Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-29

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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] The regime granted its "citizenship" to 1.312 persons in the past eight months

[02] Turkish Cypriot newspaper argues that the "citizenship" of the regime will be granted to another 20.000 persons

[03] Turkish Minister: "We will let no one grab Cyprus"

[04] Thanks by Fenebahce for its game with AEL; Mehmet Levent refers to Egemen Bagis' offensive statements for Cyprus

[05] Ustel says their target is 35% increase of tourism sector in 2013

[06] Nadir reportedly will not appeal on the Polly Peck case because his conviction may be increased

[07] BDP leader calls for halt to support hunger strike

[08] Special courts see rising numbers of cases between 2002 and 2011 according to CHP

[09] Turkey to return Israeli-made UAV's for lack of 'technical support' ?Israel denies the accusations

[10] More on Turkey's EU road

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The regime granted its "citizenship" to 1.312 persons in the past eight months

The statement said that 856 persons had been granted the "citizenship" due to their marriage (428 persons because of their wife and 228 because of their husband). Another 220 persons were granted the "citizenship" with a decision of the so-called ministry according to the provisions of "article" 8(1) of the "Citizenship Law" and another 274 persons according to the same "law's" "article" 8(2), as they were younger than 18. Seventy persons were made "citizens" with a decision of the "council of ministers", according to "article" 9(1) of the above-mentioned "law" and 92 persons because they were spouses and children of "citizens", according to article 9(2) of the "law".

The paper draws attention to the fact that the number of 1.312 new "citizens" was "big" for a period of eight months.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot newspaper argues that the "citizenship" of the regime will be granted to another 20.000 persons

"In the headline used by Hurriyet newspaper in order to draw the attention of AKP government, it is said that there are around 20 thousand persons, who have been born and raised on the island, but could not take the citizenship, and that the citizenship rights of this group are prevented for unsatisfactory reasons", writes Afrika.

The paper notes that the children and grandchildren of families, who are on the island with "work permit", complain because they cannot take scholarships and enter into the "public" service due to the fact that they are not "citizens" of the regime. According to Afrika, the chairman of the association of the settlers from Alexandretta, Bertan Zaroglu told Hurriyet that "since the citizenship would not be granted to people who live here for decades, it would be better if you sterilized them".

Afrika notes that issues regarding the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, are not made headlines in Hurriyet very easily, unless "there is instruction from a higher authority". Pointing out that this was the reason for which it has been interested in Hurriyet's headline, Afrika argues that the address, to which the headline is posted, is the AKP government.

Afrika writes, inter, alia, the following: "The AKP government has certainly received Hurriyet's message. Do not be surprised if soon they grant the citizenship to this group of people, the number of which reached 20 thousands. In any case, they asked the support of the Turkish Minister of Justice, Sadullah Ergin who came recently to the island in the eve of [UBP's] congress with Besir Atalay and participated in the last day operation organized for Irsen Kucuk. As you understand the issue is on the agenda".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Minister: "We will let no one grab Cyprus"

"Cyprus is our soul. When we were in the lyceum, the Greeks were tyrannizing the Turks; they were following an annihilation policy. We organized a rally in Afyonkarahisar and our slogan was the following: 'Cyprus is our soul, let our blood be shed'. We will defend Cyprus. No one can take a slant at Cyprus anymore. Turkey is a powerful country now, a global power, with its head up. We will let no one grab Cyprus. Let everyone know this. I advise the Greek Cypriots to get into line the soonest".

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (28.10.12) refers to the same statements and notes that Eroglu "spoke as if he was the owner of Cyprus".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Thanks by Fenebahce for its game with AEL; Mehmet Levent refers to Egemen Bagis' offensive statements for Cyprus

In a written statement, Fenerbahce said that the team was received with hospitality that caused them satisfaction from the very first moment they got off the airplane. The team thanked, inter alia, the president of AEL, Andreas Sofokleous, all the officials and the supporters of the Cypriot club for their concern, hospitality and messages of friendship. The Turkish club thanked also the 4th Vice President of UEFA, and member of FIFA's Executive Board, Marios N. Lefkaritis, the president of the Cyprus Football Association, Kostakis Koutsokoumnis, the officials of the GSP stadium, the security authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and Fenerbahce's fun clubs in the occupied area of the island.

Meanwhile, writing in his daily column in Afrika (28.10.12), Mehmet Levent refers to Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis' statement for the above-mentioned game, and recalls that Bagis had called on the Republic of Cyprus to show to the world that it is a state and not a tribe, by securing that the match would be played without any problems.

"I do not know whether he feels shame and sorrow now because of these statements", notes Levent pointing out that AEL football club and the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus showed an organization that deserves to be applauded. Recalling that Fenerbahce's administration has also thanked AEL because of this excellent organization, Levent underlines that "in the end Bagis' dreams fell into the water".

"No incidents happened in order to mess politics and racism with sports", says Levent, stressing that the Republic of Cyprus showed that it is a state and did whatever was necessary for this. "Now it is Turkey's turn to prove that it is not a tribe", notes the Turkish Cypriot columnist referring to the game to be played between the two teams in Istanbul.

