Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-03-19

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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 reiterates that the Cyprus negotiations will end in June

[02] Cakici says the rotating presidency is sine qua non for the TDP

[03] Davutoglu on the Cyprus problem

[04] Bagis reiterated that Turkey will recognize the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency only if a solution is found on the Cyprus problem; Turkey's EU aspirations a child's play

[05] Yildiz: Drilling in occupied Famagusta will start soon

[06] KTOEOS: "UBP and AKP looted the country"

[07] Kucuk stated that they will open up international tenders for the renovation of illegal Tymbou airport

[08] Tension reportedly created in the UBP for the oil storage installation in occupied Komi Kepir village

[09] An opinion poll shows that the Turkish Cypriots reject Bagis' statement for annexation

[10] The tradesmen in the walled city in occupied Lefkosia have no customers

[11] CHP's Kilicdaroglu rejects a possible Turkish intervention to Syria

[12] Early Nevruz demonstrations turn into clashes in Istanbul and Diyarbakir

[13] 5 year prison punishment to the student who threw egg at Bagis

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu reiterates that the Cyprus negotiations will end in June

Eroglu said that after this process, they will enter into another negotiating process "with new conditions and new circumstances" and reiterated that during his recent visit to Turkey, he saw that they are in full harmony regarding both their current and the future policies.

Eroglu argued that neither he nor the Turkish Cypriot "people" could accept what the Greek Cypriots want for an agreement and alleged: "Even if you give them the entire Cyprus you cannot satisfy them". Eroglu argued that it is difficult to sit at the same table and try to agree with a person who is only focused on "taking".

Meanwhile, Kibris newspaper (19.03.12) reports that addressing the opening ceremony of the "Tulip Festival" organized by the "municipality" of occupied Yialousa village, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots live freely on these lands because they defend their "state" and "the culture which makes the states to be states". He said no one should have any doubts that he defends the interests of his "people' at the negotiating table.

Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots will live on these lands in peace and security forever under Turkey's guarantees, and added: "You should know that the negotiations are being carried out by taking into considerations the rights we have gained until today and the existing realities".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cakici says the rotating presidency is sine qua non for the TDP

Noting that the issue of the rotating presidency is a sine qua non for the TDP, Cakici said: "We are not searching for any kind of solution. For example, the rotating presidency is sine qua non for us. Let no one expect that we will approve an agreement in which we will be minority".

Cakici alleged that the solution is obstructed by the Greek Cypriot side's stance on the issue of the power sharing in the federal state and by the Turkish side's stance on the issue of governance and power sharing. Cakici said that one of the main points of the deadlock is the issue of cross voting.

He argued: "Mr Christofias is not taking the expected steps especially on the issue of power sharing. We can never ignore this, but Mr Eroglu is following a wrong stance especially on the issue of cross voting".

Noting that the cross voting will not create a situation as bad as it is presented that will be, Cakici noted that nine Turks and one Greek will elect the Turkish leader and nine Greeks and one Turk will elect the Greek leader. "The difference in population will in no way create any injustice in the Turkish side", he added pointing out that in this manner, all leaders will be taking into consideration the sensitivities of both communities.

Cakici said that before the second summit in Greentree, his party submitted a proposal as regards reducing the percentage of 20% to 10% during the cross voting, that at the summit the UN made the same proposal and that the Turkish side responded that it would examine the issue. "This is the right thing to do', he argued.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Davutoglu on the Cyprus problem

Davutoglu stated that even though the "South Cyprus", as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus will take over the EU Term Presidency on July 2012, the Turkish Cypriot side is determined to continue exerting efforts for the solution, adding that Turkey will continue supporting them [Translator's note: means the Turkish Cypriots] until the end.

Davutoglu added also the following: "There is still some hope: If the UN's Secretary-General Special Advisor on Cyprus, Alexander Downer evaluates on March the negotiation process in a positive manner, the Secretary-General may call for a high level meeting on April or at the beginning of May. The result that may come up from this meeting might be an agreement for a new partnership to be in Cyprus that will overtake on July 1st the EU Term Presidency. However, all these hopes would not mean anything if the Greek Cypriot side will not be sincere at the negotiations".

(AK)

[04] Bagis reiterated that Turkey will recognize the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency only if a solution is found on the Cyprus problem; Turkey's EU aspirations a child's play

Delivering a speech at the 25th meeting of the Reform Monitoring Group in Istanbul, Bagis said Turkey would recognize the Greek Cypriot side's presidency if only a mutually acceptable solution is found in Cyprus before the 1st of July.

He also reminded that the Turkish government is carrying out a policy on Cyprus which is focused on a solution.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.03.12) Bagis told reporters in Istanbul on Friday that Turkey would not treat the "Greek Cypriot administration" as a state just because some others were calling it the president.

