Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-01-28

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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 alleges that the Turkish proposals are not outside the UN parameters

[02] Kucuk describes Geneva summit as a failure

[03] Demonstrations culminate today

[04] Efforts to prevent Turkish Cypriots from shopping in the free areas of Cyprus continue; Kucuk comments on today's rally

[05] A "project of hope" by Social Democrat Party

[06] Stefan Fule: The deadlock in Turkey's accession talks will not be overcome unless Ankara opens its ports and the Cyprus problem is solved

[07] Resignations in the National Unity Party

[08] Antiquities found in the occupied village of Eptakomi

[09] Kaya Turkmen: "Turkey will always stand by the TRNC"

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Bagis: "Nobody should expect the Turkish side to take unilateral steps in solution of Cyprus question"

[11] Turkish energy minister holds contacts in Finland

[12] Turkey and China sign frame agreement for the construction of "silk railway route"

[13] "Mayor of Turkey's Eskisehir quits party amid rumours he'll join CHP"

[14] Shocking call

[15] Geneva failure

[16] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

The papers also refer to resignations of UBP's district secretaries at occupied Lefkosia, Keryneia and Morfou areas, a statement by Stefan Fule on Turkey's accession talks, concerns caused by the appearance of swine flu cases at a hospital in occupied Keryneia, and a demonstration by students' organizations.

[01] Eroglu alleges that the Turkish proposals are not outside the UN parameters

Eroglu reiterated that the Cyprus problem it should be solved with good will at the negotiating table. "However, these negotiations could not continue forever and be open ended. I find it difficult to understand Christofias' reaction when we suggest that a time limit should so that a result can be reached," he added.

Eroglu expressed the view that a solution could be reached by March if the negotiations are intensified. He noted: "I do not want to make detailed statements regarding the Geneva meeting, but we went there with proposals really helpful to a solution. We put practical proposals on the table after making a good preparation. This is all I can say."

Asked to comment on the press reports that the Greek Cypriot side rejected these proposals, Eroglu said the Greek Cypriot side "did not welcome" the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side on the Governance and Power Sharing and it even expressed the view that these proposals are outside the UN parameters. "The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, however, said no one is outside the UN parameters. We believe that we submitted constructive proposals and we say that they should be evaluated well", he claimed.

When Akar reminded him that Ban Ki-moon did not announce a date for a new meeting, Eroglu replied: "The Secretary-General will submit a report to the Security Council at the end of February. A new invitation might be addressed to us in March, but there is nothing definite yet."

Eroglu said after the meeting in Geneva he talked on the phone with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu. "Turkey always supports us. They received positively the steps we took at the Geneva summit," he added.

Eroglu noted that before leaving Geneva, he met with Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cyprus, and exchanged views with him on the process to be followed.

Moreover, under the title "Eroglu: We were not able to find what we hoped in Geneva", Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (28.01.11) reports that in statements last night at illegal Tymvou airport on his return to the occupied areas of Cyprus, Eroglu said the Greek Cypriot side continued its negative stance with regards to a time limit in the negotiations and arbitration by the UN. Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side did everything that the UN Secretary-General had asked the sides to do during their meeting in New York on 18 November and went to Geneva with a practical plan. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side did not do its duty and submitted no plan at the Geneva meeting.

Eroglu expressed the view that the UN Secretary-General is "very satisfied" with the stance of the Turkish side regarding the Cyprus problem and the efforts it exerted in Geneva. Eroglu argued that the reference in Ban Ki-moon's statement that "I will meet again soon with the sides" means that there will be a new tripartite meeting in March. Explaining why he expects this meeting to be held in March, Eroglu said that elections will be held in the Republic of Cyprus in May and the preparation for these elections will begin in April. That is why, he added, the most appropriate time will be March.

Eroglu said the Turkish side is ready for intensive talks.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Kucuk describes Geneva summit as a failure

Recalling that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu submitted proposals during the Geneva summit, while the Greek Cypriot side did not, Kucuk said the Greek Cypriot side continues its stance of open-ended Cyprus talks. For the past two years, "the Turkish side has been asking for a time limit of the Cyprus talks, but the Greek Cypriot side insists on open-ended talks and because of this a third summit in March will not be realized," said Kucuk.

[03] Demonstrations culminate today

Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Teacher's Union also announced that teachers will participate in the general strike and stated that they will be in the squares in order to show that they are not slaves of Ankara and make AKP government withdraw its enforced measures.

