Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-01-18

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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] Ozersay's contacts in London ahead of the Geneva meeting

[02] Ozgurgun accuses the Greek Cypriot side of distorting statements made by the UN Secretary-General

[03] Nami not hopeful of the negotiations to be held in Geneva

[04] Arinc says that Turkey is behind the Turkish Cypriots

[05] KKH establishment agreement to be signed today

[06] Avci calls on Elcil to resign; Platform describes Avci "AKP's employee"

[07] "YAGA" director announces targets for 2011

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Erdogan meets Syrian President and Qatari Amir; Turkey invited to an international meeting on the Lebanese crisis

[09] Turkey and Ukraine to sign High Level Cooperation Council agreement

[10] Hillary Clinton to meet opposition leaders during her visit to Turkey

[11] "Turkish gold production peaks at $800 million in 2010"

[12] Turkey's budget deficit dropped by 25% in 2010

[13] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Ozersay's contacts in London ahead of the Geneva meeting

During a short briefing on his contacts, Ozersay said his meetings with British officials were extremely useful. He noted that he had the opportunity to express the views of the Turkish side on the Cyprus problem and listen to the views of the Turkish Cypriots living in London. Ozersay is expected to conclude his contacts today and return to the occupied part of the island.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (18.01.11) reports that Kudret Ozersay had lunch yesterday with Lord David Hannay, British former special adviser for Cyprus. The paper writes that Ozersay and Hannay exchanged views on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and evaluated the possible developments in the Geneva meeting and the period that will follow. In statements to Havadis, Ozersay expressed his satisfaction for the meeting with Hannay, "who had an important role in the Cyprus problem in the past".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun accuses the Greek Cypriot side of distorting statements made by the UN Secretary-General

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ozgurgun replied to the statement made by the President of the House of Representatives, Marios Garoyian that Turkey should sit in the dock for the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. Ozgurgun claimed that this approach shows once more the "insincerity" of the Greek Cypriot side and "tries to hide its responsibility for the creation and continuation" of the Cyprus problem.

Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side of distorting "historical realities and the facts in the negotiations". He especially accused the government Spokesman, Stefanos Stefanou of distorting the latest statements of the UN Secretary-General, saying that Ban Ki-moon had once more emphasized that "there are no time limits or end dates" in the Cyprus talks. Ozgurgun claimed that there is no expression that could have this meaning in the statement of the UN Secretary-General. He added that Ban Ki-moon has many times, both orally and in writing, expressed his views on this issue and that in his latest report he said the negotiations in Cyprus could not last forever. With this reference, alleges Ozgurgun, the UN Secretary-General pointed out that the negotiations should be concluded in the first quarter of 2011.

Moreover, Ozgurgun accused the Government Spokesman of trying to deceive the public by stating that the illness of the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu caused a delay in the negotiations. Ozgurgun claimed that the Government Spokesman ignored the "important effort" exerted by Eroglu, despite his illness, for the continuation of the talks.

Ozgurgun said that everybody knows the "constructive proposals" submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side after the meeting in New York and that the Greek Cypriot side is responsible for not achieving so far the desirable convergence.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Nami not hopeful of the negotiations to be held in Geneva

In statements to Ada TV, Nami recalled that the UN Secretary-General had assigned to the leaders the duty of preparing an action plan before the meeting in Geneva. Noting that the same deadlocks will exist when the sides go to Geneva, Nami said he does not believe the negotiations will secure a momentum for a solution. He argued that the discussion of the property issue caused deadlocks in the talks.

Referring to the statements made by the German Chancellor Merkel during her recent visit to Cyprus, Nami alleged that these words created a negative atmosphere. Citing press reports regarding possible "mistake in the translation" of Merkel's statements, Nami said it would not be correct to show extreme reaction before seeing the original text of the statements.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Arinc says that Turkey is behind the Turkish Cypriots

During the meeting, Durust asked for media support in promoting the occupied areas in the framework of "Year of the TRNC in Turkey". He added that "TRNC" promotion in Turkey should focus on its historical richness and social as well as cultural life.

