Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-08-16

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] 'Don't sacrifice talks in Cyprus for natural gas'

[02] Eroglu reiterates that he wants a solution based on the existing "realities" in Cyprus

[03] Ozgurgun criticized the UNSG's report

[04] Yorgancioglu: "No positive result will come out from the negotiations in October"

[05] The Republic of Cyprus paid the breakaway regime the cost for the electricity

[06] Imams were appointed at the Hala Sultan and the Bayraktar mosques

[07] The breakaway regime continues to distribute "TRNC citizenship"

[08] European Arrest Warrants against usurpers of occupied Greek Cypriot land

[09] Rural plots of land were "distributed" at occupied Trikomo village

[10] New Turkish commanders in the occupied area

[11] Turkey issues a stark warning to the Syrian authorities

[12] Turkish nuclear power plant's foundation to be laid in 2013

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Turkey's seeking for US action on the plans of the Republic of Cyprus to begin drilling for gas in the Mediterranean, the warning of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Syrian authorities to immediately halt military operations across the country, the foundation of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant which will be laid in 2013 and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's and over the weekend Turkish dailies.

[01] "Don't sacrifice talks in Cyprus for natural gas"

"Turkey urges Washington to postpone natural gas drilling plans of a US firm in East South Mediterranean, claiming that the trade ambitions of Greek Cyprus could blow out reunification talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

Turkey is launching an international campaign to draw attention to the contested nature of Mediterranean economic zone agreements following a Greek Cypriot decision to begin exploring for natural gas deposits off its southeast coast.

Turkey has been urging the U.S. administration to postpone the date of natural gas exploration activities of a U.S firm off the coast of Cyprus until the island is reunified because the Greek Cypriot exploitation of the island's common natural resources could entirely destroy the southern territory's desire for a solution, an official from the Turkish Foreign Ministry told the Hurriyet Daily News on Sunday.

Ankara is urging Washington 'not to sacrifice the political reunification process of Cyprus for trade', according to an official.

'We told the U.S. officials that the unilateral oil and natural gas exploration activities by the Greek Cypriots were against international law and could lead to the end of the ongoing negotiation process for Cyprus unification', the official said.

Turkey has already conveyed its reservations to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and to the U.S. State Department in Washington and will bring the issue to the attention of higher-level U.S. officials, he said. Turkey plans to convey also its concerns to the members of the U.N. Security Council.

Ankara objects to two aspects of Greek Cyprus' agreements with Israel, Lebanon and Egypt in the eastern Mediterranean region, which is believed to possess large reserves of natural gas.

Greek Cyprus' bilateral agreements are invalid because they did not first solicited the approval of the Turkish Cypriots, Turkey has said.

'It's improper that the Greek side is acting unilaterally as if they were the sole owner of the island', the official said.

Greek Cypriots recently signed a production-sharing contract with Noble Energy to launch exploration activities in November in block 12, an economic zone southeast of the island. The activity depends on the agreement signed on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone in 2010 between Israel and Greek Cyprus.

Ankara's second reservation over the Greek Cypriot's economic zone agreements in the eastern Mediterranean is on the continental shelf delineation that Greek Cyprus determined in its agreement with Egypt in 2003. Turkey has said it has rights in an area that run from its southern coast to the northern coast of Egypt.

Ankara said 'islands cannot be considered as if they were part of the mainland' while determining economic zones in territorial waters. Further objecting to any agreement without the approval of the Turkish Cypriots, Ankara said some parts of the economic zone distribution between Greek Cyprus and Egypt were already illegitimate, according to international law.

Greek Cyprus is planning to initiate a second tender for the West South Mediterranean economic zones, the official said."

Moreover, Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.08.11) under the title: "US backs up Greek Cyprus in gas-drilling row", reported also, inter alia, the following:

"The Greek Cypriot administration's plans for natural gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean have received a nod from the U.S. administration.

Already convoluted reunification talks on the island now find another layer of sharply differing views over the planned hydrocarbon drilling project. Until now, both the Turkish and Greek sides made clear their respective opposing arguments over the issue. The foreign minister of Turkish Cyprus [breakaway regime], Huseyin Ozgurgun, in a statement released this week called the oil and gas plans 'unilateral activities' of the Greek Cypriot administration 'that are against international laws and will inevitably have a negative impact on the ongoing negotiation process by escalating tension. The so-called Cyprus Republic doesn't have a right to represent and decide for the Cypriot Turks and the island's sea privileges by itself', he said.

(?)

The U.S. choice not to take a clear stance in the drilling row, despite its deep involvement in the Cyprus reunification talks and the Texas-based Nobel Energy, which holds 100% of the unexplored Block 12, an economic zone southeast of the island, puts Americans in the middle of the intense spat.

