Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-11-04

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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] Davutoglu and Eroglu comment on the New York meeting

[02] Serdar Denktas stated that the January summit should be the last as regards the Cyprus problem

[03] Turkish Cypriot academicians assess the New York summit

[04] Army is the "institution" trusted the most by the persons who live in the occupied areas

[05] The breakaway regime up scales efforts in London WTM

[06] The occupancy of hotels with casino in occupied areas reached 100% due to the Kurban Bayram

[07] The "Billiard Federation" to host European Championships in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] A cargo ship under Cambodian-flag has struck a reef off Antalya

[09] Erdogan on Turkey's economy

[10] Davutoglu met with Barzani; He argued that Turks and Kurds are brothers

[11] Cicek announces a road map for Turkey's new Constitution

[12] Turkish intellectuals protest for the arrest of publisher

[13] Visa between Turkey and Belarus to be lifted

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Turkish dailies mostly covered today Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's address to a group of CEOs during a G-20 event in Cannes, the visit of Massoud Barzani - leader of the regional administration in north of Iraq - in Ankara, the crash of a military plane crash in central Turkey, discussions on drafting a new constitution, and other domestic issues.

[01] Davutoglu and Eroglu comment on the New York meeting

Eroglu said that he informed Davutoglu about the meeting, since from time to time they have consultations on their proposals with the Turkish Foreign Ministry. He also expressed his happiness for the words "end game" that the UNSG used, saying that they have been advocating for a timetable since the Geneva meeting. He said that in the Greentree meeting they proposed again that an end in the negotiations should be put forward. He said, inter alia: "We think to put an end during a four or five party summit, after our next meeting in January. Whether it will be possible or not, it will become obvious through the negotiations we will hold until then and the meeting we will have again in January."

Davutoglu for his part said that they exchanged ideas regarding the New York meeting and alleged that negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem have reached a final stage. "First of all, the fact that the Secretary-General called again the two sides in January is a hopeful development. He identified this as 'end game.' We, Turkey and TRNC, have already signalled that the negotiations entered a final stage... and we have been thinking to end this final stage with comprehensive negotiations, a conference with broad participation. We insisted on this, alleged, inter alia, Davutoglu.

[02] Serdar Denktas stated that the January summit should be the last as regards the Cyprus problem

"Nobody has the right to condemn the Turkish Cypriots for years of uncertainty", he stated yesterday.

Denktas, who issued a written statement, said that if the January summit is the last one, then the two sides will be forced to put on the negotiation table their final positions, allowing the UN Secretary-General to evaluate the situation and call for an international conference.

Denktas stated that he was not informed yet by Dervis Eroglu about the New York summit and he expects to have a meeting with him after the latter returns from New York.

He expressed his support towards the Turkish Cypriot negotiation team and especially Kudret Ozersay.

Referring to the cross voting issue, he stated that this was a result of the wrong policy of Mehmet Ali Talat and added that the issue created problems to the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] Turkish Cypriot academicians assess the New York summit

Prof. Hasguler described the fifth summit in January and the multi party conference that could come on the agenda, as "acceptance of Turkey and TRNC's (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) position, for the last three years, to have a timetable in the negotiations".

Claiming that the January summit will show which way the Cyprus problem will follow, Hasturer evaluated the summit in January as "the last tango summit".

Hasturer argued that the negotiation team of the Turkish Cypriot side with Turkey's coordination, makes continuously proposals and "North Cyprus [translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus] will have more advantages than South Cyprus [translator's note: the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus] in January 2012".

Hasturer supported Eroglu's view that they are "in favour of a solution" but they also have an option. He quoted Eroglu's statement that: "If there is a solution, we want it. If there is not, we have our state [translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus], we will continue our path with this way."

Hasturer also claimed that this time the future of the Turkish Cypriots will not be as uncertain as it was during the Annan plan. He argued that "the Turkish Cypriots will not be the one, who always lose the game and roads will be opened for them inside the international community".

Prof. Tuzunkan said that he expects a second referendum in Cyprus before Cyprus takes over the EU presidency, alleging that "according to the result of this referendum either there would be an agreement on the island or Cyprus will be divided permanently".

Tuzunkan also said that the negotiations in New York have showed that the efforts for a Cyprus settlement approach to their end and that the negotiations will result in the way the Turkish Cypriot side wants.

