Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-11-14

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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] Cyprus talks resume after New York meeting

[02] Ertug said that they sent the minutes of the New York Cyprus summit to the "assembly"

[03] Ozgurgun says they will not return occupied Morfou to its legal owners

[04] Talat argues that the existence and the identity of the Turkish Cypriots suffer from erosion

[05] Bagis comments on Turkey's EU process; blames Greek Cypriot side for the Cyprus problem

[06] AKP delegation holds contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] MIT has reportedly created a special unit of experts after the start of the drilling by Cyprus in the Mediterranean

[08] Celebrations for the anniversary of the establishment of the breakaway regime

[09] Erdogan says water transfer to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will start on 7 March 2014

[10] World tourism forum held a meeting in occupied Cyprus

[11] The occupation regime to start "budget" debate

[12] Piri Reis scientific team pleased with exploration's results

[13] Eight ORP members left their party and joined DP

[14] The dumping site in occupied Dikomo village is closing down

[15] Turkey sends diplomatic note to Syria condemning attack on its diplomatic mission; welcomes decision of Arab League to suspend Syria

[16] U.S. drones deployed at Turkey's Incirlik base

[17] "Was Ataturk a dictator? Ask him"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main issue in today's Turkish dailies is the attack on the Turkish Embassy in Syria by government supporters and the diplomatic note sent by Turkey to Syria over the attack. Other issues highlighted in the Turkish press during the week-end are statements by Turkey's EU Minister, Egemen Bagis from Estonia on Turkey's EU bid and the oil drilling activities of the Republic of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and reports that BDP is to organize a series of protests in Turkey until March. About Cyprus, Turkish dailies report on the celebrations which will take place in the occupied area of the island tomorrow over the 28th anniversary of the illegal establishment of the occupation regime.

[01] Cyprus talks resume after New York meeting

Referring to this phase of the talks, he said two methods will be used: he himself, meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader once a week, and the UN carrying out shuttle diplomacy between the two sides. "The UN will be meeting with me and then the following day it will be meeting with Christofias" said Eroglu, adding that the two sides will have the opportunity to prepare themselves for another tripartite meeting which will be held in January 2012.

Noting that the Cyprus issue is not a personal issue of his, own but a problem that belongs to all of the people, Eroglu said the people elected him to find a permanent solution, one that will safeguard their interests. He also expressed the hope that they will be able to find a solution to the Cyprus problem by the first quarter of next year. "If not, we expect the Secretary-General to make a move that will allow us to see our future," Eroglu added.

[02] Ertug said that they sent the minutes of the New York Cyprus summit to the "assembly"

Ertug said that the Turkish Cypriot side has never held a negotiation or made a work behind the back of the "people" and added that in case an agreement is reached, this will be presented to the "people's vote" to decide.

Replying to criticism by Ozkan Yorgancioglu, the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) the main opposition Party, that the official minutes of the last meeting on the Cyprus problem were not sent to the "assembly", Ertug said that this is not true. According to his statements, 30 pages of the minutes of the first section of the negotiations was sent to the "assembly" on 10 November and 20 pages of the minutes of the second section of the negotiations were sent as reports on the 11 November.

[03] Ozgurgun says they will not return occupied Morfou to its legal owners

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (14.11.11) also reports that Ozgurgun issued a written statement commenting on statements by Yiannakis Omirou, president of the Cyprus House of Representatives. Ozgurgun alleged that Omirou's statements "show that Greek Cypriot elected persons do not understand at all the realities in the island and that still they are not able to comprehend the UN parameters that are necessary for a comprehensive solution." Moreover, he claimed that in Omirou's statement the Greek Cypriot side tries to "appear as the victim", while "it is the one responsible for the creation and continuation of the Cyprus problem". He alleged that the Republic of Cyprus does not represent the Turkish Cypriots or the whole island.

[04] Talat argues that the existence and the identity of the Turkish Cypriots suffer from erosion

Talat recalled that on their national days many Turkish Cypriots visit the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus for various reasons and wondered the following: "Very well, does a person, who sees that place attractive and prefers it from the north, not experience problems on the issue of his attachment to his own land?"

Talat alleged that this is "invisible erosion" and could be changed only with the solution of the Cyprus problem. Talat claimed that issues such as taking passports and identity cards of the Republic of Cyprus and benefiting from health services in the government-controlled area of the island encourage this erosion. "All these contribute to the communal disintegration", he alleged.

Asked to comment on the tripartite meeting between the community leaders and the UN Secretary-General, Talat said that the negotiations have not ended yet and that time has not been exhausted from the UN's point of view. When that time comes, added Talat, we cannot say that no one will be interested in the Cyprus problem anymore, but a break could be given.

