Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-01-09

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[01] Eroglu refers again to the "end game" in Cyprus

[02] Erdogan's message to DP's general congress; Statements by several Turkish politicians

[03] Serdar Denktas was re-elected as chairman of DP

[04] Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Works alleged that the Turkish occupation army protects the persons living in the occupied areas

[05] Bozer held contacts in Ankara; comments on Cyprus's EU Presidency

[06] Ozersay: "We approach the final phase"

[07] Haberdar reveals the area where oil explorations will be conducted in occupied Cyprus

[08] "Lebanon should wait for solution on Cyprus before signing EEZ, officials say"

[09] BKP says that the aim of the occupation regime is to make Cyprus Turkey's 82nd province

[10] "It must be restored urgently"

[11] Rauf Denktas is hospitalized for dehydration

[12] Norwegian Prime Minister due to Turkey

[13] "Basbug seeks trial in Supreme Council"

[14] Kilicdaroglu says Turkey is turned into open prison

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The visit of the US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns to Turkey today for talks with Turkish officials, reports that Turkey is to resume talks with P5+1 on Iran's nuclear program, the visit of the Norwegian Premier to Turkey where he is expected to discuss various matters including the Cyprus problem during his meeting with Premier Erdogan, the arrest of the former chief of the general staff Ilker Basbug, and UN Secretary-General's letter to the two leaders in Cyprus prior to the Greentree summit are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies over the 4-day holidays. Rauf Denktas' hospitalization, Eroglu's statements on the Cyprus problem, Kucuk's contacts in Ankara, Eroglu-Anastasiades' dinner, and Serdar Denktas' statements after his re-election to the leadership of DP are some other issues highlighted about Cyprus.

[01] Eroglu refers again to the "end game" in Cyprus

Eroglu claimed that the real and sincere wish of the Turkish side is for this "end game" to have a successful result and the issue to be settled at a multilateral conference with the participation of the guarantor powers as well.

Eroglu argued that the Turkish Cypriot side wants peace on the island more than the Greek Cypriot side wants it, because the Turkish Cypriots are allegedly those who are the victims and pay the price for the non-solution. "However, we could not abandon our rights and return to the pre-1974 period, because there will be a solution", he added.

Eroglu reiterated the view of the Turkish side that the issues of equality, sovereignty, self-administration, bi-zonality, property, territory and citizenship should be addressed on the basis of the existing "realities" and that the active and effective guarantees of Turkey should continue to exist in a possible agreement in Cyprus, which, he argued, should become EU primary law.

Eroglu claimed that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not easy because of the "intransigence" of the Greek Cypriot side and recalled that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, "who had devoted all his political career to the solution of the Cyprus problem", could not solve this problem, in spite of the steps he had taken, including the cross-voting that caused the reaction of the DP as well.

Eroglu said that the Cyprus problem is a national issue, which they address together with the Turkish government, the political parties and the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Eroglu thanked the DP for its support during the so-called presidential elections and the Cyprus talks.

Meanwhile, according to Gunes (09.01.12), Eroglu addressed also a seminar organized by the "sports writers' association". Eroglu said that during his contacts with EU officials he always raises the issue of the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots in the field of sports. He alleged that the Turkish side works hardly for an agreement in Cyprus, but this does not depend only on the Turkish Cypriots. He accused the Greek Cypriot side of not leaving any chance for give and take in the Cyprus talks. Referring to his forthcoming meeting with President Christofias in New York, he said that there are great expectations from the tripartite summit which will be held in Greentree between 22 and 24 January and added that it will be possible for them there to cover some ground or to see their future.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (09.01.12) reports that Eroglu and his spouse attended a dinner last night at the residence of DISY chairman, Nikos Anastasiades in Limassol. The paper covers the issue under the title "Clerides made a surprise" and argues that the participation of former President Glafkos Clerides in the dinner was a surprise.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Erdogan's message to DP's general congress; Statements by several Turkish politicians

Erdogan went on in his message and alleged that everyone in the world should know that the Turkish side is the one which is in favour of peace and a fair solution in Cyprus. He then argued that the Turkish side will never accept a solution which is not fair. Erdogan added that the Turkish side will not succumb to pressures, regardless of the source of these pressures.

Erdogan reiterated also that the occupation regime's struggle is also Turkey's struggle.

Meanwhile, in statements during his participation in DP's general congress, Salih Kapusuz, AKP deputy and MP with the party in Ankara, stated, inter alia, that Turkey and the occupation regime act always together and alleged that they will continue supporting the Cyprus negotiation talks until the end.

