Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-11-07

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

[01] Eroglu: "The territory issue can be discussed at the latest phase of the Cyprus talks"

[02] Azerbaijani MP desires the recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Bagis alleged that the Greek Cypriot side will be responsible in case a solution is not found by June 2012

[04] An Italian Senator supports the breakaway regime

[05] Cavusoglu said that the "population census" in occupied Cyprus will take place on December 4

[06] Kurban Bayram is celebrated in occupied Cyprus

[07] YODAK chairman comments on number of university students in the breakaway regime

[08] Promotional efforts by the breakaway regime in London

[09] Erdogan: "Nobody shall expect our security forces to lay down arms"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main issue in today's Turkish dailies and over the weekend is the celebrations for the Kurban Bayram in Turkey and the messages issued by the Turkish political leaders. The papers refer also to statements by the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey will take its own measures if Iraqi Kurds appear reluctant to fight PKK, reaction of Tayyip Erdogan against accusations made by the chairman of the opposition Republican People's Party regarding corruption among government ranks, and the visit of Massoud Barzani - leader of the regional administration in north of Iraq - in Ankara.

[01] Eroglu: "The territory issue can be discussed at the latest phase of the Cyprus talks"

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at the illegal Ercan Airport, Eroglu pointed out that a time limit was set for the Cyprus negotiations at the New York summit, which has been a demand of Turkish Cypriot side.

He said a quadruple or quartet multilateral conference may follow the fifth tripartite summit in January during which the parties concerned in Cyprus will work to finalize the solution process, before the Republic of Cyprus takes over the EU term-presidency in July 2012.

Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side proved its good will once again through bridging proposals it presented during the tripartite meeting.

Eroglu said that the negotiations will continue after the Feast of Sacrifices with a new procedure.

According to the new procedure at the talks, Eroglu and President Christofias will hold t?te-?-t?te meetings until noon and this will be followed by shuttle diplomacy between the UN team and the negotiation teams of the two sides with the aim of eliminating the differences.

Eroglu also recalled that the issue of territory will be taken up at the very end of the solution process, as also referred to in the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's report on Cyprus.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (07.11.11) reports on statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu who described the Eastern Mediterranean as a "Fire Zone" and said that due to these developments and the stance of the Greek Cypriot side, the agreement in the Cyprus problem has become essential.

In statements to the media before receiving congratulations for the Feast of Sacrifices, Eroglu said that the negotiations are about to be concluded. He then said that recently, the Greek Cypriot side is exerting efforts to put forward the slogan "without the territory issue the property issue cannot be negotiated" and added that it has been declared by him during the Geneva summit that the issue of maps and numbers was to be discussed at the latest phase of the talks, something which has also been recorded in the UN's report.

Eroglu reiterated that the discussion on the territory issue could start after the setting of a quadruple or quartet multilateral conference.

He then stated that he is exerting efforts so that a solution which would be accepted by the "people" is found and stated that they would not accept any solution that will not satisfied the "people".

(AK)

[02] Azerbaijani MP desires the recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus

Welcoming the Azerbaijani MP, Eroglu reminded of "Ahmedova's close interest in the Turkish Cypriot people's national cause" and pointed out that "she was an important contributor in voicing the Turkish Cypriot side's views in the international arena through the many articles she has written and conferences she has attended". He added: "She is our honorary representative in Azerbaijan".

For her part, Ahmedova praised Eroglu for his reportedly successful achievements in the Cyprus negotiations. She said "it was her biggest desire to see the TRNC [editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus] being recognized as a state". She also expressed the hope that "the Turkish Cypriots will gain their rightful position within the international community".

[03] Bagis alleged that the Greek Cypriot side will be responsible in case a solution is not found by June 2012

Bagis said that a solution could be reached only by the compromise of the two sides on the island, adding that it should become clear whether Cyprus talks would be concluded and a solution would be found by the end of the year.

Claiming that it was a mistake to approve the Republic of Cyprus' membership to the EU, Bagis argued that EU officials confessed that too.

Bagis said that 70% of the energy resources which Europe needs are located within Turkey's borders, adding that Europe does not have the chance to reach those resources without Turkey's contribution. Unfortunately 26 countries were not able to see how a single country put reservation on their interests, he argued.

Bagis claimed that if a solution was not found till June 2012, the responsible of the non-solution would be the Greek Cypriot side, adding that the whole world should know that.

Commenting on Turkey's relations with the EU, Bagis said that "Turkey would bring a different momentum in the EU process but it would not give up on TRNC [editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus] for the EU".

Bagis said that Turkey's national income per capital tripled in the last nine years and this happened without being an EU member, adding that Turkey's growth rate was 10.2% in the first half of 2011. He noted that 92% of global capitals that come to Turkey are investments from EU countries.

[04] An Italian Senator supports the breakaway regime

Amato argued that "Turkey and TRNC are rightful in the oil and natural gas exploration crisis, which emerged in Cyprus".

