Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-10

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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 made statements about the "embargoes" and said that a solution cannot be reached through open ended negotiations

[02] Eroglu will participate in a conference about Cyprus negotiations in Konya

[03] Ertug: The future of the process is discussed through shuttle diplomacy under the auspices of the UN

[04] Bagis argues that they have not a new strategy on Cyprus

[05] Cyprus problem in the joint communique released at the end of the Italy-Turkey Summit

[06] Turkish Cypriot organizations ask the opening of the occupied fenced city of Varosha under UN control

[07] BKP accuses AKP and Eroglu of trying to change the basis of the Cyprus talks and promote the division of the island

[08] CTP and TDP messages' on Europe Day

[09] Talat assessed the election results in Greece and France

[10] Poll shows increase in the power of CTP, TDP and DP; What views were expressed on the Cyprus problem

[11] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry criticized the order of the occupation regime its members not to use the Republic of Cyprus' passports

[12] Turkish deputy Prime Minister Atalay to illegally visit the breakaway regime to participate in an inauguration ceremony

[13] Three FIFA officials inspected the football field of the occupied Morfou sport complex and issued a certificate of suitability

[14] Turkish US chiefs of staff meet in Washington

[15] Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to visit Estonia and discuss the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU membership process

[16] Turkish Deputy FM says Turkey not obligated to arrest, extradite Al-Hashemi

[17] "Eleven former, active duty generals arrested in 1997 coup probe"

[18] Majority of Turks oppose military coups, according to an opinion poll

[19] Ankara Hosts "Turkey-Africa Media Forum"

[20] Turkish Assembly adopts law for citizens to cast votes in country of residence

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu made statements about the "embargoes" and said that a solution cannot be reached through open ended negotiations

Speaking during a visit paid to him by the delegation from the Turkish Association of Retired non-commissioned officers located in Izmir, Eroglu claimed that that "the world needed to be more understanding towards the Turkish Cypriots".

Informing the delegation on the history of the Cyprus problem as well as the establishment of the breakaway regime, Eroglu alleged that the "TRNC", as he called the occupation regime could have been recognized by a large number of countries had the United Nations allowed it.

Touching upon the ongoing negotiations process, Eroglu said that no one was asking the UN as to how much longer the current negotiations process was to continue "despite the fact that the Greek Cypriot side's intransigency had been revealed", as he alleged.

"It has become clear that a solution cannot be reached through open ended negotiations and in the absence of time limits. We are still continuing to negotiate under embargoes. Our collocutors are both members of the UN and the EU. It is only natural under these circumstances for the Greek Cypriot side to play for time" he claimed.

Eroglu also alleged that it will be extremely difficult to find a settlement at a time when the Republic of Cyprus was preparing to take over the EU term Presidency, as well as next year's Presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

[02] Eroglu will participate in a conference about Cyprus negotiations in Konya

The conference titled "the Cyprus negotiations from past to present" will take place on Friday afternoon.

[03] Ertug: The future of the process is discussed through shuttle diplomacy under the auspices of the UN

In a written statement issued yesterday Ertug replied to information published in the Greek Cypriot press as regards the negotiating process. Ertug said that within the framework of the above-mentioned shuttle diplomacy, it is discussed whether the sides have a common will as regards the future of the process. "The content of the issues will be discussed after a common will comes up as regards the future of the process and the method of the negotiations", he noted.

Ertug announced that Eroglu will meet with Downer on 16 May. He said that they will discuss the latest situation in the Cyprus problem and they will evaluate the ongoing shuttle diplomacy. He noted that a clearer picture regarding the future of the negotiations will come up in this meeting.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Bagis argues that they have not a new strategy on Cyprus

Bagis reiterated the allegation that Turkey's Plan A is being implemented now and that this plan is in favour of reconciliation and a solution. He added that they have also Plans B, C and D, but these plans have not entered into effect at this moment.

He argued: "We stress at every opportunity that we would support any solution based on political equality on which the elected leaders of the sides would agree. I hope that we will witness that the two leaders of the island will share with the international community that they agreed and make us a surprise. If they do not, Turkey will continue being by the side of the TRNC, as it has been until today. However, we hope that the issue is settled as soon as possible peacefully".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Cyprus problem in the joint communique released at the end of the Italy-Turkey Summit

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Italian counterpart Mario Monti held important discussions within the scope of the second Turkey-Italy Summit which was held in Rome.