Pharmacists will also go on a general strike, since their association president announced that they will support the meeting. Also the union of nurses and midwifes, employees in the health sector, doctor's trade union, workers in the press, employees of the so-called parliament, Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Trade Union (KTAMS), the Independent Worker's Union Federation (HUR-IS) and associated unions and the Revolutionary Worker's Union Federation (DEV-IS) and affiliated unions.

Political parties also called the Turkish Cypriot people to participate in the rally. The New Cyprus Party (YKP) said about the rally: "It is not a fight for the seat, but in order to lift the status quo." Also United Cyprus Party (BKP) called all those who love their country to participate and accused the AKP government that the strip Turkish Cypriots of their economic assets trough privatizations.

Moreover, yesterday as Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (28.01.11), reports three organizations, Baraka Cultural Centre, Jasmin Movement and Barikat newspaper realised a surprise demonstration outside the "Turkish Embassy". The protestors used slogans like: "Ankara take off your hands" however they were quietly removed by police forces. In reaction to this, members of the Democratic Party's Youth Branch submitted a black wreath in the offices of Baraka Cultural Centre.

Also reacting to the demonstrations Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (28.01.11) reports that racist leaders of trade unions want to create chaos and therefore they organize the rally today. They call upon the people who will participate in the rally to be careful and ready to act in order not to allow provocations to take place.

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) supported Turkish Cypriot workers and sent a solidarity message, including wishes for a successful rally.

[04] Efforts to prevent Turkish Cypriots from shopping in the free areas of Cyprus continue; Kucuk comments on today's rally

Kucuk asked the businessmen to reduce prices so that this money can circulate in the market in the occupied areas of Cyprus. Kucuk said the regime will carry out meticulous "customs" controls at the barricades between the occupied and the free areas of Cyprus.

The paper writes that Kucuk had a meeting yesterday with businessmen in an effort to prevent the money to be paid on Monday from being spent in the free areas of the island. Representatives of the Chambers of Industry, Commerce and Tradesmen and Craftsmen participated in the meeting. There were no statements after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Star Kibris reports that referring to today's rally in the occupied areas of Cyprus, Kucuk said the economic measures were taken for the "future of the country and the young people". In statements an event ceremony yesterday, Kucuk called on everyone to act prudently. He claimed that the decision of the "government" will not victimize the employees and added: "If the decisions really victimized the employees, I would also go out to the squares."

(I/Ts.)

[05] A "project of hope" by Social Democrat Party

A copy of the project addressed to the Turkish Prime Minister was given yesterday to the "Turkish ambassador" in the occupied part of Lefkosia Kaya Turkmen. Cakici, the leader of TDP, said that in the letter to Erdogan, it is stressed that that the aim of the Turkish Cypriots is to be masters of their institutions, to manage themselves and that they are against any kind of enforced measures.

TDP asks Turkey to play a more active role in the solution process in Cyprus. It also says that it considers "the Turkish governments responsible for the decadent and corrupted structure of the governments in the northern Cyprus nowadays".

TDP also presented yesterday its "Project of Hope" to the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

It is reported that regarding the Cyprus problem the project says that the Turkish Cypriots will continue with determination their policy for a Cyprus settlement.

[06] Stefan Fule: The deadlock in Turkey's accession talks will not be overcome unless Ankara opens its ports and the Cyprus problem is solved

Fule attended a reception organized for the New Year by the "Friends of Turkey Group" at the European Parliament (EP), which has 75 members. Fule noted that Turkey is going through a "critical junction" in its accession talks and added that "the fuel in the machine of the accession talks is about to end". He noted that the opening of eighteen chapters is hampered due to political reasons and that only three chapters remained to be opened.

The Turkish Chief negotiator with the EU, Egemen Bagis was also present at the reception. He said Turkey's friends are those who share the vision of a strong EU which will be economically, politically and socially enriched with Turkey's accession. He argued that Turkey has made significant progress recently. He said Turkey carried out constitutional reforms, secured high economic growth and followed an active and multidimensional foreign policy. He noted that 2011 will be a difficult year in the relations between Turkey and the EU and added that they expect the help from all their friends.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Resignations in the National Unity Party

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (28.01.11) reports that the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk stepped in, and as a result the district secretaries of Keryneia and Famagusta, Necdet Uman and Ahmet Caluda withdrew their resignations, while district secretary of Lefkosia Ali Cetin Amcaoglu insists on his resignation.

