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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-12-04Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No. 233/08 04.12.08[A] NEWS ITEMS
[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Reaction by the Turkish Cypriot side to the recently announced report by the UN Secretary-General on the UNFICYPUnder the title Reaction to Ban, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.12.08) reports that disappointment has been caused by the reference in the UN Secretary-Generals report regarding the term of duty of the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) that the isolations are a feeling of the Turkish Cypriots.The self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Turgay Avci has said that the UN Secretary -Generals report reflects the unjust situation in which the TRNC people are living as a psychological event and added that this approach has once more caused disappointment in the Turkish Cypriots. In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Avci noted that they continue the detailed evaluation of the above-mentioned report. He said that the report referred to damage caused to a property at Pyla village in August 2008 and avoided to say that this property was the Turkish school of the village and to accuse the Greek Cypriot side. Mr Avci argued that the report exposes the Turkish Cypriot side to unjust accusations and pointed out that the report refers to the issue of not allowing the Greek Cypriots to visit occupied Ayios Mamas Church in Morfou through Limnitis barricade. He expressed his satisfaction that the report refers to the fact that a Turkish school is not currently opened in Limassol, which is of great importance for the Turkish Cypriots. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (04.12.08) reports that Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has commented on the UN Secretary -Generals report regarding UNFICYP and alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are really experiencing the isolation. In statements during his weekly briefing to the press, Mr Ercakica argued yesterday that the isolation is not an illusion. He described the reference in the report as great negativeness which hurts them. Mr Ercakica said that in spite of the fact that the report is generally balanced, the isolation has not been taken into consideration seriously and this saddened them. Mr Ercakica alleged that the isolations are influencing negatively the future of the Cyprus problem, that the Greek Cypriot side is continuously increasing its efforts on this issue and that it is using its EU membership to this end. He claimed that the statements made by President Christofias in Greece and by the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Dora Bakoyannis that Turkey is not helping in the solution of the Cyprus problem, is a contradictory approach which is not in harmony with the realities. Responding to a question, Mr Ercakica said there is lack of consultation on the issue of the appointment of new ambassador of the breakaway regime to Ankara and added that they expect the government to overcome this problem. Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (04.12.08) reports that Mr Ercakica referred also to the issue of the two young Turkish Cypriots who are under custody with the accusation that the insulted Mr Talat on the Facebook. He noted that Mr Talat has not filed a personal complaint on the issue and that the inquiry has been launched by the police as required by the law. He said that Mr Talat told the police he has no complaint and tried to reduce the period of two young persons being under custody. He alleged that this inquiry was necessary for the police to carry out their duty and for preventing other young people from exhibiting similar behaviour. (I/Ts.) [02] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the declaration signed between the Republic of Cyprus and RussiaTurkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (04.12.08) reports that Burak Ozugergin, spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stated that the Greek Cypriots should understand that reaching an overall solution and lasting peace in Cyprus could only be possible through negotiations conducted between the sides on the island with good will and by remaining faithful to the parameters of the UN.Asked yesterday to comment on the possible effects of the declaration signed between Russia and the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Ozugergin argued that the parameters agreed by the two sides within the framework of the negotiations have been ignored in this declaration which mentions that the Cyprus problem should be solved on the basis of the 1977- 1979 High Level Agreements and within this framework the unitary Republic of Cyprus should be transformed into a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal state. He added the following: However, neither the 1977- 1979 High Level Agreements nor the UN Security Council resolutions include the approach that the unitary Republic of Cyprus, which does not exist anymore, will be transformed into a federal state. On the other hand, the mentioned declaration makes no reference to the joint statement of 23 May 2008 by the two leaders that the federation to be created after the solution will be formed by two founding states. This approach is a new indication that the Greek Cypriot Administration is trying at the international platform to change the mutually reached agreement within the negotiation process on the island. Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (04.12.08) covers the issue under the title Reminder to the Greek Cypriots by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and notes that Mr Ozugergin said that the declaration refers to the 1996 agreement for military and technical cooperation and alleged that these efforts for armament, which caused concern to the Turkish Cypriots and serious crises in the past, are not in harmony with the solution process. (I/Ts.) [03] Appointment of TRNC representatives still a bone of contention between Talat and the Foreign MinistryHurriyet daily News.com (04.12.08) publishes the following from Ankara:Major overseas posts to represent northern Cyprus are still vacant due to the Turkish Cypriot president's refusal to stamp ambassadorial appointments. ´Appointments are pending. We are on the one side struggling to break international isolation but on the other side we are not represented in major capitals´, a senior Turkish Cypriot official, who declined to be named, told the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review. The Turkish Cypriot cabinet approved the decree on appointments a long time ago but the document still needs final approval from President Mehmet Ali Talat. No envoy has been appointed to Turkey since the tenure of former ambassador Tamer Gazioglu expired Aug. 31. Northern Cyprus was represented by its foreign minister, Turgay Avci,
at a reception given in HYPERLINK
"http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/Ankara/" \t "blank" Ankara on Nov.
