Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-20

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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: The negotiations should be revised

[02] Ozersay evaluated his contacts in New York

[03] The breakaway regime prohibits the use of passports of the Republic of Cyprus by the Republic's Turkish Cypriot citizens

[04] Columnist says the expression "non-solution is a solution" is substituted with the expression "non-agreement is also an agreement"

[05] New data about the applications to the "IPC"

[06] More about the "Basin-Sen/AEJ Media meeting" organized in the breakaway regime

[07] Greek Cypriots are allegedly visiting the occupied area of Cyprus for health care

[08] Participants from eight countries are taking place in the International children festival organized by the occupation regime

[09] Protagonists of February 28 "post-modern coup" detained in second wave of operations

[10] Finish PM sees Turkey as a good model for Islam countries

[11] Data released by the Turkish Central Bank in Ankara regarding foreign debts, loans, exchange and deposits

[12] Turkey's Deputy PM Babacan will attend IMF, World Bank, G20 meeting

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The negotiations should be revised

In his address, Eroglu alleged that the 9000-paged Annan Plan, which came on the scene in 2002 for the first time, was accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side in spite of the fact that its content was not fully known. He said that the plan provided for the reduction of the number of the Turkish army to 650 troops and the settlement of many Greek Cypriots to the "north", as he described the area of the Republic of Cyprus which is currently under Turkish occupation. "We would either abandon the country, or we would succumb to the Greek Cypriots", argued Eroglu noting that for these reasons he had launched a campaign against this plan.

Referring to the ongoing negotiations process, Eroglu recalled that the process started four years ago and alleged that no solution is reached because of the so-called intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side. He argued that the leaders do nothing else than to "plough the sands" at the negotiating table.

Eroglu claimed that the United Nations' resolution of 4 March 1964 on Cyprus, which allegedly left the Republic of Cyprus to the Greek Cypriots, and the accession of the island to the EU are two reasons which cause the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. "These decisions of the UN and the EU, which say 'solve the Cyprus problem', are the main cause of preventing an agreement in Cyprus", he alleged.

Referring to the disagreements in the negotiations, Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriot side refuses to discuss the property issue unless it knows how much territory it will take back. He said that the Greek Cypriot side wants the establishment of 165 thousand Greek Cypriot refugees in southern Mesaoria, Morfou and Karpass peninsula and the return of the rest 65 thousand refugees to their homes.

Recalling that the UN Secretary-General and his special adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer would meet today to discuss the future of the negotiations, Eroglu said that Downer asked a meeting with him on 27 April. "Surely (in this meeting) he will try perhaps to drag us to the negotiating table or he will give answers such as 'the blame is off me'. 'In these conditions we will send the report to the Security Council'", he added.

Arguing that "the United Nations should decide whether this problem could be solved within the framework of its [UN's] good offices mission", Eroglu said that it is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept a multilateral conference in which the EU, the UN and the Greek Cypriot side, as representative of the Republic of Cyprus, will participate.

Eroglu reiterated that it is not possible for open ended negotiations to continue and that it would be meaningless for the negotiations to continue with these parameters. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side will not accept Downer's proposal for suspension of the negotiations. He said that in case the UN Secretary-General submits a proposal for suspension of the negotiations, the response of the Turkish side will be the following: "It is injustice to continue the negotiations under these embargoes. If this problem could not be solved with the UN's good offices mission until today, it means that there is a mistake. We have to revise the negotiating table".

Describing Turkey as the "life ring" of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said that they are against any agreement which will not include the active and effective guarantees of Turkey. He argued that his greatest wish is an agreement by which the incidents of the pre-1974 period will not be repeated and added that he has two principles in the negotiations. The one, he said, is an agreement which will not lead to repetition of the pre-1974 period and the other is "taking into consideration the reality of two different peoples and of two states".

Alleging that "it is certain that the Greek Cypriots will reject any kind of agreement", Eroglu added: "They have used their last chance. Another chance could be given only in a new period, at a new negotiating table".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay evaluated his contacts in New York

Ozersay pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side had the opportunity during the two-day meetings he held in New York with UN officials and other important international actors, to convey on the one hand its views on what it could be done for the process of the Cyprus negotiation talks to have a successful result, and on the other hand on what it could be done in case that the process will not end successfully.

Noting that the United Nations has not yet taken a decision and different scenarios are being evaluated, he said that therefore he believes that his contacts will be fruitful.

