Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-05-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Extracts on the Green Line Regulation and the solution of the Cyprus problem in Eroglus so-called program

[02] Ozgurgun accuses the Cyprus government of pursuing provocative policies on the Cyprus problem

[03] Azerbaijani MP on Turkeys demand to recognise the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[04] Orams case evaluated in London by the so-called TRNC London representative

[05] Statements by Ercakica during his weekly press conference

[06] Davutoglu discusses the Cyprus problem with Ban Ki-moon. The UN welcomes Turkeys support for peace talks in the island

[07] The British ambassador in Turkey on the Cyprus problem

[08] Turkeys vision is to create a separate union within the EU, consisting of the Eastern Mediterranean, the entire Cyprus, Turkey and Greece

[09] Statements by Turkish Cypriot who built on Greek Cypriot property

[10] Criminal with history was found dead yesterday in the occupied Lapithos village

[11] The self-styled Municipality of occupied Lefkosia has been invited to participate in a conference in Barcelona

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 12 May 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Extracts on the Green Line Regulation and the solution of the Cyprus problem in Eroglus so-called program

Regarding the Green Line Regulations, the excerpt is as follows:

Our government on condition of reserving the views regarding the Cyprus problem, sees the Green Line Regulation as an element that regulates the trade relations between the South Cyprus economy and North Cyprus.

It is a reality that, this fact, because of the economic area it has created, has an important potential for foreign income. In this context, in order to make the Green Line Regulation more effective, we shall do every effort and work, either through domestic regulations or with EU institutions so that its content and scope shall be enlarged.

As for the solution of the Cyprus problem the excerpt is as follows:

The objective is to reach to a just, lasting and permanent solution with a new partnership, based on the constituent founding states that have politically equal status, that bizonality is not watered down and that Turkeys actual and effective guarantorship continues. In this context, the territorial issue is an issue that should be taken up and settled as part of a comprehensive solution, after reaching reconciliation on all issues.

While taking up this issue, the bizonality principle as well as security and viability criteria should be absolutely observed and the existing realities in the island should be taken into consideration.

As for the property issue it could not be considered merely a legal and human rights issue. Because of its content and dimensions, the place to solve this issue is not the international courts, but the negotiation table.

The paper goes on and reports that the program further envisages that a likely agreement, in order not to be a subject for recourse to the EU courts or to the International Legal institutions should be an EU Primary Law.

The paper further reports that the program wants a decision and to be clearly stated before the sides submit a likely agreement to two separate referenda, what will happen if one of the sides or both sides reject the agreement. It also wants during and after the negotiations to stress that the Turkish side is not without alternative.

(MHY)

[02] Ozgurgun accuses the Cyprus government of pursuing provocative policies on the Cyprus problem

Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun has accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of trying to downgrade the status of the Turkish Cypriot people to that of a minority.He said that the Turkish Cypriots would never accept an agreement which would not protect its political equality and rights effectively and will not provide them full security.

In a written statement today, Foreign Minister Ozgurgun criticized the Greek Cypriot leader for issuing statements contrary to the basic principles on the Cyprus issue.

The Minister said that the Greek Cypriot leader has been trying to gain advantages on the issues of guarantorship, property and political equality with initiatives launched in third countries and at the international institutions during his recent foreign visits.

He complained that the Greek Cypriot leadership was trying to impose a solution in favor of Greek Cypriot interests.

He stated that the Turkish Cypriot side has been negotiating with the Greek Cypriot side with the objective of bringing about a comprehensive agreement which will be based on the political equality of two founding states, protect Turkeys active and effective guarantee and which would not dilute the principle of bi-zonality.

The Minister called on the Greek Cypriot leader to stop striving with the issue of guarantorship, which he said, was settled long ago with international agreements.He complained that the Greek Cypriot Administration was pursuing provocative policies, not only on the basic principles of the Cyprus problem, but also on humanitarian issues, like the missing persons issue.

