Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-11-10

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Proposal Package by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade calls on Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen for partnerships and cooperation in South Cyprus

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader on Obamas election to the post of US President

[03] Talat said the Greek Cypriots should take out of their mind that the Turkish Cypriots will be administrated by them

[04] National Existence Council: �he independence of the state is threatened by the Orams case

[05] The Turkish Cypriots participate in the World Travel Market Fair of London

[06] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce elects new president

[07] Documentary on the events of 1963-64 to compete at the Boston Film Festival

[08] Turkeys boron exports are rising

[09] Obama has been invited to Turkey

[10] British Foreign Minister hosted Babacan and his wife at his house in S. Shields

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Turkish columnist believes that Obama can help Turkey on various problems Cyprus among them

[12] From the Turkish Press of 07, 08 and 09 November 08

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Proposal Package by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade calls on Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot businessmen for partnerships and cooperation in South Cyprus

According to Kibris, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade pointed to the importance of the geographic location of Cyprus to Turkey becoming an economic centre and underlined that in case of a solution, Cyprus will affect the economic potential of Turkey, thus Turkey could become the biggest trading partner of Cyprus. Moreover, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade underlined that for the Turkish Cypriot businessmen to stay on their feet, it is a condition to have dealings and make businesses in the South, because if they do not start today they might be late in case of a solution.

The paper goes on and writes: The Chamber of Trade alleged that Turkey has the potential of being a logistic production centre of the island today and in a solution in the future and that the TRNC businessmen could become the Leading Trade Economy Team of the capital of Turkey in both sides of the island in case of a solution or non-solution.

According to information of the paper, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade and TUSIAD reached to an agreement in principle on the issue of working upon the proposal package and putting it forward. In case they reach to a final agreement, state and government officials will meet and this agreement might become a state policy.

According to some allegations, the self-styled Prime Minister is one of the supporters of the above proposal package.

The proposal package underlines the need for Turkey and the occupied areas as well Turkey, the occupied areas and the Republic of Cyprus to enter into partnerships and do businesses in the South urgently having as a basis todays non-solution conditions. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce proposes to the two sides to carry out immediately a common work on this and turn this strategy into a state policy. The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade is of the opinion that both Turkish Cypriot and Turkish businessmen will be benefited from this.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (10.11.08) refers to the visit of Mr Soyer to Ankara under the title Ankara did not give, it will make you pay. The paper notes that Soyer, who has returned with empty hands from Ankara, has taken from the Erdogan government advices, not financial aid. The paper argues that the self-styled government of the breakaway regime is trying to eliminate the earned rights of the people under the name of saving measures.

The paper reports, inter alia, the following: The prodigality of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) caused discomfort in Ankara as well. Erdogan asked for the cutting of the budget expenses in the TRNC. In a few words he said solve your own problem.

Social explosions are expected within the coming days. Soyer is trying to divert the economic crisis by drawing attention to the Talat-Christofias negotiations.

(AK)

[02] Turkish Cypriot leader on Obamas election to the post of US President

Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has expressed hope that the election of Barack Obama as the new US president will have a positive impact on the Cyprus issue, a decades-long conflict hampering Turkey's bid to join the EU.

Talat, speaking at a press conference on Thursday, stated that reunification talks between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will be positively influenced by the election of Obama as the new US president. Obama's election is a significant change that will have an impact not only on the US but also on the whole world. This is a change no one would have even imagined in the past. I hope his election will have a positive impact on the solution of the Cyprus issue, he said. Talat noted that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) has nothing to worry about with the election of Obama.

Turkish Cypriots have done their utmost to work for solutions to problems in Cyprus. I believe the US, which we hope will follow a policy to solve world problems through peaceful means, will also contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem, he went on to say.

He also stated negotiations with the Greek Cypriots are not at the desired level, hinting that reunification talks may not yield an imminent breakthrough. Talat and his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Demetris Christofias, have focused on power-sharing in a future bi-zonal, bi-communal federation since the launch of reunification talks on September 3.

