Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-04-12

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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] Tension escalates in the UBP; Kucuk says "early elections" might be held

[02] Eroglu: "The two sides in Cyprus are currently far away from reaching an agreement"

[03] Eroglu meets with UN special adviser

[04] CTP and TDP will organize a joint rally on 24 April

[05] The breakaway regime is represented at PACE's spring session

[06] Ozersay to hold contacts in Brussels

[07] Antiquities found in occupied Lapithos

[08] A church bell has been stolen from Agios Georgios church in occupied Vathylakas village

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkish political parties submit candidate lists for June 12 elections

[10] Davutoglu holds contacts in Egypt, Hungary; He is expected to visit Strasbourg, Doha, Berlin

[11] Turkish and Polish Ministers discuss bilateral trade and visa requirement

[12] Turkish PM to face questioning on media in PACE's spring session

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Tension escalates in the UBP; Kucuk says "early elections" might be held

The leaders of the opposition parties are preparing to table a "motion of non-confidence" in the "parliament". They all urged the "government" to resign. Ferdi Sabit Soyer, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said the "parliament" is being boycotted by the UBP and added that they are considering of tabling a "motion of non-confidence". Asked whether the country could bear an "early election", Soyer wondered whether it could bear the current situation and added that they will do whatever is necessary to come out of the "chaos".

The leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Serdar Denktas said the "government" should resign. He recalled that his party had warned that the "reshuffle" would not solve the problems. Denktas noted that the "government" would come face to face with a "motion of non-confidence", if it does not resign.

Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said political instability exists in the "country" and noted that the UBP has been divided into two. He argued that "early elections" is the only way out of the political crisis which is added to the economic problems of the "country".

The self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said they would not resign and added that this was not the first time when lack of quorum existed. Referring to the eight "MPs", who did not attend the session of the "parliament" yesterday, Kucuk argued that "no resentment exists".

However, in statements to Halkin Sesi, the "MPs" who boycotted the "parliament" did not deny that they reacted against the new "cabinet" and said this is the reason for which they did not participate in yesterday's session. Necdet Numan argued that occupied Keryneia was forgotten during the "reshuffle". Ergun Serdaroglu said the new "cabinet" was not a "cabinet of actions". Turkay Tokel said they react against the new "cabinet". Mehmet Tancer described the new "cabinet" as "unbalanced".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.04.11) refers to the issue under the title "Boycott of the parliament" and reports that the crisis within the "ruling" UBP is escalating. The paper writes that the "resentful MPs", who were expecting to become "ministers" but Kucuk did not appoint them in the new "cabinet", acted jointly yesterday and blocked the "parliament".

Noting that the "government" might be overthrown if the number of the "seats" of the opposition parties reaches 26 in the "parliament", Kibris writes that CTP has 15 "seats", TDP 3 and DP 2. The Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), which has 2 "MPs", did not announce yet how it will act in this process. Independent "MP" Tahsin Ertugruloglu said the developments proved he was right and expressed his satisfaction. Ertugruloglu noted that after these developments, "elections" within this year or in the beginning of the next year are inevitable.

According to the paper, the 20 votes of the three opposition parties will not be enough for overthrowing the "government". The votes of the eight "resentful MPs" of the UBP will be needed. Kibris writes that these "MPs" are Ilkay Kamil, Zorlu Tore, Turkay Tokel, Ahmet Caluda, Necdet Numan, Mehmet Tancer, Ergun Serdaroglu, and Hasan Tacoy.

Moreover, Kibris reports also that seven "MPs" of the UBP are preparing to submit a memorandum to Irsen Kucuk demanding an extraordinary congress and "election" of new chairman of the party. Kucuk found out about the "memorandum" of the "Movement of the Seven", as the paper describes it, and said if they do this, he could declare "early elections" on 12 June, simultaneously with the elections to be held in Turkey. Four "MPs" from this "Movement" gathered yesterday in occupied Keryneia to evaluate Kucuk's statement regarding a possible "early election". The final form of the "memorandum" will be decided in a meeting with the participation of all seven "MPs", who do not accept anything else but the resignation of Kucuk from the presidency of the UBP before the extraordinary congress.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (12.04.11) refers to the issue under the title "The choice is either a coalition or an early election" and reports that the UBP has two choices: the first is the establishment of a "coalition" government" and the second is an "early election". According to the paper, the "MPs" who caused problems will not be candidates in the "early elections".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: "The two sides in Cyprus are currently far away from reaching an agreement"

Responding to reporters' questions regarding a public survey carried out in the free areas of Cyprus, Eroglu said that hopes for a settlement were diminishing as the negotiations have been dragging on for a long time. "We proposed to reach an agreement in the talks by the end of March. But our proposal was rejected. Thus we are now looking forward to the tripartite meeting scheduled to take place in June" he claimed and added: "Even if it is my desire, I can't really speak of an agreement to be reached in a near future."

