Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-10-06

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu ready for a tripartite meeting

[02] Eroglu: We must follow the Turkish example

[03] Kucuk: We continue the structural reforms

[04] Cicek criticized the fact that the population figures of the occupied areas of Cyprus are not known

[05] Press reaction to Ciceks statement on the population in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[06] Turkey and the occupation regime agree to establish a new airlines company

[07] Turkey and the breakaway regime sign a cooperation protocol on Courts of Accounts

[08] GAU campus to be given green light

[09] Increase in imports and exports - Rise in the cost of living

[10] Cultural and Congress Centre constructed in occupied Famagusta

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Filote: if Turkey does not open its ports to the Republic of Cyprus, negotiation talks will come to a halt.

[12] The Cyprus problem to be discussed at Erdogan-Merkel meeting

[13] German President to visit Turkey between 18-22 October

[14] Gonzales calls on EU to keep promise regarding Turkeys membership

[15] Turkey to open foreign trade office in Ramallah

[16] Rasmussen to visit Turkey for talks on new direction for NATO

[17] Russian and Turkish businessmen sign deal to boost trade ties

[18] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu ready for a tripartite meeting

Describing his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as very useful, Eroglu said that they were in total agreement on all the outstanding issues. He added that they discussed the latest phase on the Cyprus issue, the negotiations process and the events following his visit to New York.

During his stay in Ankara Eroglu also met with the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Isik Kosaner. We held a very sincere meeting with Mr Kosaner regarding his new duty and the Cyprus issue, Eroglu said. Eroglu had also a meeting with the CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

[02] Eroglu: We must follow the Turkish example

Eroglu also said that to stand on its own feet, the Turkish Cypriot economy and politics must follow the example of the Turkish economy and the business world. He added that a strong economy means strong people and a strong state and said: We want a more robust economy, more independent growth, an increase in investments, a TRNC with a strong economy, of which our citizens and our brothers in Turkey will be proud.

Regarding the Cyprus problem Eroglu wished for a solution, but stated he believes that the negative stance of the Greek Cypriot side will change according to the stances adopted by UN, EU and related countries. He also stressed that it is not possible to accept an agreement that will bring the Cyprus Turkish people prior to the 1974 situation and will disrupt the socio-economic life.

[03] Kucuk: We continue the structural reforms

Kucuk also said efforts will continue to make the TRNC an investment friendly country in the world, utilizing Turkeys experience and taking as reference the studies of the World Bank and EU for TRNC.

Moreover, Kucuk presented the proposals-findings of the meeting which consist of 38 articles covering the following areas: public sector reforms, Cyprus Turkish Development Agencys (YAGA) increased activities, transparent tender system, lack of coordination in the public sector, conditions for economic competition, strengthening of cooperation between Turkey and TRNC companies, restraint on bureaucracy, increase of personnel at the Immovable Property Committee, telecommunication services, energy production and distribution, airport management, continuous privatization in areas like air and sea transport, and comprehensive legal reform.

It was also announced that the Committee will monitor developments in these areas and convene again in three months to assess the situation. The committees permanent members are: TRNC prime ministry, Turkish state ministry responsible for TRNC affairs, related ministries in the TRNC, the representative of the center for EU coordination, YAGA representative, Turkeys ambassador, the co-chairmen of Turkey - TRNC technical committee, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Trade Chamber, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Industrial Chamber, representatives from the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), and the co-chairmen of Turkish - TRNC Business Council.

[04] Cicek criticized the fact that the population figures of the occupied areas of Cyprus are not known

Addressing the TRNC Foreign Investment Consultative Committee held yesterday in the occupied areas of Cyprus, Cicek said the following regarding the issue of the population in the occupied areas of the island: Is the population of this place 250 thousands? Is it 270 thousands? Is it 300 thousands? Or is it one million, like in the public auctions? I have once been a mayor. The numbers of the population were exaggerated in order to secure aid from the state The numbers given by the state should above all be reliable. Therefore, a serious state reform is needed.

