Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-07-02

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu: Two founding states, a federal structure and a new partnership are the UN parameters of the for solution in Cyprus

[02] Turkish Parliament Speaker urges OIC member to demonstrate solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots as they did with Gaza

[03] Bozer informs participants at the Parliamentary Union meeting of OIC on embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots

[04] Kucuk is determined to implement the economic measures parties and trade unions react

[05] Water transferred to occupied Cyprus from Turkey in 2014

[06] Turkish Cypriot Eurasian Business Council to be announced soon

[07] KTOEOS protests against Quran lessons

[08] GAU Canterbury campus included into British Higher Education System

[09] DAU will launch promotion campaign for the breakaway regime

[10] 20 million USD aid from Turkey to Kyrgyzstan

[11] The secret meeting between Davutoglu and Eliezer was confirmed by Turkeys MFA

[12] Gul calls on Turkish businessmen to invest in Indonesia

[13] Turkey distributes electricity in the region

[14] Export figures in Turkey for first half of 2010

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[15] Joschka Fischer: The West and Europe in particular cant afford to alienate Turkey

[16] From the Turkish Press of 1 July 2010

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Eroglu: Two founding states, a federal structure and a new partnership are the UN parameters for solution in Cyprus

Assessing his visit to the USA during a press conference at Turk Evi (Turkish House) in New York before returning to the occupied areas Dervis Eroglu was asked whether the ways of the two sides in Cyprus will be separated if a solution is not reached on the island until the end of the year. In his response Eroglu said: Of course, then we should sit and evaluate the situation both with our own government and parliament and with motherland Turkey. Because the Greek Cypriots may be using playing for time tactics, intensifying the financial weakness of the TRNC under the embargoes and expecting us to come to the point of saying yes to an agreement by making more concessions.

Noting that the negotiations could not last forever he said the view that let the negotiations continue for another five years and perhaps an agreement is reached is of course a waste of time for the Turkish Cypriots.

Replying to a question about the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side on the parameters of the UN and the single sovereignty, Eroglu said that the UN parameters at the negotiating table are a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal structure established by two founding states of equal status based on the political equality and a new partnership.

Noting that President Christofias and the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat brought the issue of single sovereignty on the agenda, Eroglu said: If read accurately, it will be seen that there is the view that the issue of where the sovereignty derives from, how it will be implemented and how it will be used, remains to be discussed. During the first meeting under Alexander Downer I said that I will discuss all chapters and sub-chapters. Christofias said nothing about this. Therefore, all chapters will of course be discussed because no chapter has been closed yet

Responding to a question on the Greek Cypriot sides objection to the use of the term new partnership, Eroglu said: Of course a new partnership is being sought in the negotiations. Why are we holding these negotiations, if we are not going to establish a new partnership?

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (02.07.10) reports that Dervis Eroglu was asked about the relations of the breakaway regime with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the possibility of recognition of the illegal regime by that organization. He said they have a sincere dialogue because the General Secretary of OIC is Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. He added that the Turkish Cypriot representation at OIC is now referred to as Turkish Cypriot State and not as Turkish Cypriot community. He noted, however, that the negotiations are continuing on the island and it would not be correct to talk about recognition now. He noted that Turkey is continuously encouraging the Islamic countries to contribute in the better representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the OIC, to have more sincere approach towards the TRNC and expand their relations with it.

Replying to another question, Eroglu said that they often meet with the US representative on the island who tells them: You reach an agreement. Its name is not important to us. The important thing is for the two peoples in Cyprus to find a viable agreement.

The paper writes that Dervis Eroglu returned to in the occupied areas yesterday. In statements at the illegal Tymvou airport, he said his meeting with the UN Secretary-General was very sincere and that they expressed their mutual will for a solution in Cyprus until the end of the year. He reiterated that the lifting of the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots will motivate the Greek Cypriots for a solution in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Parliament Speaker urges OIC members to demonstrate solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots as they did with Gaza

Speaking at the meeting, Sahin stated that the time has come to find a just, viable and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, a conflict that lies at the base of all problems in the Middle East. He added that this is a test not only for Gaza but also for the whole international community. Israels decision to lighten the blockade in Gaza, one that continues for the past 35 months, will not solve the problem. The blockade in Gaza must end completely as it is a threat to regional peace and stability, Sahin said.

