Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-04-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu states that progress could be reached

[02] "Government" Reshuffle in the breakaway regime

[03] The Unions' Platform new action has began

[04] Environmental Engineers warn about the danger from Akkuyu nuclear power plant

[05] Erk and Colak have been declared persona non-grata in Azerbaijan

[06] Turkish settlers visit CTP and TDP and demand to have a say in all fields in the occupied part of Cyprus

[07] Avci evaluates the situation in occupied Cyprus

[08] A candidate withdraws from the elections in KTOS

[09] Bomb against a journalist in the occupied part of Cyprus

[10] An action against the construction of skyscrapers in occupied Keryneia to be held on April 9

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Ozgurgun addresses the British House of Lords

[12] Helene Flautre on Turkey's EU bid and Cyprus

[13] Ba
1

discusses in Paris Turkey's EU bid

[14] Davutoglu holds contacts in Syria

[15] Caglayan on visa requirements with the EU

[16] New public prosecutor takes over Ergenekon case

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu states that progress could be reached

Eroglu said that discussions on the issue indicated that progress could be reached on the functions of the police force, including matters like policing, jurisdictions and participation of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in the federal security forces.

[02] "Government" Reshuffle in the breakaway regime

Eroglu approved the following proposed changes in the so-called ministries of the breakaway regime: "Minister of Foreign Affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun, Minister of Finance Ersin Tatar, Minister of Interior and Local Administrations Nazim Cavusoglu, Minister of Labour and Social Security Serife Unverdi, Minister of National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Kemal Durust, Minister of Public Works and Communications Hamza Ersan Saner, Minister of Health Ahmet Kasif, Minister of Economy and Energy Sunat Atun, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Ali Cetin Amcaoglu and Minister of Tourism and Environment Unal Ustel."

Speaking to reporters after presenting his "cabinet" to Eroglu, Kucuk said that they had resorted to the "cabinet" change by taking into account the "country's needs".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.04.11) reports that Zorlu Tore, former "minister" of agriculture, told the paper that during his term in the "office" he had exerted great efforts to support the local producers by prohibiting the import of products such as honey, potatoes, olive oil, dairy products and meat. He alleged that his actions were not welcome by the chamber of trade and the food importers, who have exerted great efforts for Tore's removal from his post. He claimed that he had also been "warned" by the meat smugglers, because he was seriously dealing with this smuggling.

Moreover, in statements to Kibris, Turkay Tokel, former "minister" of labour and social insurance, said that yesterday he heart that his name was in the list of the new "cabinet", but afterwards he found out that he was not in the list submitted to the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu. "This was not a surprise only for me, but for many members of the party", he said. Replying to a question, he said he did not believe that Eroglu asked for his removal from the "cabinet". Asked whether the situation which exists in the "social insurance fund" was the reason for his removal, Tokel noted that they prepared the relevant "draft-law" in accordance with the advices of experts from Ankara and "prime minster" Irsen Kucuk approved it.

Former interior "minister", Ilkay Kamil said "prime minister" Kucuk was the one who decided to leave him outside the "cabinet". He noted that no one criticized him in the "government" or in the party. He argued that he did nothing wrong and said that until the last moment he did not know about the change in the "cabinet".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (07.04.11) refers to the issue under the title "The tradition collapsed" and writes that Serife Unverdi, new "minister" of labour", is the first woman who becomes "minister" by the National Unity Party (UBP). The paper reports that the other two new members of the "cabinet" are Unal Ustel, "minister" of tourism, environment and culture, and Ali Cetin Amcaoglu, "minister" of agriculture and natural resources.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (07.04.11) refers to the issue under the title "Like a toy" and reports that this was the third "cabinet" of the UBP in two years. Nazim Cavusoglu, writes the paper, begin as "minister" of agriculture in the first "cabinet", became "minister" of education in the second and now he is appointed as "minister" of interior. According to the paper, another "minister" who changed post in the "cabinet" is Kemal Durust, who now became "minister" of education.

[03] The Unions' Platform new action has began

According to the paper, yesterday, the Platform gave out brochures calling on the people to participate in today's action. The brochures read that "now is the time for making the struggle bigger", adding: "This fight is for democracy; for the protection of the economic and social rights, for not giving as a present the public organisations that belong to the Turkish Cypriots in the name of privatisation, for the children to be the owners of their future." Inter alia, is added that the fight is given for putting an end to the "citizenship allocation", for resolving the Cyprus problem, for providing the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the international arena and for political equality.

