CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE IN CYPRUS

Today’s Zaman
Oct 26 2009
Turkey

After attracting attention to itself with the consecutive initiatives
launched by the government, Turkey is now preparing to take critical
steps to solve the Cyprus problem.

The statement that changes will take place in Cyprus came from an
official from the Foreign Affairs Ministry who is closely acquainted
with developments on the issue. Without providing any specific details,
this credible source said the steps to be taken will undermine the
status quo that has been blocking the way to peace.

During his most recent visit to the island, Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu hinted at the changes that would take place in Cyprus and
underlined that the status quo would not continue forever. Turkey wants
the negotiations that have been going on for more than a year between
the island’s two leaders to yield results. Pointing to the need to
reach a resolution by the end of the year Turkey announced to the
world that it has no tolerance for losses of time that "delay peace."

Academics, politicians and bureaucrats who closely follow developments
related to the Cyprus issue are all very hopeful and excited. Pointing
to Turkey’s determination to solve old problems, Associate Professor
Mehmet Hasguler said: "A Turkey that has the will to solve problems
with Armenia will take steps to solve the problem with the Greek
Cypriots as well. If it can take the risk of facing a hot potato like
the Armenian problem, I have no doubt it will [take these steps].

The issue of opening ports will also come to the agenda."

Davutoglu, who spent the weekend attending meetings on the Cyprus
issue, underlined that reaching a lasting and fair peace on the
island as soon as possible was in the interest of the international
community. The steps that Turkey will take became clearer during the
widely participated-in assessment meeting headed by Davutoglu, who
emphasized that the transformation of the eastern Mediterranean into
a peaceful, stable and cooperative sphere was dependent on finding
a solution.

The steps that will be taken will add momentum to ongoing negotiations
in Cyprus so as to yield results. With its new moves, Turkey aims
to find a comprehensive solution within the next few months. Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been placing emphasis on
finding a solution by the new year, delivered important and clear
messages during the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean general
assembly. Noting that the international community’s attitude toward
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) did not comply with
international law, Erdogan said: "So many places have been accepted
as a state in this world and so many countries have been accepted
as a member of the EU. Is northern Cyprus the center of heroin or
human trafficking?"

Erdogan has indicated that the Greek Cypriot side can no longer run
away from a solution, the parameters of which have been determined.

Could one of the parameters be the opening of ports? Comparing the
opening of the ports to the Annan plan, Hasguler said that just as
saying "yes" to the Annan plan benefited Turkey, saying "yes" to the
opening of ports will reinforce Turkey’s upper hand in endeavors. I
contend that when Turkey’s position is reinforced, the roles will
change and then it will be the Cypriots who don’t want the ports
opened. It won’t take too long, perhaps just six months for Turkey
to present its political and economic gains. The KKTC is becoming
the island’s water-rich side with the water pipeline.

Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım, who participated in
the Informatics Island Workshop, announced that an informatics
infrastructure unforeseen in the south side of the island would
be built in the KKTC. Noting that isolation would diminish with
investments in informatics, KKTC President Mehmet Ali Talat said that
in the event of a united state, they would not refrain from competing
with the Greek side.

The impression that talks between Talat and Dimitris Christofias are
not going to yield any results is becoming increasingly stronger. It
is known that there are people who are in favor of freezing the Cyprus
problem. Turkey, which is preparing to make changes on the island,
wants to complete the Cyprus peace initiative successfully as well.

During his most recent visit to the KKTC, Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu (L) hinted at changes that would take place in Cyprus and
underlined that the status quo would not continue forever.

KurtulmuÅ~_: Gov’t made agreement with IMF

Turkey has won the praise of local and foreign economic authorities
for not taking any loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
for a year and a half despite the global financial crisis. The
same economic authorities, who underline the importance of Turkey’s
ability to move ahead without the IMF, emphasize that this process
is necessary for Turkey to be able to create its own model. Political
circles, however, are certain the government will eventually reach an
agreement with the IMF. Assessing the developments, Felicity Party
(SP) leader Numan KurtulmuÅ~_ said: "The government has reached an
agreement with IMF. The agreement is all set, but they are waiting
for the right time to sign it."

Noting that he is familiar with the views and management style of
his old friends, KurtulmuÅ~_ said their objections related to the
IMF issue are just a act. He said the resistance to the IMF is just a
public relation stunt and added: "Just like what they did to Israel
at Davos: They are putting on a fearless act against the IMF. But
then on the one side they are calculating how much money they will
take from the IMF and how they will spend it. Have no doubt that an
agreement has been reached with the IMF."

Step for energy technology

Energy investment is important and energy technology is a major task.

Local energy technology research is equally as important and big a
job. Entrepreneurs from Sakarya who believe that regardless of how
large the endeavor is its necessary to start somewhere, took a bold
step and have united under the roof of a new association.

The association may be young, but its goal is significant: The Energy
Technologies Research Association (YETA), which aims to increase the
rate of domestic energy production and energy-related equipment to
the highest level, plans on providing research and development support
to the production sector. Noting that Turkey can forego dependency on
foreign energy only if domestic technology is produced, YETA Chairman
Hakan Soykan said they’ve made a modest but bold beginning.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress