Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-02

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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 leaders will not be meeting any more

[02] Bozer secretly visited Iran to promote the regime

[03] Ozersay: "Turkish Cyprus has Plan B if unity talks fail"

[04] Ozersay continues his contacts in London

[05] Eroglu's spokesman Ertug: "The issue is the search of a new negotiation in the framework of the new conditions"

[06] The first 100 meters were exceeded in the illegal land drilling for oil in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Turkish Cypriot political party leaders comment on the issue of not holding an international conference on the Cyprus problem

[08] May 1 was celebrated in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Turkey's MGK conveyed; It made a call for the ending of bloodshed in Syria

[10] Bagis: "The sun in Cyprus rises in two different states"

[11] Italian and Turkish firms to establish new ventures; The Italy-Turkey Economy Forum to take place in Istanbul

[12] A US watchdog report says Turkey sees decline in media freedom

[13] A Jewish lobby calls on US to prevent Turkish block of Israel from NATO summit

[14] Davutoglu to receive "leader of 21st century" award in Sarajevo

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The leaders will not be meeting any more

Eroglu reiterated that the Turkish side thinks that continuation of open-ended negotiations in the current circumstances is the biggest obstacle for achieving a result and alleged, inter alia, the following:

"Therefore, we have to establish the methodology well. The colleagues might work on this issue. There is no issue such as meeting of the leaders, because Mr Christofias does not accept a multilateral conference and refers to continuation of open ended negotiations. This will continue for 40 more years. Therefore, there is something which I always say. In these conditions we must firstly see our future. No one could keep the Turkish Cypriots at the negotiating table for another 40 years?Since these negotiations were accepted to be 'Cypriot-led' upon the wish of Mr Christofias during Mr Christofias and Mr Talat meeting, then, both sides should jointly decide. If Christofias continues his stance in favor of open-ended negotiations, our stance will be that 'this should have an end'. If they say 'no' and we say 'yes', it means that we have no chance to agree. For this reason, there could be a technical committee which will work for eliminating the disparities on this issue. Otherwise, there is no such issue as meeting of the leaders on the agenda".

Meanwhile, in his message on the occasion of 1st of May, Eroglu referred to the Cyprus problem and argued that the Turkish Cypriots need social unity in this "critical and complex process", because the Greek Cypriot side exhibits an allegedly negative stance "using the shield of recognition which it has unjustly acquired". Alleging that their target in the negotiations is a solution in which the Turkish Cypriots will not be excluded from the partnership state, the pain of the past will not be experienced again, their sovereign rights will be guaranteed and Turkey's effective and active guarantees will continue, Eroglu claimed that reaching a solution will not only be a surprise but almost impossible, because of the "dominant approach" of the Greek Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Bozer secretly visited Iran to promote the regime

Bozer pointed out that this was the first visit from the occupied area of Cyprus to Iran at this level. Bozer noted that during his stay in Iran between the 26th and the 27th of April, he met with the Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Fatih Unlu, the Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Umit Yardim, the President of the Iranian parliamentary commission on foreign policy Alaaddin Burucerdi, Iran's Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Mohammed Reza Bahonar and the deputy General Secretary of the OIC Parliamentary Assembly Ali Asghar Mohammadi Sicani.

Noting that the Iranian officials expressed their readiness to provide any support to the "TRNC", Bozer said he demanded the change of the breakaway regime's observer status to full membership at the OIC Parliamentary Assembly.

Pointing out that there was a positive attitude towards their demand, Bozer said this demand will be evaluated during a meeting to be held in Sudan in January 2013. He noted that the issue was discussed at his meeting with Ali Asgar Muhammedi Sincani at which Sudan's representative at the OIC Parliamentary Assembly was also present.

Bozer attended a dinner hosted in his honor by the Turkish ambassador to Tehran with the participation of leading Iranian officials and gave interviews to the Iranian news agency (IRNA) and other newspapers and magazines regarding the Cyprus problem.

Bozer thanked the Turkish embassy to Tehran for its interest and contribution in his visit, and said that they had not announced his visit to Iran before in order to avoid initiatives by the Greek Cypriot side to prevent it.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay: "Turkish Cyprus has Plan B if unity talks fail"

Kudret Ozersay did not elaborate what form the action might take; but Turkish media have suggested that "northern Cyprus" might allow Greek Cypriots to reclaim property in Varosha, "a seafront town seized by Turkish troops in a 1974 intervention triggered by a Greek-backed coup intended to unite the island with Greece".

(?)

"(While) comprehensive settlement talks continue, I do not believe something can be done about Varosha," Ozersay said, in a response leaving open the possibility of change in the town's status should the talks collapse.

He said Turkish Cypriots remained willing to participate in a wide-ranging settlement with the island's larger "Greek community" in the "south" but were ready to act alone if no way forward could be found.