[03] Azerbaijani MP on Turkeys demand to recognise the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Mrs Yilmaz, referring to statements of Azerbaijani Members of the Parliament, inter alia, writes: Algi Abbas, one of the artist MPs, who constitute the 10% of the Azerbaijani Assembly, resorted to reason when reminded about the demand of Turkey, regarding the TRNC recognition. He said: The TRNC is in your hands. Karabakh is not in ours. Both are not expressing the same situation. If Azerbaijan recognizes the TRNC, it will be a country in the world that supported Turkey, but, at the same time, 180 countries will recognize the Armenian administration on the Karabakh Mountains. Our loss will be greater than our gains. Do not forget that the first country that landed its airplane on the TRNC Ercan [occupied Tymvou] airport was Azerbaijan.

(EA)

[04] Orams case evaluated in London by the so-called TRNC London representative

The TRNC London Representative Kemal Koprulu has said the judgment of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the Orams case is absolutely unacceptable.Speaking at a dinner event organized in his honor by the London-based Olay Newspaper, Koprulu reminded the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side is sitting at the negotiations table with its good will gesture, taking a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem as its goal.

Mr Koprulu said the Turkish Cypriot side targets a political settlement in Cyprus, which will be based on the political equality, bi-zonality and the existence of two equal founding states.

The solution should also take place within the framework of parameters set with Turkeys effective guarantee, he added.

On the Orams case, he said, the ECJs judgment of advice made upon the request by the British Court of Appeal which will make the final verdict on the case, is absolutely unacceptable from the Turkish Cypriot point of view.

The judgment can have a negative impact over the negotiations process. Its not possible to resolve the property issue through individual cases. This can only be resolved within the framework of a comprehensive settlement, Koprulu stressed.

TRNC London Representative was accompanied at the dinner by Mehmet Bayramoglu and Munir Tatar- who applied to the ECJ for the TRNCs right of representation at the European Parliament elections.

Their lawyer, a member of the London Bar Council, Alper Riza was also present at the event.

Also speaking on the Orams case, Lawyer Riza confirmed the case as a very important development, but noted that the file brought to the ECJ by Bayramoglu and Tatar, carries greater importance in political terms, in terms of the acceptance of Turkish Cypriot existence.

Turkish Cypriots must enjoy the right of representation at the European Parliament. Six seats saved for Cyprus representatives are all illegally being used by the Greek Cypriot Administration, Mr Riza emphasized.

Also speaking at the event, the coordinator of the jurisdiction team defending Orams couple at the British Appeal Court Lawyer Hasan Vahib said that the case was a unique one which started as political since the first day.

Stating that the case will affect nearly 350 people at the European Court of Justice, he noted that during the hearing of the case at the British Appeal Court, the jurisdiction team will continue to stress that the property issue would only be solved with a comprehensive settlement on the island.

[05] Statements by Ercakica during his weekly press conference

The Presidential Spokesperson has announced a sub-committee has started functioning at the Joint Liaison Office set up in the UN-controlled buffer zone.The office will make it possible for the two sides to exchange information on crime and criminal matters.

The sub-committee consists of 2 Turkish Cypriot and 3 Greek Cypriot members, according to the information provided by Hasan Ercakica.

Speaking at his weekly press conference today, Presidential spokesperson Ercakica said that the Joint Liaison Office has started functioning in the UN-controlled buffer zone as agreed earlier by the two leaders in Cyprus.

He added that the sub-committee consisting of 2 Turkish Cypriots and 3 Greek Cypriots started work at the Office as from this morning.

He noted that the Office was set up with the aim of lowering the number of crimes committed and enabling the two sides to exchange information on crime and criminal matters.

He also added that members of the committee would meet everyday between 830am and 1pm and would be in contact round the clock. He said that the functioning of the committee was very important for the security of the two sides.

Referring to the program of the new government, Mr Ercakica welcomed the inclusion of an objective in support of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

On the European Court of Justices decision concerning the Orams case, he said that the issue has led to distrust between the two sides which have been continuing their talks with the aiming of settling the Cyprus problem, which also included the issue of property.

