Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-11-29

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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 says there were convergences in yesterday's meeting on Governance and Power Sharing

[02] Eroglu asks the full membership of the breakaway regime in the OIC

[03] Ihsanoglu describes the forum on education as opportunity for the promotion of the regime; He argues that "TRNC" will be recognized in time

[04] Foreign officials delivered speeches at the Forum and Exhibition on Higher Education Services of OIC supporting the occupation regime

[05] Turkey officially refers for the first time to a "Taiwanese model" for Cyprus

[06] So-called broadcasting regulation authority participated in IBRAF

[07] Columnist argues that Turkey's economic success stems from Turkey's ties to the EU

[08] "Both Arab League and European Union? But why?"

[09] Turkey and UK signed a military cooperation protocol

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main stories in today's Turkish press are the decision by a court to consider Molotov bombs as firearms and appoint a sentence of 12 and a half years to two persons who were arrested with 4 Molotov bombs, an under the table transfer of land from Ministry of Defence to OYAK, the arrest of Mehmet Eymur former MIT Counter-terrorism director, statements by the minister of education that approximately 200 thousand teachers that are in waiting lists will have to find another job, and other internal issues.

[01] Eroglu says there were convergences in yesterday's meeting on Governance and Power Sharing

In statements after returning to his office, Eroglu noted that the meetings between the technical committees will continue in the form of proximity talks regardless of his participation. "We may preside at the meetings for half an hour and then leave them to the delegations", he said.

Noting that there were convergences during the meeting between the leaders yesterday on the issue of Governance and Power Sharing, Eroglu expressed his hope that they would be able to conclude this issue during the meeting of the leaders on Thursday.

During the meeting yesterday, the leaders invited Alexander Downer, the UN Secretary-General's special representative in Cyprus, for dinner at Pyla village on 5 January, 2012. The leaders are expected to hold seven meetings until 9 January within the framework of the Cyprus talks.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu asks the full membership of the breakaway regime in the OIC

Addressing the "Forum on Higher Education Services" of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) launched yesterday at Acapulco Hotel, Eroglu thanked first OIC's General Secretary Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu for the organization of this forum in the occupied area of Cyprus and expressed the hope that the results of the forum would further develop the relations of the Islamic countries in the field of education.

Eroglu said they want to promote their universities with the support of Turkey and the OIC and added: "We expect much more support and contribution by all our brother countries?Let us send you students and let you send students to us. Let us implement a student exchange program similar to the programs implemented among the European Union countries".

Eroglu argued that Islam and Koran had great contribution in the "successful struggle" of the Turkish Cypriots and claimed: "Therefore, we expect support from you not only in the fields of higher education, economy and tourism, but also politically. The TRNC must definitely become a full member of the OIC. The TRNC has been worthy of this for a long time. Believe me that steps taken in this direction will not constitute obstacle for an agreement in Cyprus, but on the contrary, they will have a speeding up effect in the achievement of an agreement?"

Referring to the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, Eroglu said that they are once more heading towards a historic turning point and added that even though it is not clear what will happen with this process, the years 2012 and 2013 are as important for the Cyprus problem as the period 2002-2004.

Eroglu said that an agreement could be reached in Cyprus if there is mutual will and added: "If an agreement is not possible, the United Nations and the sides concerned should put an end to the Turkish Cypriots' being the victims of the non-solution, and should exhibit concrete stance for this".

Eroglu reiterated the view that a natural time table exists now in the Cyprus negotiations and argued that their wish is for this "end game" to have a happy ending, "but if this will not happen, we want the Turkish Cypriots to be saved from the climate of uncertainty". "We do not want to be the victims and hostages of an open ended process that never ends", he argued.

Eroglu expressed the view that the agreement to be reached in Cyprus should become primary law of the EU and argued that it is impossible to reach an agreement if the Greek Cypriot side still dreams of returning to the pre-1974 period, if it wants arrangements that will eliminate bi-zonality and the "fact of the existence of two peoples" and if it thinks that it is possible for them to abandon the effective and active guarantees of Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ihsanoglu describes the forum on education as opportunity for the promotion of the regime; He argues that "TRNC" will be recognized in time

Addressing the opening of the forum yesterday, Ihsanoglu said that many people do not know the "TRNC" and added that this forum is an important opportunity for the promotion of the breakaway regime.

Ihsanoglu said: "I want to assure you on the following issue: The OIC will always stand behind the TRNC, it will continue exerting its support. It will do whatever it can so that the TRNC is saved from the unjust isolation..."

