Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-12-16

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[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Christofias and Mr. Talat held their 57th meeting in the framework of the negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem

[02] The Turkish Cypriot side to send a letter to the UNSG to explain its views on the latest two reports prepared by the UN on Cyprus

[03] Eroglu said that a Cyprus settlement can only be in the UBPs period

[04] Ozgurgun stated that in case Turkey abandons Cyprus, they will struggle for an independent Turkish state in Cyprus

[05] Linda Orams said a Court of Appeals judgment was not expected before January 6

[06] Italian MP Turco said that the Turkish Cypriots should accede to the EU concurrently with Turkey

[07] Columnist in Havadis reports that the population in the occupied village of Morfou has been decreased compared to the total population

[08] Davutoglu from Damascus calls on the Arab countries to increase cooperation with the breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus

[09] The newly elected President of Abkhazia to visit Turkey for reaching out to the members of the Abkhaz diaspora living in Turkey

[10] Court hands down 39 life sentences in 29-year-long Dev-Sol trial

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 15 December 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] President Christofias and Mr. Talat held their 57th meeting in the framework of the negotiations for solving the Cyprus problem

The Cyprus negotiation process is continuing. President Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias discussed the way forward as regards their direct talks at another meeting yesterday.

The UN Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer told reporters after the meeting that the discussion was carried out with the objective of bridging differences on the issues that have already been covered in the negotiations up until now. He noted that senior aides of the two leaders will be meeting again on Thursday to work out some of the details.

On his return to the Presidential Palace, President Talat said that he and the Greek Cypriot leader will finalize the program of the talks at their next meeting, which will be held on the 21st of December. Mr Talat added that he and Mr Christofias also took up the issue of Governance and Power Sharing at their meeting, which was described by the UN Envoy as 'very productive'.

[02] The Turkish Cypriot side to send a letter to the UNSG to explain its views on the latest two reports prepared by the UN on Cyprus

Presidential Spokesperson has said that the preparation of a special report on the UN Secretary-Generals good offices mission in Cyprus is a sign showing that the negotiation process has entered into an important stage.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing, Hasan Ercak1ca expressed the hope that the negotiation process would gain momentum in January, adding that the Turkish side would do its best to make the process fruitful.

Complaining that December talks did not yield to important progress at the negotiations process because of Greek Cypriot side s initiatives against Turkey at the European Union, the spokesperson underlined the need for the Greek Cypriot Administration to sit at the table with good will.

Mr Ercak1ca pointed out that a report was prepared on the UN Chiefs good offices mission in Cyprus in addition to the one extending the mandate of the UN Peace Keeping Forces in Cyprus. The spokesperson explained that the Turkish side would send a letter to the UN Chief to explain its views concerning the two reports.

The spokesperson also underlined the need not to put aside the confidence building measures, which he said, would improve relations between the two peoples on the island.

Mr Ercak1ca also criticized the Greek Cypriot side for hindering trade to be made between the two sides within the framework of the Green Line Regulation prepared by the European Union .

[03] Eroglu said that a Cyprus settlement can only be in the UBP s period

Mr Eroglu also noted that Mr Talat even refused the participation of a bureaucrat in the face-to-face meetings. He also said that only an agreement, which will be according to the expectations and the will of the people, can last. Mr Eroglu added: If there is to be an agreement, this will only be in the UBPs (National Unity Party) period, because we know very well what the Greek Cypriots are. We are not obliged for an agreement, we will negotiate having in mind an agreement that can survive. If there is an agreement that can survive in Cyprus, this will only be in the UBPs period.

Mr Eroglu also said that they supported Mr Talat because he is on the negotiation table, they supported him that he will serve the will of the TRNC people and not to do whatever he wants or to serve the views of the party that he comes from. Mr Eroglu also called on Mr Talat to brief the government, to be more comprehensive and that his declaration for a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation is not enough.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (15.12.09) broadcast the following:

TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu has underlined the need for President Mehmet Ali Talat to act in line with the expectations of the TRNC people.

'We support the President as a negotiator not to allow him to do whatever he wants or to serve the views of the party he belonged to' he said, adding that Mr Talat should take into consideration the expectations of the TRNC people while negotiating a settlement.

Addressing the Republics Assembly yesterday, the Prime Minister said hopes for a settlement in Cyprus are fading in spite of the fact that the worlds most peaceful people are sitting at the negotiation table.