Arinc, for his part, said that "the Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information, TRT TV channel and the Ankara Anatolia news agency (AA) will extend every support to the TRNC in 2011 to publicize plans and events to take place in Turkey". He also said that "tourism and education are crucial for the economic development of the TRNC", adding that they should concentrate on these two sectors.

Asked to comment on the latest statements by Greek Prime Minister Papandreou and German Chancellor Merkel on the Cyprus issue, Arinc said: "Frankly, we don't take it very seriously". Maintaining that Merkel made those statements due to her anxiety on domestic policies, Arinc said that Merkel should talk more carefully and consider the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side to reach a Cyprus settlement. He added that former German Chancellor Schroeder supported Turkey's EU bid.

Commenting on Papandreou's recent statements in Erzurum, Arinc repeated that Papandreou should also be more careful in his speeches, adding that Prime Minister Erdogan has given the appropriate respond on Papandreou's statements.

Arinc also said that despite the obstacles in her EU process, Turkey would continue to have a brave, determined and principled position.

Noting that there are strong ties between Turkey and the breakaway regime and that this will never change, Arinc said that the EU has no right to speak on the Cyprus issue. Arinc said: "We support the negotiation process in Cyprus, however, it is not the end of the world if they don't reach a settlement." He concluded saying that "the Republic of Turkey is behind the Turkish Cypriots".

[05] KKH establishment agreement to be signed today

"TRNC", the private sector and Turkish Airlines (THY) will meet today for the signing ceremony of the agreement to establish the "Northern Cyprus Airlines" (KKH), following the bankruptcy in September 2010 of Turkish Cypriot Airlines (KTHY).

Saner said that the new company will initially have three planes, flying to 11 destinations as of the end of March.

[06] Avci calls on Elcil to resign; Platform describes Avci "AKP's employee"

Avci said in a press release that he feels disappointed because a person leading the teachers' union and entrusted with their children, is impertinent when speaking about the Prime Minister of the motherland who always stands by the Turkish Cypriots. He also accused Elcil that with his statements he is becoming the spokesperson of the Greek Cypriots instead of defending their national rights and national values. Finally, he called on Elcil to apologize to the Turkish Cypriots and to motherland Turkey.

In a front-page article under the title "The employee of AKP", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (18.01.11), reports that the Trade Unions Platform countered Avci's statements laying a black wreath outside ORP office with the note "Turgay Avci is the employee of AKP".

Mehmet Ozkardas, Chairman of the Public sector union (Kamu-Sen), speaking on behalf of the Platform, recalled that the Trade Unions Platform declared 2011 as the year of "communal existence", adding that they are determined to fight for communal existence.

[07] "YAGA" director announces targets for 2011

He also announced that a workshop seeking ways to create an "investment climate" in the occupied areas will take place on January 27-28. He said of the 40 proposals submitted to "YAGA", some have already been approved and the projects will be initiated once the procedures are concluded for the rental of the site. Besimler also said that in the future priority will be given to Turkish Cypriot investors living abroad.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] Erdogan meets Syrian President and Qatari Amir; Turkey invited to an international meeting on the Lebanese crisis

Earlier Erdogan had joint a meeting with al-Asad and Qatar's Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani over the new political crisis in Lebanon. Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Syria and Qatar also attended the meeting which sought a solution to the government crisis that broke out in Lebanon, AA reported.

The three leaders issued a joint statement after their meeting, stressing the importance of finding a solution to the Lebanese crisis, within the scope of the good willed efforts initiated by Syria and Saudi Arabia. It also called for measures to prevent the situation from further deteriorating. The three leaders welcomed the decision of the Lebanese parliament to postpone discussions (to form a new government) until political efforts to re-establish stability in Lebanon becomes more concrete.

