Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-11-16

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat and Cicek address the ceremony on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence

[02] Gulīs message on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence

[03] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover the celebrations for the UDI

[04] Statements by Soyer

[05] Messages by the Turkish Cypriot political parties on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence

[06] Avci gives an interview to Al Jazeera

[07] Ozcinar is departing for Azerbaijan

[08] Suspicions that the PKK is preparing for action in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[09] Turkish Cypriot daily: It seems that the journeys between Famagusta and Latakia will stop

[10] Erdogan to attend Turkic states congress in Azerbaijan

[11] A new Turkish daily newspaper has been issued

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[12] Turkish Cypriot columnist reminds that everything in the occupied areas of Cyprus is controlled by Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat and Cicek address the ceremony on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said Thursday Greek Cypriots were in a wild struggle to cut off commercial relations of the Turkish Cypriots with the outside world.

Where has the world witnessed such violence? What kind of an enmity is this to end commercial relations of the TRNC? If our life was in their (Greek Cypriots') hand, would not they crush us (Turkish Cypriots)?, Talat said.The Greek Cypriots have displayed an unbelievable reaction to ferryboat trips between TRNC's Gazimagusa [occupied Famagusta] city and Syria. The Greek Cypriots are about to conduct a holy crusade against Syria, Talat stated.

The clock and time spent are actually working against a solution in Cyprus. A lack of solution in Cyprus is due to the fact that the United Nations, the European Union and the international community regard the Greek Cypriots as the sole owner of Cyprus, and TRNC is put under international isolations, Talat noted.

A formal parade took place on Lefkosa's [occupied Lefkosia] Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard to mark the 24th foundation anniversary of the TRNC on Thursday. At the ceremony, Secretary General of the Turkish Presidency Mustafa Isen and TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat exchanged messages. Isen presented Talat with a message from Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Talat delivered a speech during the parade on Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard.Turkish Cypriots have a history of 450 years in managing themselves and in institutionalizing administrative bodies, Talat underlined.

The TRNC was established to get prepared for a partnership government based on political equality and equal status. We are loyal to such goals since the establishment of the TRNC on November 15th, 1983 and will remain loyal to the good efforts of the United Nations Secretary General in finding a comprehensive solution in Cyprus, Talat remarked.

Continued punishment of the Turkish Cypriots can not be accepted, especially when the Turkish Cypriots had voted 'yes' in a recent referendum, Talat underscored.

Without paying attention to time going by and diminishing hopes for a solution as time passes, the leader of Greek Cypriots Tassos Papadopoulos is making plans to eradicate the presence of Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus, Talat said.Mr. Papadopoulos is making wrong calculations since the Turkish Cypriots are and will always be on their feet and strong, Talat indicated.

Just as the international community, we want to live in peace and welfare. Accordingly, we are working to create a TRNC loyal to European values, and principles of social legal state, Talat said.

It is our goal to spread democracy to all corners of our society and contribute to the social legal state's strength, Talat stressed.

Cyprus will become a European state, in which the peoples of the island live in peace and welfare. Sooner or later, the Turkish Cypriots will take their place in the European Union. It is our duty to prepare the TRNC for the EU with all its institutions. The Republic of Turkey, with its president, parliament, government, armed forces and all other institutions continue to be on our side. We thank Turkey for its continued support of the TRNC, Talat added.Meanwhile, Turkish President Abdullah Gul in his message sent to Talat indicated that Turkey and the TRNC will continue to be symbols of peace, stability, and welfare in eastern Mediterranean. A solution in Cyprus depends on the reality of political equality of the two sides and the reality of two peoples and two states. Turkey will continue to support TRNC's efforts for a lasting solution in Cyprus and will continue to act based on its historical and legal responsibilities.

Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said Thursday, we expect international community to take tangible steps to eliminate obstacles, which prevent Turkish Cypriot people from integrating with the world.Speaking at the formal parade, which took place in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on its 24th foundation anniversary, Cicek said, Turkey and TRNC exerted efforts with goodwill for years to find a fair and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. The Cyprus issue is a national cause for us. Thus, the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU membership cannot be associated with each other and cannot be brought as a condition before us.Cicek noted that Turkey exerted great efforts to solve the Cyprus issue rapidly and under the UN roof and also with initiatives of UN Secretary General.Cicek said despite the efforts of Turkish Cypriots for solution, they were exposed to embargoes and isolations in many areas including commerce, economy, transportation, tourism and sports, and those embargoes were forcing limits of conscience and humanity.