Levent notes that it is Bagis' habit to insult the Republic of Cyprus with his statements, and points out that while Turkey needs to do much more things in order to join the European Union, Cyprus is holding the term presidency of the Union now. "And it is not even known whether they will let you enter that door", concludes Levent addressing to Bagis.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ustel says their target is 35% increase of tourism sector in 2013

Ustel said their four million incentives for 2012 were very important and as of this year tourists will come to the occupied area of Cyprus around the year. He noted that their target for 2013 is to increase the number of tourists by 35%. He also said that the bed capacity in the hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus, increased to 20 thousands from 16 thousands.

Pointing out that one million tourists will contribute the sum of 2.5 billion dollars to the regime's economy, Ustel said that charter flights from 15 countries are organized to the occupied area of Cyprus, that the regime increased the number of tourism fairs in which it participates to 35 from 14 and it also increased the budget it spends in these fairs.

Ustel said that tourists from the Scandinavian countries will start visiting the occupied area of Cyprus as of 1 November, adding that they will participate in road shows in the Scandinavian market. He noted that with charter and part-charter flights, they will bring tourists from Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. He said that they will carry out 20 charter flights every week and carry 3.000 persons to occupied Cyprus.

Ustel announced that they will launch a big advertising attack in London and added that they gave advertisements to the train station in the entrance of World Travel Market, which will start in November, and to London's underground trains, black cabs, buses and newspapers. He noted that their campaign in London will last until May 2013 and added that their target is to overcome the observed decrease in the number of tourists from Britain.

Ustel went on and said that they published a book in Turkish and English languages that show the beauties of the occupied area of Cyprus. The book is given to special guests who visit Cyprus and to persons who want to promote the occupied area of Cyprus abroad. It is also sent to the "embassies" of the regime.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Nadir reportedly will not appeal on the Polly Peck case because his conviction may be increased

Havadis, which cites information, writes that Nadir and his lawyers may not appeal because there is a change Nadir conviction to be increased instead of been reduced.

[07] BDP leader calls for halt to support hunger strike

BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas yesterday called on supporters of his party to join the hunger strike by pausing their lives for one day. A group of BDP members in southeastern Hakkari joined the hunger strike out of prisons.

In a meeting in southeastern province of Adana, Demirtas asked supporters "not to open their shops, not to send their children to school and not to shop on Oct. 30."

"By halting daily life on Tuesday, by shutting off our cars' engines, closing up our shops and boycotting schools we can shout out our demands," Demirtas said.

Meanwhile, southeastern province of Hakkari's BDP provincial branch members began a hunger strike yesterday that will last for ten days. BDP Vice Chair Hamit Geylani is among the strikers.

The hunger strike has continued for 48 days.

[08] Special courts see rising numbers of cases between 2002 and 2011 according to CHP

According to the report, the number of suspects tried in oYMs in 2002 was 8,000 and this figure jumped to 68,000 in 2011.

CHP deputy head Umut Oran and CHP Secretary-General Bihlun Tamaygil supervised the "Specially Authorized Courts ? Regional Criminal Courts, What has and has not changed?" report, which was prepared in September. According to the report, these courts are under the control of the "Gulen Community," referring to islamic scholar and prominent figure in Turkey's political scene Fettullah Gulen.

The report said the majority of these courts and offices of public prosecutors were under the control of Gulen Community members and sympathizers and that the community had a distinct and decisive effect on judges and prosecutors there. The report also said this effect was reflected in judicial procedures and that this bias was a "known situation" that was generally voiced in public.

When the AKP took power in 2002, the report said, 8,004 suspects were prosecuted in oYM courts and this figure has climbed to 68,213 in 2011. It also said 20,000 people were tried in such cases as Oda TV, KCK, Balyoz (sledgehammer) and Ergenekon.

The report pointed out that eight deputies, more than 100 journalists, more than 500 members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), 771 students and thousands of politicians, local administrators and municipal workers were still under arrest.

In 2011, a total of 68,213 people were being investigated by oYMs and according to 2010 data, the average investigation period was 648 days, the report said. Only half of those who were investigated had public cases opened against them, the report said.

Final verdicts for 75,687 people were issued, the report said. "Out of every 10 persons subjected to investigation, five of them went through an investigation of 648 days without any charges filed against them. When it is considered that out of every 10 cases opened, only four of them resulted in jail sentences, the violation of rights created by long detention periods is better understood," it added.

Following lengthy debates and hectic polemics between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition parties' lawmakers, Parliament passed a judicial reform in June 2012 to abolish the specially authorized courts used for coup trials and the hearings of cases against members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

[09] Turkey to return Israeli-made UAV's for lack of 'technical support' ?Israel denies the accusations

Turkey claims that the three planes have not been flown for eight months because technical support cannot be obtained from Israel. Turkey has now given the go-ahead to terminate the contract [with Israel] and to ask for compensation for its losses. When the three planes purchased from Israel are returned, the number of UAV's in service in the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] will drop to 10.

