Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-06-24

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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] Tension escalates in the occupied part of Cyprus; two arrests for the incidents at "DAU"

[02] Eroglu sends a congratulatory message to the UN Secretary General

[03] Self-styled foreign ministry on the incidents with Turkish diplomats

[04] Kucuk due to Istanbul

[05] First charter flight from Baku; 20,000 tourists from Poland within 2011

[06] Public survey by KTOB reveals data on the tourism sector in the occupied area

[07] The regime established a committee on sports at Eroglu's "office"

[08] The families of the students who study in the government controlled area want their children to be able to enter Turkey's universities

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] "Pro-Kurdish party to boycott Parliament in protest of ban on Dicle"

[10] Release demand for two CHP Deputies rejected by court; reactions by CHP

[11] Davutoglu's telephone discussion with his Syrian counterpart on troops near the border

[12] Egyptian delegation arrives in Ankara for official talks

[13] Qatar's Emir visits Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Tension escalates in the occupied part of Cyprus; two arrests for the incidents at "DAU"

Tension was created yesterday at KTOEOS headquarters in occupied Lefkosia between members of the Trade Unions' Platform and the "police" because of the "warrant" of arrest against Gokcebel and Aygin issued by the "Famagusta district court". Many members of the Platform and KTOEOS held a meeting at the latter's headquarters after they found out about the "warrant" of arrest. The trade unionists prevented the "police' from entering into the building saying that they had a meeting and they would go out after the meeting was finished.

The "police" talked with lawyer Baris Mamali and the chairman of the "public servants'" trade union (KTAMS) Ahmet Kaptan and told them that they would only take Gokcebel to occupied Famagusta "police" headquarters to file charges against him and set him free. Mamali and Kaptan responded to the "police" that Gokcebel would not be handed over to them, that he would not enter into a "police" vehicle and that they would carry him to occupied Famagusta with their own vehicle. Gokcebel was taken to occupied Famagusta in Kaptan's car escorted by a convoy of vehicles. The convoy was received at occupied Famagusta's entrance by a group of officials from DAU-SEN trade union and members of other organizations.

The paper writes that in spite of the fact that the "police" told the trade unionists that Gokcebel would be set free, Gokcebel and Aygin were arrested.

After the arrest, Mamali stated that they do not trust the "police" any more. Trade unionists and other people waited outside the occupied Famagusta "police" headquarters until morning and shouted slogans.

In statements to the press, Kaptan described the developments as "steps of fascism" and "policy of intimidation". He noted that this is not a problem of KTOEOS only, but it concerns the Trade Unions' Platform and the entire "country".

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (24.06.11) refers to the developments under the title: "Tahir Gokcebel was arrested" and notes that "tension escalates" in the occupied area of Cyprus. According to the paper, Gokcebel and Aygin would be taken to "court" today. Afrika writes that Gokcebel stated that "when a person who is among us is touched, everyone hurts". He said that "the community has the right to resist against the fascistic pressures".

Moreover, Afrika reports that the general secretary of the Primary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) Sener Elcil criticized the occupied Famagusta "police director" and noted that they do not trust the "police". He said that the important thing is who is hiding behind the "police" and pointed out that the "police" are not bound to the civilian "authority".

Commenting on the issue in his column in Afrika, Sener Levent recalls that the occupied Famagusta "police director" is Erdal Emanet, who is accused of shooting Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou during the incidents in Deryneia area in 1996. Under the title: "The weapon that shot Solomou turned on us", Levent recalls that Emanet is wanted by Interpol with Red Bulletin and that he was head of the anti-riot forces then. "Just for spite of Interpol, we made him police director here", he notes.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (24.0611) refers to the developments under the front-page banner title: "Police State".

Moreover, under the title: "Tension for DAU escalates", Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (24.0611) reports that the "opposition" party leaders protested yesterday against the "government" at the "assembly" of the breakaway regime on the issue of the transfer of illegal DAU's college, primary school and kindergarten to Turkey's Doga College. The "opposition" protested by standing silent at the tribune of the "assembly" and by standing up at their "seats". The leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici poured a glass of water from the tribune and said that next time he would pour gasoline. He noted that the time for abandoning their "seats" is coming closer. The leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas spoke standing at the door of the room. The leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that the National Unity Party (UBP) betrays the Turkish Cypriots by taking away from them their identity, personality and institutions. Replying to all the accusations, self-styled minister of education Kemal Durust argued that nothing illegal happened at "DAU".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu sends a congratulatory message to the UN Secretary General

Mr. Ban who was the only candidate running for the post, received all 192 countries votes and was re-elected for a second term.

In his message, Eroglu expressed the Turkish Cypriot side's happiness over Mr. Ban's re-election as he will now be continuing at this post for another 5 years.

