Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-18

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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] New threats by Eroglu: Either you accept international conference or everybody will take his own way

[02] Talat: An international conference will not solve the Cyprus problem

[03] Ozersay: "If the Greek Cypriot side does not consent for a multilateral conference, we will not consent for the continuation of the process"

[04] Turkish Cypriot NGO and the ATCA call the UN' Ban to implement a plan B in Cyprus, if no solution is found to the Cyprus problem by July 1st

[05] Bagis calls the EU to conclude negotiation talks with Turkey by 2014; He reiterated that Turkey will not give up Cyprus for the sake of the EU

[06] Cakici on the Cyprus problem

[07] More about the land drilling in occupied Syngrasi village

[08] The Turkish side continues to manipulate politically religion

[09] The European Journalism Center is organizing a seminar in occupied area of Cyprus with Basin-Sen

[10] Davutoglu to participate in Paris meeting of the Friends of Syria People group

[11] "Turkish parties try to get over era of coups"

[12] "Kosovo deputy PM invites Turks in 1.6 billion euro tender"

[13] Women excluded from top posts in workforce in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] New threats by Eroglu: Either you accept international conference or everybody will take his own way

Eroglu reiterated his allegation that two separate peoples and two separate democracies exist in Cyprus and that the goal of the negotiations is the establishment of a new partnership state in which two separate democracies will participate. He said that in a possible agreement none of the peoples will dominate over the other and the agreement will be established on the basis of the equality between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots.

Eroglu claimed that a just solution in Cyprus could be sound in case the "realities" are taken into consideration and recalled that since he came on duty he says that a lasting agreement is possible only if it is based on the realities.

Eroglu argued that there are two basic obstacles in front of the solution in Cyprus. The one, he alleged, is the rejection of the federal solution by the "national Greek Cypriot will" and the other is the tolerance and protection of the Greek Cypriot political elite by the world.

Eroglu reiterated once more the allegation that there are no refugees in Cyprus. He argued: "After 38 years no refugees remained in Cyprus, neither in the north nor in the south. Still talking about refugees after 38 years is tantamount to incompetence of the governments". Eroglu claimed that as long as the government of the Republic of Cyprus continues to deceive its people in this manner reaching an agreement would not be possible.

Arguing that if a five-party international conference is invited, they are ready to show flexibility and the Cyprus problem could be solved, Eroglu said, inter alia, the following: "?Open-ended negotiations cannot continue. On 1 July either the negotiations will continue taking a new form with the creation of a new negotiating table, new conditions and new parameters, or everybody will take his own way".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat: An international conference will not solve the Cyprus problem

Talat argued that internationally it is believed that both sides in Cyprus are not ready for a solution. "If this is the impression, this will be reflected in the report of the UN Secretary-General", he said, claiming that if both sides are equally - accused in the report, this will not be in the benefit of the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the Turkish statements as regards the "end game" in the negotiations", he noted that the Turkish side should avoid statements which show that it wishes a deadlock to be declared.

Talat accused President Christofias of "becoming hostage" of former President Papadopoulos and alleged that it is not understood what kind of solution President Christofias wants by rejecting a time table and arbitration. "You could not solve it with Talat, you could not solve it with Eroglu, with whom you will solve it", he wondered referring to President Christofias.

Asked to comment on the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha, Talat recalled former Turkish President Evren's statement who referring to Varosha had confessed that "we have taken too much". Talat noted that the issue of Varosha lasted too long and drew attention to the relevant UN Security Council resolution [which urges for the return of the city to its legal Greek Cypriot owners].

Referring to the internal affairs of the Turkish Cypriots, Talat argued that the occupied area of Cyprus has been turned into chaos and that a serious public disorder exists. Recalling the news in the press that people in the streets carry knives, Talat wondered: "Do police not exist in this country". He then referred to the recent murder of a child and expressed his concern that the Turkish Cypriots will gradually disappear in case this chaos continues.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay: "If the Greek Cypriot side does not consent for a multilateral conference, we will not consent for the continuation of the process"

Ozersay held intensive contacts for two days in New York, which he visited in the eve of the report expected to be announced tomorrow by the UN Secretary-General on the Cyprus problem. He met with the UN Under Secretary-General, Lynn Pascoe, the Ambassadors of the permanent members of the Security Council and the Ambassador of Germany to the UN. Ozersay is expected to depart from New York tonight.