Referring to the Turkish Cypriots, Sahin stated: In a region constituted by members of the OIC, a similar embargo to the one in Gaza, which is contrary to the decisions of both the UN and the OIC, is imposed on the TRNC as well. We expect the Islamic world is to display the same solidarity to the oppressed Turkish Cypriot people, as they do with Gaza.

(EA)

[03] Bozer informs participants at the Parliamentary Union meeting of OIC on embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots

During his bilateral meetings, Bozer informed foreign officials about the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and the course of the Cyprus problem negotiation process.

[04] Kucuk determined to implement the economic measures. Parties and trade unions react

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (02.07.10) refers to a statement by Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP) that his partys support to UBPs minority government was withdrawn on 27 June at 18.00 hours. Denktas said yesterday that the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines (KTHY) have been closed down and that the government had no authority to do this. He noted that all alternatives, including early elections, should be evaluated. He said that payment of the salaries was not the only problem of the country and called on the government to resign arguing that it cannot solve the existing problems.

Furthermore, the paper writes that Hava-Sen, the trade union of the employees of the KTHY and other 34 trade unions which support its actions, protested yesterday outside the assembly. Representatives of the pensioners, who are affected by the economic measures, supported the protest. The protesters carried placards calling on the government not to exhaust their patience and chanted slogans such as Fascist AKP, collaborator UBP. The trade unions gave a deadline to the government until today to withdraw its decisions and said that the UBP government will be responsible for the disrupting peace in labour relations as of Monday.

Addressing the protest, the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Cakici described the UBP government as liar and unsuccessful and added that his party is ready for any kind of action until the problems are solved, including not attending the assembly.

Moreover, the paper reports that the employees of the KTHY received an SMS yesterday through their cell phones informing them that they are on paid leave between 1 and 10 of July 2010 and that after that date only the personnel considered appropriate by the administrative council of the KTHY will be invited to return to their job.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (02.06.10) reports that right after the statement by Serdar Denktas that the DP withdrew its support to the UBP government, the self-styled minister of finance, Ersin Tatar said that the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) might support the UBP. The paper covers the issue under the title Towards coalition with the ORP.

The paper writes that tension is escalating in the occupied areas and that the economic measures of the government were very painful. Halkin Sesi reports that the pensioners said they will resist against those who want to put an end to their lives and that they will participate in all protests. The paper also writes that stock breeders and the Union of the Operators of Public Vehicles reacted to the increase of fuel price.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Water transferred to occupied Cyprus from Turkey in 2014

Mr Tore made these statements speaking at the TRNC agriculture and stockbreeding development workshop, which took place on Monday at Golden Tulip hotel, with the collaboration of the self-styled ministry of agriculture and natural resources, the illegal embassy of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia, the Ziraat bank and the Aegean university.

(CS)

[06] Turkish Cypriot Eurasian Business Council to be announced soon

Atalay added, inte ralia, that the establishment of the Turkish Cypriot-Eurasian Business Council will be publicly announced soon. He noted that they will take initiatives in order to attract investors from the Turkic Republics to the occupied areas of Cyprus. Already, many Azeri and Turkmen businessmen have come to the island, examined the investment possibilities and left quite satisfied, Atalay noted.

(EA)

[07] KTOEOS protests against Quran lessons

According to a statement by the Union, KTOEOS is protesting against the Quran lessons, organized during the summer vacations and are taking place in various elementary schools. In addition, KTOEOS notes that these lessons and are taught by persons who are not authorized and have no permission.

Speaking during the protest, KTOEOS chairman Adnan Eraslan stated, inter alia, that they embrace Ataturks secular education system and added: We are against the Quran and Arabic courses given with the support of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).

