Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-06-05

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eroglu said he was ready to discuss Varosha and alleged that substantial negotiations are not possible with President Christofias

[02] More insulting statements by Bagis for the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Bagis stated that the "positive agenda" is a bridge and a bypass to overcome EU obstacles

[04] Talat: "My house was bombed the day when we would launch negotiations with the Greek Cypriots"

[05] Izcan asks continuation of the Cyprus talks after 1 July

[06] EBSO delegation carried out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; They met with Eroglu, Ozgurgun, Cirali and Cerkez; Comments on Demirta's recent meeting with Christofias

[07] Strong reactions against so-called minister Nazim Cavusoglu

[08] Kucuk met with Istanbul's Governor; He stressed the importance of relations between Turkey and the occupation regime

[09] Reference by Kucuk to the passports of the Republic of Cyprus and the possibility of "early elections" in the occupied area

[10] Dikomo dumping site is closing down

[11] WEF meeting kick off today in Turkey; Erdogan is called to end Davos meeting boycott

[12] Women in Turkey protest against the government' plan to ban abortion

[13] The 2nd meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Global Counterterrorism Forum to take place in Istanbul

[14] Turkey's Navy to be strengthened; Turkey plans to built six corvettes

[01] Eroglu said he was ready to discuss Varosha and alleged that substantial negotiations are not possible with President Christofias

According to Yeni Duzen, Eroglu said he was ready to discuss the issue of the opening of the occupied closed city of Varosha. He alleged that they have no Plan B for the period after 1 July and that substantial negotiations with President Christofias are not possible. He said that they will think what they will do if there is not an agreement.

Meanwhile, referring to the same statements, illegal Bayrak television (05.06.12, online) reports that Eroglu said that 1 July is approaching and all [Turkish Cypriot] political parties should be united during this period.

He argued that the negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is at a more advanced point comparing to the period of former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat. He claimed that he was trying to reach an agreement within the framework of the existing parameters and reiterated the allegation that the Turkish side was the only one that submitted proposals at the negotiating table. He argued that the Turkish side did not receive a positive answer to the confidence building measures it had proposed.

Eroglu said that it was not possible for the Turkish side to accept everything. According to illegal Bayrak, replying to a question on the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha, Eroglu alleged that the city "is on TRNC territory". Eroglu said that the technical committees will continue their work after 1 July and added that they know that no agreement could be achieved during the period of Cyprus' EU term presidency.

Eroglu argued that the process will be shaped according to the stance of the new Greek Cypriot leader, who will be elected in the presidential elections in February 2013, and added that the Turkish side will spend this period working.

Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side, having secured the support of some countries, does not exert efforts towards finding an agreement and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side should be forced for an agreement.

Responding to a question, Eroglu reiterated: "An agreement cannot be reached only with our wish. What the Greek Cypriots want is to take many areas".

Eroglu alleged that if there is a will, the Cyprus problem could be solved within 15 days.

Referring to the movement "We are recovering" launched by his special representative Kudret Ozersay through a social media website, Eroglu said he was against this movement and that he had told this to Ozersay.

(I/Ts.)

[02] More insulting statements by Bagis for the Republic of Cyprus

Addressing the Second Trade Consultants' Conference at the Turkish Ministry of Economy, Bagis said the following referring to Cyprus' EU term presidency: "It is an issue related to a calendar. They say 'their turn came, let us put them sit there'".

Bagis argued that Turkey has not the luxury to abandon the West for the sake of the East or the East for the sake of the West.

Recalling that the World Economic Forum was for the first time held this year in a city other than Davos and that this city was Istanbul, Bagis argued that Turkey's strength is increasing during the past few years and that the Turkish people are discovering their potential.

Noting that they have established working groups on eight separate chapters, Bagis said that from now on the issues of the negotiations will not be discussed once a year in the progress report, but in eight different chapters. He noted that they attach great importance to the visa issue and added: "However, being right is not enough, you have to be powerful".

