Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-07-19

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Erdogan said they will not return occupied Morfou to its legal owners

[02] Reactions over Erdogan's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] "Erdogan is no guest, but the landlord"

[04] Foreign parliamentarians visit illegally the occupied area for the 37th anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

[05] Eroglu's meetings with Downer, Urbancic and Abakan

[06] Turkish Energy Minister meets self-styled minister Atun

[07] Ersin Tatar on the "TRNC economy"; He referred to the possibility of also providing water to the Greek Cypriot side

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[08] "Tense Cyprus waits for the Turkish Premier"

[09] "Building mosques won't boost Turkishness in Cyprus"

[10] Davutoglu met U.S. Gen. Petraeus

[11] World Bank President due to Turkey

[12] The President of the Ankara Bar Association elected as Head of the Black Sea Countries Bar Association

[13] Turkey and Iraq sign protocol on the construction of new border gates

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Erdogan said they will not return occupied Morfou to its legal owners

In statements yesterday in Ankara to a group of Turkish Cypriot journalists, Erdogan said that the Cyprus problem entered into a new stage and that the Turkish side is not at the point it was in 2004 during the Annan Plan. Erdogan noted that the issue of Varosha is not in the agenda of the Turkish side and that they will not turn occupied Morfou into an issue of bargain. Erdogan stated also that they will not withdraw any army from the occupied area of Cyprus. Erdogan asked from the people living in occupied Morfou area not to worry.

Erdogan said: "Morfou is not in my book any more. The Greek Cypriots, who have made no step for the solution, will wait for Varosha for a much longer time". Erdogan alleged that the Greek Cypriots have lost this chance by not accepting the Annan Plan in 2004 and asked from the Greek Cypriots not to expect him to withdraw troops from the island.

Reiterating the Turkish view that the EU should lift the so-called embargoes allegedly imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, Erdogan said: "Starting from Malta, they recognized small places in African countries, but there is an inhuman stance against the Turkish Cypriots. The common aspects with the countries they have recognized are their common religion and culture. They could easily decide for them, but they do not exhibit the same easiness when it comes to the Turkish Cypriots".

Asked whether the recognition of the breakaway regime will be among their new alternatives if a solution is not reached, Erdogan said that this had been tried in the past with no success, but it could come in the agenda again. He noted that in parallel to the recognition, other solutions exist, that they hold some contracts with foreign countries on this issue and that they explain more these "realities" to the Islamic countries.

Erdogan described as "very human" stance the transfer of electricity from the occupied to the government-controlled area of the island. He said that they will use this human approach in the international field, that they will explain this wherever they go and they will show to the world the good intention of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Erdogan argued that the danger exists for the negotiations to come to a dead-end, that time is running out and therefore they expect from the Greek Cypriots to take a step. "However they should know that we are not at the point of the Annan Plan. They will have to wait for a long time for us to open Varosha to them without them taking a step", he said.

Erdogan asked the Turkish Cypriot journalists to tell him how many children each of them had and when three of them told him that they had two children each and one said that she had no children in spite of the fact that she was married for seven years, Erdogan he cracked a joke saying: "On the one hand you oppose to our transfer of population from Turkey and on the other you do not have children". He argued that Cyprus needs population and that every family should have four children.

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (19.07.11) refers to the same statements under the title: "We will not give Morfou" and reports that Erdogan's breakfast with the Turkish Cypriot journalists lasted for two hours. The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for Cyprus Besir Atalay and the Minister responsible for Europe Egemen Bagis participated in the breakfast.

Erdogan told the reporters that the Cyprus problem approaches to its end. He said they will act according to the results of the tripartite summit to be held in October in New York and added that, if it is necessary, they have different alternatives.

He argued: "The conditions of the Burgenstock period do not exist anymore. The giving period ended. Giving Morfou is not in my book. We gave it in 2004 and they did not want it".