We are doing our best to reach a conclusion as soon as possible, but it is not possible to say exactly when talks will conclude, he noted. Talat also added that the KKTC is focused on a few criteria during negotiations, among which are political equality between the two parties, bi-zonality and the continuation of Turkeys guarantorship during the process.

Both sides have reassured one another that they will not quit talks no matter how much time they take. This is something important. Talks will continue, he said.

Talat also criticized a call on Turkey by the EU in the annual Progress Report for a more constructive approach to the Cyprus question. They both praise Turkeys role in the Cyprus reunification talks and call on Turkey to be more constructive. I wonder what they are really demanding from Turkey. It may be the opening of Turkish ports and airports to Cypriot traffic, but I am not sure, he said.

[03] Talat said the Greek Cypriots should take out of their mind that the Turkish Cypriots will be administrated by them

Responding to the questions of journalist Dogan Harman, Mr Talat said that he asked President Christofias why the Greek Cypriots are allegedly keeping the Turkish Cypriot under isolation and noted that President Christofias does not accept this position and says that the reason of the isolation is the Turkish occupation army.

Mr Talat noted that the Greek Cypriots are not saying clearly that they want to put the Turkish Cypriots under their sovereignty, but this is observed in their thoughts, speeches and proposals. Mr Talat argued that the world could make the sides at the negotiating table equal by treating them equally and say for example that it considers them as two communities.

The Turkish Cypriot leader argued that participation of Greek and Turkish Cypriots in joint election catalogues is contradictory to the concept of bi-zonality and added that he told the Greek Cypriots that these proposals are not in harmony with the political equality concept.

He noted that the Greek Cypriots are afraid of the current situation becoming permanent and they know that there could be no return in this case. Therefore, he added, they want a solution, but I still have doubts regarding the ground they want the solution to be based upon.

(I/Ts.)

[04] National Existence Council : �he independence of the state is threatened by the Orams case

(AK)

[05] The Turkish Cypriots participate in the World Travel Market Fair of London

The paper further reports that the self-styled Minister of Economy and Tourism will visit the fair. According to a statement issued by the self-styled Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the ministry provided for this year the amount of 150.000 Pounds Sterlin for the better promotion and presentation of the Turkish Cypriot tourism at the fair.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.11.08) reports that addressing a ceremony at the illegal Near East University (YDU), Mr Sanlidag said that there is an increase everyday in the number of tourists who visit the occupied areas of Cyprus. He noted that they are expecting a significant increase in the number of tourists who will visit the occupied areas next year.

[06] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce elects new president

The 46th General Assembly of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) was held today.

The only candidate running for the post, Sua Saracoglu was unanimously elected as the new President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce.

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer was also present at the meeting during which a minute silence was observed, messages were read and speeches were delivered.

Among the guests at the general assembly was the President of the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manthos Mavrommatis and leaders of Turkish Cypriot political parties.

In his address to the gathering, Mr. Soyer said the solution of the Cyprus problem is the main objective and President Talat is continuing to work on the issue with determination.

Pointing to the need for creating social dialogue to solve the problems being faced in the country, the Premier said the government is ready for every kind of dialogue to resolve the problems.

Also speaking at the event the outgoing Chamber President Hasan Kutlu Ince said that the chamber played an essential role in supporting peace on the island, as well as North Cypruss membership to the EU. He said that the chamber also played a pivotal role in establishing free market economic policies in the country.

The outgoing President said that a solution to the Cyprus problem will help North Cyprus overcome the current global financial crisis.

Also addressing the General Assembly, the President of the Greek Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manthos Mavrommatis said that he was optimistic about the islands future and prospects for cooperation.

Mavrommatis also underlined the importance of the two leaders continuing their efforts to find a political settlement in Cyprus.

The President of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry Salih Tunar for his part said that the country was going through a critical phase, both on the Cyprus Problem and the global economic crisis.