Reminding that President Talat and the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias have agreed to intensify their talks, he said that senior aides of the two leaders have been meeting more frequently as demanded by their leaders.Asked to comment on press reports that the Greek Cypriot man who filed a case against the Orams couple has been using a Turkish property in Poli for the last 30 years, he said this could be shown as an example to the property issue in Cyprus.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (13.05.09) reports that the spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Hasan Ercakica, replying to a question about the statements made by Foreign Minister, Marcos Kyprianou that the solution will constitutes the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Ercakica said that this is an old issue being discussed during the discussions on the chapter Governance and Power Sharing, adding that it will not be in the way Mr. Kyprianou said.

(AK)

[06] Davutoglu discusses the Cyprus problem with Ban Ki-moon. The UN welcomes Turkeys support for peace talks in the island

The Cyprus problem was among the issues Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, discussed during his visit to the United States.

Mr. Davutoglu met with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during his stay in the US.

Speaking after his meeting with the UN Chief, the Turkish Minister said that he pointed to the importance of comprehensive negotiations in Cyprus and reminded that he discussed the negotiation process with President Mehmet Ali Talat during his visit to the TRNC.

Explaining that during his meeting with the UN Chief they made an overall evaluation of the point reached at the negotiations process in Cyprus, Mr. Davutoglu said: Turkeys position is so clear on the issue.

Turkeys aim is to complete the negotiations process as soon as possible and to reach a comprehensive settlement which will be based on the political equality and partnership of two constituent states, he added.

Responding to a question on whether he was more optimistic about a solution in Cyprus, the Turkish Minister said they were more optimistic in 2004 when there was a peace plan on the table which was accepted by the UN, the EU and the international community. However, this plan was rejected by the Greek Cypriot side, he added.

Also reminding that the international community did not fulfillthe promises it made to the Turkish Cypriots, he said: Despite this, Turkey will continue to support the ongoing negotiations process in Cyprus.

We hope that the negation process will be successful and we will give full support to it. I hope a real and comprehensive solution will be found to the Cyprus issue at the end of the process, he said.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.05.09) reported the following from the United Nations:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon thanked to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu over Turkey's support to ongoing negotiation process between the two leaders in Cyprus.

In a statement, the U.N. said Ban Ki-moon and Davutoglu, who met on Monday, discussed Cyprus, Iraq, Middle East, Georgia, Afghanistan-Pakistan, as well as Alliance of Civilizations initiative.

The statement said that the U.N. Secretary-General noted he followed the ongoing process in Cyprus closely and was hopeful over recording a progress.

[07] The British ambassador in Turkey on the Cyprus problem

The ambassador reiterated his countrys support for Turkeys full membership in the European Union, but cautioned that the Cyprus issue posed a major challenge along the way. He conceded that resolution of the Cyprus issue is a very painstaking process but sounded hopeful as the process is again under way after a period of no talks. He urged leaving the past where it is supposed to be and moving on.

Baird said that if the Cyprus issue were resolved, there would be huge infusion of EU aid to Turkish Cypriots, amounting 250 million euros. Considering the northern Turkish part is very small, the aid would be one of the largest per capita assistances within the EU, he claimed.

[08] Turkeys vision is to create a separate union within the EU, consisting of the Eastern Mediterranean, the entire Cyprus, Turkey and Greece

In addition, under the title, To Sarkozy and Merkel: We will not be stopped by you, Sabah also reports on the joint press conference of the Turkish and Portuguese Presidents after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. Referring to the recent statements of the French and the German Heads of State, Mr Gul said: Various politicians come and go. They say some things on different occasions, perhaps due to lack of vision, but we will not be bothered at all with these [statements]. We will look at our job and as Turkey, we will continue our reforms and we will do everything needed in the framework of this negotiation process. Even if some chapters cannot be opened, we have the will to open and close them ourselves. When the day comes, the opening and the closing will be a five-minute job.