[08] Antiquities found in the occupied village of Eptakomi

The paper reports that the antiques were examined by the "head of antiquities department in Famagusta" Hasan Tekel, who said they belong to the Classic Age, 2,400 years ago.

[09] Kaya Turkmen: "Turkey will always stand by the TRNC"

The ceremony was attended by the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk, Turkey's "ambassador" Kaya Turkmen and other self-styled officials of the breakaway regime Kaya Turken said that Turkey will always be by the side of the TRNC and support it in every field.

Moreover, Zorlu Tore, self styled minister of Agriculture and National Resources, thanked Turkey for its support saying that if it were not for Turkey they would not be able to do anything in any field.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Bagis: "Nobody should expect the Turkish side to take unilateral steps in solution of Cyprus question"

During his speech, Bagis presented the following 'optimistic scenario' which he described 'possible': "Let us imagine that Turkey sits between the European Commission and rotating president United Cyprus States in 2012 to open 12 chapter headings and to close six chapter headings. Let us also imagine that trade between the two Cypriot parties and Turkey and the whole island quadrupled in six months and a Turkish and Greek joint companies make investments on tourism and yacht construction."

Bagis said 2010 progress report of the European Commission was the most optimistic and encouraging report of the past 12 years. "Per capita income in Turkey is more than the national income in at least four EU member countries. We cannot record necessary progress as some EU members put forth their domestic problems on the enlargement agenda. Turkey is ready to open chapter on Competition Policy during the Hungarian presidency, despite the general elections in 2011.

The Turkish EU negotiator noted: "Although some people think that Greek Cypriot party, which will undertake rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012 would paralyze Turkey-EU relations for six months, I consider this an 'opportunity'. We have one year to see whether a country that steers the EU would prefer to leave a group of people living on the island under blockade or a stable peace." Bagis said the EU may contribute to the solution by keeping its promise on direct trade to Turkish Cypriot party, "accusing one party and denying actual truths is a wrong step," he added. Bagis said nobody should expect the Turkish party to take unilateral steps in solution of Cyprus question.

Bagis also referred to the incidents following the basketball game in Nicosia and said foreign teams coming to Turkey are always welcomed.

Moreover, AA reports that talks on readmission agreement were finalized on Thursday. Cecilia Malmstrom, member of the European Commission responsible for internal affairs, announced that following the meeting between the chief negotiators on January 14, 2011 in Ankara, the final adjustments to the draft EU Readmission Agreement with Turkey were agreed.

Malmstrom described the outcome of the negotiation as very balanced and one that would contribute greatly to the effective management of irregular migration in the region. She said: "the text was presented to the EU Member States. Once approved will be brought for formal conclusion to the next Justice and Home Affairs Council on 24 February 2011. "This important development also opens up new perspectives to further foster our cooperation with Turkey in the area of visa policy and related areas, with a view to improving the mobility of our citizens" Malmstrom said.

Turkey has a dim view on signing the readmission agreement till EU members authorize European Commission for visa liberalization negotiations.

[11] Turkish energy minister holds contacts in Finland

Earlier, Yildiz met with Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Vayrynen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finence Jyrki Katainen and Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen.

[12] Turkey and China sign frame agreement for the construction of "silk railway route"

Moreover, during talks between Turkish and Chinese delegations, it was agreed to establish a Turkey-China Railway Project Joint Working Group. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Turkey's Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and Chinese Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun on July 7, 2010 with the aim of improving cooperation between the two countries in railway.

Yildirim and Liu also signed a railway cooperation agreement on October 8, 2010 during a visit by the Chinese prime minister to Ankara. The Silk Railway Project includes joint construction of 6,000 km high-speed train lines and 4,000 km conventional railway from Turkey's northwestern province Edirne to the eastern province of Kars.

[13] "Mayor of Turkey's Eskisehir quits party amid rumours he'll join CHP"

The resignation of the popular political figure came a day after DSP Secretary-General Hasan Ercelebi called on Buyukersen to quit the party amid speculation that he planned to join the Republican People's Party (CHP). "We would be happy to see him in our party," CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu told reporters Thursday. Following Ercelebi's calls Wednesday for the mayor to resign, CHP deputy leader Gursel Tekin officially invited Buyukersen on Thursday to join the CHP, saying the party's door was open to the mayor.