Cicek also referred to the issue of the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines (KTHY) and said that KTHY is dead. Today we trying to see how we will hold its funeral, he added. He noted that the KTHY had come into a difficult situation because of the exaggerated number of employees and added that the company was profitable when it was cooperating with the Turkish Airlines (THY).

Cicek accused the government of the breakaway regime for the situation, noting that measures should have been taken from the very beginning. He said that everybody in the occupied areas of Cyprus is trying to secure employment in the public sector and that the private sector cannot find personnel.

[05] Press reaction to Ciceks statement on the population in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Daily Afrika in its column The hero of the day gives this title to Cicek and reports that neither does Cicek know the population in the occupied part of Cyprus. The paper writes, inter alia: Goodness mister CicekYou heaped up here whatever you had. And now you have the audacity to blame us because we have lost count. We know our population. You tell us [the number of] your population here.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue in his daily column in Kibris newspaper (06.10.10), Resat Akar reports that Cicek expressed Turkeys view for the Turkish Cypriots and points out that this view is that the hands, the feet, the eyes, the ears of this naughty child are all black and blue. Under the title What is the name of the child? Akar says that Cicek was right on the accusations about the illegal Turkish Cypriot Airlines and points out that the Turkish Cypriots have also been asking the same questions as Cicek about the population for many months now. Akar wonders who will reveal the truth on the issue of the population, since the authorities of the breakaway regime cannot control their border gates and do not know how many persons live illegally in the country.

The fact that the TRNC authorities did not put forward any view in face of Ciceks questions, has proved all the estimates, points out Akar underlining especially the criminal acts which have increased because of the increased population. He says that the question posed by Cicek should encourage some people, and that a real population census should be carried out in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Daily Havadis (06.10.10) refers to Ciceks statements and wonders who increases the population. The paper writes that Cicek said that no investment could be made in the occupied areas of Cyprus without knowing population figures.

Daily Ortam (06.10.10) refers to the issue under the title What is your population? and writes that Cicek said that the population of the TRNC is not known.

[06] Turkey and the occupation regime agree to establish a new airlines company

Ersan Saner, so-called minister of transportation, said yesterday that the decision was made at the meeting with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, who is in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

We agreed on the establishment of a new airlines company which will draw advantage from Turkey's flag carrier THY's experiences. Private air carriers will hold shares in the new company, Saner told the illegal TAK.

[07] Turkey and the breakaway regime sign a cooperation protocol on Courts of Accounts

Turkey's Court of Accounts Chairman Recai Akyel and so-called TRNC Court of Accounts deputy chairman Sukru Cankaya signed a protocol envisaging exchange of information and experience between the two courts.

[08] GAU campus to be given green light

Ilkay Kamil confirmed to Cyprus Today for the first time that the controversial project will be approved by Cabinet members and building permissions granted within the next week. This is despite the fact the land is both archaeologically and environmentally protected.

GAU wants to build on 191 donums of land near Dipkarpaz, despite a previous ban on such development.

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) deputy Dr Arif Albayarak one of the most outspoken critics of the plans claimed the UBP-led government would do whatever it took to see the project realised. Wasnt there anywhere else this campus could have been constructed? he said.

Unfortunately, our record with regards to development and the environment is not good. Im not against universities developing. However, every project should have been done according to legislation. In future the protected areas will be filled with concrete because there is no system to stop it.

Dr Dervis Yuksel, from Near East Universitys Faculty of Tourism, said he did not think it was feasible to build on such a site and questioned why the European Union had not stepped in to stop the looting of the peninsula.

Just like the issue of taking electricity from along the edge of the peninsula, this is also something that has been imposed by Turkey, he said. I must say that I can understand our politicians attitude to the issue what I cannot understand is that the EU had failed us in stopping the looting.

GAU have refused to comment but said it was up to the TRNC government to make the right decision. Mr Kamil pledged the development would be environmentally friendly.

He said: Our universities are obliged to protect the environment. I do not believe they will construct anything that will damage it.

