TURKISH PRESS
AND OTHER MEDIA
No.228/06
24.11.06
A. NEWS ITEMS
1. Statements by Hasan Ercakica.
2. UBP proposes prison sentences for the Greek Cypriots using Turkish
Cypriot property in the free territories of the Republic.
3. Reaction to the incident at the English School continues.
4. Turkish President Sezer addresses COMCEC meeting in Istanbul;
Reference to Cyprus.
5. Ali Babacan: Turkey will not take unilateral steps on the Cyprus problem
and the EU cannot be unbiased on Cyprus.
6. Gul: Turkey’s relations with the EU and the Muslim countries are not
alternatives to each other.
7. Egemen Bagis comments on the Cyprus problem at the WEF.
8. Turkish Secretary for EU Affairs on the history of the Turkish blockade
on Cypriot registered vessels.
9. EU High Level Contact group starts its contacts in the occupied part of
Cyprus.
10. Turkish Anadolu Group signs stock transfer accord with Greek Alpha
Bank AE.
11. News reports and poll on Erdogan’s ascending to the Presidency of
Turkey.
12. Turkish police raided Christian missionaries in Istanbul: Two detained.
A. NEWS ITEMS
1. Statements by Hasan Ercakica
Illegal Bayrak television (23.11.06) broadcast the following:
“The `Presidential spokesman´ Hasan Ercakica has pointed to the fact that the
law in `South Cyprus´ which stipulates detention and imprisonment of those
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buying and selling former Greek Cypriot property left over in `North Cyprus´, also
covers those using the properties formerly owned by Greek Cypriots.
He said that the law will force the Turkish Cypriot `people´ not to cross into
`South Cyprus´ unless deemed necessary.
Mr Ercakica was speaking at a press conference today where he evaluated the
President’s latest meeting with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the
letter sent by the UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim
Gambari to the two leaders, as well as yesterday’s attack on a group of Turkish
Cypriot pupils studying at a school in `South Cyprus´.
Mr Ercakica told reporters that the meeting between `President´ Talat and the UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan had been very useful and positive, during which
Mr Annan once again pointed to the need to lift the international isolation of the
Turkish Cypriot `people´.
Mr Ercakica said that Mr Annan also expressed his disappointment over the
rejection of the Annan Plan by the `Greek Cypriot Administration´.
Mr Ercakica said that such statements which acknowledged the Turkish Cypriot
Side’s efforts and political will towards a solution to the Cyprus Problem, was
important in motivating the Turkish Cypriot people to continue with their efforts.
Referring to the letter sent by the UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs
Ibrahim Gambari to the two leaders in Cyprus, he said that the letter prevented a
possible interruption of the negotiations process on the Cyprus issue.
He also accused the `Greek Cypriot Administration´ of trying to prevent the UN
Undersecretary from sending the letter.
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Touching upon yesterday’s attack on a group of Turkish Cypriot pupils studying
at the English School, Mr Ercakica said the attack reflected the growing racism
against Turkish Cypriots in `South Cyprus´.
Accusing the `Greek Cypriot Administration´ of failing to take the necessary
measures against growing racism in `South Cyprus´, he said that the Greek
Cypriot Side’s approach is making the danger even bigger.
Stressing that all those having authority in `South Cyprus´ have responsibility
over the attack, he called on the people to act with common sense.”
2. UBP proposes prison sentences for the Greek Cypriots using Turkish
Cypriot property in the free territories of the Republic
Illegal Bayrak television (23.11.06) broadcast the following:
“The leader of the main opposition National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun has
proposed that the `government´ should prepare a law of its own similar to the one
in `South Cyprus´ that will pave the way for the arrest and imprisonment of Greek
Cypriots who are in possession of Turkish Cypriot property in the `South´.
The UBP leader was speaking at a press conference today at the `Republic’s
Assembly´ where he evaluated the latest developments on the property issue as
well as yesterday’s attack on Turkish Cypriot pupils in `South Cyprus´.
