Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-07-04

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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] Bagis describes Cyprus as "half-island state" ignoring that the island is divided because of Turkey's continuing occupation

[02] Eroglu: "Greek Cyprus was unjustly spoilt by the European Union"

[03] Talat alleges that the Cypriot EU term presidency will be unsuccessful

[04] Eroglu's special representative Ertug said that Cyprus EU term presidency should not have taken place

[05] Erdogan meets Avci in Istanbul

[06] "Ankara, Paris to open new page"

[07] A delegation of the so-called assembly participated to PACE's ordinary general assembly

[08] Turkish and Greek Cypriots both share the same negative view on the deployment of the Turkish army to the island according to a TESEV report

[09] A delegation from the International Eurasia Education Trade Unions Federation is holding contact in the breakaway regime

[10] Kucuk met with the Australian High Commissioner to Lefkosia

[11] Ozersay presented the "social contract" of the Toparlaniyoruz movement to the press

[12] Turkish Cypriot daily reports that giant companies from Turkey and Europe are interested in privatizations in occupied Cyprus

[13] "DAU PER-SEN" will construct 500 residences in occupied Cyprus

[14] Antiquities were found in the garden of a hotel in occupied Keryneia

[15] Survey in Turkey reveals that AKP would gain 51.1%, if elections were to take place today in Turkey

[16] Assad spoke to Turkish press and said he wished they had not shot Turkish jet down

[17] Ocalan reportedly accuses PKK and BDP of deceiving him

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bagis describes Cyprus as "half-island state" ignoring that the island is divided because of Turkey's continuing occupation

In statements yesterday during a meeting at his ministry, Bagis argued that the Greek Cypriots "should not try to hunt lions holding a fly swatter in their hand" and added: "Let everyone take the steps which he should take within the measures of his own size".

Referring to the Cyprus negotiations and to a recent statement that President Christofias was expecting a telephone call from Turkey and that he wanted to visit Turkey, Bagis said the following:

"I want to remind him of something from here. Let him not mix up the lines. His interlocutor, his counterpart is the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mr Eroglu. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey has not the luxury to spend time with such so-called presidencies, with half-island states. However, I know that Mr Eroglu is ready to provide support to them on this issue. Let them not try to hunt lions holding fly swatter in their hand. Let everyone take the steps which he should take within the measures of his own size. And Turkey will continue operating the support mechanism in favour of the solution here".

Asked what changed in Turkey after 1 July when the Republic of Cyprus assumed the EU term presidency, Bagis said that nothing changed and alleged that Europe gave the opportunity to Cyprus to "satisfy its enthusiasm" like Turkey does every 23rd of April when they allow to children to sit on the chairs of state officials. He argued that this does not influence Turkey, which continues with its own reforms.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: "Greek Cyprus was unjustly spoilt by the European Union"

He said the Cyprus negotiations failed to reach to a successful conclusion as a result of the Greek Cypriot side's negative approach.

Eroglu, who held contacts in Istanbul as guest of the Istanbul Buyukcekmece Municipality, made statements regarding the Cyprus problem during his discussions with the Turkish officials. He criticized the Greek Cypriot Side for failing to be on the right track towards a settlement.

"South Cyprus was unjustly spoilt by the European Union and it became a unilateral member of the bloc despite its intransigence. Now it has taken over the EU rotating presidency" Eroglu alleged.

He also alleged that "all parties concerned to come to realize the fact the TRNC is not without alternatives in case the Cyprus problem remains unsolved".

He also made strong reference to brotherhood relations between the occupation regime and "motherland Turkey".

During his stay in Istanbul, Eroglu opened the 13th International Buyukcekmece Culture and Art Festival.

He returned to the occupation regime yesterday.

[03] Talat alleges that the Cypriot EU term presidency will be unsuccessful

In statements yesterday to a television channel, Talat said that assuming the EU term presidency by Cyprus is something normal technically and was known from before. He argued that the Greek Cypriots might use this EU term presidency for their own interests, but "these six months will also pass".