[04] Army is the "institution" trusted the most by the persons who live in the occupied areas

These were the results of an opinion poll which was conducted by the Migration, Identity and Justice Studies Centre in October 2011 with a sample of 500 persons. According to the paper, the survey showed that the mistrust of the persons who live in the occupied areas towards "institutions" is increased.

According to the opinion poll, 80.20% stated that army is the most trust worthy institution, followed by the "judiciary" with 44.60% and civilian organizations with 27.50%. In addition, 42.70% stated that media is the least trust worthy institution, followed by the political parties with 42% and the "assembly" with 32.50%.

[05] The breakaway regime up scales efforts in London WTM

The delegation which will man the stand, under the leadership of the so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel, will depart for London on 6 November. The delegation, which is an effort of the "ministry" to gather all institutions active in the tourism field under one roof, consists of: the Northern Cyprus Hoteliers Union (KITOB), Cyprus Turkish Tourism and Travel Agents Union (KITSAB), Cyprus Turkish Tourism Guides Union (KITREB), Car Rentals Operators Union (KAIB) and Karpasia Ecotourism Associations. Also in the stand will participate Pegasus Airlines and eleven English tour operators, who market "North Cyprus". The delegation will also be escorted by "ministry officials" Sahap Akcikoglu and Ilgan Bagcier.

Apart from the promotional activities in the exhibition area for tour operators, the "ministry" will sponsor a cocktail reception at the annual award ceremony that the British Guild of Travel Writers organizes. During the event, promotional presents bearing the logo "North Cyprus" will be handed out and a promotional video, which has been prepared by the illegal Bayrak television, will be shown. Additionally, during the fair iconic black cabs of London decorated with "North Cyprus" posters, will parade in convoys.

[06] The occupancy of hotels with casion in occupied areas reached 100% due to the Kurban Bayram

According to the paper, the occupancy of the following hotels reached 100%: Rock Hotel and Casino, Merit Christal Cove Hotel, Malpas Hotel, Salamis Bay Conti Resort Hotel, Golden Tulip Hotel and Jasmine Court Hotel. In addition, the occupancy for Acapulco Resort Hotel and Dedeman Olive Tree Hotel reached 90%.

[07] The "Billiard Federation" to host European Championships in the occupied area of Cyprus

As the paper reports, the decision was taken during a meeting which took place last week, when the executive council of the EPBF examined the demand of the "Billiard Federation" of the breakaway regime.

The paper writes that the EPBF has sent a letter to the so-called federation as regards the above-mentioned decision. The letter was signed by the chairman of the EPBF, Gre Leenders. The letter was mentioning that it was decided that the Euro Tour in 2012, 2013, 2014, the "Youth and Seniors European Championship" in 2014 and the "Men, Women and Wheelchair European Championship" in 2015, will take place in occupied Cyprus.

The letter reports also that two officials will visit the occupied area of Cyprus for inspecting the places that the European Billiards Championships could take place.

[08] A cargo ship under Cambodian-flag has struck a reef off Antalya

According to the paper, the cargo ship 'Zorbey' with 15 crew aboard struck a reef, despite the fact that the weather was clear and the reef was clearly marked on navigation maps. The paper says the captain was drunk. There are concerns of a potential oil spill given that the ship contained a full load of oil and fuel.

[09] Erdogan on Turkey's economy

Speaking at a closed session titled "global economic situation and action plan for growth and employment" within the scope of G-20 Summit in Cannes, Erdogan said that the Turkish economy grew by 9 percent in 2010 and more than 10 percent in the first half of 2011.

Policies implemented by Turkish government and sound banking sector made positive impacts on great performance of Turkey, he said. "We recorded great progress in reducing budget deficit and debt stock thanks to sound political practices," Erdogan added.

Erdogan said that they expected that the ratio of budget deficit to gross domestic product would be 1.7 percent and the ratio of debt stock to GDP would drop below 40 percent as of the end of 2011.

Premier Erdogan said Turkish government gave priority to structural reforms that would help reduce current account deficit in its Medium Term Program. "The program also focused on the steps that would improve investment climate and make Istanbul a finance centre" he said.

Erdogan said that all G-20 countries should announce their medium term programs and implement them resolutely. "All countries should work to make global financial system more resilient to fluctuations", he added.

[10] Davutoglu met with Barzani; He argued that Turks and Kurds are brothers

After the meeting, Davutoglu told reporters that Turks and Kurds were brothers and added that Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood must be improved.

