Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-01-19

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

[01] Eroglu briefs the political parties and the "People's Council" prior to his departure for New York

[02] Statements by representatives of political parties after they were briefed by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem

[03] Atalay touches on the importance of the meeting in New York for the Cyprus problem

[04] Talat has no hopes for the Greentree summit

[05] CTP made a call to Eroglu and President Christofias prior to the Greentree meeting

[06] Bagis: "The Cyprus problem is a national cause"

[07] Atalay announced that Turkey's aid to the occupation regime for 2012 will be 1 billion 94 million T.L

[08] Davutoglu stresses NATO's importance for Turkey; Rasmussen to visit Turkey next month

[09] Comments on Hrant Dink's verdict

[10] EP's Reporter on Turkey finds Dink verdict "disappointing"

[11] Rocket hits Turkish embassy in Iraq; Statements by Davutoglu

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Today's Turkish dailies report on a draft law that would make 100 new legal provisions in Turkey, French Senate committee's rejection of a motion that would criminalize denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide, and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi's visit to Turkey. The papers cover also the talks between the EU and Iran on latter's nuclear program that would take place in Istanbul, a rocket attack against the Turkish embassy in Baghdad and other domestic issues.

[01] Eroglu briefs the political parties and the "People's Council" prior to his departure for New York

Eroglu and his spouse Meral will be departing tonight for New York through Istanbul. His negotiating delegation will leave tomorrow morning. They will meet in Istanbul and depart together for New York. They are expected to return to the island on 27 January.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (19.01.12) refers to the same issue under the title "Christofias does not want an agreement, he is playing for time". The paper writes that Eroglu referred to the decisions taken at the National Council of the Republic of Cyprus last Monday and argued that President Christofias is going to New York with four negative decisions by the National Council, which limited some moves of President Christofias. Eroglu alleged that President Christofias, however, is satisfied with these decisions because he will be candidate in the presidential elections in 2013, even though he does not say it openly.

Eroglu claimed that the responses which President Christofias gives show that it is certain that he will be a candidate in the elections and that is why he is allegedly trying to secure the support of parties such as DIKO, EDEK and DISY. Eroglu said they are taking into consideration that President Christofias "will do some actions thinking of the presidential elections as well".

Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side is the one that exerts efforts for an agreement at the negotiating table and claimed that President Christofias tries not to agree and to gain time.

Eroglu said that if a possible agreement does not become EU's primary law and there are no permanent derogations, the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey might experience again the same processes at European courts.

Eroglu recalled that the principle of secrecy exists in the Cyprus talks and argued that this is the reason for which he rarely makes statements to the press. He accused President Christofias of "talking too much" and added that the Turkish Cypriot side gives immediate responses to President Christofias' statements.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Statements by representatives of political parties after they were briefed by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem

In his statements, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said they told Eroglu that he should brief them earlier and give them more well-rounded information and documents. Yorgancioglu expressed the view that the EU term presidency of the Republic of Cyprus is a natural time limit for the negotiations and asked from the Greek Cypriot side to "remain devoted to this process" and from the UN to undertake a more active role. Yorgancioglu said that the CTP believes that the package which includes the cross-voting proposal should be evaluated as a whole and a give and take could be made without spoiling the balance of this package. He noted that the deadlock will not be overcome if the leaders refrain from doing this. Yorgancioglu said that in order for an international conference to be held after the Greentree meeting, "great distance should be covered" both during this meeting and in the talks to be held afterwards.

The leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Cakici said they had a positive meeting prior to the Greentree summit and argued that deadlock in the Cyprus talks exists in the chapters of Governance and Power Sharing and Property. Cakici said that his party submitted a proposal yesterday on the issue of the cross-voting. Cakici argued that the Greentree meeting will be the "end game" and that the UN might withdraw from the process. He noted that the current situation will continue if the process collapses and added that the other choice of the Turkish Cypriots is to overtake the EU term presidency after 13 years, if a solution is reached.

The general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), Bengu Sonya said they warned Eroglu that this should be the last process. He argued that all aspects of the Cyprus problems have been negotiated, that this should be the last meeting and that these views have many times been expressed both by the UN Secretary-General and his representative in Cyprus. Sonya reiterated that DP is against the cross-voting proposal and expressed the view that if the negotiations collapse, a referendum should be held to ask the people what they want.

The chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), Turgay Avci expressed the view that in New York they should say that there could be no open ended process and added that the Turkish Cypriot political parties should jointly decide that a timetable should be put in the negotiations. He said they told Eroglu that the process should end within five months.