Erdogan said also that he does not intent to give any concession on the issue of Varosha and the opening of the Turkish ports to vessels under the Cyprus flag. "These could be done only with keeping the given promises simultaneously", he added.

Erdogan noted that he does not consider the occupied area of Cyprus and Turkey as two separate areas and argued that thanks to the water project of Turkey and the other projects and support of Ankara, the government-controlled area of the island will not have the possibilities of occupied northern Cyprus in the future and the situation will cause problems to the government-controlled area of the island.

Referring to the banners that were raised against Turkey during the rallies of the Turkish Cypriots a few months ago, Erdogan said that these banners do not represent the entire Turkish Cypriot "people" and added that he reacted to these banners and not against all the Turkish Cypriots.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (19.07.11) refers to Erdogan's statements under the title: "We have a single heart" and writes that Erdogan said that during the next four years when he will be Prime Minister no one should expect the return of Morfou as in the Annan Plan, because "Morfou entirely belongs to northern Cyprus now".

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (19.07.11) refers to Erdogan's statements under the title: "July 2012 is the final point". The paper reports that Erdogan said: "During south Cyprus' term presidency the relations with the EU will definitely end for us. We will freeze them. I am saying it clearly and openly. During the term presidency of south Cyprus, even the most insignificant meeting is out of the question for us, because we could not hold a meeting with an administration which we do not recognize".

Erdogan added that if the Cyprus problem does not end in 2012, "we have to take care of our own affairs". "Then we shall re-examine everything, including Varosha", he added.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (19.07.11) refers to Erdogan's statements under the title: "'We have come to the end of the road'".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Reactions over Erdogan's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

Speaking first at the press conference, Besim Baysal on behalf of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) said that the protest that they organize in [occupied] Hamid Mandres roundabout is a reaction to all the years of humiliation and the economic measures.

Izzet Izcan, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) repeated the problems of extinction and population transfer from Turkey that the Turkish Cypriots face. He said that the insult by Erdogan to the Turkish Cypriot "people" was unacceptable and supported that he must apologize before "sermonizing" the Turkish Cypriots.

Murat Kanatli, secretary of the New Cyprus Party (YKP) argued that they watch the occupied area of Cyprus becoming a province of Turkey and invited to the protest everyone who wants to continue living in this area.

The general secretary of the Cyprus Socialist Party Yusuf Alkim said that this demonstration is not targeting Erdogan, who is a representative of the Turkish State. Instead, he said that various sides and not only the Turkish Cypriots, who want democracy in Turkey and human rights, will participate.

Gorkem Eylem, a representative from Barikat newspaper invited everyone to the protest in order to express to the Turkish Government that they "do not want their money, nor their economic packet, neither their officers". Also Munur Rahvancioglu called on the "honourable Turkish people" to express their reaction to Turkey's pressures.

The paper also reports that the "council of ministers" of the breakaway regime's "administration" decided to postpone the strike that KTAMS has announced in the Air Traffic Control Centre of occupied Tymbou airport between 4.00pm-7.00pm. The strike was postponed for 60 days according to the decision.

Ahmet Kaptan, chairman of the "Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants" Trade Union's (KTAMS) condemned the "government" for banning their strike which was a protest to Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan and his degrading words for the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] "Erdogan is no guest, but the landlord"

Evaluating the negotiations process, he said that the New York meeting will be a turning point. He repeated Davutoglu's statements that if no progress is recorded in Cyprus talks by January 2012, Turkey-EU relations could freeze, and added that the Cyprus talks would be frozen at least for two years and that there is no guarantee that they would resume after a 2-3 years period.

Ozgurgun explained that they expect an international conference to take place in January, followed by a referendum. When asked if there is a plan B in case there is no solution in January, he said that such plan exists but they will not reveal it at this stage. He also claimed that if no progress is recorded by 2012, it would be made well known that the Greek Cypriot side does not have the intention to solve the issue.

