Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-11-18

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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] Eroglu alleged that agreement Cyprus will remain for the second half of 2013, if it is not reached in the first quarter of 2012

[02] Eroglu alleges that the Greek Cypriot side must make use of the last opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem

[03] Bagis and Bozkir comment on Turkey's EU accession; Bagis says no relations with Greek Cypriots during the 2012 Cyprus EU Presidency

[04] Kucuk and Atun met with foreign MP's who are illegal visiting the occupied area of Cyprus; Statements by Kucuk on the issue of transferring water from Turkey

[05] Brotherhood leader says Turkish intervention would be accepted by Syrians

[06] "Ankara, Paris seek to unite Syria dissidents"

[07] Turkish daily reports on "Syrian Opposition's Plan Against al-Asad"

[08] Davutoglu says they will continue sanctions against Syria, calls for 'multilateral' action

[09] Opinion poll shows increase in AKP's percentages

[10] "CHP deputies demand Aygun's expulsion after Dersim comments"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Statement by Syria's opposition leader, Ryad Shaqfa in Turkey that the Syrian people would prefer military intervention by Turkey, rather than Western countries, to protect them from Syrian leader Assad's security forces, is the main topic in the Turkish press today. The papers also report about an opinion poll which shows increase in AKP's percentages and about the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan being at the cover story of the forthcoming Time's magazine November issue.

[01] Eroglu alleged that agreement in Cyprus will remain for the second half of 2013, if it is not reached in the first quarter of 2012

In statements yesterday at his office during a meeting with foreign journalists, who visited the occupied area of Cyprus on the occasion of the unilateral declaration of independence of the breakaway regime, Eroglu expressed the view that they could achieve progress with President Christofias until the meeting with the UN Secretary-General in January 2012.

Eroglu said that the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term presidency in July 2012 and that presidential elections will be held in Cyprus in 2013. He added that if an agreement [on the Cyprus problem] is not reached in the first quarter of 2012, the issue will remain for the second half of 2013, something which they do not want.

Replying to a question on the issue of the explorations for oil and natural gas, Eroglu recalled that before the Republic of Cyprus started its explorations, the Turkish side asked from the UN Secretary-General to launch an initiative for the postponement of these explorations. He added that after the Republic of Cyprus had not stopped its explorations, the Turkish Cypriots signed an "agreement" with Turkey and gave the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) the authority to conduct explorations. He said that this issue showed once more that finding an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem is necessary.

Asked whether this issue could cause a military problem, Eroglu noted that he does not expect such a development and alleged that they signed the above-mentioned agreement to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. "We have no intention of war. As long they do not touch us", he added.

Responding to a question regarding the presence of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus, Eroglu said the presence of the Turkish army will continue until an agreement is reached and added that after the agreement the number of the troops could be reduced in time.

Eroglu said that the Greek Cypriot side wants the continuation of the presence of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force (UNFICYP) on the island, because withdrawal of the UN would be tantamount to the end of the negotiations.

Eroglu alleged that problems will be created when the Republic of Cyprus overtakes the EU term presidency in 2012. He recalled that Turkey will freeze its relations with the EU and argued that holding negotiations in these circumstances would be meaningless.

Eroglu reiterated his view that the tripartite meeting, to be held in January 2012, should be the last point and recalled that the UN Secretary-General described it as "end game".

Noting that very good work should be conducted before this summit, Eroglu said that the sides should exhibit a reconciliatory stance and added that he could not say that a hundred per cent agreement will be reached here, but both the UN Secretary-General and the EU "have many duties" on this issue.

Eroglu claimed that it would be difficult for the Greek Cypriot side to feel the need for an agreement in case the decision of the EU to allegedly impose "embargoes" on the Turkish Cypriots continue, and the UN Security Council resolution regarding the non-recognition of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus remains valid. Eroglu alleged that these two institutions should motivate the Greek Cypriots for an agreement.

Asked by an Egyptian journalist whether he is satisfied with the support of the 58 Islamic countries towards the breakaway regime, Eroglu said that they wanted Egypt to change its policy and added: "There was a revolution, new administration came, but their policy did not change".

Noting that they do not enjoy the support they want from the Islamic countries, Eroglu argued that they face difficulties even when they pass decisions in favour of the "TRNC" at the Organization of Islamic Development. "We will be very at ease, if the 58 Islamic countries support us", he added.

Asked whether he would abandon the negotiating table if the summit in January 2012 ended negatively, Eroglu alleged that their aim was for the 43-year long negotiations to reach a result and added that if no agreement is reached at the above-mentioned summit, this would be tantamount to the recommencement of the negotiations in the second half of 2013.

Eroglu said that before responding to a question as to whether what will happen if there is not agreement, they will evaluate the situation in case the UN Secretary-General says that agreement will not be reached. "As you see, we have a state", he added.

Referring to the content of the negotiations, Eroglu alleged that President Christofias creates problems on the property and the territory issues, ignores the past 37 years and still "dreams" of returning to the pre-1974 period. Eroglu argued that many things happened since then, and a separate socioeconomic structure was created in the occupied northern part of Cyprus.