Referring to the 1st of July, date that the Republic of Cyprus will overtake the EU term Presidency, Ozersay said that the main point is that there is not a cohere will among the two sides to continue with the current process even before the 1st of July. "If these problems and the deadlock are not possible to be overcome, it is obvious that it will be no process".

Noting that one of the most important problems, the two sides confront at the negotiation table, is the luck of confidence, Ozersay expressed the need for the creation of cooperation models which will build confidence between the two sides in Cyprus.

Pointing out that the UN Secretary-General should avoid to play the game of blaming the one or the other side, Ozersay said that it is not the time for accusations but what it is necessary to be done, is for both sides to exert real efforts and come face to face with the realities so that to be able to see the real perspectives of the future of this island.

Ozersay said also that whatever the outcome of the current process will be, what it must be consider as a precondition, is for the ties of the two communities to be improved and not to be deteriorated.

(AK)

[03] The breakaway regime prohibits the use of passports of the Republic of Cyprus by the Republic's Turkish Cypriot citizens

According to the decision these persons could not use other passports than the passport of the Republic of Turkey or the so-called passport of the "TRNC". All those who do not abide by this decision will not be included in the scope of the support granted by the "council of ministers" for travelling abroad.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (20.04.12) refers to the issue under the front-page title "The passport of the Republic of Cyprus has been prohibited" and reports that the "TRNC council of ministers, which is not tired of dealing with the passport of the Republic of Cyprus that everyone carries in his pocket, has taken another prohibitive decision".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Columnist says the expression "non-solution is a solution" is substituted with the expression "non-agreement is also an agreement"

Mutluyakali writes the following on this issue:

"Yeni Safak used Eroglu as on its headlines: 'Non-agreement is also an agreement!'?Really historic words (!)

In the past, he was saying that 'the non-solution is a solution'. It means that now a more 'polite' expression is found. The intension is the same, the heartstrings are the same. As you see the words have changed. In any case, after Erdogan said that 'non-solution is not a solution', this slogan could not be shouted again. The play has been turned into 'the non-agreement is also an agreement'! Very well, would they not ask then, 'why do you sit at the negotiating table'..."

(I/Ts.)

[05] New data about the applications to the "IPC"

According to a written statement issued by Gungor Gunkan, "chairman" of the "IPC", one of those applications was settled with the method of return, two applications with compensation and exchange and five applications with return and compensation.

Gungor added that in the case of one application, it has been decided to be solved with the method of return of property after the solution, and in another case through partial return. He also added that a total of 70 million 382 thousand 150 pounds sterling has been paid to applicants until now.

(AK)

[06] More about the "Basin-Sen/AEJ Media meeting" organized in the breakaway regime

The paper reports that the journalists delivered speeches during the seminar which was about Media and Political Relations and referred to the media situation in Europe.

Speeches were delivered by the editor of Austria Profile Otman Lahodysky, Firdevs Rabinson from British CNBC, the Italian journalist Francesco Martino (TR. NOTE: the paper does not write where Martino works) and Dutch journalist Ed Figee (TR: NOTE: the paper does not write where Figee works).

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (20.04.12) reports that the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Gunay Cerkez, met with the journalists asked them to use their pen for the lifting of the "unjust isolation" of the breakaway regime.

Cerkez met with the journalists during a launch offer in their honor, where the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat also participated and in which the journalists were informed about the latest developments of the Cyprus problem.

[07] Greek Cypriots are allegedly visiting the occupied area of Cyprus for health care

The paper writes that during that last six months, a total of 1000 Greek Cypriots crossed to the occupied area of Cyprus for medical care at the Heart and Oncology Department and at the hospital of the illegal Near East University (YDU).

The paper adds that until now, Turkish doctors operated two bypass surgeries to Greek Cypriots.

Speaking to Haberturk on the issue, Dr. Irfan Gunsel, chairman of the board of trustees of the illegal YDU hospital, said, inter alia, that while in the past Turkish Cypriots were seeking for health services in "South Cyprus", now it is the Greek Cypriots who seek for health services in the "TRNC" and added: "Every day, at least 10 Greek Cypriots patients are coming to the YDU Hospital for treatment. Greek Cypriots express the opinion that there is not such a Hospital, not even in Greece".

(AK)

[08] Participants from eight countries are taking place in the International children festival organized by the occupation regime

According to Bayrak, the children participating in the festival will pay visits "to state and government officials".

[09] Protagonists of February 28 "post-modern coup" detained in second wave of operations

Police have searched homes of suspects including four officers on active duty in six cities in the probe into the 1997 military-led campaign that forced a popularly elected coalition government to resign.