Buyukersen, who has often been mentioned as a potential leader for the DSP or for the CHP, is the second mayor to leave the DSP in the last two days. Seyit Torun, the mayor of the Black Sea province of Ordu, resigned from the party Wednesday, telling reporters that his decision was a personal one and that he planned to join the CHP on Sunday.

Elected in 1999 as Eskisehir mayor, Buyukersen is the former rector of the city's Anadolu University and a very popular figure both locally and among social democrat voters across Turkey due to his accomplishments in the city. Over the last decade, Eskisehir has transformed itself from a shrinking city into a popular destination for students and weekend getaways.

Buyukersen turned down an offer in 2004 from late Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to take over as the chief of the DSP.

[14] Shocking call

Kanli points out that this is the first time a group of deputies from the CHP, which has been boasting of being the founding party of the Turkish Republic, calls on people "to 'revolt' against a government on grounds that it is growing into a fascist, oppressive, Nazi-like administration."

Though he too voices similar concerns and complains about the "anti-democratic practices, the advance of almond-moustached nepotistic governance and the growing autocratic threat, and recognizes the right of the people to resist oppression, Kanli considers that inciting people to engage in a resistance movement against the government is not the right and wise way to overcome problems in a democracy.

He interprets this move by the CHP deputies as a manifestation of the frustration in the main opposition party or 'an acknowledgement months ahead of the June 12 parliamentary polls that even though the party has new leadership, administrative cadres, CHP does not believe that it can oust the AKP at the ballot box and wants to get rid of it through civil resistance.

However, Kanli acknowledges that anyone concerned about Turkish democracy, must be alarmed by the moves of the AKP to take the lower and higher judiciary under its full control or guidance. "With patriots, nationalists and virtually everyone who cares for the secular democratic Turkey either condemned to silence or banished behind bars with some evidences mass-produced by what appears to be the Centre for Excellence in Forgery, and with the government trying to establish a Constitutional Court designed to serve with the capacity of the 'popular courts' of the Nazi Germany, or with the addition of new departments to the Council of State or the Supreme Court of Appeals, the 'power balance' at those high courts to be altered in favour of the ruling party, there are more than enough reasons in Turkey to feel very much concerned about the future of the already problematic democracy of this country", Kanli concludes.

[15] Geneva failure

The Greek Cypriot side came to the meeting empty-handed, with no intention to compromise. The Turkish Cypriot side presented a well-planned roadmap for an intensified two-months of talks with four trilateral summits under the chairmanship of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon."

"With May polls on the Greek Cypriot side and June polls in Turkey approaching, this exercise might be considered already dead though the secretary-general insisted on not throwing in the towel for now," the writer concludes.

[16] Highlights

a) Pro-Islamic slant in Turkish foreign policy

Analyzing Turkish foreign policy, Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review columnist Cuneyt Ulsever argues that the adoption by Turkey of an idealist foreign policy and departure from realist foreign policy is wrong and dangerous. Ulsever says that domestic and foreign policies followed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are based on an Islamic mindset. He concludes by saying: "In a multi-cantered new world, a real/pragmatist foreign policy is left behind, but actually what is being left behind is the road map of a Western mindset! An Islamic road map with sauce from the West is the new guide for Turkish foreign policy!"

b) Alleged coup plots

Yeni Akit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak comments on the content of the recently disclosed military documents seized in a police search at the naval command in Golcuk. He claims that the details of Operation Sledgehammer revealed in these documents (including accounts of how the architects of the plan kept close tabs on members of the Turkish Armed Forces, opposed to a military takeover and how they envisioned a "preposterous" economic programme to be implemented by a "national consensus government"), establish beyond the shadow of any doubt that Operation Sledgehammer was not a military drill, as Former First Army Commander Cetin Dogan maintains, but a full-fledged "coup plan" that had already been put into practice when it became the subject of a criminal investigation.

c) Author on Dink murder threatened

Under the headline "Four bullets for that Book," Bugun runs a front-page report which asserts that Bugun columnist Adem Yavuz Arslan has received a "death message" for his recent book There is an Armenian in the form of a parcel containing a white beanie with four AK-47 rounds in it. According to the report, Arslan's book attempts to shed light on the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2007. The gunman in the assassination, Ogun Samast, was wearing a white beanie when he killed Dink, the report says. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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