On the same issue, Turkish daily Zaman newspaper (01.07.10) writes that speaking to Cihan news agency, Yusuf Suicmez, head of the so-called religious affairs department in occupied Cyprus, stated that he does not approve of the pressure asserted on this issue. He added that with these lessons they want to meet the demands of society and that the lessons are organized with the collaboration of the ministry of education. If the trade unions continue with this stance, they will be obliged to initialize legal proceedings. Everyone must know his limits, Suicmez stated.

(CS)

[08] GAU Canterbury campus included in British Higher Education System

"The Girne American University (GAU) Canterbury Campus which was opened on the December 2009 has been included in the Higher Education system by the British Higher Education and Accreditation Authority as of June 10.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Girne American University Serhat Akpinar described this as a very pleasing development, which coincides with the 25th of the university. He said that the move was an indication of how much the higher education system in the TRNC was improved.

For his part, GAU Rector Prof. Dr. Y1ld1r1m �ner said that the University has launched an initiative to open Asia Pacific Campus Singapore after UK Campus Canterbury with '3 Islands Single University' objective".

[09] DAU will launch promotion campaign for the breakaway regime

According to the project, a six-week education programme will be attended by 120 trainee from China, India, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Algeria, Tunisia, Esthonian, Portugal and Poland to familiarize with DAU and the occupied areas.

(DPs)

[10] Twenty million USD aid from Turkey to Kyrgyzstan

During his two-day stay in Kyrgyzstan, Davutoglu is set to meet with Kyrgyz officials including Almazbek Atambayev, first deputy head of the Kyrgyz interim government, and Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbayev.

Davutoglu is also expected to meet with Turkish citizens living in Kyrgyzstan.

Turkey welcomed successfully completion of referendum after the tragic events in southern Kyrgyzstan especially in the cities of Osh and Jalalabad. We hope that the recent positive atmosphere will continue till the parliamentary elections in the country in October. Turkey will continue extending support to Kyrgyzstan in this process under a special action plan which includes financial aid as well as regional and international cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. To this end, Turkey will send 20 million USD to be used for rebuilding of the cities of Osh and Jalalabad, the Ministry added.

[11] The secret meeting between Davutoglu and Eliezer was confirmed by Turkeys MFA

Spokesman for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Burak Ozugergin, confirmed on Thursday reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had a meeting with Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Binyamin "Fuad" Ben Eliezer in Brussels.

Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga International Airport, Burak Ozugergin confirmed that Davutoglu had a meeting with Eliezer, which was requested by Israeli side.

The two ministers discussed the current status of Turkish-Israeli relations following Israel's attack on ships carrying aid to Gaza on May 31 and the future of such relations, Ozugergin said.

Minister Davutoglu reminded Eliezer of Turkey's expectations from Israel such as an apology, payment of compensation to the families of those killed and those wounded, establishment of an international commission to study the attack on May 31 and the end to the blockade in Gaza, Ozugergin said.

Minister Eliezer assured Davutoglu that Turkey's demands would be conveyed to the Israeli government, Ozugergin also said.

[12] Gul calls on Turkish businessmen to invest in Indonesia

R1zanur Meral, chairman of the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON), said in his opening speech that Indonesia is the worlds fourth most populous country and added: The country has significant potential market for Turkish goods with its $4,000 per capita income and a market of 240 million.

The forum was concluded with Turkish and Indonesian firms signing agreements in various fields including geothermal energy, food and airport operations.

[13] Turkey distributes electricity in the region

Turkey and Syria have a 500-megawatt-capacity electricity line, and 250 megawatts of electricity is transmitted through it. Turkey started to send electricity to Syria in 2006. Since then, Turkey exported 1.5 billion kwh of electricity to Syria.

In January, Lebanon also demanded 250 megawatts of electricity from TETAS.

Since 2002, Turkey has been giving electricity to Adjara (Georgia), Iraq, Nakhichevan and Greece within the scope of exchange, and to Syria within the framework of exports.

According to TETAS, Turkey gave 5.1 billion kwh of electricity to Nakhichevan and received 573.2 million kwh of electricity from this autonomous republic between 1991 and November 2009.

