Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-21

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[01] Eroglu says their emphasis is on the Turkish Cypriots being saved from uncertainty

[02] Ozersay said Turkish Cypriot side is ready to discuss figures on the property issue if the date for an international conference is determined

[03] Ahmet Kaptan argues that Eroglu is not in favour of the solution

[04] Memur-Sen trade union estimates that the number of illegal workers in occupied Cyprus is fifty thousands

[05] CWU trade union's leader expresses support to the lifting of the so-called embargoes

[06] Eroglu says the imams in the occupied area usually come from Turkey

[07] New "bill" on military service

[08] Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that PKK is behind "ugly attack against Ozgurgun"

[09] Alevi Cultural Centre withdraws from settler's organization

[10] "Scores of journalist nabbed in KCK case"

[11] "Gul's bill call falls on deaf ears of Sarkozy"

[12] Turkish opposition calls for French genocide recognition in Algeria, Rwanda

[13] Turkish Armenians condemn Sarkozy over bill

[14] Ankara prepares measures on Paris

[15] Boyner said boycott on France not good idea

[16] A new political party in Turkey

[17] Libya asks Turkey's support for military training

[18] 4th Conference of Ambassadors to begin in Turkey on Friday

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

All Turkish dailies continue their reports today on the reactions in Turkey for the decision of France to send the Armenian bill to the French Parliament for approval. All dailies report on the declaration issued yesterday by Turkey's National Assembly which condemns France for this. Turkish dailies also report on Gul's call to France to drop the Armenian resolution and Gul's meeting with the Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Turkey during which he reiterated his support to the recognition of the Palestinian state.

[01] Eroglu says their emphasis is on the Turkish Cypriots being saved from uncertainty

In statements yesterday during a reception for the press on the occasion of the New Year, Eroglu referred to the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and replied to the criticism against him.

Eroglu alleged that during the 20 months of his presence at the Turkish Cypriot leadership he tried to be constructive and to end the Cyprus problem with a peace agreement as soon as possible.

Eroglu argued that they are heading towards a "last game", or "end game", as he said using the term in the English language. He alleged: "Our actual and sincere thought is to end this last game successfully and settle the issue by taking it to international conference. If the Greek Cypriot side is sincere, we are ready. We are actually putting emphasis on the Turkish Cypriot people being saved from uncertainty and the bill for the non-solution not to be issued on us. We wish for 2012 to be a year of peace?"

Eroglu argued that historically the Cyprus problem is a national issue, which is taken up together with Turkey, the "government", all parties and the "parliament". He noted that they have established a "People's Council" and an "Advisory Council", which are very productive and continuously active. He also argued that his negotiating team prepares ideas very productively in order for the negotiations process to be held successfully. He pointed out to the importance of the economic development and stability not only for internal peace, but also for the Cyprus problem.

Referring to economic issues, Eroglu underlined the necessity of signing a new economic "protocol' with Turkey and added that during their international contacts, including with officials from Turkey, the economic development of the breakaway regime, the increase of the standard of living of the Turkish Cypriots and the upgrading of the quality of the services they enjoy is always on their agenda.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay said Turkish Cypriot side is ready to discuss figures on the property issue if the date for an international conference is determined

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side was always the side bringing new proposals to the negotiating table, Ozersay argued that they are working hard to reach a successful conclusion in the process. He also claimed that Turkish Cypriot side will not be held responsible if the current process fails.

Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side was insistent on the solution agreement to be reached to become EU primary law so that it could not be declared null or void by any court.

Noting that mutual mistrust between the two sides was an effective factor in the talks; Ozersay said that it was only natural for tensions to run high during some meetings, particularly when the thornier issues were being taken up.

Ozersay argued that the UN Special Advisor Alexander Downer's statement that the talks were reaching a deadlock was aimed at asserting pressure on the two sides. "The UN has various instruments. Exerting pressure on the sides through the media is an instrument. This is what Downer is doing", he added.

Ozersay also said that it would be wrong to say, on the basis of Downer's statements, that the process was collapsing but added that it was rather "maturing".

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to avert an international conference by trying to create the image that no progress was being reached, Ozersay argued that the Turkish Cypriot side had stepped up its efforts to start a process of give-and-take for all the chapters.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.12.11) reports that Ozersay also said to "BRT" that UN Secretary-General, UN Special Advisor, the Prime Ministers of Britain and Germany, EU officials and the leader of the main Greek Cypriot opposition party Anastasiades have stated that an important progress was made in Greentree meeting.

