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

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

[01] Eroglu will meet with Gul tomorrow in Ankara

[02] Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots are fed up with the Cyprus talks and spoke negatively on cross voting

[03] "Bagis: Two separate states exist on the island". Bagis' dual personality

[04] Cavusoglu supported Bagis' statements

[05] Davutoglu said that Turkey would not resume its EU membership talks, even if 20 chapters were opened to negotiation, if a solution is not reached until 1 July

[06] Yildiz claimed that Turkey can facilitate the transportation of natural gas from Cyprus and Israel, if Tel Aviv resolves the Mavi Marmara dispute

[07] Turkish daily on the Republic of Cyprus' demand to participate to the "Friends of Syria Meeting" in Turkey

[08] The occupation regime was represented in a meeting of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities; Erzurum University was offered land in occupied Akanthou 9. Occupied Famagusta has become a member of the "Life Beyond Tourism portal"

[10] Turkish Cypriot political parties oppose to the building of oil storage facilities in occupied Eptakomi

[11] The Army is the most trusted institution ? political parties the least trusted institution in the occupied area of Cyprus

[12] Turkish Cypriot "deputies" carried out contacts in the UK

[13] Turkish President Gul visited Tunisia

[14] "Education bill passed as brawl rocks panel"

[15] "Hundred-year Silence"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu will meet with Gul tomorrow in Ankara

According to a statement issued by Eroglu's "office", the Turkish Cypriot leader will be accompanied by self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, Eroglu's special advisor Kudret Ozersay, the property expert Selden Hoca and the member of Eroglu's negotiating team Gunes Onar. The Turkish Cypriot delegation will return to the occupied area on the same day.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots are fed up with the Cyprus talks and spoke negatively on cross voting

"People are getting bored with the negotiations which have been continuing for 48 years", alleged Eroglu, adding that they were looking for a solution till July 1, and wanted to conclude the issue this year.

In addition, illegal Bayrak television (10.03.12) broadcast that Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side was bringing the issue of cross-voting to the negotiations table with the aim of discarding the system of a rotational presidency in the event of a settlement. "If cross-voting applies, the Turkish Cypriots will not be able to elect their own leader", Eroglu claimed.

Touching upon the Cyprus problem during a seminar he gave to students, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriot side is willing for an agreement, but alleged that the Greek Cypriot side lacked such will.

Stating that the issue of territory was the most significant chapter of the Cyprus talks, Eroglu alleged that the founding state which didn't own any territory would be brought under the yoke of the other founding state.

[03] "Bagis: Two separate states exist on the island" Bagis' dual personality

Responding to a question by the Egyptian writer Saad Abdulmecit regarding the Cyprus problem, Bagis alleged the following: "Even though the world does not recognize the TRNC, two separate states exist on the island. Their governments are separate, their parliaments are separate, and their institutions are separate. In the last years, efforts are exerted for the unification of these two states. Even though the TRNC had accepted UN former Secretary-General Koffi Annan's initiative, the Greek Cypriot sector rejected it with majority in a referendum. Relying on this, the right of the citizens of the Greek Cypriot sector to enter into the TRNC was recognized. The trade of the EU citizens with the TRNC and even their travel was prevented and the EU did not lift the isolation it applies on the TRNC".

Bagis referred also to Turkey's EU accession course and argued that the obstacles which Ankara is now facing might be lifted one day and recalled that former French and German leaders Chirac and Schroder have been supporting Turkey's accession. "The picture in the EU might change now as well", he alleged.

Asked whether religion is the factor which causes the delay of Turkey's accession by the EU, Bagis argued: "The EU is afraid of Turkey's having a big population, and being a poor Muslim country. However, these three points changed now. While Turkey's economy is continuously growing, the EU countries regressed. The fact that Turkey has a big population should be an advantage in favour of the EU not against it, because the number of the population in Europe decreases and Turkey is an important market for the European companies?"