Noting that the economic relations determine the political relations today, Bagis said that this is the reason why the efforts of the trade consultants are very important and that they are ready to offer any help to these consultants. Thanking the trade consultants for their work, Bagis concluded by saying the following: "As long as Turkey's foreign trade figures increase, I am sitting at the negotiating table more upright".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Bagis stated that the "positive agenda" is a bridge and a bypass to overcome EU obstacles

Turkey has already announced that it will suspend its relations with the EU presidency during the second half of 2012 if there is no solution to the Cyprus question before that time.

Ankara and the EU have recently launched a "positive agenda" to prepare Turkey for harmonization in the areas related to blocked chapters, in a move to break the two-year standstill in the country's membership talks. The positive agenda is a bridge, a bypass to overcome obstacles in front of Turkey's EU membership talks, Bagis said.

It will take place during "Greek Cypriot administration's rotating presidency", and will involve the discussion of eight accession chapters through working groups at the EU Commission. However, Bagis said that the positive agenda was not an alternative to negotiations for full EU membership.

[04] Talat: "My house was bombed the day when we would launch negotiations with the Greek Cypriots"

In an interview with Turkish Taraf daily newspaper, Talat noted, inter alia, the following: "We have experienced very bad things. We have experienced unsolved cases. The day we would launch negotiations with the Greek Cypriots, my house was bombed. 'You are starting negotiations, but watch your steps, we will blow you up in this manner', I was told. All these should be investigated. Many suspects in the Ergenekon and Sledgehammer cases had relations with Cyprus. The Denktas-Eroglu couple granted the citizenship to many of them. They were very close, but I do not know to what extent this closeness reached?"

Talat argued that the Turkish Cypriots want to enter into the scope of the international law and added: "The TRNC passport is not enough for the freedom of travel. You should either take the passport of Turkey or of the Greek Cypriots. Very well, do you come from Turkey? No. Are you Greek Cypriots? No. A big problem of 'belonging' exists".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Izcan asks continuation of the Cyprus talks after 1 July

Izcan emphasized that it is absolutely necessary for the Cyprus problem to be solved the soonest, that the United Nations (UN) is in favour of the continuation of the negotiations and that the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reaffirmed this with his latest statement.

Izcan argued that the negotiating process might collapse because of Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu's and Justice and Development Party's (AKP) separatist plans and the stance of chauvinistic and nationalist circles in the Greek Cypriot side.

Izcan noted that confidence building measures should be materialized in the process leading towards the solution in Cyprus, new crossing points should be opened, policies which will develop the relations between the two communities should be implemented and Cyprus should get rid of weapons and foreign troops.

[06] EBSO delegation carried out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; They met with Eroglu, Ozgurgun, Cirali and Cerkez; Comments on Demirta's recent meeting with Christofias

The delegation met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu yesterday (June 1st).

Speaking during the visit, Eroglu underlined the importance of cooperation in industry and said that the establishment of such cooperation would have huge economic benefits to the "TRNC".

"In the presence of a non-solution and non-recognition, it is very much important to protect good bilateral relations with motherland Turkey. There are mutual interests in all fields" Eroglu said.

Also speaking, EBSO President Ender Yorganc?lar expressed the Chamber's support to the "TRNC's" economic development. He noted that economic prosperity in Turkey definitely have reflections in the "TRNC".

The visiting delegation from the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry-EBSO met also with the so-called Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun yesterday (June 1st).

Ozgurgun briefed the members of the Chamber on the "TRNC" economy as well as the Cyprus negotiations process.

Speaking during the visit, Ozgurgun expressed the view that the Cyprus problem and the current negotiations will enter a deadlock after the 1st of July all the way through to the Presidential elections in "South Cyprus" next year.