Speaking during the press conference, Mr. Ozgurgun described the `Greek
Cypriot Administration’s´ latest actions as a move designed to put further
pressure on the Turkish Cypriot `people´.
He said yesterday’s attack on a group of Turkish Cypriot pupils was a preplanned one which was a reminiscence of the Greek Cypriot EOKA attacks
between 1963-74.
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Mr Ozgurgun warned that the situation might become more dangerous if the
necessary importance is not attached to the incident.
Referring to the law in `South Cyprus´ which envisages the arrest and
imprisonment of those using properties formerly owned by Greek Cypriots in the
`Republic´, Mr Ozgurgun said that the move is the latest by the fascist `Greek
Cypriot Administration´ and said those supporting the law ignore the fact that
Turkish Cypriots were forced to leave their villages, 103 in total, in the South.
3. Reaction to the incident at the English School continues
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (24.11.06) reports under the banner
headlines “Will the racist organization be dissolved?” and says that investigation
is going on to find the attackers. The paper reports that the attackers could be
the members of the “Fascist Chrisi Avgi” Organization. The paper also reports
about the precautionary measures taken by the Cyprus security officials and the
English School Administration. It reports that Turkish Cypriot students welcomed
the members of the Student organizations’ visit and statements of solidarity and
unity. The paper extensively gives statements, criticism and condemnations
expressed by the Greek Cypriot officials and politicians regarding the attack.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot politician and leader of the Peace and
Democracy Movement (BDH) Mustafa Akinci condemning the attack said that the
culprits should be found and punished. He said: “We should not generalize and
declare guilty the whole Greek Cypriot community. The attackers were Greek
Cypriot youth, but those who protected the Turkish Cypriot students were also
Greek Cypriot youth. So, when we condemn the attackers in the meantime we
have to appreciate the act of the defenders”. He also expressed his satisfaction
regarding the quick and firm reaction of the Greek Cypriot leadership. However,
he demanded the punishment of the culprits.
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Moreover, the members of the executive committee of the New Cyprus Party
(YKP) Rasih Keskiner, Alpay Durduran and Murat Kanli in a statement referred to
the incident in the English School and demanded the punishment of the
attackers. The Party’s secretary Keskiner strongly criticized the attack and said
that the duty of the Cyprus government is not only to condemn the incident but to
find and punish the attackers and take measures so that similar incidents will not
happen again. “The fanaticism resurrected the other day again,” he said.
Praising the Greek Cypriot students’ action in protecting their Turkish Cypriot
School mates against the attackers Keskiner said: “Here it is, the solidarity of the
Cypriots will sooner or latter defeat the fanaticism”. The Party’s foreign relations
Secretary Alpay Durduran referred to the new law enforced by the Cyprus
Government regarding the illegal exploitation of the Greek Cypriot property in the
occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus. Durduran criticized the
“exaggerated” and “intentional” reporting of the Turkish Cypriot press regarding
the law. He branded the press reaction an open “provocation”.
(MHY)
4. Turkish President Sezer addresses COMCEC meeting in Istanbul;
Reference to Cyprus
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.06) reports the following:
“Speaking at the 22nd meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and
Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the OIC, Sezer reminded that the
accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU continues, the screening
process completed and a progress made in some of the chapters.
"Turkey's moral, cultural and historical ties with the Organization of Islamic
Conference (OIC) countries adds an important dimension and richness to the
integration efforts with the European Union. On the other hand, we hope that
Turkey's EU membership will enhance Turkey's relations with the Islamic
countries. Turkey believes regional cooperation is a key for international peace,
stability and prosperity. Turkey always gives great importance to the relations
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with Islamic countries. Turkey will continue to support OIC's and COMCEC's
works.
