Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-06-06

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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 said that he would not sign an agreement just for the sake of reaching one

[02] Turkey's former Foreign Minister evaluates the recent developments on the Cyprus problem

[03] Ozersay due to US to carry out contacts with officials

[04] Yorgancioglu becomes the new CTP chairman

[05] A cooperation agreement in the tourism field

[06] IDB representatives came to "TRNC"

[07] Turkish Democracy Vakif: "It must become the 82nd province"

[08] Illegal LAU signs protocol with Ukrainian officials

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkey vetoes ex-Austrian Foreign Minister's OSCE candidacy

[10] Iraq signs gas deal with a Turkish firm

[11] The Economist faces barrage of accusations from the Turkish Government

[12] YSK allows for MHP deputy's candidacy

[13] More opinion polls on the general elections of 12 June

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu said that he would not sign an agreement just for the sake of reaching one

Claiming that he was sitting at the negotiating table with the aim of reaching a lasting and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem that would secure and ensure the existence of the Turkish Cypriots, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side faced an uncompromising and selfish understanding at the negotiating table.

Explaining that the realities of the Cyprus problem should not be ignored, Eroglu said it is hard to come up with an agreement at this point as the Greek Cypriot side opposed the idea of a win-win situation. "The Greek Cypriot side must come to realize the fact that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights with them" he stressed.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 03.06.11), reported that Eroglu, speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the Mehmetik monument in memory of infantryman Mahmut Haspolat from the Turkish province of Kayseri and other martyrs who fell in the region, said that the Mehmet?ik monument was a reminder of where the Turkish Cypriots had come from.

Noting that the monument is placed at the occupied village of Mia Millia, which is next to the green line with the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said "the monument symbolized the TRNC peoples' determination to protect their statehood and their territory".

Commenting on the Cyprus negotiation process, Eroglu said that he would not sign an agreement just for the sake of reaching one.

Eroglu said: "The fight for independence waged by the Turkish Cypriots was crowned with the establishment of an independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", and concluded by alleging that "we are proud to be the second Turkish nation to announce our independence".

[02] Turkey's former Foreign Minister evaluates the recent developments on the Cyprus problem

In his interview, Turkmen evaluated the recent developments on the Cyprus problem and said, inter alia, the following: "The Cyprus problem has at the moment encrusted. Turkey is not thinking at the moment that 'I am not becoming a member of the EU if no solution is found to the Cyprus problem". It says, 'we are doing what is necessary, if we offend the general oppositions of Germany and France, a formula is to be found in the last minute: This is how Turkey thinks at the moment. Turkey does not have any Cyprus policy at the moment. It uses only the single policy, wait and see?".

Also, Turkmen supported that no result would come up from an international conference adding that this kind of problems [Tr. Note: means the Cyprus problem] can be solved only with negotiations. Referring to the ongoing negotiation process, Turkmen said that the continuation of the negotiations in fact suit Turkey's purposes and added: "There is nothing that could last with the non-solution of the Cyprus problem, of course this is not an urgent in Turkey's agenda".

As regards the issue of the ports, Turkmen supported that no opening is expected to be made on the issue and added that the ports issue is an issue that could be solved very easily.

Referring to the recent openings made by Turkey to the world, he praised Turkey's power in the region and its policy in the Middle East, the Arab World, e.t.c.

Regarding the possibility for Turkey to be elected for a second term at the Security Council, Turkmen said that it would be a great success for Turkey.

Responding to the question whether he sees a possibility for the recognition of the "TRNC" in case that no result will come up from the negotiation process, Turkmen said: "The possibility for division and recognition is zero. Even Arabs say no to recognition and they explain their reasons".

Referring to the period of the Annan plan, he reminded of the fact that Russia gave a strong support to "south Cyprus", adding that after the referendum of 2004, Annan exerted efforts to take a decision which was in favor of Turkey but still it could not go beyond Russia. Turkmen stated further that it is not possible to go beyond the decisions of the Security Council and reminded of the two veto for Turkey (Greece and south Cyprus".

Referring to the population problem, Turkmen said that in a possible solution, the population issue will constitute the most serious problem of the solution. Referring to the Annan Plan which envisaged for 50.000 Turks to have the right to gain the "citizenship", Turkmen said that if actually today this number is on the rise, then an enormous chaos will be created.

(AK)

[03] Ozersay due to US to carry out contacts with officials

Ozersay will be meeting with the UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe as well as other high level US State Department officials. The possible impact and reflections of last month's general elections in Cyprus to the ongoing negotiation process is expected to be taken up during the meetings. Discussions are also expected to focus on the upcoming tripartite meeting in Geneva and a possible quintet summit to be attended by the three guarantor powers sometime in the near future.