[03] Eroglu meets with UN special adviser

Downer also said that he was looking forward to Thursday's working dinner with the two leaders, stating that the gathering will be a good opportunity to evaluate the stage of progress in the talks. He underlined the need for achieving further progress at the talks until another tripartite meeting takes place with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in mid June. Asked upon what would happen if there was lack of progress by that time, he said: "Let's hope that isn't the case".

Meanwhile, the special representatives of the two leaders will also meet on Thursday afternoon within the framework of their efforts to assist the leaders in reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

[04] CTP and TDP will organize a joint rally on 24 April

In statements yesterday during a press conference, Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Mehmet Cakici, chairmen of CTP and TDP respectively, explained the decision of their parties.

Soyer said they decided with the TDP to organize a rally and a feast on the anniversary of the referendum remaining committed to the will expressed by the Turkish Cypriot "people" on 24 April 2004 and the target of an early solution to the Cyprus problem. Soyer noted that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem and "the attempt of violating the will" of the Turkish Cypriot "people" are the source of all the negative developments outside and inside the "country". He said the referendum of 24 April was a very important indication of the will of the Turkish Cypriots for self-administration.

Soyer noted that they decided to organize a rally on 24 April in order to say to the EU, the UN and the world that "a people exists" in the occupied part of Cyprus and this "people" wants a solution based on political equality and wishes to be unified with the world. He added that they also want to stop the delaying tactics allegedly used by President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu in the Cyprus negotiations.

Soyer called on all organizations, which are committed to the will expressed in the referendum in 2004 and the agreements of 23 May and 1 July [Tr. Note: Between President Christofias and the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat], to participate in the rally and the feast.

In his statements, Mehmet Cakici argued that the biggest idea of the Turkish Cypriots is the solution of the Cyprus problem and the accession to the EU. He said they showed this clearly in the referendum in 2004 and expressed the view that it is everyone's duty to defend and realize this idea. He noted that chaos and unrest exist in the occupied areas of Cyprus and expressed the view that the solution of the Cyprus problem will correct all these problems.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (12.04.11) refers to the issue under the title "Reaction of the 'puppets', retaliation for 7 April" and writes that the CTP and TDP will organize a rally without "provocateurs" and "marginal groups". "Those who were annoyed by the provocateurs, the flag of [the Republic of] Cyprus and the banners accusing Turkey of being occupier, are meeting on 24 April", reports the paper.

Afrika points out that the Democratic Party (DP) has not been invited to this activity.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The breakaway regime is represented at PACE's spring session

[06] Ozersay to hold contacts in Brussels

During his contacts, Ozersay is expected to convey the Turkish Cypriot side's views regarding the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations and how to change EU's approach towards the termination of the "isolation imposed on Turkish Cypriots". He is expected to return to Cyprus tomorrow evening and participate in Thursday's negotiations.

[07] Antiquities found in occupied Lapithos

The paper writes that it was not possible to obtain more information on the issue since it was not possible to contact with officials of the so-called "Antiquities and Museums Department".

(AK)

[08] A church bell has been stolen from Agios Georgios church in occupied Vathylakas village

As the paper writes, four persons have been taken into custody regarding the incident. The so-called police continue their investigations on the issue.

(AK)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkish political parties submit candidate lists for June 12 elections

Eighteen parties, including the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), are set to take part in the elections while six political parties said they will not compete.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu have been nominated from Istanbul both, as MHP leader Devlet Bahceli was nominated in the southern province of Osmaniye.

A total of 167 lawmakers from the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party were not included in the candidate MP lists. The list did not include 167 people who are actually parliamentarians. Among these 167 people are former ministers Kursad Tuzmen, Osman Pepe, Nazim Ekren, Sami Guclu, Zeki Ergezen, Hilmi Guler, Mustafa Sait Yazicioglu; AK Party deputy chairperson Nukhet Hotar; former deputy chairpeople Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat and Edibe Sozen; Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Murat Mercan; and Parliamentary Human Rights Inspection Committee chairman Zafer Uskul. AK Party's State Minister Aliye Selma Kavaf for women and family affairs has not been nominated as MP on the AK Party lists. The AK Party list included 78 women candidates and 11 disabled.