Moreover, AA reported (17.01.11) that speaking at a news conference prior to his departure for Damascus, Erdogan said that he received an invitation from the French President Nicolas Sarkozy for an international meeting on the recent political crisis in Lebanon. He said: "President Sarkozy sent a letter inviting us to the international meeting on Lebanon. And we responded to his invitation in the affirmative. Seven countries have been invited to the meeting so far the date of the gathering will be set later."

Prime Minister Erdogan added that the foreign minister of Iran would be visiting Turkey later in the day to hold talks about the developments in Lebanon.

Furthermore, AA reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who cancelled his official visit to Hungary scheduled for January 18, will travel to Lebanon today to hold meetings in order to help find a solution to the government crisis in this country.

[09] Turkey and Ukraine to sign High Level Cooperation Council agreement

In a statement issued, the Turkish Prime Ministry's Press Centre said that Erdogan will have meetings with the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. Erdogan and Yanukovych are expected to sign a Joint Declaration for the establishment of a High Level Cooperation Council between the two countries.

In addition, Erdogan will participate in a meeting of the Turkish-Ukrainian Business Council in Kiev on January 25.

[10] Hillary Clinton to meet opposition leaders during her visit to Turkey

"They are very much aware of the situation in Turkey, but we want them to hear it from us as well," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) said, confirming that he is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Clinton on February 7. Clinton is expected to arrive in Turkey shortly after the new US envoy to Turkey Francis Ricciardone assumes his post late January.

Clinton is also scheduled to meet leaders of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

Kilicdaroglu said he plans to give Clinton three reports: Turkey's "judiciary, freedom of the media, and public expenditures". "You can't talk about a healthy democracy in a country where public expenditures are not healthy. We will not only give these reports to Mrs Clinton, but to all visiting foreigners," he said, adding: "We want them to see the real face of the AKP, for they realize that the AKP is neither pro-democratic nor pro-freedom, as it claims."

[11] "Turkish gold production peaks at $800 million in 2010"

According to recent data from the Gold Miners Association (AMD), there are five gold mining companies operating in Turkey that have extracted 17 tons of gold with a value of $800 million. A total of 8.6 out of 17 tons of gold have been extracted from the Kisladag gold mine in the Aegean province of Usak.

Furthermore, the AMD data show that 4.2 tons and 3.7 tons of gold were extracted from the Mastra mine in Gumushane and Bergama Ovacik in Izmir, respectively. The remaining half ton of gold was extracted from both the Ilic gold mine in Erzincan and the Salihli-Sart mine in the province of Manisa. The production of gold in Turkey started in 2001, with the amount extracted increasing yearly. The total amount of gold-mined 10 years ago was only 1.4 tons, while it rose to eight tons in 2006, 11 tons in 2008, 14.5 tons in 2009 and 17 in 2010, bringing the total amount extracted since 2001 close to 82 tons.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, AMD's General Coordinator Muhterem Kose said the total gold extracted in Turkey is only 10% of the total deposit. Kose noted that the gold mining sector has been in the spotlight in the last few years.

Experts say Turkey's total underground gold resources are estimated at 6,500 tons.

[12] Turkey's budget deficit dropped by 25% in 2010

Speaking at a news conference on budget figures in 2010, Simsek said that non-interest budget expenses were 245.33 billion TL and tax incomes amounted to 210.53 billion TL. "The budget deficit was calculated as 39.6 billion TL," he told reporters. "The budget deficit was 52.76 billion TL in 2009 which means a 25% drop in 2010's budget deficit. On the other hand, the non-interest surplus increased 20-fold to 8.69 billion TL. These figures indicate our success in our budget performance," he said.

As AA reported, earlier, budget expenses were estimated at 286.98 billion TL and budget revenues at 236.79 billion TL. A budget deficit of 50.18 billion TL was predicted. The budget deficit was revised at 44.2 billion TL during preparatory works for the Middle-Term Plan.

