Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-03

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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] Eroglu alleges that countries such as Russia and China are ready to veto any proposal against the Greek Cypriots at the UNSC

[02] Nami says they will continue using their "representation offices" abroad to make their voice heard in the world

[03] Kalyoncu says the unity and solidarity ceased to exist within the CTP

[04] European Muslim Union meeting to be held in occupied Cyprus

[05] Association of Turkish Confederations asked from Israeli ambassador to Ankara the lifting of the "embargoes

[06] Erdogan meets commanders to discuss possible Syria intervention

[07] Gul stated that Ankara's sensitivities on Syria are different that Washington's

[08] Top judge issues key democracy message

[09] Erdogan's main advisor Yalcin Akdogan on Syria Intervention and Kurdish problem

[10] Erdogan calls for rotating membership at UN Security Council

[11] February 28 trial continues

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu alleges that countries such as Russia and China are ready to veto any proposal against the Greek Cypriots at the UNSC

In statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation from the so-called Bright Future Movement, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriots are saddened because the so-called isolations on them are not lifted, in spite of the fact that the world knows that the Cyprus problem has allegedly been created by the Greek Cypriots, the EU promised to lift the "isolations" and after the rejection of the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriots the UN Secretary-General suggested in his report that the "isolations" should be lifted.

Arguing that "countries such as Russia and China, which are permanent members of the UN Security Council, are ready to veto any proposal against the Greek Cypriots", Eroglu alleged that these countries "should learn better what happened in Cyprus" and "understand how wrong keeping the Turkish Cypriots under isolation is".

Eroglu claimed that the world would better understand the Turkish Cypriots when their sensitivities on the issue of the "isolations" are further shown abroad. He said that they should continue making their voice heard in the world through their "democratic organizations".

Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has taken steps towards reaching an agreement in Cyprus and will continue to do so. "However, for how long we could take such steps, in case there is no response? I think that this should be constrained with a time limit", he argued.

In his statements, the chairman of the so-called Bright Future Movement, Anil Kaya alleged that the biggest difficulty caused by the Cyprus problem is the "isolations" implemented on the Turkish Cypriots. Claiming that the Greek Cypriots want to prolong the Cyprus problem, Kaya said that they met with Eroglu to discuss what kind of messages they could best give to the world.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami says they will continue using their "representation offices" abroad to make their voice heard in the world

Thanking Erk for the support he promised that he would offer to him, Nami noted that they "are entering into a difficult and important period" and that they should cooperate during struggle.

"Our biggest duty will be to continue showing to the world will for peace and solution in the clearest manner", he said, noting that their "unswerving target" would be to actively interfere in the Cyprus negotiations. Nami argued that they will mobilize all their possibilities to achieve a federal solution and that the "ministry of foreign affairs" will focus on this target.

Nami said that their relations with the EU are extremely important and added that they will "carry to the highest level" the negotiations and the efforts as regards their harmonization with the Union.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Kalyoncu says the unity and solidarity ceased to exist within the CTP

The paper writes that after the new "government" overtook its duties, everybody now started wondering whether the CTP-BG's "coalition" with the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) will be long lasting.

In statements to Ada TV, Kalyoncu said that they will exert every effort for this "coalition" to be long lasting. He noted that they had a bad "coalition period" with the DP in the past and expressed some worries for the period to come, because the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu interferes in the DP" and he "is participating at some point in this coalition".

Kalyoncu said that the "coalition" could be harmed in case "partisan approaches" are shown and added that in this case the "coalition's" path will be blocked. He argued that the CTP still has other alternatives than the DP-UG. Asked whether this alternative was the National Unity Party (UBP), he said "of course".

Kalyoncu referred also to the expression "the mustached guys" used for him, Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Sonay Adem and expressed his annoyance for this. He noted that this is an insulting stance and an effort to despise him, Soyer and Adem. He said that after some incidents that happened recently, the unity and solidarity in the party was spoiled. "The spell has been broken but these circles will not succeed", he added.

Asked on the forthcoming congress of the CTP, Kalyoncu said that at the time being he is not considering of running for president of the party. "As long things are going well, I will not be a candidate for the presidency. We are not running after creating an Irsen Kucuk-Ahmet Kasif model", he noted referring to the long lasting period of conflict within the UBP. Pointing out that there is a three-month period until the CTP's congress, Kalyoncu said that the possibility for him to become a candidate in this congress is "close to zero".

(I/Ts.)

[04] European Muslim Union meeting to be held in occupied Cyprus

The paper writes that the "Academic Cyprus Progress Platform" will be the host of the meeting as it was decided in EMU's 2012 meeting, which was held in Holland last year.

According to a statement issued by the Platform, EMU represents 40 million European Muslims. In the statements is also noted that the fact that the EMU meeting will be held in occupied Cyprus will help towards building bridges between the "countries" and will also give a chance to explain the "Turkish Cypriots cause".