Ozgurgun alleged that the Cyprus accession to the EU, before solving the Cyprus problem, was a big mistake and said that the EU do not want a solution in Cyprus, adding that the stance of several leaders towards the "TRNC" proved this. "If the EU wanted a solution, it would put pressure on the Greek Cypriot administration so that the Greek Cypriots would approach a solution," claimed Ozgurgun.

Regarding the Cyprus talks, Ozgurgun said that progress could not be achieved in land, property and share of power topics, however, there were some developments in the EU and the economy topics. He repeated the Turkish Cypriot's side red lines for a solution: two people, political equality of the two founding states, Turkey's guarantees and the EU primary law.

[04] Foreign parliamentarians visit illegally the occupied area for the 37th anniversary of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

The Belgian MP Fatma Pehlivan, Danish MP Huseyin Artac, deputy chairman of the People's Freedom Party of Bulgaria, the deputy president of Gagauzia (autonomous territory in Moldova) Nikolae Stoinanov, members of the war veteran association from Turkey, members of "Macedonia Horizon Association" and some foreign journalists participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, Bozer reiterated the view that the Cyprus problem was created with the Greek Cypriot side's dream of uniting Cyprus with Greece and becoming the sole owner of the island. He also alleged that "Turkey intervened in Cyprus with its rights stemming from the international agreements".

Referring to the ongoing Cyprus talks, Bozer said that the negotiations cannot continue forever and that the Turkish Cypriots should see what they can do at the end of it. He added: "When the whole world and the Greek Cypriot side give to us our rights, then an agreement will be. Otherwise, the existence of two states in the island will continue."

Bozer also stressed to the presence of foreign delegations that always has given them strength and support to their "struggle for existence".

Belgian MP Pehlivan said that they are in the island to share with the Turkish Cypriots this happy day. She also said that actually in Europe they know very well the situation in Cyprus, adding that in every opportunity they explain the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots and what is going on in the island.

Danish MP Arac said that in the past they used to have harsh reaction in their country when they were visiting the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, however, he added it is not like this anymore.

Stoinanov said that they are brothers with the Turkish Cypriots and that their forces will be strong if they are united. He also said that he studied at illegal universities in the occupied area.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that Bozer also met yesterday afternoon with the vice-rector of Kyrgizstan Arabayev University Tuugunbai Konurbaev, and the Director of New Sciences Technology Institute of Arabayev University Kadyrbek Aldbaev. Bozer also met with the vice chairman of the parliament of Gagauzia Cissa Vladimir.

The foreign parliamentarians met also yesterday with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Vatan reports. During the meeting, Eroglu reiterated that a lasting agreement is possible only if the "realities" are taken into consideration.

Referring to the ongoing Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that at the tripartite meeting in Geneva a last chance was given for a meeting until October, adding that "we believe a rapprochement can be achieved till October".

Claiming that although enough opportunities for an agreement emerged from the negotiations that have been going on for years now, the Greek Cypriot side has always rejected them, Eroglu added that while the Greek Cypriot side was accepted in the EU, the Turkish Cypriot side was forced to live under the "embargoes". He also said that during his contacts in Brussels he exerted his view to the EU officials that these practices should end. Eroglu also wished for Turkish and Greek Cypriots to live side by side and in peace, something that it has not been possible until today.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.07.11) reports that self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk met with the foreign parliamentarians. Kucuk said in case the Cyprus problem cannot be solved, Cyprus would take over the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of 2012 and this would be a legal crime.

Kucuk thanked the foreign parliamentarians as they didn't left the Turkish Cypriots alone.

[05] Eroglu's meetings with Downer, Urbancic and Abakan

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (19.07.11) reports that Eroglu met also yesterday with the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations Ertugrul Apakan. During the meeting, Eroglu thanked Apakan for his continuous support, adding that the Turkish Cypriots always talk with pride for his services. Commenting on the ongoing Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that he wishes for some important steps to be taken until October, so they may see their future.

