Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-09-01

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cakici argues that occupied fenced Varosha is the key for Turkey's EU accession course

[02] Turkish Cypriot parties issue messages for the September 1st Peace Day

[03] Elcil reacts on the UN prevention for an event in the buffer zone

[04] Rauf Denktas in critical condition

[05] Atun confirms agreement for the supply of electricity

[06] Turkish Cypriots select the free area of Cyprus for shopping and excursions

[07] The number of students from Turkey attending illegal universities in the occupied area has increased to 43%

[08] More about the church bell which was found in occupied Agios Epiktitos village

[09] Davutoglu's statements in Bosnia?Herzegovina; He will then visit Romania

[10] Number of tourists visiting Turkey up by 11%

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main issues in today's Turkish dailies (online versions) are Davutoglu's statements from Bosnia-Herzegovina that Turkey will continue to be active in the Balkans, reports that Davutoglu will visit Romania and sign an MoU, data on the number of tourists in Turkey and reports that Turkey has sent aid material to Somalia and other internal issues.

[Tr. Note: The Press and Information Office has not received any Turkish newspapers today]

[01] Cakici argues that occupied fenced Varosha is the key for Turkey's EU accession course

Cakici noted that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has been saying for years that he would not give even an inch of land to the Greek Cypriots, but changed his stance when he was elected to the leadership of his community. Recalling that, when he was going to Geneva, Eroglu had said that he was ready to discuss the territory issue, Cakici wondered: "If Eroglu will discuss the territory, has he suggested the buffer zone to the Greek Cypriots?"

Cakici said that Turkey has also approved the discussion of the territory at the negotiations and noted that Varosha is used as trump card for finding a comprehensive solution at the negotiations.

Referring to Prime Minister Erdogan's statement that Turkey will not return occupied Morfou and Varosha to the Greek Cypriots, Cakici argued that this was a reaction to the explorations for oil and natural gas by the Republic of Cyprus.

Cakici said that the economic cooperation between Turkey and the EU exceeds 100 billion US dollars and added that it is not possible for Turkey to interrupt its relations with the EU. "As long as Turkey continues its course towards the EU, it will pursue solution policies here", argued Cakici.

Referring to the economic situation in the occupied area of Cyprus, Cakici said that there is a serious recession in the trade of the regime with Turkey and the world and added that many businesses in occupied Cyprus close up. He noted that one in every three young persons in the occupied area of Cyprus is unemployed and argued that the Turkish Cypriots are getting poorer.

Cakici said that the image that exists in Turkey for the Turkish Cypriots is that they "eat the money of the people of Anatolia" and argued that this image was created by the National Unity Party (UBP) "government".

Referring to the issue of the white and green "identity cards", Cakici said that the UBP "government" tries to destroy the culture of the Turkish Cypriots with this practice. Cakici noted that some organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus are given away to some firms from Turkey and argued that this situation shows lack of political will and that all decisions are taken by Ankara.

Cakici said that all the political parties, trade unions, producers and economic organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus should come together and stop the UBP "government" as soon as possible. He noted that they will follow policies such as general strikes to achieve their goal and added that early "elections" will be held in the occupied area.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot parties issue messages for the September 1st Peace Day

In his message, Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), referred to the July 7 Geneva meeting of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders with the UN Secretary-General and noted the importance of the road map drawn at the meeting and the duties extended to the two leaders. Akansoy said that despite the determination and the efforts of the international community for a solution in Cyprus, the hopes for a new opportunity of solution are fading due to the uncourageous and unwilling behaviour of the two leaders that carry out the negotiation process. He added that both Greek Cypriot leader Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu are after their own ideological desires making the finding of a just and permanent solution more difficult, noting, inter alia, that in case the negotiations are interrupted, both leaders will be held responsible.

Issuing a message on the day, the executive committee of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) expressed its determination to continue their struggle for a demilitarised, independent, sovereign and united Cyprus with its entire people--Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Armenian, Maronites and Latins-- living together in peace. Moreover, support was extended to the ongoing negotiation process and the efforts of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders for a solution to the Cyprus problem. It was also noted that the solution should be based on the decisions of the UN Security Council. In its message, BKP, inter alia, said: "The solution should respect the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, the guarantorship of any foreign country should be rejected, and Cyprus should be completely independent."

[03] Elcil reacts on the UN prevention for an event in the buffer zone

In his statements, Elcil, refutes the excuse of the UN that they were not informed on time about the event, by noting that the UN lie and by saying that they informed them on time and that they said "ok". However, they changed their decision later, he said and added: "This country is ours and the UN has no right to interfere. Our reaction will be very harsh. The UN forces are much satisfied with the [existing] conditions. They are not peace forces but tourist forces", adding that they do not offer nothing to the island.

Elcil said that in any case, they will realise the event and that if it is necessary, they will protest, adding that if this does not happen, they will pass through the UN soldiers. "But still, this event will be realised," he noted. Elcil concluded that this will be a black stain on the September 1st Peace Day and said that the UN soldiers should leave from the island.

[04] Rauf Denktas in critical condition

According to the paper, Denktas is unconscious and his heart and respiration are mechanically supported.

Speaking during a press conference, Dr Mehmet Ozmenoglu, head of Denktas' medical team, stated that neurologically Denktas has no consciousness and he has to be supported mechanically. He also said that he is in a very serious condition and added that they are doing everything possible to help him.

His son, Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) commenting on his father's health stated that Rauf is a strong person and that they pray he will overcome this difficult time. He said that the last time he spoke to his father was on Tuesday morning when he asked him whether he wanted to remain to Turkey or to return to Cyprus. "Here is motherland; over there is motherland as well. Lets return there, where my children and grandchildren are", Rauf Denktas said to his son.

