Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-03

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] The breakaway regime expropriates Greek and Turkish Cypriot land in occupied Tymbou and Mora area for restructuring its illegal airport

[02] Reactions to the disposal of land in occupied Mia Milia area for building a "religious complex"

[03] Serdar Denktas reiterates that the Turkish Cypriots must decide over a referendum whether they want the negotiations to be continued or not

[04] Cakici met with the Ambassadors of Denmark, Finland and Sweden

[05] The number of the illegal workers in the occupied areas is around 10 thousand

[06] The chairman of the "Casino Union" of the breakaway regime said that the opening of casinos in the free areas will be a disaster for them

[07] The President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation due to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to make inspection

[08] French company participates in a tender for "e-passports" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Columnist wonders if Turkey and Israel are getting closer

[10] Former Army chief faces life in prison

[11] French Army Forces change route after Turkey ban; Turkish Prime Ministry rules out Renault as service cars

[12] Bagis claims that FYROM to become NATO, EU member

[13] "Arab Spring nations eye bigger Turkey role"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The criminal charges prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against former chief of general staff General Ilker Basbug, the bad weather conditions in Turkey, reports that the Turkish Prime Ministry has ruled out the French automobile maker Renault's Latitude for its civil servants following the deposit of the Armenian Genocide Bill in the French Senate and other internal issues are the main topics in today's' Turkish newspapers.

[01] The breakaway regime expropriates Greek and Turkish Cypriot land in occupied Tymbou and Mora area for restructuring its illegal airport

The inhabitants of occupied Mora village met yesterday with the self-styled minister of public works and transport Ersan Saner, who told them that the immovable properties in their village have been included in the above-mentioned list by mistake and that they will be taken out of the list. The reason for this mistake, he argued, was that they were considering of carrying out other two-three projects in the area, but they changed their mind. The inhabitants said that if the "council of ministers" does not decide during its meeting on Wednesday to remove their properties from the list, they will file an application to the "court" and secure an order.

Saner stated that they work on three alternatives as regards the way by which the project at illegal Tymbou airport will be developed and that the above-mentioned plots of land have been expropriated as a requirement of one of these alternatives. He said they will not need all the properties which are located in the north of the road between occupied Tymbou and Afania villages, that is, the properties at Mora.

According to the paper, the decision published in the "official gazette" says that any person, who objects to the expropriation and demands any rights or benefits from the above-mentioned properties, should apply to the "ministry of public works and transport" within 15 days from the publication of the decision in the "official gazette", giving details of these rights or benefits and presenting evidence and reasons supporting his/her objection.

The paper writes that the majority of these properties in Tymbou and Mora are mentioned [in the decision] as fields, buildings, vacant land, road, and threshing fields. For some properties, in the part of the decision where the names of their owner are mentioned, it is noted that "there is not registration, TRNC". The paper writes that these are Greek Cypriot properties.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Reactions to the disposal of land in occupied Mia Milia area for building a "religious complex"

In a written statement issued yesterday, Yorgancioglu asked for the immediate resignation of the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government. He said no application was made to the "ministry" of education for such a school, and wondered whether such a foundation exists, whether it is registered in the occupied area of Cyprus or whether it had any activity in the past.

The issue was discussed yesterday at the "assembly" of the breakaway regime. The self-styled minister of education, youth and culture Kemal Durust said that he found out yesterday about the leasing of the land in occupied Mia Milia area when a journalist called him. He noted that the decision was taken by the Evkaf religious foundation and that the "council of ministers" supports this decision. Durust said that they have received no application until today for the establishment of a religious seminary and added that they will hold the necessary contacts with the Evkaf foundation and find out the details for the complex.

Moreover, Mehmet Caglar, self-styled deputy with the CTP, said that for the establishment of this complex of buildings adjacent to a mosque and for such an "educational project", the "ministry of education" should have been informed first, but the "minister" says he had no idea about the project and the leasing. Referring to the differences between the religious education and the scientific education and to the drawbacks of brining the religious education down to the level of lyceum, Caglar said that efforts are exerted for "some things to be imposed by force on the Turkish Cypriot people".