President Sezer declared that he wants to point out some political issues that
also concern the OIC and he continues: "Since 2004, the OIC calls to end the
restrictions and insulations that are applied to Turkish Cypriots. Lastly, during the
Foreign Ministers Meeting in Baku on June, the OIC once more put forth its
determined attitude. We expect the member countries to take steps to implement
the decisions, so that the OIC will strengthen its plausibility and respectability in
front of the international community. We thanked the member countries that took
steps in this direction," he said.
Ahmet Necdet Sezer emphasized that Turkish Cypriots put forward their will for
peace and compromise in the April 24th, 2004 referendum and added: "This
positive approach should not punish Turkish Cypriots, that was registered in
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan report dated May 28, 2004. The
integration of the Turkish Cypriots with the world should not be hindered,
international justifiability of the equality struggle should be supported. Relations
in all areas should be enhanced especially in the fields of communication, trade,
tourism, culture and sports."
5. Ali Babacan: Turkey will not take unilateral steps on the Cyprus problem
and the EU cannot be unbiased on Cyprus
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.06) reports the following:
"Currently the Cyprus issue has become an EU matter, and the EU cannot be
unbiased about this issue," said Turkish State Minister and Chief Negotiator for
EU talks Ali Babacan, who took the floor at the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Turkey Summit in Istanbul.
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"The Cyprus question is a 40-year old issue. When the `Greek Cypriot
administration´ was accepted as an EU member, the Cyprus issue was imported
to the EU," added Babacan.
Noting that a third party has been necessary from the very beginning to solve this
problem, Babacan complained, "UN is the only platform to solve this issue.
However, the Cyprus issue has grown to be an obstacle before Turkey's EU
membership."
"Northern Cyprus is still isolated. EU still has not met its commitments (given in
2004 about northern Cyprus). Turkey will not take any step until these
commitments are met. If we are talking about commitments, both sides should
meet theirs," noted Babacan.
Regarding Turkey's EU process, Babacan said that there is no slowdown in
implementation.
"Turkey is an important window for the EU which is opening to eastern world.
Turkey is able to make business with Israel and/or any Arab country in the
region. Turkey's membership will change the future of the EU significantly. This
will also contribute to global peace," said Babacan.
6. Gul: Turkey’s relations with the EU and the Muslim countries are not
alternatives to each other
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.06) reports the following:
"Some circles thought that Turkey's relations with Muslim countries would be cut
when its negotiations with the EU were launched. But, they are complementary of
each other, not alternatives to each other," said Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul.
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Making a keynote speech in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Turkey, Gul
noted that security and stability are two important things for every country and
the region.
"If they are not ensured, there will be tears, agonies and poverty," he stressed.
Gul underlined the importance of transparency, respect to human rights, freedom
of expression and rule of law.
Noting that everybody should take lessons from what has happened in the
region, Gul said that controversies should be solved within the framework of winwin principle.
"Palestinian-Israeli dispute is one concerning not only the region but also the
world. Any negative development in the region will have an effect on the entire
world. Security and stability have to be ensured," he added.
After the sessions, Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc hosted a dinner in
honor of guests at the Dolmabahce Palace.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received Egyptian Prime
Minister Ahmad Nazif.”
7. Egemen Bagis comments on the Cyprus problem at the WEF
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.06) reports the following:
"The Cyprus problem is being discussed so much recently. And this means that
Turkey is being punished for the contributions it made to the Customs Union,"
said Egemen Bagis, MP from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Making a keynote speech in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Turkey, Bagis
indicated that the Cyprus problem is imposed as a precondition before Turkey's
EU membership process, and this can be justified by no reason because it was
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not a precondition before the EU membership of the `Greek Cypriot
administration´.
"If Turkey had not become a member of the Customs Union, these discussions
would have never been made. Therefore, the Europeans should ask themselves
what the mistake is, and who the uncompromising party is," he stressed.
On the other hand, European Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs
Joaquin Almunia noted that most of the Europeans and the European
Commission support Turkey's membership.
"But, the accession negotiations will be more challenging than the former
accession processes. If Turkey thinks that all these problems can be solved in
Brussels, it will make a big mistake," said Almunia.
