Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-05-24

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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, Talat and other politicians commented on the results of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Cakici warns that another 200 thousand persons will be granted the "citizenship" of the regime under the new "draft-law"

[03] Eroglu announces that he will travel to London in June

[04] Eroglu met with a delegation of UFACSI

[05] Italian and Turkish Cypriot businessmen met in occupied Keryneia

[06] TURK-SEN has been elected as member of the Executive Board of Directors of ETUC

[07] "Believer's to Allah in TRNC are 58%"

[08] The leader of Saadet Party claims that because of their party, the Turkish invasion was executed

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Kucuk demands a deadline on the Cyprus talks

[10] A new airport in Mersin to facilitate also the breakaway regime

[11] Columnist comments on the Cyprus parliamentary elections results

[12] Turkey supports that the Libyan National Transitional Council is legitimate

[13] Members of Turkey's MHP resign, join pro-Kurdish party

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu, Talat and other politicians commented on the results of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus

In statements during one of his meetings yesterday, Eroglu said: "However, what concerns us is the stance of the Government which will be established after the elections. We shall wait and see".

Eroglu said, inter alia, the following: "AKEL says that it has not lost its power, but the important thing is the establishment of the Government and the conditions put forward by DIKO, which will enter into the Government?"

Referring to the Cyprus negotiations, Eroglu argued that it would not be possible to have a result if the stance of the sides is that "I will always take, I want". He claimed that DIKO's weight and conditions will determine the situation.

Furthermore, Eroglu's "office" issued a written statement on the results of the elections, noting that the "Greek Cypriot people exhibited its political preference" and that the results represent the will of the Greek Cypriot community. The statement said that the influence of the results on the Cyprus negotiations will be seen in the forthcoming period. "We hope that the election results will not harden the position of the Greek Cypriot side during this critical period into which the Cyprus issue is entering and that it will not create new difficulties for the negotiating process", it noted.

Kibris publishes also the views of other Turkish Cypriot politicians regarding the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus. These politicians expressed the belief that the results of the elections will not have a serious influence on the negotiations held between the two community leaders for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Ertugrul Hasipoglu, general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), said the results will not influence the negotiations. He argued that these results showed that the policy followed by President Christofias is not adopted by the people and pointed out that AKEL, which had for years been the first party, is now at the second place. He argued that the "bells started ringing" for President Christofias regarding the 2013 presidential elections.

Kutlay Erk, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said he does not think that the results of the elections will influence the Turkish Cypriots very much. He argued that the results might influence the peace process and expressed the view that while assessing the results, President Christofias should realize that the problems in administrating the economy were the reason for the failure of his party in the elections. "Moreover, we think that the fact that he could not show enough courage and creativity in the negotiations caused the decrease of the support to his party", he alleged. He claimed that President Christofias should "analyze well" the increase in the percentages of DISY, "which made courageous proposals by taking more into consideration the Turkish Cypriots in the solution process". He expressed the view that the Government will not change.

Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy party (TDP), told Kibris that DIKO will assess whether it will remain in the Government. "This will create chaos in the Government in the south", he claimed. He alleged that the results of the elections are the reason for President Christofias' remaining alone and left weakened at the negotiating table. He argued that this will negatively influence President Christofias and the negotiations.

Meanwhile, Kibris reports that in statements before departing for London, self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk referred again to the results of the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Cyprus and argued that the existing situation has not changed. He alleged that "no change is expected in the insincere stance of the Greek Cypriots".

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (24.05.11) reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has argued that "the results could be seen as bells of danger" by President Christofias, because the presidential elections will be held in the Republic of Cyprus in 2013. In statements to Yeni Duzen, Talat argued yesterday that President Christofias won the presidential elections because of the expectation of the Greek Cypriots for a solution to the Cyprus problem, but his partner in the Government is against the solution. Talat said he does not expect the results of the elections to influence the Cyprus talks.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cakici warns that another 200 thousand persons will be granted the "citizenship" of the regime under the new "draft-law"

The paper writes that the economic problems, unemployment and especially the new "draft-law" regarding the "citizenship", which is prepared by the "government", caused tension yesterday in the "parliament" and further hardening of the stance of the "opposition" parties.

Addressing the session, Cakici said that all the "MPs" who will vote in favour of the above-mentioned "draft-law" will be "traitors of the country". "This law is our red line", he said and added that they will take any kind of action against this "law".

Cakici noted, inter alia, the following: "We will file a complaint about you at international courts. We will say that you carry population here and that you transfer population in a planned manner. Passing this law is a red line for us. This means the end of our relations with you. It means the beginning of uproar and chaos? If necessary a referendum should be held".

Kibris reports that employees of the bankrupted "Turkish Cypriot Airlines" and building contractors, who face problems regarding tenders announced in Turkey, followed the session of the "assembly" yesterday. The building contractors stated that they will be attending the sessions of the "assembly" from now on and express the injustice made against them.