Tunar expressed support to President Mehmet Ali Talats efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Also speaking, the Leader of the Democrat Party (DP) Serdar Denktas said it is necessary to form a crisis government to overcome the problems in the country and in this respect; his party is ready to cooperate with the government.

The Leader of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici, for his part, said his party will keep its determination for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the European Union process.

[07] Documentary on the events of 1963-64 to compete at the Boston Film Festival

The Missing Bus documentary heads off to the United States. The Missing Bus drama documentary will compete at the Boston Film Festival on the 2nd of December.

The documentary which is about a bus carrying Turkish Cypriots which went missing on the 13th of May 1964 after taking off from Larnaca was produced on the basis of eyewitness accounts of the bitter events of the past.

The missing bus event is only one of several dramatic events of the past that cost the lives of many people in Cyprus over the last 50 years.

The Missing Bus will be competing as a TRNC documentary with 10 other finalist films.

The 55 minute documentary which was produced by a 44-member team was written by Rasit Pertev and the music of the film was composed by Ahmet Okan.

[08] Turkeys boron exports are rising

Turkey's boron production and exports are on the rise, authorities said on Sunday.

According to figures of Eti Maden (mining) Enterprises, Turkey earned 442 million USD from its boron exports as of October 31. This figure was only 325 million USD in the same period of 2007. Around 72 percent of world boron reserves is in Turkey.

"Our exports were up 36 percent in the first ten months of this year, over the same period of last year," Orhan Yilmaz, the director general of the enterprises, told AA correspondent.

Yilmaz set the year-end export target of their enterprise as 550 million USD. He also said that Turkey exported boron worth 405 million USD in 2007.

The director general also said that Turkey aimed to earn 1 billion USD from boron exports in 2012.

Yilmaz said that 63 countries were buying boron from Turkey, and enumerated some of those countries as the United States, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameron, Canada, China, Egypt, Britain, Finland, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Yemen, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Vietnam.

[09] Obama has been invited to Turkey

Debates concerning the foreign policy of US President Elect Barrack Obama are being followed "enthusiastically" in Ankara. The AKP government through close American friends has sent an invite to Obama saying, "Come to Turkey as soon as you can!" Worried because the black leader promised the Armenian lobby that he would recognize the "Armenian genocide" the Foreign Ministry is thinking that under Obama changes to US foreign policy might have a deep impact on Turkey, and so it is working on a "powerful liaison strategy for relations with the United States in the new period" thus increasing the President's support for Turkey and overcoming the "genocide" headache. Ankara's strategy for working with Obama will be based on the following guidelines:

Up Close: The Obama administration needs to understand the role Turkey plays for peace and stability in the region. This is why dialogue with the US administration will be taken to the very highest level. Obama has been invited to Ankara but in the short term there are plans for Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, President Gul and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan to visit the United States.

The future of Iraq and in particular northern Iraq will occupy an important place in medium- and long-term relations. Special cooperation with Washington will be proposed so that US withdrawal from Iraq will not upset Iraq's political integrity and lead to chaos and civil war inside Iraq.

Washington, which has given Turkey special intelligence support in its fight against the PKK, will be given special briefings on the results obtained in combating the PKK. To this end it is expected that General Staff officials are going to head for Washington in the days ahead.

[10] British Foreign Minister hosted Babacan and his wife at his house in S. Shields

The British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs hosted his Turkish counterpart at home on Friday.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and his spouse Louise Miliband flew to Newcastle with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and his spouse Zeynep Babacan, and hosted the couple at their house in South Shields.During their flight from London to Newcastle, the two foreign ministers had a warm and sincere conversation.

Babacan and Miliband were welcomed by British actor Patrick Stewart, who accompanied the foreign ministers during the rest of the day.

David Miliband and Ali Babacan were the guests of an education program "Find Your Talent" at lunch, and chatted with children.

The foreign ministers later visited a newly-establishing neighbourhood in South Shields, chatted with home owners, and later joined their spouses at Miliband's house.

