Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-09-28

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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 blamed the Greek Cypriot side on the negotiations' deadlock

[02] Atalay: Turkey's guarantees will continue forever in Cyprus

[03] On land oil search in occupied Cyprus reportedly ended with failure

[04] Atun completed his contacts in Turkey; he met with Turkey's Minister of Economy and the chairman of Turkish Central Bank

[05] Turkish Tasyapi company wins the tender for illegal Tymvou airport

[06] Erhan Arikli stated that it was a Turkish Cypriot the one who denounced him to the Kyrgyzstan' authorities

[07] Asil Nadir's lawyers alleged that Nadir is penniless

[08] Erdogan on PKK: He accuses various countries of not wanting the Kurdish issue to end for Turkey

[09] AKP is getting ready for a convention while there is uneasiness within it scenarios for the establishing of a new party

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu blamed the Greek Cypriot side on the negotiations' deadlock

He attended a reception given in his "honor" by the Federation of Turkish American Associations. Speaking to reporters at the reception, Eroglu alleged that the "people" of the breakaway regime had been able to reach this day as a result of the support of "motherland Turkey and Turks living across the world".

On the Cyprus negotiations, he alleged that the talks had entered into a deadlock when President Dimitris Christofias announced that he wouldn't be running in next year's presidential elections because he wasn't hopeful towards the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Noting that Christofias' statement came at a time when the Republic of Cyprus assumed the EU rotating presidency, Eroglu claimed that the talks were continuing at the level of technical committees as a result of this. He also said that he is going to consider the possible re-launching the negotiations with the election of the new Greek Cypriot Leader in February during his meeting with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon which will take place on Saturday.

[02] Atalay: Turkey's guarantees will continue forever in Cyprus

Addressing the opening ceremony of 2012-2013 academic year at illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU), Atalay said: "However, if some people use delaying tactics or put forward conditions that are not equal or just, this agreement will not happen. Then northern Cyprus will continue in this manner as a state, it will continue with its self-sufficient strong structure".

Referring to the internal affairs of the breakaway regime, Atalay noted that political stability brings economic development and wished that this stability is not upset because of micro-political interests.

Atalay argued that the slightest uncertainty, weariness and hopelessness in the future of the Turkish Cypriots is out of the question and added that life will always be better than today in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. Atalay claimed that the "TRNC" will be more developed than the government-controlled area of the island.

Asked to comment on Turkey's relations with the EU, Atalay argued that Cyprus has never been an obstacle for Turkey on any issue. He added: "These are EU's own political reasons. Turkey is very clear about Cyprus future. We are not confused at all. Our mind as guarantor country is clear, northern Cyprus' mind as country is also clear?"

Atalay argued that the "TRNC" exerts efforts for establishing a democratic structure as independent state and alleged that its economy, social structure, public administration, democracy and higher education are strengthening.

Atalay argued that the "government" of the breakaway regime has prepared its own economic program for the period 2013-2015 and added that Turkey offered "advisory support" when this was asked.

Atalay alleged that north Cyprus is a part of Anatolia and that this geographical unity created the need for political and economic interaction during history.

The Turkish Minister said that the last ground breaking ceremony for the project of carrying water with pipelines from Turkey to the occupied part of Cyprus, will be held on 13 October with the participation of self-styled prime minister, Irsen Kucuk. He noted that the building of the pipes is completed and that the installation of the pipelines will start on 13 October.

Referring to the issue of natural gas and oil, Atalay argued that the natural wealth on Cyprus and in the area that surrounds the island "belongs to the entire island", that Turkey will protect their rights in the territorial waters of northern Cyprus, that the explorations will continue in a more effective manner and that the "TRNC" will take its share if any wealth is found.

In statements during a visit to Hasan Bozer, self-styled speaker of the so-called assembly of the regime, Atalay argued that Turkey's sensitivity on the issue of their ("TRNC's" and Turkey's) territorial water continues and added that the land drilling for oil and natural gas in the area of occupied Syngrasi village, will continue with a platform that has much more powerful equipment than the existing one.

Atalay gave also the first lecture in illegal DAU for 2012-2013 academic year. He said that breakaway regime's GDP in 2010 was six billion and 120 million Turkish liras and its per capita income exceeded 15 thousand US dollars. He noted that 25% of breakaway regime's GDP comes from higher education and that the number of students this year will exceed last year's number which was 47.063. He said that the number of "universities" and students from third countries increased in the occupied area of Cyprus, in spite of the "embargoes" and the "isolations".