Pointing out that the talks between the two sides have been going on and off since 1986 without any success, Ozgurgun said the reason behind this was that the Greek Cypriot side was recognized by the international community.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots continue to suffer under international embargoes despite all its positive efforts to reach a solution, Ozgurgun said that it was out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept becoming a minority within a Greek Cypriot state.

Also speaking, Yorganc?lar said that the period after the 1st of July could be used as an opportunity to further develop the economy of the "TRNC".

Moreover, according to Turkish daily Milliyet (03.05.12-online version), within the framework of his contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus, EBSO' delegation met also with the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade, Gunay Cerkez and the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry", Ali Cirali.

In statements during the meeting, Cerkez condemned the recent visit of the chairman of the Izmir Chamber of Trade, Ekrem Demirtas to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and his visit to President Demetris Christofias and said: "Ekrem Bey is going to a wrong place. I wrote an expostulatory letter?".

Commenting also on Demirtas' meeting with President Christofias, Cirali characterized as a "big gaffe" the fact that Demirtas has addressed Christofias as "Mr. President".

In his turn, Yorganc?lar said that they did not understand the visit of the president of their Chamber to Christofias, adding that they did not approved this visit especially in a country with which they experienced a lot of problems.

AK

[07] Strong reactions against so-called minister Nazim Cavusoglu

He also said he believed that a decision in that direction will be taken.

Speaking on Bayrak Haber (June 4), Cavusoglu said that it was out of the question for him to be against the idea of preventing Turkish Cypriots from studying in schools in "south Cyprus".

Pointing out that he had members of his own family who received education in the south, Cavusoglu said that this was a personal choice but pointed out that there was a fall in the number of students studying in the "south" because of the rise in the number of English medium private schools in the "TRNC".

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (05.06.12), while Cavusoglu was "minister of education", he sent a letter to the Turkish Minister of National Education Nimet Cubukcu asking not to accept the GCE Level certificates of the Turkish Cypriots who carry out studies in the Republic of Cyprus' universities and in universities abroad.

According to the paper, the chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), Mehmet Cakici who read out Cavusoglu's letter yesterday during the meeting of the so-called assembly, stated that the letter included "separatist and discriminatory" expressions and added that it was like it was written by a Nazi officer.

Cavusoglu's letter was also criticized by KTOEOS and KTOS trade unions in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Issuing a written statement yesterday, the two trade unions characterized the letter as an "exemplary letter that will pass to history" and accused the "UBP government" for cooperating with Turkey in order to impose discriminatory and separatist policies in the "TRNC".

AK

[08] Kucuk met with Istanbul's Governor; He stressed the importance of relations between Turkey and the occupation regime

Speaking during the visit, Kucuk pointed to the importance of relations between "motherland" Turkey and the "TRNC", underlining that the constantly strengthening relations contributed to the development of the "country".

The so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel was also present at the meeting.

Speaking during the visit, Mutlu noted that he found the "TRNC" more developed than his previous visit and said that he wished he could have stayed longer on the island. "Our brotherhood and mutual cooperation will always continue", Mutlu added.

Also speaking, Kucuk drew attention to relations with "motherland" Turkey. "Our relations are continuing in a good way. Our contacts are on the highest level. The improving relations are helping the development of the TRNC" Kucuk noted.

[09] Reference by Kucuk to the passports of the Republic of Cyprus and the possibility of "early elections" in the occupied area

Addressing the "assembly" of the regime yesterday, Kucuk claimed that the actual blame for this belongs to the EU. Kucuk added he has no passport of the Republic of Cyprus and he is not considering of taking one. He alleged that the EU had to find a formula on the issue of the passports, but it did not do this.

Referring to the criticism against his party and the demand for "early elections", Kucuk argued that the UBP came on duty by securing the trust of the "people" during the last three "elections" and that the UBP is not a party which avoids "elections". Noting that "elections" are not too far away, Kucuk recalled that both general and local "elections" will be held in 2014.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Dikomo dumping site is closing down

Unlusoyer said that within the framework of the "project of managing solid wastes" with the financial and technical support of the EU, they have ended the pollution in Dikomo area and started using an installation for solid wastes which they built in occupied Koutsoventis area in the beginning of May. He noted that the few kinds of waste which are still dumped in Dikomo will be dumped in Koutsoventis as of Friday and thus Dikomo dumping site will be shut down.