Kapusuz alleged that the EU and the Republic of Cyprus are responsible for the non-solution on the island, and added that "North Cyprus" will never abandon its sovereignty rights".

In his statements also during the congress, Tuncer Erturk, deputy chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) in Turkey, stressed the importance of Cyprus for Turkey and said that they approach the Cyprus problem as one of the most important issues of Turkey. He said that AKP's policy towards the Cyprus problem changed towards the direction of DSP's policy and added that they will not give even a pebble from the "TRNC".

Erturk alleged also that the Cyprus problem was solved in 1974.

Ahmet Gurhan, deputy chairman of Grand Unity Party (BBP), alleged that the occupation regime is a "state" and added that Turkey and the occupation regime have family ties and reiterated that Turkey will continue supporting the occupation regime forever.

(AK)

[03] Serdar Denktas was re-elected as chairman of DP

According to the paper, the congress took place at Ataturk Sport Centre in occupied Lefkosia, with the participation of a lot of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot "officials".

Speaking during the congress, Serdar Denktas, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem alleging that the main reason for which no solution was found during the talks which were started in 1968, is the stance of the Greek-Greek Cypriots duo.

As regards the cross-voting issue which was proposed during Talat's term, Serdar Denktas reiterated that they are against the cross-voting and expressed the view that this will be the biggest step for the "state" to come under the Greek sovereignty.

Concerning the issue of the natural resources in the island, Serdar Denktas reiterated the allegation that according to the international law, the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights regardless of whether there is a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the water which will be transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey, Serdar Denktas said that this will help the occupation regime's economy to recover. He further stressed the need for the Mersin border to open for the occupation regime's production, so that the Turkish Cypriots are able to export their products to Turkey.

[04] Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Works alleged that the Turkish occupation army protects the persons living in the occupied areas

Eroglu, who made these statements speaking at a program of the illegal Bayrak television from Ankara, alleged that Turkey is in favour of peace and claimed that the side that puts obstacles to peace is the Greek Cypriot side. He went on and said that Turkey will be offering support to those who live in the occupied areas for 2012 and for the years to come and alleged that they should know that if there were not for the Turkish occupation army to defend them, the Greek Cypriots could have exterminated them.

Furthermore, Eroglu said that he will visit occupied Cyprus soon and during his visit he will put the issue of fire fighting and forestation on the table. Referring to the water which will be carried from Turkey to the occupied areas, Eroglu stated that this will help towards the agricultural development of the breakaway regime.

[05] Bozer held contacts in Ankara; comments on Cyprus' EU Presidency

Bozer and his accompanying delegation were also received by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc. The meeting, which took place last Thursday at the Prime Ministry building, lasted for about 40 minutes. "There are sound ties between Turkey and TRNC. Unity has been strengthened more in the recent years. We will be more powerful and take sound steps for the future," said Arinc, adding that Turkey attached great importance to Turkish Cypriots' living peacefully and prosperously.

Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, who also met with the Turkish Cypriot delegation, said that Turkey favoured a bi-communal, equal federal structure and a single state in Cyprus. However, he noted that "TRNC" was getting stronger each passing day whether there was a settlement or not, and hoped that Turkey and "TRNC" would continue their efforts to help "TRNC's presence as a strong state."

Additionally, Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak television (07.01.12, online) reports that within the framework of their visit to Ankara, the delegation came together with the leader of the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Masum Turker and the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli.

During their meetings with the CHP and the MHP the press were only given permission to tape some footage as the meetings were held behind closed doors. Making a short statement to the press after their visit to the DSP, Bozer pointed to the importance of the close relationship that exists between the "TRNC" and Turkey. The leader of the DSP Masum T?rker, for his part, said that the "Cyprus Issue is a priority issue for Turkey."

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.01.12) reported that Bozer speaking to an AA correspondent alleged that the Republic of Cyprus taking over the EU rotating presidency is neither moral, nor legal and added, inter alia the following: "They bear the Republic of Cyprus title. However half of the Republic belongs to Turkish Cypriots. For the past 50 years they have been seizing our rights. [...] We cannot accept that Greek Cypriots, which we say that are a half state, will represent the whole Europe. It is not possible to welcome such a thing, or to think of it as normal."

[06] Ozersay: "We approach the final phase"

Criticizing press reports, that the Turkish Cypriot side must also negotiate a map, Ozersay said that land adjustments is one of the negotiation chapters and reminded that the two leaders have agreed to discuss it at the end. He said that all the chapters are interconnected and they must be evaluated in total under a "comprehensive solution". "Therefore, everyone should know that it will not be possible to negotiate completely independently from the other five chapters, the international dimensions of the guarantees, as these are included in the Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee," argued Ozersay.

