalition, Turkey will become an open target of the embattled Syrian regime and its key allies, including Iran, Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah and Russia, say experts, who warn that Syria's allies may unleash attacks against Turkey in order to punish Ankara for its decision.

(?)

Turkey, which is one of the countries that is greatly affected by the incidents in Syria, said it could join an international coalition to take action against the Syrian regime or any other option that will be decided by an international coalition to punish the Syrian regime for the latest chemical attack.

Although it is still not clear what kind of a role Turkey would play in such an intervention, experts warn that following a possible intervention in Syria, Ankara would be in jeopardy against proxies of Syria and its allies, which may do their utmost to destabilize Turkey.

Sedat Laciner, the rector of Canakkale 18 Mart University, stated that the Syrian regime, Iran, Hezbollah and Russia may support the terrorist attacks against Turkey by throwing their support behind the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Agreeing with Laciner, Hasan Kanbolat, the director of Centre for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies (ORSAM), added that they may also strive to sabotage the settlement process that the Turkish government launched at the end of last year to settle the country's Kurdish problem.

Experts agree that Turkey should brace itself against the possible attacks to occur after an intervention in Syria. Kanbolat says that terror incidents reminiscent of the Reyhanl1
bombing in which 50 people were killed and as many as 100 were injured in May, may occur. Reyhanl1
, the southern Turkish province of Hatay, was not the only threat that came from Syria.

Turkey has experienced a few small-scale terrorist attacks since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in mid-2011. "There is the risk of an occurrence of terrorist operations against Turkish citizens and also the escalating of smuggling activities along the border with Syria," Kanbolat told Today's Zaman.

On Wednesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem also threatened Ankara by claiming that the balances in Turkey, which he said were already shaken by developments in Egypt, could be "deeply" upset by a military action against Syria.

Experts also stated that Syria and its allies would aim to turn Turkey into a center of sectarian conflicts. "Besides the PKK, the other card that may be played against Turkey would be sectarian groups. They may strive to escalate the sectarian tension in Turkey," Laciner told Today's Zaman.

Groups affiliated with Iran, the mastermind of the proxy wars in the Middle East, have reportedly conducted activities in the southern province of Hatay on Syria's border, recruiting Alawite youths into its ranks in order to create tension in Turkey's border provinces, as well as provide manpower to Assad's army.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has also warned Turkey and other countries in the region against taking part in a possible intervention in Syria, asking the countries of the region and their "Turkish friends" to be "careful" about developments in Syria.

(?)

Meanwhile, senior military officials from Turkey, the US and other Western countries met in Jordan to discuss possible ways to respond to allegations of chemical weapons use in a Damascus suburb. Meanwhile, senior diplomats of those countries met in 0
stanbul over the scope of a possible intervention.

It is reported that diplomats have told Syrian opposition in the meeting in 0
stanbul to expect a military response as punishment for Assad. There are also comments that Washington was not intent on a "regime change," signaling that any military strikes would be limited and not meant to topple Assad.

"It is still a question how much the US and its allies are sincere over the intervention. If the aim is not to topple Assad, then there is a great risk that Assad may emerge more powerful following the intervention. This would definitely be a problem for Turkey," said Laciner.

(?)

Laciner noted further that the intervention would also give advantages to Turkey, which has found itself alone in Syrian war. "Taking part in an international coalition would play into hands of Turkey, which faces the claims that it has been alienated due to its foreign policy," he added.

Also, in commentary in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (29.08.13) under the title: "Turkey: Willing for the coalition", columnist Nihat Ali Ozcan speculates on additional problems the limited possible intervention in Syria might cause for Turkey.

"(?) First of all, although the Turkish government successfully managed and regionally contained the problem caused by around 500,000 refugees and thereby encouraged more Syrians to become refugees, it is undeniable that the related economic, social and political problems are reaching intolerable levels.

Secondly, the Syrian situation has complicated the Kurdish problem. The government continues to negotiate with Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), while the PKK amasses power in Syria.

Another potential complication that could trouble the government concerns border security. According to the Turkish General Staff, more than 3,000 smugglers are regularly trying to cross the Turkish border at night. Such economically motivated attempts can easily transform into activities involving the drug trade, human trafficking, terrorism, and even transporting weapons of mass destruction.

Fourthly, al-Qaida-affiliated jihadists have settled on the other side of the border. They have effective networks inside Turkey, making it prone to future terrorist attacks and compromising the relations with the West based on 'trust'.

Fifthly, as the bitter experience of the Reyhanli attack shows, Turkey remains an open target of al-Assad's intelligence forces and their affiliates.

Finally, the perception that Turkish foreign policy has taken a "sectarian" turn has spread.