[04] Yorgancioglu becomes the new CTP chairman

As it is reported, Kalyoncu earlier, had stated that if he receives even a vote less than his rivals do, he would withdrawn his candidacy, something that he did. Speaking right after the announcement of the first round's results, Kalyoncu withdrawn his candidacy and congratulated Yorgancioglu. In their speeches, both Yorganciolgu and Kalyoncu gave messages of unity and cooperation.

In his statements, after the elections, Yorganciolgu thanked everyone who voted for him and those who did not, saying that he will embrace all the party members and noted that all together will carry out a great struggle. As he added, he will materialize all of his promises and that they will work more professionally. Referring to his rivals, he noted that they will all walk together and that he will be benefited from their experience. "Because the struggle that we will carry out is very big, we do not have another option but to move on with unity, hand-by-hand, shoulder-by-shoulder, soul-by-soul," he noted.

Yorganciolu is 57-years-old and a "member of the parliament" in occupied Lefkosia. He has become the fifth chairman of the CTP after Ahmet Mithat Berberoglu, Ozker Ozgur, Mehmet Ali Talat and Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Meanwhile, at the congress, after the election of the new chairman, the party's activities report and financial report were presented and approved with unanimity. Accordingly, in the first decision regarding the Cyprus problem, all the political parties and "social powers" were called to act jointly in order for a federal solution to be found until the end of July 2012. In the second decision, the practices of the so-called government were criticised and the party, aiming the self-administration of the Turkish Cypriot "people", will exert efforts by undertaking a concrete programme in order to re-determine the relations with Turkey and in order for a federal solution based on political equality to be found. Finally, all the party organs and members were authorised to prepare a programme aiming at the restructure of the party.

Meanwhile, speaking at the congress, CTP chairman Ferdi Sabit Soyer, inter alia, stated that their dream is a federal Cyprus, noting that a peaceful environment should be created in Cyprus, adding that this will benefit Turkey and Greece as well.

On his part, Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the party had passed very difficult days in the past, something that was overcome. Referring to the efforts aiming a solution in Cyprus, Talat, inter alia, noted: "We can provide peace in Cyprus only with our own hands". He also noted that CTP is needed for the establishment of peace in the island.

In addition, various speakers addressed the congress. Among them were Philippos Savvides, member of the foreign relations committee of PASOK party in Greece, Greek Cypriot EDY chairman Praksoulla Antoniadou Kyriakou, Greens Party representative Kyriacos Kyriacou, EDEK representative Nicos Hadjistefanou and AKEL Secretary General Andros Kyprianou.

[05] A cooperation agreement in the tourism field

Speaking before the signing, the self-styled undersecretary of the ministry of tourism Sahap As1
koglu underlined the importance of contributions being made by civil society organizations to the affairs of the "state".

Dolmac1
for his part pointed to the significance of cooperation established with the Turkish Federation which represents many tourism unions based in Turkey with a very large bed capacity.

Barut said that they are ready to share their experiences with their colleagues and reminded that Turkey is a leading country in tourism which ranks 7th in the world in terms of the number of tourists and tourism revenues.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (online, 04.06.11) reports that the delegation from Turkey's Hoteliers' Federation had separately meetings yesterday with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

Eroglu underlined "the importance of tourism in the country's economic development" and said "a stronger economy would strengthen his hand at the negotiation table". He underlined "the importance of establishing cooperation between tour operators in the TRNC and Turkey, in order to allow tourists visiting Turkey to include the TRNC as another part of their holiday".

Kucuk said that developing the infrastructure was vital in order to achieve the goals on tourism. Reiterating his "government's" priority in developing the tourism sector further, Kucuk said that tourism would definitely become the leading sector of the "country", once the infrastructure was improved.

[06] IDB representatives came to "TRNC"

IDB Project Officer for Islamic countries Ghassan Al Marzouki and Adel Abdul Wahab Sindi, Director of the IDB Scholarships Programme met with the self-styled minister of national education, youth and sports Kemal Durust. Their visit follows Durust's contacts held in the Saudi Arabian capital Jeddah a month ago.

Speaking during the visit, Al Marzouki expressed the IDB's willingness to make educational investments in the occupied area. He noted that they want to re-activate the scholarship programme earlier introduced for the students of countries, which are members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and who are willing to study at the illegal universities in the occupied area.

For his part, Durust said he was "happy to see that proposals put forward in Jeddah on increasing student flow to the TRNC, have started bearing fruits".

He reiterated that "an educational forum will be held in the TRNC in November for the promotion of local universities where the OIC will be represented at the highest level".

[07] Turkish Democracy Vakif: "It must become the 82nd province"

The "Turkish Democracy Foundation-Vakfi (TDV)" proposes in its written statement for the "TRNC" to become the 82nd province of Turkey, the paper writes.

