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

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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: "Our strongest support is our state"

[02] Ozersay held contacts in Prague

[03] Kucuk says that giving a military base to Israel will spoil the balances in Cyprus

[04] Talat evaluates the ongoing negotiation process

[05] CTP's Youth Organization calls Eroglu to withdraw from dangerous games that threat to the eradication the Turkish Cypriots

[06] Turkey's new deal with ECHR

[07] Davutoglu will discuss the Cyprus problem with his Italian and Swedish counterparts who are visiting Turkey

[08] "EP calls for Constitution to secure full control of military, guarantee fundamental rights"

[09] New symbol of Turkish Lira revealed

[10] The Syrian National Council will probably inaugurate a military representation in Turkey

[11] The British Minister of State for Europe expressed hope that efforts would increase to find a solution to the Cyprus problem

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: "Our strongest support is our state"

In statements yesterday during a meeting with the "Bright Future Movement" (AYH), Eroglu reiterated the Turkish view that there is no aspect of the Cyprus problem which has not been discussed and added that in order for an agreement to be achieved both sides should want this.

Eroglu said that the groupings [within the Turkish Cypriot community] are not a pleasant development, and added: "After all, we have a state and while we exert efforts to reach an agreement our strongest support is this state".

Eroglu noted that a negotiating process might have two results: either you reach an agreement or not. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been acting for reaching an agreement, but he reiterated that the agreement could not be reached unilaterally.

Referring to the so-called increasing tension in the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus due to the forthcoming presidential elections; Eroglu alleged that it is not possible to think that President Christofias will approach any agreement in such a climate.

Recalling the negotiations between President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, Eroglu argued that there was no positive result from these talks and added: "… There is no aspect of the Cyprus problem which has not been discussed. If Christofias intended to agree, they held meetings with Talat for 18-19 months. And they carried out intensive talks as well. However, there was no result".

Referring to the criticism against him within the Turkish Cypriot community, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot political parties should evaluate the situation not only according to what President Christofias says, but looking at the minutes of the negotiations he [Eroglu] sends to the so-called assembly.

Eroglu argued that a give and take process should be held for reaching an agreement and added that an agreement is not possible without a give and take. He claimed that it is not possible to expect an agreement only with the "flexibility" of the one side and added that if President Christofias has a people behind him, he also has a "people" and they are searching for an agreement which could be accepted by both "peoples" in the direction of these realities. "However, what is important for me is to satisfy my own people", he said adding that he is acting without forgetting the past developments and without rejecting the realities. He argued that an agreement could be lasting if the realities are taken into consideration.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay held contacts in Prague

Ozersay also had a meeting yesterday with high ranking officials from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the negotiation process, the increased role of the UN, as well as the necessary steps that should be taken in order to be able to have successful results prior the 1st of July.

Ozersay, while in Prague, delivered a speech entitled: "Cyprus talks for 44 years: we should look forward" yesterday at the Charles University and answered questions students.

[03] Kucuk says that giving a military base to Israel will spoil the balances in Cyprus

In statements yesterday on a program of Turkish state television (TRT) during his visit to Turkey, Kucuk alleged that contrary to the other two Turkish Cypriot leaders, Eroglu enjoys the support of almost all the parties which are represented in the so-called assembly of the regime. He argued that the Church is an influential factor in politics in the government-controlled area of Cyprus and added that it is not possible to say that President Christofias enjoys strong support by the Church.

Kucuk claimed that the agreements reached by the Republic of Cyprus with Israel and Russia are initiatives which will negatively influence the negotiations and the relations between the "north and the south", as he referred to the relations between the two communities in Cyprus. Kucuk called on the Republic of Cyprus to "come to its senses".

Asked to comment on the demand allegedly made by Israel and Canada to be given military bases in the government controlled area of Cyprus, Kucuk said that this is not an easy decision for the Republic of Cyprus, "because it will spoil the balances". He added: "The agreements of 1960 exist. The guarantees of three states exist. Two states have army [on the island]. Greek army exists, Turkish army exists. The second aspect of the issue is that both Turkey and Greece are members of NATO and it does not seem very possible to give lands from Cyprus to a country outside NATO".

