Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eroglu alleges that all "citizens" of the "TRNC" will become citizens of a possible "partnership state" and that no refugees exist; An Ottoman approach

[02] CTP: "The separatist mentality is the main reason which causes the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots from the world"

[03] Bagis stated that if a solution is not found to the Cyprus problem by July 1st, all alternatives are open to assessment; He reiterated Turkey's support to the occupation regime

[04] Reactions to Bagis statements continue

[05] Bagis met with the Swedish FM; Bildt stated that the Republic of Cyprus' EU term presidency should not cause "drama"

[06] "A vain gesture from the Greek Cypriots"

[07] The technical committee of cultural heritage visited the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas for technical inspections

[08] So-called minister Amcaoglu participates at OIC's Water Conference in Turkey 9. New "appointments" by the so-called foreign ministry in Washington and Brussels

[10] The occupation regime to participate in Berlin 2012 Tourism Fair

[11] Historical rock tombs in occupied Eptakomi are in a deplorable situation

[12] Davutoglu due to the Netherlands; The Cyprus problem to be discussed

[13] Greenpeace carried out a protest in Istanbul against the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project

[14] Turkey reduces direct defence imports to 10% in 2011 TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu alleges that all "citizens" of the "TRNC" will become citizens of a possible "partnership state" and that no refugees exist; An Ottoman approach

Wanted fugitive Akin said that the association stopped its activities for a while, due to financial difficulties, but it is active again and decided to pay its first visit to Eroglu. He expressed their full support to the Turkish Cypriot leader in the negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem which is based on the win-win principle and includes sovereignty, political equality and the guarantee that the incidents of 1960's will not happen again.

Eroglu pointed out to the existence of the "TRNC" and its "government" and argued that granting the "citizenship" of the regime is among the duties of this "government".

He thanked the "association" for its support and alleged that he is one of those who defend the necessity for a solution in Cyprus, but this does not mean that they could think of surrendering the rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people" to the Greek Cypriots.

Referring to the accusations against him within the Turkish Cypriot community, Eroglu argued that "a movement started recently" and that "these friends can come and we can meet whenever they want". He recalled that the Greek Cypriots, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, will take over the EU term presidency and that they are members of the United Nations and alleged: "We are face to face with a Greek Cypriot state which has nothing to worry about in this position. We are face to face with a mentality which is not obliged to reach an agreement and continuously only wants rights and land from us in order to convince its people to accept an agreement".

Eroglu said that when President Christofias refers to refugees and [Turkish] settlers, he tells him the following: "Thirty eight years passed from 1974 until today. We have no refugees any more. I assume that you as well have settled the problems of your refugees in 38 years and eliminated the migration".

Meanwhile, according to Gunes (06.03.12), in statements during a meeting with a delegation from Turkey's Sakarya Hendek district, Eroglu accused the Greek Cypriots of wanting everything and alleged that "when you give them everything they want, there will be no territory left for the Turkish Cypriots to live here". Eroglu argued that the demands of the Greek Cypriots increased in comparison with the Annan Plan.

Eroglu said that the agreement which will be reached should satisfy the "Turkish people", as he described the Turkish Cypriots, and added: "It should be like this so that I am able to convince my people to accept it, because the agreement which we will reach will go to referendum in the end and it will be valid if the people say yes".

Eroglu said that with Turkey's support they continue to have their "state" and feel stronger at the negotiations because they have such a support.

Moreover, Gunes (06.03.12) reports that in statements during a meeting with the "Property of Equal Value Beneficiaries' Association", as an organization of Turkish Cypriots who abandoned property in the government-controlled area of Cyprus is called, Eroglu said that he will discuss the problems of these persons with the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk. He noted that land, which had not been forest land in the past, was included in this scope so that the Greek Cypriots to be prevented from coming and force the Turkish Cypriots to abandon "their homes", in case of an agreement on the Cyprus problem.

The chairman of the "association" Taner Dervis said that some "beneficiaries" of property of equal value are in indignation and want to apply to the European Court of Human Rights or to the Cyprus Government for their property. He noted that the "association" functioned like a safety valve until today and "directed them positively", but they expect the support of the "government" of the regime. He said that with a "law" enacted in 2007, 200 thousand donums of land [Translator's note; a land measure of 1,000 square meters], which was not considered as forest land before 1974, were included in this scope.

(I/Ts.)

[02] CTP: "The separatist mentality is the main reason which causes the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots from the world"

In a statement outside Eroglu's office, CTP's chairman Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that Eroglu does not take into consideration any constructive proposal on the Cyprus problem and does not have the experience which the two former Turkish Cypriot negotiators had.