Turkey bought three 'tactical' UAV's from Israel in 2008, which are deployed out of Batman, were flown at an altitude of 5,400 meters and at speeds of up 100 kilometers per hour. The planes can transmit live video recordings to a command and control center located 200 kilometers away.

However, these planes have not performed as expected in terms of their flight attributes and the transmission of video feed, because the requisite technical support could not be obtained from Israel, according to Turkish authorities.

In view of this situation, the Defense Industry Under secretariat has decided to return the three UAV's on the grounds that Israel has not met its contractual obligations.

One of the three UAV's earlier crashed and became unusable. The other two have not been used with any effect because of technical problems.

On the contrary, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (28.10.12) reports that in the aftermath of a decision by the Turkish government to return Israeli-made Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the manufacturing country, Israel Aerospace industries (iAi) officials have denied claims about the failures in technical support to UAVs delivered to Turkey.

The Israeli media quoted some iAi officials on Sunday as saying that they stand by all their obligations regarding the repair of the aircraft and that they are willing to meet their obligations. IAi officials also said they did not know what the problem with the Turkish side was. One of the three Herons crashed while operating on a mission in southeastern Turkey, and two others have not been used in eight months due to technical problems.

In 2011, Turkey returned several Herons to Israel for repair because of technical problems. After delays in getting them back, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly complained, saying the Israeli side arbitrarily delayed the return of the aircraft. Israel then returned the drones and sent technicians to fix them in Turkey. IAi officials said it was not immediately clear whether the Herons being returned to Israel, were the same ones that required repair in 2011.

[10] More on Turkey's EU road

Today's Zaman (29.10.12) reports that the Turkish President Abdullah Gul has placed special emphasis on Turkey's EU aspirations and its need for a new and democratic constitution in a message released on the occasion of the Oct. 29 Republic Day.

"Undoubtedly, the preparation of a new, pro-freedom, pluralistic and democratic constitution will be the most important step of the democratization process," the president said in his message.

Gul also noted that raising the bar of democracy in Turkey would lead to the maintenance of peace, welfare and security in the country.

The president's message was posted on the website of the presidential palace on Sunday.

As for Turkey's EU goal, Gul said it is a strategic one for Turkey that overlaps with the fundamental priorities of the Turkish Republic. The president said that while Turkey should work to ensure that the EU removes superficial obstacles to membership, the country should also make the necessary reforms to join the 27-nation bloc.

In addition, Today's Zaman (28.10.12) also reports that the European Union's top enlargement official, Stefan F?le, on Saturday called for the revival of the negotiation process between Turkey and the EU, adding that the revival of the negotiation process would serve the interests of both Turkey and the union.

Fule's statements came ahead of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany, which is scheduled for Tuesday.

Fule stated in an article published in Germany's Die Tageszeitung newspaper, that the developments in Syria have indicated Turkey's important role regarding Europe's foreign policy and energy security.

Fule also underlined that the EU should remain a standard for the reform process in Turkey.

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (27.10.12) publishes a commentary by Guven Sak under the title "Reform fatigue in Turkey" and writes the following:

"[?] our candidacy started seven years ago and we were pretty tired of it by the fifth. [?] At some point in 2007, we simply stopped playing the game.

This might be the result of the Sarkozy-Merkel effect. Being told every day that you are not good enough, might just have consequences. Our politicians now tell us a story of sour grapes. Never mind that we wanted to get into the EU, now that we can't, we're told that it is a bad idea anyways. Lousy politicians make for bad solutions. Turks need to learn that their government's inability to reach its goals does not make those goals less worthy.

[?]

Now that we are completely losing faith it is becoming dangerous. As Marc Pierini writes in his Carnegie Europe piece, "Turkey is beginning to read history from a non-Eurocentric point of view and recognize other possibilities in modern history." That reminds me of the old debate on the shift of axis -- it makes no sense and is too grand a vision to ever be put into effect. I wouldn't take the idea too seriously, if our government wasn't adopting it as the latest stage of our official sour grapes saga.

Want to know how we stopped trying? Just look at the 2012 Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum. Turkey's ranking among the 145 countries there is a good indicator of reform fatigue. Our justice system ranks 83rd, down 27 since 2006, meaning 27 other countries have passed us in the meantime. We are 74th in education, down 18, and 117th in tax systems, down 22. Our labor market ranks 124th, down 10. Doesn't exactly sound like a reforming country, does it? These are all areas of reform neglected since 2007. See the enlargement progress report on Turkey for more information.

The accession process requires the completion of Turkey's public administration reform. We have not been able do it. The process entails historical reconciliation, both inside the country and across our borders, but those problems continue to fester. The accession process is about getting out of the middle income trap by using the EU as a transformation device. The EU has done this before for many other countries, and it has done it for Turkey as well. It could resume doing it again. Turkey's per capita GDP has reached 50 percent of the EU's average per capita GDP; Poland became a member when its own was 45 percent of the EU's.

Accession is more doable now than it ever was before. We just stopped trying. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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