Today's action is being supported by the New Cyprus Party (YKP) and the United Cyprus Party (BKP), which have called on all of their members to participate in it. In addition, the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Union (KTOS) announced that they will participate in the meeting and that strikes in various schools of occupied Lefkosia and other areas will take place. Moreover, the members of the Turkish Cypriot Public Servants' Trade Unions KAMU-SEN and KTAMS realise strikes in various occupied cities. Strikes will also take place by the Electricity Workers' Union (EL-SEN), the Telecommunication Workers' Union (TEL-SEN), the Turkish Cypriot Journalists' Union (BASIN-SEN) and other unions.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (07.04.11) reports that the so-called provincial district of occupied Lefkosia has forbidden the use of loudspeakers by the participants in today's action. Reacting to this decision, KTOEOS chairman Tahir Gokcebel said that they will not adjust to this decision and criticised the so-called provincial district for fascist behaviour, adding that this cannot be accepted.

[04] Environmental Engineers warn about the danger from Akkuyu nuclear power plant

In a written statement issued yesterday, the Chamber drew the attention to the plans for building a nuclear power plant in Mersin's Akkuyu area in Turkey, 110 kilometres away from Cyprus. The statement said that the influence of nuclear power plants to the environment is low in case these plants work well, but in case of an accident and especially a serious accident, the influence on the environment is very severe and spreads in a long distance and for a long term.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Erk and Colak have been declared persona non-grata in Azerbaijan

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (07.04.11) reports that Kutlay Erk and Emine Colak, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Foundation of Human Rights, who visited Armenia with Erk, have been declared persona non-grata in Azerbaijan for visiting the Nagorno-Karabakh area.

[06] Turkish settlers visit CTP and TDP and demand to have a say in all fields in the occupied part of Cyprus

During the visits, the chairman of HAK, Ahmet Iscan stated that they want to have a say regarding the destiny of this "country". "If this country is ours, we also want to have a say in the destiny of this country", he said. Referring to the activities of the Trade Unions' Platform, Iscan noted that they respect the right of the Trade Unions to demand their rights in the occupied areas of Cyprus, but they have some reservations regarding their contacts in the EU. He recalled that the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem are held under the United Nations and wondered whether efforts are exerted by some persons for dragging these negotiations into the EU.

Iscan said he could not understand the discussions held recently on the issue of the population living in the occupied area of Cyprus and recalled that a "population census" was carried out in 2006. He alleged that the number of the persons living on a piece of land of 3.355 (square) kilometres is known.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the NGOs are one of the elements which strengthen democracy and that his party respects the establishment of HAK. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot "people" benefit from the direct contacts which all organizations have abroad, that problems might be caused by some statements made during these contacts and that this is not something which frightens him. He argued that this "mistake" could be corrected with the "people's common sense and maturity".

Mehmet Cakici said that the cultural differences in the occupied areas of Cyprus are a wealth, that the population structure is important and that it is not correct to make discriminations among the persons who obtained the right to become "citizens" of the regime. Cakici noted that his party is not positive to giving the "citizenship" of the regime to more persons.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Avci evaluates the situation in occupied Cyprus

Referring to the stance of the Unions, Avci, inter alia, said that some of the Unions have not shown a responsible behaviour on the economic, political and social problems experienced. Moreover, Avci described as "positive" the fact that the Republican Peoples' Party (CTP), the Communal Existence Party (TDP) and the Democratic Party (DP) will not participate in today's action in front of the so-called parliament and added that they will not accept even a small scale attack against the "parliament".

[08] A candidate withdraws from the elections in KTOS

Ismailoglu was a candidate in the list which is against the group of Sener Elcil, current general secretary of KTOS. In a statement yesterday, Ismailoglu said he withdrew his candidacy because persons from the "ministry" call members of the organization in an effort to overthrow Elcil. He noted that after receiving a phone call on 6 April, he realised that directions are given by the National Unity Party (UBP) in these elections.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Bomb against a journalist in the occupied part of Cyprus

Political parties and other organizations condemned the attack.

Sibel Tatar, director of Kanal T, stated yesterday that the target of the bomb, which aimed at intimidating Esendemir, was the entire press in the occupied part of Cyprus.

The Journalists' Union said that the recent attacks against journalists, including the recent attack against Afrika newspaper, "threaten democracy" in the occupied part of Cyprus.

