Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-17

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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] Turkish daily Milliyet reveals that Ankara intents to put into force a Plan B in Cyprus in case that a solution to the Cyprus problem is not possible to be found until the 1st of July

[02] Gul and Arinc deny reports that Turkey has a Plan B if negotiations fail

[03] Statements by Eroglu and Ozgurgun on Turkish side's Plan B

[04] Ozersay carries out contacts in New York; He will meet with Pascoe and the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council

[05] Bagis: Turkey is ready for Cyprus meeting in Malta

[06] Eroglu's spokesman Ertug reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side's stance of the conducting of a multilateral Cyprus conference

[07] Efforts by the Turkish side to increase tension in Cyprus by manipulating religion

[08] Eroglu wants the change of the basis of the Cyprus talks

[09] Eroglu "complains" to the "government" of the breakaway regime

[10] Eroglu: "The mosques are our seal on these lands"

[11] Kucuk reiterated that occupied Morfou will not be returned to Greek Cypriots

[12] Investment Forum by the Islamic Development Bank was organized in the occupied area of Cyprus

[13] Former national police chief and politician Mehmet Agar was sentenced on a five-year prison condemnation for the Susurluk scandal

[14] "Turkey's military expenditure $14.5 billion in"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish daily Milliyet reveals that Ankara intents to put into force a Plan B in Cyprus in case that a solution to the Cyprus problem is not possible to be found until the 1st of July

The paper writes:

"The 'TRNC' has started to be represented under the name of the "Cyprus Turkish State" at the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with OIC's decision during 2004. It is said that with this step, the 57 member countries of the OIC will recognize the 'Cyprus Turkish State'. TRNC President Dervis Eroglu has stated that in case that no solution is found in 2012, they will continue with a new constitution and new laws, saying that they even might change the name of state. Eroglu has stated that if they will change the name of the state, this could be 'Cyprus Turkish State'".

Plan B to be set into force

A high rankly official who spoke to Milliyet paper on the issue, has said that "Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side who continue the efforts for a solution to be found, predict that no progress is to be achieved during 2012, due to the fact that Greek Cypriots run off the solution. The official also pointed out that together with the EU term Presidency of the Greek Cypriots, Turkey's- EU ties will be interrupted. He added: "After this period, the negotiations in Cyprus are not expected to continue. After this date, a plan B will be set into force".

According to the paper, the same official has said that Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side counts the days until the implementation of a plan B in Cyprus and added: "A total diplomatic action will be launched and the recognition of the Cyprus Turkish State will be demanded". The official who has explained also that the recognition of the "TRNC" is prevented by UN's decisions, spoke as follows:

Representation at OIC

"If the name will be 'Cyprus Turkish State', nobody could say "no" to the demand for recognition. There is sympathy on this name. At the same time, the 'Cyprus Turkish State' is being also represented at the OIC. It is also included at the Annan Plan which is considering a UN's plan. And the Turkish Cypriots said 'yes' to the Annan Plan and accepted the Cyprus Turkish State".

Plan B signals

Eroglu, upon an invitation he received by the Secretary-General of the OIC, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, went to Gaza for the first time with the title of the "President". Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has stated during the meeting of the ambassadors which took place in Ankara, that in case the negotiation process will come to a deadlock because of the Greek Cypriots' stance, the "bi-zonal-bi-communal" solution model will be abandoned. He stated that they will adopt a new solution model based on two independent states.

The "TRNC" Foreign Minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun, said: "The state which exists in North Cyprus, is a Turkish state and it should be start to be seen as such. In other words, there is no other choice, no other alternative". The Cyprus Turkish side has also started exerting efforts with the aim to open the close city of Maras [Translator's note: fenced off city of Varoshia] under the control of the Turkish Cypriot side.

Three-stage plan

According to the high rank official, the plan B is to be implemented in three stages. Firstly, the demand for recognition will be announced, Afterwards, Maras will open. And finally the recognition of the "Cyprus Turkish State" will be demanded again. If all these are rejected, steps for the annexation with Turkey are to be taken. (...)