[03] Ahmet Kaptan argues that Eroglu is not in favour of the solution

Kaptan noted that Eroglu should not forget that he is carrying-out the negotiations on behalf of the people and that he is obliged to inform the people about the negotiations.

Ahmet Kaptan stated further that although Eroglu has committed himself after the "elections" to resume the inter-communal negotiations from the point they were interrupted, yet, he has rejected the issues which had been agreed between the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and President Christofias, and this, according to Kaptan shows that he is against the solution.

Kaptan said that the fact that those, who are close to Eroglu, use the expression "end game" is not a coincidence.

He went on saying that it is the time for the Turkish Cypriots who are in favour of the solution and for all the sides which want peace, to be united and get into action in order for a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem.

(AK)

[04] Memur-Sen trade union estimates that the number of illegal workers in occupied Cyprus is fifty thousands

Noting that "as long as subcontracting increases, in a country, illegality starts", Ilik asked from every employer to deposit in the funds on the basis of the real value of his employee. He said that the number of the non-registered workers should be decreased to zero and pointed out to the importance of asking the contribution of the stakeholders within this framework.

Ilik argued that the illegal workers could be found within six months or one year with coordinated effort by the "ministry" of labour, the "basic health services", the trade and labour "departments" and the "municipalities".

(I/Ts.)

[05] CWU trade union's leader expresses support to the lifting of the so-called embargoes

In statements during the luncheon, Billy Hayes gave the promise that he would support the "end" of the so-called embargoes.

The written statement reported also that Hayes expressed his satisfaction over the fact that CWU's support to the "Embargoed group" was broadened allegedly with the aim to protect the Turkish Cypriot's basic human rights. He added that he will do his best to increase the profile of the campaign not only in the UK but also abroad.

(AK)

[06] Eroglu says the imams in the occupied area usually come from Turkey

According to a statement issued by the "presidency", the chairman of KTOEOS, Tahir Gokcebel said he wanted to discuss with Eroglu the issue of the opening of the theological department in a school in occupied Mia Milia.

In statements during the meeting, Gokcebel argued that the opening of the theological department was decided without any consultations with anyone. He said that the opening of a theological department is contradictory to the "law, regulation and the constitution" and it is also a mentality that exploits people's feelings and divide the people.

In his turn, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated that he followed the decision of the "government" from the press. He said that the "government" might have seen a deficiency in order to take such a decision.

Pointing out that there is a lack of imams (prayer leaders) in the occupied area of Cyprus, he said that in general the imams in the occupied area of Cyprus are coming from Turkey.

Eroglu went on saying that he was informed neither by the "prime minister" nor the so-called minister of education concerning the opening of the theological department.

[07] New "bill" on military service

Kucuk added that they prepared the "bill" in the best possible way and expressed his belief that 90% of the "law proposal" will pass as it is. He reminded that they collaborated with the "Coordination Council" [a council presided by the Turkish Cypriot leader with the participation of the so-called prime minister, the foreign minister, the commander of the Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus and the commander of the "security" forces] and said that this is the beginning and they will continue their efforts towards establishing a professional army.

The draft "bill" foresees, inter alia, that graduates from "the police academy" will be exempted from military duty. Also exempted from service are persons who obtained the "TRNC nationality" and can prove that they have completed their military obligations in other countries. Nationals from third countries becoming "citizens" by marriage or by decision of the "council of ministers" will not have to serve. However this applies only to the above categories and not to persons who obtain citizenship from the "ministry." These will have to pay 2,000 pound sterling in order to benefit from military exemption.

Additionally, "TRNC nationals" who were born and resided abroad until their draft age, or "TRNC nationals" who left from the breakaway regime with their parents before the age of twelve can be exempted from military service with the following ways: paying 3,000 pound sterling, paying 1,500 and serving one month, serving 4 months if they are under the age of 31 years old when they enter the breakaway regime; persons being 31-19 years old can either pay 2,000 pound sterling or serve 2 months, while persons over 50 are fully exempted. From this provision are expected to benefit around 30,000 Turkish Cypriots living abroad in the UK and Australia.

