Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-12-07

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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] Negotiations on the Cyprus problem resumed

[02] Rauf Denktas says the single sovereignty and single state "concession" does not bind Eroglu

[03] CTP-BG participated in PES council meeting

[04] BKP acquires observer status in the European Left Party

[05] A survey on relations between Turkey and "TRNC"

[06] Azizoglu: Target to raise the number of students to 100.000

[07] Panel discussion by the group "Varosha initiative"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] "Turkey-Cyprus dialogue" meeting in Istanbul

[09] Palestinian leader Abbas pays official visit to Turkey

[10] A newly drafted bill to amend Law on Political Parties

[11] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Negotiations on the Cyprus problem resumed

Eroglu said that the timetable of December talks were also determined during meeting. The two leaders will meet on 13, 21 and 28 December.

Eroglu explained that, in the new procedure of the talks, following the tripartite Cyprus summit in New York, they will take up the work of their special representatives on possible convergences, and will work to conclude it if possible. Noting that Ozersay and Iacovou discussed the main points of disagreement on the economy chapter during their meetings last week, Eroglu said that the territory issue might come on the agenda at the next meeting of the special aides. He also reiterated his determination to continue the resumed talks with the Greek Cypriot side with the aim of reaching a political agreement on the basis of the United Nations parameters.

[02] Rauf Denktas says the single sovereignty and single state "concession" does not bind Eroglu

In a written statement to illegal TAK news agency, Denktas noted that President Christofias and the UN Secretary-General "are of the opinion" that agreement has been reached in Cyprus on the issue of single people and single sovereignty. However, he added, Mehmet Ali Talat argues that he never talked about one people.

Denktas noted that Eroglu is obliged to state to the UN Secretary-General and President Christofias that "the Turkish Cypriot people is one of the two equal sovereign peoples who do not accept their right of determining their own future to be debated and have no intention of making concessions on this".

"Eroglu has been elected by giving this promise to the people and Talat lost because concessions were made on the issue of single sovereignty and single state", said Denktas.

(I/Ts.)

[03] CTP-BG participated in PES council meeting

In the framework of the meeting, the CTP-BG delegation met with the PES chairman Paul Nyrup Rasmussen, the general secretary Phillip Cordery, the Vice-President of the European Parliament and Coordinator of the High Level Contact Group for relations with the Turkish Cypriot community, Libor Roucek, and the chairman of the EP Socialist group, Martin Schultz. The delegation also met with representatives of the German Social Democrat Party, the French Socialist Party, the Greek Socialist Party (PASOK), and with Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) from Turkey.

This is the first time CTP-BG attends a PES council in the capacity of member.

[04] BKP acquires observer status in the European Left Party

[05] A survey on relations between Turkey and "TRNC"

Responding to the question "how relations between Turkey and 'TRNC' should be", 34% answered that the existing relations should continue, 33% answered that the influence of Turkish officials on the so-called government officials should be reduced and the decisions of the "TRNC government officials" on various issues should be more independent and efficient. The "TRNC government officials" should be completely independent from Turkey's government officials was the view of 18%, and 15% answered that Turkey's government officials should exercise more influence on "TRNC government officials".

The survey also shows that 50.4% of those whose parents are from Turkey answered that they support the current relations between Turkey and the occupation regime. However, only 29% of those whose parents are from Cyprus support the current relations between Turkey and the occupation regime.

[06] Azizoglu: Target to raise the number of students to 100.000

In a written statement, Azizoglu said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, together with the rectors of the "TRNC universities" decided that efforts will be exerted to increase the number of students.

Azizoglu further stated that intensive efforts are being exerted to attract students from Gulf Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and from Higher Education Institutes and universities of Africa and Asia countries.

(AK)

[07] Panel discussion by the group "Varosha initiative"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] "Turkey-Cyprus dialogue" meeting in Istanbul

TESEV organized the meeting with political and civil society organization representatives from both sides of Cyprus as well as Turkey on the current state of affairs, the UN secretary-general's report on ongoing negotiations, as well as whether it will be a "make-or-break" year in finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

According to Nami, as neither Cypriot side has adopted a strategy of pushing for a solution before Greek Cyprus' elections in May 2011, an independent international body like the UN must take a stronger stand in the process to reach a solution. In this way, the UN would help both parties move forward through behind-the-scenes diplomacy, Nami said. "If parties are still unable to negotiate, then an international conference will have to be held in the future," Nami said, adding that "even that would cause a status problem for southern Cyprus, as it would want to be represented as the Republic of Cyprus, which is unacceptable for the northern third of the island."