Yorgancioglu accused Eroglu of not keeping the promise he gave in the letter he sent to the UN Secretary-General right after his "election" in which he was committed that he would continue the negotiations from the point former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat left them. He noted that Eroglu choose the way of eliminating all agreements reached before him and caused a deadlock in the negotiations by back stepping from the package of proposals submitted (by Talat) on 4 January 2010.

Yorgancioglu said that all the proposals submitted by Eroglu at the negotiating table are a product of a separatist mentality and added: "This separatist mentality is the main reason which causes the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots from the world for years".

Yorgancioglu noted that progress in absolutely no issue was achieved since Eroglu started the negotiations, that no notable step was taken and that Eroglu caused the questioning of the sincerity of the Turkish Cypriot side in the international community by pretending that he discusses for achieving a federation, but "looking for a Taiwanese model from the back door".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Bagis stated that if a solution is not found to the Cyprus problem by July 1st, all alternatives are open to assessment; He reiterated Turkey's support to the occupation regime

Speaking to the Ankara Anatolia correspondent, Bagis said: "Our goal is a solution on which both parties agree in Cyprus as well as a United Cyprus assuming the term presidency of EU in July (2012). But if a solution is not reached, then all alternatives are open to assessment."

Bagis said Turkey would not leave the "TRNC" alone. "Turkey and the TRNC wanted the comprehensive solution talks under the UN to be completed successfully. TRNC without Turkey and Turkey without TRNC are out of question", he added.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.03.12) reports that in statements during a press conference with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule's spokesman Peter Stano, Bagis stated the following:

"The reporter asked if Turkish Cyprus could be annexed to Turkey, and I said it might be an alternative. We are not drawing up a new policy on Cyprus. Our main goal is to reach a solution as soon as possible. But if we can't come to a solution, nobody should expect Turkey will leave the Turkish Cypriots alone."

Also, the Anatolia news agency reported that the European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule's spokesman Peter Stano said that the European Commission considers one solution for Cyprus: reunification of the island under a federation embracing the two communities.

When Stano was asked about Bagis' remarks, he replied that the European Commission did not comment on individual's remarks. "The Commission called on both sides of the island to focus their energies on reaching a solution", he said.

[04] Reactions to Bagis statements continue

Moreover, the general secretary of the CTP Asim Akansoy said that Bagis' statements insulted the Turkish Cypriots and is unacceptable. "The last thing they could accuse us of is being supporters of the Greek Cypriots. We condemn Bagis", he noted in statement on a TV program. He said that the old nationalist statements returned back in Turkey and that the policy of being one step forward ended.

In addition, Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party criticized Bagis and said that they are representatives of the "people" and that they are no one's puppets. Cakici noted that he read Bagis' statements syllable by syllable, as the Turkish Minister had advised them to do, and understood very well what he wanted to say. He added: "And the conclusion which I reached is that the conqueror's mentality has no place in today's politics, that it has no benefit for Turkey which in on its way towards the EU and furthermore I analysed that making such statements these days when the report of the UN for Cyprus will be issued could bring nothing but harm".

Furthermore, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party, Izzet Izcan issued a statement yesterday noting that Bagis showed the real intentions of Ankara.

In the same spirit, the general secretary of the Primary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) Sener Elcil pointed out that Bagis' statements showed who the side, which really supports the non-solution is. Elcil noted that the policy followed by the Turkish side and the statement made have only one goal: to integrate the northern part of Cyprus with Turkey.

Meanwhile, self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk argued that some options must be considered in case the negotiations come to a deadlock and added that the statement of Bagis that "the TRNC might be annexed to Turkey" is one of the options. "If there will be an interruption in the negotiations, the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people could not wait. Therefore, the Turkish Cypriot leadership, which is always in cooperation with Turkey in the ongoing negotiations, will come to a point of producing new decisions on this issue", he argued. Kucuk said that Bagis referred to many options, not just one.

Furthermore, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, chairman of the Democracy and Trust Party (DGP), argued that the only option of the Turkish Cypriots is not to be united with the Greek Cypriots and no one has the right to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a people who begs. "Naturally, the most fundamental wish we have is for the state which we established to become member of the international community of states and we believe in the necessity of giving the struggle which could not be given until today in this direction", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Bagis met with the Swedish FM; Bildt stated that the Republic of Cyprus' EU term presidency should not cause "drama"

The Swedish Foreign Minister said that "Cyprus' EU presidency term" should not cause "drama" as the post "has a much more limited role."

Bildt said in a recent interview with daily Hurriyet the following: "It is just chairing meetings but it is not dictating to decide politics [?] I think in those six months you will see that the world is still there".

Bildt said he did not believe much would change after July 1. "When you are in the presidency you are the spokesman for the entire EU and you can be the spokesman for your national line less."