'If a solution is not reached, the Turks of Cyprus wont be out in the cold, because, the TRNC exists', Eroglu stressed.

Reminding that a solution hasnt been reached despite of President Talats very flexible policy, the Premier reminded that home diplomacy will be launched in the New Year and questioned the difference between holding the talks at a building allocated for the talks and the homes of the two leaders.

[04] Ozgurgun stated that in case Turkey abandons Cyprus, they will struggle for an independent Turkish state in Cyprus

Asked whether he will pack up and return to Ankara if Turkey abandons Cyprus, whether there is a Plan B in their mind given that the red lines of the Cyprus cause are gradually being watered down in the framework of the comprehensive negotiations, Mr. Ozgurgun, replied that it never came to his mind that Turkey will abandon Cyprus and added: This is really a bad scenario, but of course it might be left as a necessity. This question comes to our minds as well. If it is left as a necessity we shall struggle of course. Instead of going back to an old point in any way the struggle must go on for advancing. And advancing means to struggle for an independent Turkish state. If things become so difficult and complicated and the struggle starts, the struggle will be for an independent Turkish state in Cyprus. It will not be such as struggle as to divide the island and keep under control the half of it. If such a struggle starts, it cannot be abandoned unfinished. As regards collecting our things as you said and return to Turkey, we will not do this.

Asked to comment on his relationship with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, Mr. Ozgurgun said the following: We cannot work in coordination with President Talat. The government came to power with 45%, but it does not have a representative at the negotiation team. Esteemed Prime Minister as the leader of the government is not satisfied with this. A representative from the government is necessary to participate in the face to face negotiations.

As regards the Cyprus problem, Mr. Ozgurgun said that the Cyprus problem is not possible to be solved until May. He then said that with the existing approaches a solution to the Cyprus problem is impossible.

Asked to reply to the question: If the day after tomorrow a document with chapters which are not approved by you appear in front of you, will you use your majority right in the assembly for not submitting this to referendum? Mr. Ozgurgun replied as follows: It is very difficult to say this. We should first see the text. Its content. Is it a very bad text? We will make an evaluation whether there are a lot of things which are beyond our red lines. However, it must be discussed whether together with the bad things there are also good parts, and then not submit it to a referendum. We cannot not take any decision before leaving the people to decide. This would be distressing. However, if it is a very bad text, the assembly might put some limits. It will then be a state policy. If it becomes a state policy we will then openly oppose.

Asked to comment on the meetings which are scheduled to take place at the residences of Mr. Talat and Christofias on January 11, 12 13, Mr. Ozgurgun said that if there is to be a surprise, this will be made during those days or it will be late if it comes afterwards.

(AK)

[05] Linda Orams said a Court of Appeals judgment was not expected before January 6

The Greek Cypriot at the centre of an international court battle with Linda and David Orams has admitted he targeted foreigners deliberately.

Meletis Apostolides also confirmed he owned more land that the one donum at Lapta occupied by the retired couple from Sussex.

He told Cyprus Today: I have many Turkish Cypriot friends and I understand Turkish Cypriots living in a house on my land. I dont understand investors making it more difficult to find a solution.

There are all these foreigners, thousands of them probably, interfering with a solution and trying to secure what they have taken.

Mr Apostolides is almost single-handedly blamed for the downturn in the North Cyprus housing market following the launch of his landmark case back in 2004.

He won a South Nicosia District Court case which demanded the Oramses quit the land, pay him compensation and back rent and also demolish the villa they completed on the plot.

He then registered the case in the courts of England and Wales in 2005, following South Cypruss membership of the European Union. The Court of Justice [ECJ] ruled this March that a court case in one member state must be recognised and enforced in another.

This means that while the Oramses could keep their �170,000 Lapta villa because international law cannot be enforced in the TRNC, their property in Hove could be confiscated by the courts to pay Mr Apostolides.

It also means Europeans with assets or property in Europe could face similar legal action if they own properties on former Greek Cypriot land.

However, the Court of Appeal in London is due to decide whether it accepts the ECJ ruling or not.

Mrs Orams said she was aware of Mr Apostolidess views. She said that a Court of Appeal judgment was not expected before January 6 as the court system closes down in England and Wales on Monday for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Marian Stokes, chairman of the HomeBuyers Pressure Group, said: The buyers are not to blame. The Oramses went to the TRNC government and got permission to buy their house and they got their title deed. They did everything right.

