Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-06-28

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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] Land in occupied Agios Epiktitos is leased to Kaya Group from Turkey

[02] CTP not to participate at "committee" meetings of the "assembly"

[03] A proposal for the "police forces" of the breakaway regime

[04] The "fighters' association" supports Downer's view regarding a timetable in the Cyprus talks

[05] Promotion campaigns of the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in London

[06] The "Foreign Press Union" prepares to celebrate the anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Turkish Parliament to open with boycott

[08] Turkey not able to open new chapters

[09] "Turkey might help Europe recover, foundation says"

[10] Columnist views the Syrian crisis and its consequences in the area

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Land in occupied Agios Epiktitos is leased to Kaya Group from Turkey

Mehmet Ali Gurgoz, chairman of the Cooperative Employees Trade Union (KOOP-SEN), issued a statement yesterday noting that they are against the leasing of the above-mentioned plot of land. He said that they found out with concern that this land has been "given away" to Kaya Tourist Installations for 49 years with a "decision" taken by the "council of ministers", which excluded this land from the scope of the so-called "Housing, Acquiring Land and Property of Equal Value Law 41/1977". He said KOOP-SEN does not recognize this "decision" taken regarding a property "which belonged to the Turkish Cypriots since 1974" and added that they will launch the necessary "legal" struggle.

Furthermore, Kibris publishes statements by self-styled minister of internal affairs and local administrations Nazim Cavusoglu, who confirmed that they leased the land for 49 years so that a five-star tourist installation is built on it. He said that they have not signed the contract yet.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (28.06.11) refers to the issue on its front-page under the banner title: "Zeyko to Artemis". Afrika writes that the 43-donum land (Tr. Note: Donum is a land measure of 1000 square meters) is leased to the owners of Kaya Artemis Hotel, which is located in occupied Vokolida area. "As things are going, nothing will remain in the hands of the Turkish Cypriots", notes Afrika.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot Yeni Duzen (28.06.11) refers to the same issue under the title: "They gave away Zeyko as well" and reports that the above-mentioned land is located at the coast of occupied Agios Epiktitos village. The paper recalls that it had reported on 15 June 2011 that during a meeting last week the "council of ministers" decided to lease the land to the Turkish company for 49 years.

(I/Ts.)

[02] CTP not to participate at "committee" meetings of the "assembly"

As the paper writes, if draft "bills" that affect negatively the majority of the people are brought to the agenda, CTP "deputies" will participate to the meetings of the "committees" and will submit proposals and views so that the "bills" change in favour of the people's interest. CTP deputies will not participate to the works of the "assembly" where other draft "bills" apart from these are to be discussed.

According to the paper, CTP announced its decision in a press conference organized yesterday.

In its statements during the press conference, Ozkan Yorkancioglu, chairman of CTP condemned the "UBP government" for following illegal behaviours although they warned the "UBP government" several times.

Enumerating several examples of the illegal behaviours exhibited by the "UBP government", Yorkancioglu referred to the transfer of the pre-educational institutions of illegal DAU to Turkey's Doga College, to firing the staff of the "Agricultural Products Foundation" (TUK), and other.

(AK)

[03] A proposal for the "police forces" of the breakaway regime

Cakici noted that this proposal - the "police" to be attached to the civilian ? is also included in the "government programme" of the National Unity Party (UBP) and called "UBP I dare you!"

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (28.06.11) in its front page reports that the "TRNC assembly" session begun yesterday with protests. The self-styled deputies of the opposition stood one minute in front of the "assembly chair" in order to protest against the policies of the UBP "government". The self-styled deputies of the UBP reacted to this action by withdrawing from the "assembly".

Later, when the session began, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas and other "deputies" protested against UBP policies by removing their ties

[04] The "fighters' association" supports Downer's view regarding a timetable in the Cyprus talks

In a written statement issued yesterday, Vural Turkmen, chairman of the "association", said they could not accept pressures to be exerted on the sides for reaching a result in the negotiations before the Republic of Cyprus takes over the EU term presidency. He said the fact that Downer has not realized that the Cyprus problem is not an issue that could be solved through pressures "creates a regrettable situation".