Pointing to the Secretary General's Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, Eroglu expressed his gratitude to Mr. Ban for his tireless efforts towards trying to find a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. "I just want to emphasize the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to cooperate with you and your team in order to find such a solution in the shortest time possible", said Mr Eroglu and concluded his message saying that "I look forward to seeing you at the 7th of July 2011 at the tripartite meeting in Geneva".

[03] Self-styled foreign ministry on the incidents with Turkish diplomats

In a written statement, the so-called foreign ministry expresses its regret over the fact that several media organs presented the issue as an overrunning problem and, inter alia, underlines that a big injustice was done to the "diplomats".

The written statement informs also the public opinion about the incident occurred at the illegal Ercan airport with the two Turkish "diplomats".

The written statement refers to the Vienna Convention and the diplomatic relations and underlines that, according to a verdict which is included in the "Diplomatic Rights, the Exterritoriality and the Privilege Law" which is implemented in the "TRNC", persons with diplomatic status have the right not to be subjected to control at airports customs checks.

The "ministry" underlines also in its written statement that the situation being created is a result of the lack of knowledge of the "police officers" as regards the current situation.

(AK)

[04] Kucuk due to Istanbul

Kucuk will meet with media companies and will give interviews to the Turkish dailies Milliyet, Aksam and Ekomomist. Kucuk will also participate in the live programme "Flavoured News" at TRT channel on Sunday.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (24.06.11) reports that he will also meet with officers of the World Travel Channel

[05] First charter flight from Baku; 20,000 tourists from Poland within 2011

According to the paper, the Airbus 321 of Onur Airlines arrived yesterday at the occupied airport of Tymbou from Baku via Adana carrying 215 travelers. The charter flights will continue to operate by the end of summer with one flight every Thursday.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (24.06.11) reports that the Airbus 321 of Onur Airlines carried yesterday 169 travelers and the charter flights will take place twice a week.

According to the paper, it was announced that Greek Cypriot officials, who carried out contacts in Baku, put political pressure on the Azeri officials regarding the flights. The Greek Cypriot officials, who could not interfere technically on the flight issue, resorted to political threats that flights from Larnaca to Karabakh may be operated, however, they could not prevent the launch of the flights, the paper reports.

According to regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, no obstacles can be put in flights between Turkey ? Azerbaijan, the paper reports.

Moreover, Halkin Sesi reports that Corendon Airlines, in a press release, announced that they will carry 20.000 Polish tourists within 2011 to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Corendon Airlines reminded that despite the fact that the Greek Cypriot administration (as the Republic of Cyprus is referred to) tried to prevent these flights last year, they achieved to transport 5.000 tourists.

[06] Public survey by KTOB reveals data on the tourism sector in the occupied area

According to the paper, the most important problem in the Hoteliers sector is the high cost. Also according to the survey, only 28% of the workers in the sector are "TRNC citizens".

Presenting the results of the survey, Ayse Donmezler, "coordinator" of KTOB stated that 17% of the hotels in the occupied area close down during the winter period adding that the opening and maintenance costs they have to pay for their re-opening during the summer period are very high.

Referring to the opinion poll, Donmezler stated that the public survey was conducted during the period between April-May in 42 hotels in several areas with the aim the difficulties experienced by the workers in the sector to be determined and understood and also for their problems, demands and proposals of the hotels to be made known.

Donmezler further said that, according to the hoteliers, there are four different factors which are consider as obstacles for their success. Enumerating these factors, Donmezler said that hotels find as the biggest obstacles for their success the very high input cost, and then, the fact that there are no direct flights, the high transportation costs, the fact that the promotion activities are insufficient and take lack of stable and motivation policies.

Pointing out the fact that having no direct flights to the "country" is not considered as the most important problem of the hotels, Donmezler went on saying that the most important problem of the hotels is the high input costs that is the personal salaries and primes of the workers, the expenses on electricity, food and fuel oil.

The public survey has revealed also that environmental problems and the insufficient services of the "municipalities" on water and travelling are also among the important problems which the hotels in the occupied areas face.

He also said that they believe that the hotels can attract tourism mostly from the UK, Germany, Turkey, Italy and the Scandinavian countries.

(AK)

[07] The regime established a committee on sports at Eroglu's "office"

A committee has been established on this issue at the "office" of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. The committee exerts efforts for the opening of all fields of sports abroad and mainly for the opening of football. According to the paper, the members of the committee have continuous correspondence with officials in other countries. This information was revealed the day before yesterday by Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot "football federation", in statements to illegal Bayrak television. The above-mentioned committee invited many foreign officials to the occupied area of Cyprus, according to the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The families of the students who study in the government controlled area want their children to be able to enter Turkey's universities

Vedat Tek, in a written statement, on behalf of the parents, described the alteration of the decision of Turkey's Higher Education Board (YOK) and the self-styled ministry of education not to permit to the Turkish Cypriot students who study in the government-controlled area to enter the Turkish universities with the G.C.E A level exams as discrimination. He also said that "with this implementation, they want deliberately to exclude all the students who study in south Cyprus despite if they are TRNC citizens".