The area was included in a list of EU Natura 2000 sites to become special environmental protection areas following a Cyprus settlement. The European Commission said in August it would take appropriate action if necessary. However, nobody from the EC was available for comment yesterday.

As reported previously, GAU wants to launch a maritime faculty, which will include a marina, an archaeological studies institute, underwater research institute, faculty of aviation management, faculty of agriculture and English prep school at the site, which will cater for about 1,5000 students.

Earlier this year, Hasan Islamoglu, under-secretary of the Interior and Local Administrations Ministry, said the project would be approved so the Karpaz could not be returned to the Greek Cypriots as part of any potential peace deal.

He also rejected a recent decision by the Supreme Monuments Council banning any development near to Ay Philon monastery, which was built on Hellenic and Roman-era ruins in the firth century.

Interior and local administrations minister Ilkay Kamil has confirmed government plans to change the Karpaz decree to allow development.

Mr Kamil told Cyprus Today that the decree would be altered to soften building regulatiosn and provide more sources of income for the municipalities.

Cyprus Today revealed in August that the City Planning Centre had been asked to look at making changes to the Karpaz decree, which had been introduced to save the area from development.

There are rumours the government is in talks with investors wanting to build hotels on Golden Beach. Also that month, ministry under-secretary Hasan Islamoglu said that the government was to allow development in the Karpaz so the Greek Cypriots could not win the peninsula back.

At the time he said: We are taking this initiative in order not to return the Karpaz to the Greek Cypriots. There will be development in all areas where there are no trees. We will protect the area environmentally, but we should also be aware of the games being played.

The Greek Cypriot side continues to press for the Karpaz to be returned to its rule, especially in the event of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

No objections were made to Julys Cabinet decision to change the status of the Karpaz National Park to allow Girne American University to build its campus there.

This was despite claims that it had been made illegally, working on the recommendation of Agriculture and Natural Resources Minister Zorlu Tore and not, as required by law, a recommendation from the Tourism, Environment and Culture Minister, Kemal Durust.

Cabinet agreed to change the status of the area in handing over more than 190 donums to be university.

The issue could have been challenged in the High Administrative Court by the environmental associations but the chairman of the Green Action Group, Dogan Sahir, told Cyprus Today it would have had little or no effect on the government plans.

An objection made to the High Administrative Court would have only delayed the issue a few weeks, he said. Even if the court had decided in favour of the environmentalists, the Cabinet could have changed the procedure and a new proposal would have been made by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture. We consulted lawyers and looking at a previous case where it took 11 months for the High Administrative Court to decide on a request for an interim order, it would have been a waste of time.

[09] Increase in imports and exports - Rise in the cost of living

According to the data given by the so-called trade department, 68.2% of imports were from Turkey, 15.9% from EU countries, 6.2% from Far East countries and 4.7% from Middle East countries.

In addition, of the exports in 2010, 44.7% were to Turkey, 6% to EU countries, 0.3% to Far Eastern countries, 5.7% to other European countries, 38.6% to Middle Eastern countries and the remainder 4.7% to other countries.

Particularly, in 2010, imports from Turkey reached US$582.712.625, while exports reached US$28.267.58. Moreover, during the first seven months of the year, imports worth US$134.510.601 dollars were made from EU countries, while exports reached US$3.791.571.

Moreover, the paper reports that the cost of living in the occupied areas for the month of September was 0.65%. According to data given by the so-called state planning organisation, the consumer price index in the occupied areas showed a difference of 0.65% in comparison to the previous month, 2.58% in comparison to previous December and 5.17% in comparison to the same month of the previous year.

According to the data, there have been price increases in all fields. Particularly, there was an increase of 0.98% in education, 0.83% in restaurants and hotels, 0.11% in furniture and house appliances, and 0.07% in services. As it is reported, increase has been observed on the average price of 163 products, while reduction has been observed on the average price of 133 products.

[10] Cultural and Congress Centre constructed in occupied Famagusta

According to statements by the so-called mayor of occupied Famagusta, Oktay Kayalp, the centre is the biggest in occupied Cyprus. The centre is expected to contribute to tourism as well.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Filote: if Turkey does not open its ports to the Republic of Cyprus, negotiation talks will come to a halt.