Atalay met also with so-called prime minister Kucuk, who stated that he would be pleased to attend the ceremony in Anamur on 13 October regarding the start of the installation of the pipelines that will carry water from Turkey to the occupied part of Cyprus. Kucuk argued that the relations with Turkey are of vital importance for the breakaway regime.

(I/Ts.)

[03] On land oil search in occupied Cyprus reportedly ended with failure

According to the paper, which cites information by the Turkish Ministry of Energy, the exploration in the Turkyurdu well have stopped since no results came out of the research.

In addition, Turkish daily today's Zaman (28.09.12) reports that gas was found in Istranca in north-western Turkey. Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z said the productivity of the new gas finding in Istranca was not clear yet and the results would be obtained in three or four months.

[04] Atun completed his contacts in Turkey; he met with Turkey's Minister of Economy and the chairman of Turkish Central Bank

According to the paper, in the framework of his contacts there, Atun met with Turkey's Minister of Economy, Zafer Caglayan and the chairman of Turkey's Central Bank, Erdem Basci.

According to a statement issued by the so-called ministry, Atun held an one-hour meeting with the Minister of Economy of Turkey, with whom he discussed the recent developments in the "TRNC's economy".

Speaking during the meeting, Atun recalled that on October 1st, a delegation from the "TRNC", which will be headed by the so-called prime minister, Irsen Kucuk will be in Ankara in order to meet with Besir Atalay and his delegation. The issue of discussion during the meeting, he said, will be the economic program of 2013-2015.

Atun further said during his meeting with Caglayan, that the stability of "motherland' economy", as he called Turkey and the fact that "motherland" is an active power in the region, has a positive impact on the "TRNC economy". Atun thanked also the Turkish Minister and Turkey for supporting the occupation regime.

Speaking during the meeting, Caglayan expressed pleasure for Atun's visit and said that Turkey is closely monitoring the developments on the occupation regime's economy and wished to Atun which is the "leader" of the preparation of the new economic program, good luck.

Meanwhile, as part of his contacts in Istanbul, Atun held also a meeting with the chairman of the Central Bank of Turkey, Erden Basci.

Atun said that during the meeting they discussed the developments on the banking sector of the "TRNC". He added that he invited Basci to visit the "TRNC".

(AK)

[05] Turkish Tasyapi company wins the tender for illegal Tymvou airport

The consortiums which met the conditions of the tender are Elron Construction-Elite, Tasyap? Construction-Terminal Yap?, Dogusan Industry-Metak Construction and Kaya Tourism Enterprises-Zonguldak Private Aviation.

According to illegal Bayrak, the investment is estimated to cost around 350 million Euros and will include the construction of a new terminal building, a hotel, commercial areas, 62 check-in desks, 24 passport control points, a basement car park, a 756 lot open-air car park, a separate parking area for 76 buses, 8 passenger boarding bridges and fire hydrant systems, a second landing strip and a subway tunnel.

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (28.09.12) reports that Tasyap? Construction-Terminal Yap? company won the tender with its offer that provides for sharing 47.80% of the turnover with the breakaway regime. The illegal airport will be transferred to the company for 25 years. The company is obliged to pay immediately 100 million Euros to the regime and the rest of the amount (200 million Euros) within a period of four years.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (28.09.12) refers to the issue under the title "Tymvou also went away" and points out that only four companies participated in the tender in spite of the fact that self-styled prime minister, Irsen Kucuk had stated that seven companies submitted proposals.

The paper writes that Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of Republican Turkish Party (CTP), issued a statement yesterday noting that it was not possible for them to accept the developments experienced in the tender for illegal Tymvou airport and called on the "government" to annul the tender. He accused the "government" of giving the illegal airport away without calculating the income of this investment for the "state" and without sharing it with the "people", in an effort of "saving the day".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (28.09.12) reports that Cemal Ozyigit, general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said yesterday that those who won the tender should know that when the TDP comes to "power" it will annul the "privatization law" and all privatizations which took place according to this "law", and take back all properties that had been given away.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Erhan Arikli stated that it was a Turkish Cypriot the one who denounced him to the Kyrgyzstan' authorities

In his statements Arikli said that when he investigated the case after he was set free, he came across with a distressing event since he found out that it was a Turkish Cypriot who has denounced him to the Interpol of Kyrgyzstan. Arikli further said that the Interpol of Kyrgyzstan applied to the Greek Cypriot side after it got information from a Turkish Cypriot.

