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

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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] "Federation is unacceptable"

[02] Columnist argues that the main objective behind the Cyprus settlement is to have a new partnership based on two communities and two states on the island

[03] The breakaway regime plans promotional campaign in the UK in order to attract tourism

[04] Serdar Denktas criticized the slogans against Turkey used by the trade unions during demonstrations

[05] Settlers are the majority of the population of occupied Akanthou village

[06] Illegal YDU's Founding rector went to Gagauzia

[07] Kilicdaroglu accused Ankara of becoming a tool of Western designs in the Middle East

[08] Bagis sets for European tour

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main issue in today's Turkish dailies is the celebrations for the Kurban Bayram in Turkey and statements by the chairman of the main opposition leader Kemal K1
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cdaroglu that a parliamentary drive to re-write Turkey's Constitution could become meaningless if the government refuses to review the 26 constitutional amendments, approved during last year's referendum. Furthermore, the papers report about the political crisis in Greece. They also write that Turkish officials have demanded from Masoud Barzani, leader of northern Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), to exert more efforts to curtail the activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on his territory.

[01] "Federation is unacceptable"

"The Greek Cypriot administration is not showing a bit of patience on the probability of a little hope of a solution, and it avoids this probability by making coordinated statements," Ozgurgun alleged in a written statement. "In this context, the negative statements about the New York summit by the Greek Cypriot president's spokesman, Stefanos Stefanu, are exemplary," he added.

Ozgurgun also claimed that the "Greek Cypriot administration" [as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus] should not seek a response from Turkey with such "provocative" statements.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (07.11.11) reports on Ozgurgun's written statement under the title "Christofias distorts the realities." Ozgurgun in his written statement claimed that President Christofias distorts the parameters of the solution and said "the fact that Christofias depicted a negative picture regarding the summit, shows that the Greek Cypriot side has been isolated in the process."

[02] Columnist argues that the main objective behind the Cyprus settlement is to have a new partnership based on two communities and two states on the island

"UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon makes a strenuous effort to have the half-a-century-old Cyprus problem solved. He will definitely be remembered in history if he achieves his objective.

Ban Ki-Moon adopted the 'win, win' concept, which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed in the past, to persuade the sides to reconcile their differences. He informs the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders at every opportunity that they 'stand to gain, if they make concessions'.

But, can a solution be found without the sides moving on to the give-and-take phase of the process?

No, a solution cannot be found.

If the Turkish Cypriots are to be recognized rights beyond those they had in 1960, then the objective is to solve the refugee problem through the return of a very large section of the property in the north to the Greek Cypriot side.

The main objective behind the solution is to have a new partnership based on two communities and two states on the island... That calls for the removal of the Cyprus Republic, which is controlled only by the Greek Cypriots, and the establishment of a new partnership Republic by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot founding states.

What is more important is that the Turkish Cypriot state will be recognized by the UN for the first time. It will have its separate legislative, executive, and judicial organs. And, Turkish will be an official EU language. All that will be among its gains.

We will do injustice to ourselves if we fail to sincerely accept all that.

Undoubtedly, there will be things that we will lose...

The Greek Cypriot side demands the return of all the property the Turkish Cypriot side began to control after Turkey's peace operation [translator's note: Turkish invasion in Cyprus] in 1974 to agree to give up the Cyprus Republic. However, the Turkish Cypriots, with a view to maintain the bi-zonal structure on the island, argue that some of the property cannot be returned. They insist that the principle of exchange or compensation can be applied for those who will not receive their property.

More than 100,000 Greek Cypriots will have an opportunity to return to their property if the matter is solved on that basis. That must not be underestimated.

Another point on which the Greek Cypriot side insists, is related to the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island.

The Annan Plan called for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops within a period of 14 years. The 39,350 Turkish military units in Cyprus would be reduced to 6,000 two years after the solution of the island's problem. They would later be reduced to 3,000. Some 650 Turkish troops and 950 Greek troops would remain by the end of the 14-year period.

The symbolic presence of 650 Turkish troops in Cyprus will definitely not be a serious and durable guarantee for the Turkish Cypriots. What is feared is that the Turkish Cypriot people will be confronted with a serious security problem if Turkey fails to join the EU or if EU, in which Cyprus is a member, cannot exist for a long time.

That is the main reason for the insistence of the Turkish Cypriot side on the continuation of the system of guarantees.

If the Turkish Cypriot minority is attacked again, the attackers must realize that Turkey is only eight minutes away from the island.

The problem of guarantees will be debated at a four or five-party conference if the sides reconcile their difference on the property and land problems during the next two months. They [guarantors] will make the final decision. However, they must consider the fears of the Turkish Cypriot people. The Turkish Cypriots must not be left without a guarantee after so many years."