Also, the new "bill" will regulate cases of persons who avoided military examination, enlistment or deserted and fled to other countries, prior to the 1st of January 2007, when a new "law" was introduced. These will be able to pay 3,000 pound sterling in order to be exempted. It also foresees suspension for persons studying at PhD or equivalent level.

[08] Turkish Cypriot daily alleges that PKK is behind "ugly attack against Ozgurgun"

The paper writes that the author of the article and correspondent of Vatan newspaper was Cagdas Ulus, who was arrested yesterday for being a member of KCK, the alleged civil branch of PKK. Volkan writes that, according to its sources, Ulus has graduated from a "university" in the occupied area of Cyprus and had close ties with students who have been studying there, but were deported recently based on accusations for connections with PKK. The paper also notes that Ulus, who tried to take revenge from UBP "ministers," had close ties with journalists in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Huseyin Ozgurgun issued a press release rejecting the allegations against him as groundless and defamatory. He also stated that he will pursue through "legal" means any damage caused by the publication of the story by Turkey's Vatan newspaper.

[09] Alevi Cultural Centre withdraws from settlers' organization

Kurd, said in the statement that the recent press released by the "People's and Justice Council" ("HAK") [a settlers umbrella organization] do not overlap with the Alevi philosophy. He specified that based on these releases and towards the decisions taken by the new administration board which was elected on the 20th November, they have terminated their common actions and since that date they do not support the decisions taken by "HAK".

[10] "Scores of journalist nabbed in KCK case"

The addresses in Istanbul, Mersin, Diyarbakir, Van, Sirnak, Ankara and Izmir were raided early in the morning. Suspects were detained on grounds they were members of the outlawed KCK's media and propaganda team.

The offices of Etkin News Agency (ETHA), pro-Kurdish news establishments Dicle News Agency (D0
HA) and daily Ozgur Gundem were a few of the raided locations. Police also raided a tent used as a newsroom by D0
HA in the quake-stricken Van province, seized all computer hard disks and detained D0
HA reporter Evrim Kepenek.

Twenty journalists were detained, including Agence France-Presse photographer Mustafa Ozer and daily Vatan reporter Cagdas Ulus, daily BirGun reporter Zeynep Kuray, ETHA editor Arzu Demir and daily Evrensel reporter Huseyin Deniz.

The detentions sparked prompt protest from the suspects' colleagues and journalist organizations.

"There were 66 journalists behind bars yesterday. This number was raised to 100 today," Derya Okatan, an Ozgur Gundem employee, told a group of demonstrators who gathered in front of the daily's Istanbul office yesterday to protest the raids. "We know those friends who are in custody now will be arrested just like the other KCK suspects. This is not 'advanced democracy.'"

Peace and Democracy Party's (BDP) lawmaker Filiz Kocali said during the demonstration the operations were a reflection of the AKP's oppression of the media. "First they targeted Kurdish politicians, then they arrested lawyers and now the target is journalists," she said.

Head of Human Rights Association (IHD) Ozturk Turkdogan said yesterday this was the second round of the oppression process that began in 2009 through judiciary and specially authorized prosecutors. Turkdogan said Turkey has no freedom of press.

[11] "Gul's bill call falls on deaf ears of Sarkozy"

"In an unprecedented move that was perceived as an act of disrespectfulness by Turkey, French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday refused to talk to Turkish President Abdullah Gul on the phone as the latter attempted to call him to personally convey his message over the Armenian genocide denial bill to be voted tomorrow in French Parliament.

The Elysee Palace was notified Monday morning that Gul would like to talk to Sarkozy in person, but the request was not met, leading Gul to issue a written statement slamming the bill, sources from the Presidency Office said. 'We have not received a reply from Sarkozy for the last two days,' one source said. 'Sarkozy did not have the courage to talk to Gul on the issue.' After Gul's request to speak was turned down, a presidential statement calling on French Parliament to immediately abandon the bill that would criminalize the denial of Armenian genocide was posted on the presidency's website.

The statement warns that the move jeopardizes deep-rooted bilateral ties. 'I hope that this initiative, which flouts freedom of expression and blocks even the path to objective scientific research, is dropped in the shortest possible time,' Gul said. 'It's strange and thought-provoking that such initiatives always coincide with pre-election periods'. The president said: 'Judging a country's history by the way of political parliamentary moves and distorting history for the sake of political ends is inconsiderate in the least'. Ankara expects 'reason and common sense to prevail in France', he said."