The deputy chairman of the Democracy and Trust Party (DGP), Tansel Doratli alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is using delaying tactics as it always does and added that his party is in favor of a timetable in the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Atalay touches on the importance of the meeting in New York for the Cyprus problem

In statements yesterday during a meeting in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Atalay alleged that they do not see wish and enthusiasm for a solution in the Greek Cypriot side and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey sincerely wish a federation with justice, equal rights and two zones.

Atalay argued that it would be positive if the meeting in New York paved the way for a high level meeting with the participation of Turkey and Greece at least and reiterated that Turkey and the "TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, are sincere on the issue of finding a solution.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Talat has no hopes for the Greentree summit

Talat said that he does not have any hopes that there will be a positive outcome from Greentree summit which will be held in New York between 22-24 January. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has not prepared any proposal in the negotiations, adding that when a work on something unwanted is done, levity or inconsistency appears. Talat said that it is a contradiction not to want Federation, but to pretend that you work on it. Talat noted that Eroglu's proposals are clearly outside of what himself had proposed on the issues. He argued that the current proposals cause losses for the Turkish Cypriots. He said that the above-mentioned two issues are the cross-voting and the sovereignty of the consistent states. Talat also argued that Eroglu is not informed of the Cyprus problem, because the person who carries out the Cyprus talks is his special adviser Kudret Ozersay.

Referring to the "People's Council", Talat said that although some organizations have applied to the "People's Council" established by Eroglu, they received the answer that their application cannot be approved. Talat said that this "Council" is not "People's Council", but Eroglu's Council, adding that these organizations were forced to go to President Christofias to brief them.

Commenting on the population census held in the occupied area of Cyprus, Talat argued that the results are correct.

[05] CTP made a call to Eroglu and President Christofias prior to the Greentree meeting

CTP announced yesterday to the public a unanimous decision of the party committee taken on 13 January regarding the Cyprus talks.

CTP's decision criticizes the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu that although he officially promised the UN Secretary-General that he would continue the Cyprus talks from the point that former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat has left them off, he did not do so. For this reason, new convergences could not be obtained and Eroglu didn't take steps to push forward the wish of the Turkish Cypriots for a solution, CTP's decision said.

CTP reiterated its support to the community leaders' joint statements of 23 May, 1 July and 25 July 2008 and stressed that it is a necessity for the Turkish Cypriots to reach a permanent, just and acceptable solution, underlining that with the solution Turkish Cypriots will have the possibility to integrate with the world, to safeguard an economic development and to protect their own existence.

CTP noted that the non-solution will create new tensions for the peoples of the region, adding that the distribution of the natural wealth found in the sea of the Republic of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone may cause conflict.

CTP concluded that it will continue to support a United Federal Cyprus.

[06] Bagis: "The Cyprus problem is a national cause"

Speaking during the ceremony, Bagis, inter alia, referred to the participation of the Turkish officials in the funeral of the late Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas, which took place the day before yesterday in occupied Cyprus and said that he is sure that their massive participation in the funeral, recalled once more that the Cyprus problem is a national cause for Turkey.

(AK)

[07] Atalay announced that Turkey's aid to the occupation regime for 2012 will be 1 billion 94 million T.L

Speaking during the event, Atalay referred to the situation of the occupation regime's economy and said that the rate of growth of the economy during 2011 was 5%. He added that this is very positive taking into consideration the global economic environment.

Atalay went on saying that the support of the Turkish Government to the "TRNC" during 2011 was 833 million Turkish Lira (TL) He then said that next week they will sign a protocol for their support for 2012, that will reach the amount of 1 billion 94 million TL.

Also speaking, the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk paid gratitude to "motherland Turkey", as he described Turkey, for its endless support to the "TRNC". "Motherland has always provided its support to the TRNC, both in political and economic terms. We know that the motherland will continue its support increasingly in order for the TRNC's economy to reach a stronger position", Kucuk, inter alia, said.

[08] Davutoglu stresses NATO's importance for Turkey; Rasmussen to visit Turkey next month

Holding a joint press conference with Rasmussen, Davutoglu said that Turkey had been one of the most contributing member states in NATO's regional and global peace efforts in the past 60 years.

In the past 60 years, many things have changed in NATO and Turkey, but the only thing which did not change is Turkey's strategic planning and NATO'S remaining as a main pillar in Turkey's vision, said Davutoglu.

He argued that Turkey was actively contributing to peace and stability thanks to its sound economic growth and dynamism.

Davutoglu said that Rasmussen will visit Turkey next month.

[09] Comments on Hrant Dink's verdict

"You know trials are made up of three phases, which are investigation, prosecution and the appeals process. There is also an appeals process for this trial. The case has not been concluded yet; it is still in progress," Ergin added.