According to its statement, the TDV underlines that in case that no result comes up ffor the negotiation process between the Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and "President" Eroglu as it calls the Turkish Cypriot leader, then the Turkish Cypriots should deside by their own for their future and proposes for the Turkish Cypriots to go to a referendum in order to decide whether they want to live under the same umbrella with Turkey. The TDV goes on adding that in case the result of the referendum will be "YES", then the "TRNC" must become the 82nd province of Turkey and this will be the definite solution for overpassing the embargoes imposed to the "TRNC".

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (06.05.11) reports on the same issue under the title: "Calling for a referendum for the 82nd province". The paper comments on the TDV statement and writes that "now that the Greek Cypriots have abandoned the Enosis idea, we are starting to shout about enosis with Turkey".

(AK)

[08] Illegal LAU signs protocol with Ukrainian officials

The protocol was signed by the "rector" of the illegal LAU Prof. Dr Ahmet Bulend Goksel, the head of Rivne education and science department Ivan Vyetrov and the chairman of the Kiev academic and scientific education association Prof. Dr Lidya Danylenko.

As it was announced, the protocol will be valid for five years and during this period, there will be an exchange of programmes on various fields, English language summer camps, development programmes, as well as an organization of panels and seminars during the academic year.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkey vetoes ex-Austrian Foreign Minister's OSCE candidacy

"We have notified not only Austria but also Lithuania [the rotating president of the OSCE] that it is impossible for us to accept a person who discusses our European identity as the Secretary-General of such an important international organization," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in a TV interview on Saturday.

Lithuania had sent letters to representatives of 55 OSCE members in Vienna, saying that former Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik had been nominated as Secretary-General. Turkey had nominated Ersin Er?in, the country's Ambassador to Brazil and the President's adviser for European security, for the same position. Italy and Portugal also nominated candidates.

Turkey's move was not a veto of Austria, Davutoglu said, adding that Austria had nominated a candidate who does not support an inclusive European identity. Plassnik said in 2008 that Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, should consider a relationship with the European Union short of full membership.

As Turkey has vetoed Plassnik, 56 member states will seek consensus on Turkey's candidate, Italy's Lamberto Zannier or Portugal's Joao Soares.

Davutoglu said that Turkey's candidate received significant support at first, but the Republic of Cyprus and Armenia said they would veto his candidacy. "Then, Ercin was ranked second in the voting," the Minister said.

Lithuania has to nominate Plassnik or another candidate by Monday and ask for the consent of member countries. The OSCE makes all its decisions through consensus.

[10] Iraq signs gas deal with a Turkish firm

The three companies secured rights to develop the Mansouriya field in Iraq's eastern Diyala province, while TPAO and Kuwait Energy won a license for the Siba field in southern Basra province, Oil Minister Abdul Kareem al-Luaibi said. The Iraqi Government awarded rights to both deposits in October, together with a license for a third field called Akkas.

"Iraq needs to develop these fields in order to provide the needs of its electricity stations," Luaibi said Sunday during the signing ceremony in Baghdad and in the presence of Turkish Energy Minister Taner Y1
ld1
z. "Iraq also aims to become a major source for gas in the future," Bloomberg news agency quoted the Iraqi Minister as saying.

Speaking at the ceremony, TPAO chairman Mehmet Uysal said they had undersigned a historic deal. The company is eyeing further contracts in the country, the Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying.

[11] The Economist faces barrage of accusations from the Turkish Government

The Economist's main article "One for the opposition," published June 2, has drawn the wrath of Turkish Government officials. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Ministers have responded with fury directed at the magazine, going as far as to imply that The Economist is part of an Israeli conspiracy that aims to topple the Turkish Government.

In its article, The Economist opined that the best way for the Turkish citizens to promote democracy would be "to vote against the ruling party" and for the main opposition, the Republican People's Party (CHP). "A stronger showing by [the CHP] would both reduce the risks of unilateral changes that would make the Constitution worse and give the opposition a fair chance of winning a future election," the magazine said.

In an interview with the TGRT news channel Saturday evening, Erdogan said that the AKP would come to power once again "in defiance of domestic and international media."

"This international media, as is supported by Israel, would not be happy with the continuation of the AKP Government," the Anatolia news agency quoted Erdogan as saying. "Of course, they have their hands on Turkey nowadays."

Asked whether this alleged anti-government activity is in "revenge" for the aftermath of Erdogan's outburst against the Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 31, 2009, the Prime Minister said what he did at the time was "an Islamic duty" as well as a humanitarian one. "I cannot forget the scene at the [Gaza] beach. I cannot forget how a child died when the Israelis murdered seven people there. That was what lay behind my words [to Peres] when I told them they knew well to kill people."