Talat showed the example of the Annan Plan submitted in November 2002 to prove the importance of the correct timing and claimed that if the Turkish side worked then on this plan, the Greek Cypriots would not have joined the EU by themselves and therefore they could not become EU term presidents today. "Everything should be done on time", he said and argued that in spite of the fact that many opportunities had been lost, the prestige of the Turkish Cypriot increased with their "yes" vote to the Annan Plan and with the peace policy they implemented after the referendum. He said that after 2004, the Turkish Cypriots experienced a great economic development and added that all these happened because of their "new and correct policies and efforts for a solution" to the Cyprus problem.

Asked to comment the statement made recently by the British High Commissioner who reportedly described the Turkish Plan B as "much ado about nothing", Talat recalled statements made by Turkish officials for 1 July who were repeating that the Cyprus talks would end, and argued that the situation changed now because they are stating that the negotiations will continue. He said that the reason of the statements by the British High Commissioner is this inconsistency of the Turkish officials.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu's special representative Ertug said that Cyprus EU term presidency should not have taken place

Also evaluating the UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon's UNFICYP report to the UN Security Council, Ertug said the report was generally balanced but excluded important points.

Speaking on BRT's morning news program, Ertug alleged that the Greek Cypriot administration as he called the Republic of Cyprus, was not qualified for the presidency, which it proved by asking for Denmark's help as soon as it took over the presidency.

He also added that "although South's EU term presidency had no direct connection with the Cyprus issue, the extreme confidence of South Cyprus as a result of assuming the term presidency, will have a negative effect on efforts aimed finding a solution to the Cyprus problem".

[05] Erdogan meets Avci in Istanbul

In statements after the meeting, Avci said they held a very fruitful discussion with Erdogan, during which they exchanged views mainly on the Cyprus problem, the Republic of Cyprus's EU term presidency and issues related to foreign policy.

Avci said that they also discussed economic issues which concern the occupied area of Cyprus and added that Erdogan told him that their support to the Turkish Cypriots is important for Turkey.

Avci noted that the dialogue between his party and the Justice and Reform Party (AKP), which started in the past, continues and added that they will continue to work for the prosperity and better future of the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[06] "Ankara, Paris to open new page"

"Amid all the sound and fury over Syria, particularly following the downing of a Turkish jet by Syrian forces, another very important development in Turkish foreign policy will take place this week in Paris.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will hold bilateral talks with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius on July 5, after months of coldness between the two allies over the former French administration's inexplicably antagonistic attitude towards Ankara.

Nicholas Sarkozy's exit from the Elysee Palace after Socialist Francois Hollande's victory has already signalled that a reconciliation process can now commence between Ankara and Paris. Hollande has met with President Abdullah Gul in Chicago and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Brazil on the margins of international summits.

But the real kick-off is planned for Paris this week. Both sides are working seriously to make this first gathering a success and a meaningful start to increased cooperation in many fields. The most important issue, however, will be Syria. As the bilateral meeting between the two ministers will take place just a day before the third meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People, Davutoglu and Fabius will evaluate recent developments in the wake of the Geneva and Cairo meetings. One should expect more consultation between the two capitals now, as both countries host important figures in the Syrian opposition, who have yet to complete the establishment of a united front against the Bashar al-Assad regime.

At the bilateral meeting, France's expectation is that the military sanctions Turkey imposed after France's parliamentary panel approved the bill penalizing the denial of Armenian genocide on Dec. 22, 2011 will be lifted. Although Erdogan called for the removal of these eight sanctions, his instruction has not yet been effectuated. French military planes cannot use Turkish airspace, and vessels are still forbidden to enter Turkish territorial waters. The French Defence Attache is still on the blacklist of the Chief of General Staff. France expects that Davutoglu will formally announce the removal of these sanctions during the talks in Paris.