Sonay Adem, another "deputy" with the CTP, said that the assets of the "country" are given away "for peanuts".

Replying to the criticism, the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said that he received no application from the illegal Cyprus International University for leasing the above-mentioned area during the two years he is at the "office".

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (03.02.12), reference to the issue was also made by Mustafa Emiroglulari, "deputy" with the Social Democracy Party (TDP). Addressing the "assembly", Emiroglulari said that supporters of the religious law "gadabout" in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that "our people will not be surrendered to the religious law and the religion". "Black sheets, religious exploitation and religious law mentality are implemented in the country. This mentality will one day judge even Ataturk", he argued.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Serdar Denktas reiterates that the Turkish Cypriots must decide over a referendum whether they want the negotiations to be continued or not

Denktas, who made these statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency, evaluating the Greentree Cyprus summit, stated that a referendum must be conducted in the occupied areas and the Turkish Cypriots should reply to the following question: "Do you want the negotiations to be continued or not".

According to Denktas, the persons living in the occupied area must take this decision, because if the "president" or the "assembly" decides the end of the negotiations, it would be a political decision. However, he alleged, if it is the persons living in the occupied area who will take this decision, it will be a loud answer to the world which in return will have to respect it.

[04] Cakici met with the Ambassadors of Denmark, Finland and Sweden

During the meeting, which took place at TDP's headquarters and lasted about an hour, Cakici exchanged views with the Ambassadors about the Cyprus problem and other current issues. No statements were made after the meeting.

[05] The number of the illegal workers in the occupied areas is around 10 thousand

She also said that their number is increased if the members of their families are calculated as well.

[06] The chairman of the "Casino Union" of the breakaway regime said that the opening of casinos in the free areas will be a disaster for them

Ecesoy, who was commenting on the news that five casinos will be opened in the free areas, said that the casino owners will lose a big part of their income. He went on and said that if casinos open in the free areas, they will host famous artists and this will result not only the Greek Cypriots who visit the casinos in the occupied area to stop visiting, but also the Turkish Cypriots to attend the casinos in the free areas.

[07] The President of the European Pocket Billiard Federation due to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to make inspection

Leenders will inspect the above mentioned hotels and their halls if these are suitable to illegally host the international tournaments of the European Pocket Billiard Federation for the next four years.

[08] French company participates in a tender for "e-passports" in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to Zaman, the self-styled minister of internal affairs and local administrations Nazim Cavuoglu is visiting Turkey today in order to hold a special meeting on the issue with the Turkish Minister of Transport Binali Yildirim. Zaman reports that during a conference in the US it had been said that the system produced by Gemalto for the chips of the e-passports was not secure.

The French company made the lowest bid for the "e-passports" and "e-identity" cards of the breakaway regime with 2.298.000 Turkish liras. It is reported that T?B0
TAK's bid will be lower than the bids of the other companies.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Columnist wonders if Turkey and Israel are getting closer

"There is no normalization or secret agreement between Turkey and Israel. At the most, there is a 'pact of non-aggression' and a policy of detente. As for an agreement, it still seems to be too far.

Successive reports caused speculations in the public that a new process had started between Turkey and Israel.

In fact, one cannot say that there have been gigantic steps. Turkey chose a young musician of Jewish origin from Izmir, Can Bonomo, to represent it at the Eurovision song contest. He is a sympathetic youngster, and the decision is right, but, neither the decision on Bonomo nor the broadcasting of the film on the Jewish genocide during World War II, Shoah, on the documentary channel of the TRT [Turkish Radio and Television] means that Turkey and Israel are secretly getting closer.

It is obvious, however, that the relations are not as tense as they were.

For instance, the fact that among those who objected to the Armenian bill in France there were people of Jewish origin did not slip Ankara's notice.