Meanwhile, Ihsanoglu met yesterday with the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Huseyin Ozgurgun.

In statements during the meeting Ozgrugun alleged that the healthy foundations of the "TRNC", its opening to the world and securing international support would facilitate the solution in Cyprus. He recalled that after the Annan Plan the breakaway regime is represented in the OIC as "Cyprus Turkish State". Ozgrugun said they want to strengthen their political relations with the OIC by taking economic steps.

In his statements Ihsanoglu referred to the Cyprus problem and argued that the negotiations could not continue forever, noting that no other negotiations in the world lasted so long. He claimed that in parallel to the "historic realities and the realities on the ground", the political mentality in the world changed. He pointed out to the examples of Kosovo and South Sudan, which achieved their independence and alleged that the problems experienced in Kosovo were the same with the ones which the Turkish Cypriots were facing in the 1960's and the 1970's.

Ihsanoglu claimed that when the rights recognized by the world for Kosovo and South Sudan are taken into consideration in parallel to the rights which are allegedly not recognized for the Turkish Cypriots, the "just cause" of the Turkish Cypriots will come out in time and this will lead to the recognition of the breakaway regime.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Foreign officials delivered speeches at the Forum and Exhibition on Higher Education Services of OIC supporting the occupation regime

Speaking during the forum, Dr Faiq Billal, director of the Center of Promotion and Science Research (ISESCO) stated that the occupation regime is an observer of ISESCO and added that the organization supports the reaching of a solution in Cyprus. He went on and added that the six universities in the breakaway regime are of a very high level and added that students from more than 60 countries study at these "universities".

On his part, Ahmed Mohammed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank stated that the organization of the Forum by the occupation regime is a very positive step and expressed his gratitude for the hospitality. He went on and said that the Bank is very pleased by its cooperation with the breakaway regime. He stated that the Bank played a facilitating role in the continuation of the scholarship programs in the occupied area of Cyprus worked with chambers of commerce and businessmen in Jeddah, where the headquarters of the Banks are located and aims at attracting investments to the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[05] Turkey officially refers for the first time to a "Taiwanese model" for Cyprus

"Turkey offered to bow to EU demands and open its ports, airports and airspace to Greek Cyprus [editor's note: Republic of Cyprus] under what it called a 'Taiwanese-style' diplomatic arrangement to help drive Cypriot reunification talks that resumed yesterday under U.N. pressure for a breakthrough.

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis said that he believed a simple arrangement could help free up talks over the east Mediterranean island.

'The minute a British Airways, an Air France, a KLM, a Lufthansa plane lands at Ercan airport [editor's note: occupied airport of Tymbou], Turkey is ready to open all of her airports, sea ports and air space to Greek Cypriot planes and vessels,' Bagis said.

'The fact that an Al Italia or an Air France plane is landing at Ercan would not mean they recognize [Turkish Cyprus],' Bagis said in an interview late November 27. 'This would be like the Taiwanese model ? a trade relationship'. Many states, forced by Beijing to choose between mainland China and breakaway Taiwan, choose diplomatic ties with the former. But Taiwan retains international contacts on a trading basis.

It was the first time Turkey had officially invoked the 'Taiwanese model', seeking explicitly to decouple such ties from any suggestion of diplomatic recognition. (?)

'Turkey has a 'plan B', Turkey has a 'plan C', a 'plan D' and even a 'plan F'. But let's keep it to ourselves for now,' Bagis said. (?)

[06] So-called broadcasting regulation authority participated in IBRAF

[07] Columnist argues that Turkey's economic success stems from Turkey's ties to the EU

"Half of the audience attending an international conference in Istanbul last week laughed when a U.S. Congressmen said, 'I don't know, of course, whether Turkey will enter the European Union in the future or if the European Union would like to enter Turkey', as his joke aimed to show the differences between the economic situation of Turkey and the 27-nation bloc.

I personally did not laugh because I basically knew that it was not the backward technology palmed off on Turkey by the United States during the 1970s and 1980s that made this country join the G-20. And I basically knew that had Turkey not entered into a customs union with the EU, Turkish industrialists would have continued to opt for the easy way out: making loads of money by palming off out-dated products on Turkish consumers.

It was only in the 1990s that we, the Turkish consumers, were seen as worthy of up-to-date products by Turkish industrialists. And that 'revelation' did not come out of the blue to the Turkish business world. They were forced to renew themselves out of fear of the competition that would come as a result of Turkey's full entry into the customs union in 1996.

