Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-06-13

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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] Search and Rescue Exercise is held in the occupied area of Cyprus at the presence of observers from Pakistan, Qatar, UAE

[02] Eroglu started his contacts in London; Turkish Cypriot daily points out to Eroglu's contradicting letters to Erdogan and the UNSG

[03] Kucuk met with MEPs of Turkish origin in Strasbourg

[04] Self-styled MPs hold contacts in Strasburg

[05] British MEP supported the Turkish views on the "Halloumi" issue

[06] Sabah argues that Turkey decided to "implement embargo on the EU" because of Cyprus

[07] Ertugruloglu argues that the Cyprus talks were not on a correct ground

[08] Ozgurgun criticized Archbishop Chrysostom's views on the Cyprus problem

[09] Bozer met with a group of Bosnian journalists

[10] CTP invited eight top Turkish journalists to inform them about the latest developments on the Cyprus problem

[11] U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Gordon: Energy resources in Cyprus must be used for the good of all persons living on the island

[12] Istanbul to host NPDI Ministerial Meeting

[13] "Kurdish deputy sentenced to 14.5 years in prison"

[14] "Why does Erdogan support Davutoglu's foreign policy?"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Search and Rescue Exercise is held in the occupied area of Cyprus at the presence of observers from Pakistan, Qatar, UAE

Daysal held a press conference yesterday regarding the "Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2012 Search and Rescue Exercise" and briefed the press on the three scenarios which will be implemented in the exercise, which, he said, will be held in three stages. The part of the exercise in the sea will take place in the open sea of occupied Famagusta, in the south of Karpass peninsula and the Apostolos Andreas Cape. The part of the exercise on land, was carried out yesterday in occupied St. Hilarion (on Pentadactylos mountain range) area.

In his statements Daysal alleged that the search and rescue authority in the breakaway regime's so-called airspace and territorial waters belongs to the "TRNC", while in the international waters and the air space in the north of Cyprus, this authority belongs to Turkey.

Responding to questions, Daysal said that observers from Turkey, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar are following the exercise.

Giving information on the civilian and military elements that will participate in the exercise, Daysal said that these will be the following:

From Turkey the Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communications, General Directorate of Regulating Sea and Internal Waters, from the "TRNC" "departments" of the self-styled ministries of foreign affairs, public work and transport's, the "civil defence organization", the "coast guard" and Sonduren 10 tugboat of Gemi Kurtarma (Ship Rescue) Ltd Company, from the Turkish Armed Forces the Fifth Combatant Flotilla Commodore, one frigate, one corvette, one patrol vessel, one search and rescue and coast guard helicopter, one CASA search and rescue airplane and one coast guard boat, from the so-called Security Forces Command, three coast security boats, one search and rescue and one ambulance helicopter, trained personnel on search and rescue form the Special Duty Force Command and Aviation Union Command, as well as elements and a vessel from the "police general directorate"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu started his contacts in London; Turkish Cypriot daily points out to Eroglu's contradicting letters to Erdogan and the UNSG

According to Bayrak, Baroness Knight, Lord Maginnis, Baroness Hooper, Baroness Hussein Ece, Lord Sheikh, Lord Harisson, Lord Sharkey, and Vice president of the Liberal Democrat Party Simon Hughes, who has recently visited the occupied area of Cyprus through illegal Tymbou airport accompanied by George Howarth, MP with the Labour Party participate in the "TRNC Friends' Group" at the British Parliament.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (13.06.12) reports that on 29 November 2009, when Eroglu was "prime minister", he sent a three-page letter to the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan noting that he was against the "cross voting", because it would "eliminate the reality of two peoples" and "lead the Turkish Cypriot identity to erosion". According to the paper, when he became "president", however, he sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General on 4 March 2012 and said, on the same issue, that he accepts the "cross voting".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Kucuk met with MEPs of Turkish origin in Strasbourg

(I/Ts.)

[04] Self-styled MPs hold contacts in Strasburg

Tacoy said that tomorrow (today) the Turkish Minister responsible for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bagis was expected to arrive in Strasbourg for the Inter-parliamentary Group's meeting, which on Thursday will be briefed on the Cyprus problem by Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus.

Tacoy noted that they were trying to organize the program of the contacts of self-styled prime minister Kucuk, who was expected to arrive in Strasbourg last night.

Tacoy said that their contacts were positive until now and noted that they were looking for what they would do during Cyprus's EU term presidency and what kind of advantages they could secure in this period.