(?) An operation might even trigger new waves of refugees, provoke terrorism, and make Turkey a military target. The only hope is that a missile will go astray and finish off al-Assad".

[06] Turkish Lira hits historic low amid the possible intervention against Syria

The lira stood at 2.0521 against the dollar, after hitting a record low of 2.07 earlier this morning. Late yesterday it had been at 2.037.

The Istanbul stock market also opened the day will losses surpassing 2%. The main BIST 100 index was at 64,326 points.

Analysts say the markets have taken account of concerns over the implications of a possible U.S.-led military strike on Syria, instead of the confident and calm remarks from Central Bank Governor Erdem Basc1
.

Basc1
struck a tone mixing defiance with reassurance, saying the foreign exchange reserves would "never" be exhausted, that interest rates would be contained, and that the pressures were a temporary squall.

Due to growing worries that foreign investors would continue to sell out of a country facing stiff economic challenges and volatile global markets, the dollar has gaining value against most emerging market currencies, with the Indian rupee at the top.

The Syria worries pushed oil prices and safe-haven gold to multi-month highs as well.

Brent crude prices advanced 2.4% to a six-month high of $117.14 a barrel, extending yesterday's 3.3% surge - the biggest one-day percentage gain in nearly 10 months.

Gold climbed 0.8% to a more than three-month high after also gaining 0.8% yesterday.

[07] More statements by Turkish Cypriot political parties on a possible attack against Syria

Noting that the TDP strongly opposes to the use of the British bases in Cyprus during a possible war and to throwing the whole of Cyprus into the war zone, TDP's general secretary, Cemal Ozyigit called on all "peace forces" in Cyprus to raise their voice against the "imperialistic war" and the use of the British bases in it. Ozyigit argued that the USA is advancing its Great Middle East Project and expressed the view that the USA is determined to reshape the map of the Middle East and control the oil, natural gas and energy transportation lines. He said that the USA is trying in every way to achieve this.

"As TDP we oppose to imperialistic wars regardless of where they happen in the world and we support the solution of problems through discussion on a democratic basis under any conditions", he said.

On the same issue, the executive committee of the YKP issued a written statement saying that the party opposes to a possible military operation against Syria. The party expressed the view that a democratic transition should be supported in Syria and solidarity should be shown to this country. Noting that the use of chemical weapons is shown as pretext for the attack, the YKP says that this raises many questions and adds that both the government and the opposition in Syria possess chemical weapons.

Mehmet Birinci, general secretary of KSP said that the "imperialist forces" are getting ready to start an "unjust war" and called on all the political parties and everybody else to oppose to the use of the territory of Cyprus for attacking a neighboring country.

Baraka Cultural Centre issued a statement criticizing the self-styled "foreign ministry's" statement which said that the intervention against the Assad regime should be held under the umbrella of the United Nations. Baraka noted that such statement "legitimates" the military operation against Syria and the war.

(I/Ts.)

[08] CTP and DP agree to establish a "coalition government"

This is the third time in 20 years that the two parties decided to cooperate. A DP-CTP "coalition government" was established in 1994 headed by DP's chairman Hakki Atun. In 2004 a CTP-DP "coalition" was formed headed by the CTP's chairman, Mehmet Ali Talat who was succeeded by Ferdi Sabit Soyer, after his "election" to the "presidency" of the occupation regime.

According to Kibris, "serious debates" were experienced last night when the two parties were deciding to cooperate once more. As it is reported, some members of the CTP-BG's council wanted a "coalition government" with the National Unity Party (UBP).

In statements after the meeting of the council of his party, Serdar Denktas said that their discussions with the CTP-BG were concluded and added that after carrying out debates on the "coalition protocol" and the issue of "administrative settlement", the council of his party approved the establishment of a "coalition government". He said that there were only some abstentions in the voting at the DP-UG's council, but no one voted against the "coalition".

According to the paper, CTP-BG's four-hour meeting was interrupted for 40 minutes during which Yorgancioglu held a separate meeting with Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Ahmet Kalyoncu, members of the CTP-BG's council. An "MP" told Kibris that the interruption of the meeting was "unexpected". Yorgancioglu said that some corrections on technical issues regarding the "protocol" were made and the problem was overcome.

In statements after the completion of the meetings, Yorgancioglu noted that the CTP-BG decided to establish a "government" with the DP-UG and that they should submit the list with the names of the "ministers" to Eroglu the latest until Friday.