Cicek added that TRNC economy improved significantly in the last five years, and national income was expected to exceed 12,000 USD by the end of 2007.

[02] Gulīs message on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has reiterated his support over the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle towards finding a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Gul has sent a message of congratulations to President Mehmet Ali Talat, on the 24th anniversary of the declaration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Mr. Guls message was presented to Mr. Talat by the Presidencys General Secretary, Mustafa Isen, who is representing the Turkish President at this years ceremonies.

In his message, the Turkish President congratulated Mr. Talats and the Turkish Cypriot peoples festival and said like every individual of the Turkish nation, the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle for equality and freedom has always been a source of enthusiasm and pride for him as well.

Stating that a solution in Cyprus will be based on the reality of political equality of the two sides, the existence of two peoples and the two states on the island, Mr. Gul said Turkey will continue to support TRNC's efforts for a lasting solution in Cyprus and will continue to act based on its historical and legal responsibilities.

He also added that Turkey and the TRNC will continue to be symbols of peace, stability and welfare in eastern Mediterranean.

[03] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover the celebrations for the UDI

Under the title We have celebrated with enthusiasm, Kibris reports that ceremonies and activities were organized yesterday on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI). The paper writes that addressing the ceremony in occupied Nicosia, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat said that time is working against the solution in Cyprus and that the TRNC was established as the Turkish Cypriot wing of the federal state.

Afrika, under the title Speaking about peace, publishes a picture of military vehicles which participated in the military parade yesterday in the occupied part of Nicosia. The paper writes, inter alia, the following: The 24th anniversary of the TRNC was celebrated with brilliant ceremonies like always. Weapons were exhibited, the Turkish stars carried out acrobatic show in Keryneia. Emphasis was given to the strengthening of the TRNC, not the United Cyprus.

On its front page, the paper publishes also an excerpt from the address of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat and Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister, Cemil Cicek at the above-mentioned ceremony.

According to Afrika, Mr Talat said the following: Our duty is to prepare the TRNC, with all its institutions, for the partnership state. We are working in order to create a democratic and modern TRNC committed to the modern European values.

Mr Cicek said: Our efforts for a solution will continue, but the hand we extended for reconciliation will not be there for ever. The lifting of the isolations is not only a political obligation, but also a moral obligation. Words should be turned into actions.

Halkin Sesi refers to the celebrations under the banner front-page title Enthusiasm for the Republic and publishes pictures of the military parade, the Turkish Stars airplanes, the armoured vehicles etc. It also publishes the statements by Mr Talat under the title: Talat: Our duty is to prepare the TRNC for the partnership state.

Under the banner front-page title In the one half there was a festivity and in the other condemnation, Yeni Duzen reports that while in the occupied part of Cyprus the establishment of the TRNC was celebrated, in the southern part of the island a tense condemnation activity was carried out. The paper writes, inter alia, the following:

The fact that the Greek Cypriots, who agreed on the no vote at the Annan Plan referendum, carried a banner saying in Turkish and Greek that Peace cannot be prevented in Cyprus attracted the attention.

Kibrisli refers to the issue under the title We celebrated the 24th year with enthusiasm! The paper reports that Mr Talat noted that sooner or later a bizonal and united new state based on the political equality of the two peoples and the two founding states will be created within the framework of the approaches provided for in the UN peace plan for which the Turkish Cypriot people voted yes.

The paper reports that in a congratulating message sent by Abdullah Gul, the Turkish President said that the solution in Cyprus will be based on the political equality of the two sides and the reality that there are two separate peoples and two states on the Island.

The paper notes also that the self-styled prime minister, Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the Turkish Cypriots will continue their way; they will develop economically and be unified with the world. We will continue our way by showing that we are ready for a partnership solution as an equal side committed to the parameters of the UN, he argued.

The paper publishes also the statements made by General Aydogan Babaoglu, commander of the Turkish Air Force, who reiterated that the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish nation will continue to be the greatest supporter of the just struggle aiming at protecting and looking after the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Star Kibris publishes pictures from the celebrations and refers to the issue under the title They made us proud.

Bakis refers to the celebrations under the title Happy 24th year TRNC. It also publishes the message sent by President Gul and a statement issued by Zeki Sezer, chairman of Turkeys Democratic Left Party (DSP). According to the paper, Mr Sezer said that the TRNC is extremely important from the point of view of the future of Turkey. He noted that Turkey should continue to protect the equality and sovereignty rights of its Turkish brothers of Northern Cyprus and provide any kind of help for the economic and social development of the TRNC.

Gunes refers to the celebrations under the title We celebrated with enthusiasm.