If the Greek Cypriots want to go after anyone it should be the TRNC government or the islands three guarantors. They [the Oramses] are innocent victims.

She added: I agree in on sense that people in the North and South are all Cypriots, but at the same time the Oramses havent done anything wrong. Before I came to live in North Cyprus my partner and I thought it was closed off to the world. But when we started to look on the internet, the TRNC was very much promoted as a place to buy property.

When we came here nobody told us you shouldnt buy property. We thought buying exchange land was the safest option we presumed it had been agreed at a top level.

[06] Italian MP Turco said that the Turkish Cypriots should accede to the EU concurrently with Turkey

Mr Turco, during the meeting, said that he supports the view that the Turkish Cypriots should enter the European Union simultaneously with Turkey, because in this way Turkey would continue to protect Turkish Cypriots rights.

Commenting on the Cyprus talks, Mr Turco said that until now no positive results have been obtained and added that he does not expect the talks to be concluded in such a short period positively. Mr Turco also called on the Republic of Cyprus to apologize to the EU, to the Turkish Cypriots and to the Greek Cypriots because they voted no in the referendum in 2004. He also added that he believes that a result may be obtained in the negotiations in case the Greek Cypriot side changes its stance.

(DPs)

[07] Columnist in Havadis reports that the population in the occupied village of Morfou has been decreased compared to the total population

(DPs)

[08] Davutoglu from Damascus calls on the Arab countries to increase cooperation with the breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday that, 'Turkey's target is not only economic cooperation but economic integration as well with Arabic countries, mainly Syria'.

Speaking at meeting of foreign ministers of the Turkish-Arabic Forum in Damascus, Davutoglu said Turkey had cooperation mechanisms with Arabic countries.He said, 'Turkey is also endeavoring to boost ties with North African sub-Saharan African countries. We have decided to inaugurate 10 new Turkish embassies with the regions in question within 2009. We will improve relations with the countries in the African continent represented in the Arab League'.

Referring to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Davutoglu said Turkey supported a solution to Cyprus question within the scope of UN resolutions Davutoglu also called on Arabic countries to improve cooperation with TRNC.Foreign Minister Davutoglu said Palestinian problem was also a problem of Turkey and underlined that a compromise should be ensured between the Palestinian groups.

Davutoglu said Turkey's relations with the Arabic countries would continue whatever the consequences would be.

Recalling that Turkey's relations with the EU continued, Davutoglu said EU and Arabic countries were not alternative to each other.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, addressing the opening of the meeting held in Damascus, said they appreciated the role assumed by Turkey for solution of Arab-Israeli problem.

Muallem said Turkey was trying to boost relations with Iraq in every area as well as Syria, noting that Turkey's position towards Israel's attacks to Gaza and its mediating role in Syria-Israel indirect talks were important for the region.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the meeting was very fruitful, noting that representatives of participating countries Syria, Iraq, Libya, Qatar, Sudan and Somalia were willing to boost relations with Turkey.

Moussa said workshops would be established to focus on various topics, and noted that Turkey would host workshop on culture and science.

Moussa said a meeting would take place in Cairo, Egypt in January and an action plan would be determined there to boost Turkish-Arabic relations. He said Turkish-Arabic Forum would be organized in June 2010.

Davutoglu later departed for Turkey.

[09] The newly elected President of Abkhazia to visit Turkey for reaching out to the members of the Abkhaz diaspora living in Turkey

The newly re-elected president of Abkhazia, an unrecognized breakaway region of Georgia, Sergei Bagapsh will pay a visit to Turkey soon, citing the need to reach out to members of the Abkhaz diaspora currently living in the country.

At a press conference following his landslide victory in the Abkhaz presidential elections, which Georgia labeled an 'immoral comedy', Bagapsh said he plans to make an informal trip to Turkey very soon. 'I will have informal meetings with Turkish officials', Bagapsh said.

Abkhazia has been a battleground for Russia since the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia over the disputed region of South Ossetia. Russia immediately recognized the separatist regime and pushed its allies to act in the same vein. Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru also have recognized Abkhazia as a sign of solidarity with Russia.

The president of Abkhazia said they also wish to make certain legal changes to make the Abkhaz diaspora in Turkey and the Middle East eligible to vote in the general elections.