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (11.03.12), Bagis, in statements to Wall Street Journal said that Turkey's patience is being exhausted on the Cyprus problem and called on the international community to increase its pressure on the Greek Cypriots for a solution in Cyprus. He alleged that Turkey wants a diplomatic solution in Cyprus.

Furthermore, Bagis made exclusive statements to Turkish Cypriot Habardar's editor-in-chief Rasih Resat and the writer in the same paper Ozan Ceyhun, on the reactions for his statement that the annexation of the occupied area of Cyrus to Turkey is an option for them. The paper publishes Bagis' short statement today (12.03.12) under the banner front-page title: "We have offended him!"

Bagis said that he meets with all Turkish Cypriot politicians and makes absolutely no discrimination among them. "I am a telephone call away. They could have called me and asked me what I wanted to say. And if they were not satisfied, they could start attacking through the media".

Resat writes that Bagis was offended and expresses the view that he was right to be offended, because as Resat alleged he was the man, who brought some American Senator to the occupied area of Cyprus through the illegal Tymbou airport (Tr. Note: Actually a number of U.S Senator's Aides illegally visited the occupied area) and works for the Turkish Cypriots in Brussels more than they work for themselves, endangering from time to time Turkey's EU accession course.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (11.03.12) reports that a group of Turkish Cypriot students studying in Ankara under the name "Turkish Cypriot Students Studying in Ankara Initiative" protested against Bagis' statement that the occupied area of Cyprus might be annexed to Turkey. The paper writes that the students protested against Bagis and Turkey's colonialist policy in Cyprus. The students should slogans such as "Know your limits Egemen, Cyprus belongs to the Cypriots".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Cavusoglu supported Bagis' statements

Responding to a question concerning earlier remarks made by the Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis that the breakaway regime and Turkey could be united should the current process fail to produce a solution to the Cyprus problem, Cavusoglu said the Turkish Minister's statements were misinterpreted and distorted by various circles. "What Mr. Bagis meant to say was that Turkey will always be by the side of the TRNC. Therefore there is no use trying to keep this meaning debate going on", he alleged.

Cavusoglu said that the Turkish Minister Egemen Bagis' proved that Turkey and the occupation regime are inseparable and that Turkey will continue to support the occupation regime at every platform.

[05] Davutoglu said that Turkey would not resume its EU membership talks, even if 20 chapters were opened to negotiation, if a solution is not reached until 1 July

Speaking to reporters on a flight to the Netherlands, Davutoglu said that Turkey's policy on the Cyprus problem was based on various principles and methods.

He said these principles included the protection of the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey.

Touching upon the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process, Davutoglu said that Turkey strongly supported the idea of holding a Burgenstock style international conference but alleged that the Greek Cypriot side was refraining from holding such a meeting.

[06] Yildiz claimed that Turkey can facilitate the transportation of natural gas from Cyprus and Israel, if Tel Aviv resolves the Mavi Marmara dispute

"All the feasibility studies conducted are now pointing to Turkey [as the most suitable transportation route]. If we did not have the Mavi Marmara issue with Israel, there could have been many joint projects between us -- and the transportation of natural gas [from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe] would be at the top of the list of those projects. And that would have been only right to do. Yet that natural gas pipeline is not worthy of nine lives we lost," he said on Sunday, speaking to reporters in the southern province of Antalya.

"There is only one way to transport this natural gas. The seabed of the Mediterranean is not ideal for a pipeline. Turkey, on the other hand, has a pipeline infrastructure. Why should it not be used for that purpose? Should we receive an offer, we can speak of such a partnership only when the political foundation is strengthened for it. Energy cannot carry the burden of politics," Yildiz said.

[07] Turkish daily on the Republic of Cyprus' demand to participate to the "Friends of Syria Meeting" in Turkey

The paper continues and writes that Turkey did not took into consideration seriously the message which was sent by the Greek Cypriots via Brussels saying: "invite all EU member- countries to the summit in Istanbul".

