Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

[01] Eroglu: "We might come to a better point of understanding with a package of confidence building measures, instead of carry out useless meetings"

[02] Ozgurgun warns on the existence of a Plan B if Cyprus talks are not to be resumed on the leader's level

[03] Hughes: "Direct trade must be on the table"

[04] Statements by Serdar Denktas and Bengu Sonya

[05] A new movement is allegedly to be established in occupied Cyprus

[06] More arrests of ex-generals for the 28 February coup

[07] Schulz links Kurdish autonomy to EU accession

[08] CHP to submit a six point plan to solve the Kurdish issue

[09] Erdogan stated that an anti-abortion bill will be prepared soon

[10] Arrested top general Basbug asks for Gul and Erdogan's testimony for the Ergenekon case

[11] Turkey-North Africa trade on rise

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

[01] Eroglu: "We might come to a better point of understanding with a package of confidence building measures, instead of carry out useless meetings"

"We might come to a better point of understanding of each other with a package of confidence building measures, instead of carry out useless meetings" Eroglu said.

Stating that even thought the UN Secretary General has declared that he will stay on call and after the elections to take place in "south Cyprus", Eroglu reiterated the need for a time limit and said that Turkish Cypriots are not tolerate to sit at the negotiation table for 48 years more.

Saying that it is nothing else than a dream for the Secretary General to wait for a result to come up at the negotiation talks after July 1st, Eroglu reiterated that it is meaningless for the negotiation talks to continue at this phase with the current basis.

Stressing that it is important which will be the approach of the newly elected president in "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said: "It was not possible to arrive at a place with the open-ended talks. We said that the solution should be a Cypriot solution, but we could not find a solution for Cypriots. We said let's make a conference with the participation of guarantor powers; the Greek Cypriot side said no to this. If we will continue the efforts for finding a solution for Cypriots, we won't continue with the way the Greek Cypriots want, but we will establish a negotiation table in the way we want it, as well. The two sides should sit and prepare a new table with new conditions and new parameters. This is not possible to take place before the presidential elections" Eroglu said.

[02] Ozgurgun warns on the existence of a Plan B if Cyprus talks are not to be resumed on the leader's level

Speaking at a televised program broadcast yesterday by illegal Bayrak, Ozgurgun said: "If talks won't resume at the leaders' level, then there must be a B Plan on the table. But it's too early to speak of a B Plan".

Ozgurgun said that the method to be adopted during the new leg of negotiations was much more important than the resumption of the process. "The UN is concerned on how to resume the talks. It seems difficult to maintain the talks at the current level after the Greek Cypriot side takes over the EU presidency on the 1st of July. The talks will either be resumed at a technical level or a new policy will be adopted once south Cyprus elects its new leader. This is the B Plan. But it's too early to speak of it", Ozgurgun added.

Ozgurgun continued and said that the Turkish side needed to close the door, if the new Greek Cypriot leader would avoid holding the talks at the leaders' level.

He noted that the EU's perception of the Cyprus issue was also wrong.

[03] Hughes: "Direct trade must be on the table"

During his visit to Yorgancioglu which lasted for half an hour, the British politician stated that he will ask for the help of the British government so that the Cyprus negotiations to continue after the beginning of 2013. He also said that that Britain must give priority to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Replying to a question regarding the direct trade, Hughes stated that "All issues like the issue of the direct trade must be put on the table". He went on and said that positive results came out for the Green Line Regulation adding: "This is a move in a right direction. The important question more for Cyprus than UK, is whether the direct trade will be possible without a comprehensive solution. Agreeing on some issues and not agreeing on some others includes the danger of prolonging the efforts towards an agreement. We want to see the soonest, a comprehensive solution. Therefore we want steps to be taken towards this direction and not to endanger this", Hughes said, but noted that the opening of "border gates" and the development of trade between the two sides would be in the benefit of everybody.

The paper writes that Hughes discussed with Talat the latest developments of the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on the issue with Denktas and Cakici. Eroglu offered an honour meal for Hughes and his delegation.