A few weeks ago, the Israeli Foreign Ministry immediately intervened and stopped an attempt to recognize the Armenian genocide at the Israeli Parliament, Knesset. In Washington also there is an interesting situation. The Jewish lobby that has a significant weight on US Congress no longer works like Turkey's lobby as in the past, but it does not work against it either. The Jewish lobby seems to have suspended its critical approach against Turkey that it had adopted following the Mavi Marmara incident.

More importantly, we no longer see the 'crossfire' style harsh statements that we had witnessed last year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet 'not to respond to Turkey no matter what'. As for the Turkish Prime Minister, he has not made a single statement against Israel since his address at the UN in September. If you do not count the standard Mavi Marmara statements that justify Turkey's stand, Ankara seems to have abandoned its policy of swinging its fist at Israel at every possible opportunity.

What is happening then? Have Ankara and Tel Aviv started a secret negotiation process, or signed a secret peace agreement in a flash?

No, not exactly. In fact, the state of affairs between Turkey and Israel has not changed within the last six months. We are still far away from the point of shaking hands or reconciliation.

If there is an 'agreement' that needs to be mentioned, then it is not about 'normalization' but only an unofficial and tentative 'mutual non-aggression' agreement between the two countries.

US President Barack Obama had made a special request in a 90 minute-meeting in New York with Tayyip Erdogan, to prevent the bilateral relations from 'worsening further'. In summary he had said: 'My job here will get more difficult, and it will be hard for us to defend you'. He repeated the same request to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu who was very eager to mend the relations.

The two countries are refraining from steps that would create the speculation or possibility of a 'military clash' in the eastern Mediterranean. More importantly, the leaders in both countries refrain from making provocative or aggressive statements against each other.

The secret and indirect contacts held in New York in order to 'mend' the bilateral relations that reached a breaking point with the release of the Palmer Report at the end of the summer, did not yield any results. Ankara is insistent on its demands for an apology and reparations; moreover it is in a comfortable position due to the honeymoon phase in its relations with Washington because of the Arab spring. It has no intentions of making concessions. Israel agrees, albeit unwillingly, to apologize and to pay reparations, but it has certain demands in return. In return for an apology and reparations, Israel wants guarantees that the bilateral relations will really normalize, in other words, that they will go back to their state in 1990 in all senses, military and political.

This is where things break off. Israel's demand is not something Ankara is willing to meet particularly when it is feeling so much at ease. At a time when there is no peace between Israel and Palestine, when there is a possibility that Israel may attack Iran, and when Turkey's image in the Arab street has reached a peak, Ankara does not want to bring the relations to their former state and lose the moral weight it has gained in the Arab world.

Those, who try to mediate between the two, keep walking back and forth in this vicious circle."

[10] Former Army chief faces life in prison

The indictment against the retired General asks for lifetime sentence on accusations of "attempting to overthrow or hamper the Government of the Turkish Republic through the use of force and violence" and "leading an armed terrorist organization."

The indictment was sent to the 13th Court of Serious Crimes in Istanbul, which now has two weeks to either accept or reject the indictment.

Basbug is a suspect in the Internet Memorandum case, which refers to an alleged document by the General Staff about setting up 42 Internet sites to distribute propaganda against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The former Chief of Staff allegedly signed the document which ordered the establishment of the websites.

Meanwhile, a special-authority prosecutor has launched an investigation into the military's so-called "e-memorandum" of 2007 and is expected to question then-Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukan1
t and his aides, daily Hurriyet reported.

The "e-memorandum," posted on the military's website around midnight on April 27, 2007, was the first episode in a chain of events that plunged Turkey into political turmoil and forced early elections.

In the statement, the Army threatened to step in to protect Turkey's secular system, hours after Parliament held an inconclusive, first-round vote to elect a new President, with the Islamist-rooted Abdullah Gul standing as the sole candidate.

Several days later, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Parliament needed a super-majority quorum of 367 lawmakers to vote for a President. Parliament failed to reach the quorum in subsequent sessions as opposition Deputies shunned the vote, effectively blocking the election.

The AKP responded by calling early elections, which it won comfortably. The new Parliament elected Gul in August that year.

