Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-12-13

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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] Columnist says there are no embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots

[02] Ersin Tatar on the alleged isolation of the occupied areas

[03] Kasif: "Even if TRNC is not official, is recognized"

[04] US Ambassador: "There are no US restrictions on TRNC"

[05] Rauf Denktas: "Turkey's guarantorship in Cyprus must continue until it is fully accepted in the EU"

[06] Serdar Denktas: "2011 a year of increased pressure and a difficult period for the Cyprus problem"

[07] A secret poll by UNFICYP good-mission office

[08] Illegal Turkish settlers established a "People's Justice Council"

[09] "Kaplan: 'Rotating presidency our proposal for solution'"

[10] Durduran: "altering the demographic structure is a primary problem"

[11] An "agricultural census" in the occupied areas

[12] Efforts for a new party launched; Columnist in Haberdar supports that AKP is behind this

[13] Illegal immigration documents found in occupied Cyprus

[14] Circulation of newspapers in the occupied areas

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[15] US President and Turkish PM speak on the phone on Wikileaks

[16] Turkish FM to visit New York

[17] "Senior Turkish judge selected to key ECHR post"

[18] Turkey may develop fighter aircraft with South Korea and Indonesia

[19] Turkish economy grew by 5.5% in the third quarter of 2010

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Columnist says there are no embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots

"We have always been relating to the embargoes our failure in the economy and the problems we experienced in the social, health, cultural and all other fields.

[We said:] 'What can we do, we could not succeed in the economy because the world imposes embargo on us. We cannot sell our products. We cannot develop our tourism because there are no direct flights!'

Actually all these are empty words of consolation.

We are obliged to talk and debate the realities now. Almost 40% of Cyprus is under Turkey's control. Britain, which is a guarantor power, has not implemented 'economic' embargo on Northern Cyprus in spite of this reality. If it had, would the airplanes of the Turkish Cypriot Airlines (KTHY) have been given permission to enter this country's ports, even indirectly?

Those who travel often would know. Especially in the last ten years, the flights of the KTHY are announced at London's Stansted Airport using the word 'Ercan'. British citizens were not told 'do not go to that country, it is dangerous, it is illegal'. Then, where is the embargo?

Let us continue. Stands of Northern Cyprus have been opened at tourism fairs organized in countries such as Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy and even France. Our tourist areas, mainly Keryneia and Karpass, have been promoted. No one said until today that 'you cannot advertise them, because these cities are occupied'.

Until three years ago, the number of tourists coming from Britain reached 80 thousand. Advertisements of Northern Cyprus are still being published in the British press, provided that they are paid. Would all these happen, if there was embargo?

I want to give another example from Britain and pass to America. First we could travel to Britain with passports of the Turkish Cypriot Federated State and then with the passports of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. No obligation for obtaining visa from the British consulate. When you arrived in Britain, the immigration officer granted entrance permit for six months on a small document. This practice continued until year 1997. Afterwards what happened? The administrators of the TRNC intensified the distribution of the TRNC passports together with the citizenship. A significant part of those who acquired a TRNC passport went to Britain and asked for asylum. In a short time, there was a boom in the number of those who snatched a house and financial aid by using the British laws. The inevitable happened in the end. The British government warned the TRNC authorities to 'stop distributing passports'. Our people did not listen. The warnings continued two, three, five, ten times. Our administrators did not listen again, thinking that 'a free and independent state gives passports and allocates plots of land'.

The Britons put an end to this film. The Turkish Cypriots were the victims. The period of 'when you have a job go to London' ended. Applying to the British consulate for visa and waiting for days has become obligatory.

Now let's pass to America. The USA Ambassadors and diplomats who served on our island especially after the 2004 referendum, have 'clearly' said many times that there is no embargo on Northern Cyprus. It has been noted that the American Airlines Company does not fly to Ercan [Tr. Note: illegal Tymvou airport] just as it does not fly to Larnaka, because of lack of passengers. It was said: 'If you are going to trade hamburger, do not insist on McDonalds', because they will not open another branch in Cyprus, as they already have one'.

The meaning of these messages is the following: 'There are plenty of brands in America. If the job cannot be done with one of them, try another. You will see that no obstacles exist in trade'.

Lastly, the current USA Ambassador Frank Urbancic has made important statements. Ambassador Urbancic, who was invited to a meeting of Rotary Club at Sarayonu in Lefkosia, said that his country does not put trade restrictions on Northern Cyprus. Furthermore, he explained the advantages of education in America and the franchise activities of American firms in the world. The Ambassador said that American firms could start trade relations with Turkish Cypriot firms, if there was demand for it.