AK

[02] Gul and Arinc deny reports that Turkey has a Plan B if negotiations fail

Turkey's Milliyet daily, attributing unnamed official sources, reported on Monday 16 of April, that if a solution could still not be found by the time that the Republic of Cyprus takes the EU presidency on July 1, Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side would initiate a plan B, starting to exert unilateral diplomatic efforts for the international recognition of the breakaway regime under the name of the "Turkish Cypriot State."

Turkish President Abdullah Gul stated that the UN-mandated negotiation process between the Turkish and Greek sides of the island is ongoing and is of key importance, declining to comment on alternative suggestions for a solution, during an official visit to the Netherlands.

However, one foreign ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that there is still time to find an alternative solution, in the form of a plan B, which would include unilateral efforts by Ankara and the breakaway regime before the negotiation process is concluded. "The most important thing is a political solution based on a negotiated agreement between the two sides. Surely, the decisions that the parties would take based upon the acknowledgement that both sides have equal ownership of the island are the key," the diplomat expressed.

In addition, Today's Zaman newspaper (16.04.12) also reports that Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc told reporters following a Cabinet meeting on Monday, that the ministers didn't discuss Plan B or a change of the breakaway regime's name. Reiterating that the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides are currently holding peace talks to reunify the island, Arinc said that any, so-called Plan B, would be for Turkish Cypriots to decide on. He added that the Turkish government doesn't have any official information about any such plan.

[03] Statements by Eroglu and Ozgurgun on Turkish side's Plan B

Ozgurgun claimed that in a climate where the ground for an agreement ceased to exist now in the ongoing negotiations, the Turkish Cypriots will put forward that they are ready for any kind of relations with everybody, and mainly with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, "with their identity as separate entity".

Referring to Turkish Cypriot side's Plan B, Ozgrugun alleged that if the UN Secretary-General does not invite a multilateral conference on Cyprus, "it means that he has to say that the ground for an agreement ceased to exist, because it means that bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and the UN parameters are not accepted any more".

Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.04.12), reported that speaking to its correspondent to occupied Lefkosia, Ozgurgun said "unless Secretary-General makes a call for a multilateral conference, we expect him to say that negotiations are completed on this ground. Then we, as Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey, will follow a new path." "TRNC had important trump cards on the Cyprus issue", he argued.

Asked when the occupied closed of Varosha would be opened, Ozgurgun said that at this point Varosha could be an important step. "But it is necessary to wait for the process and the stance to be put forth by UN Secretary-General," he added. Ozgurgun said that breakaway regime could make any decisions on its "own" land, as he described Varosha.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (16.04.12) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has told illegal TAK news agency that it would not be correct to refer to a Plan B before the end of the negotiations and alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side wishes the continuation of the negotiations in a manner by which an agreement to be reached and considers the multilateral conference as the last chance (for an agreement). Eroglu said that if the UN Secretary-General does not decide to invite a multilateral conference, they will evaluate what to do with their "parliament", political parties and "people".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozersay carries out contacts in New York; He will meet with Pascoe and the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council

Ozersay is expected to meet with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political Affairs, Lynn Pascoe as well as with the ambassadors of the five-permanent member countries of the Security Council.

At the same time, as it was announced, Ozersay will also carry out contacts with German officials.

As the paper writes, Gunes Onar, member of the negotiation team of the Turkish Cypriot side will accompany Ozersay during his contacts in New York.

In statements to illegal Bayrak television's correspondent during a telephone conversation, Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side would exert efforts to explain to all the interested sides the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side concerning the UN's decision to be taken, especially in this critical stage of the Cyprus negotiation process adding that the ball is at the UN's.

Ozersay also stated the following: "Our goals is for the process to be completed with success and not to end unsuccessfully. We are always proceeding to the negotiations in order for a productive result to come up and for the lifting of the uncertainty. However, nobody should expect from us to approve the continuation of infertile and open-ended negotiations".

(?)

AK

[05] Bagis: Turkey is ready for Cyprus meeting in Malta

Bagis said that relevant parties could convene in Malta to solve Cyprus problem.

"If you can convince the Greek Cypriot administration (TR NOTE: The Republic of Cyprus) and Greece, I can promise you to bring Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TR. NOTE: the breakaway regime), Turkey and Britain to the meeting," Bagis told Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in Valetta.