The paper writes that the "MPs" of the opposition, that is, the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Democratic Party (DP) and Republican Turkish Party (CTP) followed the session standing for five minutes in order to protest against the stance of the "government".

Meanwhile, Serdar Denktas, chairman of the DP, took the floor and started speaking without the permission of the "speaker of the assembly" Hasan Bozer. When the latter told him that his actions are contrary to the "regulations of the assembly", Denktas said he decided to act contrary to the "regulations" in order to draw attention to the problems which exist in the "country".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu announces that he will travel to London in June

In his statements during the meeting, Eroglu stated that it will not be possible to participate at the Festival due to the fact that he will be in London on that dates.

(AK)

[04] Eroglu met with a delegation of UFACSI

The meeting took place in the framework of the inauguration by UFACSI at Bedesten art gallery of an international exhibition. The opening of the exhibition was held yesterday by Eroglu in the presence of former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas and the so-called mayor of occupied Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglullari.

As the paper writes, artists from several countries like Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, "TRNC", Turkey and Peru are exhibiting their work.

(AK)

[05] Italian and Turkish Cypriot businessmen met in occupied Keryneia

[06] TURK-SEN has been elected as member of the Executive Board of Directors of ETUC

According to information acquired by the trade union, the membership of Bicakli and Asiksoy was approved during the 12th General Assembly of ETUC which took place in Athens between 15-20 of May.

(AK)

[07] "Believer's to Allah in TRNC are 58%"

Arikli, in his 1986 research, depicted Turkish Cypriots views on the issues of "Believing to God," "Thoughts regarding prayer and worship" and "Factors affecting the believers." According to his results, 58% believe to God unconditionally, 13% do not believe in the existence of God and 27% have some problems in believing. The research also showed that the most important factor that affects the believers is family with 37%, followed by books and media with 26%, the opinion of religious persons (18%), the effect of personal events (15%) and the opinion of teachers and religious devotees (12%).

The research also revealed that 44% believe in the usefulness of prayer, 34% were undecided on the matter, while 17% said that they do not believe in the usefulness of prayer. Furthermore, participants in the research, when asked the reason for not implementing religious rituals (i.e. praying to the mosque, fasting) 28% said that they think worship is unnecessary, 22% said that they did not know that they had to do it, 9% said that worship is difficult and tiring and 6% was refraining from worship due to its social environment.

[08] The leader of Saadet Party claims that because of their party, the Turkish invasion was executed

Kamalak argued his party's road map is different and said that all parties support EU and wait like servants for 52 years outside its doors. "France is blaming Turkey of genocide," he said and expressed his belief that a no answer is to come and that they must establish an Islamic Union.

Also referring to CHP, he called upon right parties not to divide the votes, because CHP will come into power and pointed out that they [the National Salvation Party (MSP)] along with CHP in 1974 did Turkey's most successful job, the "Cyprus Peace Operation." Kamalak went on saying that if MSP had not entered the parliament, they would had never managed to complete the invasion and added: "They tried before two times, but the ships returned from the Mediterranean."

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Kucuk demands a deadline on the Cyprus talks

Delivering a speech at a conference on "Recent political developments in TRNC" in London, Kucuk said: "TRNC wanted to reach an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side, however, in order to reach that goal, a deadline was required."

Alleging on the Turkish Cypriot side's constructive and serious stance in the ongoing negotiation process, Kucuk said: "We are the side that wants a solution. The other side does not have such a desire. They don't want to limit the negotiations within a certain period of time. Talks are open-ended. We need to set a final date and it could be mid-2012."

Noting that Cyprus would take over the European Union's (EU) rotating presidency in 2012, Kucuk said: "TRNC wants to proceed on its way if an agreement could not be reached by then".

During his visit to London, Kucuk will also inaugurate today the building of the British Turkish Cypriot Associations Council.

[10] A new airport in Mersin to facilitate also the breakaway regime

"The city will open to the world market and export its local products directly through the harbour and the airport," said State Minister Zafer Caglayan, who is responsible for international trade, at a press meeting held at Cukurova Airport on Monday. "Unfortunately, the city could not keep up with the growth pace of the country and was left behind," said Caglayan, adding that the city's strategic location would serve the interest of exporters aiming to expand into world markets.

According to Caglayan, Mersin would rank as the one of the most important logistical hubs in the region, "similar to Singapore, Hong Kong or Rotterdam". Addressing the journalists, Habib Soluk Turkish Transportation Minister, said: "Mersin harbour will be ranked among the top 10 globally with a total handling capacity of 12 million tons".