15, marking the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish
Cypriot state.
´The reception held in the heart of Turkey was a very important event
for northern Cyprus. The foreign minister had to attend as the position
of ambassador remains vacant´, said the official. Northern Cyprus is
only recognized by Turkey but it has representative offices in various
capitals overseas, including in Europe.
´Several events take place in London for example, and we are
represented by our press attached there´, the official said.
The problem has been attributed to a nuisance between the Turkish
Cypriot Foreign Ministry and the president. Talat was furious when
officials from the ministry allegedly leaked selected diplomats'
identities to the press before his approval, the Daily News learned.
Subtitle: Talat seeks active role in foreign policy
Talat also wants structural changes to play an active role in
ambassadorial appointments, a diplomatic source said. "The relevant law
needs to be amended to raise the influence of the president but this is
currently off the government's agenda even though the Republican
Turkish' Party, or CTP, from which Talat was elected president, is the
major coalition partner," he added.
If sealed by Talat, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry Undersecretary
Namik Korhan is expected to serve as ambassador to HYPERLINK
"http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/index/Ankara/" \t "blank" Ankara.
Meanwhile, Turkey yesterday opposed the signing of a joint declaration
between Greek Cyprus and Russia that came at a time the two Cypriot
leaders are negotiating under United Nations auspices for a final
settlement to the decades-old problem.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin, in written response to a
question, said the deal concluded last month would not help peace talks
aimed at reunifying the divided island.
The joint declaration makes reference to a 1996 agreement for
military-technical cooperation. The spokesman said the budget allegedly
set aside by Greek Cypriots for weaponry acquisitions did not sit well
with peace efforts. ´Greek Cypriots pretend to negotiate at the table,
but behind closed doors they are doubling efforts to further isolate
us´, the unnamed Turkish Cypriot official said.
Mr Powell said that the politicians should take risks regarding the
peace process and pointed out to the social and economic benefits of
the peace process in Ireland. Mr Mansergh said that the possible
agreement should be strengthened by the two sides through referendum
and added that it is important for the result to be determined with
concrete rules.
In 2004, the Greek Cypriot side which has always been saying abstractly
that it supported the unification, became the side that opposed
unification when the issue came to concrete rules, that is, it
supported separation, he alleged adding that the Turkish side voted in
favour of the unification.
(I/Ts.)
The project will be constructed in the area of Morfou highway and each
residence will be of 125 and 150 square meters in area.
Furthermore, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(04.12.08) Turkish Cypriot columnist Hasan Hasturer refers to the
laying of the foundation stone of the Tosunoglu Groups project for
building apartments and shops in the occupied area of Morfou. Under
the title Changing point of view in Morfou, Mr Hasturer writes, inter
alia, the following:
The people of Morfou have been relieved from the fear for investments.
The increase in constructions is a concrete indication of the fact that
people have no longer a fear. According to the border in the Annan
Plan, the campus of the Middle East Technical University (ODTU) was
remaining in the north side of the border. However, ODTU started to
flow towards Morfou from the Kapouti hill. The ODTU campus was the
first place under consideration for the construction of the
amphitheatre the founding stone of which was laid some period ago in
the Morfou Festival Area. The Amphitheatre, which will be built with
the contribution of Turkey, has been constructed inside Morfou. People
have interpreted this kind of investments, according to their own
thinking. The statements by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan that We
have made so many investments in Morfou, Morfou cannot be returned, has
ignited the wick of the construction boom. The ignited wick is live for
long or slowly, but finally it is burning.