Additionally, Turkish daily Gunes (19.07.11) reports that Eroglu met with foreign journalists who came to the occupied area of Cyprus in order to watch the activities for the anniversary of the 20 July 1974 "Peace operation" [as they refer to the Turkish invasion]. In the meeting Eroglu who was accompanied by Osman Ertug, informed the journalists regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations and answered their questions.

[06] Turkish Energy Minister meets self-styled minister Atun

In addition, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.07.11), Yildiz said that his Ministry prepared a master plan and a structuring in the energy area for the "TRNC". Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yildiz said that his Ministry prepared a wide-scale master plan, and created a structure which would meet the energy needs of the whole of Cyprus by 2023.

Recalling that the "TRNC" started to give electricity to the Greek Cypriot side two days ago, Yildiz said that it should be considered like a humanitarian assistance. Yildiz said that they recommended to set up a "joint transfer centre" for the two sides of Cyprus regarding electricity energy in the master plan, adding that if such centre had been established before, the Greek Cypriot side would not have had such an electricity shortage today.

On his part, Atun said that the "TRNC" was providing 16-megawatt electricity energy at night and 20 megawatt in daytime to the Greek Cypriot side. "Actually, we have the capacity to provide 100-120 megawatt electricity to the Greek Cypriot side, but we have technical insufficiencies in distribution," said Akin.

Akin said that it was necessary to set up a "joint transfer centre" that would meet the electricity needs of both sides in the island. Noting that Turkey gives great support and contribution to the "TRNC", Atun said that efforts were under way to carry water from Turkey to the "TRNC" through an underwater pipeline, adding that the water would reach "TRNC" in 2014.

[07] Ersin Tatar on the "TRNC economy"; He referred to the possibility of also providing water to the Greek Cypriot side

Speaking to the members of the "Association of Diplomacy Correspondents" who are visiting the occupied area of Cyprus for the "celebrations" of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Tatar said the reforms being done during the recent years had as a result the balance of the "TRNC budget" to a great extent.

Saying that tourism and education are the most important revenue resources in the "TRNC", Tatar said that last year an increase of around 20% was observed in the number of tourists visiting the occupied area by air, adding that a total of around 60-70 airplanes landed at the illegal Ercan airport.

Explaining that Turkey contributed 3 billion TL to the "TRNC budget" during the past three years, Tatar said that a lot of reforms were made to balance the "budget" adding that he was accused by several politicians on this issue.

Referring to the political problems experienced in the island, Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriots got tired with the non-solution.

Stressing the importance of Turkey for the "TRNC", he recalled the fact that some marginal groups opened placards in several demonstrations in the past against Turkey; however, he said the 80%-90% of the Turkish Cypriots are hearty devoted to Turkey. Tatar said also that the Turkish Cypriots see Turkey to grow up globally and in the region and do not want to be an obstacle in front of Turkey. He then added that they are expecting for a political solution.

Referring to the ties with the Greek Cypriot side, Tatar referred to the transferring of electricity to the Greek Cypriot side due to the electricity difficulties experienced after the recent blast in Mari.

On the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to the occupied area of Cyprus for the "celebrations" of the "37th anniversary" of the Turkish invasion in the island, Tatar said that Erdogan will inaugurate several complexes, such as the social housing, a hotel, a theater, a shipyard and a road.

He further said that the issue of transferring water to the Greek Cypriot side will be also in the agenda. Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriots are waiting for years for the transferring of water from Turkey to the "TRNC" and used the expression "You said that the Turkish army cannot come, but it came. Hopefully, the water will come as well".

Referring to the project for transferring water from Turkey to the occupied area, Tatar said that it is expected to be completed by the end of 2013 and added that the aim is to bring 75 million cubic meters to the "TRNC".

Ersin Tatar further said that as it was made known, according to unofficial sources, the Greek Cypriot side has sent a letter to the "TRNC" proposing the transferring of water to the Greek Cypriot side in order to overpass the difficulties experienced. Tatar added that the officials stated that the issue of providing water to the Greek Cypriot side will come to the agenda after the completion of the project.