Bagis said that Turkey would welcome the EU presidency of the "Greek Cypriot administration" if the leaders of the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities reached a solution before July 1, based on political equality that could also be accepted by their communities. "We can also accept EU presidency of the Greek Cypriot administration if there is an umbrella state established by two founder states before July 1".

Bagis said Turkey could hold negotiations with that rotating president in the mentioned cases; however, if there was no solution in Cyprus and if the "Greek Cypriot administration" contacted Turkey, as the rotating president of the union, Turkey would not see it as an interlocutor. "We do not treat countries we do not recognize as a state just because some others call it 'the president'," Bagis said.

Bagis said however, Turkey would go on with its relations with the European Commission, member states, and the European Parliament in such a case. "Turkey would not lose anything if it did not hold Association Council meeting during the rotating presidency of the Greek Cypriot administration and if the Union did not open negotiations with Turkey in that period", Bagis also said.

In response to a question regarding a deadlock in the Cyprus issue, Bagis indicated that it would not be a problem should Turkey freeze relations with the EU if Cyprus takes the EU term presidency on July 1. He noted that Turkey has always supported the need for a solution regarding the reunification of the divided island on equal terms between its Greek and Turkish communities. He said the Turkish stance regarding its non-recognition of Greek Cyprus will not change by mid-summer.

[05] Yildiz: Drilling in occupied Famagusta will start soon

Yildiz stated that the project was delayed because of weather conditions and added that the preparations have been completed and the drilling in the land of occupied Famagusta will start soon.

[06] KTOEOS: "UBP and AKP looted the country"

In a statement under the title: "The people have been made a sucker with the economic crisis as pretext", KTOEOS' chairman Tahir Gokcebel said that the National Unity Party (UBP) "government" and the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) employees are looting the "country".

Gokcebel said that the "government" increased the prices of many essential products such as gas, electricity and fuel, and bought luxury cars for millions of dollars. He noted that the AKP and its "puppet UBP" have completed the project of humiliating and reducing the Turkish Cypriots into a nonentity.

Gokcebel argued that the UBP and the self-styled assembly are working intensively to loot the occupied area and added that with the "forgery of privatization" they are giving away the wealth of the occupied area of Cyprus to the "green capital", as he described the Turkish businessmen who are close to the AKP.

"They have created an image which crowns occupation by distributing public properties to clubs, universities, tariqas [Translator's note: dervish orders], mafia and rich people", he concluded.

Meanwhile, according to Kibris (19.03.12) the "draft-law for privatizations" is expected to be discussed today at the "assembly" of the regime. The opposition parties oppose to this "draft-law" and the paper says that tension is expected during the meeting.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Kucuk stated that they will open up international tenders for the renovation of illegal Tymbou airport

In statements, Kucuk said the most exciting investment in the "TRNC" at the moment will be the renovation and modernization of illegal Tymbou airport adding that the new capacity of illegal Tymbou airport will increase to 5 million passengers per year. He also said that new runways will be made in order for larger planes to land in the "country" as well.

Stating that they are expecting for the "privatization bill" to be approved by the "assembly" on Monday, Kucuk said that in order to modernize the illegal Tymbou airport they will open up international tenders.

Explaining that the tenders will open to everyone, Kucuk said they expected businessmen from Turkey to also take part in the tenders. "In the tenders there is a precondition that 10% of the tenders will be carried out with TRNC owned companies" Kucuk added.

As regards his two-day contacts in Antalya, Kucuk stated that he held fruitful and positive contacts related to tourism and investments.

(AK)

[08] Tension reportedly created in the UBP for the oil storage installation in occupied Komi Kepir village

According to the paper, almost half of the "deputies" of the UBP did not approved giving permission to Rixoh Company for constructing the installations. Among those who disagreed was the "minister of finance" Ersin Tatar, who said that tenders should be invited. The self-styled speaker of the "assembly", Hasan Bozer, Zorlu Tore, Turkay Tokel, Ilkay Kamil, Ergun Serdaroglu, Mutlu Atasayan, Ahmet Eti and Hasan Tacoy also opposed to the construction of the installation. Self-styled ministers of foreign affairs, economy and health, Huseyin Ozgurgun, Sunat Atun and Ahmet Kasif did not participate at the meeting.

The "deputies" expressed doubt because the investment will cost around 200 million Turkish liras whereas the capital of Rixoh is 100 thousands. They also said that they could not understand how 250 persons will be employed at the installations, which will consist of only 36 reservoirs.

(I/Ts.)