Bildt said both sides in the ongoing negotiations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots still lacked "flexibility." He said the U.N.-led talks on the island would not last forever, adding, "We know roughly how a compromise might look."

Turkey's accession talks with the EU had slowed down, Bildt said, citing the state of the reform process in Turkey itself. "We should not neglect the fact that some chapters are not opened due to the fact that work is slow in Turkey," Bildt added.

He also said a new constitution could solve issues like the Kurdish problem and violations of press freedom in Turkey. "It will be extremely important to solve all those kinds of problems in a constitution," said Bildt. "The basic issue is now down to the constitution. This country still has a constitution from another political year."

He said the belief on the "the Kurdish side and Government side that there is a military solution" to the Kurdish problem had significantly diminished.

Bildt said further that the Stratfor emails leaked by Wikileaks, in which he is accused of being a United States agent and lobbying against Turkey, were untrue. "It is just a smear so far [?] But it was low-level gossip which had no credibility with anyone," said Bildt.

[06] "A vain gesture from the Greek Cypriots"

The paper quoted Turkish diplomatic sources saying that they did not receive any official information on the matter from Brussels, adding that these news appeared at the Greek Cypriot press to test the waters. They also said that it was a tactical stance lacking good will, adding: "The Greek Cypriots are in a pursuit of a game: 'We have good will towards Turkey, but Turkey does not accept us as interlocutor'."

The paper also quoted the following by the Turkish diplomatic sources: "Since there is a lot of good will, let them open these chapters immediately tomorrow during Denmark's term presidency without expecting their own presidency. Turkey on this issue will negotiate the chapters. Let's say that the EU needs time, we are ready to wait. After the 6 months from the Greek Cypriot sector term presidency passes, the chapters will open and we will negotiate them. With such simple tactical things, we don't have time to waste. Our aim is a comprehensive solution in Cyprus. The approval of the Greek Cypriots to a Positive Agenda with the opening of two negotiation chapters will not open the road to the recognition of the term presidency on 1st of July and that we will receive them as interlocutor."

The paper publishes a report from Brussels by Zeynel Lule, where it reports that Cyprus, upon pressure from the EU, accepted the opening to negotiations of the two chapters, 23 and 24.

Turkey's Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, during the meeting of EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee two weeks ago, said that the EU criticized a lot Turkey on the issue of justice, however, the related chapters to this issue did not open for negotiation, adding: "This is our homework. The EU did not inform us for our homework, and after, it criticizes us for being late to do our homework."

The paper reports that EU officials confirmed that these chapters may be opened to negotiations, explaining that the "Greek Cypriot veto" which was imposed on chapters 23 and 24 was lifted.

The "great contradiction" mentioned through Turkey's Justice Minister in Brussels and the increased pressure on the Greek Cypriots are said to have influenced the lifting of the veto. Moreover, it is discussed at the backstage that South Cyprus, as the paper refers to the Republic of Cyprus, which will take over the EU term presidency from Denmark on July for six months, wants to take a step in order to show a good will. Cyprus will continue to impose veto in the other four chapters, the paper reports.

[07] The technical committee of cultural heritage visited the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas for technical inspections

Ozersay, in a statement, evaluated the visit as the "first step for the restoration" and asked that the restoration of the Monastery of Apostolos Andreas not to be exploited politically. He also called the EU and other international institutions to contribute financially in the restoration.

Ozersay also said that they plan to start the restoration works as soon as possible, adding that at the first stage they will ask for tenders. Noting that the tenders will be made within the framework of conditions that the two sides have reached, Ozersay said that the restoration, which will be done accordingly to the original building plan, may continue for a long time.

Kemal Kaymakamzade, a Turkish Cypriot member of the committee, in statements to illegal Bayrak, said that the Monastery will be restored within the framework of a project prepared by a Greek University and approved by the "supreme monuments council".

[08] So-called minister Amcaoglu participates at OIC's Water Conference in Turkey

During his stay in 0
stanbul, so-called minister Amcaoglu will be meeting with Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu as well as with Ministers and officials responsible for water works from various other countries.

The objectives of the Conference include, among other, the adoption of the OIC Water vision document which has been prepared by an Advisory Panel of Experts, composed of prominent experts from all the OIC regions, pursuant to the decisions adopted by the 37th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC.

[09] New "appointments" by the so-called foreign ministry in Washington and Brussels

According to the paper, Dilek Yavuz Yanik who was the "representative" of the occupation regime in Washington since 2010 returned to the "foreign ministry". Also, Erdengiz was performing duties at the "representation in Brussels" since 2009 and Alpman was performing duties as the "director" of the "Department of Information and Political Affairs of the foreign ministry". The new "appointments" by the "foreign ministry" will be valid as of March 15.