Turkey gave 319.3 million kwh of electricity to Adjara, and received 573.2 million kwh of electricity from the region.

Moreover, within the framework of an agreement signed in 2007, Turkey gave 88.7 million electricity to Greece. Also, 'Karadeniz Toptan Elektrik Ticaret A.S.', a private wholesale electricity company, has been exporting electricity to Iraq as of September 16, 2003.

[14] Export figures in Turkey for first half of 2010

Caglayan said 5-month exports, announced earlier by Turkish Statistical Institute, totalled 45.54 billion USD while 6-month exports would total 54.7 billion.

It suggests a 14.7% rise over the first half of 2009,' Caglayan said. It also suggests that we will achieve our 107.5 billion USD year-end export target easily.

Pointing out the increase in exports to neighbouring countries, Caglayan said these reached 7.33 billion in the first half. He said Turkey's exports to Greece and Georgia declined, however they increased by 71% to Iran, 53% to Russia and 64% to China.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[15] Joschka Fischer: The West and Europe in particular cant afford to alienate Turkey

Turkeys 'no' last month (a vote cast together with Brazil) to the new sanctions against Iran approved in the United Nations Security Council dramatically reveals the full extent of the countrys estrangement from the West.

Are we, as many commentators have argued, witnessing the consequences of the so-called 'neo-Ottoman' foreign policy of Turkeys Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, which is supposedly aimed at switching camps and returning to the countrys oriental Islamic roots?

I believe that these fears are exaggerated, even misplaced. And should things work out that way, this would be due more to a self-fulfilling prophecy on the Wests part than to Turkeys policies.

In fact, Turkeys foreign policy, which seeks to resolve existing conflicts with and within neighbouring states, and active Turkish involvement there, is anything but in conflict with Western interests. Quite the contrary. But the West (and Europe in particular) will finally have to take Turkey seriously as a partner -- and stop viewing it as a Western client state.

Turkey is and should be a member of the G-20 because, with its young, rapidly growing population it will become a very strong state economically in the 21st century. Even today, the image of Turkey as the sick man of Europe is no longer accurate.

When, after the UN decision, United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates harshly criticized Europeans for having contributed to this estrangement by their behaviour towards Turkey, his undiplomatic frankness caused quite a stir in Paris and Berlin. But Gates had hit the nail on the head.

Ever since the change in government from Jacques Chirac to Nicolas Sarkozy in France and from Gerhard Schr�der to Angela Merkel in Germany, Turkey has been strung along and put off by the European Union. Indeed, in the case of Cyprus, the EU wasnt even above breaking previous commitments vis-a-vis Turkey and unilaterally changing jointly agreed rules. And, while the Europeans have formally kept to their decision to begin accession negotiations with Turkey, they have done little to advance the cause.

Only now, when the disaster in Turkish-European relations is becoming apparent, is the EU suddenly willing to open a new chapter in the negotiations (which, incidentally, clearly proves that the deadlock was politically motivated).

It cant be said often enough: Turkey is situated in a highly sensitive geopolitical location, particularly where Europes security is concerned. The eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, the western Balkans, the Caspian region and the southern Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East are all areas where the West will achieve nothing or very little without Turkeys support. And this is true in terms not only of security policy, but also of energy policy if youre looking for alternatives to Europes growing reliance on Russian energy supplies.

The West and Europe in particular, really cant afford to alienate Turkey, considering their interests, but objectively it is exactly this kind of estrangement that follows from European policy towards Turkey in the last few years.

Europes security in the 21st century will be determined to a significant degree in its neighbourhood in the southeast -- exactly where Turkey is crucial for Europes security interests now and, increasingly, in the future. But, rather than binding Turkey as closely as possible to Europe and the West, European policy is driving Turkey into the arms of Russia and Iran.

This kind of policy is ironic, absurd and short-sighted all at once. For centuries, Russia, Iran and Turkey have been regional rivals, never allies. Europes political blindness, however, seems to override this fact.