Eroglu alleged that the EU and the world do not treat the Turkish Cypriots fairly.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu alleges that the Greek Cypriot side must make use of the last opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem

Eroglu made these statements during a meeting he held yesterday with the War Veteran's Association which visited occupied Cyprus for the anniversary of the establishment of the breakaway regime on 15 November.

Speaking during the meeting, the Turkish Cypriot leader argued that the end of the negotiations is approaching slowly slowly and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side must evaluate this last chance for the solution of the Cyprus problem. "In case there is an agreement, everybody will be pleased. If there is not, we have a state which we have established and we are working towards keeping it alive in the best manner", he stated.

Eroglu said that the Turkish side wants a new partnership state which will be established by two states that will have equal status and which will be based on bizonality and the existence of two people; he said that in time it will become clear if the Greek Cypriot side will make use of this last opportunity.

Evaluating the ongoing negotiations, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side supports the continuation of the negotiations in good faith and the search of an agreement. He claimed that if the Greek Cypriot side shows the same good will, an agreement can be reached.

[03] Bagis and Bozkir comment on Turkey's EU accession; Bagis says no relations with Greek Cypriots during the 2012 Cyprus EU Presidency

"During those six months, relations will continue with the [European] Commission and the European Parliament, but we will not engage in any ties with the Greek Cypriots simply because they hold the presidency," he said.

In comments on the stalemate in the accession talks, Bagis said the EU was in the grips of "an eclipse of reason," but said Turkey would stay on the path of reform. He said the membership process had earned Turkey financial support for various development projects. "The EU process has offered Turkey great opportunities and we must embrace it as a nation. We cannot leave aside this process and take another direction just because some EU member countries are going through a [financial] crisis."

In response to criticism by opposition lawmakers that Croatia had overtaken Turkey even though membership talks began simultaneously, Bagis said the situation would have been different for Turkey if "it had said yes to everything like Croatia." He also said that, according to the paper, Romania's premier had advised him last year not to heed all the demands of the EU because they had ruined the Romanian economy.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (18.11.11) reports that the chairman of the TBMM Foreign Affairs Committee and MP with AKP Volkan Bozkir in his statement said that Turkey's performance in the accession talks should not be compared to other countries, because the other countries become members by agreeing to everything. Turkey, instead, did not say 'yes' to subjects that were not in its interest and therefore has to face this situation. "Had Turkey consented to opening chapters by opening its ports to Cyprus and compromising on [the issue of] Cyprus, we would not be discussing this situation," said Bozkir.

Additionally, the minister of National Defence Ismet Yilmaz referring to Piri Reis said that they have concluded the seismic research and started processing the data. The process is expected to last 2 months and afterwards the results will be announced, said Yilmaz, adding that TPAO has rented a seismic research ship from a Norwegian company and that they continue preparations for buying a new one.

[04] Kucuk and Atun met with foreign MP's who are illegal visiting the occupied area of Cyprus; Statements by Kucuk on the issue of transferring water from Turkey

Speaking during the meeting, Kucuk announced that the previous day they invited tenders in Ankara regarding the project of expanding the occupied Panagra village dam, in the framework of works to transfer water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus. Kucuk gave the message that they are ready to share the drinking water to be transferred from Turkey, with the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus. He said also the following: "From this water, it is possible for the South to be benefited as well. We want the two different regions in the island to leave in peace. We want to share our potentials. We are giving electricity to the south, and tomorrow, as soon as the water comes, we would be able to provide water [?]."

Expressing his pleasure over the visit of the foreign MPs in the occupied area of Cyprus, Kucuk said that such visits should not be held only during the periods of celebrations but they should be continued all year long.

Also speaking, Musa Guliev, an Azerbaijani MP, stated that the "TRNC" and Azerbaijan are giants of the Turkish nation and said that Azerbaijan would always be by the side of the Turkish Cypriots.

Saying that Azerbaijan and the occupation regime have strong relations in the field of higher education, Guliev expressed hope that they will also improve their ties in the field of tourism.

He said also that the international community is aware of the fact that the Turkish Cypriots allegedly want the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Also, Victor Petrioglu, State Minister of Gagauzia, in his statements during the meeting said that Gagauzia's people are part of the Turkish nation and added that they are always by the side of the Turkish Cypriots.

Khalid Jassim Ahmalood, member of the assembly of Bahrain expressed pleasure for their visit to the occupied area of Cyprus for the "UDI" celebrations.

Hakki Suleyman, member of the National Council of the Labour Party of Australia, stated that a delegation composed of Australian MP's will pay a visit to the occupied area of Cyprus in the near future. He further said that a total of 50.000 Turkish Cypriots are living in Australia, that they are organized and that the "TRNC flag" is waving on the building of the Community.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (18.11.11), two MPs from Bahrain, are Khalid Jassim Al Malood and Hasan Ahmet Ali met also with the so-called minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun.