[04] Statements by Serdar Denktas and Bengu Sonya

Issuing a written statement, Serdar Denktas went on and called on everyone for taking action in order to protect their history and their rights.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (30.05.12) reports that Bengu Sonya, general secretary of DP, in statements yesterday to Ada Haber program underlined that the Cyprus negotiations are in a blockage and reiterated his party proposal for a referendum, adding that what they ask with the referendum is to be the masters in their own house.

Criticizing the Turkish Cypriot side's stance at the negotiation table, Sonya said that the "people" should be asked on what they want on the Cyprus problem.

AK

[05] A new movement is allegedly to be established in occupied Cyprus

According to information acquired by the paper, the new formation to be established will be called "Cyprus' existence front" and will be consist of academicians, youths and intellectuals.

According to the paper, among the information acquired, is also that the new formation to be established might be turned to a political party in one year.

The paper continues and writes that among the aims of the "Cyprus Existence Movement" will be to declare that it supports the established of an Independent Federal Cyprus, to turn against the efforts exerted by Turkey to change the demographic structure of occupied Cyprus and to describe the existence of Turkey in Cyprus as "occupation".

AK

[06] More arrests of ex-generals for the 28 February coup

"commander" of the so-called Turkish Cypriot Security Forces ("GKK") during the period of 1980, was taken into custody yesterday in Turkey confronting charges for his role at the February 28 coup.

Another person who was arrested in the past was also Sukru Sarisik who was also "commander" of the occupation army in Cyprus. Albay Namik Koc was also another person who was arrested for the Ergenekon case.

The paper points out that none of the above-mentioned persons were accused for their action in the "TRNC".

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.05.12), Ankara High Criminal Court ordered 6 former generals to be arrested for their role in an ongoing post-modern military intervention investigation.

The investigation into the February 28, 1997 bloodless military intervention had reached the former commanding echelon of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), with several retired force commanders and other generals being taken custody in the fifth wave of operation on Monday.

The investigation managed by a specially authorized prosecutor in Ankara, Retired Generals Engin Alan, Cetin Dogan, former air forces commander Ahmet Corekci, retired lieutenant Gen. Metin Yavuz Yalcin, Vural Avar, former Land Forces logistic commander Kamuran Orhon, former gendarmerie commander Teoman Koman, former National Security Council (MGK) Secretary Ilhan Kilic, former Land Forces commander Hikmet Koksal and retired Col. Hakan Cemal Pelit had been arrested on Monday.

All former high rank generals' inquiry was completed Tuesday morning, and following the inquiry Ankara 12th High Criminal Court has ordered to arrest 6 former military staff for their role in February 28 coup probe.

On the other hand, Engin Alan, Kamuran Orhon and Hakan Cemal Pelit were released. Teoman Koman also released due to serious health problems in the same inquiry. However, retired generals Alan, Dogan and Yalcin have been behind bars in the "Balyoz" (Sledgehammer) coup plan case.

More than 70 retired and active-duty military officials have been questioned so far in the February 28 coup, and 51 of those have already been jailed during the first four waves of the investigation, including retired Gen. Cevik Bir, who is known to have played a crucial role in the coup. Retired Gen. Erol Ozkasnak has also been put behind bars earlier, who were the secretary-general of the General Staff Ismail Hakki Karadayi in 1997. It is believed that Ozkasnak also had a great role in enabling communication with the media. At the time, the media had been used by military officials to put pressure on the former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan's coalition to resign.

The 1997 military memorandum refers to the decisions issued by the Turkish Military leadership on a National Security Council meeting at 28 February 1977 which initiated the 28 February process that precipitated the resignation of Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan of the Welfare Party and the end of his coalition government. As the Erbakan government was forced out without dissolving the parliament or suspending the constitution, the event has been labelled a "postmodern coup" by Salim Dervisoglu, a label that has stuck.

[07] Schulz links Kurdish autonomy to EU accession

Speaking at a ceremony at Bilgi University at which he was awarded an honorary doctorate, Schulz said the following: "My advice is given in the framework of Turkey's pre-EU accession strategy: We must try to convince both sides that it is possible [to create something] between a sovereign state and [a region] with a high degree of autonomy while [maintaining] the ? territorial integrity of the country. That is my humble advice," Martin Schulz said.