(AK)

[B] TURKISH PRES

[08] "Tense Cyprus waits for the Turkish Premier"

Kanli, inter alia, writes the following:

"Turkish Cypriots have seen their country decked out in an unprecedentedly lavish and laudatory fashion ahead of a visit from a Turkish Prime Minister.

A public-relations agency hired by Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has covered northern Cyprus from one end to the other with huge placards bearing a portrait of Erdogan and a bold declaration: 'We are one heart? Our past was together; our future shall be together? We have always been an inseparable whole'.

Turkish Cyprus has not been prepared in such a fashion before, even for the first-ever such visit by then-Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal in 1987, or the first-ever visit by the late Bulent Ecevit, the Prime Minister who ordered Turkey's 1974 intervention on the island.

Erdogan's visit does not only have symbolic importance as his first trip abroad since the June 12 elections, when his party won its third straight landslide victory. It is also the Prime Minister's first visit to northern Cyprus since a crisis erupted earlier this year over angry anti-Turkey placards carried by protesters demonstrating against new austerity measures. Erdogan accused the Turkish Cypriots of behaving like ungrateful dependents after a group of leftist activists on the island carried signs reading "F--k you Turkey? We do not want you, your money, your soldiers or your bureaucrats" to protest the austerity measures imposed by the Turkish Cypriot government under pressure from Ankara.

The austerity package has, however, started to help improve the Turkish Cypriot economy. At a time when the southern, Greek side of the island has started experiencing serious economic difficulties, northern Cyprus expects a 5% increase this year in budget revenues, a 15% boost in tourism revenues and annual growth of around 5% to 6% --a marked improvement over the negative growth rates seen during the past few years.

Still, Turkish Cypriot [Tr. Note: self-styled] finance minister Ersin Tatar has become the 'most hated Turkish Cypriot' because of the package.

'In Turkey protesters threw eggs or tomatoes at government officials and politicians and they got angry? Why?' he asked. 'Recently there was a group of protesters in front of my office. All of a sudden, they threw a huge watermelon through the front door. It exploded like a bomb? I laughed and invited them in for coffee? In democracies, problems needed to be solved through dialogue'.

Tatar's main problem, he said, is a lack of funds. 'If you have money, being a finance minister might be great, but when you don't have money, it's not a nice job at all', he said. 'No one should expect me to distribute money that I do not have in the state coffers'.

With the improvements in the economic structure of the Turkish Cypriot state, however, Parliament enacted a law regulating state borrowing just before going to recess this week. Under that law, the Turkish Cypriot state [Tr. Note: the breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus] will be able to issue treasury bonds and papers for the first time. According to Tatar, the first move will be to invite tenders for 150 million Turkish Liras' worth of treasury bonds.

The finance minister said he believed the negative reactions to the austerity package would die down as economic improvements continue, but added that the governments in both [Tr. Note: occupied] Nicosia and Ankara should understand that protests and complaints will naturally follow if people are asked to make sacrifices. Still, Tatar expressed satisfaction with the results to date of the austerity measures and Ankara's firm assistance in its application.

'We may have problems occasionally at home or between mother and son? But we are one family', he said, sounding a message similar to that inscribed on Erdogan's posters.

Though all political parties have issued statements in support of the trip, the regular ranks of anti-Turkey protesters are still expected to come out to demonstrate against Erdogan and his visit.

The key goal of Erdogan's trip is to reassure the Turkish Cypriots of Turkey's continued support. The visit will also be a message to Greek Cyprus --where a naval-base blast that crippled a key power plant has left southern Cyprus purchasing electricity from the north for the first time in the island's history-- at a time when hopes are building globally that the divided eastern Mediterranean island might be edging toward a resolution by the end of this year.

Water diplomacy?

