Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-09-12

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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] Contacts by Ozersay in Ankara on the oil and natural gas explorations

[02] TGNA Speaker Cicek held illegal visit to Cyprus

[03] "Don't test us"

[04] CHP's deputy chairman rejects Cyprus' Oil Explorations

[05] Sener Levent fourth on a list of targets by the Felek gang

[06] Tourism in occupied Cyprus increased in 2011

[07] Ismet Kotak passed away

[08] "Turkey to co-chair anti-terror initiative"

[09] "Davutoglu to Israel: Don't test us"

[10] "BDP to continue its boycott 'due to war'"

[11] Turkish and Brazilian Foreign Ministers met in Istanbul

[12] Columnist argues on the geostrategic significance of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The escalated tension between Turkey and Israel, the tour of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to Egypt, Libya and Tunisia that will start today, the new initiative launched by Turkey and the United States aimed at intensifying the joint struggle against terrorism and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Contacts by Ozersay in Ankara on the oil and natural gas explorations

"We have launched contacts regarding the steps to be taken on the issue of oil and natural gas", said Ozersay in statements to illegal TAK news agency after his contacts in Ankara. He noted that within this framework a technical committee will visit Ankara next week for contacts. Kibris writes that Ozersay will be leading this delegation during its talks in Ankara.

"The Turkish Cypriot side has made a call on the Greek Cypriot side to postpone its initiatives on the issue of oil and natural gas", said Ozersay adding that if the Greek Cypriot side responds to this call, there will be no need for the Turkish side to take any steps.

Ozersay noted that during his contacts in Ankara, he met with officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other organizations. He said that they discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus talks and the issue of their "areas of jurisdiction" in the sea.

Referring to the negotiations, Ozersay stated that he is more hopeful than he was one week ago due to the exchange of views between the community leaders during their last meeting on the chapter of property.

(I/Ts.)

[02] TGNA Speaker Cicek held illegal visit to Cyprus

Cicek said that Turkey will fully support a "politically equal solution" on the island. He argued that if such a solution could not be reached, then "there is no reason to force it". "It's just a waste of time," he argued.

Expressing the hope that the Cyprus negotiations process will be finalized by the end of the year, he pointed out that the Cyprus problem consists the longest continuing negotiations under the UN roof.

Alleging that the breakaway regime and Turkey are not responsible for the non-solution in Cyprus, Cicek argued: "Although in the past it was difficult to show this, today it had become very clear who is responsible for the non-solution on the island".

For his part, Eroglu claimed they are working hard to finalize the Cyprus talks and explained that they will be holding another tripartite meeting soon. Eroglu reiterated the Turkish allegation that it was a mistake to accept the "unilateral EU membership of south Cyprus", as he described the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, and to put the Cyprus issue as an obstacle in the way of Turkey's EU membership.

Eroglu accused the Greek Cypriot side of creating the Cyprus problem and of trying to blame Turkey for this. He reiterated that they want to finalize the talks by the end of this year before the Republic of Cyprus takes over the EU term presidency in the second half of next year.

Reiterating that life continued after 1974, Eroglu said "everyone should be aware of the fact that we will not return to the pre-1974 conditions". "The Turkish side had shown its good will and the UN should realize this", he alleged.

Eroglu concluded by saying that Turkey and the breakaway regime are working together for the Turkish Cypriot "people" to live freely and in peace on "sovereign land".

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak (09.09.11, online), during his illegal visit to occupied Cyprus, Cicek met also with Hasan Bozer, "speaker" of the self-styled assembly of the breakaway regime. In statements before their meeting, Bozer accused the Greek Cypriot side of acting greedily on the issue of exploring for natural gas and oil off the shores of Cyprus. He said the Turkish Cypriots are the equal owners of Cyprus and therefore the Greek Cypriots cannot act on their own on this issue. Bozer alleged that the Greek Cypriot side tries to single handedly claim all of the island's natural resources and noted that this will not be easy.

"There are two peoples on the island and the Cyprus Turks have equal ownership", claimed Bozer adding that this issue will "poison" the Cyprus negotiations process.

In his statements, Cicek reiterated Turkey's full support to the Turkish Cypriots.

During his one day illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Cicek was accompanied by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) MP Unal Cak1
r, Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Safak Pavey and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Ankara MP Y1
ld1
r1
m Tugrul Turkes.

Cicek embarked on his contacts with a visit to the Mausoleum of Dr Fazil Kucuk. He then laid a wreath at the Ataturk monument in the occupied part of Lefkosia and signed the visitors book. Cicek and his delegation also paid a visit to the Commander of the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus Lieutenant General Adem Huduti and the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

According to illegal Bayrak (10.09.11, online), before his meeting with Cicek, Kucuk told reporters that the value which "motherland Turkey" attaches to the "TRNC", breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus, becomes more obvious during such "official" visits

For his part, Cicek touched upon the Cyprus issue and blamed the Greek Cypriot side for the non-solution on the island. "The cause of this uncertainty lies with those who accepted south Cyprus' unilateral membership into the European Union", he alleged and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side has already proven its willingness towards a settlement.