Retired General Erol Ozkasnak, secretary general of the Turkish Military Staff at the time, was among the suspects and his house in the south-western holiday resort town of Bodrum was also searched.

Police also searched a military housing compound and a military guesthouse in Istanbul.

Retired General Cevik Bir, deputy chief of the military staff at the time, and Abdullah Kilicarslan, deputy commander of the special forces, were detained last week under the investigation.

The round-ups follow the launch of a court trial on a military takeover in Turkey in 1980, one of the most controversial episodes in the modern Turkish political history.

Two retired generals -- a top mastermind of the coup and a member of the military junta -- are the last two suspects still alive to face charges of crimes against the state and possible lifetime imprisonment.

Separately, hundreds of suspects including former and active duty officers stand trial on the charges of plotting to overthrow the current government.

Turkish parliament has recently established a committee to investigate similar military interventions in Turkey's civilian politics in 1960 and in 1971 as well as an attempt as recent as in 2007 which was met by a fierce reaction and opposition by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

[10] Finish PM sees Turkey as a good model for Islam countries

Jyrki Katainen said that Turkey had an irreplaceable place in its region as well as North Africa and the Middle East.

Turkey was a good model for Islam countries thanks to its democratic development and good administration, Katainen said during Turkey-Finland trade seminar in Istanbul.

Katainen referred on Turkey's power and influence for other countries, the European Union (EU), and said that it is contributing much to peace and stability in the entire world.

The Prime Minister said that Turkey had showed them how a country's future could be changed if the country is determined and pursues a good economic policy.

Katainen said that Turkey had exerted great efforts to become an EU member, and would continue to exert more. A country he said had to be patient on its road to the EU as they were talking about a target that could be for the best interests of not only that country but also other countries.

The Finnish Prime Minister further said that Turkey had a priority for the Finnish government.

Jyrki Katainen said he was pleased to see a lot of participants in Turkey-Finland trade seminar in Istanbul, and expressed hope that businessmen of both countries could find new partners for cooperation.

Katainen underlined Turkey's great importance for Finland for many reasons, and noted that the two countries shared a common foreign policy agenda.

Katainen said Finland shared similar views with Turkey during economic crisis, and had many common views on economic values.

The Prime Minister said Turkey had a significant place in world's policy due to its diplomatic and economic stability.

Finally Katainen said that Finland is open to cooperation projects with Turkey.

[11] Data released by the Turkish Central Bank in Ankara regarding foreign debts, loans, exchange and deposits

Regarding Foreign Debt, AA reported that Turkey repaid 553 million USD in foreign debt between April 1 and 18. Total debt repaid by the Turkish Treasury alone was 517 million USD.

Gross foreign exchange reserves of the Turkish Central Bank increased to 80.6 billion USD as of April 13. The gross foreign exchange reserves were 79.1 billion USD on April 6. The bank said that total reserves were up to 93.2 billion USD from 90.3 billion USD. Gold constituted 12.6 billion USD of the total reserves.

The banking sector's credit volume, excluding participation banks, decreased 1.8 billion Turkish liras (TL) in a period of one week to 617.1 billion TL as of April 6. Deposit banks' credit volume for financial sector dropped to 11.3 billion TL.

Total deposits at banks decreased to 636 billion Turkish liras (TL) as of April 6. Total deposits at banks were down by 609 million TL in a week. Total deposits at banks were around 636.6 billion TL on March 30. TRY-deposits were up to 418.4 billion TL, while foreign currency deposits increased to 191.7 billion TL in the mentioned period. Interbank deposits increased by 2.5 billion TL to 25.8 billion TL.

Consumer loans and credit card debts were up 1.2 billion Turkish liras (TL) in a week to 223.5 billion TL as of April 13. In addition, 166.4 billion TL of the total amount was consumer loans, while 57.1 billion TL was credit card debts.

Home loans amounted to 70.5 billion TL, vehicle loans totalled 6.8 billion TL and other loans were around 88.9 billion TL.

[12] Turkey's Deputy PM Babacan will attend IMF, World Bank, G20 meeting

Prior to his departure, Babacan told reporters at the airport in Istanbul that he would attend G20 ministerial meeting as well as spring meetings of IMF and World Bank.

The G20 meeting would focus on issues including financial sector, economic programs of countries and energy prices, he said.

Babacan will participate on Friday as a guest of honor in an event hosted by the Atlantic Council.

He will return to Turkey on Sunday after participating in the IMF-World Bank spring meetings. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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