[12] Turkish opposition calls for French genocide recognition in Algeria, Rwanda

The draft law penalizes those individuals who reject the genocide committed by the French in Algeria and Rwanda with a prison term of two years and a fine of 90,000 euros.

The draft law indicates that the French massacred 1.5 million people in Algeria between 1950 and 1958. The draft law also indicates that the French massacred 800,000 people in Rwanda during the civil war in 1994.

"It is an undeniable fact that the French committed genocides in Algeria and Rwanda. With this draft law, those rejecting the reality of the genocides in Algeria and Rwanda will be punished," the draft law underlined.

The draft law on French genocide in Algeria and Rwanda came in a week when the French Parliament is expected to vote on a resolution that criminalizes the rejection of Armenian genocide in 1915.

[13] Turkish Armenians condemn Sarkozy over bill

"Prominent Turkish-Armenians have sharply criticized French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his stance on a motion criminalizing the denial of Armenian genocide claims if the French Parliament votes in favour of the draft bill Dec. 22.

'If a person massacred in some part of Anatolia in 1915 could come back to life and reach Sarkozy, he would spit on his face and say Sarkozy was trying to score political gains through his pain,' Markar Esayan, a Turkish-Armenian columnist for the daily Taraf, yesterday wrote in an article titled 'Sarkozy is deceiving the Armenians, too'.

Orhan Dink, the brother of the assassinated Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, also said he thought the motion ran counter to freedom of thought while speaking on a private broadcasting station he called by phone the night of Dec. 19.

'I have been witnessing the Turkish people's efforts to face their history for the past 10 years. This decision is going to strike a blow to the process,' Esayan told the Hurriyet Daily News.

Sarkozy is not being sincere, he said. France had already recognized the events of 1915 as genocide, he said, so, 'What use is there now for another law that contradicts itself? This is a ridiculous proposal. Those who doubt themselves and the truth of what happened would regard denial as a crime, whereas Armenians are very certain of the agonies they went through. If Sarkozy is unsure, it does not concern us. It is not just the Armenian genocide but also the Jewish genocide that ought to be debated,' Etyen Mahcupyan, a Turkish-Armenian writer and a columnist for the daily Zaman, told the Daily News. (?)"

[14] Ankara prepares measures on Paris

"Turkey will freeze all economic and diplomatic cooperation and cease all discussion of international issues with Paris if France's parliament adopts a bill penalizing the denial of the 1915 events as genocide, diplomatic sources have said.

'We will not remain silent. The adoption of the bill will have consequences,' a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday. (?)

'We will swiftly announce measures against France if it is adopted,' the diplomat said. The bill is likely to be passed as no lawmaker is expected to 'dare' voting against it due to the looming presidential elections in France, he added.

According to diplomatic sources, if the bill is approved, Turkish Ambassador to Paris Tahsin Burcuoglu would be withdrawn for consultations. He is already scheduled to return to Ankara for a week-long ambassadors' conference Dec. 22. 'His trip to Ankara coincides with the French vote, but his stay in Ankara is open-ended', one source said.

In addition to the ambassador, Turkey's military attach? is also expected to be withdrawn as part of the Turkish Armed Forces' institutional reaction against France. The suspension of military cooperation, except that which is being conducted under NATO auspices, is also among the options.

It is unlikely that Turkey will declare the French envoy in Ankara as a persona non grata but it would not be surprising if France recalls the ambassador and the attach? for talks, according to sources.

Action taken immediately following the vote would only be the initial stage of the legislative procedure; 'some measures will be implemented in future phases of the process,' one source said.

In line with withdrawing the ambassador, Turkey will halt all political dialogue with France on bilateral and international level. 'No one should expect the continuation of our cooperation in regard to Syria or other regional issues', a source said. 'No doubt Turkey will do everything it can to prevent any international meetings convening in France'.

As the bill is aimed at restricting the freedom of speech of those who have different views on the nature of the mass killings of Armenians during World War I, Turkish diplomats are voicing their intention of taking the issue to the European Union and other international organizations. 'This bill surely stands against European values and is threatening thousands of Turkish people living in France. We are looking into ways to lodge complaints with relevant international bodies'.

