Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-12-21

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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's health is good

[02] Ozersay says the negotiations will not be disrupted

[03] "Financial fascism" at Agios Dometios crossing point

[04] The director of the "customs department" clarifies what can be purchased in the free areas of Cyprus

[05] Agreement on the new "airline" signed

[06] 2011 Environment Year in the "TRNC"

[07] New mosque inaugurated in occupied Marathovounos; another one to be constructed in occupied Lefkosia

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Turkey U.S. relations over Armenian resolution

[09] Erdo
an praises growing cooperation with Syria; Syrian leader proposes Schengen-like visa-free zone

[10] Turkey to host trilateral summit meeting

[11] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu's health is good

The Turkish President Abdullah Gul was Eroglu's first visitor after he moved from the intensive care ward. Gul stayed for 40 minutes at the hospital. In statements to the press, he said Eroglu was in good condition and wished him full recovery soon.

The former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and the Speaker of the Turkish Grant National Assembly (TGNA), Mehmet Ali Sahin also visited Eroglu yesterday.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay says the negotiations will not be disrupted

Ozersay met yesterday with the Presidential Commissioner, George Iacovou within the framework of the Cyprus talks. Economy was discussed during their two-hour meeting.

In statements to illegal Bayrak television after the meeting, Ozersay said he does not think that the negotiations will be disrupted in any way as a result of the illness of Dervis Eroglu. Commenting on allegations that the process might be delayed, Ozersay noted: "We do not envisage any delay in the process, including the meeting in Geneva".

Ozersay said some more progress was achieved on the "Economy" chapter, "even if this is not clarified yet". He noted that the meeting of the two representatives on Wednesday will be held "in the manner and with the agenda planned".

Asked whether any delay is envisaged in the process, Ozersay said both the UN and the Greek Cypriot side agree on the issue that there is no need for any change in the course of the negotiations.

He alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue the process with the same "determination and constructive attitude", because its target is to reach a comprehensive solution within the first quarter of 2011, as the UN Secretary-General said.

(I/Ts.)

[03] "Financial fascism" at Agios Dometios crossing point

According to the paper, the "Trade Unions Platform" is to organize today at 11.00 a protest at Agios Dometios crossing point against the measures.

In a written statement on the issue, Adnan Eraslan, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) described the measures at crossing points as "financial fascism". Eraslan stated further that it is everyone's human right to be free to make their shopping. He then called on shopkeepers to consider why people prefer to do their shopping in "south Cyprus" and criticised those who do not reduce prices.

Eraslan also criticised the self-styled government which, as he said, in any case wants them to buy expensive goods from the "north" and speaks of the protection of the Turkish Cypriot economy and the development of businessmen.

Moreover, in a written statement yesterday, Salih Efendi, member of the "executive board" of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) stated that a complaint will be submitted to the EU regarding the measures at crossing points.

Salih Efendi strongly criticised the self-styled government and "finance minister" Ersin Tatar for the unjust behaviour towards Turkish Cypriot citizens and said that these measures do not conform to the Green Line Regulation.

(AK)

[04] The director of the "customs department" clarifies what can be purchased in the free areas of Cyprus

In statements to Kibris, Cobanoglu noted that this amount does not include any products, but only goods needed by a person during the trip. He said products such as electronic goods, automobile spare parts, furniture and toys are not included in this scope. Referring to those who think that they are free to buy whatever they want as long as they did not buy it to sell it, he pointed out that this is not valid.

Cobanoglu noted that "people must be aware of this" or else they will pay tariffs. Cobanoglu said that "citizens" themselves demanded intensification of the controls at the barricades because there is "exaggerated shopping" in the free areas of the island. He added that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce has also frequently demanded stricter measures.

He said controls have increased in the past few days after it was observed that shopping of the Turkish Cypriots in the free areas increased.

Moreover, Cobanoglu argued that if people obtain "import permits" and pay taxes at the barricades, there will be no problem to buy goods in the free areas of the island. He said the tax rate is 30%.

Cobanoglu stated that the controls carried out during the past 2-3 days, show that people mostly buy toys, furniture, flowers, meat, meat products, milk and dairy products. He noted that tolerance is exhibited regarding purchase of toys, meat or dairy products in small quantities, but that the purchase of 5 or 10 kilos of meat cannot be permitted.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Agreement on the new "airline" signed

Noting that applications from other airline companies such as Sky Air and Onur Air to fly to and from the occupied areas are also being evaluated, Kucuk said that once the these are approved, there will be 7 airlines in total will be flying to and from the occupied areas.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (21.12.10) reports that the agreement to establish the new "airline" was signed yesterday by the Turkish Airlines, 10 private companies and the so-called ministry of public works and transportation.