More than 120 persons from 16 countries will participate in the meeting. The countries will be the following: Turkey, Germany, UK, Holland, Belgium, France, Russia, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Poland, Bulgaria, Check Republic, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina and FYROM.

[05] Association of Turkish Confederations asked from Israeli ambassador to Ankara the lifting of the "embargoes"

In the letter Atasoy asks for the lifting of the "embargoes" in occupied Cyprus. She also asks from Sfari Israel, which struggled for years for its independence, to support "the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots for independence".

[06] Erdogan meets commanders to discuss possible Syria intervention

The meeting lasted for 45 minutes and was attended by Land Forces Commander Gen. Hulusi Akar, Naval Forces Commander Vice Adm. Bulent Bostanoglu, Air Forces Commander Gen. Akin OzTurk and Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Servet Yoruk.

Turkey's military preparedness for a possible intervention in Syria was presumed to have been discussed during the meeting.

[07] Gul stated that Ankara's sensitivities on Syria are different that Washington's

Gul replied to journalists' questions before the Russian Federation's Ambassador Andrei G Karlov presented his credentials.

When reminded that US President Barack Obama had left it up to Congress to decide whether or not to intervene militarily in Syria, President of the Republic Gul said this: "Obama's decision needs to be treated within the context of the United States political dynamics. It is clear that his own style of management, his own political dynamics and domestic policy forced such a need. That is how to view this."

When asked to what degree Obama's decision was compatible with Turkey, Gul replied: "Whenever any country makes decisions it is independent and has its own considerations. Being a neighboring country it is quite natural that our sensitivities are different. They are a long way away; theirs are different. Therefore, policies might not always dovetail perfectly."

[08] Top judge issues key democracy message

"Democracy is maybe the [best-equipped] to accommodate different opinions, but it carries risks at the same time. However, this risk potential does not legitimize authoritarian measures ? with the motive of protecting [rulers], and cannot be a legitimate ground for [rulers] to tie themselves to authoritarian guarantee mechanisms," Ali Alkan said on Sept. 2.

"Democracy is based on political choice, political consent and political tolerance. In democracies, the administration does not exclude those that are distant, as much as it does not submit to those close to itself. In democratic regimes, individuals or sections [of society] are not evaluated in terms of a friend-enemy description, but on the axis of humanitarian values," Alkan said.

He added that the values of democratic societies were not formed "through imposition," but rather through "social acceptance."

Alkan's remarks came at a time when the government has been increasingly scrutinized for its authoritarian tendencies, especially amid the Gezi unrest. President Abdullah Gul, Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Cicek, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Constitutional Court Ha
im Kilic, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, President of the Council of State Zerrin Gungor, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, members of the Cabinet, Deputy Chair of the Supreme Board of Judges and Public Prosecutors (HSYK) Ahmet Hamsici and senior judicial officials also attended the event.

Alkan also touched on the importance of freedom of speech. "In societies where people cannot express their opinions freely, it is observed, through historical experience, that the costs of this are dear and that unexpressed demands emerge as areas for social risk and manipulation," he said.

[09] Erdogan's main advisor Yalcin Akdogan on Syria Intervention and Kurdish problem

According to the paper, Akdogan is one of the most correct people, to find out about the government's political perspective.

The interview is as follows:

"Question: US President Obama announced the decision for a military intervention but said he was going to ask Congress for approval. What did you make of this?

Answer: His announcement that he had decided military action, was necessary, is an important development. As for his announcement that he is going to ask Congress for authority even though he does not have to, must be out of political, not legal concerns.

His bringing Congress to the fore and calling on its members to send a message to the world shows that he has no concerns they will grant him this authority. His sharing the decision for such an important operation with Congress in a climate where the international institutions are not taking action, is probably aimed at staving off possible criticism.

Question: The United States is gearing up for a limited operation that is not aimed at replacing the regime in Syria. Given that the Prime Minister said, "The intervention must not be a couple-of-days thing. It has to bring the regime to the point of quitting" are we to understand that they have differing views here?

Answer: You should see this not as a difference of opinion but of assessments and expectations. Our Prime Minister pointed out how important it was for steps to be taken towards a permanent solution to the problem. The goal of the intervention and its scope can of course be debated but this is important in that the West is for the first time adopting a robust position in the Syria issue and getting involved. That this decision was made after chemical weapons were used shows that it was the type of weapon used that mattered, and this is another topic of debate. Does it matter what kind of weapon was used when people died, were killed? Right from the start we have been taking a moral stance and reacting to people being killed regardless of how they were killed. We see both as a problem. The use of chemical weapons is a war crime and has become a red line for mankind. Our Prime Minister's comment of "No need for an authorization bill" expresses the fact that there is no such requirement right now. So far no new demand has been made. The scope and framework of the current authorization bill are specific; it offers specific means.

Question: Is Ankara worried that Damascus might attack in response to the intervention?