Could it be a clearer message than this? There are no 'deadly embargoes' as we allege.

We should leave aside now the habit of making policy by hiding behind an economically, socially and culturally invalid word because our Cetinkaya or Kucuk Kaymakli [football] teams cannot play with Fenerbahce.

If we produce, we will sell. If we have money, we can buy whatever we want. And one last point. We are the ones who damage our relations with foreigners and because of this, we implement the actual embargo on the TRNC. We delay the sales of property. We do not give title deeds for sold properties. We even try to throw people out of houses they paid money for. This is the real embargo. It is not cutting one's own throat. This is committing suicide. Changing this system is inevitable. What we need is a clear and successful policy."

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ersin Tatar on the alleged isolation of the occupied areas

Tatar also pointed to the increase of airline prices after the demise of the illegal Cyprus Turkish Airlines ("KTHY"), expressing his satisfaction that Borjet has begun flights to the "TRNC" as it has created competition in the sector.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriots are drawing strength from Turkey, Tatar said "for years the TRNC has been subjected to unjust embargoes and international isolations". "Although the Cyprus Turkish people voted 65% in favour of the Annan Plan in 2004 and 75% of Greek Cypriots voted against it, the European Union has not fulfilled its promises and the Cyprus Turkish people are still subjected to embargoes, this fact alone also prevents our economy from developing," said Tatar.

[03] Kasif: "Even if TRNC is not official, is recognized"

Noting that "the students, who graduate from the universities in the TRNC, can find job opportunities in different places in the world", Kasif said "this is an indicator of an indirect recognition of the TRNC State".

[04] US Ambassador: "There are no US restrictions on TRNC"

Explaining to the Rotary Club members the advantages of studying in the USA, Ambassador Urbancic said that the cost of education in the States is lower than many other countries and that the US graduates are accepted in any place in the world.

[05] Rauf Denktas: "Turkey's guarantorship in Cyprus must continue until it is fully accepted in the EU"

Denktas said that an end was given to Greek Cypriot atrocities in 1974 by the Turkish "peace operation". Arguing that the European Union is using the Cyprus problem as a trump card with Turkey, Denktas said that the fact that "south Cyprus" was accepted as a full member of the EU, has changed the foundation of the Cyprus problem. "If the Greek Cypriot administration's proposal for two federations is accepted during the Geneva summit, then the Turkish people in Cyprus will be forced to leave the island," said Denktas.

Pointing to the strategic importance of Cyprus for Turkey, Denktas reiterated the importance for the Turkish Cypriots of Turkey's rights as guarantor power in Cyprus and added that Turkey's guarantorship in Cyprus must continue until it is fully accepted in the European Union.

[06] Serdar Denktas: "2011 a year of increased pressure and a difficult period for the Cyprus problem"

Regarding the internal situation, Serdar Denktas said the Turkish Cypriots have no power left to resist the financial and social problems. He said that though "we are inside the EU border. We are looked upon as individual EU citizens".

Referring to the "embargoes" allegedly imposed on sports and cultural activities, Serdar Denktas stated that even though the Turkish Cypriots are inside the EU borders, the Greek Cypriots are exerting efforts to exclude them from selling their products. Serdar stated further that he posed a question to the UN whether the Turkish Cypriots are considered Europeans but received no response, adding that it is the biggest shame for a community to be sentenced to live in this way. He said that filing lawsuit with the ECHR is being considered so that the Turkish Cypriots enjoy EU citizenship rights.

He also stressed the need for Turkey and Cyprus to be always side by side. Otherwise, he said, both "countries" have a lot to lose.

(AK)

[07] A secret poll by UNFICYP good-mission office

According to the poll results, the Greek Cypriots prefer "a solution based on a unitary state", while the ideal solution for the majority of the Turkish Cypriots is the "recognition of the TRNC".

The paper also reports that with the emergence of these results, EU and the USA are getting into action again to implement new strategies in order to revert the will of the Turkish Cypriots regarding the solution. According to this, while new funds have been transferred to USAID, UNOPS and USAID which are under the control of EU and USA for a potential referendum, the intensification of "bi-communal activities" has been decided as well as mobilization of "NGO's" active in the occupied areas.