[03] "Don't test us"

Yildiz referring also to Noble Company [which is scheduled to perform drilling on October 1] said the following: "I have not met with the Noble Company but I believe that they will follow my advice. I do not believe that the private sector will invest in such a risky venture. Due to the fact that this area's status has not been clarified, if we see it from the private sector's view, they prefer less risky investments. If it was me, I would not operate in an area with undetermined boundaries."

The paper also reports that Ankara's target is to prevent exploration drilling by the Cyprus- Israel partnership in parcel 12. Firstly, they will increase the pressure to Noble company and if the company does not step down, Turkish Navy vessels will disembark for the Economic Zone that Ankara does not acknowledge.

[04] CHP's deputy chairman rejects Cyprus' Oil Explorations

Logoglu also warned the Cypriot Government that they are "seriously mistaken if they think that they can secure an advantage over Turkey, given the tense situation in Eastern Mediterranean" and said that Turkey's strategy must be hindering Cyprus' efforts by political, legal, diplomatic and military means.

He claimed that the Cyprus Government does not represent Cyprus and called the countries where the oil companies are based to behave responsibly and not open their doors to Cypriot initiatives which will have no result and end in disappointment. Moreover, he called the AKP Government to take Lebanon and Egypt on their side and use persuasive language when trying to inform the USA and the EU about "the rights of Turkey and TRNC."

[05] Sener Levent fourth on a list of targets by the Felek gang

According to the paper, Sener Levent, Afrika's editor-in-chief is in number four on the gang's list.

The member of Felek gang said to the paper that ten well trained assassins will arrive at the island in the coming days with a list of targets and added that the three first persons on this list are some well-known businessmen.

[06] Tourism in occupied Cyprus increased in 2011

The paper compares the hotels' capacity of May, June and July 2010 with the same period in 2011 and writes that it is quite higher. The hotel capacity in May 2010 was 40%, while hotel capacity in May 2011 was 46%, in June 2010 was 44.56% while in June 2011 was 54% and in July 2010 was 49% while in July 2011 was 61%.

The paper writes that the number of tourists from foreign countries increased 30% while the number of tourists from Turkey increased 7.6%.

UK is the main market for tourism in occupied Cyprus; however the number of British tourists was smaller this year due to the economic crisis. In addition, the number of tourists from other countries, like Germany, Holland, Azerbaijan and Italy was increased.

[07] Ismet Kotak passed away

Ismet Kotak, who was born in Famagusta in 1939, served as "minister" of the occupation regime and was elected "deputy" with the National Unity Party (UBP). He was also the director of illegal Bayrak and worked as columnist in various newspapers in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[08] "Turkey to co-chair anti-terror initiative"

The forum will include nearly 30 countries, and its first meeting is scheduled for New York on Sept. 22 on the side-lines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

The new initiative, to be called the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) will bring together "traditional allies, emerging powers and Muslim-majority countries," Clinton said in a speech in New York.

The U.S. proposed the creation of the Global Counterterrorism Forum "to address the evolving terrorist threat in a way that would bring enduring benefits by helping frontline countries and affected regions acquire the means to deal with threats they face," a fact sheet of the U.S. State Department said in regard to the initiative.

"It is based on recognition that the U.S. alone cannot eliminate every terrorist or terrorist organization," it added.

The founding members of the forum include: Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

[09] "Davutoglu to Israel: Don't test us"

Speaking in Istanbul on Sunday during a joint press conference with his Brazilian counterpart Antonia de Aguiar Patriota, Davutoglu said that any country which supports terror will "surely receive a response."

"No one can debilitate Turkey. No one should put Turkey's strength to the test," Davutoglu said, adding that Israel has to act with responsibility against terrorism.

On Friday, Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman had planned meetings with PKK leaders in Europe to find ways to cooperate with them "in every possible area." Israeli officials swiftly denied the existence of such a plan.

According to Turkish sources speaking to the Hurriyet Daily News, a meeting took place between an aide of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an advisor to Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, during which the Israeli official refuted allegations about cooperation with the PKK. The incident also showed that despite the tension, diplomatic relations remain open.

Despite the denial, the claims that made it to newspaper headlines on Saturday "caused indignation in Turkey," Davutoglu said. "No country can blackmail Turkey."

"Today is September 11 and on such a day, nobody can differentiate between terrorist organizations," he said. "We hope Israel will emphasize its denial with actions."

Regarding the other side of the alleged link, Davutoglu said that the PKK has been going through a period of "tool-ization" ? meaning that it has become a tool for those who wish to weaken Turkey.