According to the paper, evaluating Turkeys EU accession process, Angela Filote said that the issue of progress or not in Turkeys EU negotiation process is linked with the opening of its ports to the Greek Cypriot side. Pointing out that there is a lot of work to be done, she said: We do not even want to think what will happen if Turkey does not implement the Additional of Protocol which envisages the opening of Turkish ports to south Cyprus. Only three chapters remain to be opened. If Turkey does not implement the protocol, negotiations will come to a halt. We shall not wait for the train to crash.

Asked to reply why the accession process is slow and say what prevents its progress, Filote said: For us the biggest obstacle is the Cyprus problem, in other words the Additional Protocol, since a lot of chapters cannot open because of this. If a solution is found then the process can be accelarated. We are entering a critical phase. There are 18 frozen chapters which could not open for negotiations and it is difficult to find a solution. A big country like Turkey needs to go through a complicated process in order to meet the prerequisites because the quality of the process is very important. We are forced to see the reforms in Turkey, how legislation affects peoples lives and how the juridical reforms are implemented.

(AK)

[12] The Cyprus problem to be discussed at Erdogan-Merkel meeting

Diplomatic sources say that among other matters, Germany wants to discuss the Cyprus problem in particular. Diplomatic sources also report that Germany is exerting efforts to support Turkeys negotiation process.

(AK)

[13] German President to visit Turkey between 18-22 October

In a televised interview, Wuff said that recent developments in Turkey are remarkable, citing among them the results of the referendum constitutional reforms, and noted that the EU should give Turkey a fair chance in joining the EU.

The paper also reports that Wulff is to pay a four-day (18-22 Oct.) visit to Turkey on the invitation of President Abdullah Gul, for talks with Turkish officials on bilateral relations, the integration of the Turkish community in German society and Turkeys EU membership talks. He is also expected to lay the foundation of the German-Turkish University in Istanbul.

[14] Gonzales calls on EU to keep promise regarding Turkeys membership

[15] Turkey to open foreign trade office in Ramallah

Recalling that Turkish companies are shipping products to Palestine through Israel because of the Israeli embargo on Gaza, Caglayan said Turkey's office in Ramallah is a first, in a move to make bilateral trade official. He said Turkey's aim is not to by-pass Israel.

[16] Rasmussen to visit Turkey for talks on new direction for NATO

The paper adds that key elements in the new strategic concept are the collective defence principle, guidelines for NATOs out-of-area operations. Another key focus of the new document is expected to be non-military measures to prevent or contain security crises and partnership programmes with non-NATO members and cyber security. In addition to the new strategic concept of NATO, Rasmussen and Turkish officials are also expected to discuss US plans to establish a missile defence shield in Europe.

[17] Russian and Turkish businessmen sign deal to boost trade ties

The signing ceremony was held on Monday at the chamber s headquarters in Moscow between RF CCI President Yevgeny Primakov and TUSKON President R1za Nur Meral. The main goal of the deal is to increase cooperation by facilitating business meetings, mutual visits and special gatherings to explore business opportunities between businessmen from both countries.

[18] Highlights

a) MIT Undersecretarys Contacts

A report in Taraf by Lale Kemal says that MIT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan held talks with CIA officials during his recent US visit to discuss cooperation against the PKK. According to the report, CIA officials informed Fidan that they expect MIT to "closely cooperate with the US and other intelligence organizations against Al-Qa'ida, HAMAS, Hizbullah, and the extensions of the Al-Qa'ida in Iraq." The CIA is said to have told Fidan that such cooperation will enhance the prestige of the MIT throughout the world.

b) National Security Document

A report in Milliyet cites Hurriyet's Ankara representative Metehan Demiras as saying that the government is planning to make "radical changes" to the National Security Document, which is known as "Red Book". It says that the proposed changes will be adopted after they are discussed in the National Security Council meeting to be held at the end of October, adding, the term "reactionarism" is expected to be removed from the document which was last revised in 2005.