Babacan, Miliband and their spouses had a dinner at a hotel, and the Babacan couple returned to Turkey.

The Turkish foreign minister paid a five-day tour to European Union (EU) member states. Britain was the last stop of his visit.

Babacan left Turkey on Monday for a five-day European tour including France, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Britain.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITIORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] Turkish columnist believes that Obama can help Turkey on various problems Cyprus among them

Like most Turks, I am very happy that Barack Hussein Obama has been elected the next president of the United States. The US is still the global leader, and whatever happens there or whatever it does inevitably affects Turkey. Even though some argue that US foreign policy changes little from one president to another, even this "little" may mean much to countries in the periphery. Secondly, if there was a change between the Bill Clinton administration and the George W. Bush administration (of course there was), there will definitely be differences in President-elect Obama's foreign policy. And we all hope to see that this foreign policy is decisively influenced by a comparatively more humane State Department rather than the Pentagon -- provided Obama keeps most, if not all, of his promises.

Obama's election is definitely bad news for Turkey's pseudo-nationalist ulusalcilar (Kemalist so-called nationalists). They were happy to cooperate with the Pentagon and notorious neocons who look at Turkey from only one narrow militaristic dimension or through the lens of Israel. Our pseudo-nationalists' friends never cared about Turkish democracy and even said they were impartial to the democratically elected government and the coup-threatening military after the April 27 e-memo shambles. Furthermore, their mouthpieces frequently referred to the Erdogan government as Islamo-fascists just because the Turkish government wanted to follow a slightly independent foreign policy -- a foreign policy that President-elect Obama has promised to emulate. Maybe for the first time after Turgut Ozal the Turks will be leading the Americans.

So, Turkey's democratic future looks hopeful. But some in Turkey are afraid that Obama's promises with regard to the Armenian massacre and the Cyprus issue pose dangers to Turkey. I do not agree with this view. We may even lose in the short run, but we will definitely benefit in the long run, provided that we make a full effort to communicate our rational and good cause to the relevant sides and to the international community. These two issues are stumbling blocks to both Turkish democracy and Turkish foreign policy. Our neocon-friendly pseudo-nationalists have attempted to make use of the Cyprus problem as a brake to halt Turkey's EU accession process, and they have been successful, to a certain extent. Thus, any feasible solution to the problem will help Turkey. If Obama can impartially pressure both sides, we might get such a solution. This will then definitely help Turkish democracy.

With regard to the Armenian issue, Turkey has already started taking some steps, maybe with the fear that Obama would probably win the elections. Whatever the reason, Turkey will now be forced to deal with the issue. I am not sure if saying this makes me a traitor, but I hope that Obama does not entirely forget the issue, provided we inform him fully as well instead of threatening him with Incirlik, the US base in southern Turkey. If he again impartially pressures both sides, Turkey has a lot to gain. First, we will not expend a large amount of our foreign policy energy on the issue every year. Second, we will not have to embarrassingly use the Incirlik base as a bargaining chip against the Americans. In this way the militarist dimension of the issue will disappear. Third, we will not have to beg certain lobbies in the US every year who in turn try to limit our foreign policy options in the Middle East. I will not even mention the economic benefits, such as saving millions paid to public relations companies in the US or the benefit of direct trade with Armenia. Lastly, facing our history bravely will make more people aware of what people with an ignorant Ergenekonian militaristic mentality could do to their innocent compatriots in the name of saving the country. This is obviously helpful to Turkish democracy.

[12] From the Turkish Press of 07, 08 and 09 November 08

Assessment of the result of the US Presidential Election:

In an article entitled "Tough and thorny cases waiting for the black man," in Hurriyet (07.11.08) columnist Tufan Turenc says that Barack Obama will have to address a myriad of problems, including an economy bogged down in a quagmire, a tarnished image, and wars which cost hundreds of thousands of lives. He says: "We hope that Obama will be successful because his success will bring peace and order not only to the United States, but to whole world. The ugly face of racism which is void of all human values and hurts people will lose ground in all parts of the world, including the United States."

