Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 10-12-23

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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] Downer gives interview to BRT

[02] Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side continue to exploit the incidents at the Basketball match

[03] The "Chamber of Industry" wants increase of the controls at barricades on the goods purchased by Turkish Cypriots in the free areas

[04] "A drug lord arrested in the TRNC"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[05] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the incidents after the APOEL-Pinar Karsiyaka game in Lefkosia

[06] Bagis: "This incident once again proved that the Greek Cypriot side does not desire co-existence"

[07] More on the incidents at APOEL- Pinar Karsiyaka basketball game

[08] Israeli ambassador in Ankara: "Cyprus-Israel agreement not related to Turkey"

[09] ECO summit starts today; Erdogan met with Ahmedinejad

[10] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Downer gives interview to BRT

He said that should momentum in the process start to diminish, or indeed if momentum is lost, then the UN Secretary General would want to do something about it to try to reinstate momentum. Downer also said that what the UN is trying to do is to get the leaders, out of the weeds of the issues onto the core questions and to achieve convergences by the tri-partite meeting in Geneva.

Asked to comment on what is expected at the meeting in Geneva and the period after that, the UN Special Envoy said that it was difficult to make a prediction. "What happens at Geneva and after that meeting will depend on what happens between now and the 26 January" Downer said.

[02] Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side continue to exploit the incidents at the Basketball match

Following are the front-page titles of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper on the issue:

Kibris: "Strong reaction from Ankara on the attack of the Turkish team by Greek fanatics: It is not possible to live with them". The paper reports on statements by Egemen Bagis, Turkish State Minister and EU negotiator while evaluating the incidents. Also the paper reports on statements by Faruk Ozak who stated that they do not want to be under the same roof with the Greek Cypriot state in the EU. He also said that the attack was perceived as an attack against the Turkish nation.

Gunes: "This cannot go on". The paper reports on the incidents at the basketball game and writes that while the attacks were condemned strongly in the "TRNC" and Turkey, the United Nations and the EU did not "hiss". The paper reports in its front page on statements on the incident by several Turkish Cypriot and Turkish politicians.

Halkin Sesi: "Reactions like an avalanche"

Afrika: "Christofias to the attackers: You are stupid". The paper reports on statements by President Demetris Christofias who strongly criticized the incidents.

Ortam: "No to racism"

Vatan: "Enosis spirit is still alive"

Volkan: "We will show the dogs the Greek soul". The paper writes in its sub-title that it appears the Turkish players were attacked with stones, gas bombs and sticks which took place in south Cyprus was an organized attack which was conducted with the support of the "Greek Cypriot administration"

The other Turkish Cypriot newspapers, that is Kibrisli, Yeni Duzen, Haberdar, Star Kibris, Bakis report on the incidents in their inside pages.

In statements to Gunes Hasan Bozer, "speaker" of the so called assembly, condemned the attacks against the Turkish team saying, inter alia, that the incidents were inhuman.

Gunes also reports that Kudret Ozersay, special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stressed the need for measures to confront the increased attacks taking place in the Greek Cypriot side recently.

Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister said that it is apparent that the racist attacks increased in the south and this shows how much right the Turkish Cypriots are.

Huseyin Ozgurgun also condemned the incidents and said that this kind of provocative behaviour especially during the negotiating process are not compatible with the atmosphere of the negotiations but poisons relations between the two peoples he said.

Statements on the issue were also made by the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas who, inter alia, said that EOKA started in the same way. He said that even though it is said that the incidents were caused by Greek Cypriot fanatics, we should not forget that it is the Greek Cypriots who attacked.

The press also publish the written statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

(AK)

[03] The "Chamber of Industry" wants increase of the controls at barricades on the goods purchased by Turkish Cypriots in the free areas

The chamber urged the regime to take the necessary measures to overcome the problem of the long queues at the barricades, which irks the tourists who visit the occupied part of Cyprus.

Noting that the import of products such as meat, milk and olive oil is forbidden in the occupied areas of Cyprus, the chamber said these products should not be purchased from the government-controlled areas of the Republic and expressed the belief that commercial goods could enter the occupied areas after the required customs tariffs are paid.

(I/Ts

[04] "A drug lord arrested in the TRNC"

According to the paper, Ayik is expected to be returned to the AFP, after being tried in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus for the crimes that committed there.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[05] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the incidents after the APOEL-Pinar Karsiyaka game in Lefkosia

"The athletes of Pinar Karsiyaka, which paired with the team of APOEL of the Greek Cypriot Sector in Group G of FIBA Men's EuroChallenge Cup, underwent an ugly attack yesterday after the game they played in the Greek Cypriot Sector.

While actually the visit of a team from Turkey to the Greek Cypriot Sector within the scope of an international tournament is an exceptional situation and it was expected that the required measures would be taken, the events showed that the security measures in the Greek Cypriot side were very insufficient and members of the group were injured.