The political message from the construction of the housing blocs and
shops project, the foundation stone of which was laid yesterday, is
strong. I have no doubt that yesterdays laying of foundation stone will
be evaluated seriously especially in the Greek Cypriot side. .
(I/Ts.)
According to a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, the member
of its administrative council, Salih Celiker submitted a suggestion to
the chairmen of the chambers of Turkey, FYROM, Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia for a cooperation summit to take
place between the TRNC and the countries which are not members of the
EU.
The paper reports that the representatives received positively this
suggestion and agreed that this summit should be materialized next
year. Mr Celiker met also with FYROMs State Minister, Hadi Nezir and
discussed with him the possibilities for cooperation between the two
countries. He invited Mr Nezir to the occupied areas of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
The highest increase in the groups of the main expenses was observed in
entertainment and culture (13%). Increase was also observed in the
expenses for transportation (3.2%), restaurants and hotels (1.2%),
housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel (1%), communication
(0.9%), education (0.7%), various products and services (0.3%),
furniture house equipment and house upkeep services (0.3%) and health
(0.1%).
Decrease was observed in the expenses for clothing and shoes (2.4%) and
food and non-alcoholic drinks (0.7%). The paper notes that according to
the previous month, increase was observed in the average price of the
173 goods and services which are included in the index, while decrease
was seen in the average prices of 43 goods.
The higher increase was seen in the price of lottery tickets (200%),
the cost for entering football matches (100%) and daily newspapers
(41.2 %). The highest decrease was observed in the price of lemons
(38.9%), fresh coriander (35.9 %) and spinach (35.8%).
(I/Ts.)
The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.83 percent, while the producer
price index (PPI) fell 0.03 percent in November, the Turkish
Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) said on Wednesday.
Turkish CPI hit 10.76 percent on a 12-month basis, as the PPI rate over
12 months declined to 12.25 percent, the TURKSTAT said.
An earlier CNBC-e poll expected Turkey's consumer price index is to
rise 1.09 percent month-on-month in the same period and the producer
price index is seen climbing 0.85 percent.
Turkish Central Bank expects Turkey's inflation to be in the range of
6.1-9.1 percent in 2009 and 4.3-7.9 percent in 2010, while it says it
expects it to fall to 5.4 percent as of the third quarter of 2011. 83
percent, PPI falls 0.03 percent in November.
The paper notes that the Net Holding was able to import these machines
by using the administrative right of Voyager Kibris Ltd which it had
taken over from Asil Nadir.
The self-styled council of ministers approved the above-mentioned tax
exemption for the machines of Voyager Kibris Ltd with a decision taken
on 20 August 2008, whereas on 28 October 2008 it determined the
conditions under which permit for casino could be given to Net Holding.
The paper notes that thus the Net Holding, which has brought its
construction material, its furnishings and personnel from Turkey, was
tax exempted for the playing machines.
(I/Ts.)
(I/Ts.)
Mr Eroglu said that the continuation of the active and effective
guarantees of Turkey and the existence of the Turkish army in Cyprus is
vital for us and could never become an issue of bargaining.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (04.12.08) reports that
the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has sent a congratulatory
message to the newly elected chairman of the National Unity Party
(UBP), Dervis Eroglu.
In his message Mr Talat noted that healthy function of democracy in the
political parties is a necessity for the healthy function of the TRNC
democracy. The paper reports that Mr Talat will meet with Mr Eroglu to
discuss and evaluate the Cyprus problem within the framework of the
meetings he holds with the political party leaders.
(I/Ts.)
The festival will last until December 7th and thirty films in total
will be screened in order for the Best Documentary and the Best Short
Film to be selected.
(ML)
Turkish foreign minister reiterated his country's commitment for
accession to the European Union on Wednesday, rejecting claims that
Turkey had lost "appetite" for membership in the Union.
´It is quite normal and natural that there may be ups and downs in this
process. Our determination for EU membership remains intact and I
expect a new momentum in the reforms process after local elections (in
Turkey)´, Babacan told a televised interview.
An EU report on Turkey's progress recently criticized the ruling
Justice and Development (AK) Party, claiming that it had slowed down
reforms needed to become a member of the European club.
Babacan said Turkish President Abdullah Gul was scheduled to pay a
formal visit to Brussels soon, adding that Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
was also planning to pay one.
