Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-03-22

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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 members of the Compensations Committee were appointed; The UBP and the TKP filed an appeal against the property law.

[02] Another official delegation from the TRNC visits Israel.

[03] OIC delegation began its contacts in the occupied areas.

[04] BDH Cakici speaks about the planned census and notes that the social-demographic structure of the Turkish Cypriot has changed.

[05] Ozgurgun called on the Turkish Cypriot parties to follow a common policy as regards the Cyprus problem.

[06] General Ozkok repeats how the Turkish army approaches Cyprus during a speech at the Military Academies Command.

[07] MILLIYET analyses the new war concept adopted by the Turkish military.

[08] The Turkish Cypriots participate in the Essen Tourism and Travel Fair.

[09] Sezer�s office on the appointment of Basci to the Central Bank

[10] Gul to remain in hospital until weekend

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] How the Turkish press commented on the General Staff statement on the Semdinli indictment.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[1] The members of the Compensations Committee were appointed; The UBP and the TKP filed an appeal against the property law

The above-mentioned persons have been proposed by the Turkish Cypriot leader and their duty began on 17 March 2006. The paper notes that the Committee will be functioning as a court and that its decisions will be binding and executed just like the court decisions. It reminds that the Committee has been established aiming at creating local remedies for the cases which had been filed by Greek Cypriot displaced persons at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The President of the Committee, Mrs Turkmen said that the ECHR has been informed in details about the establishment of the Committee.

The paper points out that according to the law, the defendant in the cases which will possibly be filed by Greek Cypriots will be the self-styled ministry of the TRNC concerned (ministry of internal affairs) and the office of the attorney general.

KIBRIS also reports that the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) and the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) filed yesterday an appeal to the constitutional court against the property law which had recently been accepted by the assembly, on the basis of which the committee was established.

The appeal of the UBP was filed by its General Secretary, Turgut Avci and the lawyer Enver Ozturk. In statements after filing the appeal, Mr Avci said that the law is contrary to the existence of the TRNC and that according to the article 159 of the constitution, the return or the exchange of the occupied Greek Cypriot properties is not possible and/ or it is forbidden.

The chairman of TKP, Huseyin Angolemli stated at a press conference yesterday that they had appealed to the court against the above-mentioned law because it is contrary to the constitution of the TRNC. He expressed the view that making an arrangement contrary to the constitution which is currently valid and trying to get communal benefits with this arrangement is in conflict with the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots. The appeal was filed by the partys general secretary, Mehmet Davulcu and the lawyer Fuat Veziroglu.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (22.03.06) refers to the issue under the title AKP was not able to stop UBP and writes that the ruling in Ankara Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been exerting pressures on the UBP yesterday from the morning until midday aimed at making it to change its decision and not appeal to the court against the above-mentioned law.

Meanwhile, referring to the appointment of the members of the Compensations Committee, Turkish HURRIYET newspaper (22.03.06) describes it as Salvation committee and writes, inter alia, the following: Turkey informed the ECHR about the names of the seven judges in the Compensations Committee it has created in order to be saved from the Greek Cypriot cases. In the Committee, which has the power to return properties, there are the names of two foreigners who are well known internationally: The former General Secretary of the Council of Europe Daniel Tarschys and the former Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, Hans Christian Kruger. The paper notes that Mr Tarschys comes from Sweden and Mr Kruger from Germany.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Another official delegation from the TRNC visits Israel

The paper notes: After the visit which the delegation headed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ozkan Murat, paid to Israel three weeks ago, the day before a ten-member high level delegation composed of a minister, MPs and bureaucrats went to Israel and began contacts and studies.

The delegation is headed by the self-styled minister of agriculture and forests, Huseyin Oztoprak and its visit has been kept secret in the beginning because of the continuation of the pro-embargo mentality of the Greek Cypriots.