Italy's support for Turkey's EU membership as well as the Cyprus problem was included in the joint communique released after the end of the summit.

Regarding the Cyprus problem, the statement underlined the importance of a stable and a prosperous Eastern Mediterranean for Europe.

Turkey and Italy also expressed the importance of finding a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN's Good Office's Mission.

[06] Turkish Cypriot organizations ask the opening of the occupied fenced city of Varosha under UN control

The organizations argued that the rhetoric and the actions of the Turkish side regarding Varosha in the period before the Republic of Cyprus's EU term presidency on 1 July are far from finding a solution to the problem. The statement claims that the Turkish side is bargaining with a Greek Cypriot businessman, who is refugee from Varosha.

The statement said that the move of the Turkish side regarding Varosha should be made not in contrary to the UN Security Council resolution on the issue, but by reaching reconciliation with all the sides which have been trying to find a solution in Cyprus for years.

"Reunifying the divided city of Varosha is a move which is of key importance for paving the way for the reunification of Cyprus", notes the statement describing Varosha as the "ideal place" where the chances of the Cypriots for coexistence could be examined.

"Varosha needs an administrative model by which, all its legal owners will be able to return under security and this model is the UN administration", the statement pointed out and noted that this would lift all the obstacles for the opening of the port of Famagusta to international trade and that this port could acquire a modern administration.

(I/Ts.)

[07] BKP accuses AKP and Eroglu of trying to change the basis of the Cyprus talks and promote the division of the island

In a written statement issued yesterday by Abdullah Kormazhan, BKP's organizational secretary, the government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu are accused of seeking for eliminating the negotiating process and the federal basis of the talks and promote their separatist targets. He said cooperation is needed against AKP and Eroglu, who with their separatist policies that are contrary to the solution, try to drag the Turkish Cypriots into new adventures and annihilate them.

Korkmazhan said that the UN is in favour of the continuation of the negotiations and that the international organization is waiting for the sides to take their decision as regards the process from now on.

[08] CTP and TDP messages' on Europe Day

Yorgancioglu stated that the Turkish Cypriots are an inseparable part of the European Union, like other European "people". He added that the right of the Turkish Cypriots to become members of the EU gets through the solution of the Cyprus problem. He underlined that the Turkish Cypriots goals for lifting the "isolation" and everything they gained due to the fact that they voted "yes to the Annan Plan can be reached, if the Turkish Cypriot side do not abandon the negotiation table.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (10.05.12) reports that the general Secretary of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit on his message for the Europe Day stated that the place of the Turkish Cypriots is the European Union and stressed that only road for this is reaching an early, permanent and just solution of the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Talat assessed the election results in Greece and France

Responding to a question, Talat argued that economic and political collapse results in the strengthening of radical forces adding that such developments might have negative consequences. He claimed that if Greece is excluded from the Euro zone, there could be even internal conflicts in the country. Talat said that this could influence the whole region and that nationalism, racism and religious movements might increase. Asked how the Turkish side will be influenced by this situation, Talat noted that enmity against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots might be incited.

Responding to another question, Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriots were saddened by the defeat of Nikolas Sarkozy in the French presidential elections and that during Sarkozy's period France was acting like militant of the Greek Cypriots. He said that the election of Hollande might contribute positively to Turkey's EU perspective, which could influence positively the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Talat said that the issue is not on the agenda any more, but this reality does not change the fact that the solution remains of vital importance for the Turkish Cypriots. Talat argued that he had faced in various occasions the stance of the Greek Cypriot side and President Christofias on the Cyprus problem, and therefore he was not surprised at the negotiations. He noted that actually, many issues which seem to be contradictory might be solved indirectly and gave an example the issue of the FIR. He claimed that the Greek Cypriots accepted a single FIR and two air spaces.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Poll shows increase in the power of CTP, TDP and DP; What views were expressed on the Cyprus problem

Asked what party they would vote for if "elections" were held next week, the responses of the participants in the poll were the following: National Unity Party (UBP) 36.4%, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 33%, Social Democracy Party (TDP) 13.3%, Democratic Party (DP) 13%, Freedom and Reform Party (ODP) 3.7%, Democracy and Trust Party (DGP) 0.3% and United Cyprus Party (BKP) 0.3%. Faiz pointed out that the percentages of the UBP and ORP decreased in comparison with the latest "elections", while the percentages of the CTP, TDP and DP increased.