Almunia added that Turkey should speed up implementation of the reforms.”
8. Turkish Secretary for EU Affairs on the history of the Turkish blockade
on Cypriot registered vessels
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.06) reports the following:
"The issue of opening of the Turkish ports is a part of the Cyprus issue, not of the
Customs Union. Actually, it is a commercial problem stemming from high
shipping charges for Greek Cypriot merchants who make exports to Turkey. It is
not proper to create a dramatic atmosphere just because shipping charges for
Greek Cypriot merchants are increasing," Turkey's Secretary-General for EU
Affairs Oguz Demiralp said on Thursday.
Demiralp informed members of the Parliamentary EU Adjustment Commission on
"Turkey-EU Relations, Negotiation Process and Political Criteria".
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"Earlier this month, the European Commission released its Progress Report for
Turkey. The European Commission indicated in the report that Turkey had made
progress in political criteria," he said.
"The EU considers the issue of opening of Turkish ports to the Greek Cypriot
traffic a part of Customs Union. Actually, this issue is a part of the Cyprus issue,
not of the Customs Union. This problem emerged in the late 1970s after Greek
Cypriots attempted to close Turkish Cypriot ports to traffic. The Turkish party
responded to this attempt by taking some measures in 1980s. As you see, this
issue is a part of the Cyprus issue. According to our point of view, it has nothing
to do with the Customs Union. If that is so, how does the EU establish such a
link? The EU says that Turkey violates the Greek Cypriots' right to choose way of
transportation for their goods by not allowing them to use Turkish ports.
"When we consider the issue from the EU's point of view, it is a commercial
problem stemming from high shipping charges for Greek Cypriot merchants who
make exports to Turkey. It is not proper to create a dramatic atmosphere just
because shipping charges for Greek Cypriot merchants are increasing," he said.
Upon a question about the proposal of Finland on the Cyprus issue, Demiralp
said: "Finland has not yet conveyed to us a written document about those
proposals. Actually, this is diplomatically good. There will not be a deviation in
our Cyprus policies."
9. EU High Level Contact group starts its contacts in the occupied part of
Cyprus
Illegal Bayrak television (23.11.06) broadcast the following:
“The European Parliament’s High Level Contact Group for relations with the
Turkish Cypriot `People´ is in Cyprus for a series of contacts.
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Members of the group met with university students at a gathering this morning at
the Near East University.
The 25 member group arrived in Cyprus last night for a two day visit.
The delegation is being led by the Coordinator of the Contact Group Franscoise
Grossetete in the third such visit to the island by the group.
Members of the Contact Group started their contacts in the `Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus´ this morning by meeting students at a gathering at the Near
East University.
Later, the group met with representatives of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of
Commerce at a working lunch.
Members of the Greek Cypriot Chambers of Industry and Commerce also
attended the lunch.”
10. Turkish Anadolu Group signs stock transfer accord with Greek Alpha
Bank AE
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.06) reports that the Turkish Anadolu Group
signed a stock transfer agreement with Greece-based Alpha Bank AE on
Thursday.
The two parties will each have 50 percent shares in the finance holding they will
establish under the agreement.
Through the agreement, Anadolu Group will develop its activities in banking and
finance sectors in Turkey.
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11. News reports and poll on Erdogan’s ascending to the Presidency of
Turkey
Turkish daily TURKISH DAILY NEWS (23.11.06) under the title "Erdogan Signals
Presidential Ambitions", publishes the following article by Goksel Bozkurt:
“Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made only a single change to his
Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Central Executive Board (MYK),
replacing Akif Gulle, who was recently involved in an auto accident, with
Professor Edibe Sozen.
Sozen will also be deputy leader, a move Ankara interpreted as a hint that
Erdogan will be running for president.
Sozen dresses in modern clothing and does not wear a headscarf. She received
a master’s degree in social structure and change from Marmara University's
economics department in 1982. She also completed her Ph.D. in the same field.