The Greek Cypriots writes the paper, took action against this veto, and conveyed to Brussels that they see negatively the realisation of a separate meeting together with the EU, the Arab Union and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The paper continues and adds that the "Greek Cypriot administration", although it is not a member of the OIC, has announced that it sees positively for such a summit to take place in the case that Turkey will not participate. However, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that it is not possible for a Summit for Syria to take place without the participation of Turkey, and thus turned against the stance of the Greek Cypriots, claims the paper.

AK

[08] The occupation regime was represented in a meeting of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities; Erzurum University was offered land in occupied Akanthou

The self-styled minister of interior Nazim Cavusoglu was also among the participants in the Assembly. Pointing out to the importance of the Union, Cavusoglu said that it consists of 1,017 municipalities and therefore they are very happy being a member of this "big family" as "TRNC". "And we feel ourselves stronger today than in the past", he added.

Meanwhile, Kibris (11.03.12) reports that during a visit to Erzurum, Cavusoglu said that they visited Erzurum's Aziziye Municipality because this municipality will be twinned with occupied Akanthou "municipality".

The paper writes that the protocol for Aziziye and Akanthou becoming "twin cities" was signed during the visit of the delegation under Cavusoglu to Erzurum. Kibris notes also that the self-styled mayor of occupied Akanthou offered land to the University of Erzurum to build campus in the occupied area of Cyprus. The university replied that it would consider the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Occupied Famagusta has become a member of the "Life Beyond Tourism portal"

According to the paper, the so-called mayor of occupied Famagusta municipality, Oktay Kayalp and the "rector" of the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU), Prof. Dr. Abdullah Oztoprak, participated to the signing ceremony for the membership contract which took place in Florence, Italy.

The paper adds that Oztoprak and Kayalp carried out several contacts in Florence, and that they met with officials of the Life Beyond project, with officials of Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation and officials of several other international organizations.

As the paper writes, with the membership of the occupied Famagusta municipality to the Life Beyond project, occupied Famagusta will be promoted as the most important cultural and touristic destination.

Giving information about the "Life Beyond Tourism portal", the paper writes that it operates since 2008 from the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation which is based in Florence, Italy and it is a portal that it is considered as a source which provides services to its member cities to promote their cultural heritage, their touristic places and their touristic opportunities.

Speaking on the issue, "mayor" Kayalp, pointed out the importance of the membership of occupied Famagusta to the "Life Beyond Tourism portal" from the point of view of the economical development of the city and thanked also the illegal DAU for their cooperation.

AK

[10] Turkish Cypriot political parties oppose to the building of oil storage facilities in occupied Eptakomi

As the paper writes, the above Turkish Cypriot parties called on the "government" to withdrawn from its plans to built oil storage facilities in occupied Eptakomi and warned that this would eradicate the "country's" future.

The paper adds that the Turkish Cypriot political parties would organize a protest on Wednesday in front of the "prime ministry office".

AK

[11] The Army is the most trusted institution ? political parties the least trusted institution in the occupied area of Cyprus

The opinion polls were conducted by the Centre for Migration Identity and Rights Studies (CMIRS) in February 2010 and November 2011.

According to the paper, in the poll conducted in 2010, 80% of the persons asked replied that they trust the army the most, while 10% replied that they trust the army a little. In addition, in the poll conducted in 2011, 56% of the persons asked replied that they trust the army the most while 30% replied that they trust the army a little.

In addition, according to the 2010 poll, after the army, the institution trusted by the people most is the "justice system" with 44.60%, the Civil Society with 27.5%, the "presidency" with 23.8%, the "government" with

[19] 2%, the "assembly" with 18.8% and the media with 9.40%. The least trusted institution is the political parties with 6.4%.

[12] Turkish Cypriot "deputies" carried out contacts in the UK

As the paper writes, the delegation of the "deputies" composed by Ilkay Kamil and Ejder Aslanbaba "deputies" with UBP and Ozdil Nami and Teberuken Ulucay "deputies" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP).