The developments from the beginning of the incident were closely followed by our Ministry including our competent representatives and by our highest authorities. Intensive efforts were exerted by our side towards the UN Secretariat and the UN Peace Keeping Force on the island and by the TRNC authorities as well towards the Peace Keeping Force on the island and the Greek Cypriot officials in order to provide security to our athletes and safe transportation to Northern Cyprus. Within this framework, the UN Peace Keeping Force and the Greek Cypriot Sector's security units took the necessary measures in the place of residence of our athletes. Afterwards, because the Greek Cypriot officials did not view positively our demand that our athletes' cross into the TRNC, and taking into consideration the group's desire to return to Turkey without changing the itinerary, the departure of our athletes from the Greek Cypriot Sector for our country was secured this morning via Greece, after it had been guaranteed that the necessary security measures would be taken during their transfer to the airport.

Turning a sport activity into such an attack is strongly condemned as it shows the dimensions of fanaticism in the Greek Cypriot community and the lack of the culture of co-existence. And it causes concern as it constitutes a new action of hatred against the Turks which is increasing recently in the Greek Cypriot side.

We underline our belief that the international community and mainly the EU will make the necessary warnings in the context of the values of sports and culture and we declare that we will be following the event at all relevant institutions".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Bagis: "This incident once again proved that the Greek Cypriot side does not desire co-existence"

"This incident once again proved that the Greek Cypriot side does not desire co-existence under a fair, lasting settlement on the island. The incident also showed that the Greek Cypriot mentality of 1974 is still there. The attack should be examined very closely by the entire international community and this attitude should be punished," Bagis told at press meeting after receiving the Turkish players in Izmir airport.

"It is hard to maintain a lasting and fair peace when such attacks are made on athletes," stated Bagis. He said he spoke three times with Greek FM Dimitris Droutsas over the phone, twice with EU Commissioner for enlargement Stefan Fule and twice with Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun. He also said EU officials told him that the prosecution of those responsible for the attack would be closely monitored by the Commission.

[07] More on the incidents at APOEL- Pinar Karsiyaka basketball game

Under the front-page title "They would have lynched us" Turkish daily Sabah (23.12.10) reports on the incidents and writes that Turkish officials virtually moved the world in order to facilitate the safe return of the Turkish players to Turkey. Players of Pinar-Karsiyaka, speaking to reporters upon their return to Izmir, said that the Greek Cypriot attacks were "organized".

Birkan Batuk, player of the Pinar-Karsiyaka basketball team said that they did not face any problem during the match, however, after the game, there was an organised attack with stones and clubs. "In fact, there was no police protection," he said. Hakan Demir, the team's coach, said that after the game, they faced fanatics wearing masks and carrying clubs, at the door of the changing rooms. "We could enter the changing room with difficulty. They were very organised and the police was insufficient." In addition, Ulug Kacaniku, player of the Turkish team, said that the players of APOEL team were warning them to leave right after the match ends. "They also knew that this would have occurred," he said.

Moreover, Turkish daily Hurriyet (23.12.10), under the front-page title "We hardly escaped from being lynched", reports that the Turkish basketball players described the events in detail and said they experienced the fear of lynching, adding that only five police officers protected them. The players said that three 15-year-old teenagers were detained in connection with the incidents that lasted about two and a half hours. As the paper reports, the plane carrying the Turkish basketball players returned to the Aegean province of Izmir from Larnaka via Athens on Wednesday morning. Thousands of people welcomed the basketball players at the airport.

Moreover, according to the paper the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu contacted the UN Peace-Keeping Force commander in Cyprus, Mario Sanchez Debernardi, and said that "if something happens to them, you will have to explain".

Reference is also made to the statements by President Demetris Christofias, as well as on the statements by various Turkish officials and Turkish Cypriot so-called officials.

MILLIYET newspaper refers on the issue under the title, "The nightmare ended", while ZAMAN carries the title, "Only five policemen in a room of 3000 people".

[08] Israeli ambassador in Ankara: "Cyprus-Israel agreement not related to Turkey"

The paper also reports that in an interview with the AFP, Israeli Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau brushed aside Turkish criticism, saying: "The agreement with Cyprus clearly defines our rights in the Mediterranean."

Turkish daily Today's Zaman (23.12.10, online) reports on the same subject that when the Israeli ambassador was asked after the meeting how the Cyprus-Israel deal will affect negotiations with Turkey, answered: "I will disappoint you, but I only came here to thank the Prime Minister and the Turkish government. I will not talk about other issues. However, the agreement in Cyprus protects our economic interests. It is not related to Turkey and North Cyprus."