The very same Turkish industrialists that blocked Turkey's accession to the then-European Community in the late 1970s out of fear that Turkish industry would sink under European competition are probably now realizing that it was thanks to that institutional relationship with the EU that they are currently able to compete globally.

But the state of frustration of being constantly turned down by the EU, coupled with the ensuing feeling of humiliation, makes us forget some realities. Therefore, when someone tells us, that Turkey is doing well economically while the EU is struggling with the financial crisis, that makes us proud and happy.

It is probably that sense of frustration that led President Abdullah Gul to call the EU 'miserable'. In fact, his anger stemmed from the upcoming EU presidency of Greek Cyprus [editor's note: Republic of Cyprus]. Last week, he slammed the prospect of Greek Cyprus taking over the EU presidency next year as 'half a country' leading a 'miserable union'. He was not only trying to demean Greek Cyprus but the EU as well.

But of all people, Gul, who is originally from Kayseri, should also know that the success of the new economic elites that come from Central and eastern Anatolian provinces like Kayseri stems from Turkey's ties to the EU.

Nearly 60% of Turkey's exports are to the European market. The Middle Eastern market, to which Turkey had pinned its hopes, is contracting. It is no coincidence that, despite the extremely harsh political rhetoric, Turkey has been thinking twice before implementing fully fledged economic sanctions against Syria.

Recently Daron Acemoglu, a renowned economist, warned that the Eurozone crisis was a ticking time bomb at Turkey's doorstep. 'The Turkish economy is closely connected to the European one. Thus it is open to all possible shocks,' he told the Hurriyet Daily News in an interview published yesterday. 'One cannot see Turkey as an economic model just because it posted high [economic growth]. What matters is turning this into a sustainable and balanced economic growth,' he added.

We better think twice before bragging and demeaning the EU."

[08] "Both Arab League and European Union? But why?"

"As our paper was getting to press yesterday there was still no statement from the Turkish government about the sanctions on Syria. A statement has been expected from Ankara since the Arab League (AL) imposed on its own member, a nine point sanction plan Sunday afternoon (Nov. 27).

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was in that AL meeting in Cairo as an observer, and said on his way back to Ankara that Turkey was supportive of the League's understanding; putting pressure on Assad's rule in Damascus, but not bringing any harm to Syrian people.

Upon his return, he had a meeting with four other cabinet ministers; Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economy Ali Babacan, Hayati Yazici in charge of customs, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and Energy Minister Taner Yildiz.

Press were told Turkish sanctions would be announced on Nov. 28, yesterday after the approval by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Questions after questions, the Prime Minister's office made a statement late afternoon admitting that Erdogan had gastric surgery on Nov. 26, a secret well-kept from media for nearly two days.

According to diplomatic sources, Erdogan's recovery might not be the only reason for delay in Turkey's joining in on the sanctions on the Syria front. Erdogan wants to buy some more time to measure what would be best in Turkish interests. Neither Turkish Parliament, nor Turkish people want to be a part of any military intervention to Syria and without Turkish participation - and presumably with no U.N. Security Council resolution - such an action may cause other tragedies; Iraq is not a far away example.

Yesterday afternoon there was another statement by the French Foreign Ministry. France as the country blocking Turkish integration with the EU most, together with Greek Cyprus [editor's note: Republic of Cyprus], announced that they would like to see Turkey to join their meeting on Syria in Brussels on Nov. 30.

Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said if that was an official invitation by the Commission, Ankara would be happy to see that there was still a strategic look to word affairs left in the EU and would accept the invitation.

That was in reference to diplomatic gossip that France was making it public that they indeed proposed to have Turkey in the meeting, but were vetoed by somebody else, probably Greek Cypriots offended that Turks would not recognize their term of EU presidency. It is interesting to watch this Turkish-French flirt on Syria, particularly visible after French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe's visit to Ankara some ten days ago to meet Davutoglu.

More interesting to point out is the fact that Turkey is the only country being invited to the Arab League and the European Union meetings on the Syrian crisis, without being a member of either.

Turkey gives its support to everyone in order to avoid a military conflict, especially when it is on her borders, which boosts its role as a regional player, with a description of region getting bigger as well."

[09] Turkey and UK signed a military cooperation protocol

The protocol was penned by Turkish Deputy Chief of the Military Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar and British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond on the side-lines of Turkish President Abdullah Gul's state visit to London last week.

"Turkey is a crucial NATO partner for Britain and as NATO partners we are bounded in a collective defence system. This protocol will carry our cooperation to new a level," Hammond said in statement. Hammond also said Turkey's contributions to stability in the Middle East were "invaluable". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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