Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-01-20

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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] Rauf Denktas and Mehmet Ali Talat do not expect results from the Geneva meeting

[02] Downer and Eroglu meet

[03] Eroglu with the Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus

[04] Ozgurgun criticizes Armenian President's statements

[05] Decision on Cyprus by the Political Affairs Committee of PUIC in Abu Dhabi

[06] The occupation regime continues to grant citizenships

[07] Serdar Denktas wants closure of Turkey's Aid Delegation and resignation of the UBP "government"; Kucuk: We will not resign

[08] A dispute over the name of "North Cyprus Airlines"

[09] HAK demands the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] French President to visit Turkey next month

[10] Argentinean President in Ankara for contacts

[11] Turkey's Davutoglu meets Hezbollah leader

[12] Turkish Energy Minister visits Venezuela

[13] "Former prime minister parts ways with DP after leadership change"

[14] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

The press also refers to the reply by Huseyin Ozgurgun to the statements made by the Armenian President during his recent visit to Cyprus, statements by Serdar Denktas calling on the "government" to resign, a reply by Irsen Kucuk that they will not resign and that they will pay the 13th salary in January, the issue of the new "aviation company" and the problems created because of the existence of a company with the same name in London, proposals by settlers' organizations on the solution of some problems in the occupied areas of Cyprus and other internal matters.

[01] Rauf Denktas and Mehmet Ali Talat do not expect results from the Geneva meeting

Denktas stated that Eroglu briefed them on the latest developments. He said he does not expect any surprising development as long as the Turkish side does not abandon the red lines it has been advocating for years or there is no retreat from these red lines.

Denktas added: "I cannot see any reconciliation, if Mr Eroglu does not make any concessions to what he was saying in order to win the elections and which the people approved with their votes, if he makes no concessions on the issues of our sovereignty, the fact that we are one of the two peoples, that there are two states, that the federation will be administered by two founding states and the continuation of the Turkish guarantees."

Denktas expressed the view that the Turkish side will be under "great pressure" in the Geneva meeting, because it could not make its red lines sufficiently known to the world. He argued that there will be a new postponement in the process and claimed that this will benefit the Greek Cypriots side, because Cyprus will undertake EU's term presidency in 2012 and the Greek Cypriots want to prolong the issue until then.

Denktas expressed the belief that a "surprising decision" taken at the Geneva meeting will be against the Turkish Cypriots.

Denktas recalled that elections will be held this year in Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus and argued that as elections approach, there will either be a pause in the negotiations or the sides will harden their positions. Noting that election periods are not a good time for negotiations, Denktas added: "It is my wish for the AKP government in Turkey to continue repeating and after the elections its statement for the negotiations that 'this is the last chance and if there is no result everybody will go their own way'."

For his part, Mehmet Ali Talat said they were briefed in detail by Eroglu on the latest developments. "This was good," he noted.

Talat said he does not expect much from the Geneva meeting, because uncertainty exists on the issue of how this meeting will be held and even the UN could not predict this. "I do not expect a surprise in Geneva. Moreover, I do not expect any negative development either," noted Talat who did not want to express his view on the proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Downer and Eroglu meet

Speaking to reporters Downer said that the meeting was part of preparations for today's meeting of the leaders as well as next week's summit in Geneva. Highlighting the importance of the Geneva meeting, Downer said that the UN Secretary-General wants it to be of substance one that would contribute to maintaining the current momentum in the talks.

[03] Eroglu with the Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus

Sources said that the Turkish side's discontent with the recent agreement signed between Cyprus and Israel delineating their respective exclusive economic maritime zones, was also conveyed to the Israeli ambassador at the meeting.

[04] Ozgurgun criticizes Armenian President's statements

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ozgurgun condemned the Armenian President for his remarks, pointing out that it was interesting to see such statements coming from the President of a country which had invaded Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region without any legal justification or basis.

Ozgurgun said that Sarkisyan's address of the House of Representatives proved that the he lacked an in-depth knowledge of the history of the Cyprus problem. He said that the Armenian President's words were just another example of attempts aimed at pleasing the Greek Cypriot side.

[05] Decision on Cyprus by the Political Affairs Committee of PUIC in Abu Dhabi

The decision condemns the agreement made between the government of the Republic of Cyprus and Israel regarding the determination of the exclusive economic zone of the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea and describes it as a "unilateral decision" which does not take into consideration the interests of the Turkish Cypriots. It expresses the view that these issues should be discussed in the negotiations which are held under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. The decision argues that this agreement will harm the Cyprus talks to be held in Geneva.

The decision reaffirms all the previous resolutions taken in favour of the Turkish Cypriots by PUIC. It also notes that the long lasting Cyprus talks could not continue forever and that "this critical window of opportunity is closing quickly". The decision argues also that the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots could not continue if the negotiating process fails. It alleges that this situation should end because lifting of the "isolation" is not contrary to the UN Security Council resolutions.

It calls on the Islamic countries to develop and strengthen their relations with the "Turkish Cypriot State" and expresses its satisfaction with the "will which is exhibited by the Turkish Cypriot State and Turkey for a political and viable agreement" in Cyprus.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (20.01.10) refers to the issue under the title "Step by step from the TRNC towards the Turkish Cypriot State".

(I/Ts.)