In an article in Milliyet (07.11.08) entitled "What do Obama and Turkey conjure up?" columnist Hasan Cemal analyzes how Obama's election as US President may affect Turkish-US ties. He says: "If Turkey accelerates its steps toward democratization which is indispensable for her accession to the EU, makes progress in resolving the Kurdish question in parallel with its fight against terrorism and violence, and normalizes her relations with Armenia, her relations with Obama's America can be perfect."

In an article entitled "Time for change," in Milliyet (07.11.08) columnist Derya Sazak says that Turkey should be prepared for changes that could be made by Obama in US foreign policy. He comments: "Obama will approach issues from the perspective of 'rights' rather than 'security' in the White House. The new President's opinions about Cyprus, Armenian allegations, and northern Iraq are different than those of Bush. Turkey needs to change paradigms in order to find solutions to its own problems, especially the Kurdish question instead of being upset because of the way Obama describes problems."

In a column in Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review online (07.11.08), Mehmet Ali Birand declares that "Obama being elected as president will affect Turkey positively in general. The only exception will be the Armenian issue. It is good to be prepared for this issue, trying to ease the shock." Also noting that Erdogan has failed to become Turkey's own Obama, Birand asks: "What will happen next? We are still in search for an Obama who could take the necessary steps to make peace with our Kurdish citizens, behave realistically in Cyprus, communicate with Armenians and overcome a historic accusation, provide reconciliation on shared values between the pious and secular segments of people, manage problems that are dividing society in two. What would you say? Will Turkey find its own Obama?"

A report entitled "He expects Obama to be more considerate" in Sabah (07.11.08) quotes Republican People's Party leader Deniz Baykal as saying that he expects the United States to change its alleged policy aimed at creating friends through moderate Islam while laying higher emphasis on secularism after Obama's election as President. Baykal added that withdrawal of US troops from Iraq may accelerate and Turkey's persuasiveness in the region will increase after Obama takes office.

A report entitled "Turk's appeal to Obama for solution," Taraf highlights a congratulatory message sent by Democratic Society Party leader Ahmet Turk to Barack Obama. According to the report, Turk said: "The Kurdish question which concerns Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria is of crucial importance for stability in the Middle East. Our party is ready to share our experience and perspectives with you in order to devise democratic solutions in the Middle East."

In an article entitled "Change and communication," in Sabah (07.11.08) columnist Muharrem Sarikaya implies that Obama can make a positive contribution to efforts aimed at accelerating Turkey's accession to the EU just like Bill Clinton did during his presidency. He comments: "There will certainly be changes in relations between Ankara and Washington after Obama's election. But, they will turn into issues which can be resolved rather than hanging like the sword of Damocles over Turkey as deep-seated problems.

In an article entitled "A lesson," in Radikal (07.11.08) columnist Turker Alkan says that Obama's election victory has been overstated and stirred up high hopes around the world. He comments: "People are in a jubilant mood for some understandable reasons. The fact that Obama who has declared that he is in favour of peace rather than Bush who carelessly attacks countries will lead the United States, a mighty country, causes people to feel more confident. But, we should not reach hasty conclusions. Firstly, American interests are of crucial importance in the world and some of them cannot be sacrificed easily. A person who has been elected as President can usually not fulfil all the promises that he has made. Secondly, conditions may change and it may be necessary to make decisions rapidly. Those decisions may be detrimental to democracy and peace in most of the cases."

In an article entitled "The new US government and Turkey," in Radikal (07.11.08) columnist Hasan Celal Guzel emphasizes that the Obama Administration should refrain from pushing a resolution supporting Armenian allegations of genocide because it could prove hinder efforts to improve bilateral ties between Turkey and Armenia. He notes: "While making a decision about its stance toward Turkey, the new US government should take into consideration that a wrong step could hurt its own interests because Turkey is a powerful country which would not be affected by a change of leadership in the United States."