[09] An opinion poll shows that the Turkish Cypriots reject Bagis' statement for annexation

According to the poll, 52% of the persons asked, replied "no" to the question if they agree to the statement of the Turkish EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis, that Turkey can annex the occupied area of Cyprus, if there is no solution to the Cyprus problem. In addition, 31% stated that they agree with this statement while 17% replied that they have no opinion on the issue.

In addition, on the question about the form of the solution, 37% of the persons asked replied that they want two independent separate states, 25.6% a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, 11.6% replied that they have no opinion, 6.4% replied that they want annexation with Turkey, 6.4% want confederation based in two separate states, 5.2% wants to gain back their rights derive from the Republic of Cyprus, 5.2% want the current situation to continue and 2% replied that they want a united Cyprus.

Asked if they believe that the negotiation will end up with a solution of the Cyprus problem, 84% stated "no", while 10% said "yes".

The opinion poll was conducted with a sample of 250 persons, 147 men and 143 women via a telephone questionnaire.

[10] The tradesmen in the walled city in occupied Lefkosia have no customers

Speaking to the paper, the tradesmen of the area stated that the persons of Turkish origin (illegal workers) who left the occupied area after benefited by the so-called amnesty law and never went back, were their real customers. They went on and stated that in the places of the Turkish origin workers, persons from Turkmenistan came to the occupied area by they do not do any shopping.

The tradesmen also stated that during the last five years no investment were made in the walled city in occupied Lefkosia and that no one is visiting this area any more.

[11] CHP's Kilicdaroglu rejects a possible Turkish intervention to Syria

In statements while delivering a speech in the central Anatolian province of Nigde, Kemal K1
l1
cdaroglu, chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said that imperialist powers appear to be pressing Turkey to intervene in Syria, while they want to stay away from trouble. "Some are avoiding entering Syria and trying to talk Turkey into doing it", Kilicdaroglu noted, adding that the US, Britain and France all seem determined to avoid militarily involvement in Syria. "Why should we go into Syria? Syria is our neighbour, brother. Why should Muslim nations fire guns at each other?" K1
l1
cdaroglu asked.

[12] Early Nevruz demonstrations turn into clashes in 0
stanbul and Diyarbak1
r

Police used tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to hold an unauthorized demonstration in celebration of Nevruz in 0
stanbul's Kazl1
cesme square.

Protesters barricaded roads near Kazl1
cesme square in Zeytinburnu and threw stones at security forces as police used tear gas and high-pressure water hoses to disperse the group. Passengers in cars and buses passing by the area were also affected by the tear gas. Police also stepped up security on all forms of public transportation that can be used to reach Kazl1
cesme, searching and checking the identity cards of suspicious individuals.

Tram operators were also instructed not to stop at Topkap1
, the stop nearest to Kazl1
cesme. A police helicopter was also used to secure the area. The pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) had requested permission to organize Nevruz celebrations on Sunday, March 18, instead of on the day of Nevruz itself, March 21. However, authorities in 0
stanbul and the predominantly Kurdish province of Diyarbak1
r refused to grant authorization for Sunday, saying celebrations should be held on Wednesday, March 21.

Intelligence reports have suggested the PKK plans to stage bloody attacks during Nevruz, which is celebrated by at least 100,000 people on the streets of Diyarbak1
r alone. Large amounts of explosives have been found in several Turkish cities in recent weeks, which police say were being stored for use for violent attacks to be staged by the terrorist PKK during this year's annual spring festival of Nevruz.

Similar incidents occurred in Diyarbak1
r, particularly in the Baglar district, where tens of thousands gathered at Nevruz Park to celebrate. During the celebrations, eight vehicles owned by a GSM operator were set on fire. Firefighters were blocked by the demonstrators from extinguishing the flames.

BDP Chairman Selahattin Demirtas and Deputies Altan Tan, Leyla Zana, Hasip Kaplan, Aysel Tugluk and Ayla Akat Ata were also present during this demonstration. There was an attack in Sanl1
urfa province at a shopping mall. A large number of protestors who attacked members of the police force with stones were detained.

[13] 5 year prison punishment to the student who threw egg at Bagis

Bag1
s was attending a gathering at Aegean University in 0
zmir when two students started shouting "AKP [the Justice and Development Party] get out, universities are ours," and then hurled eggs. The Minister's bodyguards tried to protect him using umbrellas, but one of the eggs hit him, leaving the Minister with egg on his face.

The two students were detained after the incident and released pending trial.

According to the newly completed indictment, the student who caused the injury, 20-year-old Esin Cal1
skan, faces charges of intentionally causing injury, a crime that is punishable by up to five years in jail. The second student, Ayberk Demirhan, faces an imprisonment of up to two years.

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