Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-04-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat says his responsibility includes Turkeys EU accession course as well

[02] Eroglu reiterates his mission to strengthen the roots of the illegal regime and protect the rights of the Turkish settlers in Cyprus

[03] More public opinion polls are published in the Turkish Cypriot press regarding the elections of 18 April 2010

[04] Rauf Denktas stated that Talat is not authorized to negotiate on sovereignty5. Twelve Turkish Cypriots have filed lawsuits at the ECHR against the Republic of Cyprus

[06] The chairman of BASIN-SEN is standing as candidate for being elected in the administrative council of the EFJ

[07] Merit Hotels Group to promote tourism in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] Illegal GAU to construct its new campus in an environment protection zone in occupied Karpasia

[09] Illegal GAUs official becomes member on the Advisory Council of the New University of Astana Project in Kazakhstan

[10] Erdogan holds talks in Washington

[11] President Obama calls on Turkey and Armenia to take all the necessary steps for the ratification of the Protocols

[12] Erdogans letter to Sargsian discussed in Erdogan- Sargsian meeting in Washington

[13] Zekai Ozcan resigns from the AKP

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist argues that Turkey will put pressure on Eroglu to continue the talks in case of election, while Talats support from Ankara ended in 2004

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat says his responsibility includes Turkeys EU accession course as well

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu reiterates his mission to strengthen the roots of the illegal regime and protect the rights of the Turkish settlers in Cyprus

Presidential hopeful and prime minister, Dervis Eroglu, has reiterated his mission to strengthen the roots of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the negotiation table. Addressing the crowds in the Gazimagusa [occupied Famagusta] District and the Catalkoy [occupied Agios Epiktitos] village as part of his election rallies yesterday, Eroglu underlined the need for the Cyprus Turkish People to give the world the message that they are happy to live under the roof of the TRNC state.

He promised to protect the gained rights of the TRNC people while searching for a solution to the Cyprus problem which will also ensure the maintenance of Turkeys active and effective guarantee on the island.

The premier criticized president Mehmet Ali Talat for refusing the past and not keeping the promises he gave just before the referendum on the Annan Plan.

Underlining the need for ensuring the political equality of the two sides under a bi-zonal and bi-communal structure, Eroglu said he rejects all federal parameters which envisage the withdrawal of Turkish troops and the dilution of bi-zonality. On the issue of TRNC citizens of Turkish origin, he said this should never become a bargaining issue and promised to protect their rights too.

[03] More public opinion polls are published in the Turkish Cypriot press regarding the elections of 18 April 2010

Yeni Volkan writes that the results of the survey of Red Border show that Mr Eroglu will receive 56.8% and Mr Talat 34.8%. The survey of Red Border was completed on 10 April 2010 and it is published on the internet. The poll shows that the other candidates in the elections will receive the following percentages: Tahsin Ertugruloglu 3.6%, Zeki Besiktepeli 2.7%, Mustafa Kemal Tumkan 1.5% and the other two candidates 0.6% together.

According to the survey of Red Border the percentages, which Mr Eroglu and Mr Talat are expected to receive in each area are the following:

Occupied Lefkosia: Eroglu 52.8% and Talat 36.2%

Occupied Famagusta: Eroglu 56.9% and Talat 35.1%

Occupied Keryneia: Eroglu 59.5% and Talat 34.7%

Occupied Morfou: Eroglu 58.1% and Talat 35.7%

Occupied Trikomo: Eroglu 61.9% and Talat 28.6 %

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (13.04.10) reports that according to a public opinion poll carried out by a company from Turkey between 1 and 5 April, Mr Eroglu will get 58% of the votes in the first round of the elections and Mr Talat around 38%. The public opinion poll of Konsensus Company was carried out with the participation of 1500 persons. Its confidence interval is 95% and the margin of error +/- 2.44%.

Asked which candidate they will vote in the elections of 18 April 2010, the participants in the poll gave the following answers:

Dervis Eroglu 41.6%, Mehmet Ali Talat 27.3%, Tahsin Ertugruloglu 2.1%, Mustafa Kemal Tumkan 0.1%, Zeki Besiktepeli 1.1%, undecided 21.3% and no answer 2.9%. Moreover, 2.1% said that they will not vote and 1.3% stated that they will throw a spoilt or blank ballot paper.

According to the estimated results of the poll, Mr Eroglu will win the elections from the first round. The estimated results are the following: Eroglu 57.4%, Talat 37.7%, Ertugruloglu 2.8%, Besiktepeli 1.5% and Tumkan 0.1%.