Scheduled economic or political meetings will be also cancelled, such as a joint economic commission meeting scheduled for Jan. 24, 2012.

French companies will continue to be blacklisted in state procurement tenders, especially in the fields of the defence industry and nuclear energy. This policy was initially aimed at mobilizing French companies looking for ways to participate in the relevant tenders.

In another retaliatory move, Turkey is also considering cancelling an agreement for the purchase of around 70 passenger carriers from Airbus."

[15] Boyner said boycott on France not good idea

"An embargo or boycott on French goods and trade relations would not result in forcing France to withdraw from a bill that calls for punishing any denial of Armenian genocide, according to a top Turkish business representative.

'I do not believe economic embargoes and boycotts will bring any productive result', Umit Boyner, head of Turkish Industry & Business Organization (TUSIAD), told the Hurriyet Daily News in a telephone interview yesterday.

'We have experienced this before in boycotting Italian goods to protest Abdullah Ocalan's stay there in 1998,' she said. Officially declared boycotts generally did not bear any result and personal boycotts were a separate matter, she said.

An embargo on France was not sustainable, Boyner said, 'Because Turkey is an exports-oriented economy and needs diverse export markets for its own production and employment.'

Turkey's exports to France rose to $6.5 billion last year, rising from $1.56 billion in 1999, while the imports from the European country increased to $8.17 billion again last year from $3.12 billion a decade ago, according to official figures. In the last 10 months of this year, Turkish exports to France have reached $5.75 billion while imports hit $7.83 billion.

Nearly 250 French firms currently operate in Turkey including Renault, Peugeot, Carrefour, Societe General, Danone, Sodexho, Lafarge, Alcatel and BNP Paribas.

Boyner's statements came a few hours before her meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at his office in Istanbul.

'I will tell all this to Prime Minister Erdogan', she said. 'We have to stand firm against the wrongdoing of the French administration'. (?)"

[16] A new political party in Turkey

There are 40 founding members, who have been working to organize as a party for the past three years.

Serving as founding chairman is Sinan Ciftyurek, while Hasan Firat and Aziz Mahmut Ak are deputy chairmen. The founders submitted their petition to establish a political party to the Interior Ministry on Tuesday.

Ciftyurek, who issued a statement to the Bianet news website, said that while they are a party established by Kurds, they will not emphasize the ethnic factor.

"There are coalition parties in Turkey that embrace liberals, communists, the rich, the poor and everyone. We are a socialist party that will include the Kurds from Turkish Kurdistan, Turks, Arabs, workers and labourers."

He said the party's two main axes will be socialism and the Kurdish struggle for freedom. "We will have an understanding that will reproduce the 200-year struggle of socialism in accordance with present-day conditions and that will say a different world is possible in this atmosphere created by global capitalism."

Ciftyurek said the party defends the right to self-determination. "Because of the sociological realities of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples in Turkey, we take a federative solution founded on equal conditions as the basis for a settlement."

He said they respect all socialist parties and parties that have fought for the Kurdish cause, adding that they have plans to work together with these parties.

Ciftyurek said they need time as a newly founded socialist party to grow, but noted that they have already started organizing at various levels. The party's emblem features a red fire burning inside half of a cogwheel.

[17] Libya asks Turkey's support for military training

Libya has become a country controlled by its people in October. We are working to establish a regular army in Libya. We are studying various models for our army, al-Juwali noted.

"We want to make use of Turkey's experiences. Turkey has a very strong army. The Libyan army wishes to be trained by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) during the transition period. We are in touch with the Turkish Embassy in Tripoli for the training of Libyan troops. We will have our troops trained by the TSK", al-Juwali stressed.

[18] 4th Conference of Ambassadors to begin in Turkey on Friday

Diplomatic sources said that the Conference of Ambassadors will take place in Ankara and north-western province of Edirne between December 23 and 30 with the participation of Turkish ambassadors serving abroad and in Turkey.

The conference will begin with an opening speech to be delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara on Friday at the Marriott Hotel. The ambassadors will proceed to Edirne on Wednesday, December 28.

Foreign ministers of Ukraine, Switzerland and Serbia have been invited to the conference as guest speakers. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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