Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-04-14

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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] Efforts for overcoming the crisis in the UBP; Eroglu has reportedly stepped in

[02] CTP-BG asks for "early elections" the soonest possible

[03] Maginnis: "Cyprus Turks should be recognized in terms of their right to self-determination"

[04] Serdar Denktas: "A Cyprus without Turkey and a Turkey without north Cyprus is unquestionable"

[05] Turkish Cypriot delegation to attend IPU

[06] Elcil says no objection to the Republic of Cyprus' flag

[07] Construction permission has been given in the "archaeological -protected area" of occupied Salamina

[08] "HAK" to organise a conference

[09] Efforts for participation of a Turkish Cypriot team in the Turkish football leagues

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Erdogan's address to PACE

[11] "Council of Europe to send a fact-finding mission to Turkey"

[12] Gul holds joint press conference with the Pakistani President

[13] Davutoglu met with the UN Secretary-General and the AUC Chairperson

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Efforts for overcoming the crisis in the UBP; Eroglu has reportedly stepped in

Under the title "There is no difference of opinion", Gunes, mouthpiece of the UBP, writes that Kucuk stated that during the meeting they evaluated the issues brought onto the agenda by the "MPs" and added that these issues will be discussed at the competent organs of the party. He announced that for this reason, the general administrative committee of the UBP will convene on Monday and the council of the party on Tuesday.

"We have no differences of opinion with our colleagues, but we will hold a meeting on various issues and with open agenda at the competent bodies [of the party]", said Kucuk.

Asked on the "motion of non-confidence" to be tabled today at the "parliament" by the opposition parties, Kucuk noted that this effort will fail and described it as "effort of the opposition to secure some gains for itself from the situation".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (14.04.11) refers to the issue under the title "Kucuk: There is no resignation" and reports that the six "MPs" of the UBP boycotted yesterday the work of the "assembly". The "MPs" will continue their boycott today. According to Kibris, the "MPs", who met with Kucuk yesterday, insisted on their demand for holding an extraordinary congress. The paper says that Kucuk told the "MPs" that the party council has no authority to take such a decision and that an extraordinary congress will be possible only if he resigns. "I have no intention to resign", he said.

Moreover, columnist Gokhan Altiner refers to the same issue in the Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (14.04.11) under the title: "The prime minister stood upright, the presidential palace stepped in and the crisis was overcome". According to Altiner, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stepped in the crisis after the statement made by Kucuk that he would declare "early elections" if the "MPs" did not return to the "assembly". Altiner says that Eroglu insisted that there is no need for "early elections". He also writes that Eroglu called the resentful "MPs" and urged them to come to reason.

(I/Ts.)

[02] CTP-BG asks for "early elections" the soonest possible

According to a written statement issued by the press office of the party, during the extraordinary meeting of the party, an evaluation of the latest political developments in the "country" was made.

The statement underlined that CTP-BG supported that the "government" has not fulfilled the promises it gave to the people before the "elections" and that its being a long time that it has been refrained from self-administration of the "country".

According to the statement, CTP-BG accused also self-styled government for accepting unconditionally the impositions of the government of the Turkish Republic in order to stay in power.

Referring to the scenery appeared to the "assembly" after the recent reshuffle, CTP-BG supported that this is the clearest sign of the chaos which has been created in the "country".

Regarding the ongoing negotiation process which continues under the auspices of the United Nations with the aim to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, CTP-BG accused the self-style government for submitting separate proposals in order to lead the process to a blockage, instead of following a constructive and favorable stance at the talks.

As regards the harmonization efforts with the EU, CTP-BG said that they are in a breaking point because of the lack of administration by the "government".

AK

[03] Maginnis: "Cyprus Turks should be recognized in terms of their right to self-determination"

"Lord Maginnis of Drumglass, a member of the British House of Lords, is holding a series of contacts in TRNC. Lord Maginnis, who is known as a supporter of the Cyprus Turkish people, was received by prime minister Irsen Kucuk today."

Illegal Bayrak also reports that Lord Maginnis, answering reporters' questions at the end of his meeting with Kucuk, alleged that there was no hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem with the extended negotiations, mainly because the Greek Cypriot side had nothing to gain from a solution.

