Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-08-13

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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] Eroglu: If negotiations fail the alternative is accepting the existence of two different states

[02] Twenty five deputies of the Turkish Grand National Assembly were granted the TRNC citizenship

[03] Kucuk: the division of Cyprus will last forever, Morfou will not be returned, citizens from Turkey will be able to buy a second residence

[04] Talat: Bagis is making propaganda; Eroglu does not want a solution

[05] The regime participates in a congress in Hungary

[06] Clintons visit to Turkey

[07] Turkish columnists comment on US Secretary Clintons visit to Turkey

[08] Turkish FM calls for protection of holy places in Syria

[09] Syrians seeking shelter to Turkey reportedly reached 55 thousands

[10] Turkish court asks up to 32 years in jail for a Turkish-French student accused of having links with outlawed organization

[11] CHP deputy kidnapped by Kurdistan People's Congress

[12] Turkish Economy Minister to attend Turkic Cooperation Council meeting in Azerbaijan

[13] Bank director is arrested and hospitalized

[14] Illegal YDUs professor was elected at international journals editorial advisory board

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: If negotiations fail the alternative is accepting the existence of two different states

Eroglu made these and various other allegations during an iftar (fast-breaking meal) meeting with reporters in occupied Lefkosia on Friday evening.

There are other options but it is the reunification as a federal state that is under discussion right now. If this fails, the alternative is accepting the existence of two different states, Eroglu alleged and went on as follows: There are already two different states; one is internationally recognized, the other is not. But even though one of them is not recognized, this is the reality. Therefore, I am saying that we can reach a lasting solution if we take action on the basis of the reality.

Eroglu also alleged that the UN must take action and accept the ending on negotiations.

The UN secretary-general should accept that the negotiations are going nowhere. He should assess if a solution is really forthcoming and write a report [to be presented to the UN Security Council] accordingly, he asserted.

According to the paper, Eroglu claimed that he expects the new Greek Cypriot leadership to be more uncompromising than its predecessor when it comes to concessions for a reunification with the Turkish Cypriots.

This is because the leading candidate for president, the center-right DISY (Democratic Rally) leader, Nicos Anastasiades, is unlikely to become the president by relying solely on support from his own party. This would require him to seek backing from smaller and what Eroglu calls fanatical nationalist parties that oppose several basic elements of a future settlement, writes Todays Zaman.

In addition, Eroglu also claimed that the Turkish Cypriots are so pessimistic about a settlement, that the Greek Cypriots' assuming the EU's term presidency as representative of the entire island for six months in July has made no impact at all on them.

As the hopes for a settlement die, we need to take steps to revive the spirit of our people, Eroglu asserted.

What he means by those steps is a combination of actions that Turkey as the main backer of the KKTC could take, such as encouraging investments there to revive the local economy, and of actions by the international community to get rid of the isolation, namely recognition, the paper writes.

Todays Zaman also reports that the Turkish Cypriot side may use the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for the recognition of the occupation regime. The paper alleges the following:

The Turkish Cypriot officials look to the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), headed by a Turkish secretary-general, as a possible actor that could give the KKTC the sought-after recognition. Officials say granting the KKTC full membership would amount to a collective recognition of the KKTC as a sovereign state. But with negotiations on reunification on the island still under way, many countries, including OIC members, are reluctant to take steps towards recognition. A UN declaration calling the talks a failure would also be particularly significant because it is the two resolutions from the UN Security Council, dated 1983 and 1984, that constitute the main barrier for KKTC's recognition. The two resolutions condemn the declaration of independence by the Turkish Cypriots and calls on the member countries not to recognize the KKTC as an independent state, the paper alleges and reports that further the Turkish Cypriot leader claimed the following:

You cannot ask for recognition as long as the negotiations continue. But if you end the negotiations in one way or another, but definitely in a way that is approved by the UN, then people will start to understand that perhaps these two peoples are not going to reunite.

The paper however, writes that Eroglu is aware that such a report from the UN secretary-general that acknowledges the talks are dead will face opposition from some Security Council members, most notably the Greek Cypriot ally Russia, as well as from China and France as well.

The secretary-general knows that such a report will face veto. Either the secretary-general will be very strong or countries such as Russia, China and France will stop playing this game, alleged Eroglu.

