Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-08

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

[01] Kucuk met with the Head of Religious Affairs and Premier Erdogan; Emphasis on the religious affairs in occupied Cyprus

[02] DP supports KTOEOS' reaction to the opening of a religious department at the vocational high school in occupied Mia Milia

[03] Demirkiran: "Turkey to boycott the European Council meetings chaired by Cyprus"

[04] Bagis states from Denmark that the EU has been surrender to the spoilt stance of the Republic of Cyprus

[05] "Cyprus at the crossroads"

[06] "Bagis 'sick and tired' of criticism on freedoms"

[07] Self-styled Famagusta municipality to register those who were not counted in the census

[08] KTOS and KTOEOS protest for lack of teachers in schools, accusing Durust of being a puppet

[09] More results by surveys on the Turkish Cypriot political parties

[10] "150 million TL are wanted"

[11] Prefabricated houses for those who are affected by the construction of Alakopru dam

[12] Davutoglu discussed Syria and Middle East developments with Clinton and the French FM in Brussels

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The Turkish press reports today on the contacts of the Turkish European Union Minister and chief negotiator, Egemen Bagis in Copenhagen and writes about his statements that Roj TV was the only issue negatively affecting Turkey- Denmark relations. The papers also report that the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has cancelled a trip to Qatar planned for this week in order to spend more time at home recovering from the operation underwent a few days ago. Finally the papers report on the contacts of the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk in Ankara.

[01] Kucuk met with the Head of Religious Affairs and Premier Erdogan; Emphasis on the religious affairs in occupied Cyprus

In statements during the visit, Kucuk said that this was the result of an invitation by Gormez whom he had met at a fast breaking dinner during Ramadan feast in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Kucuk recalled that a school of theology has opened at the illegal Near East University and a theology lyceum started functioning in the occupied area of the island, and argued that these schools were opened upon demands by the people and pointed out that the demands of the people should be respected.

Gormez said that Turkey and the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, are very close to each other, but it is the first time that a "prime minister" of the regime visited his office. Pointing out to the importance attached by Kucuk to religion, Gormez thanked Kucuk for his contribution in the opening of the above-mentioned faculty and lyceum. He noted that the opening of a seminary at "YDU" and a theological lyceum will have an influence in the world and students from foreign countries will show interest in studying in these schools in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (08.12.11) refers to the meeting between Kucuk and Gormez under the front-page title "Seminary section" and reports that Kucuk "received thumbs up" from the head of the Religious Affairs in Ankara.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (08.12.11) refers to the same issue under the front-page title "The seminary was allegedly request by the people!"

Furthermore, Gunes (08.12.11) reports also that Kucuk visited the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul and said that he had a very useful and efficient meeting with him. In statements to illegal Bayral television and breakaway regime's TAK news agency in Ankara, Kucuk noted: "I saw that esteemed Prime Minister follows closely the economy, the developments on the Cyprus issue, the developments on the issue of tourism and education. The close interest of esteemed Prime Minister has pleased us as Northern Cyprus Turkish people".

Kucuk said that Erdogan seemed fit and recovering after the operation he underwent recently.

Kucuk was expected to have a working lunch today with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister responsible for Cyprus, Besir Atalay. Kucuk said that during today's meeting they would discuss economic issues related to year 2011, the "budget" for 2012, and the measures to be taken by the self-styled government. He said they would negotiate the "expectations" of the "TRNC people", as he referred to the inhabitants of the occupied area of Cyprus.

After his meeting with Atalay, Kucuk he will visit the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Necdet Ozel, who had served in the occupied area of Cyprus in the past as commander of a Turkish occupation army's division.

Kucuk's visit to Turkey is the main issue in Gunes newspaper under the title "Everything was discussed".

(I/Ts.)

[02] DP supports KTOEOS' reaction to the opening of a religious department at the vocational high school in occupied Mia Milia

In statements during a meeting he had with KTOEOS, the chairman of the DP, Serdar Denktas, said that the public needs "religious education" and this is shown by the discussions that start every summer on the issue of the "Kuran lessons" offered during that time of the year. However, he added this must be done under the auspices of the "ministry of education" and after the lessons are planned. He added that the opening of the religious department at Mia Milia is a step taken without planning and therefore his party supports the actions taken by KTOEOS Trade Union.