In a possible second round, the poll showed that Mr Eroglu will receive 59.4 % and Mr Talat 40.6%.

(I/Ts)

[04] Rauf Denktas stated that Talat is not authorized to negotiate on sovereigntyTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.04.10) reports that Rauf Denktas stated that Mehmet Ali Talat made a mistake by accepting single sovereignty and called on him to correct this mistake. Mr Denktas made these statements speaking to Ankara Anatolia news agency.

(CS)

[05] Twelve Turkish Cypriots have filed lawsuits at the ECHR against the Republic of Cyprus

The statement reminds that in 2008 ten persons from Vroisa, who were living in Britain and Cyprus, filed two separate applications to the ECHR under the leadership of the London-based association complaining about the violation of their property rights by the Republic of Cyprus. Another group of ten persons filed an application to the ECHR on the same issue on 23 February 2010. The plaintiffs accuse the Republic of Cyprus of violating articles 6, 8, 13 and 14 of the European Convention of Human Rights and article 1 of Protocol 1.

Mr Mustafa said that the plaintiffs are determined to struggle against the Republic of Cyprus law on the Custodian of the Turkish Cypriot Properties.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The chairman of BASIN-SEN is standing as candidate for being elected in the administrative council of the EFJ

In a written statement issued by BASIN-SEN, it is said that Kemal Darbaz, chairman of the trade union, will stand as candidate for being elected in the administrative council of the EFJ. The statement notes that Cyprus is represented by three members in the administrative council of EFJ and that for the first time the two of these members will belong to BASIN-SEN.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Merit Hotels Group to promote tourism in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Mr Arar went on and stated that they are planning from now on to attract new tourists from the Middle East and the Northern countries. He said that in the upcoming days they will open a tourism office in Lebanon, from where a large number of tourists will come to occupied Cyprus. He added that special efforts are also underway in Syria and from this year on, Syrian tourists will visit the occupied areas of Cyprus. Last year, around five thousand Syrian tourists came. This year we expect this number to be increased a lot more. We want to make special promotions in the Middle Eastern countries in order to attract tourists to Cyprus. In addition, we have opened an office in Azerbaijan from where we will bring tourists to Cyprus as well, Mr Arar said. He noted that according to the reservations made until now in their hotel, there is 20% increase this year, in comparison with last year. Mr Arar also underlined his desire to end the so-called isolations allegedly imposed on the Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, the Merit Hotels official invited the Turkish Airlines (THY) to contribute to their efforts, explaining that the transportation issue must be solved. He said: If THY gives its support, the tourism of Cyprus will burst... This will revive the real sector, develop the area, and help it stand on its own feet. We must not forget that tourism gives life to 30 sectors.

(EA)

[08] Illegal GAU to construct its new campus in an environment protection zone in occupied Karpasia

A 195-donum plot reserved by the [so-called] TRNC Council of Ministers for [illegal] Girne American Universitys (GAU) Karpaz [occupied Karpasia] campus falls into a Special Environment Protection zone, Cyprus Today has learned.

In February, the Cabinet gave the green light to the project despite opposition from the Environmental Protection Department which said that if built inside the zone, the scheme would be illegal.

The Karpaz [occupied Karpasia], was declared a national park in 1983 and is one of six environmentally-important areas in North Cyprus [occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus] given special protection by the European Unions Natura 2000 scheme.

The project, launched in 2008 and funded by a 1.5 million euro grant from the European Commission, also aims to safeguard the Five Finger [occupied Pentadaktylos] mountain range, Akdeniz [occupied Agia Irene], Alagadi, Tatlisu [occupied Akanthou] and the South Karpaz [occupied Karpasia]. However, detailed management plans for each are not set to be implemented until next year.

Speaking this week, Environmental Protection Department director, Hulya Altan, said a final decision on the location of the campus would not be made until preparatory work on the Natura 2000 scheme was complete.

Ms Altan said: At the moment, building work on a campus in that area cannot begin. However, we cannot intervene in the decision of the Cabinet to reserve the land. I cannot comment on the issue without seeing the area, but what I can say is that if permission is given for development, it will only be given for a few small-scale buildings.

Dogan Sahir, chairman of the Green Action Group, said that universitys new project would destroy natural life in the national park. He added: It is impossible to develop that area. The only possibility might be that GAU decides to establish research laboratories which will benefit the national park and serve its purpose.

Mustafa Kofali, chairman of the Biologists Association, said if the area reserved did fall in the national park, the government was committing a crime. He added: The decision of the Cabinet was similar to asking a fox to guard the chickens.