The paper, inter alia, reported that Nami said he is pessimistic that an agreement will be reached by either January or May next year. "In January, [Ban] will [probably] say it is obvious both sides need more time to solve the issue," he said, adding that they would then have to wait for the "southern Cyprus" elections results in May, plus an additional period until the newly elected government makes a commitment for negotiations with "northern Cyprus".

Furthermore, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (07.12.10), reporting on the same event writes that Turkish and Greek Cypriot observers have said that as UN-mediated talks to reunify the divided island of Cyprus stagnate, hopes for a comprehensive solution have started to fade, but there is still a chance, albeit a small one, for working out the details of the thorny property issue. During the TESEV meeting, the observers agreed that negotiations are likely to fail prior to elections in the Greek Cypriot administration in May and elections in Turkey in June 2011, if the Turkish and Greek sides are not able to make progress.

The paper, inter alia, reports that participants at the TESEV meeting in Istanbul said Turkish and Greek Cypriots have been engaged in a mutual "blame game" rather than in activity that will produce solutions. They also said optimism for a solution has been fading mainly because incentives for a solution do not exist anymore as Greek Cyprus is already a member of the European Union, which does not seem so keen on Turkey's membership and as Turkey loses interest in the EU as well.

Speaking to Today's Zaman, one participant said there might not be a need for a comprehensive solution anymore. "Maybe there is a need to redefine parameters for a new Cyprus settlement if talks fail," Erol Kaymak from the "Eastern Mediterranean University" ("DAU") based in the "TRNC" said. He said that "negotiations can succeed if people are realistic." "Maybe a federation will fall off the agenda if the current negotiations fail. And instead of a comprehensive settlement, there can be normalization short of political reunification," Kaymak said.

[09] Palestinian leader Abbas pays official visit to Turkey

Citing information by CNNTurk channel, HDN reports that Abbas and Erdogan discussed the latest developments in the Middle East peace process, Palestine's relations with neighbouring countries and preserving internal unity within Palestine. The meeting with Gul focused on the stalled peace talks with Israel, reports said.

In a joint press conference with Abbas following their meeting Monday, Gul said he emphasized that the establishment of an independent Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is crucial in achieving peace in the region. He added that Turkey support the peace talks stressing that in order to improve the living standards of the 1.5 million people in Gaza, the blockades must be removed, and Israel must adopt new politics so that aid can reach Gaza. Gul said. "Turkey's close cooperation and solidarity with Palestine will continue. Turkey will continue its social and economic support and aid to Palestine."

[10] A newly drafted bill to amend Law on Political Parties

The Law on Political Parties came into force in 1983 and has often been the focus of criticism on the grounds that it allows anti-democratic practices. The draft bill, prepared by Ministry of Justice, proposes amendments that would make it more difficult to shut down political parties.

Party closure cases will have to be judged in accordance with the Council of Europe's Venice Commission criteria. Moreover, the bill envisages improvement of democratic standards within political parties, determination of party leadership through an election, prohibition of arbitrary membership annulment and transparency in the financial affairs of political parties.

The Ministry of Justice plans to present the bill for approval in Parliament shortly after upcoming parliamentary elections slated for June 2011.

[11] Highlights

a) Turkey-Israel

An article by Ugur Ergan, in Hurriyet under the headline "Turkey and Israel seek to compromise" reports a meeting in Geneva between Turkish and Israeli envoys. The envoys discussed methods to put bilateral relations back on track. Citing diplomatic sources, the paper says Israel and Turkey are going to work on a joint text which will be satisfactory for both Turkish and Israeli public opinions.

An article in Milliyet by Semih Idiz, entitled "Window of opportunity came after a disaster" says: "Turkey's firefighting assistance to Israel immediately resounded positively in international diplomatic circles. The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the first to congratulate Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. (...) Now it remains to be seen whether there will be any foresighted steps to utilize the window of opportunity in relations between Turkey and Israel. It is obvious that Israel has to accept somehow its responsibility on the Mavi Marmara disaster. That is why Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks that 'Israel will find a proper way to to demonstrate its appreciation for the Turkish efforts on firefighting' is very important." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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