[10] "BDP to continue its boycott 'due to war'"

"We set out for freedom. The state is negotiating over our freedom. We will not partake in this negotiation. We will not go to Parliament at a time when there is a war going on," Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Batman Deputy Ayla Akat Ala said Sunday.

"We have been in Parliament for four years; what did the AKP [Justice and Development Party] do? Our issue is not about whether to go to Parliament or not. Our issue is about how we are going to build [our] autonomy that we have already declared," she said at a meeting in the south eastern province of Mardin's K1
z1
ltepe district over the future of "Democratic Autonomy" and other recent political developments.

[11] Turkish and Brazilian Foreign Ministers met in Istanbul

Davutoglu said: "Our trade volume with Brazil was around 2 billion USD last year. We are determined to carry our trade volume to 5 billion USD in the shortest time possible."

"We have wide cooperation with Brazil in the military field and planes. We cooperate with Brazil on regional and international matters. In 2010, our joint diplomatic efforts on Iran's nuclear program were viewed with interest in all corners of the globe. I often have phone conversations with Patriota on issues on the U.N. agenda. We discussed today issues such as Libya, Syria and the Middle East.

We are also making preparations to welcome the Brazilian President to Turkey in October" Davutoglu said.

The Brazilian Foreign Minister Patriota, on his part, said that he was highly pleased to be in Istanbul.

"Turkey and Brazil share close relations. Trade relations between our two countries went up three folds in the past 6 months. Brazilian companies operate in Turkey and Turkish companies have investments in Brazil. We wish to boost our economic relations through an agreement on prevention of double taxation," Patriota said.

[12] Columnist argues on the geostrategic significance of Cyprus

"There are those who are not happy with the action by Prime Minister Erdogan, expressed with his words 'henceforth, we are going to be seen more frequently in the Eastern Mediterranean'. No, I am not speaking of Israel or Israel's allies. I am referring to those who, being worried that the Government 'has created problems where there were none before', are asking 'what need was there for such a thing just now?'

It is sufficient to glance at a map to understand the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean. First of all, this is an extremely important trade route, particularly for the transport of energy resources from the Middle East, as well as from the Caucasus and Central Asia, to Europe. The Eastern Mediterranean is the point where three continents meet.

Turkey, which is a country with seacoasts, is obliged to ensure that the seas around it, including the Eastern Mediterranean, are safe, in order to secure the security of its own territory. If these waters should be in the control of 'unfriendly' forces, it means Turkey's security would be at risk.

When you look, you notice that all of the major powers in the world do not hesitate, 'for some reason', to show interest in this region. One of these is France. Actually, the Mediterranean as a whole, but the Eastern Mediterranean in particular, has for a long time been one of the major areas of play for French foreign policy. In fact, aside from the European Union, of which France was one of the founders and patrons, it is not unknown that France dreams of the formation of a 'Mediterranean Union', which would be under its own control and which it would like in particular the countries of the North African and Levant region to take part in.

This means that there is no need even to ask whether France's ambitions in the Levant region have ended. But when it is a question of France, there are also some 'questions that need to be asked':

- Would a possible regime change in Syria, in addition to changes in the regional balance, also bring onto the agenda a new conflict in terms of who would control the Eastern Mediterranean?

- Among which countries would this conflict take place?

- Would a separation on an ethnic and sectarian basis take place in Syria just as has taken place in Iraq?

- If such a thing happens, would an autonomous regional administration be given to the Kurds in the north of Syria?

- Might this autonomous administration granted to the Syrian Kurds has an outlet to the Mediterranean?

- If this occurs, what other changes would a 'Kurdistan with an outlet to the open seas' lead to in the geopolitics of the region?

For us, the Eastern Mediterranean had until recently meant almost exclusively the 'cause of Cyprus'. But in the latest period, however, a significant portion of our foreign policy experts have been saying that what we had previously thought to be the case on the Cyprus issue is not in fact correct, and that, contrary to what is believed, this island has no geostrategic importance. If you look at the newspaper archives over the past five or six years, you can find who said what on this issue.

Probably the experts who were making these types of comments and analyses in those days saw no objections, from the standpoint of Turkey's national interest, in the Eastern Mediterranean's being abandoned to the domination of Israel!

We can see that, at the point that has been reached as of today, it is now going to become rather difficult for the old rhetoric on the issue of Cyprus to be continued. Let us just note this.

But let us not close off the topic without putting a few questions to those who, whenever the topic is raised, say 'you have it wrong; Cyprus has no geostrategic significance':

- Why did the British, prior to the First World War, immediately annexed this piece of land that had no geostrategic significance?

- Why do the British and the Americans consider it important to possess a military base on this island that has no geostrategic character?

- Why did the European Union accepted the Greeks of southern Cyprus [Tr. Not.: The Republic of Cyprus] - who cannot in any way be counted as Europeans - to membership?

- Could it be because any political force that seeks to establish hegemony in this region needs to establish a position in the Eastern Mediterranean?" TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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