In an article entitled "Has there been a revolution in the United States?" in Cumhuriyet (07.11.08) columnist Hikmet Cetinkaya cautions that Turkey could face serious problems due to Obama's policies vis-�-vis Armenian allegations, northern Iraq, Cyprus, and the Kurdish question. Analyzing the outcome of the US presidential elections, Cetinkaya says: "A revolution has not been carried out in the United States. The US 'deep state' refreshed its makeup and showed that it had wiped out racism and is now waving hands to Black African countries."

In an article entitled "Those who mistake Obama for Don Quixote," in Cumhuriyet (07.11.08) columnist Erol Manisali predicts that there will not be a significant change in US policies after Obama's election because, he argues, the United States is actually governed by an oligarchy consisting of big corporations.

In an interview under the title "AKP and DTP walk hand in hand" in Ortadogu (07.11.08) quotes Nationalist Action Party leader Devlet Bahceli as saying: "Obama's election as the US President is an important development. But, we cannot predict how it will affect the political situation in the world and Turkey. We have two and a half months ahead. He will receive briefings about the United States' official policy and name the members of his Cabinet. We will see what will happen after he takes office. But, it would be wrong to expect significant changes in official US policies." Bahceli also expounds his views on the Kurdish question and the upcoming local elections.

A report entitled "PKK's Letter to Obama" in Milliyet (07.11.08) highlights a letter allegedly sent by PKK's Murat Karayilan and Zubeyir Aydar to US President-elect Obama. According to the reports, Karayilan and Aydar called on Obama to contribute to efforts aimed at finding a democratic solution to the Kurdish problem in Turkey, emphasizing that they are not enemies of the United States and Iraq. The report also highlights a congratulatory message sent to Obama by Kurdistan National Congress which urged Obama to abandon the current US policy labelling the PKK as an enemy. It said: "Neither the Kurdish people nor the PKK have been involved in any hostile act toward the American people or any other people."

A report entitled "They came like Obama, but they now act like Bush" in Vatan (07.11.08) quotes Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru as saying that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party came to power after a landslide election victory in 2002 which he likens to Obama's election victory, but he now takes an approach to issues which, he notes, is similar to Bush's style. Noting that the AKP has deviated from its original policy vis-�-vis the Kurdish question, human rights, and democracy, Koru criticizes the AKP for making moves creating the impression that it is reverting to old policies confusing terrorism with the Kurdish question instead of taking simple measures that could easily resolve the Kurdish problem.

In an article entitled "Weapons," in Taraf (07.11.08) columnist Ahmet Altan shares Koru's argument and says that Turkey is being governed by a Prime Minister who was elected like Obama, but gradually resembled Bush. Accusing Erdogan of intending to resolve the Kurdish question through military means, he says: "The United States is moving from Bush and weapons toward Obama and democracy whereas Turkey is moving just in the opposite direction. This is a sad journey for Erdogan and a painful disappointment for people who liked and believed in him.

In an article entitled "A victory for the American 'Deep State'" in Yeni Safak (07.11.08) columnist Yusuf Kaplan describes Obama's election as the result of a US "deep state" operation whereby the Jewish controlled neo-cons, who have "brought the country to the brink of collapse," have been ejected from power. He also claims that Obama will serve as a "useful tool" to "legitimize the United States' unjust domination of the world."

In an article entitled "Neo-Nationalists lose America's support" in Today's Zaman (07.11.08) columnist Ihsan Dagi sees the results of the US presidential elections as a defeat for Turkish neo-nationalists in the sense that there is no longer an administration in Washington ready to support a military coup in Turkey.

In an article entitled "Bush supporters become Pro-Obama overnight", in Milli Gazete (07.11.08) columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan criticizes certain commentators at home for referring to Obama's election as a major "revolution" and starting to entertain "dreams" of a world where the United States will defend the rights of the oppressed peoples of the world. He asserts that Barack Obama would do the greatest favour he could to victims of oppression the world over by refraining from trying to "spread democracy" in the world. He also claims that it would be wrong to expect radical changes in the US foreign policy under Obama's leadership, adding that the United States will continue to "exploit" the world regardless of who is president.