According to the paper, activities and projects in the occupied areas will be organized and implemented by the US Embassy in Lefkosia as well as by the Head of the EC Representation, Androulla Kaminara.

[08] Illegal Turkish settlers established a "People's Justice Council"

The founders of HAK said the council has been established in order to "oppose racism, factionism and exploitation" and to "work in the direction of finding solutions on these issues". The basic aim of the organization is to create "citizen consciousness" in the "social, legal, economic, business, health, culture, sports and cultural fields", to "express the demands of the people" and make the current mechanism more functional in order to produce permanent and effective solutions.

The spokesman of HAK, Tekin Soylemez said this is a citizens' initiative with a broad base among the people and have no political goal. He noted that they will be the voice of "people who are made issue of debate", as he described the settlers, "but those views, feelings and wishes are not taken into consideration", and who "came to this country by any means, gained the right to reside [here] in the direction of the rules of the international law, but somehow have not been accepted".

He referred to the ongoing negotiations to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem and said that "novelties" are expected on many issues. He noted that part of these negotiations will be related to the settlers and to people living in Morfou or Karpass who will be displaced. He criticized the fact that these people have not been represented in any of the consulting councils established.

(I/Ts.)

[09] "Kaplan: 'Rotating presidency our proposal for solution'"

[10] Durduran: "Altering the demographic structure is a primary problem"

[11] An "agricultural census" in the occupied areas

[12] Efforts for a new party launched; Columnist in Haberdar supports that AKP is behind this

Invoking sources closed to Ertugruloglu, Haberdar reports that Tahsin Ertugruloglu will speed up preparations to establish in the forthcoming days and adds that as it is said, the works for the establishment of the party will be concluded during the first quarter of 2011.

On the same issue, Haberdar newspaper (13.12.10) publishes a commentary entitled "The new TRNC of AKP-Justice and Development Party", by columnist Nuri Silay.

Nuri Silay views AKP's pursued policy in the occupied area and the Cyprus problem as from 2002 and points out that following the policy of Turkification of the island using the Turkish settlers, and the efforts exerted to change the social structure of the "north" through economic measures, AKP is now following a new policy for the Islamification of the "TRNC".

Nuri Silay argues that in this way, the Turkish Cypriots will become Anatolians in a new economic and social and once they are instilled with the Islamic values, they will compose the new social structure of the north part of Cyprus. There will then be a need for a new political and social structure representing Cypriots and Turkish origin citizens adding that at that UBP, CTP and Denktas had lost their credibility.

Regarding the new party to be established, the columnist writes that the aim will be "the presidential system". He then supports that the new party to be established by Tahsin Ertugruloglu is a part of this game, the game of AKP and points out that the meeting which took place between Ertugruloglu, Avci and Aslanbaba constitutes the most concrete example?

[13] Illegal immigration documents found in occupied Cyprus

[14] Circulation of newspapers in the occupied areas

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[15] US President and Turkish PM speak on the phone on Wikileaks

"It is important that we do not allow an artificial agenda change the course of our relations. Obviously, it is very disturbing to witness that information based on rumours had found its way into official documents in such style and content. However we are ready to work with you to do what needs to be done in this process," the statement quoted Erdogan as telling the U.S. President. Erdogan also said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's expression of sadness and apology over the incident was praiseworthy.

The statement said Obama, had told the Turkish premier that the contents of the leaked diplomatic cables did not reflect the official views of the U.S. administration or diplomatic corp. "I want you to know that U.S.-Turkish partnership is one the most important relations in the world. Its roots are in our history and it promises a lot for the future. I personally cherish our friendship and sincere dialogue between us. We are saddened by hardship that this incident has caused," Obama told Erdogan.

The statement also said Obama thanked Erdogan for two fire-fighting planes Turkey sent to help Israel in its effort to put up a forest fire. "Besides being a humanitarian gesture, this is a sign of respect and friendship. I hope this gesture will speed up normalization of relations," Obama said.

The statement said Erdogan, in return, told Obama that Turkey's demand for an official apology and redress should be met before relations with Israel could go back to normal.

[16] Turkish FM to visit New York

[17] "Senior Turkish judge selected to key ECHR post"

The seven-person panel, members of which are appointed by the Council of European Union Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), now includes Selcuk. The panel investigates candidates from member countries for ECHR positions to decide whether they meet the eligibility criteria for judges set out in Article 21 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The panel will work to ensure that only top-quality judges make it to the ECHR.