Twenty-seven of 72 lawmakers from the second opposition party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), were not included in the candidate MP lists. The list did not include 27 of actual MHP parliamentarians. Murat Basesgioglu, who resigned from AKP and joined MHP, is a candidate MHP MP in Istanbul Zone 2.

Also, sixty-four lawmakers from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) were not included in the candidate MP lists. The list included all of 17 members of the CHP Central Executive Board, but excluded Onder Sav, the former secretary general; Kemal Anadol, a former chairman of CHP group at parliament; Ali Topuz; Hakki Suha Okay; Mehmet Sevigen; Yilmaz Ates; Nesrin Baytok; Onur Oymen; Dervis Gunday; Tayfun Icli; Sukru Elekdag; Algan Hacaloglu; Mustafa Ozyurek; Birgen Keles; Bayram Meral; Ahmet Tan; Canan Aritman; Bulent Baratali; Ahmet Ersin; Cevdet Selvi; Orhan Ziya Diren; and Enis Tutuncu.

CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu has run in Istanbul Zone 2; whereas former chairman Deniz Baykal is a candidate in the southern province of Antalya. Moreover, Mustafa Balbay and Mehmet Haberal, two suspects of the Ergenekon case who are actually in prison, are candidate CHP MPs in the western province of Izmir and northern province of Zonguldak.

[10] Davutoglu holds contacts in Egypt, Hungary; He is expected to visit Strasbourg, Doha, Berlin

"We want to make progress with the EU regarding the visa requirements. We are exerting joint efforts with Hungary under its rotating helm of the Union for the opening of the 8th chapter in the negotiations that includes the visa issue," Davutoglu said.

Later on Davutoglu met with Hungarian President Pal Schmitt and thanked him for Hungary's support to Turkey's EU candidacy. Schmitt said they have always said to EU countries that an EU could not be thought of without Turkey.

Prior to the meeting, Davutoglu separately met with Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover, Tamas Hegedus, the chairman of Turkish-Hungarian Interparliamentary Group, as well as Hungarian parliamentarians.

Turkish daily Today's Zaman (11.04.11, online) reported that Davutoglu on Saturday visited wounded Libyans in Izmir's Urla State Hospital and was briefed on their situation.

On Sunday he departed from Ankara for Cairo in order to hold talks with Arab League chief Amr Moussa. Davutoglu also met with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi.

Davutoglu after concluding his talks in Hungary plans to proceed to Strasbourg from Budapest in order to have talks with Council of Europe (CoE) officials and attend meetings of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) as part of a spring session that will discuss a wide range of policy issues facing Europe on April 11-15. Following Strasbourg, Davutoglu is expected to travel to Doha and Berlin.

[11] Turkish and Polish Ministers discuss bilateral trade and visa requirement

The Turkish minister also said that Turkey and Poland eyed to boost trade volume to as high as six billion USD from 4.1 billion USD this year, adding that the first two months of 2011 saw the figure reaching 800 million USD.

Moreover, Cagayan said Turkey also expected significant progress in Turkey-EU negotiations under Poland's rotating EU helm, adding, "We believe that Poland will not allow EU to keep implementing double standards on Turkey." Pawley, on his part, said Poland was determined to extent full support to Turkey's accession talks, adding his country attached utmost importance to relations with Turkey.

[12] Turkish PM to face questioning on media in PACE's spring session

He said the recent arrest of journalists in Turkey and the police seizure of an unpublished book by one of the arrested reporters were "absolutely a source of concern" in Strasbourg and a blot on Turkey's freedoms record. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will address PACE's spring session on Wednesday as the guest head of government and respond to questions from the parliamentarians.

The PACE spring session was opened Monday by President Mevlut Cavusoglu, a Turkish parliamentarian. A debate on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue will take place Tuesday in a session attended by Professor Mehmet Gormez, head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate. The same day Davutoglu will present a report of the Ministers' Committee to the General Assembly.

Erdogan and Davutoglu are expected to meet with Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland and Cavusoglu. Turkey will hand over the presidency of the Ministers' Committee to Ukraine on May 11. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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