The justice minister referred to the Supreme Court of Appeals, which will issue a final ruling in the case. He said he would make further comments on the issue when the appeals process was completed.

In what many said was a shocking and frustrating ruling on the five-year-long trial in the Dink case, the Istanbul High Criminal Court cleared all suspects in the case of membership in a terrorist organization, angering lawyers and many others who say the trial failed to shed light on alleged connections between the suspects and state officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc also criticized the ruling on Wednesday saying it did not satisfy the "public conscience." However, he added that the case has not yet been concluded.

Commenting on the issue, Turkish President Abdullah Gul told the Anatolia news agency on Wednesday that the lawyers in the case seem to be planning to appeal the ruling. "We have to wait for the conclusion of the trial process. We have to look into the issue after the final verdict,"

When reminded that he had ordered the State Audit Institution (DDK) to investigate Dink's assassination and asked whether he had been given a report by the institution, Gul said he asked the DDK about the report on Wednesday and that he expects their investigation will soon be completed.

Commenting also on the use, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu has levelled criticisms against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) for the controversial verdict that the Turkish court delivered for the 2007 killing of prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

Kilicdaroglu said in his Twitter feed on Wednesday that those who define students demanding free education as members of a criminal organization don't consider Dink's murder as an organized crime. "This is AK Party's justice," Kilicdaroglu added in a veiled statement meant to suggest that the government has a role in the court's decision.

[10] EP's Reporter on Turkey finds Dink verdict "disappointing"

Speaking to Today's Zaman, Oomen-Ruijten said: "The verdict is disappointing. The Hrant Dink case could have been an example of how properly functioning judicial institutions deal with disrupting forces in a society. This verdict makes clear the need for further judicial reform in Turkey."

In its reports on Turkey, the European Parliament has consistently urged Turkish authorities to carry out a full investigation into the murder of Dink, to provide full clarification of allegations of negligence on the part of the competent authorities and to bring all responsible to justice. Despite a growing body of evidence that suggested the hand of an organized network in Dink's murder, the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court on Tuesday cleared all suspects of the charge of membership in a terrorist organization, angering lawyers and many others who say the trial failed to shed light on alleged connections between the suspects and state officials.

The court convicted Yasin Hayal, a major suspect in the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, of instigating a murder and sentenced him to life in prison, while another suspected instigator, Erhan Tuncel, was acquitted by the court.

The late editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos, Dink was shot dead on January 19, 2007 by an ultranationalist teenager outside the offices of his newspaper in Istanbul in broad daylight. The investigation into his murder has stalled; the suspected perpetrator and his accomplices were put on trial, but those who masterminded the plot to kill him have yet to be exposed and punished.

[11] Rocket hits Turkish embassy in Iraq; Statements by Davutoglu

Speaking to Reuters, a senior Iraqi security official said that at least two rockets were fired from a vehicle at the embassy in northern Baghdad, outside the heavily fortified Green Zone complex.

The attack comes amidst a deepening political crisis between Turkey and Iraq.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Iraq's ambassador to Turkey, Abdulemir Kamil Abi-Tabikh, to its headquarters in Ankara on Tuesday to inform him of Turkey's unease over recent Iraqi criticism just a day after Iraq made a similar move regarding Turkey through Turkey's ambassador to Baghdad.

Abi-Tabikh was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Monday by the ministry's undersecretary, Feridun Sinirlioglu, regarding Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's verbal assault on Turkey for what he characterized as interference in Iraqi affairs. "There were two Katyusha rockets. The first one hit the embassy blast wall, and the second one hit the second floor of an adjacent bank," the official said.

A Turkish embassy source said at least three rockets had been fired at the embassy, but only one hit an outside blast wall without causing injuries.

Commenting on the attack, the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Wednesday that the rocket attack against the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad today (yesterday) was being investigated.

Speaking to the Ankara Anatolia in Brussels, Davutoglu said that he held a phone conversation with Turkey's Ambassador to Baghdad Yunus Demirer on Wednesday.

"Surely, there has been a rocket attack on our embassy in Baghdad. An investigation is underway to determine the essence of the rocket attack", Davutoglu stressed.

"Ambassador Demirer talked with the Iraqi Minister of National Security following the rocket attack", Davutoglu said.

"Our embassy in Baghdad is under the protection of the Iraqi government. There have been no casualties at the Embassy following the rocket attack. There are no damages on the embassy complex. Pieces of the rocket fell on the street", Davutoglu noted.

We have conveyed the necessary messages to the Iraqi authorities. We will closely monitor the developments regarding the rocket attack on our embassy, Davutoglu also said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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