Of course, Turkey, too, is greatly dependent on integration with the West. Should it lose this, it would drastically weaken its own position vis-a-vis its potential regional partners (and rivals), despite its ideal geopolitical location. Turkeys no to new sanctions against Iran in all likelihood will prove to be a significant error, unless Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan can deliver a real turnaround in Iran s nuclear policy. This, however, is highly unlikely.

Moreover, with the confrontation between Israel and Turkey strengthening radical forces in the Middle East, what is European diplomacy (both in Brussels and in European capitals) waiting for? The West, as well as Israel and Turkey themselves, most certainly cannot afford a permanent rupture between the two states, unless the desired outcome is for the region to continue on its path to lasting destabilization. It is more than time for Europe to act.

Worse still, while Europes listlessness is visible first and foremost in the case of Turkey and the Middle East, this lamentable state of affairs is not limited to that region. The same applies to the southern Caucasus and Central Asia, where Europe, with the approval of the smaller supplier countries there, should firmly pursue its energy interests and assert itself vis-a-vis Russia, as well as to Ukraine, where Europe should also become seriously involved. Many new developments have been set in motion in that entire region by the global economic crisis, and a new player, China (a long-term planner), has entered the geopolitical stage.

Europe risks running out of time, even in its own neighborhood, because active European foreign policy and a strong commitment on the part of the EU are sorely missed in all these countries. Or, as Mikhail Gorbachev, that great Russian statesman of the last decades of the 20th century, put it: Life has a way of punishing those who come too late.

(Note: Joschka Fischer, Germanys foreign minister and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005, was a leader in the German Green Party for almost 20 years.)

[16] From the Turkish Press of 1 July 2010

Kurdish Issue

In his column in Milliyet, Fikret Bila recounts his conversation with State Minister Cemil Cicek on Turkey's expectations from the United States, Iraq, and its other allies with regard to counterterrorism. Given that terrorism is now a transnational issue and a large part of terrorist activities take place abroad, Cicek said we expect the United States and other countries to support us in this effort, just as the United States did following the 9/11 attacks. Cicek also asked for extradition of PKK members from Europe and the acceleration of the Danish investigation into ROJ TV. He said: "We do not want military force from NATO. What we expect is a stance that befits NATO allies," bemoaning that European allies are allowing a PKK presence in their countries and the United States can do more than just provide intelligence in north Iraq. Cicek also criticized Mas'ud Barzani for not closing the Makhmur camp.

Also referring to the foreign connection of the PKK issue, Milliyet's Kadri Gursel criticizes Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement that NATO should help Turkey in its fight against terrorism. According to Gursel, the prime minister "hinted that NATO should assume a role similar to that in Afghanistan against the PKK in north Iraq." This could only internationalize the Kurdish problem, Gursel maintains, adding that this is not a desirable outcome. He regrettably notes, however, that if the Kurdish issue remains unresolved, this is bound to happen. Gursel states that it is acceptable to seek assistance from the United States and Iraq regarding the situation in north Iraq, but talking about cooperation with NATO "is the manifestation of political powerlessness," because the source of the PKK problem in north Iraqi is the ethnic problem in Turkey.

Commenting on the evolution of the government's "Kurdish overture," turned "democratic overture," turned "unity and integrity" in his column in Milliyet, Guneri Civaoglu expresses disappointment with the fact that in the end the overture came to nothing. He says that we are now all paying the price for the failure to implement this initiative, adding: "Unfortunately, this is the result of setting on a road without a map, without a route, and without a compass." Although the overture remained mere words, Civaoglu, "the psychology of expectation it generated has raised the bar very high." He argues that the gap between the demands -- such as Ocalan's release, the end to the military operations, the acceptance of Kurdish as an official language, and the inclusion of the Kurdish identity in the Constitution -- and the ability to meet them is very wide. Civaoglu adds that the proposal for Kurdish municipalities to declare autonomy is fraught with dangers, not to mention its nonconformity with the Constitution. We should now all work to change this situation, he concludes.