(I/Ts.)

[11] WEF meeting kick off today in Turkey; Erdogan is called to end Davos meeting boycott

In statements during a press conference in Istanbul yesterday, Kinnock said: "Continuation of our relations with Turkey is of utmost importance for us. It would be nice to see Turkey represented at the highest level again."

Kinnock was in Turkey to participate in the WEF meeting on the Middle East, North Africa and Eurasia, which opened with a reception yesterday evening.

Today Erdogan is set to officially open the event, which will continue through tomorrow.

The WEF's follow-up meeting, with the theme of "Bridging Regions in Transformation," is set to bring together more than 1,000 leaders from business, governments, academia and civil society from over 70 nations. The meeting is being held with the support of the Government of Turkey.

Turkey has passed through a major transformation with solid political stability and a strong and financially resilient economy, Anatolia news agency quoted Kinnock as saying, adding that the country's inflation rate was nowhere near the "incredibly high figures" of a decade earlier.

Kinnock said Turkey's economy-management team had taken "some very radical measures" to back up boosting political stability, but added that two issues remained critical for the country's economic outlook: decreasing demand in Europe and Turkey's current account deficit and the cost of energy imports.

"For me Davos is no more. I will not come to Davos ever again," a very angry Erdogan said back in 2009 when he was cut off by the moderator of the session, whom Erdogan accused of giving him much less time to speak than he gave the Israeli President.

"What happened has happened," said Kinnock yesterday. "We need to leave that behind and move on. Turkey is very important for us, and we are happy to be here again. The meeting in Istanbul is a testimony that we have the correct dialogue with Turkey."

Turkey's experiences are playing an important role in the transformation that North Africa is going through, according to the WEF's Middle East and North Africa director Miroslav Dusek. "One year after the start of the Arab Spring, parliaments are being founded following elections in this region. Turkey at this point continues to be a big source of inspiration", said Dusek.

"Looking 20 years ahead, we want to make sure that in 2012 in Istanbul we helped decision-makers across all levels of society put together a foundation for the whole region to emerge as one of the most stable, secure and prosperous regions in the world," Dusek said at the press meeting.

The presence of so many leaders from Central Asia demonstrates how important this dialogue is for countries in transition and how the determination to find solutions drives them to converge, Anastassia Aubakirova, the WEF's director for Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, said in a written statement yesterday.

[12] Women in Turkey protest against the government' plan to ban abortion

More than 3,000 women - mostly from women's rights associations - gathered in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul with colourful banners and flags protesting the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) initiative to ban abortion and make a claim on their own bodies.

The demonstrators chanted slogans and waved anti-government banners; calling on the government to "keep its hands off women's bodies."

Banners included statements such as: "It is my body, so who are you?" "Abortion is my choice, murder is men's method," "AKP, keep your hands off me."

"Uludere is a massacre, abortion is a right" read others, in reference to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement last week that "every abortion is an Uludere, every abortion is a murder."

There was also music and dance at the protest, with women singing the famous Turkish song: "I was born free, I shall live free, who are you?" together. A number of women wearing headscarves also participated in the demonstration.

Waving a purple flag in her hand, 36-year-old Aylin Kapusuz said: "We don't want the government to be in our bedroom. Nobody can have a right over my body; it is only me who can decide on my body."

Another demonstrator, Aysegul Bozdogan, said: "My body only belongs to me, it doesn't belong to the government or anybody else. The Prime Minister is tyrannizing the women who have a different lifestyle to him, in the same way that women with headscarves were tyrannized years ago."

It was not only women protesting the abortion ban initiative, a number of men were also present.