Giving information to the paper about their contacts in London, Tacoy, chairman of the "committee", characterized them as fruitful and stated, inter alia, that they had the opportunity to understand how the public policy functions in the UK.

Claiming that they went to the UK after an invitation they received by a group of MP's which are responsible for Public Reforms in the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Tacoy said that the Turkish Cypriot "deputies" met also with Kelvin Hopkins, Labour deputy for Luton North, at the House of Lords with Lord Magginis, with Baronnes Meral Hussein, the first and the only Turkish member at the House of Lords, with Lord Empey, former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, with General David Leakey and with the leader of the House of Lords, Lord Strathclyde.

Tacoy further said that they also met with Oya Tuncalu, "representative of the TRNC" in London, and with several representatives and members of Turkish Cypriot NGO's.

AK

[13] Turkish President Gul visited Tunisia

"In this critical period, we are determined to support Tunisia and contribute to its success in every aspect", Gul told reporters on his return from Tunisia to Turkey.

Gul recalled that he was the first President who visited Tunisia after the January 14 revolution in that country, and said that during the meetings with Tunisian officials, they decided to further develop relations in every area.

"We were pleased to see that there was a great success in Tunisia", said Gul, adding that the democracy wave in the Arab world was first triggered in Tunisia which passed on to a democratic regime within a short time. Gul noted that Turkish companies were making big investments in Tunisia, adding that two important airports in this country were constructed and operated by a Turkish company.

[14] "Education bill passed as brawl rocks panel"

Commission chairman Nabi Avci took his opportunity in the midst of the chaos and hastily read out the remaining 20 articles of the draft, which were quickly approved by AKP votes without any discussion.

The whole procedure was completed within 30 minutes, compared to the six-day sessions at which the first six articles were approved.

"Down with the AKP dictatorship," infuriated lawmakers of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), chanted in the corridors of Parliament, as AKP Deputies congratulated and applauded each other.

The scene for the brawl was set earlier, when about 100 AKP lawmakers packed the meeting room an hour ahead of the session, leaving several seats only for the Commission's opposition members. The pre-determined strategy, which followed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's adamant defence of the bill, aimed to block CHP tactics of protracting the debate through crowded attendance and lengthy speeches.

When some 50 CHP lawmakers arrived for the meeting, they found themselves stuck at the door. Their objections led to harsh exchanges that soon degenerated into fistfights and kicks. Two CHP lawmakers collapsed to the floor as plastic bottles flew in the air. One cameraman was taken to hospital with a head injury.

The Commission chairman, however, did not stop the vote and had the whole draft approved amidst the pandemonium.

Avci defended his conduct later and put the blame on the opposition. "The CHP said it would force the withdrawal of the bill. The Commission did not bow down to their threats," he said. CHP lawmakers took the floor about 130 times during the debate, which took almost 92 hours in total, he said.

CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who was meeting with academics and journalists about the bill in Istanbul, condemned the session as "a black stain in the history of democracy" and declared the bill's approval "illegitimate."

Critics say the bill was designed to re-open the secondary school stage of imam-hatip religious schools. The draft is also under fire for its early introduction of vocational classes, and a provision that would open the door to students to opt out of school in favour of home study after eight years. Such arrangements would encourage child labour and undermine the schooling of girls, critics say.

[15] "Hundred-year Silence"

"Sultans could not be criticized in the Ottoman Empire. In the early years, anyone who criticized a sultan would be strangled. Later on, they softened up a little and started sending critics into exile only.

Ittihadists (TR. Note: The members of the Committee of Union and Progress of the Young Turks Ittihad ve Terakki Jemiyet) could also not be criticized. They would have anyone who criticized them shot in the street.

Ataturk could also not be criticized. However, because he was a republican, he went further than either the Ittihadists or the late-period sultans. He would send his critics to the gallows through the Freedom Courts.