c) Former Police Chief Hanefi Avci

A report in Star says that in a studio debate on the Haberturk television network, Asst Prof Onder Aytac claimed that certain journalists and military officials contributed to Avci's book which targeted the Fethullah Gulen community, with the purpose of increasing the "no" votes in the 12 September referendum. According to the report, Milliyet correspondent Nedim Sener, Vatan editor-in-chief Tayfun Hopali, Vatan columnist Rusen Cakir, Hurriyet columnist Soner Yalcin, Hurriyet editor-in-chief Necdet Acan, and Hurriyet correspondent Toygun Atila assisted Avci to write his book.

Zaman columnist Ali Unal asserts that Hanefi Avci's book is being used as part of a "sinister operation" by a pro-status quo group against the Gulen community. He claims that the operation is aimed among other things at manipulating the ruling AKP into "purging the state apparatus of elements of the [Gulen] community." He claims that there are AKP deputies displeased with the activities of the Gulen community and warns the AKP leadership against falling into this "dangerous trap."

d) CHP's changing strategy

An article in Hurriyet by Fatih Cekirge points out that, following the election of Kemal Kilicdaroglu as the new party leader, the party started to implement the policy of "positive opposition," which signalled its intention to solve the headscarf problem, called for cooperation to draft a new constitution, and finally asked the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government to hold a closed session to brief the parliament over its Kurdish overture.

Radikal columnist Murat Yetkin views Kilicdaroglu's efforts to change the party mentality and to end the headscarf controversy and points to the difficulties in overcoming obstacles created by the "deep CHP," Yetkin asserts that the leader is telling his deputies that the CHP should become a pro-solution party, which tries to "remove the artificial problems between itself and the actual political agenda."

e) Turkish F-16 Pilot in Terror Camp

Milliyet carries an AP report which cites a high-ranking Pakistani intelligence official as claiming that there are Turks among the Al-Qa'ida members who are being trained for terrorist attacks in Europe. According to the report, the official said that the presence of a Turkish F-16 pilot in the terrorist camp surprisingly shows that even the educated people are joining radical groups in the name Islamic ideology. Vatan and Taraf carry similar front-page reports on the unnamed Pakistani official's claim over the former Turkish pilot's participation in terrorists' training camps.

f) Turkish-Israeli Relations

Hurriyet Daily News carries an article by Semih Idiz, who makes an analysis of an article published in the Israeli daily Jerusalem Post which claimed that "the questionable intentions of the ruling party, shady monetary sources and practices, and the strengthening the Islamist ideology of the ruling party have been slowly eroding Turkey's secular culture, undermining the power nationalists and the judiciary once had". Idiz says that the Mosad might be deliberately spreading those allegations in an effort to influence the Jewish Americans against Turkey.

An article by Cumhuriyet's Ankara representative Utku Cakirozer focuses on the strained relations between Turkey and Israel since the attack on the Humanitarian Aid Association flotilla heading to Gaza. Cakirozer says that although the UN declared the Israeli action as an "unlawful assault," the US security units are conducting an official investigation into the alleged connections between the Turkey-based IHH and terrorist organizations in different countries.

g) Turkey-China joint manoeuvre

Today's Zaman columnist Lale Kemal interprets the recent Turkish-Chinese aerial military exercises in Konya as meaning that "Turkey and China are beginning to see each other as friendly, to the extent that realpolitik dictates," adding that the "maneuvers can be seen against the background of Ankara's 'zero problems' policy" and its efforts to "influence world politics as a Muslim democracy." She also asserts that the joint exercises "will likely send the wrong signals to Europe and the US."

Milli Gazete columnist Abdullah Ozkan comments on President Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's emphasis in two recent speeches on the need for a new world order based on justice, common sense, and conscience. He hails Gul and Davutoglu's messages as an indication that Ankara has realized that there is no point in Turkey trying to emerge as an influential regional and global player in a world system that cannot implement international laws effectively and refrains from ensuring an equitable distribution of income and is likely to collapse any time as a result of international global recessions. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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