Efforts to reunite the island have repeatedly failed, with the latest negotiations, launched in 2008, hitting an impasse over fraught issues such as the return of property to internally displaced islanders.

Ozersay said that "northern Cyprus" would act in line with international law. "Whatever we are going to do, we will aim at creating confidence between the two communities, even if the Greek Cypriot leadership is not willing".

"We are not going to do something which will make (the relationship) worse," he added.

(...)

Ozersay said the slow-moving peace talks were being used as a delaying tactic to block any measures that might improve the position of Turkish Cypriots, cut off from the international community by their lack of recognition as a separate state. "The talks are being abused by the international actors and by the Greek Cypriot side in order to maintain the ongoing status quo on the island which is damaging for the Turkish Cypriots and we want this status quo to change," Ozersay said.

He said that Greek Cypriots had rejected a Turkish Cypriot proposal that the two sides collaborate on the development of its natural resources, including newly discovered offshore gas fields; on the grounds this would be an issue for the proposed federal government. "They used ongoing talks as an excuse not to cooperate with us," he said.

(?)

[04] Ozersay continues his contacts in London

Speaking after the meeting, Ozersay said that it was very useful.

Prior to his meeting with the British Minister of Europe, Ozersay gave interviews to the Economist magazine and to Reuters. He also participated in a live program at the London Turkey Radio, where he replied to audience questions about the current developments of the Cyprus problem.

[05] Eroglu's spokesman Ertug: "The issue is the search of a new negotiation in the framework of the new conditions"

Ertug, who was speaking at a program of the illegal Bayrak television, stated that nothing essence has remain to be done on the talks and added that the searching for a common ground must be related to a new methodology.

He went on and added that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for shuttle diplomacy.

Ertug, who said that technical committees can work towards the creation of trust, said that there is a lack of trust between the two sides in Cyprus. He said that the search for a new process can be made possible with the consent of both sides and added: "The issue is the search of a new negotiation in the framework of the new conditions", he stated.

[06] The first 100 meters were exceeded in the illegal land drilling for oil in the occupied area of Cyprus

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (02.05.12) publishes exclusive statements by Prof. Salih Saner, coordinator of Middle East Technical University's (ODTU) program on natural gas and oil, who alleged that in case the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, determined its so-called Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), it could force neighboring countries to recognize it. Saner claimed that if the breakaway regime does this, countries such as Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria will have to make agreements with it. He said that according to the UN Law of the Sea, the states could use their rights in EEZ in an area of 200 nautical miles from their shores. Saner noted that in case the distance between the countries in Eastern Mediterranean is less than 400 miles, the border is drawn jointly.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkish Cypriot political party leaders comment on the issue of not holding an international conference on the Cyprus problem

Evaluating Turkish side's possible Plan B, Yorgancioglu argued no other solution than the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation will have any benefit for the Turkish Cypriots. "A different solution will constitute a problem", he said.

Yorgancioglu expressed the view that the Cyprus negotiations should continue during the Republic of Cyprus's EU term presidency. He argued: "I think that the UN Secretary-General would want the continuation of the talks. Perhaps the frequency of the negotiations will be reduced. The negotiations will continue and the sides will not be able to run away from this. Turkish side's running away from the negotiations will turn it into the intransigent side".

Meanwhile, the general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), Ertugrul Hasipoglu argued that the fact that the UN Secretary-General had not invited an international conference, is a proof that "the UN cannot do this job". "They are incapable of doing it", he alleged and claimed that the international community does not want to solve the Cyprus problem.

Hasipoglu alleged that the Cyprus problem will be put in the freezer during the Republic of Cyrus's EU term presidency and that after the presidency we will see whether the negotiations will resume.

Referring to the Turkish Plan B, Hasipoglu argued that this Plan B should be to secure the recognition of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Furthermore, Turgay Avci, leader of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), said they expected the view of the UN towards the Turkish Cypriots to change, because they had voted "yes" in the referendum in 2004. He argued that the UN Secretary-General has not invited a multilateral conference because the Greek Cypriots do not want such a conference. He alleged that this is tantamount to the continuation of the non-solution. He claimed that if a solution is not reached within the next couple of months, the UN should mention in its reports that the responsible side for the non-solution is President Christofias.

Referring to their Plan B, Avci said that after the 1st of July, they will evaluate the situation with Turkey and they might create a new road map.

(I/Ts.)

[08] May 1 was celebrated in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper writes that a rally was organized by various trade unions and civil society organizations, like Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS), Turkish Cypriot "Public Servants" Union (KTAMS), Dev-is Trade Union.

The persons participated in the celebrations gathered in the Kugulu Park in occupied Lefkosia and then marched at the Keryneia Avenue towards the self-styled presidential palace. The persons carried panels with slogans like "This country is not for sale; no to privatization", "Long live may 1", "Down with status quo".

