Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-08-25

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

[01] Eroglu alleged that the breakaway regime is a "state" with its "government", "parliament" and "laws"

[02] Akansoy: In the negotiations, Eroglu gives the impression of being a student who waits for the bell to ring to go home

[03] Sonya asks for the population census in the occupied area to be open to international observers

[04] Unemployment rate in occupied areas reached 11.9%

[05] The 8th International Folk Dance Festival started yesterday in occupied Lefkosia6. Turkey to send hospital equipment to the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] "Turkey leans to arms purchase for terror fight"

[08] "Turkey to new Libya: Don't destroy country"

[09] Bagis criticized Denmark on Roj TV

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Statements, articles and commentaries on the latest developments in Libya, statements by Egemen Bagis on Turkish-Danish relations, statements by the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Gaby Levy on the pending U.N. report about an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine Turkish activists last year, reports that that Turkish opposition party is to send a delegation to Syria, reports that Turkey will send 50 students for nuclear training in Russia, and other domestic issues are covered by the Turkish press today.

[01] Eroglu alleged that the breakaway regime is a "state" with its "government", "parliament" and "laws"

In his statements, Ayar expressed their support to Eroglu in the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem and pointed out to the importance of strengthening their unity and solidarity. Ayar noted that their association has sent a letter to the United Nations (UN) showing their reaction to the fact that the UN considers them as "third class citizens".

In his statements, Dervis Eroglu argued that everyone who have been given the "citizenship" of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, are equal and "first class citizens" in front of the "constitution". He noted that he carries out the negotiations in this direction. Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side continues "not to accept as normal" the "citizenship" given by the breakaway regime, Eroglu alleged that the "TRNC" is a "state" with its "government", "parliament" and "laws".

Eroglu noted that in spite of the economic difficulties which the Greek Cypriot side faces, it continues to want the same things at the negotiations. He alleged the following:

"We consider ourselves to be as right as they consider themselves to be right, because we are the ones who have been excluded from the partnership state, we are the ones who lived as refugees for years facing so many difficulties. Therefore, we try to protect the rights we have gained until today".

Eroglu said that in October they will see whether an agreement is possible in the end of the negotiations process.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akansoy: In the negotiations, Eroglu gives the impression of being a student who waits for the bell to ring to go home

According to a statement issued yesterday by the CTP, Akansoy accused the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu of not adequately informing the political parties regarding the negotiations process and argued that the political parties should actively participate in the decisions to be taken. He noted that a possible mistake will influence not only Eroglu but also the whole people, all the leaders, Turkey and the entire region.

Noting that the Cyprus problem is a serious issue and no one could deal with it alone, Akansoy added: "The existing oil crisis has thwarted the negotiations process. The details of how this issue was discussed during the last meeting have not been disclosed, but as far as I understood, the Turkish Cypriot side cannot manage the problem. I cannot understand the fact that the issue has been turned into a matter of sovereignty and the statements which contain threats regarding the process. The Turkish Cypriot side is the one which is in a difficult situation. We have an internationally recognized state in front of us, while we are recognized only by the Republic of Turkey. Taking into account the situation, we have to issue more sensitive and careful statements. The road map put forward by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is a one-way road, but such a message is not coming from our administration. Mr Eroglu gives the impression of a student who waits for the bell to ring to go home".

Referring to the amnesty which the self-styled government plans to give to the illegal workers [from Turkey] and the issue of the white and green "identity card", Akansoy expressed the concern of his party about the preparations of the "government". He said that the "state" should control its entrance and exit points and make plans for its economy. He noted that the CTP is against granting the "citizenship" of the regime to foreigners, except for cases of marriage.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Sonya asks for the population census in the occupied area to be open to international observers

In a written statement issued yesterday, Bengu Sonya underlined further the need for the population census to be conducted in a way so that to be "an example to both friends and enemies".

Sonya went on saying that the effort to keep the real figures secret by hiding behind the concept of the sovereignty, will be a behaviour that will darken the future of the Turkish Cypriots and dishonour them in the international community.

Referring to the statements made regarding the census by the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, Sonya alleged: "The Greek Cypriot administration which gave the citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus to the terrorist and killer Abdullah Ocalan, is the last authority that could express its view on the issue of the reliability of the population census which is to be conducted in the TRNC."

(AK)

[04] Unemployment rate in occupied areas reached 11.9%

According to data given by the "State Planning Organisation" for the year 2010, the unemployment rate reached 11.9%, while the unemployment rate between the ages of 15 and 24 reached 24.8%.

[05] The 8th International Folk Dance Festival started yesterday in occupied LefkosiaTurkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (25.08.11) reports that the 8th International Folk Dance Festival started yesterday with a march at the Metropol Street in occupied Lefkosia.

Groups from Turkey, Italy, Poland, Spain and Estonia will participated in the Festival.

[06] Turkey to send hospital equipment to the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, Kasif paid a visit yesterday to occupied Keryneia hospital. In his statements, Kasif referred to the "protocol" signed between the self-styled ministry of health and the Ministry of Health of Turkey and said that after the Ramazan Feast, 400 new hospital beds, 3 ambulances, a radiotherapy machine, 1 tomography and 1 ultrasonography device will be sent from Turkey to the occupied area.