The Turkish officials, as reported by Hurriyet Daily News last week, were said to have conveyed their concerns both to U.S. officials and the energy company about the project, although when contacted neither Nobel's spokesperson nor State Department officials who have knowledge of the issue wanted to comment about what kind of messages or warnings they had received from Turkish officials. Instead, a State Department official who is involved with Turkey-related matters referred to Assistant Secretary Philip Gordon's press round-table in Cyprus at the beginning of the year. In that, Gordon said the U.S. administration doesn't see any link between the reunification talks and the exploration plans. On the contrary, Gordon views the U.S. firm's involvement as 'a very positive thing... on the Cyprus issue we know what the significant issues and chapters are, and I don't think that changes that in a significant way.'

In a three-point statement I received from the State Department on Wednesday, the U.S. administration states that it is aware of Turkey's position on the issue, and reiterated its commitment 'to support strongly the efforts of both Cypriot parties to reunify the island into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation'. However, as a final point, the U.S. administration underscored that it views the plans in terms of 'securing energy supplies through better energy diversity' and that 'is something that the United States strongly supports for all countries'.

Following the harsh statements coming from the Turkish administration, and at a time when the region's landscape is rapidly changing and Ankara is growing increasingly confident in asserting its own foreign policy terms, one that appears to be closely aligned with Washington in many instances including in Syria, the gas-drilling project appears to have potential to pose some challenge in the relations between Ankara and Washington, in addition to its already jittery relations with Nicosia.

The U.S. perceives the Greek Cypriot drilling plans, which could reportedly 'sustain the energy need in Europe for the next 100 years', in terms of an alternative energy source for its European allies to help gain energy independence, despite fierce Turkish objections."

[02] Eroglu reiterates that he wants a solution based on the existing "realities" in Cyprus

Eroglu argued that "if we try to solve the issues with the mentality of the Greek Cypriot side, we will force the Turkish Cypriot people to scatter, enter under the dominance of the Greek Cypriots, remain without property and migrate".

Eroglu alleged that the demands of the Turkish side are reasonable and the proposals it submits at the negotiations are "peaceful and realistic" and provide for a viable solution. Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots do not consider abandoning bi-zonality, the right to administrate themselves and Turkey's active and effective guarantees. "By asking these we do not harm the Greek Cypriot people", he claimed and added that one could understand how vital the importance of bi-zonality is for the prevention of possible conflicts in the future, when he looks at the past. He alleged that Turkey's active and effective guarantees do not constitute a danger for the Greek Cypriots.

Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side prevents the solution and thinks that it will bring Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots to their knees by using the European Union.

Meanwhile, Kibris (16.08.11) reports that during a ceremony in occupied Vouno village, Eroglu argued that the Turkish Cypriots have not come easily to the present days. "We have been killed, but resisted, we have been forced to migrate, but we are not afraid", he said.

Eroglu noted that he is a person who experienced the pain of war and does not want the same pain to be caused again in Cyprus. He said that lessons should be taken from the past and alleged that the Greek Cypriots are still far from an agreement, reject the proposals submitted by the Turkish Cypriots with good will and dream of returning back to the pre-1974 period.

Eroglu alleged that the "sun of freedom" rose for the Turkish Cypriots on 20 July 1974 and that this was an opportunity for the Greek Cypriots to correct their mistakes, but they could not appreciate it. He argued that the Greek Cypriots did not shake the Turkish "hand of peace", surrounded the Turkish villages and committed a murder in Tohni village on 15 August [1974].

Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriots continue to commit a mistake by thinking that they will abolish bi-zonality, ignore the "sovereignty" of the Turkish Cypriots and water down the effective and active guarantees of Turkey.

Eroglu also alleged: "They think that they will be able to continue using the EU for their dreams. The time has come for the UN to say stop to the game of the Greek Cypriot side of implementing delaying tactics, waiting for the appropriate situation to be created, wasting time, and punishing the Turkish side by continuing the non-solution. A solution to the Cyprus problem should be reached before July 2012. We will continue to comply with the time table put by the UN by the end of the year and submit our proposals with good will. We wish for Christofias to take a step in the direction of the solution of the Cyprus problem by showing a real leadership example. It should be known that if this does not happen, we are not without alternatives. We have a state. Our motherland Turkey recognizes and supports us. We will continue to work for exalting our state and increase the prosperity of our people".

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (15.08.11) reported that addressing a ceremony in occupied Chatoz village, Eroglu said that there is no aspect of the Cyprus problem that was not discussed in the negotiations and added that the negotiations should be intensified and a result should come up. He alleged: "Let us either agree or let the way of the Turkish Cypriot people not be prevented any more. The Turkish Cypriots should not be forced to pay the price for the fact that an agreement could not be signed".

Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has not yet understood that the Turkish Cypriot side cannot spoil bi-zonality, that two "states" and two "peoples" exist in Cyprus and that a partnership state could be established only by having the above as starting point.

Eroglu said that the stance of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots is clear on the issue of the Republic of Cyprus overtaking the term presidency of the EU and added that a "historical responsibility" falls on the shoulders of the UN, the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and the competent organs of the EU in the following months. He expressed the wish that they will follow a stance that will pave the way for a viable agreement "without ignoring the existing realities in Cyprus".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun criticized the UNSG's report

Ozgurgun also said that the fact that the principle of "political equality" was absent in the report constitutes a serious disappointment.