Turkmen alleged that all public opinion polls show that the Turkish Cypriot "people" could not accept the reunification of Cyprus as a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as Downer emphasizes. "A single sovereignty which will not be based on the sovereign existence of the two peoples could not be accepted", he claimed.

Turkmen reiterated the Turkish view that the Greeks and the Greek Cypriots want to annihilate the Turkish Cypriots from the island and to unify Cyprus with Greece. Turkmen alleged that if Downer wants to exert pressures on the Greek Cypriot side, he should try to postpone the Republic of Cyprus' EU term presidency. He claimed that if the Cyprus problem enters into a deadlock at the tripartite summit on 7 July, the most correct decision is for the UN to end its good offices mission and withdraw its peace-keeping force from the island. According to Turkmen, in such a situation, the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot "peoples" will be forced to sit and decide whether they want to live together in a new partnership of two sovereign "states" or side by side as two neighbouring "states".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Promotion campaigns of the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in London

Ustel went on saying that they will put advertisements and panels in London's undergrounds, taxis and buses. There will also be a promotion campaign in the newspaper Londra Turk Gazetesi, he added. Ustel noted that these promotion campaigns will be increased during the Tourism Fair in Britain in November.

[06] The "Foreign Press Union" prepares to celebrate the anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

As the paper writes, the "dawn guard organization" was established in the framework of the organization of the event "dawn guard" which is to be held this year as well on the occasion of the anniversary of the 20th of July, "peace operation in Cyprus" as the Turkish invasion is called.

(AK)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[07] Turkish Parliament to open with boycott

As the oldest Deputy, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Deputy Oktay Eksi will preside over today's opening oath ceremony. He is also expected to give significant messages regarding jailed Deputies in his opening speech for the 24th Parliament.

The 550-member Parliament will not have a full representation as the pro-Kurdish party (BDP) has already announced that it will boycott the Parliament due to the election board's decision (YSK) to quash the deputyship of one of its colleagues, Hatip Dicle, even though he was elected handily. After the board's decision, the seat was given to ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Oya Eronat.

Dicle's lawyers applied Monday to the Constitutional Court for an annulment of the Supreme Election Board's (YSK) ruling on the matter.

The only two parties which have promised to take the oath today are the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). However, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, one of who's Deputies is also in prison, warned that the decision not to release elected Deputies would cause further consequences if a solution could not be found.

The CHP, two of whose Deputies remained in prison late Monday, declared that it will decide on its position just before the oath-taking ceremony takes place. A possible boycott from the CHP could throw the Parliament into crisis, as it would effectively block all legislative work in the Assembly.

Following the ceremony, the Parliament will recess for a number of days in order to elect its new Speaker. The deadline for members to submit their candidacy is expected to be July 3, with the elections expected to take place on July 4. Following the election of the new Speaker, a chairmanship council will be formed.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will convene the AKP on Thursday to give his first message. It is being reported that Erdogan could form the new Cabinet by Friday, if President Abdullah Gul gives the task of forming the new Government to Erdogan on Wednesday.

Erdogan is reportedly eager to complete the Government's program and the vote of confidence next week. It remains unclear if the newly established "Deputy Minister" positions will be filled by Erdogan, or by the newly formed Cabinet.

[08] Turkey not able to open new chapters

[09] "Turkey might help Europe recover, foundation says"

"Burden," a word repeatedly used for Turkey's possible membership in the EU, is no more valid thanks to a strong growth in the country amid the global economic crisis, IKV Chairman Haluk Kabaalioglu told the Hurriyet Daily News on the sidelines of the 49th General Assembly of IKV held in Istanbul on Monday.

The EU budget consists of contributions from all its members, rich or poor, with a certain portion from their gross domestic product, Kabaalioglu said. "As a result of this, there are net contributors, which receive less than they contribute, and net receivers, which receive more than they contribute."

He said that this situation is subject to change according to member's ongoing economic progress. "Spain, for example, started out as a net receiver but was a net contributor until the recent financial crisis," he said. "With its dynamic population and right policies, Turkey may well become a net contributor to the budget shortly after membership," he said.

Recalling the support of Jose Manuel Barosso, current President of the European Commission, for Turkey's EU bid, Kabaalioglu said that "Turkey could be a second Germany for the Union in order to create a sustainable and resilient economy."

