MIDEAST MIRROR 29.06.15, SECTION C (TURKEY & IRAN)

1-From today’s Turkish press

INTERVENTION IN SYRIA: Kadri Gursel warns against a government ploy in centrist Milliyet: "The only thing that those who have become stuck in the quagmire after seeking to topple the Assad regime in 2011 have not done so far is to send the Turkish Armed Forces into Syria. And in the last couple of days, their media has begun to scream out: 'Let the army enter Syria'. But their real problem is neither Syria nor Assad. Their current problem is to win back the power they lost in the June 7th parliamentary elections. If they can manage to send the army into Syria as a fait accompli before any coalition government is formed, they will put in motion their plan for early elections as well."

Writing in the same paper, Murat Aksoy, accuses the ruling party and its leader of warmongering: "This potential war is not that of Turkey, but of President Erdogan, the AKP (Justice and Development Party) and their supporters."

Ibrahim Kiras argues that the Kurds have shifted the goal posts in centrist Vatan: "The Syrian civil war and the subsequent opportunity that has presented itself to the Kurdish political movement have turned the Kurdish peace process into something totally meaningless. They believe that they now have an opportunity to create the independent Kurdish state they have long been dreaming of. They no longer need the Kurdish peace process whose only benefit would be to ‘grant democratic rights to the Kurds in Turkey’."

Aydin Engin envisages a nightmare scenario in secular, Kemalist Cumhuriyet: "The Kurdish cantons ruled by the PYD [pro-Kurdish Democratic Union Party in Syria] are being joined together. As far as I am concerned, a buffer zone is being established on our Syrian border against the ISIS and similar fundamentalist terrorist organizations. However, for the AKP and the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party], this poses a danger that openly threatens Turkey's national security along the Syrian border. An AKP-MHP coalition will inevitably be a war government. This coalition will fight against the PKK at home, and against the PYD beyond the border and in Syria as well, and will cast Turkey full length into the Middle East quagmire. If this is not a nightmare, what is it?"

Ali H. Aslan relies on the good sense of the military and state bureaucracy in moderate, pro-Islamic, pro-Gulen Zaman: "Fortunately, the army and the foreign affairs bureaucracy who can see the big security and diplomacy risks in such a military intervention are putting on the brakes. Otherwise, this insane neo-unionist mentality will lead Turkey into a quagmire in Syria at the last moment. The Turkish Armed Forces cannot be used as a means for President Erdogan to secure the title of 'commander in chief'. Full stop."

Ardan Zenturk sounds a cautious note in centre-right, pro-government Star: "The latest developments on our border with Syria offer clear evidence that we cannot trust the U.S. administration in the 'fight against global terrorism' anymore. Turkey, which is a pioneering democracy in the Muslim world, needs new alliances not only politically, but militarily as well. The main basis for this alliance is democracy in Muslim societies. ISIS is a fascist establishment that has been planted inside the Muslim world by imperialism. It would be a mistake for the Turkish Armed Forces to enter Syria on their own; we may not be able to find our way back."

2-From today’s Iranian press

NUCLEAR TALKS: Conservative Siyasat-e Ruz has no faith in the West: "As the deadline for the nuclear negotiations looms; the negotiators are focusing on the export of Iran's enriched uranium. Currently, Iran has eight tonnes of five per cent enriched uranium. This should be reduced to 300kg according to the Lausanne Declaration. The sides are studying options as the deadline approaches. Options include changing uranium to a form that cannot be used for military purposes or moving the uranium to a foreign country. The negotiations are at a sensitive stage. Western attitudes, however, indicate that President Obama has not abandoned his dream for excessive demands nor has the West abandoned wanting to delay and close down Iran's nuclear programme." 

Hard-line Keyhan is hard on those who favour a deal: "With the nation's support, the soldiers of diplomacy are sitting in front of our number one enemy, the U.S. Instead of expressing sympathy, some are playing a different tune. With their rough music, they are trying to put society to sleep, to give wrong signals to our soldiers and ultimately to prevent the commander from making a decision in accordance with national interests! Instead of recalling the crimes of the U.S., they want to project the evil Great Satan as a soft and affectionate angel! They say sanctions are affecting people but do not want to tell the people that the oppressive sanctions have been imposed by the U.S.! Who are these people and what is their objective? Their mission is evident in the media that are linked to the enemies of the Revolution. By sending the wrong signals, they want to influence our negotiating team. They are pursuing three objectives: To intimidate the team with the U.S.; to show that the U.S. is reliable and wishes us well and, by highlighting economic opportunities with the U.S., to create a false impression: acquiesce to the oppressive and inhuman desires of the U.S. for the sake of people's welfare!" 

