Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-29

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu continues to interpret Greek Cypriot side's statements as suits him

[02] Attacks against Downer by Turkish Cypriot organizations

[03] Downer visited Kucuk

[04] Ozyigit said that the non-solution will be the end of the Turkish Cypriots

[05] Bagis went to Britain to hold talks on bilateral ties, EU, and Cyprus

[06] Kucuk stated that developing the private sector is important for the occupation regime's improvement

[07] Turkish workers return back to Turkey

[08] The "Turkish Red Crescent of North Cyprus" condemned the ICRC for accepting the Republic of Cyprus' Red Cross as full member

[09] Akmina Travel Club represented the occupation regime to a Tourism fair in Denmark; Charter flights to be launched as of May from Copenhagen

[10] So-called health minister Kasif met with Israeli doctors

[11] French constitutional body annuls the Armenian genocide legislation- Turkish politicians pleased with the decision

[12] WikiLeaks reveals conversation between Erdogan and Kissinger about Turkey's ambitions to the Islamic world

[13] Turkish Economy Minister says that Turkey is major goods supplier to Europe

[14] "From post-modern coup to post-modern dictatorship?"

[15] The Nuray Mert issue in EU-Turkey dialogue

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu continues to interpret Greek Cypriot side's statements as suits him

"We will continue to discuss the property issue," said Eroglu after his meeting with President Demetris Christofias.

Asked whether the statements that UN Secretary General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer had made during a meeting with some northern Cypriot parties and unions were mentioned in today's meeting, Eroglu said," Of course we have discussed this subject. And we expressed our sensitivities."

"While the negotiations continue, one of the sides' meeting with the political parties and unions is not right. If Downer is willing to make a proposal, it should not be made only to one side. There are two sides at the table. Both sides should adopt an offer."

As the Government's Spokesman Stefanos Stefanu announced that 'Christofias was ready to continue negotiations for a solution after taking over the presidency of the EU', Eroglu alleged: "This explanation shows that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention for any agreement."

He went on and claimed the following: "The Greek Cypriot side's explanation is an offensive statement to the United Nations Secretary General who was saying that he did not believe any agreement could be reached after July 1 and the sides should reach a solution until July 1 because it was impossible to have any agreement during the Greek Cypriot EU presidency."

Eroglu also alleged that Downer was appointed by the UN Secretary General to implement the idea of an agreement with intensified talks and as well as a multilateral conference by the end of March, in case of a chance for an agreement.

Eroglu also alleged the following: "I believe it is impossible to reach a deal with such an understanding. So we are trying to make use of this opportunity in the best way. If also the Greek Cypriots take positive steps as us, we can solve this issue, because we have discussed every matter. We are the side that makes proposals and seeks agreement. But Christofias wants to postpone it to 2013. It means that it is the Greek Cypriot side that does not have any intention for a settlement."

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (28.02.12) reported that speaking to the paper, a Turkish Foreign ministry official stated that Turkey wanted to see the ongoing talks produce results so that a united Cyprus can take over the presidency of EU on July 1.

[02] Attacks against Downer by Turkish Cypriot organizations

Issuing a statement under the name "alliance of independence", the organizations claimed that during his visits to some trade unions and civilian organizations in the past few days, Downer accused the Turkish Cypriot side of being intransigent. The organizations alleged that this was a provocative stance.

The statement is signed on behalf of the "alliance" by the chairman of the so-called human rights association Hasan Yilmaz Isik, who argued that Downer should apologize to the Turkish Cypriots, as his duty is to be an observer at the Cyprus talks.

Furthermore, Gunes (29.02.12) reports that the so-called parliamentarians' union of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, has also criticized Downer because he visits some political parties, trade unions and other organizations allegedly trying "to provoke". The union also claimed that Downer's stance was unethical and contrary to diplomatic ethics. The statement is signed by Vedat Celik and Ata Atun.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Downer visited Kucuk

Upon his departure from Kucuk's office, Downer was asked to comment on the criticism and the reaction against him by some circles in the occupied area of Cyprus. He said the important thing on which everyone should be focused is the efforts for reaching an agreement and added that as UN they do not want to participate in such debates. He noted that the important thing is the essence of the negotiations, that next week the UN Secretary-General will submit a report to the Security Council and that in the end of March he will also prepare a report for the UN Secretary-General as to whether satisfactory progress is achieved in the Cyprus talks for convening a multilateral international conference in April or May.

Asked whether they discussed the negotiations and especially the "cross voting" issue with Kucuk, Downer said he briefed Kucuk on the course of the negotiations and that they discussed all issues.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozyigit said that the non-solution will be the end of the Turkish Cypriots

Noting that both sides continue playing with time after the Greentree summit, Ozyigit argued that President Christofias assumes that he will be able to force the solution that he wants by using as a pressure element against Turkey the period that Cyprus will take over the EU term presidency on behalf of all Cyprus on 1st of July. In addition, he does not approach the give-and-take process prior the presidential elections that will be held in February 2013.