Referring to the meeting they held with MEP Sarah Ludford, Tacoy said that Ludford was about to cross over to the occupied northern part of Cyprus accompanied by a delegation and added that they will meet with the secretaries of this delegation regarding their program in the occupied area.

(I/Ts.)

[05] British MEP supported the Turkish views on the "Halloumi" issue

(I/Ts.)

[06] Sabah argues that Turkey decided to "implement embargo on the EU" because of Cyprus

The paper writes that a memorandum signed by Prime Minister Erdogan was sent to all levels of the Turkish state, including ministries and general directorates, recalling that the Republic of Cyprus's EU term presidency will start on 1 July and asking for no politician and bureaucrat to participate in any meeting presided by the Republic of Cyprus.

The paper recalls a statement made last year by Erdogan, who referring to Cyprus's EU term presidency, had said that Turkey does not recognize Cyprus and it will never hold a meeting with Cyprus in case it overtakes the EU term presidency.

According to Sabah, Turkey could participate in technical meetings with the EU so that delay in projects to be avoided. Officials told Sabah that Turkey will hold no contact with the Cypriot EU term presidency and added: "Our problem is not with the EU. It is with the Greek Administration of South Cyprus which became member [of the EU] without a solution to the Cyprus problem and will overtake the term presidency. Technical work is made with the Commission for the opening of chapters and with EU institutions for projects. The Greek Cypriot administration is not taken as [Turkey's] interlocutor".

The paper argues that in spite of the fact that Ankara opposes to the Cypriot EU term Presidency, Turkey continues offering "humanitarian aid" to Cyprus. Sabah recalls the explosion at Mari naval basis last July and alleges that Turkey continues to sell electricity to the government-controlled area of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ertugruloglu argues that the Cyprus talks were not on a correct ground

In a statement issued yesterday, Ertugruloglu argued that the failure of the negotiations was proved at this stage and alleged that biggest injustice that could be made against the Turkish Cypriots would be to "convict" them to continue negotiating on the same ground.

He said that he could not participate in the recent meeting of the "assembly" during which the Cyprus problem was discussed, because he had been abroad and added that he has sent in writing his views to the "speaker" of the "body", Hasan Bozer, so that they are registered.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Ozgurgun criticized Archbishop Chrysostom's views on the Cyprus problem

Ozgurgun made these statements during a meeting with a delegation headed by Commander of South Sea Area Commander Deputy of the Turkish Naval Forces, Sukru Korlu. The delegation is visiting the occupied area to observer the "Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli 2012 Search and Rescue Exercise" which is taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Ozgurgun said that the views expressed by Archbishop Chrysostom's reflect the mentality of the Greek Cypriot side. Commenting on the statements of Archbishop that Greek Cypriots who is the majority must govern Turkish Cypriots who are the minority, Ozgurgun said that there was never a majority or minority relation between the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots and added that the two "people" continued their existence in the island as equal "people".

[09] Bozer met with a group of Bosnian journalists

Speaking during the meeting, Bozer told the Bosnian journalists that the breakaway regime, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo and FYROM share the same destiny. He also said that the occupation regime campaign for its independence and added that it will continue towards this road. He further said that the occupation regime will gain support and strength at the international arena due to the journalists' writings and alleged that by evidence, there are two separate states and two separate people in the island. He also alleged that the breakaway regime faces "embargoes" in every field and added that Turkey which offers its support without condition makes the burden of the embargoes to feel lighter.

On her side, Ivana Despotovis, who is heading the Bosnian group of Journalists and is one of the Ankara Anatolia correspondent in Balkan region, stated that the delegation of the journalists consists of workers in radio, television and the press and added that these kind of visit will help towards the improvement of economy and tourism of the occupation regime. She also said that journalists from Albania, FYROM and Kosovo will also visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

[10] CTP invited eight top Turkish journalists to inform them about the latest developments on the Cyprus problem

The journalists will be informed about the latest developments on the Cyprus problem by politicians and civil society organizations.

The journalists are the following: Cengiz Aktar of Taraf newspaper, freelancer journalists Mehmet Altan and Ipek Calizlar, Oral Calislar of Radikal, Ceyda Karan of Haber Turk internet site, Kadri Gursel of Milliyet, Ayse Suberker of TRT and Guler Yildiz of IMC TV.

[11] U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Gordon: Energy resources in Cyprus must be used for the good of all persons living on the island

He said the issue of energy resources should be considered and developed within the context of a possible comprehensive settlement.

In his speech delivered at the opening of the annual conference of the 31st American-Turkish Council in Washington D.C., the US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon said that developing the issue of energy resources in Cyprus will create a win-win situation for the whole region.