Mr Oztoprak is accompanied by the director of the Veterinary Office, Kamil Tolgali, the responsible of the above-mentioned office for Morphou area, Abdullah Aktoprak, the MPs Onder Sennaroglu (Republican Turkish Party), Irsen Kucuk (National Unity Party) and Hatice Faydali (Democratic party), Turgut Avcil representing the Citrus Fruits Producers Union, Ahmet Yesilada, representing Potatoes Producers Union, Ibrahim Oyman, representing Cypruvex and Zafer Niyazi, representing the fresh fruits producers.

According to information acquired from the ministry of agriculture and forests, the visit is being realized upon a private invitation. The Turkish Cypriot delegation, which will stay in Israel until the end of the week, will study on the spot the latest technological developments on the organic agriculture when the climate is dry etc.

(I/Ts.)

[03] OIC delegation began its contacts in the occupied areas

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has underlined the paramount role the easing of the international isolation of the `TRNC� can play on facilitating a speedy solution to the Cyprus problem.

The Prime Minister was speaking this morning during a visit paid to him by the delegation from the Islamic Conference Organization, which is having contacts in the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus�.

Addressing members of the visiting O.I.C. delegation, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the lifting, or, at least - easing of the Turkish Cypriot Peoples international isolation will result in pressure being brought to bear on the Greek Cypriot political leadership to consider sitting at the negotiating table.

Reiterating the Turkish Cypriot Peoples political will and readiness to work for a peace settlement and a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides; the Prime Minister said the Turkish Cypriot People wish to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus problem with its religious, cultural and language identities.

Turkish Cypriots are a People that respect all the others cultures and religions; and they want others to respect theirs he said. What we are up to, is to help bring the Muslim Turkish Cypriot community together in a new order with the Christian Greek Cypriot community within a federal settlement to the Cyprus problem he said, expressing the view that this may constitute a good example to the rest of the international community at a time when theres much talk about the so-called conflict of civilizations.

Mr Soyer also criticized the Greek Cypriot side for trying to manipulate its EU membership which took place despite having rejected the Annan Plan.

He said the Greek Cypriot administration is using its advantageous position of EU membership to strengthen its strangle-hold on the Turkish Cypriot side and widen its international isolation.

The O.I.C.s Assistant Secretary General Atta Al-Mannan, who leads the delegation, for his part, said the visit to the TRNC is being realized in accordance with the decisions adopted by the O.I.C. foreign ministers.

Stressing the great importance attached by the organization to helping ease the Turkish Cypriot Peoples international isolation, Mr Al-Mannan said the discussions in Lefkosia will center on ways of improving the already existing relations in many fields, with the aim of bringing down the Turkish Cypriots isolation, and helping promote the political equality of the two sides in Cyprus.

The O.I.C. delegation was then received by Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas who also holds the Foreign Ministry Portfolio.

Speaking after the meeting Serdar Denktas said that the relations with the member countries of the Islamic Conference Organization have rapidly developed in the last two years.

Stating that the main objective is to set up bilateral and multilateral dialogue with other countries, Mr Denktas said that, the Turkish Cypriot side intends to show that an administrative structure has been formed outside the Greek Cypriot sides sovereignty and domination in the north of the island, despite being unrecognized.

The Foreign Minister also expressed the belief that other countries will be looking for ways of motivating the Greek Cypriot Side to a solution after learning the facts about Cyprus.

Otherwise the Greek Cypriot side will have no reason to want a solution to the problem he said, expressing the hope that the Islamic Conference Organization will play its role in achieving this goal.

The O.I.C. delegation is made up of the organizations Assistant Secretary General, Atta Al-Mannan, the deputy Head of the Islamic Development Bank Said Abbas, and the Director of the Islamic Solidarity Fund Gazi Bakis, and officials.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops, where hundreds of churches and Greek Cypriot cemeteries are used as animal pens and stables).