In an article entitled "Capabilities and possibilities," in Cumhuriyet (08.11.08) columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek says that documents distributed during Obama's election campaign indicate that US national interests will play a key role in the United States' relations with Turkey. Pointing out that the ruling party in Turkey has no idea about Obama's approach to Turkey, Arcayurek says: "Bush was giving support to Erdogan's government. Erdogan may attempt to make up for the loss of that support by making some concessions to Obama."

Under the banner headline, "Here are Turkey's Blacks," Vakit (08.11.08) publishes a front-page report which asserts that devout people in Turkey and women wearing Islamic headscarves continue to be treated as second-class citizens while the rest of the world is taking "giant steps" toward democratization and a black leader is preparing to take over as president of the United States.

In an article entitled "What Obama's election signals", in Zaman (08.11.08) columnist Ali Bulac says he does not expect Obama to implement radical changes to the political and economic system and the international order in line with the demands of his voters and discloses that he sees his election as a "nice stunt. What is more, I know that his aide Biden is a Republican on the inside and a Democrat on the outside. Neither have I forgotten that most of the time, dark-skinned people are like coconuts, black on the outside, white on the inside." Bulac expresses "joy" at Obama's election "all the same" and asserts that his win could be regarded as a milestone in an ongoing deep conflict in the history of humanity.

In an article entitled "The risks Obama brings for Turkey" in Today's Zaman (08.11.08) columnist Abdulhamit Bilici asserts based on Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's answers to questions about Obama's possible handling of the situation in Iraq and his policy on the Armenian claims of genocide that Turkey maintains an attitude of "cautious optimism" toward Obama.

In an article entitled "Obama/Neo-Con showdown" in Milli Gazete (08.11.08) columnist Abdullah Ozkan advises "those who set their hopes high for the consequences of Obama's victory" not to be over hasty in expecting major changes in US foreign policy soon. He claims that the neo-con team that is currently in power will go out of its way to press ahead with the Project for a New American Century, its blueprint for a "global American empire" and predicts a showdown between Obama and the US neo-cons. He claims that unless Obama emerges victorious from this confrontation, he will be no more than a duplicate of George W. Bush.

In an article entitled "Change of colour is not enough" in Bugun (08.11.08) columnist Ahmet Tasgetiren voices concern over what he presents as potential indicators of Obama's policy on the Middle East such as the Jewish identity of the sponsors of his election campaign and his nomination of Rahm Emanuel, "who served as a civilian volunteer in the Israeli army in the First Gulf War," as White House Chief of Staff.

In an article entitled "Nobody should conceal real Bush's" in Vakit (09.11.08) columnist Ihsan Karahasanoglu tacitly criticizes Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru for saying that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan came to power like Obama, but began acting like Bush afterwards. He comments: "We can say that Erdogan has delayed certain steps. We can also criticize him based on the conclusion that he should have made more radical decisions. But, we should not liken people who are trying to broaden the scope of freedoms, albeit partially, to Bush." He concludes by saying: "The first thing that should be done in this country is to reveal the identity of Bush's servants who said that the United States is a powerful country and that the US Government would definitely seek revenge for the prevention of US troops from using Turkish soil for invading Iraq."

In an article entitled "The collapse" in Vakit (09.11.08) columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak argues that the global capitalist system is collapsing together with the United States. Noting that turbulence in the US financial system will not subside until Obama unveils the main highlights of his economic policy, Dilipak emphasizes that the world needs a new international order and a new defence policy to ensure security in that new global system.

Finally, in an article entitled "Avoiding Attacks" in Milli Gazete (09.11.08) columnist Ekrem Kiziltas argues that every US President, whether a Republican or Democrat, would attach great importance to US interest and take an approach to international issues from that perspective. He says: "Thus, rejoicing at the election of Democrat Obama is like being happy because you are anesthetized before being beaten so that you will not feel pain."

EG/

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