The Turkish foreign minister said he expected that a number of ´serious
steps would be taken sooner or later´ for a major overhaul of the
Turkish constitution.
US President-Elect Barack Obama announced his foreign policy and
security team yesterday.
Obama's choices were consistent with the "above-parties foreign and
security policy" that he promised yesterday.
The fact that, following the elections conducted in such a clear
atmosphere of polarization, such an above-parties core cadre has been
established 1) is surprising, and 2) shows that the "state of war" in
the United States continues. Obama, saying yesterday that "when it is a
matter of security, we are not Democrats or Republicans, but
Americans," pointed out this fact. Washington is going to continue the
war, but with a different style. And he showed this with the choices
that he announced yesterday.
The most "mediatic" name in Obama's core cadre was Senator Hillary
Clinton, the wife of former President Bill Clinton, who had fought a
tooth-and-nail battle with him for the Democratic Party candidacy.
Obama wants in this way to show that there is no place in his politics
for personal passions or personal rivalries, and that he ascribes
importance to compromise and functionality.
A positive indication that Obama will keep his promise not to act in a
partisan manner in his foreign and security policies was his retaining
in office as Defence Secretary former CIA Chairman Robert Gates, whom
George [W.] Bush had chosen (by removing Donald Rumsfeld from the
cabinet due to influence from his father and the American deep state.)
Likewise, his announcement of retired General James Jones, the
Commander of US Forces in Europe during the Bush period, as National
Security Advisor, indicates that Obama is not a man for sharp changes,
but rather a man of smooth transitions.
The inclusion in Obama's core foreign policy and security cadre of Eric
Holden as Attorney General and Janet Napolitano as Secretary of
Homeland Security are perhaps not considered as marking anything new.
But his inclusion of Susan Rice, whom he announced he would appoint as
United Nations General Secretary [as published; should read "Ambassador
to the United Nations"] was something new.
By including the UN Representative in his foreign and domestic security
cadre, Obama is in fact displaying one of the most significant
differences between himself and Bush. One of the greatest criticisms
directed against Bush was his jumping into the Iraq war with
"unilateral" decisions, reached without consulting with the UN, NATO,
or his allies. Obama, by once again including the UN consultation
mechanism within his national security system, wants to give the world
the message that he is not going to behave as imperiously as Bush.
Obama wants to show that he intends compromise, abroad as well as
domestically, or at least following a policy that is more open to
dialogue.
When looked at from Turkey's standpoint, it is possible to say that the
situation appears better than during the Bush period. When we include
Vice President John [as published; should read "Joseph"] Biden, four of
the seven people who will conduct Obama's foreign and security policy
(Biden, Clinton, Gates, and Jones) are individuals who are familiar
with Turkey. That they have this or that judgment regarding Turkey is
not a disadvantage, and on the contrary should be counted as an
advantage; at least they have the basis on which a debate can be held.
It should not be forgotten that Jones was influential in repairing the
relations between Turkey and the United States that had reached a
bottom during the period 2003-2006 (due to the [Turkish parliamentary
rejection of the Iraq war military authorization] motion and the "sack"
incident in Al-Sulaymaniah), and that he had close contact with the
General Staff Chiefs during the period, Hilmi Ozkok and Yasar
Buyukanit. Likewise, it should be kept in mind that, following
Rumsfeld's stance of holding Turkey responsible for the Iraq fiasco,
effective intelligence sharing on the PKK presence in Iraq began
between Turkey and the United States during the Gates period. (The
United States' new Ambassador in Ankara, James Jeffrey, is also a
figure who knows Turkey and the region intimately.)
The Democratic Party's stance in terms of the Armenian issue is well
known. But the rapid developments since [President] Abdullah Gul went
to Yerevan in response to the invitation from [Armenian President] Serj
Sarkisyan may have a positive impact on the situation. The really
important thing in this is whether, for new steps to be taken in
relations with Armenia, there will be a wait until the 29 March 2009
local elections, as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants, or
whether there will be further steps taken before things cool off too
much, which is Gul's preference.