Faiz noted that 47% of the participants in the poll, said that their household income decreased, 37.8% said that they have not spent their savings but they could hardly manage to get on, 33.1% said they have been forced to take a loan and 20.1% said that they have spent their savings.

Faiz noted that the participants in the poll said that "police", the "courts" and the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu are the three most successful "institutions" and persons, while "prime minister" Irsen Kucuk, his self-styled government and the hospitals are the tree most unsuccessful persons and "institutions".

As regards the Cyprus problem, Faiz said that the participants in the poll believed that Turkey should be guarantor of the "Turkish Cypriot state" only, that a limitation should exist in the number of the people from Turkey who come and settle in the island, and that the return off a certain number of Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes is acceptable. He noted that they also expressed the view that they could not accept the election of the president in the rotating presidency by the method of cross voting, the possibility of mutual intervention by other countries outside Turkey's unilateral intervention, "border"/ territorial adjustments and the "original property owner" [Translator's note: as the Greek Cypriot legal owners of the properties in the occupied area of the island are described] to have the first say in the arrangement of the property issue.

Faiz noted that the most popular political party leader is Serdar Denktas, followed by Mehmet Cakici in the second place, Ozkan Yorgancioglu in the third and Irsen Kucuk in the fourth.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.05.12) refers to the same issue and reports that 57% of the participants in the poll said that they strongly oppose to the building of oil storage facility in occupied Eftakomi village. Equally high percentage (57.4%) opposes to the privatization policies followed by the self-styled government.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry criticized the order of the occupation regime its members not to use the Republic of Cyprus' passports

In a written statement KTSO criticized the decision of the occupation regime and noted that it is a punishment for the Turkish Cypriot businessmen and will affect negatively the efforts of KTSO members to establish relations abroad with countries other than Turkey.

[12] Turkish deputy Prime Minister Atalay to illegally visit the breakaway regime to participate in an inauguration ceremony

[13] Three FIFA officials inspected the football field of the occupied Morfou sport complex and issued a certificate of suitability

According to the paper, the three FIFA officials arrived in the occupied area of Cyprus with the Italian Lobo Sport Firm and conducted a five-hour inspection at the football field. The officials issued a certificate of suitability which provides that football matches can be played at the field.

[14] Turkish US chiefs of staff meet in Washington

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesperson Cdr. Scott McIlnay said Chief of General Staff Necdet Ozel met with Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Wednesday and plans to see US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta on Thursday. The talks are expected to cover the two nations' overlapping strategic interests, which include the Syria crisis and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

McIlnay also said Ozel is scheduled to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as well as a number of bases in Virginia and Florida.

Ozel's visit will also include a briefing on the progress of America's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Ankara has already signed a contract for the delivery of two of the US-produced fighters by 2015, and currently plans to buy 100 of the planes for a total of $16 billion.

[15] Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to visit Estonia and discuss the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU membership process

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Davutoglu will meet with Paet and be received by Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip while in Estonia.

Davutoglu and Estonian officials will discuss Turkey-Estonia relations, Turkey's EU membership process, the Cyprus problem and matters related to NATO, the MFA said.

[16] Turkish Deputy FM says Turkey not obligated to arrest, extradite Al-Hashemi

Speaking at a press conference in the central Anatolian province of Konya, Naci Koru underlined that Interpol's red bulletin on al-Hashemi was not actually an arrest warrant.

Sources stressed that al-Hashemi is still the vice president of Iraq and he had diplomatic immunity, AA reports.

[17] "Eleven former, active duty generals arrested in 1997 coup probe"

Eight public prosecutors completed the interrogation of 17 suspects who were detained on Tuesday in the probe and referred fifteen suspects to the court for arrest.

Two were released pending trial. The Ankara 11th High Criminal Court ruled to arrest eleven of them, which include six active duty and five retired generals. The active duty generals were sent to the Mamak Prison while the retired ones were jailed at the Sincan Prison.

Retired Gen. Cetin Saner, who is known to have threatened to impale an interior minister during the Feb. 28, 1997 coup era, was also among the jailed.