The paper writes that the general secretary of PEO, Pampis Kyritsis and the organization secretary of SEK, Dimitris Michael, delivered speeches during the event.

[09] Turkey's MGK conveyed; It made a call for the ending of bloodshed in Syria

MGK released a statement after its regular monthly meeting held under the chairmanship of President Abdullah Gul in Ankara.

In its statement, the MGK said it was obligatory to end bloodshed in Syria as soon as possible and to pave the way for a democratic transition process in the country in line with legitimate demands of people. "We have drawn attention to the obligation to fulfill all requirements of the six-point Annan plan," the MGK said.

The council underlined importance of protection of Syrian people and dispatch of humanitarian aid in that country, and said it discussed situation of Syrian people who had taken shelter in Turkey and developments along Turkey-Syria border.

Moreover, the council discussed developments in Iraq, and said Turkey continued to closely monitor political developments in Iraq as a country that had opposed to every type of ethnic and sectarian politics in its region. "We think that problems in Iraq should be solved within the framework of pluralist democracy and rule of law principles and by restoring unity and solidarity of the country," the council said.

The developments in other Middle Eastern and Northern African countries, as well as Turkey's fight against terrorism were also discussed.

Finally according to the statement, Turkey would maintain its comprehensive and multilateral fight against terrorism, and counter every type of act and attempt of the terrorist organization and its supporters that targeted at unity, solidarity, security, peace and prosperity of Turkish nation.

[10] Bagis: "The sun in Cyprus rises in two different states"

Bagis stated that these two "states" must either unite or another solution must be created so that they will be able to compromise. He also said that his wish is that the two leaders to shake hands and a solution, based in political equality, to be found.

[11] Italian and Turkish firms to establish new ventures; The Italy-Turkey Economy Forum to take place in Istanbul

"Bilateral commercial relations between the two countries are rising to a third dimension, except for investments and mutual acquisitions. Now Turkish and Italian firms will invest in common action in third countries," Scarante said.

According to Scarante, the bilateral trade volume was up 28 % in 2011 reaching $21.3 billion. He added that with the formation of new cooperation, the trade volume will grow by 20% this year.

"Bilateral trade volume has hit a record level in the last five years. The number of Italian companies active and investing in Turkey has increased by 200 % to 916 during the first four months of this year," Scarante said, noting that mutual commercial ties have become deeply-rooted over the past 50 years.

The Italy-Turkey Economy Forum will take place between May 1 and 4, supported by the Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency, the Union of Chamber and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD).

Italian institutional attendees include the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Italian Trade Center (ICE), Confindustria (the Italian employers' federation), Unioncamere (the Union of Italian Chambers) and Associazione Bancaria Italina (the Union of Italian Banks).

Some 200 Italian firms are coming to Turkey to attend the forum for new investment opportunities, Scarante said.

"We possibly might have performed such a big Italian trade mission [like this one] only to China before. So we will execute the largest investment initiative in Turkey after China," he added, noting that the quality of bilateral trade was increasing along with the quantity.

"The number of Turkish companies that have invested in Italy is rising day-by-day", he said. "Turks bought a very large ceramics plant in Italy last year, saving it from going under. I believe that such acquisitions will happen more frequently going forward and more Turkish investors will take over European firms in a bad financial condition", he added.

Turkish and Italian business cooperation currently shows a lot of promise, according to Scarante. "Mainly Italian firms take the lead in these ventures, mostly in construction and infrastructure sectors. For example, it is likely that the construction of the Versailles subway will be assumed by a Turkish-Italian company. They will also bridge St. Petersburg Airport and Qatari highway projects. But we want to cooperate in other fields as well," he said.

"The fact that two giant Italian firms, Fiat and Pirelli, have some of their largest plants in Turkey encourages other Italian firms", Scarante said.

[12] A US watchdog report says Turkey sees decline in media freedom

"In Turkey, which is also Partly Free, the score declined by one point as the Government continued to crack down on unfavourable press coverage in 2011," read the report, titled "Freedom of the Press 2012: Breakthroughs and Pushback in the Middle East", being released on May 1.

"Constitutional guarantees of freedom of the press and expression are only partially upheld in practice, undermined by restrictive provisions in the criminal code and Anti-Terrorism Act. Due to detentions stemming from investigations into the alleged Ergenekon conspiracy to overthrow the Government, as well as a case involving suspected ties to an alleged Kurdish militant group, Turkey now has one of the highest numbers of imprisoned journalists in the world," the report said.

Freedom House graded countries on a scale of zero (best) to 100 (worst), ranging from the most free to the least free media. According to the report, Turkey ranked 117th with 55 points among 197 countries. Turkey has been included in the category of countries which have "partly free" media.

