Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-11-12

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The USA is reportedly working "very secretly" with Talat's office on the issue of direct flights to the illegal Tymbou airport.

[02] Ankara is reportedly concerned with Talat's statements.

[03] Two municipalities in the occupied areas of Cyprus became members of the CIOFF.

[04] The Republican Turkish Party is distributing to its followers two thousand donums in the occupied village of Afania for building plots.

[05] Greek Cypriot students visited the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Turkey may see greater role in post-Arafat era.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The USA is reportedly working "very secretly" with Talat's office on the issue of direct flights to the illegal Tymbou airport

The paper notes that the USA have intensified their efforts in the direction of launching a flight between New York - Istanbul - Tymbou - New York. The report of the experts from Ankara, who inspected the illegal airport, is expected for the setting of the necessary standards on the issue of the direct flights.

According to KIBRIS, the American officials are "intensively" exchanging information on the issue with the so-called prime ministry of the occupation regime. The Americans have reportedly demanded from the regime the lengthening of the runway of the illegal airport and the upgrading of the security measures in its buildings.

In statements to KIBRIS, Mehmet Ali Talat, so-called prime minister of the occupation regime, expressed the belief that eventually the illegal airport will open to direct flights. He noted that the opening of the illegal airport is his greatest demand until today.

[02] Ankara is reportedly concerned with Talat's statements

Invoking reliable sources in Ankara, the paper notes that the government of Turkey had no idea about this proposal. "According to information acquired from reliable sources in Ankara, this statement caused great concern to the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which had no idea about the proposal and are against giving any concessions to the Greek Cypriot administration which said no in the referendum", writes VOLKAN adding:

"It is noted that great damage is caused to the applied policy regarding the national cause because of these binding statements of Talat which were made off- hand and without consulting Ankara".

The paper writes that Mr Talat had also not informed his coalition partner, the Democratic Party, the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas and the political parties represented in the so-called assembly.

[03] Two municipalities in the occupied areas of Cyprus became members of the CIOFF

The so-called mayor of Trikomo, Mr Halil Orun, in a press conference held yesterday, announced that the membership of the two municipalities was confirmed in the 34th World Congress of CIOFF between 12-20 of October 2004 in London.

Concluding, Mr Orun said that the Turkish delegation at the Congress gave them a great support.

[04] The Republican Turkish Party is distributing to its followers two thousand donums in the occupied village of Afania for building plots

Invoking sources of its readers, the paper writes that in the past the RTP also distributed around six thousand donums of "state land" to its supporters from important areas of occupied Mesaoria like the occupied villages of Afania, Louroudjina and Mora. GUNES readers informed the paper that in addition supporters of the RTP leased so-called state land at lower prices than other persons.

[05] Greek Cypriot students visited the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University

The university said Guven provided information on his university and informed the students about the university programs and facilities.

He congratulated the Greek Cypriot students for studying Turkish literature. "You have made a wise decision. You will have good and solid jobs in the future," stated Guven.

The students later met DAU history professor Gul Barkay and were given a tour of the campus. The students ended their visit with a tour of occupied Famagusta.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Turkey may see greater role in post-Arafat era

"The death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has meant the loss of a personal friend for many Turkish leaders, deeply respected in Ankara, but his sorrowful demise could provide opportunities for new momentum in the stalled Middle East peace process, offering Turkey wider chances to play a meaningful role, analysts said.

Both Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are heading to Egypt today to attend Arafat's funeral and the high level of participation is a sign of both Turkey's deep sympathy with the veteran leader and its interest in peace efforts in the region.

And the quest for peace in the Middle East could take a new turn, now that Arafat, who shaped and headed the Palestinian cause for decades, is no longer in the process.

The charismatic leader's death yesterday meant both risks and opportunities, said daily MILLIYET�s foreign policy columnist Sami Kohen. Arafat was isolated from the rest of the world in his compound in Ramallah in the last years of his life and dialogue between Israel and Palestine was virtually cut off, with the Israeli government refusing to talk to the 75-year-old leader, describing him as an obstacle to peace.

Kohen predicted that international pressure on hawkish Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will grow to resume the search for peace after Arafat is replaced by somebody else, such as Mahmoud Abbas, who has gained much international credibility for his moderate attitude.

If all goes well, a new initiative for peace in the Middle East could take effect by early next year. "If this window of opportunity opens, it is both necessary and possible for Turkey to play a role," Kohen said.

Turkish leaders have treated Arafat as a friend, reflecting the high public sympathy for the Palestinian leader. "Arafat was a leader who always had close ties with Turkey, who had great love for Turkey and who supported Turkey in all occasions," Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday.

Elections for a new president are due to take place in 60 days in Palestine and Turkish analysts were in consensus that Ankara would have no problem in dialogue with the new leadership, as all of the candidates to replace Arafat are already familiar with Turkey.

But a positive change in the Palestinian leadership is hardly seen sufficient for a meaningful momentum in the Middle East peace process, which would also invite Ankara to play an effective role as a friend of both the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

Turkey's Middle East policy has been traditionally limited to words and expression of friendship and sympathy for both sides. In the post-Arafat era, too, a significant change from a passive stance to active participation would depend on several outside factors.

Much depends on Israel for a new momentum in the stalled peace process, first of all. "Nobody expects a miracle in the Middle East as long as Israeli government sticks to its position," Husnu Mahalli, a journalist expert on regional issues, said.

Turkey has stepped up its criticism of the Israeli government after Israel launched assassinations on Palestinian Hamas leaders and a deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip. But irritance caused by Turkey was hardly enough to convince Israel to revise its stance.

"Turkey can play a meaningful role only where the United States and the European Union's policies overlap," said Cengiz Candar, a columnist for Dunden Bugune TERCUMAN daily.

"Turkish initiative on its own would not count a lot" in resolving the "world's most complicated dispute," said Candar.

/SK

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