Evaluating his contacts, Ozersay said: "Since the name of the ongoing process is 'Cyprus-led process', the common will of both sides is needed on the issue of the method to be implemented in this process. Therefore, if the Greek Cypriot side does not give its consent for passing to a multilateral conference, which will lead us to a result in a short period of time, we will not give our consent for the continuation of this kind of process, which gives no results and continues open-ended. And this makes necessary for us to sit and talk on what will happen with the current process and try to find a new agreement of will as regards the process. I think that when the UN Secretary-General sends the invitation or when he consults with the two leaders in the manner by which it is determined in his program, it will be seen whether a Cypriot agreement of will exists on the issue of this process. In other words, the political will of the two sides will be tested on this point. Since we are referring to a Cypriot-led process, views should be produced on what will be done for the benefit of the two communities until that agreement of will is found and until the new process starts".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkish Cypriot NGO and the ATCA call the UN' Ban to implement a plan B in Cyprus, if no solution is found to the Cyprus problem by July 1st

Issuing a declaration, the Turkish Cypriot NGO's underline that in case that no solution is found to the Cyprus problem by July 1st, when the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term Presidency, the Turkish Cypriot NGO's will withdraw their support for the negotiation.

The declaration was also sent to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the Turkish Premier Erdogan and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron.

In the declaration, it is stressed that no progress was possible to be achieved at the Cyprus negotiation talks because of the Greek Cypriot's stance and because of the fact that the Greek Cypriot side has always rejected the proposals which were submitted by the Turkish Cypriot side.

The declaration points out the following: "In case that no solution is found to the Cyprus problem until July 1st and the Greek Cypriot administration overtakes the presidency of the EU, it will be the time for the talks to come to an end."

As the paper writes, the Turkish Cypriot NGO's submitted apart of the joint declaration a ten-article alternative plan, to be put into use in case of non-solution. Following are some of the most important articles:

The UN should help, encourage and pave the way for the Turkish Cypriots to gain a complete international status in the international arena, in the framework of a solution based on two states, according to the self-determination article of its of own regulation.

The UN should give to the Turkish Cypriots the same and similar rights with the Greek Cypriots as those derive from the 1959-1960 agreements.

The UN should submit proposals to the UN Security Council in order to review all the proposals which prevent and demolish the process for a fair and lasting and solution.

The UN should lift all the economic, political and other obstacles which prevent the Turkish Cypriots to have equality in Cyprus.

The UN should keep the promises which were given to the Turkish Cypriots prior and after the Annan plan and should also show respect to their worries.

The UN should establish a Cyprus Joint Council which will be composed by Turkish and Greek Cypriots with equal members, in order to find a common solution to the controversies which exist on the property issue, the heritage and the problems related to the missing persons.

(...)

Also, under the title: "'Plan B' calling", Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (18.04.12) reports that the Association of Turkish Cypriots living Abroad (ATCA) has sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General asking for the implementation of a "Plan B" in Cyprus which envisages "a new basis for the talks and the acceptance of the sovereign existence of the TRNC" in case that it will be not possible by June 30, 2012, for a solution to be reached to the Cyprus problem.

As the paper writes, ATCA has organized yesterday an activity in Ledra Palace crossing point where it made a call for a plan B. They submitted the "Plan B calling" which was also prepared addressing the UN and political actors and officials of the EU, to the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Cyprus in order to convey it to the UN Goodwill Office.

The paper adds that ATCA has sent also to the UN Secretary- General a symbolic "TRNC identity card".

In statements during the event, the representative of ATCA in occupied Cyprus, Kerem Hasan stated that their association is supported by 180 organizations and said that their goal is to protect the Turkish Cypriot "people" until the end. He added that they opposes to the continuation of open-ended talks and added that they demand for the ending of the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots.

(AK)

[05] Bagis calls the EU to conclude negotiation talks with Turkey by 2014; He reiterated that Turkey will not give up Cyprus for the sake of the EU

In an interview to the Romanian newspaper Evenimentul Zilei, Bagis stated, inter alia, the following: "I consider that 2012 will be the year of decisions for the EU and Turkey as well. I think that the EU will not wait until 2015 to reply to the answer why it has lost Turkey".

(...)

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said that they will not give up from "North Cyprus", for the sake of the EU and reiterated that nobody should expect from Turkey to take unilateral steps since Turkey has done a lot until today, as he said. "In contrary to this, none of the promises given to Turkey as regards the Cyprus case have been completed", he added.

(AK)

[06] Cakici on the Cyprus problem

Stating that despite the efforts exerted for the change of the demographic structure of the country and for the Cyprus problem to become harden, their vision is "The EU and the solution".

Referring to the Republic of Cyprus' overtaking the EU term Presidency in two months, Cakici stated that they support the single right of the "rotating presidency" as well as for the talks not to be interrupted and added that they will continue their way with the goal to overtake the EU term presidency in January 2026. "This might be seen as a dream today; however, with a possible agreement in 1-2 years, this might be possible, and if it is asked, the Turkish Cypriots could achieve their goal" Cakici said.

(AK)

[07] More about the land drilling in occupied Syngrasi village

TPAO, has launched preparation and the transfer to occupied Cyprus of all the necessary machines and equipment for the drilling since April 2.