[06] The occupation regime continues to grant citizenships

According to the paper, one of the persons granted "citizenship" is Ekrem Toklucu who is "employed" by the "Aid Committee of Turkey". Prior to this post Toklucu was working for Turkey's Ministry of Education from where he resigned.

The paper reports that the criteria determined by the "council of ministers" are not known, nor is any reason is given regarding this decision.

[07] Serdar Denktas wants closure of Turkey's Aid Delegation and resignation of the UBP "government"; Kucuk: We will not resign

Denktas said: "The existence of the aid delegation after so many years is not a nice picture when someone sees it from outside. Turkey helps other countries as well apart from the TRNC, but there is no Aid Delegation in these countries. For this reason, there should not be one here either."

He noted that they are disagreements with the members of the Trade Unions' Platform, but their joint action aims at the resignation of the "government" and at ending the implementation of the "package of economic measures".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.01.11) reports that in statements to columnists of various newspapers, Denktas noted that they support the rally to be held on January 28 to express their view that the "country is badly administered". He said the aim is to force the UBP "government" to resign and establish a "national consensus government", in which all the parties will participate.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (20.01.10) reports that the self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, Irsen Kucuk said his "government" will not resign and there will be no early "elections", as some circles claim. "The conditions for early elections do not exist today in our country," he argued. Kucuk reiterated that the 13th salary will be paid to the employees in January, as he had stated earlier.

(I/Ts.)

[08] A dispute over the name of "North Cyprus Airlines"

Commenting on the information that a company with the same name was founded in Britain, self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said that the use of the name "North Cyprus" is not legal and that they will start legal procedures on this issue. He added that their company was founded and registered in Istanbul.

[09] HAK demands the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha

Arif Ozbayrak, Chairman of the "Karadeniz [Black Sea] Cultural Association" and founder of HAK, said that the fenced off town of Varosha should be opened right away, the strikes in the education sector should be forbidden, "police chief" and the chief of the religious affairs should be elected by the people, people above the age of 70 should not "exercise political power", and a train line connecting the occupied village of Limnitis and Karpass area should be set up.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] French President to visit Turkey next month

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had invited Sarkozy to Turkey during his official visit to Paris, last year.

[10] Argentinean President in Ankara for contacts

President Kirchner and Gul will hold a t?te-a-t?te meeting which will be followed by meeting with respective delegations from both countries. During Kirchner's visit, the two countries will sign various agreements. President Kirchner will meet with Turkish businesspeople and investors in Istanbul on January 21 at a Business Forum to be organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).

[11] Turkey's Davutoglu meets Hezbollah leader

Turkish diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Wednesday that during the three hour meeting Davutoglu expressed the importance Turkey attached to the preservation of peace and stability in Lebanon, underlining that this would contribute to the overall peace and stability in the region. Diplomats said Davutoglu emphasized the need to carry out the reconciliation efforts in a peaceful manner and to preserve the spirit of national unity.

The Turkish foreign minister also exchanged views with Hezbollah leader about the international panel investigating the Hariri assassination.

Davutoglu and Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani are expected to meet with Druse leader Velid Canbolad, Maronite leader Michel Aoun and other officials. The two will re-meet with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and make an assessment of the situation.

[12] Turkish Energy Minister visits Venezuela

On his arrival, Yildiz told reporters that the progress of the Energy Working Group of the two countries established two months ago would be assessed during the visit. He said Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO) and its subsidiary, TPIC, would negotiate a deal with its Venezuelan counterparts, expressing Turkey's hope to purchase oil and oil products at a rate lower than it is currently importing. "We need to make initiatives to diversify oil products in our market and promote price competition for our citizens. To this end, we must cooperate with Venezuela. This trip is one of these initiatives. I believe Mr Chavez will lend a hand in this matter," Yildiz said.

Yildiz pointed out that such a cooperation would be mutually beneficial, saying that Venezuela also needed a country like Turkey in the Mediterranean basin. He said the prospects of building a joint oil refinery in the Mediterranean would be discussed.

[13] "Former prime minister parts ways with DP after leadership change"

Zeybek was elected DP's new leader on January 15 at the party's 10th general congress. He was elected the party leader after winning 566 votes out of 594 delegates in the third round of the election. At this general congress, Yilmaz supported the leadership of Salih Uzun, who was the last leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), now ANAVATAN. Yilmaz was also a former leader of ANAP.

[14] Highlights

Hrant Dink assassination:

Yeni Safak carries a front-page report highlighting a "shocking detail" in the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul some four years ago. According to information disclosed by police units in Trabzon, Ogun Samast, the gunman in the murder, was "seen off to Istanbul" by a gendarmerie non-commissioned officer, the report says.

Yeni Safak columnist Kursat Bumin expresses regret at what he refers to as the failure of the investigation into the killing of Hrant Dink to shed any light so far on the identity of the architects behind the assassination. He calls on the "executive" authority to explain why the investigation is proceeding "so slowly" and why Justice Ministry and Interior Ministry inspectors have failed to take action on an "extremely important report" on the assassination prepared by the Prime Ministry Inspection Board and endorsed by the prime minister himself. He also calls for a new protest march in Istanbul in order to put pressure on authorities to bring Dink killers to justice.

Today's Zaman columnist Orhan Kemal Cengiz asserts that although "as an outspoken Armenian," Hrant Dink had always been in the crosshairs of "the murder machine of the deep state," what made him an "immediate target" was his statement that Sabiha Gokcen, "the adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was actually an Armenian orphan." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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