[04] BDH Cakici speaks about the planned census and notes that the social-demographic structure of the Turkish Cypriot has changed

In a written statement Mr Cakici noted that it is obligatory for the population census, which is planned to take place soon in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus to be open, transparent and in the presence of international observers.

He also stated that because of the transfer of population which was carried out for years without inspection, the social-demographic structure of the Turkish Cypriot people is changing and noted that because of this, the special characteristics of the Turkish Cypriots are disputable. He said that in the past thousands of persons became citizens (of the TRNC) in one day for the sake of political benefits and added that the result of the followed policy is that the Turkish Cypriots came face to face with the danger of falling into a minority status. He also stated that some persons put their political interest in front of the benefits of the Turkish Cypriots and that It is a treachery what they did to the Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Cakici stated that those who said that they will change the structure mentioned above when they will get into power, they continue the same structure with the cooperation of the status quo.

Mr Cakici also added that the Turkish Cypriot people must know its own population structure and stated that in the past the results of the census were kept secret from the Turkish Cypriots.

(C/S)

[05] Ozgurgun called on the Turkish Cypriot parties to follow a common policy as regards the Cyprus problem

Mr Ozgurgun called on all the Turkish Cypriot Parties to follow a common national policy as regards the Cyprus problem. He said that those who are in power and those who are in the opposition must support the same views as regards this issue.

Mr Ozgurgun also said that the solution of the Cyprus problem cannot be reached step by step and noted that a solution must be found as a whole. He also stated that this is why his Party is against the EU Financial Aid of 139 Million Euro.

C/S

[06] General Ozkok repeats how the Turkish army approaches Cyprus during a speech at the Military Academies Command

Now I would like to touch upon the "The new Security Environment and its effects on Turkey."

For centuries our nation had to live in a difficult region, which is much different from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this fact remained unchanged in the post-Cold War era despite great expectations and even changed for the worse. Thus, there has been a considerable increase in the number of parameters, which we must control and manage in terms of security, in this troubled region.

The rise in the number of parameters, new approaches to security, our country's current security needs, and the changes being observed in the military field make it impossible for us to deal with problems by using an approach peculiar to the Cold War era.

There have been significant changes in the boundaries of areas over which different countries exert their influence as well as their areas of interest in parallel with the process of globalization. Former areas of interest and influence almost overlap each other now, which is the main source of conflict of interests between different countries. For example, the boundaries of interest and influence of the United States, which limited its own interests and influence to its own continent based on the Monroe doctrine centuries ago, cannot be defined today. Its area of influence is probably the entire world now while its area of interest extends deep into the solar system. Outer space is the main area of interest for the industrialized countries.

Coupled with those conflicts of interests is another important issue: a global trend towards a polarization, which primarily resulted from the attacks carried out on 11 September 2001. Professor Huntington's theory of "a clash between civilizations," which predicts that future clashes will occur along fault lines formed by civilizations separated from each other by different religions, histories, languages, and traditions, finds more and more supporters although it met with suspicions in the post-Cold War era. We are witnessing developments vindicating that theory. A series of events that took place in various parts of the world after some cartoons were published in Danish newspapers represented an example of those developments witnessed in recent past.

Energy is another crucial factor, which is becoming more and more important for the Western civilization and requires us to act more carefully than ever. As I am sure you are aware, global demand for energy is mostly met by fossil fuels. Although there are various assumptions about when reserves of fossil fuels will be depleted, the fact remains that those resources are limited. Demand for energy steadily grows in parallel with the development of countries and energy deficit widens continuously. For example, the United States' demand for energy will be equal to 3.4 billion tons of oil in 2025. Naturally, industrialized and developing countries take a growing interest in the regions where energy resources are located. The recent rise in the price of crude oil strongly indicated that the areas with rich energy resources will maintain their importance in the next couple of decades and that there will be further increases in the cost of using energy. Some countries, therefore, could face threats and risks in areas far from their own territories and revise their military strategies accordingly. Meanwhile, works on alternative and renewable fuels were given a fresh impetus.