(AK)

[10] The occupation regime to participate in Berlin 2012 Tourism Fair

As the paper writes, the occupation regime will participate to the fair with a 169 square meters stand. Several NGO's, airline companies, as well as the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture will also participate to the Fair, writes the paper.

The paper adds that a delegation composed by Sahap Asikoglu, "undersecretary" of the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture, as well as representatives of the tourism and bank sectors in the occupied area of Cyprus, will depart today from the occupied area and travel to Berlin via Istanbul. The so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel is expected to visit the fair later, writes the paper.

According to information acquired by the so-called ministry, the occupation regime's stand in the fair will have as a concept the occupied Bellapais Monastery.

(AK)

[11] Historical carved tombs in occupied Eptakomi are in a deplorable situation

As the paper writes, in a research which was carried out by the paper in the occupied Eptakomi village, it was found out that the historical tombs are being destroyed since the carved tombs are full of mounds.

Speaking to the paper, the assistant director of the so-called department of archaeology and antiquities confirmed that the tombs which are found in the area belong to the Hellenistic period and stressed the need to take measures in order to protect them.

(AK)

[12] Davutoglu due to the Netherlands; The Cyprus problem to be discussed

Davutoglu is also scheduled to hold a series of talks on the side-lines of the official visit upon the invitation of Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal. The Wittenburg Conference is expected to discuss ways to boost cooperation in cultural relations, economy and energy, migration and integration as well as the struggle against cross-border threats.

Davutoglu is also expected to hold talks on Turkey's European Union membership process as well as on Cyprus, and the latest regional and international developments.

Turkey and the Netherlands celebrate in 2012 the 400th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

[13] Greenpeace carried out a protest in Istanbul against the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project

The Greenpeace members assembled mock gravestones with nuclear warning symbols and the names of Turkish cities.

Protestors, many of whom donned gas masks, held placards bearing messages such as "Let's not let Akkuyu be another Fukushima" and "The responsibility is yours."

Speaking at the protest, which passed off peacefully, Greenpeace Mediterranean Climate and Energy Campaign Manager Cenk Levi said Turkey should take note of the Fukushima nuclear disaster where toxic radioactive materials were released with devastating effects at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in the aftermath of the Tokyo earthquake and tsunami on March 11 last year, and seek instead to utilize renewable energy sources. "Turkey should be looking into wind and solar sources instead of setting up nuclear power plants," Levi said.

Turkey has accelerated its efforts to establish a nuclear power plant in Mersin's Akkuyu district in an effort to reduce its dependency on energy imports, an issue which the Ministry of Energy has reiterated several times is of significant importance.

Referring to concerns over the security of a nuclear plant at a time when many European countries have given up installing new plants following the Fukushima accident, the Turkish Government has noted that Turkey will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of such a project.

[14] Turkey reduces direct defence imports to 10% in 2011

According to a report prepared by the Undersecretariat for the Defence Industry (SSM) in January 2012, only 10 % of the country's defence industry needs were directly met by foreign companies in 2011, while most of its needs are now being met by local companies and joint consortiums.

Despite being one of the largest armies in NATO, Turkey used to be a technologically dependent country in the field of defence and made huge weapons purchases from its allies, including the US and Israel, straining its economy in the past.

As part of a new vigorous policy adopted over the past decade, national defence firms have been favoured in weapons procurement to feed the country's defence industry, the report stated. Dependency on foreign technology decreased to below 50 % over the past decade, which marked substantial progress in the field of defence in comparison to a decade ago, when 80%-85% of Turkey's defence needs were met by foreign import.

The report also indicates that 49 % of weapons purchased by Turkey came from foreign companies that had Turkish partners carrying out production, while 32 % of its defense needs were met by domestic firms in 2011.

In recent years, Turkey has produced its own warship, tank and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), called Anka, to replace Israeli-made Herons.

UAVs are crucial in Turkey's fight against the terrorist the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey's Southeast and Anka is of grave importance considering the tense relations with Israel that now makes purchasing new Herons almost impossible.

Turkey's Anka is expected to be operational by June 2012.

As part of the goal to beef up the country's defence industry, a considerable amount of money has been spent on research and development projects where Turkish firms are either the sole producer or the main producer in a joint consortium.

Whereas in 2002 Turkey only spent $5.5 billion on defence research projects, $27.3 billion was spent in 2011 to facilitate innovation and technological development of the defence industry, the report states.

Local production became a condition in many contracts concerning weapons procurement, paving the way for enormous investments in this industry being made by domestic firms, which have also enjoyed financial backing from the state. Despite the 2001 economic crisis and its profound impact on unemployment and other social policies in the years that followed, no cuts have been made to defence spending in Turkey. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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