In return, Ankara's expectation is the removal of France's block on five negotiation chapters of Turkey's EU membership bid. Fabius will likely tell his Turkish counterpart that the new administration is not against blocking Turkey's accession talks, as Hollande stated in his election campaign. However, the removal of the blocks would take some time. And due to the fact that Greek Cyprus is EU term president for the second half of 2012, the two sides can spend this time effectively working on these chapters and completing preparations for the Irish term presidency in 2013.

The renewal of the 60-year-old agreement on cooperation in the field of culture is equally important. Updating this agreement will allow Turkey to open Yunus Emre Culture Institutes in France, while France can strengthen its three institutes in Turkey.

Apart from all of these positive issues, there is no doubt that the strong Armenian Diaspora will continue to exert pressure on French lawmakers to adopt a law penalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide until 2015, the centennial of the so-called genocide. The fact that the French Constitutional Council nixed the last such attempt in April will surely make future moves more difficult, but that will not douse efforts by some devoted French lawmakers in the future. The Davutoglu-Fabius meeting will also address this potential, and will seek ways to best avoid a future potential crisis."

[07] A delegation of the so-called assembly participated to PACE's ordinary general assembly

According to information acquired by the so-called assembly, the delegation which has returned to occupied Cyprus.

(AK)

[08] Turkish and Greek Cypriots both share the same negative view on the deployment of the Turkish army to the island according to a TESEV report

Associate Professor Rebecca Bryant from the illegal Middle East Technical University (ODTU) and Dr. Christalla Yakinthou, from the International Center for Transitional Justice, have conducted research among 50 people including opinion leaders, businessmen, NGO representatives and academics in Cyprus, on the perception of Turkey on the island. "The way that Turkish government representatives speak to and about people offends both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. Perhaps a revision of public diplomacy across the board would be a useful show of goodwill," Bryant said. "Interviewees from both communities suggested different versions of the basic formula of land for Greek Cypriots in exchange for access to international ports, either air or sea, by Turkish Cypriots," Bryant said. Bryant said both communities also mentioned increasing direct dialogue between representatives of two communities as an important recommendation to improve relations between themselves and Turkey.

According to the report, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots feel uncertain about the future of the negotiations between the two sides. According to Turkish Cypriots, the relationship between Turkey and northern Cyprus is most commonly described as an "unequal relationship that is not based on respect," Bryant added. "Turkish Cypriots want 'respect' based on political equality, they want to be consulted regarding the policies of Turkey in northern Cyprus, they want the migration from Turkey to be taken under control," she said.

Yakinthou said one of the most important issues between Greek Cypriots and Turkey was the issue of "trust." "Greek Cypriots have historical fears of Turkey, therefore it is important to create a long-term strategy to build trust. If you want to unlock the situation with the Greek Cypriots, you have to address the issue of trust first," she said. Some possible confidence-building measures include "restoring Greek Cypriot cultural heritage sites, creating and sharing a strategy to reduce the presence of the Turkish military stationed in Cyprus, opening Varosha under EU or U.N. control, and requesting the opening of Famagusta port under EU control," according to the report.

[09] A delegation from the International Eurasia Education Trade Unions Federation is holding contact in the breakaway regime

The delegation, consisted of labour union presidents from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, FYROM, Kosovo and Azerbaijan, first paid a visit to the tomb of the Rauf Denktas.

The delegation, which will hold contacts in the breakaway regime until the 7th of July, will be signing education protocols with the illegal Lefke (Lefka) European University and the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University.

The breakaway regime will also be hosting the federation's consultation meeting this year.

[10] Kucuk met with the Australian High Commissioner to Lefkosia

The meeting was held at the National Unity Party's Headquarters in Lefkosia at 11am. No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

[11] Ozersay presented the "social contract" of the Toparlaniyoruz movement to the press

Ozersay presented to the press the "social contract" of the movement and said that the main principles of the contrast is clean society, clean politics and clean administration and a future which will be based on the will of the Turkish Cypriots.