[02] Twenty five deputies of the Turkish Grand National Assembly were granted the TRNC citizenship

Zeyrek writes that during the meeting Eroglu told the reporters that for the time being there are twenty five Turkish deputies who were granted the TRNC citizenship. There are not even twenty five deputies from Izmir. A TRNC group can be established in the assembly, writes the journalist. He also reports that the occupation regime also is distributing TRNC citizenships to artists in order to become popular and writes that within this framework it has granted the TRNC citizenships to the well known Turkish actor Necati Sasmaz who plays the famous Polat Alemdar at the Valley of the wolfs action series and to Candan Ercetin, a famous Turkish singer.

The journalist also reports that according to Eroglu, investments in occupied Morfou have been increased since the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stated that Morfou will not be given back.

Finally, Zeyrek points out about the gambling tourism that is highly developed in the occupied regime and writes that it said that what the politicians are not able to do, is done by the mafia organizations of both sides in Cyprus. As he writes, Mafia organizations are benefited from the gambling tourism and are setting jobs together at casinos and gambling houses adding that some of the things done, which brings in memory the things done in the past by the deep state, would even creep Polat Alemdar, (Tr. note: Alemdar fights corruption at the above mentioned Valley of the wolfs action series).

[03] Kucuk: the division of Cyprus will last forever, Morfou will not be returned, citizens from Turkey will be able to buy a second residence

Addressing a fast breaking dinner organized by his party in occupied Morfou, Kucuk said that there were some parties which say that Morfou will be given away, Morfou should be given away, but Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan had declared to the world that Morfou will not be given away.

Kucuk argued that these lands are permanent, that the UBP will defend these lands eternally and that this is why big investments have been made on these lands. He noted that the investments will continue with motherland Turkeys contribution. We continue to work for the increase of the investments in Morfou area, for further developing this area, he said. Kucuk added that 10 tenders will be invited next week and that these tenders are the proof that the TRNC, breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, will live forever.

Moreover, Kucuk thanked UBPs members from Morfou for the support they are offering him to be re-elected to the post of the chairman of the UBP during the forthcoming congress on 21 October.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (12.08.12) reports that Irsen Kucuk told its correspondent that his government will make an arrangement in order for lifting the limitation which exists for citizens from Turkey to purchase immovable property in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Kucuk said they were considering of implementing new practices for reviving the economy, increasing employment and liven up tourism. He, inter alia, said: With a decision we have taken recently, we facilitated the purchase of property especially by the citizens of Turkey. It will secure the quick selling of the buildings in the country and contribute to the economy. My view has not been discussed yet at the council of ministers, but within this project we are considering of the citizens from Turkey to be able to perform transactions like a citizen of the TRNC at the title deed office... We are considering of proposing the citizens of Turkey to be able to perform title deed transactions like the TRNC citizens and be able to buy a second residence

(I/Ts.)

[04] Talat: Bagis is making propaganda; Eroglu does not want a solution

Talat expressed also his regret for the fact that the Turkish Cypriot did not participate in the recent Olympic Games in London and argued that the authorities of the regime should carry out an investigation on how they could participate in the games under the Olympic flag. He said that the participation of Turkish Cypriot athlete Meliz Redif in the games with the team of Turkey is pleasing, but the important thing is for the Turkish Cypriot athletes to participate in the games with their own identity. He alleged that implementing an embargo in the field of sports is a state policy of the Greek Cypriots, that such crises will continue as long as the Cyprus problem exists and that the important thing is the solution of the problem.

Responding to a question, Talat said that no light is seen in the horizon regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem and that the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu does not want a solution. Talat noted that the Greek Cypriot side cannot abandon the federal solution. Even if Lillikas wins [translators note: the candidate for the presidency of the Republic of Cyprus and former Minister George Lillikas], they cannot abandon it, he argued.

Responding to a question on the property issue, Talat said that we should be realistic and that the only way to get rid of the property problem is finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He argued that if the Turkish Cypriot side wants and works very hard, the Cyprus problem can be solved. He noted that the property issue is a part of the Cyprus problem and we should not attach vital importance to it.