Historians know this better but, as far as I know, Ataturk ordered more men executed than Abdulhamit II.

Ismet Inonu could also not be criticized.

The Democrat Party could be criticized in its early years in

government--after all, 'democracy' had arrived. However, [the Democrat Party] also began to jail anyone criticizing it in its later years.

The era of generals began after [the coup of] 27 May [ 1960]. The army was made completely exempt from any criticism.

Now, it is the turn of the AKP [Justice and Development Party] government to be 'exempt from criticism.' They were criticized heavily in their early years, but now the media has reverted to their old habits.

They no longer hang anyone but--I think--now the issue is 'money.' Some do not want to give up the money they made in the new period; some are afraid that they will lose money in one way or another if they criticize the government.

Everyone knows what has followed.

The state is in disarray. We still do not have equality among people. There is no need to enumerate everything one by one. We all know what has happened.

This is the consequence of 'hundred years of silence.'

Criticism is like soap and water for governments; they get dirty if they are not criticized.

Furthermore, dirty governments soil society.

Governments that do not encounter any criticism or reaction for what they do start thinking that they can do anything. Anyone who believes that he can do anything starts attempting to do anything.

Eventually everything descends into chaos.

At this time, we are going through a period of serious contamination. The silence makes the contamination worse every day.

The government has become so accustomed to silence that the Prime Minister immediately resorts to insults as soon as he sees someone speaking up. He turns to the courts if his target answers back.

Generally, I do not sue anyone but the Prime Minister has made a habit of suing us in court. They keep summoning us to the prosecutor's office every so often. As a result, this time we filed a lawsuit against him.

The Prime Minister's screams and shouts, his lawsuits, and his perception that every criticism is an 'operation' against him are not signs of a coherent state of mind.

They keep telling us: 'If you force this government down, who will replace it?'. First, thank heaven, we do not have the power to overthrow governments and to replace them with other parties. Second, when a newspaper reports a story, it is not interested in who may fall and who may rise. Third, a government cannot overthrow a government; it can only expose a situation that may 'require a government to step down.'

Governments fall not because of newspapers but because of their own mistakes.

Indeed, this country came to this point, mistakes multiplied and became compounded on each other, and the situation became intractable precisely because newspapers did not expose the mistakes of governments--based on various calculations--throughout the history of the republic.

Would the Kurdish problem reach this point if the media had rebelled against what happened in Diyarbakir Prison during the 12 September period? Would 17,000 people be shot and would bones gush out of the ground if the media had pursued the first unsolved murder? Would peace be as distant as it is today if the media had disclosed the truth about the disaster that resulted in the deaths of 33 soldiers? Would people suffer so much and would banks be robbed if the media had objected to 28 February?

The situation is not much different today. What may happen if you do not attach importance to the treatment of a senior advisor to the Prime Minister as an 'important source' by a US intelligence organization or if you think it is normal for intelligence from the Prime Minister's office to be leaked to that organization?

The vigorous protestations of that senior advisor on Twitter raise other and more serious questions.

Did this poor man act alone in doing this? Did someone order him to do this? Who ordered him?

If you do not raise questions about [an advisor] becoming an 'intelligence source' for a foreign intelligence organization, you cannot question anything else; then the government becomes confident that it will not be questioned on any issue.

It is such confidence that caused the collapse of our army. It is because of such confidence that it arranged rigged raids, issued memorandums against various governments, and eventually forgot its military function.

The current government may slide into a situation worse than the army's if you imbue it with this unhealthy confidence by remaining silent.

Do not forget that we still have not heard anything about the Uludere massacre. Do not forget that powers that supersede the authority of courts have been granted to the current Prime Minister as well as his successors.

Do not forget that the real murderers of Hrant Dink have not been captured.

Your silence may be earning you money, but you will not have a peaceful and secure country where you can spend that money.

I have nothing to say if you are planning to spend your money somewhere else. If that is what you plan, Stratfor will arrange something for you somewhere." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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