Bagis alleged that Turkey and breakaway regime had always been willing to solve the problem; however he alleged that they could not see the same will in the Republic of Cyprus.

During the meeting, Bagis proposed to set up Turkish-Maltese Parliamentary Friendship Group, and expressed eagerness to boost bilateral trade. Bagis said Turkish businessmen could organize a visit to Malta, and Maltese businessmen could visit Turkey.

Egemen Bagis alleged that the Republic of Cyprus had prevented the EU from opening negotiations with Turkey on human rights, justice, security and freedoms, and defined it "hypocrisy".

Gonzi, in his part, said Malta would fulfil its responsibilities in order to achieve those proposals, and noted that Malta would be proud to host Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Malta. Lawrence Gonzi also reaffirmed the importance and support Malta extended to Turkey's EU membership.

Upon Gonzi's remarks, Bagis promised that Erdogan would be the first Turkish Prime Minister ever to visit Malta.

[06] Eroglu's spokesman Ertug reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side's stance of the conducting of a multilateral Cyprus conference

Asked a question regarding the UN Secretary Generals option, who will publish his report regarding the Cyprus negotiations process next week, Ertug said that Ban's option "is to bring to life things that he had mention before to the sides".

Referring to the option of extending or pausing the Cyprus talks, Ertug said the Turkish Cypriot side does not have that luxury.

Noting that sometimes in order to create a balance one loses its objectiveness, Ertug said: "Whatever is going to happen should happen, that's our only expectation".

Referring to the multilateral conference, Ertug alleged that the conference is the right place to show political will towards a solution.

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side has mixed stances during the Cyprus negotiations process, Ertug claimed: "They must overcome this and start showing their political will" He also alleged that "the reason behind the contradictory actions of the Greek Cypriot side is its reluctance towards a solution".

[07] Efforts by the Turkish side to increase tension in Cyprus by manipulating religion

Commenting on the issue, Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu alleged that the incident is an indication of the Greek Cypriot mentality, which cannot digest the Moslems and the Turks. Replying to a question during one of his meetings yesterday, Eroglu alleged that "such behaviours at a time when we try to achieve an agreement are important of course, from the point of view of showing that we are right when we say that 'the Greek Cypriots do not want reconciliation'".

Eroglu claimed that some persons, who had been inspired by the sermons of the priests within the framework of the celebrations for Pasha, attempted to burn the mosque. He argued that this shows that the "TRNC people" are right when they do not trust the Greek Cypriots. Eroglu alleged that it is not the first time that the Greek Cypriots do such things. He claimed: "Our mosques have been demolished in the past as well, our people who prayed have been shot. This is the Greek Cypriot mentality".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (17.04.12) reports that Sakir Alemdar, responsible for the government controlled area of Cyprus and imam of Hala Sultan Tekke mosque in Larnaka, stated that the Turks living in that area [Limassol] had told him that this was not the first attack against the mosque. He said that in spite of their request for establishing a camera outside the mosque, the officials of the Republic of Cyprus have not taken them into consideration. He added that the Turkish side should show sensitivity on this issue.

The issue is covered on the front pages of many newspapers today (17.04.12), while the rest refer to the incident in their inside pages.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Eroglu wants the change of the basis of the Cyprus talks

Eroglu said that they were expecting the UN Secretary-General "to reveal what was hidden" behind the expression "end game", which he had used. Eroglu alleged that the solution in Cyprus should be searched at a multilateral conference with the participation of the "two sides in Cyprus", and the three guarantor powers [Translator's note: of the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus], Greece, Turkey and Britain. "If the Greek Cypriots do not accept a multilateral conference and act in the direction of the decision they have taken at the national council, the hope for an agreement will in any case cease to exist", he claimed.

Eroglu said that the Turkish side will have some preconditions for the "recommencement of the Cyprus talks in the second half of 2013". Alleging that first of all, the "equality of the Turkish side should be increased", Eroglu claimed: "When I sit at the negotiating table being under embargoes, I will be seen as being convicted to give concessions. And the Greek Cypriot side will try to take without giving anything?"