According to the paper, officials stated to the paper, that in 10 days the oil drilling facilities are expected to be ready for the land drilling to start.

(AK)

[08] The Turkish side continues to manipulate politically religion

Commenting on the attack of the on the Koprulu Haci Ibrahim Aga Mosque in Limassol, Kucuk alleged that the Greek Cypriots tried to hurt the atmosphere of peace in Cyprus by methods that belonged to 50 years ago.

"If they do want peace in Cyprus and wish to live side by side with the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots must then give up methods used 50 years ago. They can reach nowhere by such methods," Kucuk said.

He also said that he gave directives to appropriate public organizations for the repair of the mosque.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.04.12) also reports that the self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime Huseyin Ozgurgun issued as written statement condemning the attack on the Koprulu Haci Ibrahim Aga Mosque in Limassol,

Ozgurgun alleged that "racism and intolerance in the Greek Cypriot administration (TR. NOTE: The Republic of Cyprus) reached a serious dimension".

"The Greek Cypriot leadership must arrest those responsible for the attack and try them in a court of law. We expect the Greek Cypriot leadership to protect religious and historic sites", Ozgurgun said and added that in the event this incident is not investigated, the Greek Cypriot would be directly responsible for future attacks on Turkish-Muslim values.

Illegal Bayrak television, (17.04.12) broadcast that the head of the "Religious Affairs Department" Talip Atalay alleged that kerosene was most probably used for the destruction of the mosque, adding that this was the fifth time the mosque had been targeted. "Meanwhile, the Head of the Vakiflar Administration Mustafa Kaymakamzade went to the site to make on the spot inspections.

Finally, Under the title "Come and clean this!", Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (18.04.12) reports that David Burrowes, who is British deputy, send a letter to a group of British deputies who are planning to visit the occupied area of Cyprus on 12-13 of May, in order to clean some churches. Burrowes calls on the group to visit Limassol and clean the mess created after the attack at the Koprulu Haci Ibrahim Aga Mosque.

[09] The European Journalism Center is organizing a seminar in occupied area of Cyprus with Basin-Sen

Twelve European journalists are participating in the seminar which started today and is taking place at the communication faculty of the illegal Near East University (YDU).

The General Secretary of AEJ, Peter Kramer, the member of the teaching staff of the Middle East Technical University and Foreign Relations Advisor of Basin Sen Dogan Tilic, the Editor of Austria Profile Otman Lahodysky and Firdevs Rabinson from British CNBC are some of the journalist who are participating in the seminar.

[10] Davutoglu to participate in Paris meeting of the Friends of Syria People group

Davutoglu is expected to proceed to Paris from Brussels where he is scheduled to participate in a NATO ministerial meeting.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is also expected to take part in the Paris meeting.

The latest meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People was held in Istanbul earlier this month.

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman newspaper (18.04.12) reports that Turkey is expected to raise the issue of "violation" of its Syria border at the NATO ministerial meeting.

[11] "Turkish parties try to get over era of coups"

"Though united on the need to probe the 'post-modern coup' of 1997, Turkish political leaders remain divided over the current investigation into the military intervention, with the opposition raising concerns over judicial independence.

Turkey's political parties have united to back a probe into the "post-modern coup" of 1997, but the opposition has questioned the nature of the investigation amid hints by the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the probe could expand.

Time will show where this [probe] will lead," Erdogan said yesterday while lamenting the tribulations of those affected in 1997.

Main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu lent support to the probe but expressed misgivings that the judiciary had become a government tool.

"One cannot expect justice from a judiciary which has collapsed and submitted itself to government control," he said.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) welcomed the investigation but asked why the government was mum on the military's "e-memorandum" of 2007, after which Erdogan and Turkey's top soldier allegedly conducted secret bargaining.

The opposition's scepticism was echoed by Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas. 'When you only settle scores with the coup plotters, you consolidate your own power. But if you settle scores with the entire coup mentality and culture, you strengthen democracy.'

A probe into the 'post-modern coup' of 1997 could soon be expanded, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled yesterday, suggesting that his own conviction at the time was the result of military orders.

'Why did they lock up a mayor for reciting a poem? The orders came from them [the military]. Time will show where this [probe] will lead,' Erdogan said in a parliamentary group meeting of his Justice and Development Party (AKP).

In 1998, Erdogan, then mayor of Istanbul, was sentenced for religious sedition over a poem with Islamist connotations that he had recited at a political rally. He served four months in jail.

The conviction came less than a year after then-Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan resigned under the pressure of a secularist campaign led by the military known as the 'post-modern coup.'

Erdogan slammed the support that much of the mainstream media, judiciary and civic groups gave the army during the time of the coup. "We clenched our fists and bit our lips. We prayed for patience and hoped that Allah would be with the oppressed," Erdogan said.