We have chosen the most unreliable people to safeguard our jewels. GAU hopes its Karpaz campus will educate about 1,500 marine, aviation, tourism and archaeology students.

Asim Vehbi, GAUs deputy chairman, said he did not know whether the land had been allocated or not.

[09] Illegal GAUs official becomes member on the Advisory Council of the New University of Astana Project in Kazakhstan

Chairman of the [illegal] Girne American University (GAU) Board of Directors, Serhat Akpinar, went to Kazakhstans capital, Astana, as the official guest of the countrys President, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

While there, Serhat Akpinar accepted membership on the Advisory Council of the New University of Astana Project and met with high-level administrators and scientists from universities around the world in the two-day meetings on the project when he gave information on GAUs vision for the Advisory Board of the New University of Astana Project.

Kazakhstan, which is making preparations to take important steps on higher education reform by establishing a new university, will benefit from GAUs academic experience with exclusive universities of the world under the project initiated by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Developing a unique strategy by combining the leading quality of international universities in the project, Kazakhstan composed the Advisory Board of the New University of Astana Project that will combine the quality of the best 30 universities of the world with this strategy.

Before the meeting of the Board and during the meetings held dealing with the main chapters of University Control and Management, University Law and Academic Administration, GAU Board of Directors Chairman, Serhat Akpinar, made presentations on the chapters of Campuses, Faculty Renting, Academic Programmes, Foreign University Participation and Management and Partner Relations.

Subtitle: International of higher education

In Serhat Akpinars statement said that the Worlds Higher Education was being reconstructed and internationalisation was the issue that came to the forefront in the university. Recalling that one of the main topics of the International Higher Education and Science Workshop (IHEW) held at GAU [occupied] Cyprus Karmi Campus between Wednesday 7 and Sunday 11 April was Higher Education and Internationalisation, Akpinar pointed to the importance of the contribution that would be made on the promotion of North Cyprus [occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus] and the development of the higher education here. More than 200 rectors, scientists and high-level instructors from 3 continents and 40 countries would come to North Cyprus for the first time in the framework of the IHEW Workshop. His membership of the Advisory Board of the New University of Astana Project and being invited to Astana as the official guest of the President of Kazakhstan must not be considered independently from the Internationalisation of Higher Education. Akpinar stressed that the importance must not be ignored of GAU, the first university of North Cyprus, offering the project that would harmonise the higher educations systems of Central Asia with the globalised world. He explained that GAU was making preparations to open its Asia Pacific Campus in Singapore after opening its UK Canterbury Campus, and stressed that GAU and begun to direct the Worlds Higher Education by its expansion outside North Cyprus using its experience accrued over 25 years.

Akpinar underlined that the document that resulted from the Advisory Board of the New University of Astana Project would be a road map for harmonising the higher education systems of Central Asia with the globalised world. He added that GAU was ready to share its information and experience gained over 25 years with both the universities of the country and the universities of the world.

[10] Erdogan holds talks in Washington

Turkey's prime minister held a series of talks in the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in the USA to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, was welcomed by U.S. President Barack Obama upon his arrival at the Washington Convention Centre, the venue of the gathering.

Before attending the summit, Erdogan met with Brazilian President. Lula da Silva.

Participating in a working banquet hosted by Obama on the sidelines of the summit, Erdogan held brief conversations with presidents and prime ministers of various countries.

Erdogan held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during the banquet.

The Turkish Prime Minister also talked to the Presidents of China, South Korea, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, as well as the Prime Ministers of Norway, Italy, Argentina and Pakistan, and the crown prince of United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Erdogan later received John Kerry, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, at The Willard InterContinental Hotel.

Speaking after the gathering, Kerry said Turkey's important role in its region, as well as its position in Afghanistan and developments regarding Israel, Gaza, Palestine and Syria were on the agenda of his meeting with Erdogan.

[11] President Obama calls on Turkey and Armenia to take all the necessary steps for the ratification of the Protocols

INCLUDEPICTURE "cid:image009.gif@01CADAF1.8A738340" \* MERGEFORMATINET United States President Barack Obama has called on Turkey and Armenia to stick with their efforts to normalize relations.

Releasing a statement after his meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, Obama urged the two countries to take any necessary step for the parliamentary ratification of two protocols Ankara and Yerevan signed to resume diplomatic ties and open their border crossing.

The U.S. president is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.

Erdogan and Sargsian met on Monday and they reportedly discussed issues regarding the rapprochement protocols.