Referring to the issue of the tents where food is offered for the fast breaking during Ramadan, Talat noted that these tents are established in the occupied area of Cyprus by the so-called TRNC Red Crescent and Turkeys Red Crescent. He said that the Turkish Cypriots had not such a tradition and described what is happening now as a kind of propaganda.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.08.12) reports that in statements to illegal Bayrak, Talat said that no negotiations on the Cyprus problem were left and that the issue was decreased to discussion at technical committees. He argued that the Turkish Cypriot side should work for the revival of the negotiations and should be the motor power of the process. He reiterated that the current administration of the Turkish Cypriots does not want a solution, and an agreement. He argued that only during his own term at the office there was an administration which wanted a solution in the occupied area of Cyprus. Responding to those arguing that the TRNC will live, Talat alleged that the TRNC is living anyhow, but what is necessary is the solution and peace.

Talat also accused President Christofias of moving too slow on the Cyprus problem and noted that when he was negotiator he was telling President Christofias that they should be closed in a place abroad for 10-15 days and put an end to the Cyprus problem with the participation of the UN, Turkey and Greece.

Referring to the economic situation in the occupied area of Cyprus, Talat said it is very bad, every day businesses close down, small and medium sized businesses are forced to fire people and tenders are invited in Turkey. He noted that the population of the Turkish Cypriots living in the government-controlled area of Cyprus increases every day. People living there had run away through the mountains and the hills and came to the north. Now they are running away to the south again, he added.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The regime participates in a congress in Hungary

The paper reports that the TRNC flag was present at the official opening ceremony of the congress which started with a speech by the deputy speaker of the Hungarian Parliament Sandor Lezsak.

During its visit in Hungary, the Turkish Cypriot delegation met with Tomas Hegedus, Hungarian MP, vice president of the Jobbik Party and chairman of the Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group between Turkey and Hungary, and with Marton Gyongyosi, vice president of Foreign Relations Committee of Jobbik Party. Hegedus had submitted a proposal last year to the Hungarian Parliament for the recognition of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Gyongyosi had prepared proposals and delivered speeches in Hungary and abroad supporting the Turkish views on the Armenian genocide and the Nagorno Karabah issue in Azerbaijan. Both MPs said that they could visit the occupied area of Cyprus in case they were invited.

In a statement in Budapest during a lunch, Gokhan Guler said they were expecting more active support on the Cyprus problem from the Turkish states in all platforms. The Turkish Cypriot delegation visited the Hungarian Parliament and met with deputy speaker Sandor Lezsak, whom they briefed on the Cyprus problem. They presented Lezsak with a TRNC flag, a plate and a dish of the so-called assembly of the breakaway regime. In a statement it is said that Lezsak was positive to the invitation of the Turkish Cypriot delegation to visit the occupied area of Cyprus.

In statements to Anatolia news agency, Guler, who is also director of the illegal assembly of the breakaway regime, said that during the congress, the TRNC flag waved with the flags of 21 countries and alleged that the Hungarian people have recognized the TRNC even from now. He recalled that Hegedus had submitted a proposal last year to the Hungarian Parliament providing for the official recognition of the breakaway regime, but the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected this proposal. He argued that Hegedus and his party will work with all their power until the recognition of the TRNC.

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (13.08.12) refers to the issue under the banner front-page title The TRNC flag waved in EU member state Hungary.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (13.08.12) describes the issue as Important step for recognition.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Clintons visit to Turkey

Clinton had lengthy meetings with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and had talks with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The two countries discussed steps that may be taken on Syria from this point on. The two sides agreed that the situation has been getting worse and that more concrete operational planning is needed. The primary goal of such planning is to stop the killing but the sides have not said anything about the details of this. The goal has been articulated as "prompting the international community to act." The US administration has said that all types of material and technical assistance, except arms, will be provided to the Syrian dissidents. A healthy transition process in which public order will not break down after Al-Asad's departure, the steadily rising number of refugees from mass killings, concerns about massive migration, the risk that Al-Asad may use chemical weapons, and the potential deployment of PKK in Syria were the main agenda items of the meetings held yesterday.