[03] The breakaway regime plans promotional campaign in the UK in order to attract tourism

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.11.11) reports that a total of 105 cabs will roam the streets of London for a year, introducing "TRNC tourism." The paper also reports on statements by Sahap Asikoglu, undersecretary of the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture. Asikoglu stated that they have signed an agreement with a PR (Public Relations) company for an advertisement campaign that will run for a year, underlining that they plan to spend 400,000 GBP in the English market in order to attract tourists? "We are starting a planned promotional campaign," he said, noting that from January advertisements on billboards, buses and train stations will start to appear.

Additionally, Star Kibris (08.11.11) reports on statements by Sahap Asikoglu, who said that for 2011 they expected a 30% increase in tourism and so far they got 35% and a total of 14 destinations. He added that for 2012 they expect a 30% increase in tourists coming from England.

Commenting also on the negative effects that the closing down of the illegal Cyprus Turkish Airlines had on the tourism sector, Asikoglu said that they tried to overcome the difficulties with charter flights. However for 2012 they want to ensure that a new airline will enter the market, because it is the only way to transfer more tourists from England and added that they will try to sign agreements with 3-4 new tour operators.

Moreover, he said that they try to market alternative touristic models, like health, ecological and golf tourism and especially increase guest houses. He added that their efforts gather under the slogan "Simply North Cyprus ? Simply Beautiful, Uniquely Mediterranean North Cyprus"

[04] Serdar Denktas criticized the slogans against Turkey used by the trade unions during demonstrations

Denktas, who issued a written statement yesterday, criticized the trade unions and called on them to be more "sensitive" on the slogans they use. He referred to the slogan "Do not come without solving (the Cyprus problem)" addressed to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, which was used on the 31 October demonstration, and stated that this kind of slogans are wrong both regarding their content and their goal.

He went on and added that some persons wanted to participate in the demonstration taking place in front of the "assembly", but they were prevented by the slogan "Ankara take your hands off us".

[05] Settlers are the majority of the population of occupied Akanthou villageTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.11.11) dedicates four of its pages to the occupied Akanthou village and writes that the population of the village is 2.500 persons and increases to 3.500 during summer time.

In statements to Kibris, the self-styled mayor of Akanthou, Hayri Orcan, stated that during the last census conducted in the occupied areas, only 100-110 Turkish workers were registered, while 400 Turkish workers were not registered.

[06] Illegal YDU's Founding rector went to Gagauzia

As the paper reports, Suat Gunsel addressed the people during the celebrations and referred, inter alia, to the strong ties, which exist between the occupation regime and the Antonomous Gagauzia Republic.

As it was announced, Suat Guncel will be presented today with honorary medal of Gagauzia. Gunsel is a "honorary citizen of Gagausia".

[07] Kilicdaroglu accused Ankara of becoming a tool of Western designs in the Middle East

Referring to the foreign policy of AKP government, the CHP leader also fired at the Government's attitude on regional problems, charging that Ankara had become a tool of Western designs in the Middle East and was shaping its policies under U.S. pressure.

"We do not want Turkey to become the sub-contractor of Western powers in the Middle East. We should know that Recep Tayyip Erdogan is today the sub-contractor of Western powers in the Middle East," Kilicdaroglu said.

Referring to a warm hug between U.S. President Barack Obama and Erdogan at last week's G-20 summit in Cannes, Kilicdaroglu said: "Obama embraced him because he got from him everything he wanted. [Obama] told him not to interfere in Cyprus gas exploration in the Mediterranean and that's what he did. Obama told him to use a stick with Syria and he complied. What happened to the aid that was supposed to be taken to the Gaza Strip under the escort of warships? He was told he cannot do that and he bowed down."

Kilicdaroglu said Ankara had no independent foreign policy. "Is there any policy they have developed by themselves? They spoke about zero problems with neighbours. The zero problem policy has been found bankrupt," he said.

[08] Bagis sets for European tour

Bagis will hold meetings with EU Commission members, including EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan F?le, and will discuss the "positive agenda" between Turkey and the European Union.

F?le referred to a "positive agenda" between Turkey and the EU after the 2011 Progress Report for Turkey had been announced. Bagis will give a conference on "Turkey in Europe" in Brussels where he is expected to extend holiday greetings with NGOs and press members in Brussels, then travel to Latvia and Estonia for bilateral talks.

Bagis will give another conference in Latvia University on Turkey's EU membership process. He will be received by Latvian President Andris Berzins and meet Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics to thank Latvia for its support of Turkey's EU membership process. Bagis will then proceed to Estonia to meet Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet to discuss Turkey-EU relations. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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