There is also another important point. Obama held his first meeting
with his core cadre yesterday. He announced that the first topic they
took up was the terrorist attack that caused bloodshed in the Indian
city of Mumbai. Because of this attack, relations have become tense
between India and Pakistan, both of which possess atomic weapons. With
a call from Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Ziya Gilani, Prime Minister
Erdogan, and thus Turkey, have also gotten involved in international
diplomacy on this issue. According to diplomatic sources, the tension
continues, even if not as grave as over the weekend.
The current negative climate in Turkey, where democratic reforms are at
a standstill, has been exacerbated by the expected impact of the global
economic crisis on the country, making it more vulnerable to external
shocks.
As the country prepares for the local elections scheduled for March 29
of next year, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has
ironically furthered its anti-reformist stance with the hope of
emerging on top in the local elections in a country where nationalist
fervour has been on the rise.
Some steps taken lately by Turkey as part of its reforms, such as
addressing the problems of the country's Alevis, are not considered
genuine attempts at improving the country but rather as sweets being
distributed before the elections.
´This new Alevi policy does not stem from a deep conviction that this
problem should be addressed´, asserts a Western diplomat, hinting that
they are not convinced about this latest move.
Such steps, seen as window dressing or an election tactic, have been
deepening the conviction among pro-Turkey Europeans that Ankara does
not desire membership in the European Union.
The current anti-reform climate in Turkey has further eroded Ankara's
already fading interest in joining the EU.
It is then safe to predict that it will be very hard for Turkey to come
up with tangible reforms in the year 2009. Partly because it does not
seem possible for the AK Party to come up with bold reforms -- such as
the introduction of a brand new Constitution to replace the
military-dictated 1982 Constitution -- just after the local elections
since it will be busy tackling the results of the elections, whether
they turn out in favour of the party or against it.
The absence of support from opposition parties for constitutional
reforms that would open a new page in Turkey in promoting a more
pluralistic society will make it more difficult for the ruling party to
come up with bold and courageous reforms next year.
A second, and perhaps equally important, reason for predictions that
2009 will be a bad year for Turkish-EU relations is the Cyprus issue
and Turkey's refusal to comply with the Ankara Protocol, which requires
opening its ports and airports to all EU member countries without
exception.
Turkey does not recognize the Greek Cypriot administration on the
divided island as a state even though it joined the EU in 2004
representing the whole island. Thus Ankara refuses to comply with the
protocol in relation to Cyprus, prompting the EU to suspend
negotiations on several chapters before opening several others last
year.
Next year in November, the EU will review the Ankara Protocol and will
take a position depending on whether or not Turkey has opened its ports
to the Greek Cypriot administration.
´We, as EU members, do not expect Turkey to comply with the Ankara
Protocol unless there is going to be a breakthrough in peace talks
between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders,´ said an Ankara-based EU
diplomat.
The Cyprus reunification talks are tied up with Turkey's already
troubled EU membership. But ongoing talks between the leaders of both
communities in Cyprus have not given any clue promising a breakthrough
in those negotiations.
Worsening these problems is the economic crisis Europe is currently
going through and its impact on the Turkish economy since over half of
Ankara's trade has been with EU countries.
An analysis of Turkey from an economic perspective paints a bleak
picture of Turkey's future if it does not take the necessary measures
swiftly to address internal economic and political problems to minimize
the effects of outside shocks as much as possible.
Dr. Ian O. Lesser, from the German Marshall Fund of the United States,
noted in a recent article titled ´Turkey and the Global Economic
Crisis´ that Turkey's EU candidacy is already troubled, with little
prospect for improvement in the near term.
´A deep and prolonged recession in Europe could further complicate
Turkish relations with Europe. Job losses and financial stress in
Europe could reinforce existing concerns over immigration and the costs
of future large-scale enlargements. A poorer Europe may also be a more
xenophobic Europe, with obvious and negative implications for Turkey's
European aspirations. Even those European politicians willing to
exercise leadership on Ankara's behalf may find themselves distracted
by more pressing economic and social challenges. The business
constituency for Turkey may be similarly distracted and limited in its
ability to make the case for completing Turkey's European project. An
atmosphere of heightened nationalism on all sides will also make a
Cyprus settlement much more difficult, and ultimately, this is a sine
qua non for progress toward full membership´, he asserts.