According to the agreement, 60% shares of the new "airline" belong to the private sector, 30% to the occupation regime and 10% to the Turkish Airlines (THY). The administration board of the airline will consist of 7 persons. During the first five years, there will be 4 representatives from the THY, 2 from the private sector and 1 from the occupation regime.

[06] 2011 Environment Year in the "TRNC"

He expressed the view that there will be an increase in the number of tourists visiting the "TRNC" once the project is implemented, since it aims to further enhance the reputation of the "TRNC" tourism potential in terms of nature and environment. He also announced that an educational campaign will be launched to raise awareness on environmental protection, preservation and conservation.

[07] New mosque inaugurated in occupied Marathovounos; another one to be constructed in occupied Lefkosia

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ekrem Tolklucu, special adviser to the Turkish Aid Delegation, responding to criticisms by some media, stated that the mosque was not constructed by the Aid Delegation of the Turkish Republic, but only financed. The construction, he said, is under the supervision of the Evkaf Foundation. He, inter alia, added that during the last three years, the Turkish Aid Delegation allocated three million TL (around 1.5 million Euros) for the construction of mosques.

For his part, the "mayor" of occupied Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari, inter alia, stated that they will continue to make mosques. Noting that in occupied Lefkosia there is not a proper mosque, he said that the founding stone of the new mosque will be laid in January. "Mosques are some of the beautiful monuments that show the existence of a country", he said.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Turkey ? U.S. relations over Armenian resolution

Davutoglu said the necessary warnings were conveyed to US officials, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, adding "we can no longer permit such resolutions to hang like the sword of Damocles in Turkish-US relations. (?) Turkey is determined to protect its national pride against all slanders and baseless allegations".

According to a written statement by the Prime Minister's Press Office, Erdogan expressed his concern that efforts by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives to ensure that the draft resolution numbered "H. Res. 252" is tabled at a plenary session for ratification, may harm the strong relations between Turkey and the United States.

[09] Erdogan praises growing cooperation with Syria; Syrian leader proposes Schengen-like visa-free zone

In an interview with Syrian news agency SANA, Erdogan said Turkey and Syria are working together to remove cold war-era obstacles, thus putting "history back on its right course." Erdogan was speaking prior to a meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council, which began late on Monday in Ankara.

Erdogan said the High-Level Strategic Council helped to establish a solid base for Turkish-Syrian ties to flourish. He also praised Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying his long-term strategic vision played a significant role in bringing about rapid progress in Syria's ties with Turkey.

He added that a joint technical committee is still working on plans to build a dam on the Orontes (Asi in Turkish) River, and on ways to increase the amount of water and electricity Turkey supplies to Syria. The two countries are involved in a project to connect their national natural gas networks as well. Erdogan also said tourism between the two countries has developed remarkably in recent years, adding that over 10 months of 2010, around one-and-a-half million Turkish tourists visited Syria, while up to 1 million Syrian tourists visited Turkey.

Bilateral trade has also increased, reaching $2.1 billion for the first 10 months of 2010, up from $1.4 billion last year. Syrian exports to Turkey rose from $283 million last year to $602 million over the first 10 months of this year. In addition to their bilateral cooperation, Turkey and Syria also signed a four-way agreement with Jordan and Lebanon to eventually create a free trade zone.

Moreover, according to an interview published in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (20.12.10, online) President Assad proposed a visa-free travel region for Syria, Iran, Turkey and other neighbouring countries similar to Europe's Schengen Zone.

Regarding the concept of an "Ottoman Nations Gathering", proposed by Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the Syrian leader said he could not evaluate what is meant by this phrase. He added that the question of how Turkish people define the difference between "Ottoman" and "Turkey" should be considered, and that it does not sound good if someone tells him that he comes from the Turkish nation. "Is this related to boundaries? I guess he [Davutoglu] is not talking about the spread of Turkey," al-Assad said.

[10] Turkey to host trilateral summit meeting

The statement said that ahead of the summit meeting, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold bilateral meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. Also the ministers of foreign affairs, ministers of interior, high-level military authorities, as well as the presidents of the chambers of commerce will hold parallel trilateral meetings, the results of which will then be presented to the presidents at their summit meeting. In addition, the conclusions of the trilateral meeting of directors of intelligence of the three countries, which will take place ahead of the trilateral summit, will also be presented to the presidents.