[09] ECO summit starts today; Erdogan met with Ahmedinejad

ECO-member countries are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Turkey has taken over the presidency of the Council of Ministers, the highest policy and decision-making body of the organization, from Iran which is represented by newly appointed Foreign Ministry caretaker Ali Akbar Salehi.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made the opening remarks at Wednesday's event and said that the meeting would discuss important issues on regional cooperation and global economy. He said that current global economic challenges have recently shown the importance of ECO-like organizations and urged all member countries to sign and ratify the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) in the shortest time possible and called on them to join the ECOBANK established in Istanbul as the bank of the organization.

Moreover, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmedinejad, who is currently in Istanbul to attend ECO summit, at his office in Istanbul yesterday, just a month before the planned nuclear talks with six major powers in Istanbul. Davutoglu was also in attendance at the closed-door meeting.

[10] Highlights

Kurdish Demands

Hurriyet Daily News columnist Yusuf Kanli criticizes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for letting PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan manipulate efforts aimed at finding a solution to the Kurdish question.

Hurriyet Daily News columnist Mehmet Ali Birand says that professor Nomik Volkan's ideas, including the suspension of military operations and including Kurdish in school curriculum as an elective class in some parts of Turkey while strengthening regional governments are healthy suggestions based on common sense.

Milliyet quotes BDP leader Selahattin Demirtas as saying in a meeting held in Istanbul about the Kurdish question that "democratic autonomy project" which they propose will eliminate fears that Turkey will be dismembered while serving the process of democratization in Turkey. He added that Parliament may delegate some powers to regional assemblies which they propose to be established. Demirtas said that regions may use their own flags if they wish to do so.

In an article in Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol says that the administrative model proposed by the DTK is similar to Qaddafi's model of Jamahiriyah which Akyol likens to a primitive type of totalitarianism. Akyol comments: "This is a preliminary project for separatism rather than a reasonable autonomy. It would not serve efforts to find a solution." Akyol advises Kurdish politicians and organizations to revise their proposal in light of criticism expressed by liberal and left-wing intellectuals and Kurdish businessmen.

Yeni Akit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak asserts that the main opposition Republican People's Party, (CHP), emerged from its recent congress divided into four groups including former rightists and Fethullah Gulen sympathizers as well as followers of former CHP leader Deniz Baykal and former CHP secretary-general Onder Sav. He claims that CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is already facing criticism over the "motley" quality of the CHP's new administrative members, adding that neither Alevis nor "White Turks" are pleased with the CHP's new organizational profile.

Prospects for the Main Opposition Party

In an article Milliyet, columnist Metin Munir says that the Turkey will be among the fastest growing economies in the world in 2010 which, he notes, will be a strong advantage for the ruling party in the upcoming general elections in mid-2011. He adds that the CHP's [Republican People's Party] chance of winning the elections in next summer is rated almost nil. [CHP leader] Kemal Kilicdaroglu's biggest achievement would be to increase his party's votes from 20% to 30% and to prove that the CHP is a serious alternative to the ruling party

Alleged link between CIA and the Gulen community

A report in Cumhuriyet quotes Osman Nuri Gundes, former head of the Istanbul branch of the National Intelligence Organization, as saying in a televised interview that CIA agents holding diplomatic passports work as English teachers in schools opened by the Gulen community in the Turkic countries in central Asia. Gundes asserted that alleged cooperation between the CIA and the Gulen community was admitted by a pro-Gulen school principal at a high-level meeting held in Turkey

Democratic autonomy model

Yeni Safak columnist Yalcin Akdogan, criticizes the "magic" term of "democratic autonomy" as a vague concept that the BDP is using deftly to create the semblance of commitment to democracy while getting across the message to its voters that it intends to press for radical changes to the political system. He claims that it is wrong to regard the BDP's "extreme" demands as a reflection of Kurdish expectations in Turkey, adding that what the Kurds want and what the BDP is trying to achieve are two different things. He also asserts that the BDP is trying to consolidate its position in the southeast ahead of the general elections by polarizing the country.

Yeni Safak columnist Kursat Bumin criticizes the "draft democratic autonomy model" discussed at the recent "Democratic Autonomy Workshop" held in the south-eastern province of Diyarbakir by the Democratic Society Congress as a text informed by nationalist and Leninist-Stalinist concepts that are at odds with the tenets of the parliamentary system.

Greece's participation in air drills

Yeni Safak columnist Ibrahim Karagul asserts that Turkey's proposal to have Greece take part in the Anatolian Eagle aerial drills over 13-24 June could pave the way for fundamental changes in bilateral relations between Ankara and Athens by ending the crises over Aegean flights and reducing mutual threat perceptions. Karagul also argues that the real agenda behind Ankara's offer is to prevent Israel from pushing ahead with its effort to make Greece part of an anti-Turkey bloc in the region. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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