Referring to the population, Ozersay said that they proposed to exchange numbers regarding the population at the Greentree meeting and later on to evaluate these numbers at the final phase. He said that as it was previously stated, they want the "citizens of the TRNC" to become citizens of the united state.

Regarding the Greentree meeting between the two leaders and the UN Secretary-General in New York, Ozersay argued that while approaching to the Greentree meeting, the process will gain more clarity and its future will become more obvious.

[07] Haberdar reveals the area where oil explorations will be conducted in occupied Cyprus

According to the paper, the land oil exploration, which will start on 28 February, will not be conducted at the area which had been announced before but it will take place in an area south of the small dam in occupied Syngrasi village, between the villages of Syngrasi and Lapathos and on the slope of the hill from which the Lefkosia ?Trikomo road passes.

The paper also writes that the Turkish Ministry of Energy demanded urgently in writing the expropriation of the area. Therefore, the self-styled ministry of economy and energy of the breakaway regime referred the issue to the "ministry of interior" demanding the works for the expropriation of the land to be launched.

The paper publishes a picture of the area where the land oil explorations will reportedly start.

[08] "Lebanon should wait for solution on Cyprus before signing EEZ, officials say"

"Diplomatic sources have asserted that a Lebanese move for demarcation of its offshore borders with Greek Cyprus [editor's note: Republic of Cyprus] to drill for hydrocarbon resources is a process Lebanon should postpone until a solution on the reunification of Cyprus emerges, adding that Lebanon could explore and exploit off-shore resources without a demarcation agreement.

In response to an announcement by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday that Lebanon will continue talks with Turkey and third parties through various means 'over the demarcation of its offshore borders for our [Lebanese] Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ]', diplomatic sources approached by Today's Zaman clarified that the demarcation process was indeed an issue that concerns the TRNC [editor's note: breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus] rather than Turkey.

Explaining that Turkey has no claims in maritime jurisdiction in Lebanese offshore borders, the same sources nevertheless noted that Turkey has been closely watching the process to protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriots, saying they have equal and inherent rights to the Greek Cypriots over the whole off-shore hydrocarbon resources of the island.

On a related note, sources also informed Today's Zaman that Turkey was in touch with Lebanon prior to 2007, the year they worked on an EEZ delimitation agreement with the Greek Cypriots, advising the country that such an agreement would be taking the Turkish Cypriot's voice on the matter for granted and that it should therefore be concluded with their consent and only after a comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus issue is reached. The Lebanese government did not ratify the agreement, while Turkish officials have claimed the EEZ delimitation agreement is not a must for Lebanon to be able to drill for off-shore hydrocarbon resources as this could be done under its continental shelf, according to international law.

However, another EEZ delimitation agreement signed between Israel and Greek Cyprus in 2010 jeopardized Lebanese claims on the waters between Lebanon and Israel, upon which Lebanese officials declared to the UN last September that a disputed zone had emerged. With regards to the disputed waters, Mikati also noted via social media that the government's passing of a law 'to administer the country's oil and gas wealth off the coast' is also aimed at solving the maritime border conflict with Israel, which concerns an '850-square-kilometer stretch of sea off the Lebanese coast', and accused Israel of 'acting in violation of international law'.

To resolve the conflict on disputed waters and draw out the offshore borders of the Lebanese EEZ, the country will need to work on agreements with all claim holders in the region, a list that does not include Turkey. Sources from the Foreign Ministry, however, repeated that Turkey's presence and involvement in the process is focused on the Cyprus issue and protecting the rights of the TRNC, a country only Turkey recognizes, by calling on Lebanon to refrain from deals with the Greek Cypriots before there is a solution to the ethnic division on the island. Turkey traditionally rejects any agreement signed between any given country and Greek Cypriots, saying the Greek Cypriot community is not the sole representative of the island. (?)"

[09] BKP says that the aim of the occupation regime is to make Cyprus Turkey's 82nd province

Korkmazhan said that the "government" cooperates with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey with the aim of eliminating the Turkish Cypriots and making Cyprus Turkey's 82nd province.

[10] "It must be restored urgently"

Mentioning the main arguments and rhetoric used by both sides, Incirli writes that while the competition and debate for the repair of the monastery continues the historic site is about to collapse." He also notes that the surrounding buildings and the areas behind the established shopping tents are heavily littered.

[11] Rauf Denktas is hospitalized for dehydration

Serdar Denktas, in a statement at the hospital, said that his father, Rauf Denktas, felt yesterday weakness and sleepiness due to dehydration. However, he added, the situation is not serious and is not related to any other discomfort.