[03] Demirkiran: "Turkey to boycott the European Council meetings chaired by Cyprus"

In statements to reporters in a breakfast, Afif Demirkiran said that the committee could go on its initiatives and added: "However, we will freeze our relations with the council."

Pointing out that there was a bottleneck in their relations with the EU and that the union had not opened negotiations with Turkey on any chapter in the last one year and blocked talks on 18 chapters, Afif Demirkiran added: "It is not possible to understand this (stance). Cyprus problem has seriously blocked Turkey-EU relations".

Demirkiran said the EU had made a mistake by admitting the Republic of Cyprus as a member, but hoped a compromise would come out of Cyprus negotiations held under the auspices of the United Nations. "We believe in the EU project, and we maintain our relations with the EU in technical and regulation level whether or not new chapters are opened," Demirkiran said.

Demirkiran said Turkey's economic situation was very well, but EU's rating was continuously downgrading. "Under these circumstances, the EU needed Turkey, Turkey did not need the EU", Demirkiran said. He then continue saying that if the EU wanted to become a global actor and spread democracy in the region, it needed Turkey. "We do not want to cut relations with the EU in such a circumstance, and leave the union alone, because we want to save the EU and we want the EU not to be a slave of a minor issue like Cyprus," Demirkiran said.

Demirkiran said Europe's energy safety depended on Turkey, and Turkey would like to join the EU when the right time comes.

(?)

[04] Bagis states from Denmark that the EU has been surrender to the spoilt stance of the Republic of Cyprus

Speaking to Turkish reporters in Copenhagen, Bagis said PKK was not only a terrorist organization but also an illicit drug trafficking gang which was poisoning European young people.

Referring to his talks in Denmark, Egemen Bagis said he had observed during his talks that Danish executives had perceived Turkey's contributions to the EU more this year when compared with the previous year.

Bagis said the EU had yielded to spoilt stance of the "Greek Cypriot administration" as he called the Republic of Cyprus, which had blocked opening accession talks with Turkey on energy chapter.

"Europe was not the only energy alternative for Turkey, but Turkey had different alternatives", Bagis also said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bagis met members of the European Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament.

Bagis is expected to return to Turkey in the evening.

[05] "Cyprus at the crossroads"

"What the Arab geographer al-Muqaddasi noted a thousand years ago still holds true today: 'The island of Qubrus is in the power of whichever nation is overlord in these seas.' However, there seems to be some disagreement as to who is overlord.

Turkey considers the eastern Mediterranean as 'mare nostrum' and Turkey's Transport Minister Binali Y1
ld1
r1
m has made it clear that any project in this region requires Turkey's approval. Nevertheless, the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) has exercised its sovereign right to exploit its offshore natural resources and has agreed with Lebanon, Egypt and Israel to delimit their respective exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

Despite widespread international support for the ROC, Turkey has sent a research vessel into Cypriot territorial waters escorted by Turkish warships. In September Turkey also concluded a continental shelf delimitation agreement with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a political entity only recognized by Turkey.

The Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Y1
ld1
z, has also announced that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation is ready to start drilling for oil and natural gas in Famagusta in northern Cyprus.

In September an American company, Noble Energy, began drilling in Block 12 (the Aphrodite field) of Cyprus' EEZ. Last month Noble Energy announced the block would yield between 3 and 9 trillion cubic feet of gas with a 60 percent probability of success. Sixteen trillion cubic feet have been discovered in the adjacent Israeli block (Leviathan).

According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are 122 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas in the Levant Basin between Cyprus and Israel. By comparison all the EU countries combined hold 86.2 trillion cubic feet of gas.

In geopolitical terms this is a real game changer, and as one EU diplomat put it, 'the most importance change to the geopolitical significance of this part of the world since the Suez Canal.'

ROC has now announced a second round of licensing, which opens up for an interesting strategic perspective. Cyprus was off the U.S.' radar screen until the discovery of natural gas. Not any longer. There are now signs of a strategic alliance between three of the major protagonists in the region: Greece, Cyprus and Israel.