Talat said that a break could be given during the Republic of Cyprus' EU term presidency, but we will not come to a stage at which "the way for everybody to go their own way will be opened as some unwilling friends think". Talat noted that the international conference for the Cyprus problem is described as "the last game", but this is bound to the condition of discussing and concluding the internal aspects of the problem. Talat asked which aspect of the internal problems has been closed.

Talat said he does not know the details of the negotiations and he has not met Eroglu since the troubles with the health of former Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas started.

Talat reiterated the view that the chapter of Governance and Power Sharing is more important than the Property and the Territory, because it concerns the future of the people for many centuries to come. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots want the increase of their power in the federal government and added that he does not know whether Eroglu defends this. He noted that the Turkish Cypriots should have more say in the federal government and therefore on the entire island, but Eroglu is insisting on the founding states having the mentality of "let it be small but mine".

Responding to a question Talat argued that President Christofias seems more intransigent even when he is compared with Eroglu and claimed that President Christofias lost his prestige because of the explosion at the Mari Naval base.

Talat said that Eroglu awaits with "great enthusiasm" the summit to be held for the Cyprus problem in January and added: "He thinks that when that day comes a deadlock will be announced and thus he will rest. He hopes that with the deadlock, the TRNC will at least become like Taiwan". Talat expressed the view that there is no chance for such a development to happen.

Talat argued that a solution will not be reached soon in Cyprus but the people should not stop hoping and should resist to communal erosion.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Bagis comments on Turkey's EU process; blames Greek Cypriot side for the Cyprus problem

"We have invested in agriculture more than EU countries in nine years and we have tripled our agricultural production. Turkey does not think EU membership will provide more economic advantages to itself," Bagis told a conference at the Estonian Foreign Ministry in Tallinn. Bagis said Turkey's EU membership was a win-win process for both parties and Turkey would longer for narrow-minded circles in the EU to understand that fact.

Earlier in the day, Bagis met with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet in Tallinn. They agreed to organize a Scandinavian March in Turkey next spring to symbolize the gathering of Western and Eastern worlds, Bagis said, adding that the march would take place in Istanbul, which was selected as the 2012 European Capital of Sports. He thanked Estonia as it extended great support to Turkey in its membership talks with the EU.

He said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would pay a visit to Estonia in the coming months and further develop the friendship between the two countries. Turkey was the only candidate country whose citizens required visas to enter the EU, Bagis said, adding that such unfair situation should be ended.

Speaking on the Cyprus issue, the EU minister alleged that "Greek Cypriot side's "caprice" was the biggest reason of preventing resolution of the Cyprus problem and asked EU members to warn the Greek Cypriots. Bagis also claimed the Greek Cypriots could not sabotage the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process by bullying.

[06] AKP delegation holds contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

The head of the AKP Ordu District Huseyin Akyol for his part said that they aimed to increase the ties between the two parties and reaffirmed their desire to continue the existing cooperation between the two "countries". Noting that there is a population of 720 thousand in Ordu and is known as the pearl of the Black Sea, Akyol proposed the development of tourism ties between the breakaway regime and Ordu.

The delegation also met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who pointed to the close dialog that has been established between the breakaway regime and the AK Party in Turkey and noted that it was only natural that the leading party in Turkey and the leading party in the occupied area of Cyprus would be cooperating with one another.

Referring to the ties established between Turkey and the "TRNC people", Eroglu stated: "however strong Turkey is, that's how comfortable the people in the TRNC feel. We love our brothers in motherland Turkey and we know that we will not be successful in anything without the support of Turkey."

[07] MIT has reportedly created a special unit of experts after the start of the drilling by Cyprus in the Mediterranean

According to the paper, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), after the crisis in the Mediterranean, has established a special unit which is operating in Cyprus and is composed by qualified personnel on issues related to oil, Cyprus and Israel. The paper writes that this has caused discomfort to the Israeli and Greek secret services, Mossad and EYP respectively.

According to information acquired by Sabah the special unit established by MIT, is conducting different secret operations in the government controlled area of Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Lebanon. The secret services war in the region has turned into a war in the direction of determining in which parcel how much reserves of oil exist, the paper writes, adding that MIT has obtained information as regards the oil and natural gas reserves in all parcels starting from parcel 12 (Aphrodite), where the Republic of Cyprus is conducting drilling activities with the Noble Energy Company. MIT has also prepared detailed secret economic reports related to the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus. These efforts of Turkey became the reason for which the war between MIT on the one hand, Mossad and EYP on the other, escalated according to Sabah.

(AK)

[08] Celebrations for the anniversary of the establishment of the breakaway regimeTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.11.11) reports about the celebrations taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus for the establishment of the breakaway regime on 15 November and writes that various events will take place to mark the anniversary.

Officials, academicians and journalists from Turkey and other countries (Translator's note: The countries are not mentioned) will visit the occupied areas for the celebrations.