Ozyigit also accused Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu of playing with time by calculating that Turkey-EU relations, which have been anyway clogged, will regress more during Cyprus' EU presidency and he tries to make permanent the division by obstructing the solution process.

[05] Bagis went to Britain to hold talks on bilateral ties, EU, and Cyprus

"I will meet British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague and Minister of State responsible for European issues David Lidington," Bagis told reporters before he flew to London.

Bagis said he would give a conference speech at an economy faculty and attend a round-table meeting of the think-tank Chatham House.

The Minister said he would have the opportunity to talk about Turkish economy's recent dynamism during a luncheon with investors of Goldman Sachs and visit an exhibition at the British Museum titled "Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam."

Bagis will discuss Turkey-EU relations, Turkish-British bilateral relations, the Cyprus problem visa procedures and the fight against terrorism.

"We will have the opportunity to discuss invitation of candidate countries to European Council meetings and the illogical obstacles on negotiation chapters," Bagis also said.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.02.12) reports that Bagis on Tuesday attended a reception and a dinner hosted by Prince Charles of Wales on the sidelines of a meeting of the International Sustainability Unit in Britain. The dinner was held closed to news media.

Bagis is also expected to deliver a speech on Wednesday at the London School of Economics and participate in meetings at investment house Goldman Sachs.

[06] Kucuk stated that developing the private sector is important for the occupation regime's improvement

He also said that the healthy development of the occupation regime is the main goal of his "government".

Delivering a speech at an event, Kucuk said that important "laws" have been passed in order to open the way of the public and the business sector.

Also expressing the hope that businesses will invest in privatization schemes and tenders to be launched, Kucuk said they were expecting local businesses to take part in the privatization of illegal Tymbou airport.

Referring to the financial program carried out between Turkey and the breakaway regime, Kucuk said that in the coming process, they are expecting representatives of economic organizations to take part in preparations of the program.

[07] Turkish workers return back to Turkey

According to the paper, the reasons that the Turkish workers prefer to return back to Turkey are the recession at the construction sector, as well as that many companies have been closed down. In addition to this, the minimum wage in Turkey is higher than in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, and the living cost in the occupied area is much higher than Turkey.

[08] The "Turkish Red Crescent of North Cyprus" condemned the ICRC for accepting the Republic of Cyprus' Red Cross as full member

The written statement issued by the KKTKD, referred, inter alia the following: "In the island of Cyprus there are two separate people and two separate administrations, and also there is the Turkish Red Crescent of North Cyprus and the Greek Red Cross of South Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot Red Cross neither operates in the whole of the island nor does it represent the Turkish Cypriots".

(AK)

[09] Akmina Travel Club represented the occupation regime to a Tourism fair in Denmark; Charter flights to be launched as of May from Copenhagen

As the paper writes, the officials of Akmina Travel Club announced that tourists from Denmark are to be transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus this week with charter flights.

According to the paper, the Akmina Travel Club has signed cooperation with a tourist operator in Denmark called Scanway with the aim to transfer tourists to occupied Cyprus.

In statements, the "directors" of Akmina Travel Club, Ismail and Dervis Abidin stated that it is the first time they are participating to the "Herming Tourism& Travel Fair". They added that they had launched an important work to an important market, the market of Denmark.

Ismail Abidin added also that they carried out contacts with several tourist operators in Denmark and that charter flights will be launched once a week from Copenhagen to the occupied areas, as of May.

Saying that their goal for 2012 is to bring 40,000 tourists to the "country", Abidin said also the following: "The number of our destinations has reached to 6 for this year; Denmark, Italy, Poland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. We have added Denmark now as well. We are aiming to bring as much as possible tourists during this year".

(AK)

[10] So-called health minister Kasif met with Israeli doctors

According to information acquired by the so-called ministry, Ahmet Kasif met yesterday with Dr. Nafdali Halevi and Dr. Nesim Asulin from Israel.

In statements during the meeting, Kasif pointed out that the health sector in the occupied area is a very dynamic sector with advanced technology, adding that they are exerting efforts for more development of the health sector.

(AK)

[11] French constitutional body annuls the Armenian genocide legislation- Turkish politicians pleased with the decision

The 11-member Constitutional Council begun to examine the legality of the legislation late last month after some 77 Senators from across the political divide made the appeal to the court. Another 65 lawmakers in the lower house, the National Assembly, agreed to the appeal.