Between 1991 and 1993 she studied "social representations theory" and "human
communication" at the University of Wisconsin's communications arts department
as an honorary fellow. In 1994 she became an associate professor and since
1995 has been teaching in Istanbul University's communications department as a
professor. Sozen has also written columns for ZAMAN daily. She has served as
a member of the executive board of the Anatolia news agency.
Recently appointed AKP deputy leader Sozen responded to questions from the
Turkish Daily News and said she would be responsible primarily for public
relations, media and work on the centrist policies of her party. "I will be working
on extending civilian influence as part of our centrist policy."“
On the same issue, Turkish daily MILLIYET newspaper (23.11.06) reports that an
A&G survey commissioned by Kanal-D between 18-19 November in nine
provinces on the upcoming presidential elections shows that 51 percent of the
electorate oppose and 31 percent support Prime Minister Erdogan's presidency.
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Of the 51 percent, the 40 percent say they are opposed to Erdogan because he
is not secular and republican. Support for Erdogan is stronger among the young
people. And only 11.7 percent believe Erdogan's election as president would
trigger a military putsch.
The paper also reminds that a survey contacted by YENI SAFAK newspaper last
week had revealed 29.7 percent support and 39.6 percent oppose to Erdogan's
presidency.”
12. Turkish police raided Christian missionaries in Istanbul: Two detained
Turkish daily Istanbul SABAH newspaper (20.11.06) under the title "Operation
Crucifix" publishes the following article by Erdal Simsek:
“Gendarmerie raids missionary, takes two into custody, reveals observation lists.
Estimated 150,000 people
Gendarmerie teams raided one home and one office in the Silivri and Taksim
districts of Istanbul acting on a tip off that "children were being targeted by
missionaries." When the computer passwords were broken it emerged that the
missionaries had been keeping tabs on the people they had interviewed. The
total number of people so flagged currently stands at around 5,500.
Gendarmerie mount "Operation Crucifix"
One office and one house in Silivri and Taksim that had been furnished as a
crèche downstairs and a place of worship upstairs were raided. After statements
were taken from 59 people two were detained in custody.
As part of the Istanbul Gendarmerie's "Operation Crucifix" two people,
missionaries HT and TT, were taken into custody. While both were released on
their own recognizance statements were taken from a total of 59 people in
connection with the investigation.
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The Gendarmerie teams raided the office and the home in Silivri and Taksim
after being tipped off. During the raid on the office, which was laid out as a
crèche downstairs and a place of worship upstairs, specially encrypted computer
files and electronic recording devices were found. Once the codes were broken
the files showed that very detailed and colourful data bases had been compiled
about the people that the missionaries had interviewed.
Sexual relations mission
In order to convince the people they reached the missionaries reportedly made
promises of money, work and education, and also tasked 17-18-year old girls to
engage in sexual relations with young men in order to influence them.
The
SABAH newspaper interviewed the people who had been data based.
Mustafa Coskun: They called me. They said something like a bible introduction
association. In fact, when they found out that I was from Sivas the person calling
mentioned a village from my parts. They said we were from the same home
town.
AT (Woman working in private sector company): I ordered a bible last year. I
was curious about the bible. It was free and I did not see anything wrong. After
that they began to call me continuously and invite me to meetings.
Complainant Fatih Kose: Basically, what they are doing is trying to turn Muslim
Turkish society into Christians en masse.
What they call office is church
Interesting information has emerged from the Gendarmerie raids in Taksim. One
place inside a bookstore and referred to as an office is actually a church-cumhome. The lower section is a crèche. In the crèche there are books and CDs
detailing Christianity.
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Council of state: Religious freedom
A ruling made by the Council of State in June 2005 said that RTUK [Supreme
Radio and Television Council] was wrong to issue a warning to a radio station on
the grounds that it was conducting Christian propaganda. The Council of State's
13th Chamber agreed that missionary broadcasting should be perceived as
"religious information."
-----------------------------------------------------------/SK