Volkan refers to the issue under the title The TRNC will live for ever. It also publishes the statements by Mr Cicek, noting that he said the following: A solution which is not based on the reality of two peoples in Cyprus, two democracies and two states cannot be accepted.

Ortam refers to the issue under the title The 24th anniversary of the TRNC was celebrated with ceremonies and activities. The paper publishes the statements by Mr Talat and Mr Cicek.

Vatan reports that The 24th year was celebrated with enthusiasm.

Sozcu refers to the issue under the title Crazy Turks. Above the title it says: We celebrated with enthusiasm the Festivity of the Republic.

Under the title TRNCs 24th anniversary, Turkish Radikal newspaper reports in its inside pages on the celebrations taken place in the occupied areas on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI). The paper writes that messages for a solution in Cyprus were given at the ceremony.

The paper writes that Mr Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the international community does not try to find a solution to the Cyprus problem and accused the Greek Cypriots of blocking the commercial relations of the Turkish Cypriots and of showing great aggression. The paper reports that Mr Talat stated that the international recognition will come only after the solution of the Cyprus problem. Meanwhile, Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, in the message that he issued, repeated that Turkey will support the efforts for a just and permanent solution under the leadership of Talat.

(I/Ts. E/A)

[04] Statements by Soyer

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, has stressed that Turkish Cypriot people will continue to walk on its path devoted to the United Nations parameters and as an equal side in a possible partnership solution.

He added that the TRNC is a democratic and a self-governing state, which was formed as a result of the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle for existence on the island for about 400 years.

Mr. Soyer was speaking during a lunch he gave for official guests who attended the ceremonies for the TRNCs 24th anniversary in Lefkosia today.

The Premier stated that the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle for equality is laying on the historical basis of the TRNC.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot peoples struggle for equality and existence had begun during the British Colonial rule and has reached until today, he said the Turkish Cypriot people has always acted for its self-determination, equal existence and continuing its struggle for equality.

Stressing the need for improving the economy, the democracy and the living conditions for the further development of the TRNC in its 24th anniversary, he expressed the belief that the Turkish Cypriots struggle for uniting with the rest of the world as a politically equal side on the island will be moved further.

The Turkish Cypriot people should show the world that it has the same rights as the Greek Cypriots on the island. We will prove the fact that we are democratic, secular and determined to go forward and that we are as much Cypriots and Europeans as the Greek Cypriots, he added.

The Premier concluded that the TRNC and Turkey will continue to work to be a model to the world and the people of the region for the development of peace and democracy.

[05] Messages by the Turkish Cypriot political parties on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence

Messages have been issued by political parties to mark the 24th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The National Unity Party, the Democrat Party and the Communal Democracy Party, were among the parties, which issued messages.

In his message issued to mark the day, the leader of the main opposition National Unity Party, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was a fully functioning state with all its institutions and organs, ready to establish a new partnership with the Greek Cypriot State on the basis of political equality.

Stating that the TRNC was continuing its struggle to take its place among the other states of the world, Mr. Ertugruloglu said that the success of this struggle depended on the resistance shown against those enemies who are trying to break up the state.

The Democrat Party in its message stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was the greatest proof of the stability and peace that has prevailed on the island since 1974.

The message also underlined the need and importance of peoples solidarity in order to further improve the quality of the living standards of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The leader of the Communal Democracy Party, Mehmet Cakici, in his message claimed that an immediate political settlement to the Cyprus problem was no longer on the agenda, especially after the rejection of the Annan Plan in the 2004 referendum.

[06] Avci gives an interview to Al Jazeera

He alleged that the Cyprus problem began in 1963 and that with accepting the Annan Plan in 2004 the Turkish Cypriots showed very obviously which side wants a solution on the island.

Mr Avci claimed that the EU has committed a mistake by accepting the Republic of Cyprus as its full member and alleged that the European leaders have now openly started to accept this mistake. He claimed that the Greek Cypriots are using their membership in the EU to put obstacles to the Turkish Cypriots and argued that they even exert efforts to prevent the Turkish Cypriots from carrying out activities in the filed of education and sports. He alleged that the Greek Cypriots prevent the universities of the TRNC from being included in the Bologna process.