Turkey, which is located in a highly volatile region, should have a sound security strategy in light of that global situation. Now I would like to draw your attention to four backbones of our national security strategy, which I frequently emphasize in my speeches and messages:

- The existence of a deterrent force, that is to say a strong army in order to safeguard our national interests and the existing status quo against the asymmetric threats around us.

- Preventing new international risks and asymmetric threats especially terrorism from harming our country and our national interests abroad.

- Taking measures against threats to the territorial integrity, national unity, and the current regime.

- Protection of our rights and interests in Cyprus, which is crucial to our security in eastern Mediterranean.

As you may notice, all those fundamental factors are closely related to the TSK's mission. What we need to do is to develop a better understanding of our region and the rest of the world while devising efficient solutions to our country's security needs. As part of our responsibilities as decision makers, we must assess developments from the standpoint of our country's future and interests and identify potential decision-making points as soon as possible.

[07] MILLIYET analyses the new war concept adopted by the Turkish military

It has been reported that the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] have made radical changes in their concept of "2.5-factor security threat" and renewed their concept of war. According to a CNN-Turk report, the plan for a military structure based on the concept that the military forces might fight against two hostile countries and simultaneously wage an operation against terror for internal security has been abandoned. The concept, which was named "2.5-factor security threat" because of the possibility of high density wars with two countries and a simultaneous low density struggle against terror, has now been changed.

The new concept that has been adopted is based on the conviction that the number of hostile countries is now less. It focuses on the possibility of a high density war and a low density struggle and calls for military planning on that basis. According to the new concept, the structure of the military forces should be changed to allow them to wage a struggle against terror while being engaged in a war with a hostile country. That shows that the TSK would need fewer personnel and military units in the future. Within that framework, more mobile units capable of quickly deploying in crisis areas will be established. It has been reported that the "Personnel Management Regime - 2010" will totally renew the system of conscription and the military personnel policy when it is put into effect in four years time.

[08] The Turkish Cypriots participate in the Essen Tourism and Travel Fair

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is attending the Essen tourism fair in Germany.

About 750 travel agencies worldwide are expected to take part in the fair, which opens its gates tomorrow and will run until Sunday, 26th.

[09] Sezer�s office on the appointment of Basci to the Central Bank

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the governmental decree on appointment of the new Central Bank Governor was sent to the Presidential Palace. "However, we will not make a statement on the person mentioned in the decree until the Cankaya (Presidential Palace) makes a statement."

The Central Bank Assembly convened on March 14th, 2006 and appointed Deputy Governor Basci by proxy on March 15th, 2006, replacing Sureyya Serdengecti whose term in office had expired.

Prime Minister Erdogan in a previous statement pointed out that State Minister Ali Babacan would convey the name of the new Central Bank Governor to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

President Sezer received State Minister Babacan on March 15th, however no statement was made after the meeting that lasted for 1 hour 15 minutes.

[10] Gul to remain in hospital until weekend

Doctors noted that Gul's health condition is good and he will rest in the hospital until this weekend. Gul underwent a surgery at Ankara's Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) on Monday for trauma in his inner ear stemming from upper respiratory tract infection and cabin pressure (while returning from his trip to Tunis).

Gul's scheduled visits abroad are cancelled as he is not permitted to travel by plane.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] How the Turkish press commented on the General Staff statement on the Semdinli indictment

RADIKAL�s Murat Yetkin in a column called "Two demands of the Government" states that the General Staff's statement was a "reminder" to the government that "just because the prosecutor is being investigated does not mean that the Semdinli case is closed." Yetkin summarizes the reasons for the General Staff's discomfort over the indictment and argues that the statement contained two demands of the government: Not to let the investigation into the Van Prosecutor drop out of sight; name the names behind the attack on the TSK, which came in the form of an indictment. He concludes by saying that the statement in a single move put the military, the government and the judiciary up against one another, with Prime Minister Erdogan and the government being in the least advantageous position.