Last Saturdays election in Abkhazia was the first election since the Russian-Georgian war. The Abkhaz leader also said during the press conference that the normalization of relations with Georgia remains a low possibility. 'We can only negotiate with a Georgian president who accepts the independence of Abkhazia', Bagapsh emphasized.

[10] Court hands down 39 life sentences in 29-year-long Dev-Sol trial

A court yesterday announced its verdict in the trial of 1,243 suspects charged with membership in the outlawed Revolutionary Left (Dev-Sol), a case that began 29 years ago. The court sentenced 39 people to life sentences without the possibility of parole on charges of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.

The trial was held at the Uskudar 1st High Criminal Court yesterday. The case against suspect Dursun Karatas, the founder of the organization, was dropped because he died during the trial process. Karatas died on August 11, 2008 in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The cases of the remaining the suspects were dropped due to the statute of limitations. Since the late 1980s, the group has primarily targeted current and retired Turkish security and military officials.

It began a new campaign against foreign interests in 1990, which included attacks on US military and diplomatic personnel and facilities. It was designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and the United States. In 1994, infighting within Dev-Sol resulted in the formation of two factions: the main group led by Karatas was renamed the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), while Bedri Yagan, the second most powerful figure in the organization, created the new Turkish Peoples Liberation Party/Front (THKP/C).

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[11] From the Turkish Press of 15 December 2009

Where DTPs closure might lead?

According to a report by Namik Durukan in Milliyet, Democratic Society Party, DTP, deputies who have decided to resign from parliament are, from now on, going to continue their activities under the umbrella of the Peace and Democracy Party, BDP. Detailing the road map the DTP members will follow as of now, the report says that local councils will be established especially in eastern and southeastern Anatolia and an emphasis will be put on policies opposing the Justice and Development Party, AKP, in order to minimize its influence in the region. Noting that none of the DTP deputies will be attending any of the National Assembly activities, the report adds that in the event the resignations are not accepted by the Assembly, either the stand of boycotting the Assembly sessions will be adopted or a new faction will be established under the umbrella of the BDP with the participation of independent deputy Ufuk Uras.

The PKK actions are the major factor in the closure of the DTP, writes Fikret Bila in an article in Milliyet, disagreeing with DTP claims that Minister Cicek's reference to the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR, decision regarding the Batasuna party influenced the Constitutional Court in its ruling to ban the DTP. Finding the Constitutional Court ruling in line with the ECHR decisions and the principles of the Venice Commission, the writer concludes that if the DTP engages in a self-criticism in the light of these parameters it will realize that it is to blame for this process.

In an article in the same daily, Guneri Civaoglu welcomes the proposal made by Ahmet Turk to establish a "a group of Turkish and Kurdish wise men," arguing that this group might be the new respondent in the overture process. If such a group is established, Turk should be part of it, underlines Civaoglu, adding that this group might be in contact with the new party that the former DTP deputies will be joining.

Assessing the list of DTP officials the Constitutional Court has banned from engaging in politics in an article in Hurriyet, Yalcin Dogan regrets that Ahmet Turk and Aysel Tugluk are part of that list. Describing Turk and Tugluk as moderate and constructive, Dogan wonders why Emine Ayna, whom he views as one of the hawks within the party, is spared and adds: "When one looks at the list of banned officials, one sees that most are doves, most are reasonable and moderate. As a matter of fact, some have even withdrawn from political life. The Constitutional Court has caused the doves to fly away with the stone it has thrown, the hawks, however, are still perched on the branch."

Had the energy spent on justifying the closure decision been spent on the solution of the Kurdish issue through democratic channels the outcome would have been much more auspicious, declares Cengiz Candar in an article in Referans. "With the closure of the DTP, the 'democratic space' between the PKK and the 'state' is now vacated and open for a 'harsh settling of scores,'" writes Candar, adding that the political ban imposed on the most moderate, commonsensical elements of the DTP that are prone to conduct a dialogue is nothing other than "an invitation to violence." Viewing the Constitutional Court ruling as wrong and grave, Candar assesses it as a move against the democratic overture, adding that it does not concern the DTP alone but it also constitutes a heavy blow on the AKP policy. The "political void" created by the closure will expand the PKK's field of operation, claims Candar, predicting intercommunal clashes. In conclusion, Candar urges the government to do all in its power "to prevent a void in the 'legal field' and not to allow the 'Kurdish political representation' to move out of that field."