[12] Turkish Cypriot daily reports that giant companies from Turkey and Europe are interested in privatizations in occupied Cyprus

As it was made known, writes the paper, important groups of companies from Turkey such as TAV, Limak, Cecen and Celebi had already expressed interest for the tender of illegal Ercan airport, whereas interest has been also expressed by the Turk Telekom Department for the occupation regime's Telekom.

In statements on the issue, the so-called minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun said that it is not only the Cypriot and Turkish's capital which are closely watching the privatizations, but also some European countries. Atun added that after the privatizations, more foreign capital will come to the "country".

The paper writes further that the first step for the privatization of some organizations in occupied Cyprus was made with the approval of the "privatization law" by the so-called assembly on March 27, 2012.

The first step for the privatizations in Cyprus started with the illegal Tymbou airport. Turkish companies such as TAV, Limak, Cecen expressed interest and bid for the privatization of illegal Ercan. As the paper writes, the 27th of August will be the last date for the bids.

The second step for privatizations is the "Cyprus Telecommunications" while the third step is the privatization of KIB-TEK, so-called electricity authorities.

The paper adds that the next sectors for which interest is to be expressed for privatization are also tobacco companies, navigation companies, and insurance companies.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Star Kibris newspaper (04.07.12) reports on statements by the so-called minister of transportation and communication, Ersan Saner who has confirmed that prominent big companies from Turkey have bid for the tender of illegal Ercan.

Pointing out the need for renovations to take place at illegal Tymbou airport, Saner referred to the new project which is prepared for the illegal Tymbou airport and said that with the new project and the privatization, the illegal airport' capacity is to be increased more.

As regards the works which are to be made at illegal Ercan airport, Saner said that the new airport to be constructed will be 152 thousand square meters, and it will have two landing fields and a new terminal.

Saying that the landing system which is to be implemented at illegal Tymbou airport will be the first in Cyprus, Saner referred to the bad weather conditions from time to time in Cyprus and made a calling to his neighbours in the south, as he called the Republic of Cyprus to benefit from the new system to be used at the illegal airport. Saner said: "We are ready to provide our services to the vessels for which due to the bad weather conditions cannot land to Larnaka or Paphos' airports, as long as they agree with this".

(AK)

[13] "DAU PER-SEN" will construct 500 residences in occupied Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[14] Antiquities were found in the garden of a hotel in occupied Keryneia

The antiquities were found in the garden of the hotel and their worth is estimated around 258 thousand and 500 Turkish liras. The suspect in this case is named Salih Aygin, who testified voluntarily and admitted the crime. The paper publishes pictures of the antiquities.

(I/Ts.)

[15] Survey in Turkey reveals that AKP would gain 51.1%, if elections were to take place today in Turkey

Replying to the question "who they would like to see as Turkey's President in 2014", 40.71% of the respondents said that they would like to see Erdogan as Turkey's President, 6.4% said Kemal Kilicdaroglu, 5.5% said Deniz Baykal and 4% said Devlet Bacheli.

As regards the issue of passing to the "Presidential system" in Turkey, the respondents appeared to be wary. 26.3% of the respondents said that they consider as a "dictatorship the one person administration", whereas 10.7% consider the presidential system an "American system". Also, 34.4% consider the presidential system to be beneficial for Turkey, while 43.6% consider that it will be harmful.

According to the paper, the survey was conducted in 16 provinces with 2210 respondents.

(AK)

[16] Assad spoke to Turkish press and said he wished they had not shot Turkish jet down

Syrian forces shot down the RF-4E Phantom, an unarmed reconnaissance version of the F4 fighter jet which according to Ankara was on a solo mission to test domestic radar systems and was hit in international airspace after it briefly strayed into Syrian airspace, on June 22.