In statements during the meeting, the two MP's from Bahrain said that they are carrying out several contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus in order to evaluate investment opportunities and develop their ties with the occupation regime.

(AK)

[05] Brotherhood leader says Turkish intervention would be accepted by Syrians

Mohammad Riad Shaqfa, leader of Syria's outlawed Muslim Brotherhood who lives in exile in Saudi Arabia, told a news conference in Istanbul that the international community should isolate Assad's government to encourage people to press their struggle to end more than four decades of Assad family rule.

"If the international community procrastinates then more is required from Turkey as a neighbour to be more serious than other countries to handle this regime. [...] If other interventions are required, such as air protection, because of the regime's intransigence, then the people will accept Turkish intervention. They do not want Western intervention," Shaqfa said.

[06] "Ankara, Paris seek to unite Syria dissidents"

Syria was expected to top the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Ministry heads of Turkey and France, Ahmet Davutoglu and Alain Juppe, during their meeting in Turkey. As part of a two-day official trip to Turkey, Juppe was received by President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Recalling that as both countries hosted Syrian opposition groups, a Turkish diplomat told the Hurriyet Daily News that discussing ways to unite them and create a solid opposition organization should not be surprising.

Assad's exiled uncle, Rifaat al-Assad, and former Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam took charge of a new opposition movement in Paris. Turkey is in close contact with the Syrian National Council and will likely allow them to open a mission on its territory.

[07] Turkish daily reports on "Syrian Opposition's Plan Against al-Asad"

Moreover, the paper reports that Ankara, which gave the Syrian oppositionists permission to organize in Turkey by saying "first achieve unity among yourselves," has also laid out its conditions in response to the request for the no-fly zone to be implemented with support from Turkey. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu conveyed these conditions to the eight members of the Syrian National Council whom he received last week. Turkey's conditions are as follows: A resolution for the no-fly zone will come out of the UN, and international legitimacy will be obtained. The Arab League will support Turkey's stance to the utmost, and will spearhead the effort. The EU and the United States will be guarantors in this process, and will provide support.

[08] Davutoglu says they will continue sanctions against Syria, calls for 'multilateral' action

"The best thing to do would be approaching the problem multilaterally. The process on Syria should work on a multilateral cooperation. We need to ask the Arab League to assume leadership on this issue," Davutoglu said. He also said Turkey would continue to impose sanctions on Syria, ones which would send a strong message to the Syrian government but which would not hurt Syrian people.

[09] Opinion poll shows increase in AKP's percentages

According to the research which took place under the title "Turkey's Social, Economy and Political Analysis", the participants in the opinion poll replied as follows to the question "Which party would you vote in case general parliamentary elections were held this Sunday": AKP 51.1%, Republican People's Party (CTP) 26.3%, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) (11.8%) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) 6.7%.

In addition, to the question "According to you, when Turkey will become member of the EU?" 47% replied "never", 19.6% replied "within 6-10 years", 12.7% replied "within 1-5 years. 10.6% replied "after more than 16 years", and 9.7% replied "within 11-15 years".

Asked if another coup d'etat could be conducted in Turkey, 64.4% said "no". In addition, asked about the most fundamental problem in Turkey, 60.9% said "terrorism".

Finally, according to the opinion poll, the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is the most popular political leader in Turkey with 48.7%, followed by the leader of CHP Kemal Kilicdaroglu with 17.7% and the leader of MHP, Devlet Bahceli with 7.5%.

The opinion poll was conducted in October 2011 in 17 provinces of Turkey with the participation of 2.225 persons.

[10] "CHP deputies demand Aygun's expulsion after Dersim comments"

Samsun deputy Haluk Koc was joined by eight other members of the CHP during a press conference on Wednesday in which he formally presented the memorandum to the press. Koc, who described Aygun's claims about the party's past as "unacceptable," stated that a total of 12 deputies had signed the memorandum and added that other members agreed with the document but refrained from signing it on the grounds that it "might harm the party."

The memorandum follows a series of unofficial complaints made this week by party members over Aygun's statements. Aygun told Today's Zaman last week that the military had falsified reports that Alevi-Kurdish and Zaza tribes had begun a large scale rebellion, precipitating a conflict in which tens of thousands of Kurds and Zaza were killed. The deputy further alleges that the events occurred with the full knowledge of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The CHP's executive board met later in the day, releasing its own opinions on Aygun's comments. Speaking to the press after the meeting, CHP spokesman Birgul Ayman Guler told the press that Aygun's comments were "without any doubt, not the official view of the CHP." Guler went on to say: "The MYK has made its assessment regarding the issue. Given the disturbance made by the statements he has made, the CHP demands that our friend Huseyin Aygun defend himself."

Aygun has defended his statements by insisting that his allegations are not meant to attack Ataturk and the CHP and classified those in objection to his statement as "neo-nationalists" who "don't want the party to be renewed." Aygun plans to meet with President Abdullah Gul later this month to discuss opening an investigation to uncover the hidden aspects of the Dersim incident. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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