The last say on a seat on the ECHR belongs to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The decision to establish the panel was made during a change-of-guard meeting when Turkey assumed the leadership of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Other members of the panel are Russian Constitutional Court President Valery Zorkin, Supreme Court of Ireland Chief Justice John Murray, Poland's Supreme Court member judge Katarzyna Gonera, former ECHR judges Matti Pellonpaa of Finland and Renate Jaeger of Germany as well as former ECHR Chief Justice Luzius Wildhaber of Switzerland.

[18] Turkey may develop fighter aircraft with South Korea and Indonesia

The paper reports the following:

"Maj. Gen. Choi Cha-kyu, director general of South Korea's aircraft programme bureau at the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration, said in September that Ankara was seriously considering taking part in the KF-X programme. 'There will be a requirement (in Turkey) to replace the older fighters with newer ones by 2020', the daily Korea Times quoted Choi as saying at the time. 'Once on board, Turkey is expected to bear the same amount of development costs as Indonesia'.

The KF-X is a mainly South Korean programme to develop an advanced multi-role fighter for the Air Forces of South Korea and Indonesia. It was originally launched in 2001, but then postponed because of financial and technological difficulties. The programme will resume next year with the consent of budget authorities. South Korea will provide 60% of the KF-X development costs worth some $4.2 billion, with the rest to come from other governments or corporate partners.

About 120 KF-Xs would be built initially and more than 130 aircraft would be produced additionally after the first-phase models reach operational capability. Under a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-July, Indonesia agreed to pay 20% of the bill and to buy about 50 KF-X planes when mass production begins. South Korea is also seeking to receive technology transfers from Western aerospace firms. One possible corporate partner is Sweden's Saab.

Turkey already has selected the US-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II as its next-generation fighter aircraft type. It plans to buy about 100 F-35 aircraft worth nearly $15 billion. Many Turkish companies are members of the nine-nation Joint Strike Fighter consortium of nine Western nations, and are producing parts for the aircraft.

Lockheed Martin, the US company leading the Joint Strike Fighter programme, wants Turkey to increase the number of F-35 planes it plans to buy to 120 from 100. Turkey will also receive 30 F-16 Block 50 fighters from Lockheed as a stop-gap solution until F-35 deliveries begin around 2015. But Turkish officials said they are open to participating in one more future international fighter aircraft programme.

Turkey is also facing pressure from Italy, a close defence partner, to buy the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a European consortium including companies from Italy, Britain, Germany and Spain.

Giovanni Bertolone, executive vice president for operations at Finmeccanica, a top Italian industrial conglomerate, in early December called on Turkey to jointly produce the next phase of the Eurofighter. Finmeccanica is the parent company of Alenia Aeronautica, one of the makers of the Eurofighter. Bertolone said the F-35 and the Eurofighter had different functions, and that Turkey could accommodate both fighters. The Eurofighter has been designed mainly as an air-to-air fighter while the F-35 is more suitable for air-to-ground missions.

In the event Turkey decides to buy the Eurofighter, these aircraft would replace the older US-made F-4E Phantoms, recently modernized by Israel. 'We're encouraging Turkey to follow the examples of Britain and Italy, which will have both aircraft', Bertolone said. 'Air-to-air fight capability is important, and we think this situation will gain prominence'.

Many analysts believe that the planned South Korean-led KF-X also would be suitable for air-to-air fighting."

[19] Turkish economy grew by 5.5% in the third quarter of 2010

TurkStat said the GDP in Q3 was calculated 298.89 billion TL (197.113 billion US dollars) in current prices, marking a 13.6% year-on-year rise. De-seasonalised year-on-year rise in GDP in the mean term in constant prices was 6.4%. De-seasonalised quarter-on-quarter rise in GDP in Q3 was 1%.

Turkish economy grew at 8.9% year-on-year in the three quarters (Q1 Q2 Q3) of 2010, as the GDP in the mean term reached 808.192 billion TL ($531.979 billion).

Construction sector recorded the fastest year-on-year growth among sectors with 24.6% also thanks to the base effect from the Q3-2009 when this sector contracted 18.2%. Fisheries followed the construction sector with 13%. The manufacturing sector, which contracted 4.2% in Q3-2009, grew 8.7% year-on-year in Q3-2010.

Meanwhile TurkStat revised the growth figures for Q1 and Q2 of 2010. Q1 growth figure, which was announced earlier as 11.7%, was revised as 11.8% and the Q2 figure of 10.3% was revised down to 10.2%. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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/EG

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