Answer: It would be madness, even suicidal for Syria to react militarily to Turkey after any intervention. I do not think Al-Asad would do this because then he would be attacking a NATO country, and that changes everything. Turkey has the strength and the capacity to defend itself, and the current authorization bill allows for this. Furthermore, it is not the correct approach to make other countries take sides by making them appear under threat. Mr Obama says that Iraq, which he regards as an ally, is under threat but Iraq's prime minister, who is in Iran's shadow, is saying he is opposed to intervention.

[?]

Question: How might developments in Syria affect Turkey's [Kurd] solution process?

Answer: I do not think it right to portray the situation in the north of Syria and the PYD [Democratic Union Party] as being part of Turkey's solution process. External factors usually have a limited and indirect impact. It can be said that the PYD's efforts to gain status in the north of Syria have disrupted the chemistry of some circles in Turkey and created some dissatisfaction.

Question: One of the reasons why intervention in Syria is not happening right away is uncertainty about the post-Asad era. Is there a political plan being discussed on the eve of the operation? Are you able to predict what will happen once Al-Asad has been ousted?

Answer: We want the operation to help fix the existing problem and for it to reach a political outcome. But this does not express any expectations such as "The Westerners will come and mount a military operation, then shape the administration and then form a government. This is an expectation about replacing a government that is tyrannizing its people. The process to follow afterwards should be shaped by the will of all the social groups in Syria. The Syrians should decide what kind of Syria they want. You need to trust in the will of the Syrian people. It is a very great mistake to say, "These people do not know who to elect; we should continue with Al-Asad; better the devil you know." It only serves Al-Asad to play on phobias of radical organizations. The people of Syria possess the heritage of a deeply-rooted civilization. The opposition groups and structures are growing in strength with each passing day. It is a great injustice to portray them as fanatical or radical organizations. The moment there is a switch to political normalization the people's common desire will chose a sensible administration. The international community, with Turkey included, could prepare the grounds for this.

[?]

Question: While the solution process is still ongoing, various names within the PKK [Kurdistan People's Congress, KGK] are saying, "We shall halt the withdrawal unless you take action by a certain date." The latest such comment was made by Cemil Bayik. The BDP [Peace and Democracy Party] leader Selahattin Demirtas said: "100-percent withdrawal was not discussed for the first stage. What was asked for was an end to the fighting and the killings." Do you agree with Demirtas on this?

Answer: When have they ever complied with any date given by Ocalan to leave Turkey that they are able to dictate dates to the government now? None of that is true. I see these statements as extremely negative. True, a ceasefire decision was made. The decision to leave Turkey was also made. According to Ocalan, this was supposed to be over by the start of summer, like June or July at the latest. What happened? We are in September now and there is talk of only 20-25 percent having withdrawn! This was not done on the date given by Ocalan. Ocalan was thrown under the bus. They both praise Ocalan and fail to act on his word.

Question: In his statements Demirtas said remarkably, "Hopes have fallen 90 percent on Qandil." What do you make of these statements?

Answer: What matters to us is the degree of hope in society and what the people are saying. Demirtas should look at what the people of the region who voted for him are saying, and not listen to Qandil. He should see the great hope there. There is a very high level of support for the process in the east and southeast. What matters is to not dash society's hopes. The citizens want this problem fixed. The government for its part is pressing ahead with commitment.

[10] Erdogan calls for rotating membership at UN Security Council

Speaking at the closing ceremony of Siirt Days at the Halic Congress Center in Istanbul on Sunday, Erdogan raised the topic of Syria and the UN Security Council's (UNSC) reaction to events there.

Criticizing the world body's structure, the Prime Minister said the UN's dependence on the five permanent security council members for decisions amounts to "oppression."

Saying he believes in the "World is bigger than five" campaign [referring to the five permanent members of the UNSC] launched by independent pro-democracy civil society organization the Young Civilians (Genc Siviller), Erdogan suggested that the 15 members of the UNSC rotate evenly and that the decisions of such a body shouldn't be cancelled because of the veto of one country.

"We have always said that if there is a UN Security Council that consists of 15 members, these members should change regularly. [The resolutions] shouldn't be cancelled by one member's veto. It [a resolution] should be canceled by majority vote. Now, the UNSC couldn't give a decision [on Syria], and the main reason for this is two of its members [Russia and China]. Why are we obliged to have this [veto], why is humanity required to have this?" Erdogan continued.

Erdogan says UN's silence encourages Syria regime.

[11] February 28 trial continues

Records, however, of a controversial National Security Council (MGK) meeting on the date of the coup were absent from the courtroom. The trial commenced at the Ankara 13th High Criminal Court, which accepted a 1,300-page indictment in early June filed by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Despite a request from the court for the records of the meeting on Feb. 28, 1997, the documents have not been sent to the court by the MGK's legal consulting department.

Monday's hearing was attended by most of the suspects, including former Higher Education Board (YOK) President Kemal Guruz; former Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Teoman Koman; and retired Gen. Cetin Dogan, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year for his role in the Sledgehammer coup plot. Karadayi did not attend the hearing, citing health reasons.

Lawyers of the defendants challenged the presiding judge's impartiality and demanded a change. The request was denied by the court.

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