Eroglu said that President Christofias believes that he is giving a concession by discussing a federal solution. He went on and claimed: "However, we have also established a state and in spite of this state we are discussing the federation. Therefore, we cannot see it as concession".

Referring to the issue of the "citizenship", Eroglu said that they had very concretely put forward their stance that all the illegal Turkish settlers, who are "citizens of the TRNC", should become citizens of a possible federal state.

Eroglu alleged that there are no refugees in Cyprus and added: "He [President Christofias] says that there were 165 thousand refugees in 1974. Are all these people alive? If a state refers to refugees after 37-38 years, it means that the government of this state does no job. I have no refugees. There are no refugees in the TRNC. There are only people who came to work. And they come for a certain period of time and go away?He wants land from me for the settlement of 100 thousand persons and the return of the rest 65 thousands to the properties they left in the north. One of our parameters is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal republic. You are spoiling bi-zonality and the character of two peoples. It is not possible for us to accept this?"

(I/Ts.)

[09] Eroglu "complains" to the "government" of the breakaway regime

Asked to comment on the actions of the "government" of the breakaway regime, Eroglu said that he does not interfere, because "prime minister" Kucuk and his team think everything in the best manner before doing anything.

When he was recalled that people complain of the decrease of their purchase power in spite of the positive numbers announced by the self-styled minster of finance, Eroglu replied: "Numbers do not express everything. You cannot relate everything in a country to the numbers. The minister of finance is obliged to give the numbers, but numbers do not fill the stomach?"

Noting that there are people who react to the "government" and its actions, Eroglu added: "The government should create plans and projects by taking into consideration their reaction and views as well".

(I/Ts.)

[10] Eroglu: "The mosques are our seal on these lands"

In statements at the opening ceremony of a new mosque in occupied Pergamos village, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has said that the building of a mosque, especially at a village such as Pergamos which at the border, as he described the line which divides Cyprus, into two due to the Turkish invasion and occupation, "gives messages to those who are closely following us". He went on and claimed: "Every minaret, every mosque is a seal on the TRNC lands. I think that as long as these seals increase, our southern neighbours, who have big dreams, are taking some messages".

He recalled that they started celebrating Mohammed's birth week in the occupied area of Cyprus two-three years ago and expressed his satisfaction with the spread of these celebrations.

According to the paper, the mosque has been built with financial aid by the "Aid Delegation of the Republic of Turkey". The Turkish "ambassador" to the occupied part of Lefkosia, Halil Ibrahim Akca, the self-styled prime minister of the regime, Irsen Kucuk and the head of the so-called religious affairs department Talip Atalay were among the participants in the opening ceremony.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Kucuk reiterated that occupied Morfou will not be returned to Greek Cypriots

Kucuk made the above statements while paying a visit to occupied Morfou in order to carry out some inspections in the city.

Pointing out that that the occupation regime's economy is going well day by day, Kucuk said that they will continue making investments in occupied Morfou adding that they will also continue the employments. He further said that works are still continuing for the construction of a double line road between occupied Morfou and occupied Lefka, the lighting of the road connecting occupied Lefkosia-Morfou and the renovation of the occupied Angolemi road.

AK

[12] Investment Forum by the Islamic Development Bank was organized in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to Bayrak, the opening of the forum was attended "by state" and "government officials" "at the highest level", as well as the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group Ahmad Mohammed Ali.

The Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, the "Turkish Ambassador" to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca and self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun were among the Turkish Cypriot "officials" who attended the forum.

Illegal Bayrak (13.04.12) also broadcast that, many speeches were delivered during the forum. In his opening speech Ozgurgun said the forum acted as a gateway for investment opportunities in the occupied area if Cyprus.

Alleging that despite all of the positive efforts made by the Turkish Cypriot side to find a solution to the Cyprus problem the Greek Cypriot side's "intransigent attitude" was preventing a solution from being facilitated. Ozgurgun claimed that the removal of the "embargoes" will aid in the solution process on the island.

The leader of the Islamic Development Bank Doctor Ahmad Mohamed Ali for his part said that they would be using the forum to evaluate investment opportunities in northern Cyprus.