'We endured the broadcasts that insulted our faith, fanned provocations and splattered scum on the people from the screens. We endured the justice system of those who gave 10-minute standing ovations to briefings [by the military] and issued lightning rulings against us. We showed patience to the hypocrites who saluted the military under the guise of nongovernmental groups,' he said. 'And today is the day when the curses of the oppressed are taking effect and justice is prevailing. God willing, Turkey will never again go through such dark periods and democracy will never be suspended.'

Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Cicek, meanwhile, cautioned against feeling of 'revenge' and described the investigation as a 'test for the country.'"

[12] "Kosovo deputy PM invites Turks in 1.6 billion euro tender"

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency after attending a Kosovo-Turkish Business Forum organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) on Tuesday, Kusari-Lila said Kosovo is also looking to privatize the telecommunications and mining sectors, as well as tobacco factories.

Explaining that Kosovo has the capacity to generate only 800 MW of electricity-short of the 1300 MW needed to cope with demand- she said Kosovo's government is planning to launch a tender to open power plants with a capacity of 600 MW in order to close the gap. She noted that Kosovo has one of the richest lignite reserves in Europe and encouraged Turkish businessmen to follow up on the government's future privatization tenders for mining projects.

According to Kusari-Lila, Kosovo has received several applications from cement producers who are seeking to take advantage of the country's large lignite reserves, which are estimated to last for around 500 years, and said the government will focus on privatizing certain sectors after completing the tenders for energy production and distribution.

Kusari-Lila pointed out that some important factories have been inactive for 12 or 13 years since the Kosovo war, adding that the government is looking forward to reopening these factories and decreasing unemployment. She called on Turkish businessmen to take advantage of this opportunity, in addition to opportunities arising from the privatization of Kosovo's largest telecommunications company and mobile operator, Post & Telecommunication of Kosovo, as well as textile companies and tobacco factories.

Stressing that Turkey is among the top five countries in the world that invest in Kosovo, she said Turkish businesspeople have more interest in investing in Kosovo than they do in any other country in the world. Just last year, Turkish entrepreneurs made investments worth 350 million Euros in Kosovo. "Foreign investors are jealous of Turkey. Many foreign investors believe that they have to invest in Kosovo as Turkey's share in the Kosovar market grows. Western European countries observe Turkey's growing strength and influence in the Balkans, which is clearly happening. Turkey's influence in the Balkans is growing, while many companies in Western Europe that used to be active in the Balkans have had to leave due to economic conditions back home. Turkish companies and investors are replacing Western European countries in the Balkans."

The deputy prime minister also signalled the possibility that a free trade agreement (FTA) with Turkey would be signed which would enable Kosovo to serve as a production hub for Turkish entrepreneurs who want to expand their clientele on the European continent.

[13] Women excluded from top posts in workforce in Turkey

The underrepresentation of women in the workplace is not a new issue in Turkey. Women only make up 27.4 percent of the country's workforce, according to data released by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) in 2011.

According to the ministry's "Status of Women in Turkey April 2012 Report," some occupations have shown some gains towards gender equality. Professional associations state 39 percent of architects, 38 percent of lawyers and 50 percent of bankers are female. In academia, 40.9 percent of professors, associate professors, and research assistants and lecturers positions belong to women.

In fact, the number of female teachers has significantly increased the ministry's report states. In the 2011-12 academic year, 94.7 percent of pre-school teachers, 53.7 of primary school teachers and 43 percent of secondary school teachers were women.

The report continues indicating that more female than male students study dentistry, medicine, literature, language, history and geography, science, education, fine arts, theology and architecture. The vast majority of students studying medicine, engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, economics and administrative sciences, however, continue to be males.

And with every rung higher up the ladder, fewer women can be found.

While women fill 40.9 percent of academic positions, only 27.6 percent of professors and 32.2 percent of associate professors are female. Only 5.6 percent of rectors at Turkish universities are women, in line with a disappointing trend of gender disparity in leadership positions for many countries around the world. Out of 162 universities, the number of female rectors is 10.

The representation of women in the civil service is equally low. Out of all senior executives, a mere 13.6 percent are females.

The report calls for a necessary increase in the number of women in top positions in academia and the civil service like that of women in teaching positions.

Moreover, a 2011 study by Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) researchers Damla Ozdemir and Zeynep Esra Tanyildiz found many obstacles prohibit women from reaching the top of the ladder in the field of science, which is not the case for their male counterparts. Turkey does not have a single official policy to boost the representation of women in the scientific workforce.

The ministry's report also found school textbooks still contain traces of gender discrimination despite the National Education Ministry's ongoing efforts to extract such sexist references.

Prior to the Family Ministry's report, the Education Ministry had established the Gender Equality Commission to root out sexism found in educational materials, including photos, pictures and expressions used in textbooks so as to promote gender equality. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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