Syria described the incident as an act of self-defence. Turkey, while saying the act would "not go unpunished," emphasized that it does not intend to go to war with Syria.

Assad offered no apology for the downing of the plane, insisting that it was shot down over Syria, and that his forces acted in self-defence. He added that Syria would have apologized if the plane had been shot down in international airspace, and argued that the rise of tensions could have been prevented if channels of communication between the two militaries had remained open.

He said that the plane was flying in a corridor inside Syrian airspace that had been used by Israeli planes in 2007 when they bombed a building under construction in northern Syria.

"The plane was using the same corridor used by Israeli planes three times in the past," said Assad, adding Syrian forces shot it down because the plane didn't appear on their radar and they were not informed about it. "Of course I might have been happy if this had been an Israeli plane," said the Syrian president.

"We learned that it [the plane] belonged to Turkey after shooting it down. I say 100 percent, I wish we had not shot it down," said Assad. "We are in a state of war, so every unidentified plane is an enemy plane. Let me state it again: We did not have the slightest idea about its identity when we shot it down," said Assad.

When asked whether the increased friction between Syria and Turkey could lead to war, Assad said he would not allow the tension to turn into open combat between the two countries, which would harm them both.

He also said Syria had not and would not build up its military forces along the Turkish border, whatever action Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government takes. Turkey started to send reinforcements to the border after Erdogan said the Turkish military had been given instructions to treat any approaching Syrian military unit as a threat.

Commenting for the first time on an UN-brokered plan for a political transition in Syria that was adopted by world powers at a conference in Geneva on Saturday, Assad said he was satisfied with the communique from the meeting. "There is only [one] thing that interests me in the text. It is this sentence: 'The future of Syria will be decided by the Syrian people,' which is enough for me," said Assad.

"I would, of course, leave if millions didn't want me. Why would I stay? I've never had any interest in this [presidential] seat. I would not stay as a president for even a single day if the salvation of my nation and country depended on my departure."

[17] Ocalan reportedly accuses PKK and BDP of deceiving him

The paper writes that nothing has been heard in months from Ocalan, who used to regularly meet with his lawyers, BDP officials and relatives. Ocalan, had previously delivered messages through his lawyers about PKK and the Kurdish problem. His months-long and unusual silence had even triggered speculation as to whether or not he was still in prison on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara, and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli had asked the government whether this was so.

A letter written by Ocalan, to the Ministry of Justice was obtained by the Sabah daily, on which it reported on Tuesday.

"Lawyers distort my remarks. My messages are not relayed to the relevant people. The BDP and the PKK are deceiving me. I will no longer meet with them," Ocalan, said in the letter, which he reportedly wrote 11 months ago.

The paper goes on and writes the following: "The last time Ocalan, met with his lawyers was in the aftermath of a PKK attack in Diyarbakir's Silvan district last July, which claimed the lives of 13 soldiers and dashed hopes about the solution of the Kurdish problem.

At this meeting, Ocalan, reportedly told his lawyers: "I am very saddened about the killing of 13 soldiers and PKK militants. The fire that targets soldiers and guerrillas is the same fire. If weapons are not fully silenced, the necessary steps not taken and this [Kurdish] problem not resolved, clashes will be inevitable."

In a move that confirmed his statements in the letter, Ocalan refused to meet with his brother Mehmet, who had wanted to pay him a visit, on Jan. 19.

Back then, Mehmet Ocalan, told the press that his brother had sent him a message saying: "The atmosphere in this place is very sensitive now. It is not appropriate for us to meet." In the meantime, requests from Ocalan, 's lawyers for a meeting with the PKK leader were rejected by the Ministry of Justice on the grounds that the weather was poor and the boats that travel to Imrali were experiencing technical problems.

High-ranking officials who spoke to Sabah denied claims that Ocalan, had been taken off of Imrali. A statement issued by the Bursa Public Prosecutor's Office on Monday also said Ocalan, is still serving his prison sentence on Imrali." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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