A total of 39 people were arrested in the first three operations of the Feb. 28 investigation last month. The suspects are all accused of playing a major role in the 1997 coup, when the military forced a coalition government led by a now-defunct conservative party, the Welfare Party (RP), out of power on the grounds that there was rising religious fundamentalism in the country.

Those sent to jail include retired Gen. Cevik Bir, who is known to have played a major role in the 1997 coup, and retired Gen. Erol Ozkasnak, the secretary-general of the General Staff at the time. Ozkasnak is known to have played a major role in the coup generals' communication with the media in order to put pressure on the government to resign.

Reportedly at the heart of the Feb. 28 investigation are the actions of the West Study Group (BCG), which was established within the military to categorize politicians, intellectuals, soldiers and bureaucrats according to their religious and ideological backgrounds before and after the coup. Bir, the deputy chief of General Staff at the time, was the head of the BCG.

[18] Majority of Turks oppose military coups, according to an opinion poll

According to the poll conducted by MetroPoll Research Company, which surveyed 1209 respondents in 27 cities, some 79% said they would never approve a military coup, while only 17% said they would.

A bigger majority, 82%, said they believed past coups were harmful to the country, while only 11% said they had been useful.

Turkey has seen the country's military take over the government three times over the course of its 89 year history and none of these coups caused a public backlash. The Constitution offered to referendum by Sept. 12, 1980 military coup leaders, received approval by 90% of the public.

But public opinion seems to have changed now, with 66% of the respondents saying they would resist the army on the streets in the event of a coup attempt.

The poll found out that sympathy for military coups is more prevalent among supporters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Some 25% of the CHP and the MHP supporters approved of the previous coups, while only 11% of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) voters said they supported the coups.

Just over 67% of Turkish people said they thought the trial of coup leaders and perpetrators was "right and necessary." The number climbs up to 81% among AKP supporters, but drops to 50% when it comes to the CHP voters and 46% among MHP supporters.

More than 77% of the participants believe the era of military coups is over in Turkey and that there will never be a coup again, while 14% says another coup is possible.

The survey found that 23% of respondents consider the 1980 coup as "true and lawful," but 61% of the respondents said the coup was wrong. Only 56% said 1980 coup leaders Kenan Evren and Tahsin Sahinkaya should be put on trial.

The survey also asked if the respondents approved of the way top politicians conducted their duties. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received an approval rating of 70%, well above the ratio of AKP supporters. The approval rating of CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu was 24%, with only a 43% approval among CHP supporters.

[19] Ankara Hosts "Turkey-Africa Media Forum"

Murat Karakaya, the general director of Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information, spoke at the forum and said that Turkey-Africa Media Forum was the reflection of Turkey's effort on keeping friendly relations with the world. He believed that the two day forum would be beneficial to media industries of both sides.

Karakaya stressed that as an establishment they already work in cooperation with other countries' media corporations.

Karakaya said that relations are important in order to cooperate efficiently.

"Turkey-Africa media forum brought together Turkish and African countries' media members", Karakaya noted.

I believe that the forum will also help getting to know both sides' culture, history and social life, Karakaya stressed.

Chairman of the Executive Board of Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON), Rizanur Meral said, "Turkish businessmen decided to fill the commercial gap in Africa and want to take an effective role in the arena. I believe that this media forum plays an important role between African countries and fills the organization gap."

Ethiopian Ambassador in Ankara, Dr. Mulatu Teshome Wirtu attended the forum and stressed that the power of media and the forum will have positive effects on Turkish and African relations.

Wirtu said that Africa is popular among Turkish investors and construction companies which are based in Turkey and make big investments in the African infrastructure.

Chairman of Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), Serdar Cam said, "There is only one Africa and it has all sorts of different natural resources. There needs to be developments in each geographical area."

Cam also stated that TIKA opened offices in the region to find solutions for problems in Sudan, Somalia and in North Africa.

[20] Turkish Assembly adopts law for citizens to cast votes in country of residence

The new law also will help erase problems stemming from the nationality laws of Turkey.

The list of Turkish voters eligible to vote at Turkey's missions abroad will be published by the Higher Board of Election (YSK).

The YSK will decide on the missions where voting may take place.

Turkish citizens living abroad will be registered as potential voters. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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