Clinton first had a meeting with Davutoglu. The two ministers later made comments to reporters. Davutoglu said that he and his US counterpart agreed that the transition process in Syria should be completed in the shortest possible time and that no power vacuum should form during this transition process. Underscoring that the developments in Aleppo, are a source of concern, Davutoglu said that air attacks on populated areas in Aleppo are causing great human carnage as well as a major carnage of historical heritage. The minister appealed to the international community to take steps that will send a clear and explicit message of "stop" to these massacres.

Clinton said in her comments that [the United States and Turkey] "are trying to respond to the humanitarian crisis that requires urgent intervention even as they try to accelerate Al-Asad's downfall." The US secretary said that 2 million people in Syria need help and that more than 140,000 people have fled to countries neighbouring Syria. In response to a question on whether a no-fly zone may be established in Syria, Clinton left the door open to such a possibility when she said: "We discussed all possible scenarios that may materialize. Our highest-priority objective is to stop the violence and the bloodshed as soon as possible. We have to analyze everything in detail in attaining this objective." Clinton also could not hold back praise for Ankara: "I cannot praise enough what Turkey has done. What Turkey is doing with regard to the endless violence here is very important."

[07] Turkish columnists comment on US Secretary Clintons visit to Turkey

Under the title Steps for 'Post-Al-Asad' Period, Asli Aydintasbas writes in Turkish Milliyet (12.08.12) the following:

We heard the sentence the end of the Al-Asad regime has come at every stage of the civil war that has been raging in Syria for the last 15 months. [] After a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Clinton made a statement to reporters. It was not for nothing that she said: There has been coordination between us since the beginning of the conflict, but it is now time to go into the details of operational planning. Our intelligence services and armies have a major responsibility [in this] and we have started work groups to attain this. [] The truth is that the sweeping agreement reached between the US Secretary of State and Turkey after her back-to-back meetings with Davutoglu, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and President Abdullah Gul implies a decision by the two countries to get to work to prepare the post-Al-Asad transition period in Syria and to accelerate Al-Asad's departure.

Under the title A 'Kurdish Spring' Crisis in Turkish-American Relations?", Mehmet Seyfettin Erol writes in Milli Gazete (11.08.12):

The latest developments, (regarding the relations between Turkey and the USA) [] have confused people. Consequently, all eyes are now on the Clintons visit []. What will emerge out of Clinton's bag is a matter of great curiosity. [] Certainly this situation is nothing new from the standpoint of Turkish-American relations, which have an "up and down" character. []

The two countries are once again confronting a new wave of crisis. [] It appears that the sides' different perceptions and calculations regarding the Middle East and Syria that have emerged in this process, have been rather influential in this.

Indeed, on this point, the "Northern Syria" issue is coming to the forefront as an early crisis that had not been anticipated by the United States. It is being seen that Turkey, which has had various different expectations and calculations with regard to Syria after [President Bashar] Al-Asad, has suffered serious disappointment. For "West Kurdistan" to be taken under protection by the United States after Turkey's harsh statements and warnings, and for the United States, which had said "go into Syria," to then declare "Northern Syria" as a "prohibited zone," exposes Washington's "Greater Kurdistan Project" in the region yet once again.

[..] America's priority condition here emerges as Ankara's "not promoting a game within the game." The message is being conveyed that, if it insists on this, Turkey will be subjected to a crisis within a crisis, and the cusp of the "Kurdish Spring" is already being shown. Consequently, the problem is just beginning, and Ankara unfortunately does not, at least at present, possess the tools and the manoeuvring capability that it had during the period 2003 and 2009. It is just this point that disturbs and worries Turkey...

[08] Turkish FM calls for protection of holy places in Syria

"Today we are making a call for the protection of holy places, regardless of which religion or sect they belong to," said Davutoglu.

Davutoglu said Iraq had suffered in the past nine years due to sectarian conflicts, which he said had killed scores of people and damaged many places of religious importance.

"We have agreed with Shiite and Sunni religious scholars to take a joint position against sectarian tensions which have recently been fuelled in the Middle East," Davutoglu told reporters after his iftar with Chairman of the Sunni Endowment Sheik Ahmed Abdul Ghafoor and Shiite Endowment Chairman Salih Haidari, who came to Istanbul on the invitation of Religious Affairs Directorate President Mehmet Gormez.

Davutoglu added that Turkey would strive to protect the holy places in Syria regardless of which religion or sect they belong to, underlining that cultural heritage all over the world should be protected.