Responding to a question on the Republic of Cyprus' explorations for natural gas and oil, Kucuk alleged that Turkey and the breakaway regime do not act on this issue for the sake of retaliation to the moves of the Republic of Cyprus and added that they have carried out seismic researches in the sea many times in the past. He said that after the "agreement" signed by the breakaway regime with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and the endorsement of this "agreement" by the "parliaments" of the two "countries", they launched a "great preparation". He said that TPAO is about to start searching for oil and that they are determined on this issue. He argued that the underground resources of the island belong to both communities.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (01.03.12, online), as part of his contacts, Kucuk met with the Governor of Istanbul Huseyin Avni Mutlu and the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Kadir Topbas, upon his arrival at Ataturk Airport. He was accompanied by his wife Gulin Kucuk and the self-styled minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel.

Today, Kucuk is expected to deliver a speech at a panel titled: "The secret of success and the TRNC" held within the framework of an annual event organized by the Kucukcekmece Municipality.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Talat evaluates the ongoing negotiation process

Evaluating the latest statements related to the concept of the ongoing negotiation talks in Cyprus, Talat recalled the incidents occurred in the Turkish Cypriot community during the years 2002-2003 and said that taking into account the current developments, he has the impression that we have returned back to those days.

Referring to the latest meetings of the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer with several political parties and NGO's in the occupied area of Cyprus in order to exchange views about the negotiation process, Talat characterized those meetings as natural and added: "If you believe that the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor said negative things to you, you should think the reasons for this instead of reacting". "It means that Downer will not write positive things to his report" Talat added and thus stressed the need to consider this as a warning.

Talat went on saying that he considers that the UN's Secretary General will not be able to lead the negotiation process to a summit. He also stated that he does not expect for the negotiation process to succeed and pointed out that Downer got into action the last days in order to prevent the collapse of the process.

He said that if the current situation will continue to exist, the Greek Cypriot side will not be affected since it is recognized and it is supported not only by one state. "Our Achilles heel is only Turkey's aid, and this is a sin both for us and for Turkey", Talat added.

He went on saying that he does not consider that Eroglu is afraid of being accused about the negotiation process, adding that in fact he might even feel happy for this. "What he fears is to be accused by Turkey", Talat said. He referred then to the report to be prepared in the end of March by the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor, and called everyone to come to their senses.

Asked to comment about the cross voting issue, he said that it is a wrong tactic to turn the cross voting issue as a single-handed issue and added that it is also not right to ask from the new negotiator to withdraw this issue from the proposal package.

Talat went on saying that the Kosovo model will not be considered as an example for them, neither the Taiwan model which is a product of the Cold War as he said.

Referring to the possibility of a referendum to take place in occupied Cyprus in case of the failure of the negotiation process, Talat said that the international community is not interested at the moment for a possible referendum but what gets interesting in and says is to "sit and agree".

Talat expressed also the view that, in case the two sides agree to go on with a referendum and the question to be set will be "Do you agree for a United State or for two independent states", the UN will not object to this.

(AK)

[05] CTP's Youth Organization calls Eroglu to withdraw from dangerous games that threat to the eradication the Turkish Cypriots

The Youth Organization of CTP pointed also in its written statement that the stance of the two leaders at the negotiation table, their proposals and their statements will lead the Cyprus negotiation process to a deadlock.

CTP's youth organization stated the following: "We clearly say that we will not be patient until the elections in south Cyprus in 2013 take place, nor for Mr. Eroglu who is making proposals which are not in the framework of the UN parameters and dispose the basis of the talks. The solution negotiations should continue without delay".

CTP's youth organization continues in its statement calling the two leaders in Cyprus not to play for time and stressed that the policy that the "non solution is the solution" which was created at first by Rauf Denktas and then followed by Eroglu, serves only the chauvinistic powers.