Interpreting the resignation of the DTP deputies as the beginning of a new era in politics in an article in Sabah, Mahmut Ovur writes that in the political backstage this is viewed as the beginning of a "local parliament" experiment. Although the resignation of the DTP deputies might initially increase political tension, Ovur says that it is foreseen as the harbinger of further future changes such as the DTP deputies making a comeback with a new party that embraces larger masses. Stressing the need for the government to make a new move that will reduce and disperse the social tension, Ovur advises the amendment of the Political Parties Law and a reduction in the election threshold.

The DTP deputies could have remained within the Assembly and joined a new party, but they chose not to as a reaction to the Constitutional Court ruling, writes Okay Gonensin in an article in Vatan. The lesson to be learned from this reaction is that "In Turkey, the Kurdish issue has entered a process from which there is no return," underlines Gonensin, adding: "There is nothing much that those who do not understand, who recoil from, or who are consciously trying to block the process can achieve. Maybe every attempt to prevent the process will make Turkey and the Turkish people lose some more time, but will not reverse the process. Even the ruling party can no longer reverse this process."

In an article entitled "US warplanes bombing Yemen", Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul asserts that US military involvement in the conflict involving Yemen, Saudi Arabia and local Houthi fighters is set to pave the way for the partition of Yemen. He looks at the "regional and political implications" of the situation in Yemen and asserts that the conflict is a manifestation of the US-Iranian crisis, signifying that Yemen has become a testing ground for the sort of sectarian polarization attempted in Iran before.

In an article entitled "Before it is too late", Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru takes issue with the way the closure of the Democratic Society Party, DTP, is "perceived as a development marking the end of the [Government's democratic] overture by almost everybody." He cites plans by former DTP members to establish a new political party called the "Peace and Democracy Party" as an indication that the DTP deputies intend to remain committed to the goal of democracy, adding that those "rejoicing" at the prospect of the failure of the AKP's democratization drive need to realize that there is nothing terrorism could achieve in Turkey in the next 25 years that it has not been able to achieve in the past 25 years.

Yeni Safak publishes an interview entitled "Let us talk about dialog not the ruling" with Ahmet Turk, Co-Chairman of the defunct DTP. Turk responds to such questions as whether he was offended by President Gul's remarks expressing support for the Constitutional Court's ruling to close down the DTP, whether he is planning to re-enter politics after his five-year ban has ended, how he looks at the ongoing disturbances and clashes in various provinces, and whether he will take action on the resignations tendered by the DTP deputies.

In an article entitled "Young Turks and young Kurds", Vakit columnist Mustafa Ozcan comments on acting PKK leader Murat Karayilan's remarks in an interview with the Turkiye newspaper asserting in response to the Government's democratic initiative that "the Kurds are no longer what they used to be. They cannot be lured by candy apples." Ozcan asserts that Karayilan's words, echoed by a similar statement by Ahmet Turk criticizing the public protests against Kurdish demonstrators in Izmir, define a new Kurdish identity whose salient characteristic is estrangement from religious values and the Turkish people. He goes on to express regret at what this situation suggests, namely that "the PKK's long-standing black propaganda campaign has managed to create an emotional divide between the Kurdish and Turkish sons of this country."

In an article entitled "The day has come", Vakit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak predicts that either Fascism or democracy will come to Turkey by the end of winter. He argues that "if putschists and criminal gangs seize power," the people will still be the winner in the end because too many compromising facts have been brought to light about the activities of militarist groups for them to be able to rule the country without settling scores with one another. He also asserts that "as our politburo [the Establishment] is being disbanded, we need to give some thought to a local 'Perestroika and Glasnost.' ... We need to find out how to prevent the current deep networks and gangs from being replaced by others."

Opening the Greek Orthodox Halki Seminary

In an article entitled "The Heybeliada Seminary", Milli Gazete columnist Mehmet Sevket Eygi argues that the Greek Orthodox seminary on the island of Halki in Istanbul may be reopened only if the "Muslim majority" in this country is provided with the same rights and freedoms conferred on other religious groups. He asserts that Muslims should be allowed to open and operate private madrasahs free from state interference, that the limitations on the use of the Arabic alphabet in Turkey should be lifted, that Muslims should be permitted to elect their own independent religious affairs directors and establish their independent religious schools and theology faculties, and that the restrictions on Sufism and tarikats as well as on Koran courses should be removed.

ES/

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