Turkish air forces Solo Turk Performance Team which consists of F-16 aircrafts, will present a show.

In addition, three ships of the Turkish Naval Forces will visit the occupied areas for the celebrations and will be opened for visits by the public. TCG Gemlik ship and the TCG Saldiray submarine will anchor in occupied Keryneia port, while TCG Gaziantepe frigate will last anchor at occupied Famagusta port.

[09] Erdogan says water transfer to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will start on 7 March 2014

The project envisages water transfer to Cyprus through underwater pipelines from Alakopru Dam in the town of Anamur, located in Turkey's southern Mersin province. Foundation of the project was laid and efforts were under way for the project, Erdogan added.

[10] World tourism forum held a meeting in occupied Cyprus

An official opening cocktail was held in occupied Lefkosia and so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk addressed the participants of the Forum. Kucuk pointed the importance of the tourism sector for the breakaway regime's economy, noted that the "government" gave priority to the tourism sector and said he was very pleased to see that this organization could be realized despite "the Greek Cypriot side's obstacles and the isolations imposed against the TRNC."

Moreover, Kucuk stated that the breakaway regime is experiencing its most productive year since 1974 and added that the "government" had fulfilled its 2011 objectives for tourism.

Delivering the opening speech at the Forum, the President of AMFORHT Philippe Francois said he was very pleased to be holding the fair in "Northern Cyprus."

The so-called minister for tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel for his part noted that his Ministry aimed to increase the number of tourists visiting the breakaway regime by 25 percent and aimed to see a 5% growth in the tourism sector in general.

[11] The occupation regime to start "budget" debate

According to the paper, the discussion on the occupation regime's budget will continue until November 29 and during this period a total of 8 meetings will take place. Afterwards, the "budget draft bill" will be discussed by the so-called assembly and it is expected to come into force as of January 1, 2012.

The paper adds that the "Council of ministers" approved a "budget" of 3 billion 132 million TL for 2012. As the paper writes, the "budget draft bill" envisages an increase of 55 million TL compared to 2011. Also, the deficit in the new budget reaches 121 million TL.

(AK)

[12] Piri Reis scientific team pleased with exploration's results

He stated that the ship had approached Cyprus to a distance of 80km and that the conducted seismic exploration in a 3.700km long line.

He went on and added that a Turkish war ship escorted Piri Reis during its works and that from time to time they noticed that Turkish aircrafts were flying above the vessel. Dondurur also said that they did not face any major technical problems while conducting the explorations.

[13] Eight ORP members left their party and joined DP

Among them are Huseyin Alanli, Sahin Sapsizoglu, Oguz Cagatan, Huseyin Erden, Yakup Sadiker, Mutlu Seker, Ilker Erden. All of them had been members of DP before and left the party to join ORP when it was established.

[14] The dumping site in occupied Dikomo village is closing down

According to the paper, as of the 1st of December, the litters will be transferred to the dumping site in the occupied village of Koutsoventis.

The rehabilitation works for the dumping site in occupied Dikomo, which are financed by the EU, will cost 6.5 million Euros and are expected to be concluded within a period of 21 months.

(AK)

[15] Turkey sends diplomatic note to Syria condemning attack on its diplomatic mission; welcomes decision of Arab League to suspend Syria

"We call on the Syrian government to immediately identify those who are responsible for the attacks and initiate legal proceedings. Turkey expects assurances from the Syrian government to increase security measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur again. Turkey is determined to monitor developments on this issue and it is ready to take any measure it sees necessary," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Hundreds of Syrian government supporters attacked the Turkish Embassy after the Arab League voted to suspend Syria from its meetings, and impose sanctions against the Syrian regime over its failure to end a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

Pro-government demonstrators gathered outside the embassy in the evening as their numbers quickly reached to a thousand during the one-and-a-half-hour demonstration. They chanted anti-Turkey slogans, hurled rocks and tried to force their way in, through the main gate of the embassy compound. Turkey's Chief Consulate in Aleppo and the country's honorary consulate in Latakia were also attacked in simultaneous demonstrations.

No embassy or consulate staff was hurt in the attacks which prompted Turkey on Sunday to evacuate families of its diplomats and all non-essential Turkish diplomatic staff in Syria.

In a separate statement yesterday the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Turkey had welcomed the Arab League's decision on Syria to suspend the country from league's meetings and impose sanctions against the Syrian regime over its failure to end crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. "This is a timely and a prudent decision that showcases the severity of the situation in Syria. No regime can win a battle it wages against its own people," said the Turkish Foreign ministry.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (14.11.11, online) reports that the Syrian Foreign Minister Waled al-Moallem apologized on Monday for attacks on foreign diplomatic missions after the Arab League announced it was suspending Damascus for its crackdown on eight months of protests against President Bashar al-Assad. In addition to Turkish diplomatic missions, Saudi Arabian embassy and France's honorary consulate in Latakia were also attacked.