[04] Yorgancioglu: "No positive result will come out from the negotiations in October"

Furthermore, Yorgancioglu said that the issues of amnesty [to the illegal workers] and economy are very important for the Turkish Cypriots. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots are very sensitive on the amnesty issue and added that the "citizenship" of the regime should not be "granted" except for cases of marriage. He said that the aim of "granting" the "citizenship" is considered to be "the change of the political will of the Turkish Cypriots". He noted that the employers of the illegal workers should also be punished, because some people come to the occupied area upon the demand of employers or become illegal due to the bad intention of the employers or for economic reasons.

Yorgancioglu said that the "people's" quality of life and purchasing power decreased by 20%-60% today in comparison with 2009. He argued that the words of the National Unity Party (UBP) are totally opposite from its actions. He said that the UBP "government' is the most incompetent "government" of all times for the breakaway regime.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The Republic of Cyprus paid the breakaway regime the cost for the electricity

The money will be in use as of Tuesday as it had 2-3 days value-date, said Atun, adding that the Greek Cypriots transferred the money which equalled to 11.2 million Turkish Lira (one Euro equals 2.5219 TL).

Atun said that the contract on electricity purchase was extended six months, adding that they will provide their excess electricity to the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus for the next six months.

Twenty-six million kilowatt hours of electricity were provided to the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus between July 16 and 31, Atun also said.

[06] Imams were appointed at the Hala Sultan and the Bayraktar mosques

According to the paper, the imams, who will live in the free areas, will be given high salaries and the rent for their houses will be paid. The paper also writes that the issue was discussed between Talip Atalya, the head of the self-styled religious affairs department and Archbishop Chrysostomos B' who had a positive view regarding the appointment of imams in the free areas.

[07] The breakaway regime continues to distribute "TRNC citizenship"

In addition, under the title "Citizen in one day", Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (14.08.11) reported that the doctors, who work at the Hospital of the illegal Near East University, are given the "TRNC citizenship" straight away. The paper publishes the following names of three doctors who received the "TRNC citizenship": Bulgarian origin Dr Fevziye Ozdavut, and Turkish origin Dr Ferhat Harman and Dr Aydin Karakuzu.

[08] European Arrest Warrants against usurpers of occupied Greek Cypriot land

According to Yeni Volkan, the Republic of Cyprus issued European Arrest Warrants against "TRNC citizens", conveyed their names to Interpol and achieved their inclusion in the "Red Bulletin". The paper writes that lawsuits have been filed against many persons or local and foreign organizations which invest in the occupied part of Cyprus on occupied Greek Cypriot property.

The paper writes that the organizations against which lawsuit has been filed are the following: HSBC Bank, Turk Bankasi, AGA Development Ltd, Levantine Property Company and Unwin Real Estate Agents.

According to the paper, the persons against whom lawsuit has been filed and European Warrant of Arrest has been issued are the following: Aziz Kent, Huseyin Caginer, Mark Unwin, Turhan Beydagli, Michele Hunt, Terrence Wilkins, Paul Wilkins, Ian Smith, Linda Orams, and David Orams.

Volkan writes that penal proceedings have been launched against the following persons that their names are included in the Red Bulletin: Gary Robb, Kutsal Tokatlioglu, Tahir Soycan and Akan Talat Kursat.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Rural plots of land were "distributed" at occupied Trikomo village

[10] New Turkish commanders in the occupied area

[11] Turkey issues a stark warning to the Syrian authorities

Davutoglu told reporters on Monday, after full-scale military operations in a number of Syrian cities since Thursday by Syrian authorities to crush the five-month uprising against the 11-year rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, that Turkey is demanding that all military operations that result in civilian deaths must be stopped immediately and unconditionally.

"If these operations do not stop, there will be nothing left to say about the steps that would be taken", he said, without elaborating.

"This is our final word to the Syrian authorities, our first expectation is that these operations stop immediately and unconditionally", Davutoglu said in Turkey's strongest rhetoric yet against its once close ally and neighbour.

Stressing that Turkey will always stand by the Syrian people, Davutoglu said that the Syrian army indeed stepped back for two days after he had talks with Assad in Damascus last Tuesday, but has resumed military operations since Thursday.

[12] Turkish nuclear power plant's foundation to be laid in 2013

Akkuyu NGS Electricity Corp.'s Director General Alexander Superfin told A.A on Monday that land survey as well as seismic studies in the sea against a tsunami danger for the power plant would be completed by the middle of next year.

Superfin noted that everything, which was done so far and would be done in the future in Akkuyu, would be supervised both by Turkish authorities and the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK).

Noting that foundation of the power plant would be laid in 2013, Superfin said that the facility would begin to generate electricity in 2019, adding that all of the generated energy would be taken by Turkey in the first 15 years; and then, if Turkey wanted, it could sell the electricity in domestic market or other countries.

Superfin said that there would be a total of four units active at the power plant, adding that 500 people would work at each unit. The power plant would provide employment for nearly 20,000 people. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article