Gormez also stated that it was the duty of everyone to protect holy places which are the common heritage of the Islamic civilization.

[09] Syrians seeking shelter to Turkey reportedly reached 55 thousands

Avni Cos told the Ankara Anatolia news agency that the group was accommodated at a student dormitory, adding that 400 more Syrians were expected to arrive later on Sunday.

The governor said more Syrians were waiting at border crossings with Syria, adding that Adana would host 2,000 Syrians for a tow to three weeks.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Saturday that the number of Syrian in Turkey, had reached over 55 thousand. "More arriving everyday and we expect a much more extensive solidarity from the international community in shouldering this burden," Davutoglu said during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton after a bilateral meeting in Istanbul.

[10] Turkish court asks up to 32 years in jail for a Turkish-French student accused of having links with outlawed organization

It is not possible for us to intervene in Turkeys judicial mechanism, but I will convey the situation to political figures in Turkey. We have given necessary instructions to the French mission in Ankara to follow the case closely, read the letter written by French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius, Sevimlis lawyer Sami Kahraman told Hurriyet Daily News.

Fabius also wrote that Sevil Sevimli is under the auspices of the French government, Kahraman said.

The letter was sent to the mayor of the town of Belleville in Lyon, France, who sent it on to Kahraman. The chancellor of the French Embassy in Ankara paid a visit to Sevimli after her release.

The twenty-one-year-old French-Turkish student was arrested in north-eastern Turkey on May 10, 2012, and detained in Eskisehir on suspicion of links with the outlawed Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). She was released on August 6 with a ban keeping her from leaving Turkey pending the trial in the case, to be held on September 26.

A local Bursa court revealed the indictment which included controversial accusations to support the charge that Sevimli was a member and administrator of a terrorist organization, such as that she had [sold] concert tickets and magazines as financial support for an illegal organization.

Sevimli, however, denies having any links to the organization, and said she has never acted outside the law. I was shocked, to be honest, when I learned that the prosecutor asked for 32.5 years in prison for me. It means a life sentence for me, Sevimli told Hurriyet Daily News.

Sevimli graduated from the University Lumiere Lyon 2s communications studies department, and has been accepted to continue with her masters studies in the same department. Turkish officials will not let me leave the country because the trail is pending, but I am standing upright; there is nothing to be sorry about. The indictment is just funny, Sevimli said. The French public and press support her cause, Sevimli said. A journalist from Le Monde sent me a letter which thrilled me; also my universitys rector called me and said they were backing me up. Sevimli spent 86 days imprisoned in an F-type cell, in which prisoners are isolated from others.

[11] CHP deputy kidnapped by Kurdistan People's Congress

CHP Tunceli deputy Huseyin Aygun was returning from a visit to Ovacik district of the south-eastern province of Tunceli, when PKK militants stopped his vehicle.

One journalist and one aide who were travelling with Aygun tried to convince the militants to set the deputy free but the militants refused to comply, saying they will "keep Aygun for a few days," and took Aygun with them into a wooded area, disappearing from sight, Dogan news agency reported.

CHP spokesperson Haluk Koc said it was the first time the PKK kidnapped an elected deputy and said it was time for politicians to stop placing the blame at each other and act together. "It is enough" Koc told CNN Turk.

It was reported that Aygun announced his visit to Ovacik on his Facebook page prior to the event. Intelligence officials said this fact might have contributed to the lawmaker's kidnapping. Tunceli Governor's Office has set up a crisis center to direct efforts to rescue Aygun.

[12] Turkish Economy Minister to attend Turkic Cooperation Council meeting in Azerbaijan

The meeting will bring together economy ministers from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ahead of a summit meeting of the Turkic council's heads of state and government.

Caglayan is also expected to be received by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev as well as hold bilateral talks with their counterparts.

[13] Bank director is arrested and hospitalized

The Turkish Cypriot press reported on Friday that Saruhan had disappeared having in her possession at least one million Turkish liras (TL). Today Kibris writes that she was arrested on the accusation that she took in her possession 326 million TL from various accounts of clients. It was announced that her psychological situation was not well and she was hospitalized.

(I/Ts.)

[14] Illegal YDUs professor was elected at international journals editorial advisory board

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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