[13] Highlights

a) Protests against Erdogan

An article by Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol asserts that neither Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan nor the Galatasaray (Istanbul football club) administration expected the protest at the opening of the new Arena Stadium in Istanbul. Akyol describes the protest against Erdogan as an "ugly and rude" incident, but also advises the prime minister "to correctly understand the reaction in certain sectors of society." Akyol warns that Erdogan should be aware fact that "the 42% of the people [who said no to the government's constitutional amendments in the recent referendum] will have less tolerance! It will be more difficult to rule society!"

Hurriyet columnist Tufan Turenc claims that Prime Minister is once again implementing a strategy which helped him a lot to in the former general elections. He speculates that Erdogan is deliberately "escalating tension" in the country in an effort to create the impression that the ruling Justice and Development party [AKP] is the victim of its opponents' smear campaign. According to Turenc, the release of the Hizbullah members, Erdogan's instruction for the demolition of a statue in Kars*, reaction against a TV series, and the restrictions on the sale of alcohol are the main issues that were started by the AKP government and triggered heated debates in the country. He urges Erdogan and his party to comply with the requirements of democracy and avoid "underestimating the protests" that took place during the inauguration of the Arena Stadium.

According to a report in Milliyet, Prime Minister Erdogan's lawyers filed a lawsuit against Taraf columnist Ahmet Altan for insulting Erdogan's personality in an article he wrote on 15 January. Altan is said to have accused the prime minister of failing to act as a "mature" leader while criticizing a statue symbolizing the Turkish-Armenian relations and "ruining relations" with Greece by condoning the flight of jets over the Aegean during the visit of Greek Prime Minister Papandreou to Turkey.

Today's Zaman columnist Yavuz Baydar links public "discontent" with Prime Minister Erdogan, signalled by the protests at the inauguration of Galatasaray's new stadium, to what he describes as Erdogan's increasingly strident tone, his reference to a monument in Kars as a "freak," government practices deemed as "censorship," and the latest restrictions imposed on the sale of liquor.

* [Note: Arrow was triggered when Erdogan described a monument in the eastern city of Kars, near the Armenian frontier, as a freak overshadowing the town's historic treasures including a Muslim shrine. Erdogan demanded its demolition on aesthetic grounds. Erdogan's comments were seized by Turkish nationalists. The monument sculptor, Mehmet Aksoy, says it symbolizes peace.]

b) Alleged plans to create chaos ahead of 2011 elections

In an 800-word article entitled "All-out war," Mehmet Baransu of Taraf claims that efforts are underway to implement a series of action plans until the general elections to be held in June 2011. Stressing that a public opinion poll showing weak public support for the Republican People's Party [CHP] under Baykal's leadership led certain media groups and "deep CHP members " to "press the button" for the removal Deniz Baykal from leadership, he speculates that those who want to oust the AKP administration are now planning to create chaos by using Hizbullah and other radical Islamist groups. The number of martyrs will increase in the coming days to have the Nationalist Action Party [MHP] pass the election threshold and to replace the ruling AKP with a CHP-MHP coalition government, he maintains. Baransu also claims that the Dogan Group, which was planning to sell some of its media assets, has recently changed its strategy and decided to work for a CHP-MHP coalition. He concludes by quoting an unnamed source as saying that he is concerned about an assassination attempt against MHP leader Devlet Bahceli.

c) Clinton to meet Turkish opposition leader

Asli Aydintasbas of Milliyet says that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is planning to meet with CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu during her visit to Turkey on February 7. She asserts that Clinton's visit is "very important" not only for the main opposition CHP but also for the Turkish-US relations which suffered from "instability" in the recent years. According to Aydintasbas, by meeting with the CHP, Washington is willing to show the importance it attaches to democracy in Turkey and also wants to convey the message that the Turkish-US relations are not only indexed to the AKP. She adds that the meeting has a symbolic meaning for the CHP as well as it will lead to the recognition of the new party leader in the international arena and change the perception that the party has an "isolationist" and "anti-western" position. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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