Claiming that he became a "TRNC citizen" last year, Amato said: "I decided to be a TRNC citizen before I saw Cyprus, because I wanted to support Turkish Cypriots who were behaved badly by Greek Cypriots".

Amato argued that his love for Turkey introduced him with the pains Turkish Cypriots suffered.

Commenting on oil and natural gas exploration which was launched by the Republic of Cyprus, Amato said that he saw Turkey's position right. He also argued that if a solution was not found to this problem, it would get bigger.

Commenting on the EU-term presidency which will be undertaken by Republic of Cyprus in July 2012, Amato argued that Erdogan's move to freeze the relations was correct, adding that Turkey had a reasonable foreign policy.

Claiming that EU presidency of the Republic of Cyprus was wrong, Amato alleged that everybody knew about the lies told by the Republic of Cyprus to enter into the EU.

Amato alleged that Greek Cypriots are blocking the use of the EU resources for development of the "north of the island" [editor's note: he refers to the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus].

Amato also claimed that Greek Cypriots were also blocking Turkey's accession in the EU.

[05] Cavusoglu said that the "population census" in occupied Cyprus will take place on December 4

(AK)

[06] Kurban Bayram is celebrated in occupied Cyprus

Kibris (07.11.11) reports that the Turkish Cypriots started yesterday the celebrations for the Kurban Bayram that will last four days. The paper notes that as it happened last year, during the prayers for the Bayram a big crowd gathered at the mosques and adds that in some cases the persons attending the prayers were so many that there was no room for them inside the mosques so they prayed in the streets. Kibris also publishes pictures showing the crowd gathered outside the mosques.

The paper also writes that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, along with his wife Meral, received congratulations for Kurban Bayram at the so-called presidential palace in occupied Lefkosia. On his part, the commander of the occupation army in Cyprus, lieutenant general Adem Huditi also received separately congratulations for the Kurban Bayram at the Military Casino.

In addition, illegal Bayrak (05.11.11) broadcast that messages which have been issued by Turkish Cypriot political leaders to mark the Kurban Bayram.

The Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, called on the "public" to unite in solidarity. Touching upon the Cyprus problem, Eroglu argued that it was his expectation to reach a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem, in line with the expectations of the Turkish Cypriots. He also alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side truly and sincerely desired a solution to the Cyprus problem and claimed that international organizations, particularly the United Nations accepted this fact.

The speaker of the "assembly" Hasan Bozer said that Bayram was the time of forgiveness and joy and wished the entire Turkish and Muslim world a very happy and joyous Bayram.

Self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said Bayram was a time for solidarity, unity and a time for sharing and forgiveness.

Finally, under the title "Kurban disgrace", Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (07.11.11) writes that the first day of the celebrations for the Kurban Bayram was marked by scenes of dreadful events since "some fellow countrymen", as the paper writes, slaughtered the animals which are sacrificed for the celebrations in front of small children. The paper also writes that the offal of the animals was after thrown carelessly in the streets, and that the blood of the sacrificed animals was smeared on the forehead of children.

[07] YODAK chairman comments on number of university students in the breakaway regime

Bicak noted that this number compared to last year shows a 7.8% rise. After the academic year 2008-2009, when the largest amount of students was registered (47,982), there has been a decline in 2009-2010 (around 43,000 students). Bicak said that this year's registrations show that they follow an ascending rate.

He also pointed out that the profile of students has changed, since their strategy for raising the number of students included not only Turkey but also third countries. "As a result of this successful strategies by the universities, the number of students coming from third countries was 3,813 in 2009 while in 2010 reached 4,988," said Bicak and added that for 2011 a total of 7,546 students have enrolled. He said that an increase of 100% is observed within the last two years and that the percentage of students originating from third countries has also increased to 16% compared to last year's 12%.

Bicak also said that YODAK has been assisting "universities" in establishing new courses, something that strengthens the flow of students from Turkey. He also said that they cooperate with international respected accreditation organizations in order to ensure the level of education and added that they follow closely the "Bologna process" and try to establish a quality assurance system.

Speaking about his contacts in Bahrain, Bicak said that they were invited in order to evaluate the MBA program of Bahrain University and the MBA program of Malaysia Open University's Bahrain Centre.

[08] Promotional efforts by the breakaway regime in London

[09] Erdogan: "Nobody shall expect our security forces to lay down arms"

Regarding his meeting with Massoud Barzani, the head of regional administration in the north of Iraq, on Saturday, Erdogan said that Turkey had some difficulties in the north of Iraq, adding that Turkey expected the local administration in the north of Iraq to extend support to Turkey in its fight against "terrorist" organization.

"If the administration will not be able to support Turkey, then we have to do what is necessary", he added.

Erdogan also said that they did not consider the ethnical differences as a reason of hostility. "Differences are our richness", said Erdogan.

Barzani, in return, said that Turkey was a developed country in terms of democracy, adding that armed struggle was not a way of seeking for rights. He noted that terrorism harmed his country too. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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