Greece has confirmed its long-standing defence pact with Cyprus and in the past year has upgraded its relations with Israel. Last month an official visit to Cyprus by Israeli President Shimon Peres was concluded by the signing of bilateral agreements. The Cypriot defence minister has also indicated that defence cooperation and security agreements are in the offing.

Relations between the two former allies, Turkey and Israel, have been bedevilled by the Mavi Marmara incident last year. In 2007 Turkish and Israeli officials held initial talks on constructing a 460 km oil and gas pipeline from Ceyhan to Haifa. But now Y1
ld1
z has said Turkey will not allow Israel to export natural gas to Europe through Turkey.

There is another major player, Russia, which has also had a long-standing alliance with Cyprus and has ruled out any recognition of a Turkish state in northern Cyprus.

The economy of Greek Cyprus is underpinned by Russian investment and a recent loan of 2.5 billion Euros might save Cyprus from the embarrassment of an EU bailout. Russia is one of Turkey's major trading partners and supplies Turkey with natural gas through the Blue Stream project.

Turkey's role as a regional energy hub would be threatened by an alliance between Cyprus and Israel, but the open question is what action Turkey can and will take. In view of the deadlock in reunification talks, menfaat (mutual benefit) might act as a greater incentive to reach a solution".

[06] "Bagis 'sick and tired' of criticism on freedoms"

He is sending messages using his mobile phone to European politicians like EU's Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt to avoid strong criticism in a statement to follow the EU Commission's summit December 9. The matter of concern is further strengthening of the wording of the EU statement on the state of freedoms in Turkey, particularly the extended detention periods, journalists in jail and freedom of press and expression issues.

Bagis gets his share of criticism because of his words last week when he was quoted as saying he did not believe there was a single journalist put in jail because of what he or she had written or spoken.

Yesterday he himself was sharing some of the criticism, acknowledging the need for a judicial reform. 'I am sick and tired of being in a position to answer those criticisms everywhere I go,' he said. "I know that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is also uncomfortable because of this situation. I want the case to be closed myself. What should be done is to speed up trial periods through judicial reform.'

Concerning the journalists in jail, Bagis shares his observation: 'It is interesting that when Tuncay Ozkan was arrested, not many people reacted. But when Ahmet S1
k and Nedim Sener were taken, the whole public opinion reacted. It seems the Turkish people are viewing the cases in isolation.'

When asked about the cases of publisher Rag1
p Zarakolu and Professor Busra Ersanl1
, who were arrested within the scope of the outlawed Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) probes, or journalist Mustafa Balbay who has spent more than a thousand days behind bars without a court ruling, Bag1
s's answer remains the same.  We have to take steps to deliver timely justice; that will solve a lot of problems. The Justice Ministry is working on it.'

Cyprus is another and actually a bigger problem in Turkey's relations with the EU. Ankara has already announced it will not take the Greek Cypriot government as a counterpart when Nicosia assumes the EU presidency term in the second half of 2012.

Bagis links the problems in an interesting way. 'We are ready to negotiate it with the EU Commission as the 23rd and 24th chapter open, which are among the 14 chapters that remain blocked by Greek Cypriots.' The EU summit December 9 may not be the No. 1 item on Turkish people's agenda nowadays. (?)

Despite the fact it is not the No. 1 issue on people's agenda, the EU summit in Brussels is important for the Turkish government and is being watched closely. Bagis's efforts and the messages he delivers show how seriously it is taken by Ankara".

[07] Self-styled Famagusta municipality to register those who were not counted in the census

According to a statement issued by the self-styled municipality, due to the "deficiencies and defects" during the census, the "Famagusta municipality" will safeguard that those who contact its offices will be registered.

[08] KTOS and KTOEOS protest for lack of teachers in schools, accusing Durust of being a puppet

During the protest, apart from the KTOEOS placard saying "Administrators of this country...Don't touch my Culture, Faith and Identity," placards with the following slogans were also hoisted: "I am here, where is my teacher," "By living in a village we don't have rights to education?" "Uncle Kemal be sincere" [Translator's note: referring to Kemal Durust, the self-styled minister of education]. Protesters also carried a string-puppet of Durust.