In a statement, the Council ruled that the law ran against the principles of freedom of expression written into France's founding documents.

French law already considers denial of the Jewish Holocaust as illegal. Far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen was famously found guilty of the Holocaust denial for saying, in 1987, that the gas chambers of Nazi Germany had been a "point of detail" in the history of World War Two.

The Council said it was possible to put legal limits on freedom of expression to protect privacy and public order. However, any such law would have to be "necessary, adapted and proportional" to the desired effect, while having the potential for creating a legal precedent.

The decision by France's highest legal authority invalidates the law, which President Nicolas Sarkozy was due to ratify by the end of February, ahead of a parliamentary recess for the April-May presidential election.

Shortly after the ruling was announced, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the Turkish cabinet would meet to consider whether to restart economic, political and military contacts with France which were frozen after the French Parliament passed the law on Jan. 23. "The verdict is positive. I hope that everyone learns the necessary lessons from this," Davutoglu told reporters.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc welcomed the latest decision and said from his Twitter feed that the French Constitutional Council "taught a law lesson" to French politicians putting their signatures on the bill.

He added that the decision by the Council also averted any possible crisis between Turkey and France.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (28.02.12) reported that Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis said that the French Constitutional Council had averted "a historic mistake" by annulling the law that makes it a crime to deny the Armenian genocide.

"France has avoided a historic mistake. Wisdom prevailed over foolishness. This ruling is a declaration to the world that the French Constitutional Council cherished the values of the French Revolution, the Constitution and values of the French Republic," Bagis told Anatolia agency in London where he is set to hold a series of talks.

[12] WikiLeaks reveals conversation between Erdogan and Kissinger about Turkey's ambitions to the Islamic world

Likened to a shadow CIA by Turkish and international media, an email by the Stratfor Chief Executive George Friedman talks about a meeting between former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to that email, Erdogan told Kissinger that at some point he will eventually burn bridges with Israel and opt for a closer relationship with the Islamic world. Kissinger's response was indicated in Friedman's mail as "Erdogan intends to be the leader of the Islamic world." Friedman also wrote in the same email that Turkey may not get along well with Israel and the United States, and that an attack by Israel to Iran would be a good opportunity for Erdogan, who can then claim Turkey's power, according to the WikiLeaks documents. Some other emails in that regard state that Israeli commandoes destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities with the help of Kurds and Iranian Jews.

[13] Turkish Economy Minister says that Turkey is major goods supplier to Europe

Turkey's rapidly growing economy is providing crisis-hit Europe a breath of fresh air, thanks to its status as a leading goods supplier, Caglayan said.

"Turkey is the lungs of the European economy," Caglayan pointed out at the International Investors' Association (YASED) General Assembly in Istanbul.

He said Turkey had managed to attract nearly $15.7 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) by the end of 2011 despite the growing volatility in the European economy and political turmoil and protests in the Middle East and North Africa.

"Turkey remains the major goods supplier for the European market," said Caglayan, adding that nearly 72% of FDI came from European countries.

"We are aware of the power that we have," said Caglayan, adding that the dynamics of the country should be controlled in order to achieve successful growth.

He also said that Turkey's import volume last year was $240.8 billion, while its export volume was nearly $135 billion during the same period.

[14] "From post-modern coup to post-modern dictatorship?"

"Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the February 28 process, described as a 'post-modern coup,' which expelled Turkey's first Islamic Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan from government. Having already staged two full coups in 1961 and 1980, and a half-coup in 1971, the army's target in 1996 was Erbakan's Welfare Party (RP), which openly challenged the country's secular order and threatened to change main pillars of Turkey's Western-oriented foreign policy.

In an anti-democratic interventionist move, the army, backed by the media and other mainstream political parties, openly threatened to use force if the government refused to resign. Only four months after the National Security Council's (MGK) meeting on February 28, 1997, Erbakan and his coalition partner Tansu Ciller resigned from the government. Erbakan's RP and its successors were banned by the Constitutional Court, which paved the way for the reformist figures of the Islamic political movement, namely Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Abdullah Gul, Bulent Arinc, etc., to split ways with their iconic leader and form the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001.

In the same process, Erdogan was imprisoned for four months in 1999 and was banned from politics just because of reading a poem in 1997. A renewed political Islamist movement under Erdogan's leadership won elections in late 2002 and became the country's leading party from that day to this.

It was the AKP government that launched a significant democratization process and began negotiations with the European Union for full membership in 2005. Though the efforts to harmonize Turkey's democratic standards with that of the EU started before the AKP, one should clearly count the progress in this field to the credit of Erdogan's government. That marked an important turning point in Turkey's near history with both democratic and economic achievements making the country unprecedentedly influential in the international arena under a stable government which won all elections and referendums in the last 10 years.