Movie critic Alper Turgut, 41, said the government had gone over the limit. "This is an assault against the female body. At this point, men and women all have to gather to push back against this assault. Otherwise, turning adultery into a crime and allowing men to marry four women will follow the abortion ban."

There were also demonstrations held in other cities such as Ankara, Izmir, Edirne and Sanliurfa.

Protests began following Erdogan's announcement of forthcoming legislation on abortion. Erdogan announced on May 30 that he had delivered instructions to the Cabinet to begin drafting new legislation on abortion, in the wake of his recent comments equating the practice with murder.

Health Minister Recep Akdag has said his ministry is currently drafting a law to ban or restrict abortion, and stated that babies born out of incidents of sexual assault could be protected by the state.

[13] The 2nd meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Global Counterterrorism Forum to take place in Istanbul

Turkey and the United States are the co-chairs of the GCTF which was launched in September 2011.

The GCTF is an informal, multilateral counterterrorism body that focuses on identifying critical civilian counterterrorism needs, mobilizing the necessary expertise and resources to address these issues and build global political will.

The 30 founding members of the GCTF are: Algeria, Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The GCTF consists of a strategic-level Coordinating Committee, co-chaired initially by Turkey and the United States; five thematic and regional expert-driven working groups; and a small administrative unit that the U.S. will host for the first few years.

The ministers' session of the Coordinating Committee in Istanbul will take place on June 7 while technical meetings of the Committee would be held on the afternoon of June 7 and on June 8.

Representatives from the United Nations will also attend the Istanbul meetings of the Committee.

[14] Turkey's Navy to be strengthened; Turkey plans to built six corvettes

Members of Turkey's top decision-making body on defense procurement include Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Ismet Y?lmaz, Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel and the Committee's secretary, Murad Bayar, the head of the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries. The Committee usually meets three times a year on major procurement programs.

The first and second ships under Turkey's Milgem program have already been built by military shipyards, and the rest of the ships will be constructed by a private shipyard. The TCG Heybeliada, the first of the Milgem ships, has entered service in the Navy and the TSC Buyukada, the second, has been put to sea.

The private shipyard to be selected at the meeting, believed to be set for July 4 if no change is made to the schedule, is due to build the rest of the corvettes for nearly $1.5 billion.

The Milgem program is the first national project for Turkey to construct warships. Corvettes are the smallest warships, while the largest warships in the inventory of the Turkish Navy are frigates.

After the Milgem project is finished, Turkey is due to design, develop and construct its first national frigate, the TF2000 in the 2020s.

"The Milgem has been very useful from the point of design, development and construction of a national ship, and we are going to build on this experience to obtain the capability to build bigger warships," the procurement official said.

The Milgem program will end at eight ships and later the TF2000 will be launched.

Turkey also will hold talks next week with Qatar on constructing a corvette for the Gulf country.

"We can produce 70% or 80% of all the needs in the Navy. The sole exception is submarines and engines, and we are moving with concrete steps on that," the official said.

The procurement official said also that Turkey presently can also produce a new type Patrol Boat, Coast Guard Research and Rescue Boat and Tank Landing Ships.

Separately, a submarine deal worth 2 billion Euro between SSM and Germany's HDW shipyards for the joint manufacture of six modern U-214 diesel platforms for the Turkish Navy formally took effect in July 2010. "This will be the last submarine we will be building with someone else," the procurement official said.

In a less orthodox project, Ankara has plans to a buy a landing platform dock, or LPD, a vessel that looks like a helicopter carrier and can transport up to a battalion-sized unit (more than 1,000 soldiers) over long distances. Turkey plans to use this ship for NATO-related missions to carry troops or refugees.

According to the size and capabilities, the Turkish LPD will cost between $500 million and $1 billion.

Presently, the Turkish Navy has nearly 49,000 personnel and 75 aircraft, 17 frigates, seven corvettes, 14 submarines and 27 fast missile boats.

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article