[12] Erdogans letter to Sargsian discussed in Erdogan-Sargsian meeting in Washington

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Armenian President Serzh Sargsian who met in Washington D.C. on Monday discussed the letter Erdogan sent to Sargsian in details.

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, assigned as special representative by Erdogan, earlier conveyed the letter to Sargsyan.

The parties agreed that the Foreign Ministers of the two countries should continue studies on the issue.

The two leaders got together on the sidelines of the nuclear security summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.

[13] Zekai Ozcan resigns from the AKP

Mehmet Zekai Ozcan, an MP from the Justice and Development (AK) Party resigned from his party on Monday. Ozcan announced his resignation at a press conference at the parliament. Ozcan said he resigned because making politics in AK party did not correspond to the values he believed in.

The distribution of seats at Parliament after Ozcan's resignation is as follows:

Justice and Development (AK) Party: 336

Republican People's Party (CHP): 97

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP): 69

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP): 20

Democratic Left Party (DSP): 6

Democrat Party (DP): 1

Turkey Party: 1

Independent: 12

Vacant: 8

Total: 550

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[14] Columnist argues that Turkey will put pressure on Eroglu to continue the talks in case of election, while Talats support from Ankara ended in 2004

Turkish Cypriots will go to polls on Sunday for presidential elections. They will either give another five-year mandate to incumbent Mehmet Ali Talat or replace him with prime minister, Dervis Eroglu. If none of the seven competitors gets more than half of the votes, the two forerunners will compete in the second round on April 25.

What we witness in some local and international media reports is that the forecasts about the post-election era are far from having much basis. They are more or less based on public opinion polls that have already declared Eroglus victory in the first round. It is of course hard to oppose this assumption since it depends on public opinion polls. However, for those who are familiar with the internal political balances in northern Cyprus, it will be a cut-throat election, and as Talat has started to close the gap with Eroglu, the final votes could come in the second round.

In this case, however, it would be hard to forecast how the balances would change and which candidates would benefit from these changes. There are serious allegations that the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, of Turkey and some international powers have already engaged into efforts in favour of Talat, who promised to solve the decades-old Cyprus problem.

Those who argue that Eroglus election will kill the peace process ignore some very important aspects of the equation. The first thing is Turkey would never let Eroglu leave the table. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in early April strongly indicated Ankaras likelihood in putting pressure on whoever is elected as president to continue the peace talks.

Eroglu, in an interview with the Greek media last weekend, confirmed he would remain at the table. Maybe I can conclude an agreement better than Talat could, he said. Eroglus statement stands as an important sign that there will be no an imminent break in talks contrary to common belief.

There are also claims that Ankara could use the election of Eroglu as it is thought the AKP government believes Talat has completed his mission. Talat played a crucial role in raising hopes for a solution in the early 2000s after he won the presidential seat instead of Rauf Denktas, the legendary leader who ruled northern Cyprus for more than two decades. In total opposition to Denktas, the AKP government applauded Talats victory and gave him full support for initiating a peace process in 2003, which ended with the unsuccessful attempt for the Annan Plan.

Therefore, it would not be a hazy idea to give Eroglu a new chance to conclude talks and, given his popular support, to think that a referendum on a potential solution could only be secured under Eroglus leadership.

Subtitle: If Talat is elected

To the contrary of general expectations, Talats victory will not be a guarantee of a quick solution. We already know the pace of the Talat-Christofias talks is not a promising one with major hurdles on fundamental issues like governance, property and legislation, etc.

Besides, there are no clues that the Greek Cypriots are changing their strategy of postponing the completion of the process. The first objective of Greek Cyprus is to wait until the end of this year when the European Union will review the state of negotiations with Turkey due to Ankaras refusal to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes.

Given the pretext, Talats new mandate would be an advantage for Turkish Cypriots to better explain their situation to the rest of the world, but this does not bring much concrete advantage to this community of nearly 250,000.

Subtitle: Greek Cypriots have the key

Another important observation is that the Turkish government is extremely silent on the post-election era. Apart from the aforementioned Foreign Ministry statement, Ankara prefers to remain neutral. Perhaps this is because it was already assured by Eroglu that he would not step back from the negotiation table.

Whoever is elected will stay at the table to keep up the process. While Eroglus election will not be the end of the world, Talats renewal of a mandate will not be an assurance of any sort of solution. Its obvious that if a solution is compromised, it will be with the fully pledged commitment of the Greek Cyprus administration, something which has not been visible so far.

EG/

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