Trade Union Basin-Sen argued that the bomb against Esendemir was an attack against the freedom of press and the right of the people to be informed.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), condemned the attack and said the fact that some persons have been accused of being traitors is responsible for all the incidents that are caused with the aim of intimidating those who have different opinions.

The attack was also condemned by the United Cyprus Party (BKP), which described the increase of the attacks against journalists as "worrisome".

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.04.11) reports that the attack was condemned also by the "speaker" of the "assembly", Hasan Bozer who described it as "shameful" and added that violence, threats and attacks against the freedom of the press were unacceptable.

Writing as columnist in daily Kibrisli newspaper (07.04.11), Mutlu Esendemir argues that the attack against him is related with the articles he wrote during the past ten days regarding the wrong city planning in occupied Keryneia and the wrong decisions of the above-mentioned "municipality".

(I/Ts.)

[10] An action against the construction of skyscrapers in occupied Keryneia to be held on April 9

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[11] Ozgurgun addresses the British House of Lords

Speaking at a meeting on Cyprus at the British House of Lords in London, Ozgurgun said that, despite all tragic experiences, the Turkish Cypriot "people" never gave up efforts to find a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem.

"It is deeply saddening to see that the Greek Cypriot side ignores the needs and concerns of the Turkish Cypriots. We hope that the international community sends a strong message that they will no longer tolerate the negative policies of the Greek Cypriots which pose an obstacle to finding a comprehensive solution in Cyprus," Ozgurgun claimed.

[12] Helene Flautre on Turkey's EU bid and Cyprus

Speaking at a conference entitled "The latest situation on Turkey's EU negotiation process" which took place at Strasbourg University, Mrs Flautre stated that the stronger EU countries do not accept easily the active foreign policy followed by Turkey and added that when examining this objectively, Turkey is a regional power that could contribute to the EU in several fields.

Referring to Turkey's EU negotiation process, Mrs Flautre said that the negotiations are in a dead spot adding that the interest of the Turkish community about Turkey's EU bid has been reduced.

Referring to the reforms that Turkey should make in order to become a member of the EU, Mrs Flautre stressed that it is demanded by Turkey to make reforms on the issue of basic rights, the freedom of press, judicial reforms and others. She also alleged that due to the veto of Cyprus, no progress has been observed for the opening of those chapters.

(AK)

[13] Bagis discusses in Paris Turkey's EU bid

Bagis, who is in Paris for official talks, and Wauquiez met over a working lunch in Paris. The two discussed bilateral relations and Turkey's troubled bid to join the EU, diplomats said. France, which opposes Turkey's EU membership, blocks accession negotiations on five chapters that it says are directly related to accession.

Bagis expressed unease over the slow progress of the accession negotiations and complained that the negotiation process was negatively affected by the French and Greek Cypriot reluctance over the opening of new chapters, diplomats said. Bagis was also due to meet Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for Agriculture, Food Supply, Fisheries, Rural Areas and Regional Development.

[14] Davutoglu holds contacts in Syria

"We are attaching great importance to the materialization of a comprehensive political reform in Syria, which will make the country much more powerful and ready for the future," Davutoglu told reporters after concluding his talks in Syria. He also rejected claims that he conveyed to Syria messages from other countries and said that Turkey had assumed no mediator role concerning the recent political developments in the country, which he said was Syria's own internal issues.

[15] Caglayan on visa requirements with the EU

(AK)

[16] New public prosecutor takes over Ergenekon case

Kansiz, who is best known for his work on the murder case of assassinated Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink and his recent investigation into the attempted murder of arabesque singer Ibrahim Tatlises, is a member of the Judges and Prosecutors' Association, or YARSAV, an organization that has fiercely criticized the Ergenekon investigation on a number of occasions. The new prosecutor's deputy will be Ufuk Emertcan, who will replace Oz's number two, Ercan Safak.

Oz and Safak were promoted to serve as deputies to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor, but they have lost their special authorities to deal with the Ergenekon investigation. In addition to the Ergenekon case, Oz's special authorities included investigating the Chief of the General Staff's "Internet memorandum," featuring the alleged establishment of anti-government, anti-Kurdish, anti-Armenian and anti-Greek websites; the summaries of proceedings to be prepared against former Justice Minister Seyfi Oktay and former main opposition leader Deniz Baykal on accusations of "attempting to influence a fair trial;" an embezzlement file against retired General and Ergenekon suspect Sener Eruygur; the Zirve massacre investigation, which is probing the murders of three missionaries in the eastern province of Malatya, as well as the investigation into the dissident news portal OdaTV. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article