Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-14

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

[01] Bagis alleges that Turkey brought peace to Cyprus in 1974 without anyone's nose to bleed

[02] Yorgancioglu sees no light at the end of the tunnel regarding the Cyprus problem

[03] New luxury hotels to be constructed in occupied Agios Epiktitos village

[04] Turk-Sen announces that it will not celebrate its 57th anniversary because of the economic crisis in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] Cicek warns French senate on 1915 genocide

[06] Turkish daily views the agenda of US Defence Secretary's visit

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Erdogan's meeting with the Romanian President Trainan Basescu, reports that the US Minister of Defence will visit Turkey on December 16 to carry out several contacts, Turkey's warning against France on the Armenian genocide in 1915, statements by the British ambassador to Ankara who reiterated his country's strong support to Turkey's EU bid, reports that Erdogan has rank first in Time's magazine poll, the Turkish president's approval of laws on match-rigging, military exemption and other internal matters are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Bagis alleges that Turkey brought peace to Cyprus in 1974 without anyone's nose to bleed

Bagis addressing the TGNA argued, inter alia, the following: "I consider that it would be engage in futile to reply to those, who at the General Assembly of this holy Parliament, called occupier the Turkish army. It is a very serious result for an MP to call the Turkish army occupier during the discussion of the budget of our ministry, which works as a place where reforms are prepared. I have given very important struggles and entered into very important debates at the European Parliament or at various platforms of many EU member states to persuade that the peace operation carried out by Turkey in 1974 secured peace without anyone's nose to bleed. I have always felt proud of doing this in various parliaments and of defending my country. However, I consider that it would be engage in futile to reply to those, who at our own Parliament, at the General Assembly of this holy Parliament, call occupier the Turkish army. The reply to them will be given by our nation in the ballot box?

Perhaps they could put some obstacles to our negotiation process, but they in no way can prevent our reform process, because this is our own matter. Therefore, we have concentrated on the reforms. If the EU member states decide to lift some extremely irrational and unnecessary political obstacles on Turkey's 18 chapters, we are in the position of breasting with you all together and succeed in the opening of 10 chapters in 12 months and of 15 chapters in 18 months".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Yorgancioglu sees no light at the end of the tunnel regarding the Cyprus problemTurkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen daily (14.12.11) reports that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), stated that the Turkish Cypriots still want peace and solution and added that they still have their hopes up. However, in order for the 2004 momentum to be achieved again, they must see light at the end of the tunnel and the methods used by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu in the negotiations do not help towards this direction, he said.

The chairman of CTP stated that his party is worried about the course of the negotiations. He stated that the news that the last meeting between the two Cypriot leaders was unsuccessful creates anxiety and added that the two sides must show a more constructive behaviour; otherwise things for the January summit will become difficult. As he said, CTP sees a danger for the international conference on the Cyprus problem not to be held due to these developments. He also predicted that there are signs that the Turkish side will be held responsible for this development.

He went on and added that when Mehmet Ali Talat was the negotiator, he faced similar difficulties but he managed to overcome the difficulties with clever manoeuvres. He also criticized Eroglu's stance on the cross voting issue.

[03] New luxury hotels to be constructed in occupied Agios Epiktitos village

Occupied Agios Epiktitos village will see two neighbouring projects, slated to begin early next year, close to Diana Beach. The $140 million, 1,500-bed ETS Group Lara Park Hotel at Lara Beach is expected to be completed in 2013. Plans are also in the pipeline for a smaller hotel at Lara Beach, although few details have so far been revealed about this project.

The area, which already hosts the $220 million five-star Cratos Premium Hotel, is also set for a dual-carriageway road-widening project. "Municipality" construction department spokesman Ahmet Rencber said this was scheduled for March 2012.

Ahmet Arkin, a partner in occupied Keryneia's Savoy Ottoman Palace Hotel and Casino, confirmed foundation work on one new leisure resort - the 600-bed North Star Hotel and Casino - would begin on land leased from the breakaway regime, near Villa Firtina, which is owned by the so-called Turkish embassy.

He said: "We are planning a more modern and minimalist style than the Savoy, with, of course, a casino, marina harbour, man-made beach and spa. This is a long-term plan for a new market, scheduled for completion in 2014, and aimed at customers from the Middle East, Azerbaijan and the USA."

Turkish Cypriot veteran politician and businessman Semsi Kazim plans to build a 600-bed family hotel, as yet unnamed, on his adjacent land, next to a protected archaeological site near the Hazreti Omer shrine. The site has been investigated and passed by the Department of Antiquities.

A spokesman for the Lefkosia town planning department in the breakaway regime, responsible for occupied Keryneia, confirmed the project, in the name of Jeda Trading, was being processed.

Additionally, the self-styled mayor of occupied Agios Epiktitos Mehmet Hulusioglu said: "This will be a valuable source of income for the municipality, which has seen a 45 per cent increase in- revenue this year from existing hotels. These hotels provide local employment and entertainment for young people."

[04] Turk-Sen announces that it will not celebrate its 57th anniversary because of the economic crisis in the occupied area of Cyprus

Bicakli, said, inter alia, that TURK-SEN is celebrating this year the 57th anniversary from its establishment, however, taking into account the economic situation in the "country", they do not find it appropriate to organize splendid celebrations.

He then referred to Turk-Sen's long-lasting contribution and struggle to protect the rights of the workers and assured that they will continue their struggle towards this direction.

(AK)

[05] Cicek warns French senate on 1915 genocide

Diplomatic sources close to the matter have told the Anatolia news agency that Cicek warned Accoyer about the damage Turkish-French relations could suffer if the senate approved the bill, which makes denial of the Ottoman-era incidents of 1915 punishable in France with a prison term of one year and a fine of 45 thousand euro.

"Duty of national assemblies is not to re-write history. This issue should better be left to historians," Cicek reportedly said in his letter.

A similar bill -- proposed by the Socialist Party -- was approved in 2006 by the lower house of the French assembly but the French senate rejected to debate the bill last May.

Diplomatic sources close to the matter told the Anatolia Agency that the bill had the backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy who had recently expressed support during a visit to Yerevan last October ahead of the presidential elections next year.

Additionally, Turkey's Foreign Ministry has rejected the attempt as a pre-election campaign move.

[06] Turkish daily views the agenda of US Defense Secretary's visit

Panetta's visit comes just two weeks before the end of the year, by which time a U.S. radar system will be installed in eastern Turkey as part of NATO's missile shield project, officials have said. The radar, which has prompted Iranian reactions against Turkey, will also be on Panetta's agenda, according to diplomatic sources.

The source said to the paper that the December 15-16 meetings would also touch on a $111 million deal between Ankara and Washington for U.S. drones that would be transferred from Iraq to Turkey to provide surveillance support in the fight against the PKK, as well as three AH-1 Super Cobra helicopters that the Pentagon will sell to Turkey.

Panetta is also expected to raise the issue of Turkey's strained relations with Israel. He recently called on Israel to find a way to normalize its relations with Turkey, Egypt and Jordan in order to break the isolation surrounding it and sit at the "damned" table with Palestinians. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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