"A joint declaration will be adopted by the three presidents at the end of their summit meeting and for the first time in the margins of the Summit, a series of trilateral agreements will be signed also for first time ever," the statement said.

[11] Highlights

CHP congress aftermath

Tufan Turenc in Hurriyet sees a "light of hope" for Turkish democracy, pointing out that Kemal Kilicdaroglu in "his speech signalled the evolution of a social democrat party which Turkey has been longing for. All of this brings a light of hope for our democracy."

Cumhuriyet's Utku Cakirozer focuses on CHP's foreign policy priorities and argues that "CHP's essential approach on foreign affairs will be based on formulating policies compatible with Turkish Republic's fundamental principles. ... Today Turkish foreign policy fails considerably on fundamental values, such as democracy, rule of law, gender equality, and human rights. ... The CHP foreign policy will be considered positively by both the Western world and the Islamic world."

Yusuf Kanli of Hurriyet Daily News.com, observes that "Kemal Kilicdaroglu was the absolute winner of the main opposition Republican People's Party, (CHP), convention on Saturday. He says the 41 pledges made by Kilicdaroglu in his convention speech was in a way a skeleton of a government programme reaffirming the change in the CHP from one with a 'perennial opposition' mentality to one demanding the levers of power."

Milliyet's Taha Akyol finds some of Kilicdargolu's pledges "unrealistic." Akyol underlines the fact that he did not touch on freedom of religion and faith issues on the Kurdish problem. ...

Taraf's Markar Eseyan sees that CHP's change remains in limited scope, and points out that: " during his convention speech Kemal Kilicdaroglu did not pronounce 'Kurds' even once. Prime Minister Erdogan's speech in Bitlis was a response to Kilicdaroglu in a way. Prime Minister Erdogan mentioned 'Kurds' eight times and he even pronounced 'Kurdish people' for the first time."

A front-paged report in Yeni Akit entitled asserts that the three female CHP members elected to the party council "at Kemal Kilicdaroglu's instigation," Professor Binnaz Toprak, Perihan Sari, and Doga Cigdemoglu, have "organic ties" with Soros foundations.

Today's Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bulent Kenes discusses CHP leader Kilicdaroglu's congress messages and asserts that because of his "profound lack of courage" and "amateurish conformism," Kilicdaroglu will fail to "implement the change the CHP needs."

Milli Gazete columnist Abdulkadir Ozkan accuses the "pro-CHP news media" of engaging in wishful thinking in making "ambitious efforts" to represent the CHP as a party restructuring itself and preparing to come to power under its new leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. He argues that the CHP's pro-Establishment stance is at variance with its purported socio-democratic identity, adding that the changes in the CHP administration have not yet entailed any alterations to this party's "Fascist" tendency to "sanctify" the state.

The Kurdish issue

Yeni Safak columnist Yasin Aktay hails the "Democratic autonomy workshop" held by the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Congress in Diyarbakir over the weekend as an indication that the demilitarization process has started to promote the means and possibilities of politics in the southeast issue. Aktay goes on to argue that while Kurds are entitled to their right to voice demands for "democratic autonomy," it is not democratic in the least to declare autonomy unilaterally as the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and affiliated Kurdish groups have been doing recently. He also asserts that what the BDP is describing as an example of "direct democracy" where the Kurds are exercising their right of self-organization and self-governance is nothing but an attempt by a "professional armed group" to impose totalitarian rule on the people.

Congress bill on Armenian genocide

Zaman's Washington correspondent Ali H. Aslan comments on the developments involving what he describes as efforts by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her team to submit a bill to Congress recognizing the 1915 events in Ottoman Turkey as genocide of the Armenians. Aslan claims that Ankara and Washington are worried that if the bill is adopted, its negative impact on Turkish public opinion regarding the United States might harm both Turkish-US relations and the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement process. He also claims that no government in Turkey would fail to react to a bid by the US Congress to recognize the Armenian allegations of genocide.

Today's Zaman columnist Omer Taspinar asserts that Ankara is "on the wrong side of the [US] House of Representatives ... on two critical issues," namely Iran and Israel, adding that "under such circumstances, the Armenian lobby should not face a major challenge getting its way in passing the genocide resolution." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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