Maginnis claimed also that the Greek Cypriot side just wanted to maintain the embargoes imposed on the Cyprus Turks and said it is time that the Turkish Cypriot people, who have been governing themselves democratically for all these years, to be granted international recognition on the basis of their right to self-determination. "I think we've got to show absolute resolution so that we don't come to an end of 37 years of indifference and embark on for another 37 years," Maginnis said.

[04] Serdar Denktas: "A Cyprus without Turkey and a Turkey without north Cyprus is unquestionable"

Serdar Denktas also explained that the rallies were held to show to the world that the Turkish Cypriots are able to plan for their future and administrate themselves, adding that there is no one Turkish Cypriot who will turn his back on Turkey and there is no one Turkish Cypriot who wants to live without Turkey.

[05] Turkish Cypriot delegation to attend IPU

According to a statement issued by the "TRNC parliament", the delegation, which includes so-called UBP Lefkosia "deputy" Hasan Tacoy and CTP Famagusta "deputy" Sonay Adem, departed yesterday evening.

[06] Elcil says no objection to the Republic of Cyprus' flag

[07] Construction permission has been given in the "archaeological -protected area" of occupied Salamina

Speaking on the issue, the self-styled mayor of occupied Famagusta Okay Kayalp said that due to that fact that it is a third-degree archaeological-protected area, the construction conforms to the "law". However, as Kayalp noted, third-degree protected areas carry risk, explaining that sometimes during the archaeological excavations remnants can be brought to light. On the other hand, it can become reason for losing historic artifacts, he said.

[08] "HAK" to organise a conference

[09] Efforts for participation of a Turkish Cypriot team in the Turkish football leagues

The chairman of the so-called Turkish Cypriot football federation Hasan Sertoglu visited Istanbul the day before yesterday in order to meet with Mahmut Ozgener, Chairman of the TFF.

Sertoglu stated that they had a "very useful meeting" and exchanged views on various issues. He said "important openings" will start soon. Sertoglu claimed that Ozgener is positive to the idea of the participation of a Turkish Cypriot team in the football leagues in Turkey. He also alleged that he got the impression that no problem will be created by FIFA and UEFA on this issue. Sertoglu added that they plan to take the issue to their general assembly after they examine the details.

(I/Ts.)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Erdogan's address to PACE

"Rising racism, discrimination, intolerance in Europe is a source of concern for other nations as much as they are for the European nations. We cannot read the history over wars, conflicts and polarization or we risk failure in building the future on peaceful grounds. [?] Those who cannot erase the Crusades from their memories cannot promise peace and tolerance to their own societies," Erdogan said in his speech.

Erdogan said that Turkey is the only Muslim and secular country in its region, and he went on saying: "Secularism that we have adapted from France has been discussed for decades and used as a tool of oppression over freedoms due to improper practices. It has been almost interpreted as a wall in front of democratization. [?] After a long time, especially during our government, all these debates have been left behind and Turkey proved to the world with concrete practices that Islam, secularism and democracy can survive together."

Erdogan added that the European countries should not turn a deaf ear to rising demands for freedom and rights from Mideast and North African nations as it would be very dangerous to consider those demands too early for some countries or that democracy is deserved for only a segment of the world. "From now on, we must stop seeing oil wells when we look at the Middle East and North Africa. We must focus on the ongoing tragedy," he said. "We do not want to see new Iraqs new Afghanistans in the Middle East and North Africa" he stressed.

On Turkey's relations with the EU, Erdogan claimed that Turkey's membership has been blocked by artificial foot-dragging and populist reasons. "I would like to repeat it clearly that Turkey needs EU and EU needs Turkey," Erdogan said. "We expect Turkey's EU bid to be seen in a fair point of view, and we expect Europe to keep its pledges made to Turkey" he underlined.

After the address to PACE, Erdogan answered to journalist's questions. Answering to a question regarding Orhan Pamuk's book, the detention of other journalists and the freedom of press, Erdogan said: "A criminal complaint has been made regarding a book of Orhan Pamuk. The jurisdiction has to assess the situation when a criminal complaint is made. It has been assessed with an outcome. As to the others, a judicial process is in question not because of their books or ideas, but because their relations with various crime and terrorist organizations. The executive power was given such an assignment as all those were proved by the jurisdiction. We are uneasy over the long term detention. We will be pleased if this is concluded soon."