Kasif further said that the project for the development of the occupied Keryneia hospital is ready and added that they are ready to start working on this issue in 2012.

(AK)

[07] "Turkey leans to arms purchase for terror fight"

The new plan discussed at a recent meeting of the powerful National Security Committee (MGK) calls for both military and non-military means to fight the PKK's "terrorism", which has taken over 40,000 lives since 1984.

"Fighting terrorism is our number-one priority. And there is an understanding [at the MGK] that the equipment essential for our anti-terror war should be procured immediately, through off-the-shelf purchases if necessary," said one procurement official.

The paper adds the following:

"The official said priority purchases as part of this understanding may include systems like unmanned aerial vehicles.

An essential system used in Turkey's southeast is attack helicopters. The first 60 T-129 attack helicopters jointly manufactured by Italy's AgustaWestland and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) are scheduled to be delivered toward the end of next year. The first nine of those choppers are designated as an urgent purchase. The whole 60 helicopters will cost billions of dollars.

Also as an indication of the new strategy, Turkey will soon be deploying in the southeast more Kirpi mine-resistant, ambush-protected, or MRAP, armoured vehicles built by BMC, a Turkish manufacturer. Presently the Turkish military operates around 500 Kirpis.

In recent years, Turkey's procurement authorities have almost entirely ruled out off-the-shelf purchases, opting for either indigenous development or co-production. But the new anti-terror strategy implies that off-the-shelf procurement can be resumed at least in selected equipment and systems.

The security official said the new strategy called for an immediate mobilization of thousands of professional soldiers and security personnel into the combat zone."

[08] "Turkey to new Libya: Don't destroy country"

"Turkey, while applauding the success of the opposition in its months-long armed struggle against the Libyan regime, has told the country's new leaders they must allow current state institutions to endure to maintain stability.

Ankara also urged Libya's National Transitional Council to form an inclusive new government based on democratic principles.

The opposition should 'take care not to disband settled institutions of the country such as the army and the police', according to messages conveyed to NTC leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during a trip to Benghazi.

'We observed that NTC officials have the same approach as us', a Turkish diplomat who participated in Tuesday's meeting between Davutoglu and Abdul-Jalil told the Hurriyet Daily News.

Though Turkey was the last NATO ally to call for long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi to step down, and did not participate in the military operations that resulted in the leadership change, the Turkish government became the first to congratulate the NTC through Davutoglu's visit.

The first of five messages conveyed by Turkey to the founders of the new Libya concerned the composition of the new administration, which Ankara said should be formed with the inclusion of all political groups, including former government officials and other people who served Gadhafi and his family in the past, so long as they were not involved in illegal activities. A new Parliament should be elected through a fair process that includes everyone who wants to run, Turkey said.

Ankara also emphasized the critical importance of protecting the unity of Libya and forming the new administration through an inclusive process while not allowing the NTC to splinter into various factions.

Instead of destroying institutions such as the army, the police and the administrative system, the new leadership should work on strengthening them, Turkey said, welcoming Abdul-Jalil's statement that Tripoli would continue to be the capital city.

Ankara also said the NTC should focus on reforms to bring the country in line with the international community, and that Libya's vast oil and natural gas resources should be developed transparently and used for the benefit of the entire country.

Turkish diplomats expressed their satisfaction with the response these messages drew from NTC officials, emphasizing that Turkey will stand by Libya in the reconstruction process.

A meeting on the new Libya will be held by senior diplomats from the United States, France, Italy, Britain and Qatar, members of the Libya Contact Group, in Istanbul on Thursday. Davutoglu will open the meeting and Abdul-Jalil is expected to attend.

The gathering will be in preparation for next week's foreign ministers meeting of the group, which will likely adopt an action plan that potentially includes the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets to help finance the transition process."

[09] Bagis criticized Denmark on Roj TV

"Bringing prohibitions against Denmark's Roj TV, which is widely seen as a mouthpiece for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) would go a long way to improving Turkish-Danish bilateral ties, according to a senior government minister.

'Roj TV casts a shadow on the relationship between Turkey and Denmark. We attach importance to the promises given by our allies and friends but now we expect these promises to turn into concrete results', European Union Minister Egemen Bagis told reporters during a meeting with Danish Ambassador Ole Egberg Mikkelsen on Wednesday.

Roj TV continues to broadcast from Denmark despite many years of complaints from Turkey. As a result of a heavy diplomatic campaign, a legal case has been launched against the channel by a Danish court; the case is expected to conclude within the next few months.

'It's saddening for us to see that one of our NATO allies still allows the broadcasting of Roj TV. We discussed this issue with the ambassador two-and-a-half years ago when he was first appointed to Turkey and today, when he is set to leave Turkey, it's sorrowful that we are talking about the same issue', Bagis said.

Noting that the judicial process was continuing in Denmark, Bagis said he hoped the case would be swiftly concluded and that the channel would no longer be allowed to broadcast from the Scandinavian state. 'The PKK is not just a terror organization. It is also a dirty gang [that smuggles drugs among others things]', Bagis added.

Mikkelsen, meanwhile, refused to comment on the Roj TV issue, saying he would not interfere in an ongoing legal process. Denmark will be the next EU term president after Poland in the first half of 2012." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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