Furthermore, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (13.05.09) reports on the same issue under the title, Harsh reaction from Gul: Sarkozy and Merkel lack vision. The paper writes that responding to the question of a Portuguese newspaper, concerning Cyprus, Mr Gul said: Our vision is this: when the Cyprus problem is solved, we have very good intensions for the creation of a separate union within the EU, consisting of the Eastern Mediterranean, the entire Cyprus, Turkey and Greece.

(EA)

[09] Statements by Turkish Cypriot who built on Greek Cypriot property

The paper reports in its front page that Kutsal Tokatlioglu served as undersecretary in the TRNC state in the past. During 1999, he left his duties and started getting involved in construction business. During 2003, as soon as he started working with Garry Robb, he was being monitored closely by the Greek Cypriot administration, as the paper describes the Republic of Cyprus. During 2005, he was included in the list of wanted persons with Red Bulletin. Tokatlioglu, who was accused of involvement in serious crimes, and for whom 21 years of imprisonment was demanded, was not able to enter to 182 countries during the last four years.

Speaking to the TV program Recent situation broadcast live by ADA TV, last night, Kutsal Tokatlioglu stated that he did not have any help from the occupation regime and he wandered who is going to help him. He also stated that he had a meeting four years ago with Rasit Pertev undersecretary of the presidency, with whom he discussed his case, but he added that since then no change has been made.

Speaking at the same program, Mustafa Asena, lawyer of Kutsal Tokatlioglu, evaluated the case of Tokatlioglu and stressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat to asked help from the Greek Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias in order for the Red Bulletin to be removed.

Evaluating the forthcoming development after the Orams case, Mustafa Asena stated that the judgment of the British Supreme Court of Appeals will be very important.

(AK)

[10] Criminal with history was found dead yesterday in the occupied Lapithos village

The paper notes that he was involved in various criminal actions, among them the bombing of the Princes Night Club on the 6th of June 2008 in occupied Morfou and the fire at the Ozkan Akincis house on 11th June 2008. The paper also writes that Erol Yucel spent time in prison but he was set free after all the accusations against him were withdrawn.

(CS)

[11] The self-styled Municipality of occupied Lefkosia has been invited to participate in a conference in Barcelona

(CS)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[12] From the Turkish Press of 12 May 2009

a) Kurdish question:

Viewing the hopeful statement President Gul made in connection with the solution of the Kurdish problem in an article in Milliyet, Fikret Bila predicts certain developments on the issue within 2009. Assessing Karayilan's views expressed to Hasan Cemal, the writer argues that they echo Ocalan's vision of a "Democratic Republic" and the strategic change which he crystallized after his capture, namely that of renouncing the thesis of an "independent Kurdish state" and of a "federation." Explaining Ocalan's thesis, Bila writes: "The essence of this thesis is the granting of autonomy to the Kurds in the Southeast through local administrations with constitutional guarantees. These are the demands and expectations expressed by Karayilan." Arguing that Ocalan advocates autonomy for Kurdish regions not only in Turkey but in Iraq, Iran, and Syria as well, Bila maintains that the result is a "United Kurdistan project." This structure of a "Democratic Autonomous Kurdistan" is incompatible with the structure of a unitary state, asserts Bila, describing the state line on the issue as the exercise of cultural rights on an individual level without them being turned into a collective right on a political platform. In conclusion, Bila argues that there are big differences between these two approaches which render Karayilan's expectations of forming a "wise men's committee" and of conducting "autonomy negotiations" unrealistic.

According to a report in Sabah, the government overtures on the Kurdish issue will be based on the "German model." A high ranking official who from time to time attends the National Security Council, MGK, meetings is reported to have said: "Certain overtures will be made in the very near future. These will comprise what we want for Turks living in Europe." The report goes on to detail the issues incorporated in this model.