[12] Norwegian Prime Minister due to Turkey

Stoltenberg and Erdogan are expected to discuss bilateral relations, as well as cooperation, relations with the European Union (EU), Cyprus problem, and fight against international terrorism. They will also exchange views on regional and international developments.

Stoltenberg will continue his talks in Turkey till Tuesday, January 10.

[13] "Basbug seeks trial in Supreme Council"

"Following last week's (6 January) arrest chief of Turkey's former General Staff Ilker Basbug, discussions on whether Basbug will be tried in the Supreme Council or in civilian court continue.

The former head of Turkey's armed forces, Gen. Ilker Basbug, should be tried in the Supreme Council if he is charged with plotting to overthrow the government, his lawyer said.

Lawyer Ilkay Sezer said late Jan. 7 that his client Basbug had worked in tandem with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) government for seven years and he was stunned by the belated accusations against him.

'There has been no allegation of a crime until now, that is 1.5 years following his retirement ... He says it is beyond his comprehension,' Sezer told Reuters.

Sezer said any indictment should be framed by the Supreme Court of Appeals and the case heard by Turkey's top court.

Basbug, chief of General Staff from 2008 to 2010, was sent to Silivri prison outside Istanbul on Jan. 6 after an Istanbul court ordered he remain in custody while the prosecution completed its investigation and prepared formal charges.

Sezer said he was appealing against the custody order.

Meanwhile, Vedat Ahsen Cosar, the head of the Turkish Bar Association (TBB), in a written statement on Sunday said Basbug's charges were related to his duty and therefore he should be judged in the Supreme Council.

Still some lawyers said he may be tried in civilian court since his charges were not related to his post.

'He would be tried in the Supreme Council if the charges were related to his position. However, he is charged with 'leading an outlawed organization' and 'attempting to overthrow the government by force' and they are not directly related to that,' Mete Goksel, former public prosecutor, said, adding that other Armed Forces members, who were also being tried in the same case, were tried in civilian court. Basbug was placed in a one-person cell in Silivri Prison on Jan. 6 following his arrest on charges of 'leading an outlawed organization' and 'attempting to overthrow the government by force' in the early hours of the day.

It was the first time a former top general had been arrested by a civilian court in Turkey.

Basbug was arrested for having alleged associations with the ongoing Internet Memorandum case and other allegations pertaining to the 'Action Plan to Combat Reactionism' trial.

While Basbug's arrest was echoed in both local and international media, Turkey's daily Taraf reported that Basbug in his testimony pointed to retired Gen. Hasan Igsiz, the former head of the First Army who is also under arrest, for initialling the documents that are claimed to be the evidence in the case.

However Igsiz's lawyer Murat Ergul said his client would not sign any documents without the knowledge of the chief of General Staff and the only reason for initializing the documents was because he submitted them to his higher rank Basbug."

[14] Kilicdaroglu says Turkey is turned into open prison

One day after main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has described Turkey as an "open prison" over the arrest of former top commander Ilker Basbug, he issued a statement on the 1000th day CHP Deputy Professor Mehmet Haberal has spent at the "Silivri Concentration Camp."

"Our Zonguldak Deputy Professor Mehmet Haberal has now completed his 1000th day at the Silivri Concentration Camp. Together with Haberal and Balbay, a total of eight deputies -- the ones who have been elected by the scared votes of the people -- are detained in prisons," the written statement said.

"Rule of law is just a notion on paper for Turkey. There is no rule of law in practice. Judiciary has been politicized. Specially authorized courts are the instruments of the political authority. I don't trust in the impartiality of the judges of these courts," Kilicdaroglu said on dissident TV channel Ulusal Kanal.

Detention of Basbug was the result of the "poor justice system," according to Kilicdaroglu. "Basbug has been arrested today, it may be somebody else tomorrow," he said.

Stressing that Basbug was inducted as chief of General Staff during the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) term, Kilicdaroglu said: "If you appointed this person to his post, then he cannot be the only one responsible. Those who appointed him also have the responsibility. The prime minister should speak on this issue; he cannot remain silent."

The CHP leader also indicated that the arrest of Basbug by a specially authorized court decision is jurally problematical. According to the constitution, chiefs of General Staff, even if they are retired, can only be judged by the Supreme Council, Kilicdaroglu recalled. The arrest of Basbug was a "judicial defect," Kilicdaroglu said.

Such shocking decisions were likely to take place in the future to divert attention from the compelling circumstances of the government, he said. "Some special files are being kept in the drawers of specially authorized courts. When the AKP is stranded, a file would be taken out of the drawer, somebody would be arrested and public attention would be diverted," Kilicdaroglu said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article