Mr Avci argued that the Turkish occupation army is not on vacation in Cyprus, but it is on the island a as a force of a guarantor power according to the 1960 agreements. He noted that the relations between the TRNC and the Islamic Conference Organization have been developed in an evident manner and added that the ICO is exerting efforts to implement its decisions on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozcinar is departing for Azerbaijan

According to the paper, in his speech Mr Ozcinar will refer to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and express his views on the issue of the continuous development of the relations between the cities and their becoming twin cities.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Suspicions that the PKK is preparing for action in the occupied areas of Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkish Cypriot daily: It seems that the journeys between Famagusta and Latakia will stop

It notes that according to the firm which carries out the journeys, the average number of passengers per trip is 20. The paper argues that it seems that the journeys will stop and wonders: How many more trips will the man carry out and suffer a loss? The paper notes that it seems that no job will be left to be done by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erato Kozakou -Markoulli on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Erdogan to attend Turkic states congress in Azerbaijan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the "11th Turkish State and Societies Friendship, Solidarity and Cooperation Congress" in Baku.Erdogan, who is in the Czech Republic on a formal visit, will proceed to Azerbaijan on Friday.

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertugrul Gunay will also travel to Baku on Friday to attend the congress.

"Turkish State and Societies Friendship, Solidarity and Cooperation Congress" takes place annually since 1993.

The 10th congress took place in southern province of Antalya between September 18th-20th, 2006.

The Antalya congress was attended by Turkish groups from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Russian Federation, Tataristan, Bashkurdistan, Chuvashistan, Crimea Autonomous Republic, Gagauz Region, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, Western Thrace, Kosovo, Romania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Germany, France, America, Australia, Belgium and Switzerland.

[11] A new Turkish daily newspaper has been issued

A new newspaper, the brainchild of three of Turkey's most experienced journalists, was launched yesterday.

Taraf has its headquarters in Istanbul, representative offices in Ankara and foreign correspondents in Washington, Brussels and Jerusalem, and aims to offer a daily that is reputable, smart and intelligent, according to its creators.

The leading figures at the new publication are veteran journalists Alev Ar, who has led many weekly publications as editor-in-chief over a long career; Yasemin Congar, who was a foreign correspondent in Washington for Milliyet daily and news station CNN Turk until she quit to start her new job as the second editor-in-chief of Taraf; and Ahmet Altan, a novelist who wrote columns for Hurriyet.

Taraf also gathers together names such as Etyen Mahcupyan, editor-in-chief of bilingual Turkish-Armenian daily Agos, and Nese Duzel, a journalist renowned for her sensational interviews with academic and political figures. In the words of Altan, Taraf is taking the side of the people, the law, democracy, the civil forces and Parliament -- as opposed to the military bureaucracy -- unlike the Turkish media. The media never told the people the truth. It did not stand against coups or other types of military intervention in politics. We are not rowing against this current; we want to change the direction in which it flows.

The newspaper sells for YTL 1, more expensive than the average newspaper to ensure its independence. Taraf does not yet have a Web site.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] Turkish Cypriot columnist reminds that everything in the occupied areas of Cyprus is controlled by Turkey

The security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is provided by Turkey. Furthermore, all units which possess weapons in northern Cyprus and have the authority to use them are under the command of the Turkish Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkey. (Even those wearing uniform and do not carry a weapon). A big part of the country is within the scope of a military zone and the laws of the TRNC are not functioning in these zones.

The air and sea ports which secure the arrivals and the departures from the country and the boarder gates are not under the control of the competent authorities of the TRNC. As it would be understood from these short examples as well, the authority or in other words sovereignty in the northern part of Cyprus is limited and the organs which the Turkish Cypriots vote and vest with authority are using limited sovereignty. This is the political aspect of the issue.

The economic aspect of the issue is more impressive. The economic structure created in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is fully dependent on Turkey. Having exports as comical as 50 million dollars, it makes an important part of its imports, which exceed 300 millions, from Turkey. The government of the Republic of Turkey finances the budget which the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus forms. In such a way that tragic consequences could be created such as not being able to pay the wages of the public servants because the monthly circulation of money has been delayed. All the infrastructure investments in the TRNC are also financed by Turkey. Electricity, communications and similar basic infrastructure is completely dependent. It is useful to reiterate now the question asked in the beginning. Who will recognize a state with limited sovereignty and dependent economic and administrative infrastructure?

In spite of the fact that some circles say that they are carrying out a bargaining for sovereignty with us, the time for the sovereignty to be transferred to the Turkish Cypriots has passed long since.

Now efforts should be exerted for this. And using an expression frequently used: The inner part of our house must be rearranged.

It is very sad that those who come for the arrangement of the inner part of the house, those who have been vested with this duty by the Turkish Cypriots, are used to this situation of the house and entered into a process of becoming accustomed and making others becoming accustomed [with it]. This must be one of the most important problems of the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

EG/

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