Pointing out that the Kurdish problem is a domestic problem for Turkey, he added that the European Union is concerned about the rights and recognition of minorities in its member countries.

Schulz said he was confronted with the Kurdish problem when he was a socialist mayor in Germany. "In the early 80s I had a lot of refugees in my city coming from Kurdistan, and I was immediately confronted with the problems that I had in my city, where among the citizens of Turkish origin, half considered themselves Kurds and the other half Turks. This was my reality. And the first part of my answer to you is that there is a Kurdish problem."

Schulz also mentioned the success of northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). "You know that the northern part of Iraq has an autonomous Kurdish government. Mr. [Masoud] Barzani [president of the KRG] is a regional leader, being of Kurdish origin, and considers himself a Kurdish leader. This is not a problem ? for Turkey, and it is not a problem for us or for Iraq."

[08] CHP to submit a six point plan to solve the Kurdish issue

The report includes as its first point a plan for the establishment of a parliamentary committee to concentrate on the Kurdish question. The suggested name for this committee is the Social Reconciliation Commission, which the CHP says in its report should function according to the principles of equal representation and reconciliation.

The second point involves the establishment of a Group of Wise Men, which would assist the parliamentary committee on the Kurdish question. The Group of Wise Men would be made up of three people selected by the political parties in Parliament. The main function of this group would be to serve as a bridge between civil society groups, various segments of society and the committee.

The third point concerns the period of time set for the committee to achieve results. Accordingly, the committee would finish its preliminary work within six months and announce publicly the points upon which agreements had been reached. In the subsequent step, this declaration, along with other suggestions by the commission, would be submitted to the government.

The next point would see the implementation of the roadmap drawn up by the commission. Finally, the CHP's plan includes public campaigns to garner public support for permanent peace and social reconciliation.

CHP Deputy Chairman Faruk Logoglu said that the model for the reconciliation commission was a suggestion unique to the CHP. "A [reconciliation] commission was set up in South Africa to investigate past events. We are not interested in the past; we want to look to the future."

[09] Erdogan stated that an anti-abortion bill will be prepared soon

Erdogan sparked outrage from women's groups, opposition lawmakers and media critics over the weekend when he delivered two fiery speeches in which he attacked abortion and caesarean births as "secret" plots designed to stall Turkey's economic growth. Abortion, he said, was "murder". "We are preparing a law on abortion and we will enact this law," Erdogan told hundreds of cheering people at the opening of a new hospital in Istanbul. He did not elaborate on what the draft bill would entail.

Abortion until the 10th week after conception is considered legal in Turkey since 1983.

(?)

[10] Arrested top general Basbug asks for Gul and Erdogan's testimony for the Ergenekon case

"The officials whom my client has worked together with in accordance with his duties are evident, and it will become apparent if they testify as witnesses that the allegation that [my client] pressured state leaders is baseless," the former top general's lawyer Ilkay Sezer said in the three-page petition.

Among the officials whose testimony he requested are Gul, Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, European Union Minister Egemen Bagis, former Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, former Chief of General Staff Gen. Is?k Kosaner, former force commanders Ret. Gen. Aydogan Babaoglu, Ret. Adm. Metin Atac and Ret. Gen. Atilla Is?k, as well as Ret. Maj. Gen. Sirin Unal, who is currently serving as a deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP.)

(?)

[11] Turkey-North Africa trade on rise

Turkey's exports to these three North African countries went up 84% in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the same term last year.

The security problem in Syria has forced Turkish exporters to use Mersin-Port Said-Duba route.

In the first quarter of 2012, Turkey's exports to Libya went up to 526 million USD from 264 million USD, to Tunisia 208 million USD from 139 million USD and to Egypt 917 million USD from 496 million USD.

Turkey's total exports to North African countries was calculated as 6.7 billion USD as of the end of 2011. This figure happens to be 5 % of all Turkish exports.

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