Turkey has begun to construct a deep-water pipeline to pump some 75 million cubic meters of fresh water a year to northern Cyprus, a project slated to be completed by March 2014. Lately, however, it has started to hint that perhaps instead of one pipeline it might lay down a twin pipeline and double the amount of water provided to the island --and that perhaps the Greek side would also be interested in obtaining water from Turkey. Water shortages have been a perennial problem on the entire island and the water pipeline through the Mediterranean has been in the planning stages since the early 1960s.

'For years we made fun of Turkish Cypriot hopes that Turkey would one day come to their rescue? It eventually came and we have since then been experiencing the consequences of not coming to an agreement before Turkey came', Giorgio Stavrides, a Greek Cypriot businessman, told the Hurriyet Daily News. 'For decades we have been making fun of the idea of water from Turkey. I have full confidence that it will come soon'.

Turkish Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca also emphasized the likelihood of increasing the pipeline's capacity, saying that the Greek Cypriots have begun developing an interest in the project and the prospect of getting water provided by Turkey. The ambassador additionally hinted at the possibility of laying an energy cable and exporting electricity to northern Cyprus from Turkey.

Turkish Cypriot officials confirmed that connecting northern Cyprus with a deep-sea cable to the Turkish grid, a project that would be far less costly than the water pipeline project, was under serious consideration.

Turkish Cypriot finance minister Tatar was mute on whether Erdogan would disclose such a project while in northern Cyprus but noted that Erdogan would inaugurate six important infrastructure projects at a rally-like event in Famagusta on Wednesday afternoon. Those projects include a floating dike at the Famagusta harbour, a social housing project, a new five-star hotel and a major highway.

Erdogan will arrive in northern Cyprus late Tuesday and attend a dinner hosted in his honour by President [Tr. Note: Turkish Cypriot leader] Dervis Eroglu. On Wednesday, he will participate in the 37th-anniversary commemorations of the Turkish intervention and then return to Turkey.

Speculation has been rampant in northern Cyprus as to whether Erdogan will also unveil any goodwill gesture from Turkey regarding the Cyprus talks --such as a new proposal for the disputed city of Varosha or the opening of Turkish ports and airports to Greek Cypriots in exchange for opening Ercan [Tr. Note: occupied Tymbou] airport in northern Cyprus to international traffic.

Tatar refused to comment on the issue while Turkish officials reached by telephone flatly dismissed such claims as 'pure speculation'."

[09] "Building mosques won't boost Turkishness in Cyprus"

"'The strategic importance of Cyprus needs no explanation', Turkish ambassadors said to conclude a yearly meeting in January.

'But the priority of Turkey in the island should be the protection of the presence and rights of the Turkish Cypriots. The fact that there is a serious problem in the TRNC [Tr. Note: the breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus] on the consciousness of Turkishness as well as the Turkish/islander dichotomy should not be ignored. On the one hand, Turkey should contribute to the negotiation process and realize the necessary political and economic reforms in the TRNC; on the other hand, importance should be attributed to efforts to improve relations between Turkey and the TRNC and to take into consideration the sensitivities and the sui generic structure of the Turkish Cypriot society'.

The paragraph above is taken from the secret document that compiled the general observations and conclusions of the meeting.

Had the meeting taken place 10 years ago, the conclusion on Cyprus would have been about strategies on the contention between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. This year's conclusion tells us that problems between Turkey and Turkish Cyprus have become so acute that they have become a priority nearly overshadowing the inter-communal talks.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's [Tr. Note: illegal] visit to the island this week should be analyzed from this perspective.

Turkish Prime Ministers stage their first visits abroad to Turkish Cyprus [Tr. Note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] to show the world the importance Turkey attaches to Cyprus. It is also a solidarity message to Turkish Cypriots, to make them feel confident vis-?-vis the rest of the world. This time however, Erdogan's visit is important for the internal dynamics of Turkish Cyprus.

The failure to integrate Turkish Cypriots and Turks who came from the mainland after the division of the island in 1974 is a longstanding, open secret. Thirty years of coexistence has not bridged the gap between the two groups.