[11] Columnist comments on the Cyprus parliamentary elections results

Kanli, inter alia, writes "Strange as it was, Sunday's election in the Greek Cypriot side of divided Cyprus produced victory of some sort for both the ruling socialist 'Anorthotikon Komma Ergazomenou Laou' (Progressive Party of Working People), AKEL, of President Demetris Christofias and the conservative main opposition 'Dimokratikos Sinagermos' (Democratic Rally), the DISY, of Nicos Anastasiades.

.....

Obviously, though expected, Sunday's result was still a surprise and will have some serious impacts both on the presidential race in two years time and on the United Nations-led direct reunification talks process between the leaders of the two communities of Cyprus. While AKEL has surprisingly increased its electoral support in Sunday's elections, all its coalition partners suffered seriously.

.....

Can Christofias opt for a grand coalition?

Will Christofias and AKEL now take the unexpected road and engage in talks with DISY for a grand coalition which could indeed be a great contribution to the peace talks since such a strong government could walk the bitter extra mile in concocting a bitter compromise settlement on the basis of political equality with the Turkish Cypriots? Can Christofias and his AKEL walk such a road? Can DISY manage to put aside the rhetoric and antagonism of daily politics and engage in such a compromise and a grand national coalition bid?

So far, it appears unlikely. Yet, under the Mediterranean sun nothing should be considered impossible. Such a coalition, however, might be very difficult to achieve if not impossible in light of the aggressive presidential aspirations of both parties.

....

Christofias will have to make that difficult decision. Though the election results showed that his AKEL is still running strong, the overall performance of the Government is not appreciated by the electorate. Furthermore, the results might have shown the discontent and dissatisfaction of the electorate with how the Cyprus talks were continued by Christofias. Since the AKEL vote alone cannot help in Christofias' re-election bid, the Greek Cypriot leader might start considering to search for new political allies. Can he be pragmatic enough to knock on the door of Anastasiades?

Making peace will of course become far easier should the centre-right somehow return to Government in southern Cyprus. If a right-left grand coalition is forged, life could become really difficult for the Turkish Cypriot side because there would finally be strong leadership on the Greek side to engage in a give-and-take ? something that could be traumatic for the Turkish Cypriot side as well. Such a development, though political actors might not wish to see it happen, would produce the best chance ever for a Cyprus settlement."

[12] Turkey supports that the Libyan National Transitional Council is legitimate

Holding a joint press conference with the Council's Chairman Mustafa Abdul-Jalil in Ankara on Monday, Davutoglu said that people in Libya had legitimate demands and there was a need for a political system in line with these demands. He added that transition to such a political system should be made by peaceful means.

It was one of the priorities of Turkey to protect territorial integrity of Libya as well as maintain the country's respectful position in international community as a strong and a single state, he noted.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told journalists after the press conference that this does not mean that Turkey recognised the Council as the sole representative of the Libyan people, Reuters news agency reports.

Earlier in the day, Abdul-Jalil and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a meeting too.

A. A. quoted Davutoglu as saying: "Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has to leave power before any settlement could materialize in Libya. Gaddafi needs to step down to lead the way for a comprehensive political transition."

Davutoglu said Turkey favoured a political settlement in Libya which would guarantee that the Libyan people's legitimate demands were met, political transition was secured through peaceful means and a united Libya was recognized as a respected member of the international community.

The Head of the Libyan opposition forces has expressed support for a peace road-map Turkey had proposed to end the political unrest in Libya.

Abdul-Jalil thanked Turkey for its support for the anti-Gaddafi forces in Libya saying: "Turkish support is important to negate Gaddafi's allegations that the allied campaign is a medieval crusade."

Turkish President Abdullah Gul also met Monday with Abdul Jalil in the Turkish capital.

"There is no room anymore for the old administration in Libya. A new regime needs to be established in the shortest possible time, free of oppression," Turkish sources close to the meeting quoted Gul as telling Abdul-Jalil.

Gul was cited as saying that Turkey was ready to extent any help to Libya through the political transition process, and that the Council needed to embrace all Libyan people.

[13] Members of Turkey's MHP resign, join pro-Kurdish party

The MHP's local leader in Baskale district of the eastern province of Van, Omer Bozkurt, and all 16 members of the local executive board submitted their resignations to the District Election Board on Monday. The group later visited the election office of Kemal Aktas, an independent candidate supported by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

Speaking at the election office, Bozkurt, whose surname means "Grey Wolf" ? an almost sacred icon for Turkish nationalists ? said they wanted to be "hand-in-hand with the people instead of with the parties of the system."

"All people in the east and southeast who are members of other parties should immediately resign and join their own party: the BDP, Bozkurt said.

The former MHP member was later presented with a BDP badge by the pro-Kurdish party s local branch head Dervi
Polat.

Independent candidate Aktas said he was very happy to see Bozkurt as a member of the BDP.

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