In an article in Vatan, Rusen Cakir argues that the Kurdish and PKK problems are intertwined and that the solution of these two problems should be coordinated. Maintaining that the PKK problem cannot be solved through the use of arms alone, Cakir writes: "As a result, instead of going along with this or that foreign focal point or points in a futile manner in a bid to 'dissolve the PKK,' I believe that it is necessary to include the PKK, one way or another, into this dual solution process." Disagreeing with interpretations that Karayilan's remarks as "new" and "hopeful," Cakir expresses his skepticism about the never-ending ceasefires declared by the PKK which are later followed by armed attacks. Arguing that there is no reason why the PKK should not dissolve itself, Cakir stresses that the existence of the PKK is not the result of its success but the lack of courage on the part of its administrators to embark on new paths. The PKK is not convincing in its calls for peace made with weapons in the hands of its members, Cakir states, advising them to lay down their arms for good if they want to be listened to.

In an article in Hurriyet Daily News, Mehmet Ali Birand urges the prime minister and the armed forces to seize the opportunity to resolve the Kurdish question. Pointing out that the media has a role to play as well in resolving the issue, Birand adds: "It is impossible to separate the PKK from the DTP (Democratic Society Party) and the organization is supported by the majority of the people in the region, thus we need to realize and accept that we cannot eliminate it with weapons."

Expressing his sorrow over the statement made by General Buyukanit that "if all the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK, were to go to Qandil, the job could not be finished" in a in Milliyet, Guneri Civaoglu draws attention to the contradiction in US policies regarding the Taliban and the PKK. While the United States wants Turkey to send troops to Afghanistan to fight against the Taliban, which the writer claims has never hurt Turkey, it urges Turkey to reach an agreement with the PKK, claims Civaoglu. Stressing that Buyukanit's remarks weaken Turkey's hand against the United States on the issue of dispatching troops to Afghanistan, the writer criticizes the United States for not giving the green light to the TSK to act freely against the PKK in Kandil.

According to a report by Bahadir Selim Dilek in Cumhuriyet, the government has submitted a bill to parliament on the establishment of a new agency to coordinate efforts in the fight against terrorism. The report adds that the "Undersecretariat for public order and security," which will be linked to the Interior Ministry, will devise policies and strategies in counterterrorism. Interior Minister Besir Atalay is reported to have said the undersecretariat will be the coordinating body between the different units fighting against terrorism.

b) Energy Projects:

Viewing the "South corridor" energy summit held in Prague in an article in Milliyet, Sami Kohen assesses the joint declaration issued at the end of the summit as a go-ahead for the pipeline project that will transport natural gas from the Caspian region to Europe via Turkey. The signatories of the declaration, namely the EU, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgian, and Egypt have expressed their political will on the issue, writes Kohen, adding that natural gas producing countries such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, while attending the summit, have refrained from signing the declaration. Kohen goes on to question which natural gas producing countries will agree to supply European demands, the stand to be adopted by Russia regarding the Nabucco project, and how the problems concerning financing, cost, and prices will be resolved. Welcoming the changing EU stand on Nabucco, the writer focuses on the statements issued by EU officials following the declaration in Prague that Turkey has renounced its preconditions for supporting the Nabucco project, concluding: "Is this really a step backward for Turkey or is it a well calculated negotiation position? This issue is well worth discussing."

In an article in Hurriyet, Enis Berberoglu details the agreement reached last week following months of negotiations among Washington, Ankara, and Arbil on the export through Ceyhan of oil drilled from two fields in north Iraq. The lion's share of the oil revenues will go to Barzani and Talabani, says the writer, wondering whether the north Iraqi leaders, who will be enriched through trade over Turkey, will be pleased with the presence of the PKK in the region.

Viewing the same agreement in an article in Sabah, Meliha Okur draws attention to its significance stating that from now on Turkish investors will be drilling oil in neighboring countries and transporting that oil from its ports to world markets. Furthermore, Turkey and Iraq, together with the United States, will have a say in the "gas game," maintains Okur, predicting that all the balances in the region are bound to change because Turkey will be at the head of all roads opening to the West.

EG/

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