Yorgancioglu said that the distribution of the "ministries" in the "government" will be the following: "prime ministry" ? CTP-BG, "deputy prime minister" and "minister" of tourism and economy ? DP-UG, "ministry of interior" CTP-BG, "ministry of foreign affairs" CTP-BG, "ministry of finance" CTP-BG, "ministry of public works and transport" DP-UG, "ministry of education, youth and sports" DP-UG, "ministry of food, agriculture and energy" CTP-BG, "ministry of labor and social insurance" CTP-BG, "ministry of environment and natural resources" DP-UG, and "ministry of health" CTP-BG.

In a written statement issued on the establishment of a "coalition government" with the DP-UG, Yorgancioglu said that this "government" will contribute with a "positive and promoter approach" to "reaching a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution based on political equality in Cyprus". He noted that the "government' will also secure the change of "articles" that will facilitate the amendment of the "constitution" and submit it to a referendum in June 2014 at the same time with the "local elections". He said that they will also amend the "law on elections and referendum" and the "political parties' law".

Referring to the meeting between Yorgancioglu, Soyer and Kalyoncu, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (29.08.13) reports that according to what it is said, Soyer and Yorgancioglu were heading the group within the party which supported that the CTP-BG should establish a "coalition government" with the UBP, just like former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat had repeatedly stated. It is said that this group tried to persuade the members of the CTP-BG that the UBP has changed and that it was not the same old UBP. Afrika argues that this view was wrong because the UBP is under Eroglu's control now, as the situation changed after the "elections".

(I/Ts.)

[09] UBP's extraordinary congress to be held on Saturday; Ozgurgun's first comment on the establishment of a CTP-DP "coalition government"

Meanwhile, in statements to illegal TAK news agency, Ozgurgun said that the meeting which the UBP held yesterday with the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) was positive, but they carried out no bargaining on the issue of establishing a "coalition" government". "It remained only a preparatory meeting", he said wishing good luck to CTP-BG-Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) "coalition government". He noted that UBP will carry out in the best manner its duty of being in the "opposition".

(I/Ts.)

[10] Eroglu complains that his letter to President Anastasiades was leaked to the press and says that give and take should start in the negotiations

In statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation of the "fighter commanders' association", Eroglu said that during the dinner organized by the UN on 30 May, 2013, an agreement was reached that the negotiations will resume in October and argued that the important thing is whether good will exists at the table.

Eroglu said he believes that some things should remain between the sides, but the Greek Cypriot side has allegedly the "habit to continuously leak information to the press". Eroglu said he hopes that a positive answer will be given to the letter he has recently sent to President Anastasiades [Translator's note: as regards the document submitted by UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer].

Eroglu alleged that after the commencement of the negotiations a give and take process should start. He argued that the negotiations which have been continuing for 45 years could not continue for another 45 years and argued that the Greek Cypriot side, the EU and the UN should understand this.

The "fighters" expressed their support to Eroglu in the negotiations, which are expected to start soon, and argued that they are in favor of a bi-communal, bi-zonal agreement by which the Turkish Cypriot community will reach prosperity.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Occupied Keryneia "municipality" becomes member of the Global Design Cities' Organization

A delegation headed by occupied Keryneia's "mayor", Sumer Aygin participated in the 2nd General Assembly of GDCO upon an invitation by the mayor of Ankara, Melih Gokcek. According to the paper, Aygin met with participants in the assembly from all over the world and discussed with them current and municipal issues.

During the meeting, the capitals of Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Malaysia and Tataristan, that is Sofia, Addis Ababa, Kuala Lumpur and Kazan respectively were also accepted as members of the organization.

(I/Ts.)

[12] A joint project to purchase a firefighting helicopter for the buffer zone in Nicosia

Yorgadjis and Fellahoglu headed the two delegations which met the day before yesterday for lunch with a UN delegation headed by Lisa Buttenheim, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Cyprus, at Chateau Status restaurant in the buffer zone. During the lunch they discussed the joint projects carried out by their municipalities and exchanged views for new projects. They discussed the issue of protecting, improving and rehabilitating the within the walls area of Nicosia and the buildings in the buffer zone, and decided to visit the area. Upon an invitation by the UN, Yorgadjis and Fellahoglu decided to participate in the barbecue party which the UN will organize on 24 October, the UN Day.

(I/Ts.)

[13] Twitter ban at the Assembly

As the paper writes, according to a letter sent to the personnel staff at the Turkish National Assembly, signed by the chairman of the Human Resources department, Liman Peker, a ban related to "declarations", "social media" and "documents" is imposed also to all the Secretaries and Deputies at the Assembly.

The ban envisages that all persons who are employed in the "assembly" are prohibited to make any statements, give any information or documents to the public or media, or publish any information to books, magazines or leaflets, without having the written permission of the general secretariat authorities.

The ban envisages that all of the above actions are also forbidden to be used at electronic and social media like for example at the Facebook or Twitter.

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