Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-05

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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] Ozersay argues that they should create a new status quo in Cyprus without depending on the consent of the Greek Cypriots

[02] CTP: "Eroglu brought the process to the point of being interrupted"

[03] The equipment to be used in the land drilling for oil in the occupied area of Cyprus continues to come

[04] Ozgurgun comments on the EP's report on Turkey; He alleged that the report is unfortunate and inaccurate; Is he too busy to read UNSC Resolution 550?

[05] Davutoglu met with his Belgian counterpart; He reiterated that Turkey will not hold any talks with the Republic of Cyprus after July 1st

[06] Turkish and Romanian Ministers sign MoU to cooperate in EU matters; Statements by Bagis on the Cyprus problem

[07] The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office welcomed the British Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs' report on Turkey

[08] TSK's Commander General Kivrikoglu met with Talat

[09] Serdar Denktas met with Erdogan and Davutoglu; The Cyprus negotiation talks the matter of discussion

[10] KTOS and YKP on AKP's policy to assimilate the Turkish Cypriots; KTOS admits that Turkey imposes to the Turkish Cypriots its official positions

[11] Another Turkish Cypriot claims to be the owner of the land on which Larnaka International Airport is built

[12] The British Government decided to provide visa easiness to so-called ministers

[13] Turkey to grant 3 million TL for the development of tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus

[14] The allegations that the Turkish Cypriot "tae Kwon do federation" won a European championship in Moldova were proved to be untrue

[15] Retired General Kenan Evren on trial for the 1980 coup

[16] Turkey to appoint science attach?s in Turkish Embassies abroad

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay argues that they should create a new status quo in Cyprus without depending on the consent of the Greek Cypriots

Ozersay argued that the status quo in Cyprus is a system of relations exploited by many circles and persons in the occupied area and free areas of Cyprus as well as circles outside the island. He alleged that the political elite in the government-controlled area of Cyprus exploits this status quo and reiterated the Turkish allegations as regards the accession of the Republic of Cyprus into the EU without fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria and as regards the existence of a unitary state, which is governed by only one community and seems to violate its own Constitution and the international agreements. He argued that "in case negotiations without result continue, the Greek Cypriot side is given the possibility to hide this situation".

Ozersay added, inter alia, the following: "?There is no such thing as 'we can do nothing as long as the Greek Cypriots do not give their approval'. There are a lot of things which we can do without being depended on the Greek Cypriots. Both with decisions which we could take inside the country, and with our relations with Turkey and with steps which we could take in harmony with the international law, we could save the future of the Turkish Cypriots from being condemned to the consent of the Greek Cypriots?You (the Turkish Cypriots) put forward that you are ready for negotiations which will have a result and that you have the will and a vision on the issue of the negotiations, but you end the unproductive negotiations and face the reality. You (the Turkish Cypriots) could take comprehensive steps in order to change the situation which various circles exploit as derivates of the non-solution. None of these steps is depended on the consent of the Greek Cypriots. The steps to be taken should have the character of creating a new situation in the place of the status quo, that is, of the existing situation. This is, I think, a new way, that is, it is the way."

(I/Ts.)

[02] CTP: "Eroglu brought the process to the point of being interrupted"

The party recalls that in the past it had warned that wrong steps are made in the negotiations by Eroglu's team and had expressed the concern that the process would be interrupted. CTP-BG accuses Eroglu of abandoning the package submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side on 4 December 2010, of approving the Greek Cypriot position that an international conference on the Cyprus problem could be held only after the internal aspects are solved and of not raising objections to this position to become a UN position. Moreover, the party accuses Eroglu of not sharing in time the data he had promised to share on the property issue and of giving a trump card in this manner to the Greek Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The equipment to be used in the land drilling for oil in the occupied area of Cyprus continues to come

It is noted that with the shipments which came to the occupied area of Cyprus within the past three days, the containers where the workers will be sheltered have been completed and that a part of the equipment of the drilling tower has also arrived. The assembling of the tower is expected to start within the next few days.

Citing information from a reliable source, the paper writes that 30 more containers are expected to arrive today at occupied Keryneia's port. The paper writes that 200 containers will be dispatched to the occupied area for a period of approximately three weeks and that the drilling will start after one month.

Meanwhile, according to Haberdar (05.04.12), the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk told Anatolia news agency that transferring water to the occupied area of Cyprus and finding oil in the drilling which will be carried out by TPAO, would secure a very big contribution to the economy of the breakaway regime. "When the water and the oil are combined, no one will be able to stand in front of our economy", Kucuk argued.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozgurgun comments on the EP's report on Turkey; He alleged that the report is unfortunate and inaccurate; Is he too busy to read UNSC Resolution 550?