[11] French army change route after Turkey ban; Turkish Prime Ministry rules out Renault as service cars

"French state aircrafts and warships are no longer using Turkish airspace and territorial waters after permission requests in three different cases were rejected by the Turkish Government, France's top diplomat in Ankara said, amid the ongoing spat over a French law penalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide.

'Our requests [for an aircraft and two warships] have been rejected, so we are no longer issuing such requests. We are using alternative routes,' France's Ambassador to Turkey Laurent Bili told the private news channel CNN Turk in an interview.

Bili said the first rejection was to a request for a French military aircraft that wanted to use Turkish airspace on its way to France from Afghanistan. Similarly, two French warships were not allowed to enter Turkish territorial waters recently. Turkey's move against the French military was part of sanctions imposed against France after the initial adoption of the law at the French Parliament late December last year.

Though enough numbers of lawmakers and Senators were collected to take the law to the Constitutional Council for possible annulment, Bili's words revealed the process was not an easy one. (?)"

"The Turkish Prime Ministry has ruled out the French automobile maker Renault's Latitude for its civil servants following the deposition of the Armenian Genocide Bill in the French senate, according to the daily HaberTurk.

Akmercan, a firm which had won the tender of the renewal of the rental cars in service for the public servants who work for the Prime Ministry, was planning to purchase 130 Latitude cars. But the firm opted for the Ford Mondeo after the Prime Ministry asked Akmercan not to buy Renault.

The fleet will be renewed gradually and 20 Mondeo cars were purchased in the first phase, the HaberTurk said.

Also a Renault Fluence Z.E. electric car, a gift to be presented to the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is on hold as the Prime Ministry has not issued an approval. The Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology has also suspended an order of 10 Renault electric cars.

All these decisions were taken before a sufficient number of Senators challenged the bill in the Constitutional Council, the paper reported. The Turkish Government declared to announce sanctions against France once the judgment is delivered. (?)"

[12] Bagis claims that FYROM to become NATO, EU member

Bagis said: "Turkey was proud to recognize Macedonia with its constitutional name, i.e. Republic of Macedonia."

"If the EU is the most comprehensive peace project of the history of humanity and if it is a Union in which Brits, French, Dutch, Italian and Germans who have battled with each other for centuries can live in peace, it cannot let black holes in the heart of Europe, and therefore, Macedonia will become a member of NATO and EU sooner or later," Bagis said during the Turkey-Macedonia Trade and Investment Forum in the northwestern province of Bursa.

[13] "Arab Spring nations eye bigger Turkey role"

"More than 70% of people in the Middle East think Turkey should play a greater role in the region, according to a recent survey conducted by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV).

'Turkey is the most favourably regarded country in the Middle East. Some 70% think Turkey has become more influential in recent years and 75% believe Turkey should play a mediatory role in the Israel-Palestine conflict,' Professor Mensur Akgun, the head of the TESEV Foreign Policy Program, told a press conference in Istanbul yesterday while presenting 'The Perception of Turkey in the Middle East 2011' survey.

The survey of 2,323 people was conducted between Oct. 19 and Dec. 15, 2011, across 16 countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Libya.

According to the survey, 61% of the people in Middle Eastern countries think of Turkey as a model in the region.

Some 78% of the correspondents said they viewed Turkey favourably. Turkey was followed in the same category by the UAE, at 70%, Palestine at 66%, China at 65%, Saudi Arabia at 64%, Lebanon at 64% and Egypt at 62%.

According to the survey, Turkey is widely expected to become the region's strongest economy in 10 years' time (25%); Saudi Arabia, at 16%, was the next most common response.

The country which has the least favourable view of Turkey is Syria. Just 44% of Syrian respondents reported a favourable view when asked about Turkey; only 30 of Syrians thought Turkey's response to the developments of last year was positive while only 31% thought Turkey could be a model. (?)

Israel was seen as the Middle East's biggest threat at 47%, followed by the United States at 24% and Iran at 11%. A regional average of 75% of respondents supported the holding of peaceful protests to effect change, while 20% supported violent protests." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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