"The EU has started to lose its attractiveness as the financial crisis continues to sweep though the economy," he said.

The chairman implied that the Union would not be "eager to accept more members" after the membership of Croatia in 2013. "Still, the EU remains a model for Turkey regarding social welfare, human rights and democratization," he said.

"The EU membership bid should be Turkey's top priority," said Rifat Hisarciklioglu, chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, or TOBB, addressing to delegates of IKV at the meeting. "Turkey's membership in the EU means sustainable development, high democratic standards, individual freedom and equality among genders and more for the country," he said.

Talking about the social and legal reforms Turkey needs to go though, he said that "Turkey has also responsibility in the slowing down of the negotiations."

Croatia, which started EU negotiations at the same time as Turkey, has already completed the process and will most likely be a full member by 2013, according to him. "We currently have just one negotiation chapter closed out of 35," he said adding that "Turkey has not done its homework, unfortunately."

"Turkey should focus on India and China since in both countries some 400 million people, which equals the EU's total population, are living in the same standard of life with the people in the Union," claimed Hisarciklioglu. "The financial crisis in the EU is likely to continue," he said, adding that Turkey might need to look for other alternatives, such as focusing more on Mexico, the United States, China and India.

[10] Columnist views the Syrian crisis and its consequences in the area

Syrian "provocations" are "not only now affecting their own citizens" but also "endangering potential border clashes," Clinton said. She warned if that came about "then we would see an escalation of conflict in the area."

Whatever these remarks may be based on, it is clear that the Turkish military is not taking the situation on the border lightly. One can safely assume it has prepared for all contingencies, humanitarian or otherwise. The Second Army's responsibility is to protect that border and it has a long tradition of doing so.

Meanwhile a "highly-placed Turkish source" was quoted by the Israeli daily Haaretz on Sunday saying Ankara's concern is "the Syrians would try to hit refugee camps in Turkey." Haaretz said that Davutoglu "demanded" Syrian forces to retreat from the border, during his conversation last week with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem.

Haaretz also reported on the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which ? citing "Iranian sources" ? said Saturday "Iran had warned Turkey not to allow NATO forces to use Turkish territory to attack Syria." These "sources" also said that if Ankara gave this permission, "Iran would attack American and NATO bases in Turkey."

It seems the "dogs of war" are keen to stir the cauldron in this part of the world, because the situation in Syria, unlike Libya, has regional ramifications that can destabilize an already unstable Middle East even more providing new opportunities for radical agendas.

Aware of the potential for regional chaos, Ankara continues to tread cautiously on Syria, while at the same time reflecting a determination to speak its mind in cases of brutality by the Syrian military, a fact that is apparently not going down well in Damascus.

Washington is trying to do much the same as Ankara, given that no one appears able to predict what comes next if the Assad regime collapses suddenly. The Washington Post, in an "Editorial Board Opinion" last week, criticized Obama harshly for passivity against Syria.

"Mr. Obama's reticence reinforces the equivocating policies of countries such as Turkey," it said. But Syria is too complex for such simplifications to be valid and for "quick-fix" solutions, especially at a time when no "quick-fix" has been found yet for Libya, which is as less complex case.

As for the "Iranian dimension" it is clear Tehran has cooled towards Turkey since Erdogan started advocating democratic reforms in the region and particularly in Syria. Iran supports Assad and the Baas regime unreservedly and has made its likes and dislikes very apparent during this period.

Reports of secret talks between Turkey and Israel to mend ties are clearly not going down well in Tehran either and a commentary in the Iranian media exhorting Ankara to stay away from Israel has made this apparent.

Regardless of the mood in Tehran, though, it is doubtful Iran can afford to even contemplate the possibility of a military operation on Turkish territory, as suggested by the "Iranian sources" quoted by Al Akhbar. If such notions are being spread by the Iranian propaganda machine, these represent very flaccid "shots across the bow."

Developments show the Assad regime is determined to fight it out to the end. It also appears to be relying on traditional allies such as Moscow in the United Nations. This will ensure that Turkey, which is already struggling with political storms at home, will face a hot and long summer as it tries to steer its way through the Syrian minefield." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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