CTP's youth organization called then all sides which are in favour of a federal solution, to act with responsibility and continue the efforts for finding a federal solution in Cyprus based on single sovereignty and singe international identity and citizenship as it is described also in the 23 of May and the 1st of July 2008 agreements that Christofias and Talat agreed to.

(AK)

[06] Turkey's new deal with ECHR

Ergin said that the Government had reached a new consensus with the Court and the cases not passed by the Commissions to be set up in Turkey would not be handled by the ECHR.

In Istanbul, Justice Minister Ergin made some important statements.

The lawsuits opened with the ECHR neared 3 thousand, Ergin said, adding that this number was most likely to hit 3,500 by September 23 by which time the Constitutional Court will accept individual applications.

He further said that Turkey proposed to form a domestic legal channel about those citizens beset with long-drawn-out trials in a bid to prevent the ECHR from having to deal with that burden, and the Court accepted it.

Turkey has offered a case for a pilot application, the Justice Department approved of it and notified the ECHR of it, Ergin went on. He added that a decision is pending from the Court and once the decision comes, the Court would not handle those cases unless they were passed by the Commissions, as in the case of the Loizidou trial whereby Turkey had set up an Immovable Commission in Cyprus or the one set up in Turkey for the victims of "terrorism".

[07] Davutoglu will discuss the Cyprus problem with his Italian and Swedish counterparts who are visiting Turkey

The conference titled: ''Double Transition: Economics and Politics across Europe and the Mediterranean" is organized by Aspen Institute of Italy and will be attended by politicians, businessmen, representatives from universities and media.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will speak at a panel discussion on the Middle East with his Italian counterpart on March 3, a Foreign Ministry statement said on Thursday.

The statement added that Davutoglu will hold bilateral talks with the Italian and Swedish Foreign Ministers to discuss political, economic and cultural relations, Turkish-EU ties, the Cyprus problem, along with regional and international affairs.

[08] "EP calls for Constitution to secure full control of military, guarantee fundamental rights"

This year's report strongly focuses on the shortcomings in fundamental freedoms, freedom of expression and the press in particular.

Approved by 54 "yes" votes against seven "no," the draft report has been received more positively than the previous one, which was roundly criticized by the Turkish Government. The report comes at a time when membership talks with Turkey have come to a virtual halt. While criticizing the shortcomings in terms of fundamental freedoms, the draft calls on the European Union to open chapters 23 and 24, on the judiciary and fundamental freedoms. These two chapters have been closed since 2006, when the EU suspended eight chapters because of ongoing issues in Cyprus.

The report criticized the verdict on the Hrant Dink murder, calling for a thorough investigation that would bring all those responsible to justice.

In a separate paragraph, the draft calls for stronger control over the military. The document "welcomes the continued efforts to improve civilian oversight of the military, in particular the adoption of the Law on the Court of Accounts in December 2010 to ensure civilian oversight of military expenditure; calls for the implementation of the full oversight of the court over the expenses of the military; calls for the gendarmerie and armed forces to be brought under civilian jurisdiction and for the gendarmerie to be brought under the scrutiny of the Ombudsman." While requesting a thorough investigation into the Dink murder, the draft has taken a critical stance on the ongoing coup investigations. Oomen-Ruijten, the first EU politician to call the investigations "an opportunity," has inserted allegations of inconsistent evidence in the investigations into her draft report.

The draft report, expected to be approved by the Plenary at the end of March, strongly calls for a new Constitution that will rectify the ossified problems of the Turkish Republic. In a long paragraph, the draft "expresses its full support to the drafting process of a new civilian Constitution for Turkey as a unique opportunity for true Constitutional reform promoting democracy, the rule of law, guarantees for fundamental rights and freedoms -- in particular freedom of expression and freedom of the media -- pluralism, inclusiveness, good governance, accountability and unity in Turkish society, in full compliance with the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights; calls on all political parties and actors concerned to support and have a positive and constructive approach to the negotiation process of the new Constitution based on consensus and constructive compromise; stresses the need to continue the preparatory work in the drafting process and welcomes in this regard the decision to ensure equal representation to all political forces in the Constitutional Conciliation Committee and the pledge to base the drafting process on the broadest possible consultation of all segments of society in the framework of a process which genuinely engages Turkish civil society; stresses that the new Constitution should uphold the rights of all groups and individuals in Turkey, guarantee the separation of powers, ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and secure full civilian oversight of the military and promote an inclusive concept of Turkish citizenship."