Conservative Resalat denounces Yukiya Amano: "International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano has not had a constructive role in the talks. This has been visible in his positions, remarks and reports. During the recent talks in Vienna, Amano failed to play an effective role in reducing differences between the sides. Not only had he no positive role in this regard, but he has joined one side. The agency could play an important role in resolving differences, but because Amano is not observing his institution's part in defending the legitimate rights of IAEA members, this has become impossible." 

Reformist Arman expects trouble ahead: "The majority in Congress is in the hands of the Republican Party. There is a large Israeli lobby in this organization that works against Iran. If a nuclear deal is signed, there will be a great debate in Congress related to sanctions. The Iranian negotiating delegation who, according to the eminent leader Ayatollah Khamenei, is faithful and revolutionary, should consider a way to deal with American measures."

Hard-line Javan contends that the West wants to bypass the Majlis: "The West is not happy with the Majlis bill that obliges the government to protect Iran's nuclear achievements. They are trying to bypass and foil the right of our country's legislative power to inspect the agreement and want to make the implementation of their general and ambiguous commitments impossible. The West also seeks to use the UN Security Council as a tool to exert pressure on Iran to implement one-sided commitments." 

Moderate Iran is upbeat despite difficulties: "We should not forget that, in addition to the substantial pressure of negotiating with the world's most influential players, the Iranian team has also experienced considerable domestic pressure. The team has carried on its shoulders the heavy shadow of the intolerable pressure of sanctions as well. Nobody had even hoped that negotiations would continue and end. We should not forget that Vienna is not the end of the process. The Iranian side is obliged to review the opposite side's demands. The structure of the additional protocol and the increase of domestic pressure in Iran and the U.S. are endangering what has already been achieved. However, if previous experience and both sides' urgent need for success are taken into account, there is no doubt that reaching an agreement is achievable."

REGIONAL CONFLICTS: Reformist E'temad hopes for more cohesion: "Iran is trying to settle crises in the region and push back the terrorists using diplomacy and consultation. However, the Turks and the Saudis are trying to undermine Iran's efforts by providing financial and logistical support to the perpetrators of insecurity in the region. Extremist groups will wane if there is more consensus among regional countries about effective confrontation of the evil phenomenon of terrorism." 

GREECE: Conservative Khorasan reveals Greece’s negotiating strategy: "Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras knows that his country's withdrawal from the Eurozone means the failure of the EU project. Greece can hardly protect EU borders and there is no guarantee that its crisis will not overflow, in some form, into neighbouring countries. Political and social instability in Greece, which is a member of NATO, will have many consequences. Greece's substantial financial needs if it leaves the EU can push it, for instance, due to cultural and religious closeness - toward EU rival Russia. Moscow could befriend or form an alliance with Greece in the heart of Europe - adding to its current allies Serbia, Hungary and Cyprus. A Greece allied to Russia, inside NATO, will also have a role different than it does currently. Greece is convinced that the EU will back down at the last moment."

U.S./TURKEY: Reformist Sharq anticipates trouble for Erdogan: "The recent victory of Syrian Kurds against ISIS and U.S. cooperation with the Kurdish People's Protection Units has been a clear message to Ankara. It means that in the fight against ISIS, the U.S. is investing in Kurdish forces and has chosen a new ally. This can substantially decrease American demands on Turkey. This choice and the change in the balance of power in the region will have a high cost for Ankara's government and President Erdogan himself. The U.S. is circumventing Turkey in the region and the current domestic situation in the country puts the existence of Erdogan's Islamic government in question."   

Copyright: Mideast Mirror.

This email is intended for the recipient only.

Access to this message by any other person is not permitted. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, distribute, copy, print or rely upon this email.

The materials available through Mideast Mirror are the property of Alef Publishing Ltd or its licensors, are protected by copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws.

Mideast Mirror - Alef Publishing Ltd.

Tel: ++ 44 020 7052 96 00

Fax: ++ 44 020 7052 96 09

Editorial and Enquiries:

Tel: ++ 44 773 4426 113

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.