Despite the negative internal trends coupled with the expected results
of the global economic crisis, Turkey can find a way out if it acts
quickly in addressing its problems in all spheres.
a) Meeting of the Supreme Military Council:
According to a report by Aydin Hasan in Milliyet, the Supreme Military
Council, (YAS), has decided to expel 19 of its personnel for drug abuse
and amoral relations and five of its personnel for their involvement in
reactionary activities. The report adds that the YAS decisions were
endorsed by President Abdullah Gul.
A report on the YAS meeting in Hurriyet states: "Prime Minister Erdogan
and National Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul have expressed their
reservations on the expulsion decisions. The General Staff statement,
stressing that the expulsion decisions were taken with a 'majority of
votes,' has conveyed the message that Erdogan and Gonul have expressed
their reservations without actually naming them."
b) Local Elections:
Assessing how the economic crisis will affect the election results in
an article in Milliyet, Hasan Cemal predicts that a shrinking economy
and a growing unemployment might reduce the votes of the Justice and
Development Party, AKP, considerably. Questioning whether the
Republican People's Party, CHP, or the Nationalist Action Party, MHP,
will benefit from the outcome, the writer maintains that one has to
wait till February for a sound assessment of the situation.
Researcher Bulent Tanla has claimed that the increase in the number of
voters by six million in one year creates the doubt that the 2007
elections were flawed. According to a report in Vatan, Tanla has said:
"If the number of 48,265,000 voters is correct, then the population
census is wrong, and if the population census is correct, then the
number of voters during the 2007 elections is wrong." Pointing out that
one cannot file a suit against the decisions adopted by the High
Election Council, (YSK), Tanla has suggested that political parties
apply to the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR.
Commenting on the six million "unregistered voters" of the 2007
elections as claimed by researcher Bulent Tanla, Can Atakli in his
article also in Vatan wonders whether the results of the elections
would have been the same had the six million been registered and had
they cast their votes. Referring to the option of resorting to the ECHR
on the issue, Atakli point out that if the court rules that the
elections should be held once again, Turkey has to abide by it.
Explaining that political parties or candidates who claim that they
have been wronged can apply to the court, Atakli concludes that we have
made a mess of the system concerning the registration of voters.
Commenting on CHP leader Deniz Baykal's Islamic attire overtures in an
article in Vatan, Okay Gonensin interprets them as moves to win votes
in the upcoming local elections. Baykal who defended the most radical
secular ideas a year ago has now chosen to adopt the views expressed by
former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in 1973-74, writes Gonensin,
arguing that if this stand does not instantly yield fruits then Baykal
will come up with another scheme.
Recent polls show that the AKP will receive 32-33 percent of the votes,
CHP 12.5 percent, and MHP 7.6 percent, writes Cuneyt Arcayurek in his
article in Cumhuriyet. Drawing attention to some 40 percent of the
voters who are still undecided, the writer argues that with the
distribution of the undecided votes the AKP can raise its percentage to
40 and more. Expressing his amazement at the poll results given the
reaction of the people, Arcayurek wonders why citizens complain but
still continue to cast their votes in favour of the AKP. This
contradiction might be explained by the fact that voters are pressed to
find an alternative, laments Arcayurek, rejoicing, however, over the
announcement made by the Metropol Company, known for its closeness to
the government, that the AKP will be able to receive only 28.5 percent
of the votes in the mayoral elections.
Referring to the resignation of the Indian interior minister in the
wake of the terrorist incidents, Vatan columnist Mehmet Tezkan wonders
if such a thing could occur in Turkey. In his article, the columnist
recalls how the Turkish interior minister disappeared from the scenes
and did not even issue a statement following various terror attacks,
adding that resignations occur in Turkey only when that official
intends to participate in the elections. I was expecting the RTUK
chairman to resign in order to participate in the local elections,
notes Tezkan, mockingly adding that he must be waiting for the general
elections to resign because he needs to be elected as a deputy and
receive parliamentary immunity in preparation for all the allegations
of fraud being made against him. Commenting on the resignation of Adana
Mayor Aytac Durak from the AKP, Tezkan remarks he resigned because he
was not elected as a candidate for the upcoming local elections.