Asked what could be the important role Turkey should assume in the Mediterranean and in Palestine, Erdogan said: "We may carry out joint works with other countries to make peace prevail in the region. We suggested NATO to assume a mission there. The African Union, the Arab League, OIC and furthermore the Gulf Cooperation Council should also undertake mission. Turkey has undertaken distribution of humanitarian assistance task given by NATO. We also have a mission to control air space and at the same time we also have a mission to support weapon embargo in the Mediterranean. Assigned positions of Turkey are certain. I think all the Mediterranean countries should work to prevail peace in the region."

Erdogan further said that it was the jurisdiction that decided on the arrest of journalist Ahmet Sik and the seizure of his book. "We talk about independent jurisdiction and support it when it suits us. However, you do not want an independent jurisdiction in Turkey. You want a jurisdiction dependent on the executive. However, there is no jurisdiction depending on the executive. There is an independent jurisdiction and this independent jurisdiction fulfills its missions," Erdogan said.

When a journalist said "I want to congratulate the Turkish government over its achievements both in Turkey and international platforms. You said you favour democratic change. If you respect this, why couldn't you reduce 10 percent election threshold?" Erdogan said: "Reducing the election threshold is not an issue related to democracy. We decided to continue this implementation for the stability and security of our country. We don't want to experience new problems in our country. We will negotiate reducing the election threshold in our nation when the time comes. It is the Turkish people who will decide on it."

[11] "Council of Europe to send a fact-finding mission to Turkey"

Jagland's envoy will look into the circumstances and reasons for the arrest of several journalists in connection with their links to Ergenekon gang, accused of planning to

topple the government by staging a coup, according to a Council of Europe press release issued on Wednesday.

"I will send a special representative as soon as possible. This envoy will report back to me so that we can make an assessment of the situation. This is a constructive approach and a move forward in discussion about media freedom in Turkey," Jagland said. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe had previously raised his concerns with Erdogan by telephone in March, when he expressed the hope that the cases against journalists could be resolved as quickly as possible.

"I welcome the invitation by Erdogan to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe to investigate the detention of journalists," Marietje Schaake, a member of the European Parliament, who represents D66, a Dutch liberal party, told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review in a written statement issued on Wednesday. "I believe that the Council is well equipped to deploy an independent delegation to assess fundamental rights in Turkey, such as press freedom and the rule of law."

[12] Gul holds joint press conference with the Pakistani President

Answering a question of a Pakistani journalist on how Turkey could help Pakistan reach the European markets, Gul said that Turkey has a Customs Union Agreement with the European Union (EU). "Pakistan can benefit from Turkey in its relations with Europe. All investments made in Turkey and relevant goods could be sent to the EU without facing customs charges," Gul stressed.

In response to a question on the Taliban organization and its planned office in Turkey, Gul said that "Turkey and Pakistan made great efforts for stability and normalization in Afghanistan. As Pakistan and Afghanistan share a border, their relations are much different and deeper. Turkey tries to help Afghanistan as a politically, historically and culturally close country. Turkey has the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Aside from military contributions, Turkey makes great contributions to Afghanistan in health, education and economic spheres".

The Pakistani President said that "the 21st century would be the century of Asia. President Gul and I support each other in all diplomatic activities. Our brotherhood reflects on our peoples," Zardari said and continued:

"Our two countries have great economic potential. We are working within a win-win principle for the future generations. [?] I believe that this would be the century of Asia. Turkey and Pakistan will jointly make use of the opportunities that this century would provide. We are not here to make headlines but rather make history".

[13] Davutoglu met with the UN Secretary-General and the AUC Chairperson

Davutoglu informed Ban about Turkey's road map for peace in Libya and expressed support to the work of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy Abdelilah Al-Khatib, diplomats said. Al-Khatib briefed Davutoglu about his talks in Tripoli and Benghazi, before the meeting between Davutoglu and Ban.

Later on, Davutoglu had a meeting with Mr Ping, Head of the African Union, and discussed the situation in Libya and Turkey's initiative to open to African markets. For his part, Ping said that he would visit Turkey next month to attend the UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries and praised Turkey's foreign policy, diplomats added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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