Speaking during the protest, Guven Varoglu chairman of KTOS said that the "ministry officials" are in a "winter hibernation status," because for the past three months they have not covered the school's needs in teachers, books, infrastructure and transportation. Specifically in the school of occupied Galatia, for the past three months a music teacher has not been appointed, whereas in "Alasya Primary School" the post of a physical education teacher remains vacant. Moreover, KTOEOS chairman Tahir Gokcebel accused Durust of being just a puppet who now thinks only how to get "re-elected and plays with people's feelings in exchange for votes."

[09] More results by surveys on the Turkish Cypriot political parties

The survey examined the power of the Turkish Cypriot political parties in every "district" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

The results in the occupied district of Lefkosia are as follows:

National Unity Party (UBP): 18.3%

Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG): 21.7%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 5%

Democratic Party (DP): 1.7%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 0.8%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 0.5%

United Cyprus Party (BKP): 0.3%

No vote to existing political parties: 20.8%

No interference: 13.4%

Undecided: 12.5%

No reply: 5%

The results in the occupied district of Famagusta are as follows:

National Unity Party (UBP): 24.8%

Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG): 14.9%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 4%

Democratic Party (DP): 5%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 1%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 2.6%

United Cyprus Party (BKP): 0.3%

No vote to existing political parties: 26.7%

No interference: 4.8%

Undecided: 11.9%

No reply: 4%

The results in the occupied district of Keryneia are as follows:

National Unity Party (UBP): 27%

Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG): 18.9%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 2.7%

Democratic Party (DP): 2.6%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 2.7%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 0.5%

United Cyprus Party (BKP): 0.3%

No vote to existing political parties: 31.1%

No interference: 5.1%

Undecided: 3.7%

No reply: 5.4%

The results in the occupied district of Morphou are as follows:

National Unity Party (UBP): 28.6%

Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG): 16.3%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 2%

Democratic Party (DP): 2%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 0.5%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 0.5%

United Cyprus Party (BKP): 0.3%

No vote to existing political parties: 34.7%

No interference: 12.2%

Undecided: 2%

No reply: 0.9%

The results in the occupied district of Trikomo are as follows:

National Unity Party (UBP): 25%

Republican Turkish Party - United Forces (CTP-BG): 20%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 2.5%

Democratic Party (DP): 7.2%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 5%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 2.5%

United Cyprus Party (BKP): 0.3%

No vote to existing political parties: 12.5%

No interference: 2.5%

Undecided: 7.5%

No reply: 15%

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (07.12.11) published the 2nd instalment of its own survey on the power of the Turkish Cypriot political parties in every "district" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

The results in the occupied district of Lefkosia are as follows:

UBP: 42.5%

CTP-BG: 18.3%

TDP: 17.4%

DP: 16.5%

ORP: 2.2%

DGP: 3.1%

The results in the occupied district of Famagusta are as follows:

UBP: 39.1%

CTP-BG: 18.2%

TDP: 17.2%

DP: 12.1%

ORP: 9.3%

DGP: 4.2%

The results in the occupied district of Keryneia are as follows:

UBP: 44.1%

CTP-BG: 21.2%

TDP: 15.1%

DP: 14.2%

ORP: 3.3%

DGP: 2.1%

The results in the occupied district of Morphou are as follows:

UBP: 47.2%

CTP-BG: 16.1%

TDP: 15.1%

DP: 14.3%

ORP: 3.1%

DGP: 4.2%

The results in the occupied district of Trikomo are as follows:

UBP: 41.9%

CTP-BG: 16.5%

TDP: 16.8%

DP: 14.5%

ORP: 7.9%

DGP: 2.4%

[10] "150 million TL are wanted"

[11] Prefabricated houses for those who are affected by the construction of Alakopru dam

Citing sources, the paper reports that the expropriation of houses and land in the villages of Akine, Ormancik and Sariagac in Southern Turkey, where the Alakopru dam will be built, is continuing. The relocation of 15 families from their homes to prefabricated houses has begun.

[12] Davutoglu discussed Syria and Middle East developments with Clinton and the French FM in Brussels

Davutoglu, who attended the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels, had bilateral talks.

Officials said that Davutoglu and Clinton discussed in their meeting issues in the agenda of NATO, elections in Egypt and the latest developments in Syria.

Meanwhile, Davutoglu and Juppe took up bilateral issues, Syria and Middle East in their meeting. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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