In an article entitled "The PKK left as their only means of creating
unrest", Zaman columnist Mehmet Kamis blasts Democratic Society Party,
(DTP), Co-Chairman Emine Ayna's recent "threats against Kurds" facing
them with a choice between "voting for us" or never knowing peace again
as an example of how this party exploits the terrorist PKK for
political purposes. Kamis criticizes DTP municipalities for what he
describes as their failure to increase Kurds' quality of life and "hit
the mark" in providing basic public services before he proceeds to
accuse them of trying to increase regional tensions ahead of the local
elections in March. He also warns that the PKK might use the Nevruz
festival in spring as an excuse to stage terrorist acts in a last-ditch
attempt to turn the tide of public opinion in the southeast in its
favour.
c) Gul's mediation between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan:
In an article in Sabah Muharrem Sarikaya describes the initiatives
taken during President Gul's recent visit to Turkmenistan as very
significant developments from the viewpoint of Turkey's future.
Recalling the continuing tension between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
since the day they gained their independence, Sarikaya recounts the
various reasons for the tension and Gul's efforts to reduce the tension
between the two countries culminating in the Ashgabat energy summit.
Drawing attention to the steps taken in the Nabucco Project, the
transport of Turkmen gas to the West via Turkey, and the extension of
the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway beyond Ashgabat during the summit, the
writer describes the Ashgabat summit as the first step toward an energy
peace in the Caspian Basin.
d) The role of Incirlik airbase:
In an article entitled "Is this the 'Shocking claim' about Turkey?", in
Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul comments on a recent Spanish news
story which quoted Spanish Defence Ministry officials as saying that
most US military aircraft that participated in secret CIA operations
from 2002 until 2006 used Incirlik Air Base as a departure or
destination point. Karagul claims that the said operations are
continuing, with US planes and "ghost ships" carrying alleged suspects
to US "torture centres" in Europe, South Asia, and Africa. He also
recalls how he drew attention to this "slavery trade" in earlier
articles in 2005 and 2006 and said that Incirlik had played a "key role
in this traffic."
e) The Turkish press on the Mumbai terrorist attack:
In an article entitled "We Have Not Forgotten About the Big Fiasco" in
Yeni Safak columnist Fehmi Koru responds to certain recent reports in
the mainstream Turkish media that urged "our politicians" to "draw a
lesson" from the resignation of some Indian government officials
following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. He recalls how some
commentators in part of the Turkish press called on the Government to
go to war against Iraq on the United States' side in 2003 and
maintained that Parliament had made a mistake in rejecting the 1 March
authorization bill on Iraq. After pointing out how President Bush "has
come to the point of wishing he had never launched the Iraq war," Koru
asserts that rather than calling on politicians to step down over their
mistakes, these commentators and journalists should look into resigning
their jobs over the "fiasco" that would have happened if politicians
had listened to them.
In an article entitled "The Mumbai attacks" in Vakit columnist Serdar
Demirel describes the terrorist strikes in Mumbai as being part of an
effort to get the non-Muslim world to adopt an anti-Islamic line.
Demirel finds it highly significant in this sense that the attacks were
"hastily" linked to Lashkar-e Toiba, which is "alleged to have been
established with the help of the Pakistani intelligence," rather than
to groups based in India.
In an article entitled "World in flux" also in Vakit newspaper
columnist Ahmet Varol asserts that India is trying to exploit the
Mumbai attacks as a "golden opportunity" to step up pressure on
Pakistan by holding this country responsible for the strikes. Varol
dismisses the allegations linking the attacks to Pakistan as a
farfetched conspiracy theory, asserting that it is not realistic to
assume that Pakistan might want to create new frictions with India at a
time when it is busy dealing with domestic issues and is vulnerable to
the developments in Afghanistan. He also predicts problems in the
implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement between the United
States and Iraq and reiterates his assertion that the agreement only
means that the United States is withdrawing from combat operations
"without pulling its hands off Iraq."
In an article entitled "What is really confusing" in Milli Gazete
columnist Ekrem Kiziltas describes the Deccan Mujahedeen, the group
that is claimed to have carried out the Mumbai attacks, as a
"throwaway" organization that appears to have served as part of a bid
to increase pressure on Muslims and compound the current problems
between Pakistan and India and possibly set the scene for a nuclear war
between these countries. Kiziltas argues that considering the possible
implications of the strikes for Muslims, it is illogical to attribute
the attacks to a Muslim group.
EG/
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