Gordon also expressed disappointment over the lack of sufficient progress in the Cyprus solution process, giving the message that more efforts are needed to be made by all parties concerned.

According to Bayrak, Gordon was quoted as saying: "I hope the Greek Cypriot side's EU term-presidency won't affect the Cyprus negotiations process or Turkey-EU relations"

[12] Istanbul to host NPDI Ministerial Meeting

Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI), launched by Turkey, Germany, Australia, United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Poland and Chile, will hold its forthcoming ministerial meeting in Istanbul on June 16, a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign ministers of the above countries, who will gather under the auspices of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, will assess the outcomes of the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference (RevCon) held in Vienna last month, moreover, they will discuss the initiative's contributions to the NPT RevCon process, the statement said.

NPDI is a cross-regional group established in 2010 with the objective to foster greater cooperation between regions in promoting the implementation of the NPT.

The NPT, which entered into force in 1970 and was extended indefinitely in 1995, is regarded as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. The Treaty was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to further the goal of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

[13] "Kurdish deputy sentenced to 14.5 years in prison"

Tugluk, who is awaiting trial, was not present at the hearing held at the Diyarbakir 4th High Criminal Court on Tuesday when the verdict was issued in front of her lawyers Fethi Gumus and Sedat Yurttas.

The public prosecutor expressed his legal opinion during the hearing and demanded the court punish Tugluk.

Gumus demanded the dismissal of the case against Tugluk, claiming that the charges do not constitute any crime.

The court handed a 14.5-year prison sentence to Tugluk, citing Article 7/2 of the Counterterrorism Law (TMK) on "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" and Article 314/3 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) on "engaging in crimes on behalf of a terrorist organization".

The court reached the verdict after examining speeches Tugluk had made during 12 separate events held between 2007 and 2010.

[14] "Why does Erdogan support Davutoglu's foreign policy?"

"For some politicians, observers, academics and intellectuals, Turkish foreign policy under Ahmet Davutoglu has experienced a number of difficulties in the last year or so.

"From zero problems with neighbours, toward zero relations with neighbours" is a popular line used by opposition members to mock Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's diplomatic line. That is especially in reference to withdrawing ambassadors from two neighbouring countries: from Israel because of the ongoing Mavi Marmara/flotilla case and from Syria because of the political and humanitarian situation there, which is worsening into a civil war.

The opposition is also criticizing the government for letting NATO operate a radar missile defence system which (according to them) negatively affects relations with Russia and Iran.

It is not just the opposition that has criticized Davutoglu's policies; some circles with influence in Turkey that are close to the government, do so as well. For example, those close to the Fethullah Gulen group would like to see Davutoglu's stance lean more against Iran and less against Israel.

The government's condition for improving relations with Israel is an apology over the killing of nine Turkish citizens in the raid on the Mavi Marmara ship carrying goods to break the embargo on Gaza in 2010 However, it seems to be one of the major problems between Turkey and the United States right now. Davutoglu is being targeted not only by those reflecting the view from Washington, but from Brussels as well.

Then why, one might ask, does Erdogan keep supporting Davutoglu's line outside and inside Turkey by allocating lengthy paragraphs in his speeches to promote foreign policy in remote Anatolian towns and cities?

The answer comes from Ibrahim Uslu. Mr. Uslu is the head of a research company named ANAR; he is considered to be close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) but is also a respected researcher.

In a detailed interview with Barcin Yinanc of the Hurriyet Daily News (printed in the weekend and Monday editions in two pieces), Uslu made some interesting remarks.

First of all, he claims that the AK Parti's voter base has increased to an average of 53 percent from the 50 percent it received in the last elections exactly one year ago (on June 12, 2011). He is confident that whoever Erdogan would nominate for the presidential post (including possibly himself), that person will be Turkey's next president; at the same time, Erdogan's economic policies, which have protected Turkey from the storms of Europe, have clearly been a factor so far.

But Uslu says Turkish foreign policy, which has been under much criticism as mentioned above, is liked by people and is a factor to increase support for Erdogan's government. "Problems might occur," Uslu says, but adds that, according to the electorate, "that does not alter the fact that Turkey's international posture has become more powerful." Uslu translates this perception of power into potential votes for Erdogan. This could be expressed as a proper dose of populism in Davutoglu's mixture of politics for interests and politics for principles.

Whether they are facts or rhetoric, what is relevant for politics is perception. As long as there is voter approval, Erdogan is likely to retain the foreign policy directed by Davutoglu as it is -- perhaps with some fine-tuning -- like every other leader." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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