Ozgurgun said the report is not helpful towards efforts to find a fair and lasting settlement to Cyprus issue within the good will mission of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General. "What we expect from concerned third parties is to encourage the Greek Cypriots for a solution, or at least to refrain from steps that could make the Greek Cypriot administration a more uncompromising party," Ozgurgun said.

Ozgurgun said the report ignored the "TRNC" and facts in Cyprus, and tried to consider the issue as an issue between the "Greek Cypriot administration" and Turkey. "It will be useful to remind all concerned parties, particularly the Greek Cypriot administration, that the Greek Cypriot's interlocutor is the Turkish Cypriots, not Turkey," Ozgurgun said.

Ozgurgun said Turkey and the "TRNC" had assumed a sincere and constructive attitude to contribute to a settlement; however the report called on Turkey to start withdrawing its soldiers from the island in order to create a suitable ground for negotiations and to give Maras (Varosha) to the UN in order to launch direct trade with the world. "This call (stance) is unacceptable, and this call ignores the fact that it is the TRNC that has all authorization regarding Maras, not Turkey," Ozgurgun said.

Ozgurgun said calling on the "Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces", which had ensured peace and order in Cyprus for 38 years, to withdraw from the island was something that would jeopardize Turkish Cypriot "people's" security and future, and noted that it was out of question to take such a unilateral step.

Ozgurgun also defined conditioning direct trade with Turkish Cypriots on Maras' transfer as an indicator of the EP's insincerity about Cyprus.

Ozgurgun said the report also tried to make economic zone initiatives of the "Greek Cypriot administration" legitimate, and noted that it was impossible for the "Greek Cypriot administration" to make a decision and take steps on its own regarding naval authorization areas.

The so-called minister once more reiterated the Turkish Cypriots determination to protect their equal rights and interests in the island with the full support of Turkey.

The EP released its report on Turkey on March 29. The report, prepared by European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey Ria Oomen-Ruijten, was approved at the EP with majority of votes.

The report said that "a fair and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue is now urgent", calling on Turkey "to begin withdrawing its forces from Cyprus and to transfer Famagusta to the United Nations."

The report noted that the refusal of Turkey to implement the so-called Ankara protocol (which provides Turkey to open its airports and ports for the countries that joined the EU in 2004, including the Republic of Cyprus), "continued to deeply affect the process of negotiations, and called on the Turkish Government to implement the protocol in full without further delay."

[05] Davutoglu met with his Belgian counterpart; He reiterated that Turkey will not hold any talks with the Republic of Cyprus after July 1st

Speaking at a joint press conference with the Belgian Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders after a tete-a-tete meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, Davutoglu said that they discussed bilateral relations, Turkey-EU relations and the developments in the region.

"We had a chance to discuss counter-terrorism. We expect close cooperation from our European allies in counter-terrorism for security and tranquillity in Europe and stability in Turkey as well as the region. Our security forces are in constant touch with the Belgian authorities in counter-terrorism. We will be in full solidarity with Belgium against terror in the future", Davutoglu noted.

"There is a great potential in Turkish-Belgian economic relations. The total trade volume in 2011 increased 20 % when compared to the previous year. Our businesspeople could cooperate in third countries", Davutoglu stressed.

On Cyprus, Davutoglu said: "We discussed Turkey's relations with the EU and the issue of Cyprus. I have informed Reynders that, unless a solution is reached in Cyprus by July 1, Turkey will not hold any talks with the EU Term President Greek Cypriots".

On the issue of visas, Davutoglu underlined that Turkey expected understanding from all EU countries, including Belgium.

Reynders, on his part, said he wanted to congratulate Davutoglu for the recent meeting of the "Friends of Syria" in Istanbul.

"Violence in Syria must come to an end. There will soon be important developments in the region", Reynders stressed, adding that "Turkey is a crucial country in the region and in the EU. Turkish-Belgian relations are at an excellent point".

"Belgium extends full support to Turkey's EU membership. We will tell certain counterparts in Europe that progress in Turkey's EU process is important", Reynders indicated.

"We held very positive talks today. A NATO meeting will take place in Chicago in May. Consultations with Turkey are crucial for NATO and EU's common security policy. We will develop these relations in the upcoming term", Reynders added.

[06] Turkish and Romanian Ministers sign MoU to cooperate in EU matters; Statements by Bagis on the Cyprus problem

In a joint press conference in Bucharest, Bagis said that Romania was one of the strongest supporters of Turkey within the EU.

Bagis said that EU reforms made both countries more modern, adding that Turkish-Romanian relations are 134 years old, and they would continue to develop the relations.