"As for attacks on foreign embassies, as foreign minister I apologise for these aggressions," Moallem told a televised news conference in Damascus.

[16] U.S. drones deployed at Turkey's Incirlik base

"As part of the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, Predators that take off from Iraq will fly their final missions on November 22. In line with an earlier U.S. pledge, four Predators have already been deployed at the Incirlik base prior to November 22," Ahmet Davutoglu told a press conference Saturday before his departure for Serbia on a formal visit.

Davutoglu said flight routes of the U.S. surveillance drones would be chosen exclusively by Turkey and the real-time footage the drones provided would be directly sent to the Turkish military authorities.

[17] "Was Ataturk a dictator? Ask him"

This new debate indicates a shift from questioning Kemalism as an official ideology to the person who inspired with his ideas and practice this very 'ideology.'

It still is not an easy thing to discuss Ataturk. His life and his ideas are taboo. I remember that a documentary, 'Mustafa,' made by journalist Can Dundar a couple of years earlier showing Ataturk with his human face, received a strong reaction. Though Dundar was very sympathetic to Ataturk, he simply dared to uncover his personal life, his worries and his fears. But this amounted to touching upon the 'sacred' and provoked Kemalist rage.

Journalist Nagehan Alci, from the Aksam daily, called Ataturk 'a dictator' and now faces prosecution, having been accused of committing the crime of 'insulting Ataturk.' This strange 'legal action' reminds us that remnants of 'dictatorial' methods are still in use in this country and that laws inherited from the past lag behind political progress and individual enlightenment.

Such strange laws like the Law on Protecting Ataturk, which is a tool used to silence opponents not only of Ataturk himself but also of Kemalism, are still around. A few years ago a professor of political science, Atilla Yayla, was sentenced to prison for referring to Ataturk as 'this man' and describing Kemalism as a 'backward-looking' ideology.

Even in this restricted legal and political environment in which freedom of expression is hard to exercise, I find it very important to move on from Kemalism to Mustafa Kemal himself.

I remember raising this question some years ago in this column, 'Is Kemalism compatible with democracy?' (Oct. 4, 2007). My answer was sharp: No. I then explained why Kemalism constituted the main obstacle to forming and consolidating democracy in Turkey.

A similar question can be asked about the person himself. 'Was Mustafa Kemal a democrat?' Again, the answer is obvious: He was not. He did not even claim to be a democrat. He ruled the country as a single man under a single-party regime, suppressing all dissenting voices -- be they individuals, the media, political parties or associations. He was a 'revolutionary' trying to create a new nation as he imagined it to be, a loyal nation that would not question his 'truths.'

Was he a dictator, then? He gives the answer to this question himself. In 1930 Ataturk went on a tour of the country, visiting various cities and talking to officials and people as he travelled. He felt the discontent of the people, with the government, its economic policies and even with the 'revolutions.' He asked Fethi Bey, a former close friend and then ambassador to France known for his 'liberal economic views,' to write a report on the economic situation. Fethi Bey produced a lengthy report that was very critical of the government's 'statist' policies.

Ataturk then requested him to form an 'opposition party.' According to Fethi Bey, he said: 'The state of affairs today appears 'dictatorial.' Though we have a parliament, we are still seen as a 'dictatorship' both at home and abroad.' This description of the regime as 'dictatorial' is by Ataturk himself in 1930. To change, at least in appearance, Fethi Bey established a new opposition party called the 'Free Republican Party' upon a request by Ataturk. But within three months this 'official opposition party' intended to keep up appearances got out of hand as people -- especially those from the more developed western parts of the country -- poured into this new party, alarming the ruling Republican People's Party (CHP), including its chairman, Kemal Ataturk. After that, the 1930s turned out to be even more 'dictatorial,' especially with the marriage of the single party and the state and the insertion of the party's principles into the constitutional principles of the state.

It is impossible to defend a non-democratic regime today -- even if it is headed by Ataturk himself. But strangely enough, some contemporary Kemalists proudly admit today that 'yes, Ataturk was a dictator. He was not an ordinary dictator, but an enlightened one.' For them, then, he did not have any other option but to use 'dictatorial means' to educate the people, create a new nation and carry out a 'revolution.'

Well, we know that for them we still need a dictator, enlightened or not. A dictator for them is better than someone elected by the people. Those who defend Ataturk as an enlightened dictator display their intellectual poverty, not that of Ataturk.

Whether they like it or not, Kemalism is dead. They had better come to terms with it and get ready for a post-Kemalist republic in which democracy reigns and freedom of expression is respected." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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