In the eyes of Turkey, Turkish Cypriots are not particularly loyal to their Turkish identity, are lazy, are being fed by Turkey and, on top of all, are ungrateful.

What has aggravated the situation lately is the influx that took place following the 2004 referendums. A lot of Turks came to the island following the construction boom in the island with the hope of finding jobs. But the newcomers are not welcome. In the past there were no jails in the island; now crime has skyrocketed, and everyone holds the newcomers responsible for the increased crime rates.

In addition, the accusations that Turkish Cypriots are not 'sufficiently Muslim', a claim that has been voiced increasingly by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Government is further poisoning the already-sour atmosphere.

The resistance to the badly needed economic reforms has further strained relations, and the Prime Minister's humiliating statements have not helped the situation.

Erdogan will not back down from economic reforms. And he should not: for this is for the wellbeing of the Turkish Cypriots. But he should avoid using patronizing rhetoric and give a message of confidence to Turkish Cypriots. Constructing new mosques and using humiliating rhetoric will not produce the desired outcome."

[10] Davutoglu met U.S. Gen. Petraeus

During the meeting, Davutoglu underlined the importance of cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and briefed Petraeus on different dimensions of PKK terrorism. Petraeus reaffirmed that Turkish-U.S. close cooperation would continue, and told about his experiences in Iraq. The U.S. General also briefed Davutoglu on the recent situation in Afghanistan, including the transfer of military responsibility to the Afghans in some areas. Petraeus explained how Turkey's role in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was contributing to stability in Afghanistan, whereas Davutoglu said Turkey was working for Afghanistan's future.

Davutoglu said that stability could be ensured by embracing all segments of the society without making any discrimination, and the political process could be carried out by the Afghans themselves.

As A.A. reported, Gen. Petraeus assumed command of the NATO ISAF and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan (USFOR-A) on July 4, 2010, after serving for over 20 months as Commander of the United States Central Command. Petraeus relinquished his post to Marine Gen. John Allen as he headed for his new job as director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Gen. Petraeus will take office at the CIA in September. Petraeus is expected to depart from Ankara and proceed to Berlin, Germany on Tuesday.

[11] World Bank President due to Turkey

World Bank's Vice-President Philippe Le Houerou and World Bank's Executive Director for Turkey Konstantin Huber will accompany Zoellick who will hold meetings with Turkish Government officials and representatives of the Turkish private sector and non-governmental organizations.

Zoellick said regarding his visit that Turkey tripled its national income per capita within the past ten years, which was an example of success, adding that Turkey could undertake an important role in the region and in the world with its young population, growing economy and geographic location. Noting that he had been in Istanbul to attend World Bank-IMF meetings two years ago, Zoellick said that the meetings were very successful. Zoellick added that he was looking forward to discussing how to pursue and strengthen the strong partnership with Turkey officials.

[12] The President of the Ankara Bar Association elected as Head of the Black Sea Countries Bar Association

In a written statement released Monday, the Ankara Bar Association said that during the meeting, Natalia Liubenova Tzenova from the Sofia Bar Association was elected as Vice-President, while Mihai Tanasescu from the Bucharest Bar Association was elected as Secretary General.

The BCBA has 16 Bar Associations from 11 countries. The BCBA was founded in order to promote relations between the regional Bar Associations.

[13] Turkey and Iraq sign protocol on the construction of new border gates

Silop Sub-governor Bunyamin Yildiz said the new border gates, which will be opened on the Iraqi border, will be constructed in Ovakoy-Karavela and Sinova-Aktepe region. Yildiz said that the existing border gate between Turkey and Iraq was not sufficient, noting that the parties reached an agreement to build new border gates. "Around 6.000 vehicles are passing from Habur Border Gate every day, which causes problems. Studies have been initiated to broaden ways of trade and to integrate our citizens. We have established a technical working group to construct new border gates. The Iraqi party is also eager to open those border gates. We also aim to establish a free trade zone," he said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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