"In the recent period, Turkey's relations with its Kurdish brothers in the north of Iraq gained a boost. We paid visits there. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a strong message that Turks and Kurds are brothers," he said.

Acts by terrorist organization harmed not only Turkish and Kurdish people in Turkey but also Kurd brothers in the north of Iraq, he said.

Davutoglu said that after 24 Turkish troops were killed in what he described a terrorist attack in Cukurca town of south-eastern province of Hakkari, Barzani called Erdogan by the phone to offer his condolences.

Davutoglu said that Turks and Kurds would live together as brothers and sisters.

Turkey expected a clear stance by the regional administration in the north of Iraq against terrorism, he said.

Davutoglu said he had a fruitful meeting with Barzani.

In his part, Barzani said that he was glad to be with his Turkish brothers and added that they would exert every kind of effort to boost ties in the area of security with Turkey.

[11] Cicek announces a road map for Turkey's new Constitution

Cicek said the chair of the commission would be the speaker of Parliament (Cicek) and the commission would meet at least twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

"The commission will convene with at least one member from three political parties and the commission will make decisions with the consensus (unanimity) of all political parties making up the commission", Cicek said, adding that topics where no decision is reached will be re-evaluated at a time the commission deems appropriate.

Starting on November 15, three committees will be created to solicit the opinions of different organizations in society, he said.

One of the committees will contact political parties and constitutional organizations, while a second will ask the opinions of professional organizations and unions. A third committee will seek advice from NGOs, foundations and religious communities.

Cicek asked the aforementioned organizations to submit their written advice on new charter draft before the end of December. The committees will then invite representatives of the organizations for a verbal discussion of their charter proposals, he said. "The process of drafting a new constitution is not a process of asserting one's views on others or persuading others on the correctness of one's ideas, but creating a social contract together," he added.

"Each political party may have a maximum of two consultants present in meetings", he said. The commission meetings will be closed to the press.

Cicek stated then that the commission aims to finish its work by the end of 2012 and the work of the commission will include four phases. (?)

"The draft text of the constitution, unless there is a consensus among the political parties, cannot be changed or appended either in the conciliation or legislation commissions or in the General Assembly", he said. He added that all segments of society will be encouraged to participate in the process of writing the constitution.

Cicek stated also that the commission's task will end with the passing of the constitutional motion in the General Assembly and its passing into law or with the withdrawal ? or de facto withdrawal ? of one of the political parties. He added that a political party that does not attend at least three meetings will be considered to have withdrawn.

[12] Turkish intellectuals protest for the arrest of publisher

Commenting on the issue in a press release on behalf of the Geneva-based International Publishing Association, Bjorn Smith-Simonsen said: "[Rag1
p Zarakolu] is a tireless person and minority rights activist. Up to now, his quest for truth, reconciliation and justice has been unstoppable. This man does not belong in prison; he deserves a Nobel Prize".

The arrests of the publisher and professor, who were among dozens of people rounded up in the latest raid against the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), drew condemnation from other international groups as well.

"[Rag1
p] Zarakolu is an honored PEN colleague and an internationally recognized defender of the right to write and publish freely. We emphatically protest his arrest," read a statement issued by the American PEN association.

Rag1
p Zarakolu's son, Sinan Zarakolu, said the arrests were "arbitrary" and noted that his brother, Deniz Zarakolu, was also imprisoned last month on similar accusations.

"The accusations are shaky. Anything else is not possible anyway. Neither my father nor my brother have anything to do with the accusations whatsoever," Sinan Zarakolu told the Hurriyet Daily News.

S1
rma Ersanl1
, Bursa Ersanl1
's sister, also said a major and offensive smear campaign was being conducted.

"The image conjured up for Busra has painted her as if she has a grenade in one hand and a pistol in the other," the Marmara University professor's sister told the Daily News.

Academics from Bosporus University, one of Turkey's most prestigious educational institutions, also plan to stage a rally in protest at the arrests this morning.

[13] Visa between Turkey and Belarus to be lifted

Speaking to the AA today, Belarus's Foreign Affairs Minister said that works on lifting of visa procedure had been completed and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was invited to Minsk to sign the agreement on visa procedure.

Martynov said that Turkish and Byelorussian citizens were waiting visa procedure to get lifted.

Turkish investors should visit Belarus and make business with Byelorussian companies, he said.

Turkey and Belarus could cooperate in several areas such as energy and tourism, he said.

Martynov said events on promotion of Belarus would be held in Turkey next year. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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