Commenting on Turkey-EU relations, Bagis said that Turkey's need for the EU is decreasing each day, while EU's need for Turkey is rising.

Noting that despite Turkey's possible contributions in the EU, Turkish citizens were still waiting on visa lines during EU membership negotiations, Bagis said that although there was a free movement right for products of Turkey as a Customs Union member, Turkish businessmen could not move freely in European countries. "The Cyprus issue was not an obstacle for Greek Cypriot administration's EU membership, but it is like a pre-condition for Turkey's membership", he alleged.

The Romanian Minister, on his part, said that his country supported Turkey's EU membership, adding that the two countries would share their experiences thanks to the MoU.

Orban said that they would apply some formula to ease visa procedures for Turkey, thus, Turkish businessmen would enter Romania more easily.

[07] The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office welcomed the British Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs' report on Turkey

"We also welcome the Committee's endorsement of the Government's steadfast support for Turkey's EU accession, as an important element of the bilateral relationship. We believe that Turkish accession would be to the wider benefit of the UK and EU, contributing to our prosperity, security and stability. Turkey has made clear its firm strategic commitment to accession to the EU, and successive European Councils have made clear that Turkey is a candidate for full membership of the EU," said the Office.

The Office noted also the following: "The UK is working closely with the Turkish Government, both bilaterally and with the EU to prepare Turkey for accession to the EU. In 2011-12, we have offered technical assistance on a range of issues, including freedom of expression, women's rights, and judicial and public administration reform."

"We welcome the Committee's recognition of the strength of UK-Turkey ties. We work closely with Turkey on foreign policy issues critical to UK interests including Syria, the Iran nuclear issue, Somalia, Afghanistan and the Western Balkans. The Prime Minister has committed to doubling bilateral trade with Turkey over the next five years. Total trade reached 9.1 billion pound in 2011 - an increase of 40 % since 2009. The Government is committed to building on this success by raising awareness of market opportunities in Turkey amongst UK exporters, and tackling outstanding market access issues," said the Office.

It noted also the following: "The Committee has highlighted a number of concerns on human rights, particularly freedom of expression. We share the concerns expressed by the European Commission about Turkey's human rights record, and we encourage the Turkish Government to take further steps to encourage greater freedom of expression particularly in the media. We welcome recent steps taken by the Turkish Government to reform its judicial system and look forward to further progress."

"The Committee also raised the Cyprus settlement negotiations, where we are committed to supporting the UN's efforts to achieve a settlement based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality," it added.

[08] TSK's Commander General Kivrikoglu met with Talat

Speaking during the meeting, Kirvikoglu praised Talat for the efforts he exerted during his term as "president" at the negotiation talks and for the efforts exerted for the development of the "TRNC".

On his part, Talat recalled that the period he was "president", was a very difficult period for politics because of the intransigent attitude of the former Greek Cypriot president Tassos Papadopoulos, as he said.

He also referred to the importance of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the "Peace Forces" in Cyprus for the security and tranquillity of the Turkish Cypriots.

(AK)

[09] Serdar Denktas met with Erdogan and Davutoglu; The Cyprus negotiation talks the matter of discussion

The meeting took place at AKP's headquarters and was closed to the press. No statements were made after the meeting.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Hurriyet (04.04.12-online version), Denktas met also with the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

According to information acquired, the developments in the Cyprus negotiation talks as well as the latest developments in the "TRNC" were discussed during the meeting.

According to the paper, during the meeting, Davutoglu reiterated that Turkey will continue to support the "TRNC" and the Turkish Cypriot "people".

The paper notes that the developments in the Middle East were also discussed during the meeting.

(AK)

[10] KTOS and YKP on AKP's policy to assimilate the Turkish Cypriots; KTOS admits that Turkey imposes to the Turkish Cypriots its official positions

Referring to the protocols signed in January 2012 by the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk and Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay which envisages that Turkey will grant 200 thousand TL to the occupation regime for education technologies and 10 million TL for the project of developing the religious services in occupied Cyprus, both Elcil and Kanatli agreed that those efforts are a part of the AKP policy to assimilate the Turkish Cypriots, since more money will be used for the construction and restoration of mosques, instead of schools.

Elcil stated on the issue the following: "Looking to these figures, it is obvious Sunni Islam is to be imposed to our island in the north. At the moment, there are 162 schools and 192 mosques. They still built mosques but not schools... I think that they are trying to change the secular structure of the Turkish Cypriots...".

On his part, Kanatli said: "AKP's policy is based on the assimilation of Cyprus. It feeds the paradise of privatizations...".