(AK)

[07] Asil Nadir's lawyers alleged that Nadir is penniless

Nadir was found guilty the previous month is accused of embezzling 29 million sterling.

The paper underlines that during 1980's Nadir was one o the richest man in the world.

(AK)

[08] Erdogan on PKK: He accuses various countries of not wanting the Kurdish issue to end for Turkey

Speaking live on private NTV and Star TV channels on Thursday, Erdogan claimed that Western countries did not want to solve the problem of "PKK terror".

"Germany does not want a solution. France does not want a solution," Erdogan said.

"These countries do not help us. Instead, they let terrorist heads live on their territory," Erdogan claimed and added:"The most developed countries of Europe extend support to terror".

Touching on Turkey's efforts in "counter-terrorism", Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey's intelligence organization would hold talks with any group in order to solve the problem of terror.

"Such groups may be certain elements within the terrorist organization or intelligence organizations of other countries that experienced terror in the past", Erdogan noted.

On Syria, Erdogan stated that he was highly disappointed with Russia.

"While Russia should not have remained silent on the massacre in Syria, they have chosen to be on the side of those committing the massacre," Erdogan stressed.

Asked if Turkey sent arms to the Syrian opposition, Erdogan said that it was out of question for Turkey to send arms and weapons to the Syrian opposition.

"Turkey has sent food, clothing and medicines to the Syrian people. Our most important assistance to the Syrian people, were the camps established for them in Turkey," Erdogan underlined.

On the Turkish economy, Erdogan expressed the view that there would be a hike in the price of natural gas in Turkey at the beginning of October.

"The price of natural gas would go up by 10-15 percent. We do not think about any hike in prices after that," Erdogan said.

[09] AKP is getting ready for a convention while there is uneasiness within it regarding scenarios for the establishing of a new party

The recruiting of high-profile people as new members of the AK Party, some of whom led smaller parties in the past, comes amid the AK Party's struggle to keep a favourable rating at around 50 percent of the electorate. If there is any indication, recent polling numbers suggest the party has lost some ground to the undecided block among voters, a worrisome development for AK Party leader and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan gave the green light for the extensive overhaul of the AK Party administration in July when addressing participants at a provincial congress of his party in Eskisehir. He said the AK Party would be restructured after the party congress on Sept. 30 to prepare the party's policies for 2023, the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the republic.

He realizes that many promises he made as part of the party program during the election campaign have not been put into practice and is afraid of a voter backlash. Erdogan understands that the Turkish people will hold him accountable for election pledges. The AK Party campaigned most on the pledge to deliver a new constitution by getting rid of the 30-year-old military-era Constitution. The issue was unfortunately delegated to the ill-functioning Reconciliation Commission in Parliament that many expect will be unable to deliver anything because of the rigid full-consensus rule adopted among all four parties represented in Parliament.

While trying to put a new face on the decade-old AK Party with the replacement of the old administration, Erdogan runs the risk of alienating long-time AK Party executives as well. Over 70 deputies from the AK Party, including 17 cabinet ministers and some senior party administrators, will have to be ejected from their positions according to party bylaws. Erdogan signalled that some of these people may be nominated as mayoral candidates in local elections in the fall of 2013. Though the move was apparently aimed at appeasing "old dogs" in the party, there is simply not enough space to accommodate all of them, paving the way for the emergence of resentful factions.

This has created uneasiness within the AK Party and even fuelled speculation that a new party may emerge within the AK Party if or when it splits. The marginalized politicians may very well be a conduit for that process, some anticipate. The rumour in the capital has been that these disgruntled politicians are courting President Abdullah Gul to establish a new party. There has been no indication so far that Gul wants to form a new party, however. He indicated that he will make his decision whether or not to run for another term in the presidential election when the time comes.

There is also another challenge for the AK Party which received almost 60 percent of the Kurdish votes in the last national election held last year. In particular, religious Kurdish politicians who endorse the party wholeheartedly want to see AK Party management fairly represented with Kurdish deputies. Orhan Miroglu, prominent Kurdish intellectual, was mentioned as a new face for the upcoming party congress, although it is not certain yet that he will join the party. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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