Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-01-04

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

[01] CTP criticizes Eroglu's stance on the Cyprus talks

[02] A professor argues that Eroglu's fear is the territory issue

[03] Turkey starts explorations despite "agreement" not being endorsed

[04] Contacts in Ankara

[05] Damdelen becomes chairman of Cyprus EU Association

[06] Haniyah meets AKP and CHP leaders

[07] South Korea retains interest to construct nuclear power plant in Turkey

[08] Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Group Meet Iranian President

[09] Turkey's 2011 inflation exceeds market expectations

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Turkish dailies mostly covered in their Wednesday's edition Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speech at his party's parliamentary group meeting, harshly criticizing CHP, BDP and Taraf newspaper for their statements regarding last Wednesday's airstrike killing 35 people on Iraqi border, indictment on September 12 coup d'?tat and inflation figures. Also published are an interview given by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias and his statements on the Cyprus negotiations.

[01] CTP criticizes Eroglu's stance on the Cyprus talks

The press release writes: "The Turkish Cypriot side should negotiate in a constructive and creative way and should also be forced in order to have results. It is not the time now and it is no one's benefit to take any adventurous initiatives that will make things difficult both for Turkey and Turkish Cypriots".

Referring to the upcoming summit in New York, it reports that Eroglu should continue with his preparation for the summit in an intensive pace and he should not have any other issue on his agenda. CTP criticized the recent statements of Eroglu to amend the existing structure of the "constitution" and the "laws", even to change the name of their "state" to "Cyprus Turkish State". CTP added that Eroglu's statements create confusion and Eroglu only tries to create a state of confusion about the talks by referring to other issues instead of the preparations for the January summit and the domestic issues which have been multiplied, such as the price increases imposed by the "government" and that he has not yet declared his personal assets.

CTP also criticized Eroglu for not preparing alternative proposals in order to achieve a successful summit and show to the rest of the world that the Turkish Cypriots continue to sincerely want a solution. "Instead of this he formulates different scenarios in case of talks' failure, which demonstrates that he doesn't want a solution," CTP's statement read.

Commenting on Eroglu's statement that the name of their "state" may change, CTP also said that instead of getting the Turkish Cypriots in more "troubles", they should all unite their hands and be the side that wants to establish a United Federal Cyprus and work sincerely on this. CTP added that even a "new name" for the breakaway regime will still leave it outside of international law.

[02] A professor argues that Eroglu's fear is the territory issue

Dr Sozen claimed that the only way to test the real intention of the Greek Cypriot side is to open the territory chapter in the January summit, adding that they should put a map on the negotiation table.

Dr Sozen also argued that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu does not want to be described as the person who granted land. He explained that Eroglu wants to leave the "territory issue" at the international conference, which means to Turkey, adding "Eroglu wants Turkey to give land; however, the territory issue is not an issue of the international conference".

[03] Turkey starts explorations despite "agreement" not being endorsed

The paper reports that initially the "agreement" must be discussed in a meeting of the "legal and political affairs committee" of the breakaway regime's "assembly" and then brought in the "plenary session." However once the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) decided to reject the proposal, the meeting never took place and the agreement "froze in the agenda of the assembly." The paper notes that Turkey started research for oil and natural gas offshore Cyprus based on this "agreement," which has not been endorsed.

Additionally, the paper publishes previous statements by the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk, who alleged that "discussion of the agreement in the legal and political affairs committee has been postponed in order to meet first with the political party leaders." It also reports that former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat's characterized the "agreement" as wrong, and that CTP and TDP have announced their disagreement. Moreover, it points out that when CTP expressed their discord, Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis "warned" them, by expressing his hope CTP to reconsider its decision.

[04] Contacts in Ankara

Moreover, the paper reports that Irsen Kucuk self-styled prime minister along with the so-called minister of health Ahmet Kasif, are flying afternoon to Ankara in order to meet with Dr. Recep Akdag Turkey's Health Minister. During their meeting they will discuss the construction of a new hospital and the donation of new ambulances from Turkey. During their stay in Ankara, they will also have separate contacts.

[05] Damdelen becomes chairman of Cyprus EU Association

[06] Haniyah meets AKP and CHP leaders

Earlier in the day, Haniya also held a meeting with Republican People's Party (CHP) chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Kilicdaroglu said the latest agreement between Hamas and Al Fatah, as well as the steps taken in accordance with the agreement would strengthen the Palestinian cause.

[07] South Korea retains interest to construct nuclear power plant in Turkey

US President Barack Obama, along with representatives from roughly 50 countries, is expected to be in attendance. The 2010 Nuclear Security Summit was held in Washington.

According to Lee, the summit aims to coordinate nuclear security and prevent terrorists from obtaining access to nuclear technology. The primary objective of the summit is to eliminate nuclear weapons around the globe. The Korean ambassador has said he thinks Turkey has an important role to play in developing a world free of nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Korean authorities are waiting for an offer to be made by Turkey for the construction of a nuclear power plant along the Black Sea coast by Korean firms. Korea missed an opportunity to build Turkey's first nuclear power plant on the southern coast when Turkey signed a deal with the Russians in 2010. Lee confirmed that Turkey and Korea are not currently negotiating over the construction of a nuclear power plant since the details of the project are not yet known, adding, "We would like to learn the conditions and discuss them."

"Korea has always been interested in nuclear power plants in Turkey and this has not changed. However, we could not agree on the conditions of the first one. The conditions for the new plant are not definite yet. That is why we are not negotiating. We are ready to hear Turkey's offer," he noted.

[08] Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Group Meet Iranian President

Additionally, AA reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will travel to Iran on a two-day working trip, as part of a former decision to meet each other at least twice a year.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Davutoglu will be in Iranian capital of Tehran on January 4 and 5. Davutoglu and his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi will discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on issues such as Syria, Iraq and Iran's nuclear program, the MFA said.

[09] Turkey's 2011 inflation exceeds market expectations

Tuesday's figure is 0.45 percent above a market expectation of 10 percent for year-end. Having had to revise a recent year-end inflation target of 8.3 percent, the central bank had said this figure could be 10.26 percent, citing, in particular, a steep devaluation in the lira against foreign exchange.

TurkStat said on Tuesday, in their price index report, that consumer prices were up 10.45 percent and producer prices rose 13.33 percent in 2011 over the preceding year. According to the report, consumer prices were up 0.58 percent, while producer prices increased 1 percent in December of last year compared to November 2011. The highest increase in consumer prices in December was seen in the index for alcoholic beverages and tobacco with 18.5 percent compared with the same month of the previous year.

Service prices experienced a 17.14 percent rise, while transportation, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices jumped by 12.2 percent in the given period. Furniture costs also rose 11.04 in December 2011 over the final four weeks of 2010. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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