CUMHURIYET�s Mustafa Balbay writes a column called "You would have to be deaf not to hear this statement" in which he maintains that this is the strongest statement issued by the General Staff yet under AKP rule, and that it had "only one addressee: the government!" Quoting extensively from the statement Balbay blasts the AKP government's actions over Semdinli and in other matters such as the Central Bank. He continues: "For some reason both these situations [Semdinli and Central Bank staffing] suddenly reminded us of the thesis of 'seizing priority state institutions' chosen to bring into power the ideology of 'American-patented moderate Islam'." He concludes: "There may well be people who look at where both these state officials [Ferhat Sarikaya and Erdem Basci] come from and the jobs they have been given and think, 'Gulen biz olduk' [We were the ones laughing, with Gulen meaning Fethullah Gulen being in quotes]. Let us see who is going to be laughing last!"

ORTADOGU columnist Kenan Akin writes a commentary called "Like an Ultimatum" in which he devotes most of his column to a statement made the other day by MHP [Nationalist Action Party] Chairman Devlet Bahceli, a statement he also likens to an ultimatum and one that blasts Prime Minister Erdogan and his government. Maintaining that the General Staff statement served as a warning to the government, Akin quotes from it and says that it is a matter of urgency now for the AKP to put its house in order.

In an article entitled "General Staff Statement: A new problem" YENI SAFAK (21.03.06) columnist Ali Bayramoglu censures the latest statement by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) announcing the General Staff's decision not to start an investigation against Land Forces Commander General Yasar Buyukanit Bayramoglu describes the statement as an "aggressive" and "political" declaration that levels sharp accusations against the judiciary and cites the "autonomous" status of the TSK within the system as a justification for not investigating the charges against Buyukanit. He also argues that the General Staff statement amounts to a step toward preventing a legal probe into the accusations of misuse of authority against the gendarmerie in the indictment over the Semdinli incident.

In an article entitled "Stool pigeon lobby on the lookout" YENI SAFAK columnist Mehmet Ocaktan criticizes the General Staff for claiming in its latest statement that the Semdinli public prosecutor could not be so unfamiliar with the law as to make "such obvious mistakes" and that he might have been influenced by certain quarters to accuse General Buyukanit the way he did. Ocaktan asserts that the General Staff should disclose exactly who it believes to be behind the charges against Buyukanit instead of making such indirect accusations, adding that otherwise certain newspapers will use the TSK statement as a basis for leveling unfounded charges against certain state institutions in a way that will undermine public confidence in these institutions.

In a report under the title. "Jurists Angry at General Staff Statement" ZAMAN newspaper (21.03.06) cites reactions from "judicial circles" to the latest General Staff statement. The report quotes Huseyin Yuksel Bicen, Chairman of the Association of Modern Jurists, as saying that he regards the declaration as an ultimatum to the judiciary and that it is a no less "political" declaration than the indictment drawn up by the Semdinli public prosecutor.

Turkish BUGUN newspaper (21.03.05) publishes an article entitled "General Staff Statement and the Status of a Second-class State" by columnist Nazli Ilicak who asserts that the latest General Staff Statement has dealt a major blow to "our democracy" and has caused Turkey to be relegated to the position of a "second-class state." She also draws attention to the (alleged) contradiction between the accusations against the judiciary in the statement and Chief of Staff Hilmi Ozkok's remarks in his recent War Academy speech calling on young officers not to treat any opinions, however unorthodox, with prejudice.

In another article entitled "A General Staff Statement or a judicial ultimatum?" BUGUN columnist Cengiz Candar slams the General Staff statement as a "judicial ultimatum" urging the Government to take action against those behind the accusations against the TSK in the Semdinli indictment "whatever their office, status, or positions might be." He also warns that the "civilian authority" in Turkey is losing ground to the military.

/SK

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