As for the situation of media freedoms across the world, the report said "the year 2011 featured precarious but potentially far-reaching gains for media freedom in the Middle East and North Africa. Major steps forward were recorded in Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, where long-time dictators were removed after successful popular uprisings."

"While trends in these countries were not uniformly positive, with important setbacks to democratic prospects in both Egypt and Libya toward the year's end, the magnitude of the improvements -- especially in Tunisia and Libya -- represented major breakthroughs in a region that has a long history of media control by autocratic leaders," the report said.

The report said the United States is still one of the stronger performers, but "it also experienced a slight decline in 2011 due to difficulties encountered by journalists covering the Occupy protests."

According to the report, the world's eight worst-rated countries are Belarus, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. "In these states, independent media are either nonexistent or barely able to operate, the press acts as a mouthpiece for the regime, citizens' access to unbiased information is severely limited, and dissent is crushed through imprisonment, torture, and other forms of repression," the watchdog said.

Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world and advocates for democracy and human rights.

[13] A Jewish lobby calls on US to prevent Turkish block of Israel from NATO summit

Turkey says NATO-Israel relations cannot be restored until Turkey-Israel relations are normalized. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said Turkey will not allow Israel, a member of the Mediterranean Dialogue ? [a NATO outreach program involving seven non-NATO nations], to take part in the alliance's new Partnership Cooperation Menu (PCM).

Turkey has vetoed Israel's participation in the NATO summit to take place on May 20-21 in Chicago.

Turkish and Israeli relations worsened in May 2010 and have since remained strained after Israeli naval commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara, a ship carrying humanitarian aid to breach Israel's Gaza blockade, killing nine Turkish civilians.

Turkey demands an official apology, compensation for the families of the victims and an end to the Gaza blockade. Israel claims its soldiers acted in self-defense.

AJC President Robert Elman and AJC Executive Director David Harris stated in a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday that the US should not allow Israel, its "most reliable and capable ally in the region," to remain at arm's length from NATO due to Turkey's position.

"[I]t is our hope that ? the political position of one member of this vital 28-nation alliance will not be allowed to hinder strategically advantageous cooperation with Israel -- the Middle East's sole democracy," Elman and Harris claimed.

While acknowledging that a Turkish veto may be legally effective due to the fact that NATO acts only by consensus, the lobbyists claimed that dialogue with Israel would be beneficial in that the country has the same concerns as NATO with regard to the Middle East. "Israel has a unique perspective, and can offer unique insights, on a range of strategic developments on NATO's doorstep, including instability in Syria, the continuing threat posed by Iran's undeterred drive for nuclear weapons capability and political transitions across North Africa," they further claimed.

Last week, reports appeared that Ankara has also objected to EU participation in the Chicago summit unless the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is also allowed to

be present.

Having raised the level of the EU's commitment to a NATO peace mission in Afghanistan, EU member countries, including France, have argued that the EU should be represented. "If non-NATO members are also participating, the OIC should be represented [at the Chicago summit] first and foremost," a Turkish diplomatic source has said, in explanation of Ankara's position, speaking to Today's Zaman last week.

The source claimed that the OIC's commitment has exceeded the EU contribution to the Afghanistan peace mission.

The OIC, a bloc of 56 countries, is taking a growing interest in the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in 2010 it accepted a proposal by member states Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to appoint an OIC permanent representative for Afghanistan.

The US administration has joined the push for greater OIC involvement in Afghanistan in the last couple of years, which would benefit efforts aiming at reconciliation between the Afghan Government and the Taliban.

However, Turkey's objection to EU participation in NATO activities involves a long-standing dispute. "Greek Cyprus", [as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the paper] representing the entire island as a full member of the EU, blocks Turkish participation in European defense institutions such as the European Defense Agency (EDA). Turkey, a NATO member, has responded by obstructing the EU's integration in NATO activities.

[14] Davutoglu to receive "leader of 21st century" award in Sarajevo

Turkey's Embassy in Sarajevo announced on Monday that Davutoglu will arrive in Sarajevo on May 3 and hold talks in Sarajevo on May 4.

The International League of Humanists, an organization comprised of Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian intellectuals and based in Sarajevo, will present Davutoglu the "Leader of 21st Century" award on May 4.

Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA), the Secretary General of the League Zdravko Surlan said that Davutoglu deserved the award for his contributions to the development of relations between the Balkan countries. "The award we are about to present is in a way of expression of 'thank you' to Mr. Davutoglu for his contributions to the dialogue culture, peace and stability in the Balkans", Surlan indicated.

Among the recipients of the "Leader of 21st Century" award in the past were Pope John Paul II who visited Sarajevo after the war, and former President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch who passed away in 2010. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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