[09] New symbol of Turkish Lira revealed

Tulay Lale, the artist who designed the winning symbol, was given the grand prize at the event.

"Money symbolizes power, prestige and independence just like the flag or (national) anthem," said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his speech there.

He criticized former Governments for a drop in the value of the currency, saying Central Bank Governor Erdem Basci and his team were about to conclude an operation to raise the value of the lira again.

"We are coming to the end of a crucial phase of this operation by adopting such a symbol for the lira and spreading its usage," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, who also heads the Economic Coordination Committee comprised of related cabinet members, said the new symbol was "a sign of 9.5 years of stability and success," referring to the ruling Justice and Development Party's governance during the period.

Basci said that economy officials had given priority to two significant features of the currency symbol and the Turkish economy when making the final decision on the design, which had been simply the initials of "Turkish Lira" (TL).

"The new icon resembles an anchor, which emphasizes that the lira has become a safe investment haven," said Basci, adding that the parallel lines of the new design faced upward, which symbolized the steadily increasing value of the lira and the Turkish economy.

The lira has been increasingly used in international markets in recent years, said Basci, citing data from the Bank for International Settlements. Basci said the use of the lira had increased three-fold in 2010 when compared to 2007, according to the bank.

A new currency symbol was needed to clinch the acquired prestige and raise the recognition level of the lira, he said, adding that the idea of organizing a currency symbol competition was part of the 2011-2015 strategic plan of the Central Bank.

There was strong interest in the competition, which was first announced on Sept. 8, 2011. It received a total of 8,362 applications, he said, noting that only seven of them were shortlisted and three of them were honored with encouragement awards.

Basci said some changes had made to Lale's initial design, which matches the golden ratio.

"We will have the symbol included in the standard character codes used worldwide, " Basci said.

Personal computer operating systems can be updated with software that puts a shortcut on the keyboard, "Alt Gr and T." It can be downloaded from the Central Bank's website.

Firms producing commercial devices will also be able to update the software installed on their products to feature the new currency symbol.

The symbol can be downloaded for computer usage from the Central Bank's website at www.tcmb.gov.tr.

[10] The Syrian National Council will probably inaugurate a military representation in Turkey

The head of Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun, hold a press conference in Paris, France, on Thursday and said that the Council would launch efforts to provide the opponents in the country with weapons.

Ghalioun said they would most probably open a military representation in Turkey to provide the opponents with arms.

Some countries were willing to extend arms assistance to the Council, Ghalioun said, adding that the representation would deal with the distribution of those weapons.

Ghalioun also said that their aim was to protect civilians and not to open a civil war.

[11] The British Minister of State for Europe expressed hope that efforts would increase to find a solution to the Cyprus problem

It is necessary to look for the ways to get Turkey involved in EU matters more, added Lidington who spoke to AA on Friday.

Lidington, who held a meeting with Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis in London yesterday, said that Turkey could attend meetings together with EU leaders.

Rising importance of Turkey in foreign and security policies as well as in Libya, Somalia and Syria means that Britain and Europe should increase their relations with Turkey, added Lidington.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, Lidington expressed his hope that efforts would increase to find a solution to the problem, and said that an agreement would be beneficial not only for the parties in the island but also for other countries.

I never give up hoping, said Lidington when asked whether an agreement will be signed in Cyprus before July --the date the Republic of Cyprus will undertake the rotating presidency of the EU.

We told President Demetris Christofias that efforts for solution should not be wasted, and an agreement should be reached before their EU presidency, said Lidington, adding that the British Government was against the division of the island. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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