However, there comes another picture that we keep in our sight: a totally intolerant government, having no mercy to the opponents, which reflects an empire of fear for many. Seemingly open-ended cases like the Ergenekon, Balyoz, OdaTV, etc., restrict freedoms of hundreds of prominent figures, including lawmakers, well-known journalists, activists, academics, retired and on-duty generals, which additionally brings about an environment that pushes journalists to self-censor or to underreport, if they don't want to lose their jobs like Nuray Mert, Ece Temelkuran or Banu Guven.

Silencing universities, trade unions; cracking down on protestors, arresting hundreds of youth just because of participating in anti-government rallies are only side effects of this environment. Coupled with similar government moves restricting freedom of speech and curbing some fundamental rights, one should not get surprised when Erdogan's government is being compared with that of Russia's Vladimir Putin, as Newsweek did last week.

What is expected from this very strong government is to give up such revanchist policies and instead adopt a more tolerant, embracing political attitude for enforcing societal peace in the country."

[15] The Nuray Mert issue in EU-Turkey dialogue

"The issue of journalists who lost their jobs because of their political stance and whose situation was brought up by Deputies from the European Union (EU) constituted one of the most interesting topics in last week's meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission in Istanbul.

Richard Howitt of Britain's Labour Party, also a member of the European Parliament's Socialist Group, voiced the most critical response, and this he did by specifically pronouncing the names of Nuray Mert and Banu Guven.

Speaking at this joint forum that brings together the representatives of the Turkish Parliament and the European Parliament, Howitt said that the repression of press freedoms in Turkey had reached a worrying level and that opposition journalists were either placed under arrest or lost their jobs, while laying the blame squarely on the government's shoulders. Howitt expounded that Nuray Mert, a columnist for the daily Milliyet, had lost her space in the paper and that Banu Guven, a news show producer and host at the broadcasting station NTV, was forced to resign. 'In fact, they were both journalists who had lent their support to the government in the past,' he said.

'However, there are also a number of shortcomings that Turkey needs to tackle swiftly. The Commission at various occasions expressed strong concern as regards respect for fundamental rights, and in particular freedom of expression and detention on remand,' said Jean Maurice Ripert, the EU's new Ambassador in Ankara, while expounding on the EU's position.

EU Chief Negotiator and State Minister Egemen Bagis, who was present on the first day of the meeting, responded to these criticisms.

'Ask that question to Nuray Mert and those who took her column away. How do I know? It must be either because her columns go unread or because her bosses dislike the ideas she entertains. This, however, cannot have anything to do with us or the government. If you draw a connection between [her losing her column] and her criticism of the government, then this argument is falsified by the continued occupation of columnists who are far more fiercely critical [of the government] than her,' Bagis said.

Bagis thus concluded his remarks: 'Even if I disagree with her ideas, I attach great importance to Mert's freedom to defend her ideas.'

Just as these talks were underway at the Commission's meeting, weekly British magazine the Economist also brought up Nuray Mert's situation. Nuray Mert was 'fired from her job' due to her dissident views, the Economist wrote.

What do all these debates, writings and the close interest shown by Western embassies toward Nuray Mert indicate?

It seems the situation of dissident journalists is entering the agenda of European institutions, and the European public in general, as a new item in the list of the problems of Turkish democracy, after the case of arrested journalists. Apparently, we are going to hear the names of Ece Temelkuran, Mehmet Altan, Nuray Mert, Banu Given and others rather frequently in the coming period.

The gaze then turns, of course, toward the government in wake of all these criticisms. It constitutes a separate matter for consideration the degree to which the government has any direct responsibility in these arrangements. Even in circumstances where the government does not bear any direct responsibility, the drawing of a connection between such practices that target journalists and the scope and the breadth of the freedom of expression in the country is inevitable.

To some extent, such practices of this kind are also viewed as a consequence, a reflection, or a by-product of the general political climate that holds sway in a country. Moreover, to a significant degree, it is none other than the government that is liable for this climate through its style, rhetoric, behavioural patterns and sometimes its passivity.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in the habit of underlining the importance he ascribes to the freedom of expression at every turn. "We would not consent to others being subjected to what was done to us," he had said at a reception of the daily Zaman last month. "We have been struggling to construe a milieu where everyone [can] speak freely in the language of their choice, and where no one feels the threat of repression hanging over them. We hold no doubts about our ideas, our beliefs and sense of right and wrong. We thus have no fear of anyone else's ideas or thoughts, nor would we obstruct the freedom of expression. And we would not permit those who do want to obstruct it either," he had added.

What does Erdogan, who reminds us at every opportunity that he had "fallen" because of a poem he read, feel when it is journalists who "fall from their columns and programs"?" TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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