International media organizations are "surely in collaboration" with the CHP, Erdogan added. "If the same [magazine] had called for a vote for the AKP, I would have found that abnormal, too," he said.

Speaking in Ankara on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said it is not important what "those from the outside" say about the general elections. "We take power from the people, not from foreign magazines," Cicek told journalists.

"[Turkish people naively] think those foreign magazines never pen articles in return for payment and never write headlines by calculating the expectations of the capital behind their publications," he said. "Look at the interest groups behind this: Some circles, inside and outside, are uncomfortable with our policies."

"Behind these magazines are the capitalists of those countries," Cicek said, referring to the countries that have been uncomfortable with government policies implemented by the AKP since 2007.

Speaking in an interview Sunday on the private channel NTV, State Minister Egemen Bagis claimed that the "dark elites" who want to prevent an AKP victory have been attacking the ruling party "in collaboration with international dark elites who control the international media."

[12] YSK allows for MHP deputy's candidacy

Convening on Friday, the YSK pointed to Article 25 of the Law on Electing Deputies and decided that the removal from the finalized deputy candidate list could occur only in the case of death and resignation.

After the release of video recordings, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) asked the former head of the MHP branch in Istanbul Barutcu, to withdraw his candidacy and then dismissed him when he did not do so.

In its meeting, the YSK dismissed the MHP's application to remove Barutcu from the party's final candidate list.

[13] More opinion polls on the general elections of 12 June

There are also election polls conducted by various research agencies. All but one of these agree that the AKP is bound to win the June 12 general elections, although their estimated vote %ages vary. However, the poll results might even be more misleading in terms of their representativeness of the form the Parliament will take after the election, as a high %age of votes does not necessarily mean more seats when it comes to calculating the number of deputies each party sends to Parliament. That depends on how many parties will beat Turkey's vote threshold of 10 % and how many independents enter the Parliament.

For example, if the AKP receives 47% of the vote, as predicted by some polls, the estimated number of seats it will have in Parliament is 326, as opposed to the 363 parliamentary seats it earned in the 2002 elections, with just 34.28% of the vote. In 2007, AKP increased its vote to 47%, but the number of seats it won fell to 341 because the MHP and independent deputies endorsed by the BDP -- who later joined the BDP and formed a parliamentary group -- entered Parliament in that year's elections. Erdogan predicted a few months ago that AKP will get between 314 and 335 Deputies.

The BDP, which finds it difficult to surpass Turkey's 10% vote threshold, endorses independents in all electoral districts to circumvent the barrier.

Most recently, Erdogan announced his predictions based on a poll conducted by his party on the STV station on Saturday night. He predicted his party will get around 47%, followed by the CHP with 28% and the MHP with 11% of the vote. The BDP endorsed independents and other independents will receive 7% according to an AKP poll, while all others will fall below the election barrier, getting 7% of the vote in total. If the results were truly as such, the AK Party would win 326 seats, the CHP 160, the MHP 36 and the BDP independents and others combined would win 28 seats in Parliament.

Another recent poll, conducted by pollster Andy-AR in the first few days of June, has it that the MHP will fall below the barrier. The poll predicts the AKP coming in first with an overwhelming 51% of the vote, in which case the AKP would have 370 seats in Parliament (with the MHP left out of Parliament with 9 % of the vote). The CHP, the poll predicts, will get 28%, earning it 150 seats. This poll also predicted the BDP and other independents' total as 7%, but they would get 30 seats this time, as the MHP won't be able to make it above the threshold.

Sonar offered its seat distribution prediction based on a recent poll from late May. The distribution was calculated to display the worst-case scenario for the AKP and the best-case scenario for the CHP. Sonar's polls show the AKP as wining 44% of the vote, which adds up to 310 deputies. The CHP wins 28% of the vote and 154 seats, while the MHP gets 56 seats by winning 13% of the vote. BDP independents and other independents get 30 seats and 7% of the total vote. The rest win 8%.

A poll conducted by GENAR shows the AKP at 48%, with 340 seats, the CHP at 25% with 137 seats, the MHP at 11% with 44 seats, the independents combined at 6% with 29 seats and the rest combined at 10%. Similarly, the most recent election poll conducted by MetroPOLL has the AKP at 46%, winning 326 seats; the CHP at 27%, winning 142 seats; and the MHP at 13 % with 54 deputies. Independents earn 28 seats with 6% of the vote.

The only poll that sees the AKP below 40% was the one conducted by S0
SAM. This poll predicts the AKP winning 38% of the vote and only 273 seats, followed by the CHP wining 32% of the vote and gaining 183 seats and the MHP with 61 seats and 14% of the vote. Independents get 33 seats with 8% of the vote, and the others earn 8% of the vote. This would be a nightmarish scenario for the AKP; in this outcome, the AKP could not form a government by itself. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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