Sedat Ergin pens a column in Hurriyet, analyzing the reasons that the government says are behind PKK terrorism. If we are to pursue an effective strategy against terrorism, Ergin maintains, it is essential to first "objectively and correctly diagnose" the problem. He says that Erdogan claims that the PKK is supported by outside forces, hinting at Israel and the United States, and by the Ergenekon organization domestically. Erdogan also holds the opposition responsible for siding with the PKK especially with regard to the constitutional amendments. Ergin refutes this diagnosis, explaining that the government is addressing the terrorism problem by disconnecting it from the Kurdish problem. He asks why thousands of Kurdish youths voluntarily take to the mountains to join the "terrorist organization".

Vatan columnist Rusen Cakir responds to Erdogan's assertion that the judiciary is solely responsible for the failure of the Kurdish overture. The judiciary's moves in question are cited as the closure of the Democratic Society Party, DTP, by the Constitutional Court; the arrest of many mayors and politicians within the framework of the Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan, KCK, operations; and the arrest of Kurds who came into Turkey via the Habur border gate months later. Cakir stresses that when these events took place, the prime minister had desisted from making any comments, something that was interpreted as tacit approval. He argues that even if some of the criticism levelled against the judiciary may be justified, the government's claims remain far from being credible as long as they do not include self-criticism.

Commenting on the recent developments on the Kurdish issue, Yasemin Congar in Taraf says that the public once more started discussing the Kurdish overture, and that is because 43 soldiers have recently been killed. "That is why the PKK is still conducting politics through the use weapons," she remarks. Congar blames both sides, the Turkish politicians and the PKK, for the death of the soldiers and young Kurdish people. She asks: Would the state relinquish Ocalan even if the PKK conquered all the military outposts? Would "democratic autonomy" be declared if the PKK seized the General Staff? Would the Kurds come to the table if the state entered Qandil and eliminated the PKK? In other words, Congar says, this war has exhausted itself and the young people are dying in vain; and anyone who now drags people into death in this war is more murderous than ever.

Criticizing the suggestion by Rize Mayor Halik Bakirci -- member of the Justice and Development Party, AKP -- that taking Kurdish girls as second wives may foster friendship between Turks and Kurds, Ergun Babahan states that this is the "manifestation of a sexist view that humiliates Kurds and Kurdish women." In one portion of his column in Star, Babahan asserts: The fact that such a person is serving as mayor in an important town is regrettable, as is the insufficient reaction in the society. He says: "In addition to the blunder of accepting polygamy, trying to establish affinity by way of according the status of second wife to Kurdish girls is blatant racism." Babahan calls on the AKP and everyone else to show the necessary indignation in the face of these words that are liable to damage the fabric of our society.

Cyprus Issue

Commenting on Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu's proposal to hold a trilateral summit with the UN secretary general and the Greek Cypriot leader in Hurriyet Daily News.com, Yusuf Kanli says: "Therefore, what Eroglu did was in a way a declaration of his acceptance of the trilateral summit and reaffirming his commitment to undertake bitter compromises to achieve a 'viable' and 'lasting' federal resolution of the almost 50-year-old problem of power sharing between the two peoples of Cyprus on the basis of undiluted 'bi-zonality' and 'bi-communality' and through transfer of sovereignty by the two 'politically equal' constituent states of the two 'equal' peoples."

Turkish US Jewish relations

In an article entitled "You cannot come to power in Turkey without the support of the US and the Jewish lobby" on Milli Gazete columnist Ali Haydar Aksal comments on what he presents as indications of the ruling AKP's efforts to avoid alienating Israel because it needs Jewish lobby support for its bid to win the next elections and enable Prime Minister Erdogan to become Turkey's next president. He calls attention to the fact that Prime Minister Erdogan has not returned the Profiles in Courage award he received from the American Jewish Committee in response to the Israeli raid on the Gaza flotilla, that he has been "taking great pains" to find a "middle ground" in the latest dispute with Israel, that he sent a delegation headed by Omer Celik to Washington to conduct talks with Jewish lobbies soon after the crisis with Israel took place, etc.

AC/

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