Tek also said that the main aim of self-styled ministry of education, youth and sports is to prevent the children from studying in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] "Pro-Kurdish party to boycott Parliament in protest of ban on Dicle"

A BDP Deputy, Serafettin Elci, announced the decision on Thursday. "We will not go to Parliament until a concrete step is taken to eliminate this injustice and pave the way for democratic politics," he said. The group also called on the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Government to return the "stolen parliamentary seat" to the BDP. A candidate from the AKP was approved as deputy by the YSK in place of Dicle.

Aysel Tugluk of BDP also told reporters after the meeting that they made the decision to boycott not only because of the Hatip Dicle case but due to the fact that five other BDP Deputies are jailed as well. When asked by a CNN Turk reporter as to when they would end their boycott, Tugluk said they would enter Parliament when the jailed Deputies were freed and allowed to enter Parliament. She added that the responsibility falls on the Government to make gestures that will serve peace and democracy.

The group convened yesterday in Diyarbakir to draw a road map following the YSK decision and decided to boycott Parliament. The decision will signal by-elections if the independents resign en masse. By-elections can be held once every election term and cannot be held before 30 months have passed since the latest general elections. However, in cases where the number of vacant seats in Parliament reaches 5% of the total number of seats, 28 Deputies in other words, by-elections shall be held within three months.

Meanwhile, AKP's parliamentary group deputy chairman Bekir Bozdag held a press conference on behalf of his party and responded to claims raised by BDP officials that t AKP is responsible for the "Dicle crisis." "The YSK is not an institution that has links with the AKP or the Government. It is unjust and wrong to link YSK decisions to the government," he said. Bozdag also responded to news reports which alleged that the YSK made the decision on Dicle following a petition filed by AKP against his election. Bozdag denied the reports and said that the board reviewed a petition by the Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office, not that of AKP.

Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin spoke to reporters about the YSK's ruling on Dicle and said BDP-backed Deputies should absolutely join the oath-taking ceremony in Parliament. "Politics is done in Parliament. If there are problems related to politics, then politicians should search for solutions in Parliament. Looking for solutions somewhere else would make the problems impossible to solve," he stated.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc agreed and added that AKP would cooperate if a legal arrangement would solve the crisis related to the BDP's independent candidates. "If a legal arrangement will work, then they should bring it to Parliament. We are ready to cooperate as we did in 2002 if the demands are appropriate. But negotiations on such an arrangement will be held in Parliament, not in the streets," he noted.

Sezgin Tanrikulu, an 0
stanbul Deputy of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), expressed disapproval of both the YSK decision and a possible action by the BDP, calling on its grass roots to take to the streets to protest the decision. "This ruling can be corrected in Parliament. We never approve of violence. What needs to be said should be said in Parliament. The CHP has made its call for a peaceful solution," he said, and added that the CHP would cooperate on any possible solution to the deputy crisis, including an amendment to the Constitution.

Former BDP leader Selahattin Demirtas, who was elected as independent Deputy from Hakkari on June 12, expressed his concern that the PKK may break a unilateral cease-fire it had declared against Turkish security forces last summer any time.

[10] Release demand for two CHP Deputies rejected by court; reactions by CHP

Additionally as Turkish daily Today's Zaman reports (23.06.11, online) the Republican People's Party (CHP) convened an extraordinary meeting immediately after the Istanbul court rejected requests by lawyers of Haberal and Balbay

Kilicdaroglu, speaking at a press conference after an extraordinary meeting of the CHP's Central Executive Board, said his party will wait calmly until a decision concerning their appeal against the court decision is finalized. But he also promised a struggle that will end only when it produces a satisfactory result. He argued that Balbay and Haberal have never been convicted and thus there is no legal obstacle for their election as Deputies. Noting that preventing Haberal and Balbay from entering into Parliament is a "blow to national will," the CHP leader also stressed that Thursday's decision "wounded democracy in Turkey."

[11] Davutoglu's telephone discussion with his Syrian counterpart on troops near the border

Muallim said the reason for the latest Syrian troop activity by the Turkish border was to try "to catch the terrorists during military exercises." The official said that Syrian troops backed by tanks entered a border zone on Thursday and hundreds of people fled into Turkey, as protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule hit the 100-day mark.

Some 600 displaced people broke through the barbed wire marking the frontier and advanced into Turkish territory on a road used by Turkish border guards, a few kilometers from the Turkish village of Guvecci.

[12] Egyptian delegation arrives in Ankara for official talks

[13] Qatar's Emir visits Turkey

EG/

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