Meanwhile, the same paper reports also that KTOS trade union, in a press conference yesterday evaluated the contacts they carried out in Brussels on March 27-30.

In the press conference, KTOS supported that the Turkish Cypriot community has a representation problem in its contacts abroad, stressing that the members of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the UBP (National Unity Party) who are regularly carry out visits abroad as "MP's" and who allege that they represent the Turkish Cypriots, they in fact transfer to the international community the official positions that the Foreign Ministry of Turkey imposes to them.

(AK)

[11] Another Turkish Cypriot claims to be the owner of the land on which Larnaka International Airport is built

She argued that in 1900, after getting the permission of the then British colonial government of Cyprus, her grandparents, Osman Mustafa Kizil and Ayse Mustafa Kizil had taken and improved the land, which was in a bad situation. She said that 60 years later they applied to court against the British Government and after a long-lasting trial, the court decided to give the field to her grandfather, who died before being able to take the court decision to the Land and Survey Department to be given title deed. She noted that afterwards they applied to court asking for the land to be transferred to her grandmother and that a positive decision was reportedly taken after three years. She allegedly also died before being able to go to the Land and Survey Department. She said that after the 1974Turkish invasion of Cyprus, they moved to occupied Famagusta, but applied once more for their so-called property. When they found out that an airport was built on it, they asked for compensation, she said.

(I/Ts.)

[12] The British Government decided to provide visa easiness to so-called ministers

As the paper writes, despite of all the efforts exerted by the "Greek Cypriot Administration" as the Republic of Cyprus is called, to prevent the "TRNC" to become legitimate with the above mentioned implementation, the High Commission in Cyprus has begun implementing the decision for visa easiness to "TRNC" ministers as of yesterday.

(AK)

[13] Turkey to grant 3 million TL for the development of tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus

Accordingly, 19 Turkish Cypriot facilities have been chosen as eligible to receive a total of 3 million Turkish liras in 2012 from Turkey.

The names of the 19 Turkish Cypriot touristic facilities who were eligible to receive grants were announced on Wednesday in a press conference held in occupied Lefkosia with the participation of the so-called Turkish embassy, the "ministry of tourism, environment and culture" and Turkey's Cukurova Development Agency.

[14] The allegations that the Turkish Cypriot "tae Kwon do federation" won a European championship in Moldova were proved to be untrue

According to the paper, the name of the "TRNC" was not mentioned on the festival's webpage in the address wwww.voievod.org. Only the name of Turkey and the Turkish flag is mentioned, writes Kibris adding that the champions in the tae Kwon do competitions were the athletes from Moldova, followed by the Russians in the second place and the Turks in the third. According to the same information, Turkey, Iran, the Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Belarus and Moldova were the countries which participated in the tournament.

(I/Ts.)

[15] Retired General Kenan Evren on trial for the 1980 coup

Fifty people were executed and half a million arrested, hundreds died in jail, and many more disappeared in three years of military rule after the coup, Turkey's third in 20 years.

More than 30 years after the September 12, 1980 military takeover, an Ankara court begun hearing the case against 94-year-old Evren, who went on to serve for seven years as President, as well as the other surviving coup architect, former air force commander Tahsin Sahinkaya, 87 years old.

Hundreds of mainly leftist protesters gathered outside the court, waving flags and shouting slogans demanding justice and the prosecution of more than just the coup ring-leaders.

(?)

[16] Turkey to appoint science attach?s in Turkish Embassies abroad

"We'll open the first science attach?'s offices at the Consulates in San Francisco and Boston in the U.S., Japan, and Berlin, Germany and then later in Los Angeles, London, Beijing, Seoul, Moscow, and India," Ergun said.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Ergun signed a "diplomacy protocol" yesterday to ensure efficient cooperation between the two Ministries.

Ergun said that Turkey needs to integrate its work in science and technological fields with other countries. "The attach?s will facilitate activities such as reporting scientific and technological developments, developing areas of cooperation between Turkey and other countries and meetings at which Turkish and foreign academicians and businessmen can network. The science and technology representatives would work voluntarily to represent and promote Turkey and, also, develop networking relationships", he added.

"We will be able to closely monitor any kind of development in science in any part of the world through scientific diplomacy," Davutoglu said adding that the new attach?s will be an integral part of diplomacy.

(?) "We want to establish relationships with countries around the world based on a win-win approach and mutual benefits. We want to have a say in the world via trade, diplomacy, and cultural and scientific achievements, the elements of 'soft power,' not via military force and imperialism," Ergun added.

Ergun also noted that Turkey will launch a Science and Technology Council in order to bring the public and private sectors together in Turkey and abroad in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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