Also delivering a speech, the President of the Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges of Turkey Rifat Hisarciklioglu pointed to the importance of the breakaway regime saying that Cyprus has a great importance in terms of the security of the region and other Islamic countries.

The undersecretary for the Turkish Ministry of Economy Ahmet Yakici reiterated Turkey's unconditional support to the breakaway regime.

The self-styled minister for economy and energy Sunat Atun, for his part, alleged that despite the unjust embargoes the breakaway regime continued to grow stronger economically with the support of Turkey.

The Secretary General of the Islamic Cooperation Organization Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu alleged that "unjust isolations" are imposed on the Turkish Cypriots and claimed that the OIC member countries came in the breakaway regime to express their support.

Ihsanoglu also expressed the belief that improvement in cooperation in the field of commerce among OIC countries would also be beneficial for the breakaway regime.

On his part Kucuk alleged that despite all kinds of preventions by the Greek Cypriot side, the breakaway regime has succeeded to stand in its own feet with the support of motherland Turkey and added that the forum is a sign that the Turkish Cypriots will not be left alone.

Eroglu on his speech said that although the breakaway regime is a small "country", great investment opportunities exists in it. Referring to the "unjust isolations and embargoes", Eroglu said that every investment in the breakaway regime contributes to the peace process.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.04.12) reports that the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu urged business people from Muslim countries to make investments in the breakaway regime and take advantage of the opportunities in the region.

"Investors from Muslim countries are here to support the economic development of the TRNC (TR. NOTE: The breakaway regime). This is a sign of the importance Muslim countries attached to solidarity with our Turkish Cypriot brothers," Ihsanoglu stated during the forum.

Ihsanoglu also rejected "unfair economic embargoes" imposed on the breakaway regime which he said hindered economic development.

[13] Former national police chief and politician Mehmet Agar was sentenced on a five-year prison condemnation for the Susurluk scandal

The high court's prosecutor's office had earlier requested that the Supreme Court of Appeals 9th Criminal Chamber uphold a September 2011 decision by the Ankara 11th High Criminal Court to sentence Agar to five years in prison. The former police chief was sentenced on charges of establishing a criminal organization in a trial concerning a car accident in 1996 that exposed links between the Turkish state, the criminal underworld and Turkish security forces, often referred to as the Susurluk scandal.

The chamber on Monday upheld the Ankara court's decision to convict Agar of establishing an organization with the purpose of committing crimes. Agar, who served as a police chief shortly before the incident, stood trial for his role in an unlikely arrangement between a famous mafia boss, a member of the security forces and a politician.

The Susurluk case is one of the major turning points in the history of Turkey. In 1996, former police chief Huseyin Kocadag, south-eastern clan leader Sedat Bucak, whose men were armed by the state to fight separatist violence, and internationally wanted mafia boss Abdullah Catli were involved in an accident near the small township of Susurluk while riding in the same car. Kocadag, Catli and his girlfriend, a former model, were killed in this accident. No serious arrests followed from the ensuing investigation, which actually exposed for the first time in modern Turkish history a criminal gang with links to the state.

[14] "Turkey's military expenditure $14.5 billion in"

"Turkey, holder of the second largest army in NATO, spent nearly $14.5 billion on its military last year, becoming the seventh largest spender among the member states, according to data gathered by the Anatolia news agency.

The Turkish military's total population stood around 720,000 in 2011, while the U.S. military topped the list with a little less than 1.43 million soldiers. NATO's largest army's expenditures fell from $785.8 billion in 2010 to $731.9 billion last year. Still, this figure more than doubles the expenditures of the remaining NATO member states.

The total number of soldiers held by the 28 NATO member states is approximately 3.5 million, with about 2.27 million of that total being soldiers from European member states. Turkish soldiers constitute some one fourth of NATO's Europe forces.

France has the third most populated army with 227,000 soldiers. Germany, U.K., Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland follow respectively.

The ratio of soldiers currently in total work power within Turkey is 2.1 percent. The figure is highest in Greece with 2.7 while the NATO member average stands at 0.9. These figures also cover civil personnel working for the military." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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