[05] Atun confirms agreement for the supply of electricity

[06] Turkish Cypriots select the free area of Cyprus for shopping and excursions

The paper also cites "official data" according to which the amount of money that Turkish Cypriots spent in the south from 2004 until today through credit cards reached 90 million euro. Specifically, in 2008 the biggest amount of money that was spent was 19,921,972 euro.

The paper also publishes a research regarding the reasons why Turkish Cypriots visit the free areas of the Republic. 53.8% answered that their purpose of visit is shopping, 37% for an outing and 9.2% for other reasons.

[07] The number of students from Turkey attending illegal universities in the occupied area has increased to 43%

Oztoprak who said that the strategy followed by the "universities" paid out, stated also that according to information obtained by the Student Selection and Registration Center (OSYM) of the Republic of Turkey, 3,428 persons were registered at the illegal universities for the academic year 2010-2011, of which 1,246 were from Turkey. In addition 5,063 persons were registered at the "universities" for the academic year 2011-2012, of which 1,456 were from Turkey.

[08] More about the church bell which was found in occupied Agios Epiktitos village

According to the paper, the church bell was stolen 8 years ago from the church of the occupied Syngrasi village which is close to occupied Trikomo.

As the paper writes, the so-called police arrested Nihat Yazici, owner of the car which the church bell was found and two other persons, Ali Anadol and Gungor Yazici. The three suspects were taken yesterday to occupied Keryneia District Court and will remain into custody for three days.

The paper adds that the three suspects stole the church bell in order to sell it.

[09] Davutoglu's statements in Bosnia?Herzegovina; He will then visit Romania

Addressing the Turkish soldiers, Davutoglu said that Bosnia had gone through tremendous pain and massacres during the 1990s. "You are here as a guarantee of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovia. Your presence here is the Turkish nation's message to the Bosnians. The message says that Turkey will never let the same massacres happen again as long as the Turkish flag flies on this territory," Davutoglu said.

He also said that Turkey would continue to be active in the Balkans as long as its friends and relatives coming from history needed its assistance. "We will stay here until peace is established in the Balkans and innocent people don't experience the same pain again," he said.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia (31.08.11) reported that according to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, after completing talks in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Davutoglu will pay a working visit to Romania on 31 August-1 September 2011, upon the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Teodor Baconschi, and he would hold talks in Bucharest to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations as well as current regional and international issues.

Davutoglu will also deliver a speech on "Turkey's Regional Foreign Policy Priorities and Means of Actions" at the "Annual Meeting of the Romanian Diplomacy", the Ministry said.

As part of the visit, Turkish and Romanian officials will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on "Cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and the Romanian Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania", the statement added.

The press release by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Davutoglu's visit to Romania is expected to further contribute to the strengthening of Turkish-Romanian relations.

[10] Number of tourists visiting Turkey up by 11%

According to the Ministry, Turkey enjoys increasingly growing number of tourists visiting Turkey this year and it has seen nearly 11% increases in the first seven months this year.

The July has also seen an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country by 5.49% 4,597,475 tourists visited Turkey only in July. While Germany is topping the list, Russia has become second and the UK third in the number of tourists visiting Turkey.

Out of nearly 18 million tourists, 990,906 tourists (5.62%) spent only a single day in the country.

Recent statistics covering the years 2002-2010, released by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, reveals the progress Turkish tourism has made over the last eight years. While in terms of the number of tourists it was ranked 17th among the most visited tourist destinations in 2002, the numbers show that Turkey clinched the seventh place in 2009, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The number of tourists who visited Turkey in 2002 was 13.2 million, whereas the same number rose to 28.6 million in 2009, representing a 117% increase.

While 14.29% of tourists came from Germany, 11.79% came from Russia, 7.95% from England, 6.28% from Iran, 4.62% from Bulgaria, 4.08% from the Netherlands, 3.94% from France, 3.45% from Georgia, 3.11% from Syria and 2.28% from the US in the first seven months of this year.

Until August, while 2,518,202 tourists visited Turkey from Germany, 2,078,741 from Russia, 1,401,833 from England, 1,107,067 from Iran and 813,976 tourists from Bulgaria chose Turkey as a place for their vacation.

(?)

Thanks to its retaining close political and economic relationships with its neighbours, Turkey managed to remove visa requirements for many countries in the region, resulting in a huge increase in incoming and outgoing tourists in the area. However, the political uprisings in the Middle-East and North Africa, or the Arab Spring, have led to a significant drop in tourists from those countries visiting Turkey.

Germany, Russia and England are again topping the list in the number of tourists visiting Turkey in July. Out of 4,597,475 tourists who visited the country in July, 310,225 tourists (6.75%) stayed in Turkey only a single day.

In July, while Germany sent 602,511 tourists (13.11%) to Turkey, 586,905 (12.1%) were from Russia, 435,143 (9.46%) from England, 242,870 (5.28%) from the Netherlands, 191,681 (4.17%) from Iran, 186,631 (4.06%) from France, 146,162 (3.18%) from Bulgaria, 127,527 (2.77%) from Austria, 127,240 (2.77%) from Belgium, 124,147 (2.70%) from Georgia.

While the number of tourists visiting Turkey was 4,343,025 in July in 2009, this number was 4,358,275 in 2010. In the January-July period, the number of tourists visiting Turkey was 14,933,656 and this number increased to 15,929,702 in 2010. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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