Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-30

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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] Reference by Eroglu to the Cyprus problem during the celebrations for Turkey's Republic Day

[02] Turkish Cypriots say their political will is deformed due to distribution of the "citizenship"

[03] CTP participates in French Socialist Party's Congress

[04] Rustem Tatar alleges that the Greek Cypriots keep the issue of the missing persons alive to use it against Turkey

[05] Tension during the celebrations for Turkey's Republic Day

[06] Erdogan comments on the incidents during the Republic's Day

[07] Turkish daily argues that Republic Day reception "marks normalization in civilian-military ties"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reference by Eroglu to the Cyprus problem during the celebrations for Turkey's Republic Day

Eroglu noted that they continue their work in harmony with Turkey and that they should not allow their relations to be negatively influenced.

Eroglu reiterated the allegation that if the "Greek Cypriot-Greek duo", as he said, sincerely wished an agreement, reaching an agreement on the Cyprus problem would be very easy. Arguing that all issues have been discussed in the negotiations which continue since 1968, Eroglu claimed that the important thing was the political will and alleged that they could reach an agreement, if the intention of the Greek Cypriot and Greek side was not to take them to the pre-1974 period and force them sign a "trap-agreement" by which they [the Greeks] would become "the rulers of entire Cyprus".

He added: "If their intention is not to cut us off from motherland Turkey's active and effective guarantees, why should we not agree? If they have not set eye on the villages and the towns we live in, our land which we cultivate and consider as our country, we could agree of course. If they do not want us to exclude a part of the TRNC citizens, it is possible of course for us to proceed on the way of the agreement. If they insist on these issues, I want to state clearly from now that there could be no agreement. Very well, what will happen then? In our view, the United Nations, the European Union and all the countries concerned with Cyprus must clearly put the realities in front of the Greek Cypriot side, if they want an agreement in Cyprus. They must tell them that they will not be able to expose the Turkish Cypriot side to unjust embargoes any more, they will not be able to prevent us from meeting with the world, and that our teams and our youth have the right to play football with the young people of the world, of other countries".

Eroglu reiterated that they want a time table to be put in the negotiations process after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and added that they were expecting the help of their friends and of everybody who wants a lasting agreement on the island. "Otherwise everyone should go their own way; our way should not be jammed", he added.

Eroglu argued that Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey and added that defending and ending this cause, in the direction of the nation's wishes and interests, would be for the benefit of both the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. He claimed that Cyprus is of vital importance for Turkey just like Turkey is of vital importance for them.

Eroglu alleged that Turkey has "historic responsibilities" towards the Turkish Cypriots and that they are brothers. He claimed that they have the same roots, joy, sorrow and destiny, regardless of whether they came to the island after 1571 or after 1974.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriots say their political will is deformed due to distribution of the "citizenship"

In statements to Yeni Duzen, Cakici noted that they had heart that granting the "citizenship" was silently intensified, especially during the period of National Unity Party (UBP) "government" and this is the reason for which he had asked an "official" statement with a written "parliamentary question".

Cakici noted that 14 months are left before the "elections" and added that there is a plan of granting the "citizenship" to thousands of persons within this period.

"I will complain to international institutions", said Cakici noting that the "citizenship" is distributed in a planned way. "Privatizations or other laws could be retrieved, but the change of the population structure could not", he pointed out, adding that the change of their population structure is the biggest obstacle in front of the [political] will of the Turkish Cypriot "people".

In statements on the same issue, Asim Akansoy, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), argued that those who carried the issue to the Turkish media do not contribute in the solution of the problem. He added that there was serious data and information that especially during the period before UBP's congress, promises had been given to hundreds of persons that they would be granted the "citizenship", and even the bills of electricity and water of many people have been paid.

Akansoy said that "serious sensitivity" exists in the Turkish Cypriot community on the issue of the "citizenship" and expressed the view that the political will of the Turkish Cypriot community is deformed. He argued that the numbers that were announced lately showed that the process on this issue was haphazard and not serious.

(I/Ts.)

[03] CTP participates in French Socialist Party's Congress

According to a written statement, CTP was represented by Kutlay Erk and Armagan Candan, members of the party's foreign affairs' committee.

During its stay in France, the Turkish Cypriot delegation met, inter alia, with the French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayraunt, the Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius and the newly elected President of the French Socialist Party, Harlem Desir. The Turkish Cypriots explained their views on the Cyprus problems and their expectations from the EU and France.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Rustem Tatar alleges that the Greek Cypriots keep the issue of the missing persons alive to use it against Turkey

Tatar evaluated to Star Kibris a statement made by lawyer Ahilleas Demetriades, who had reportedly said that a "genuineness commission" should be established and Turkey should cooperate by giving all information it has in the archives of the Turkish army, in order for the issue to be solved.

Tatar alleged that the Greek Cypriots continuously lie on this issue and recalled that in 1976 the Red Cross and the UN had issued a statement saying that all Greek Cypriots, who were taken to Turkey as hostages returned back. Tatar said that the Greek Cypriots still argue that there are still missing persons who are alive in Turkey, even though they allegedly know that this is not true. He described the Greeks as "nation liar".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Tension during the celebrations for Turkey's Republic Day

"Turkey witnessed a historical first yesterday as citizens held a separate rally to celebrate the 89th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic while state officials attended formal ceremonies and a parade at Ankara's Hippodrome. Over 50,000 people gathered in the capital for an alternative celebration for Republic Day, but faced harsh police action, marking another first in Turkey's history.

Police used pepper gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd that gathered in Ulus Square in front of the old Parliament house. Crowds later sidestepped the police and over 50,000 people were able to march towards Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, after the police barricade was lifted.

Several people, including journalists, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his lawmakers were hit by pepper spray at Ankara's Ulus Square. Kilicdaroglu rebuffed the police's disproportionate use of force against citizens that had gathered to celebrate the 89th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic.

'These people had only Turkish flags in their hands, but the state had police and pepper gas. Why? Are we waging war? What can be as natural as celebrating Republic Day? Our ancestors constructed the Republic with blood and tears', he said yesterday before departing to Istanbul.

Kilicdaroglu criticized the government for the incidents in Ankara, recalling that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier made statements claiming people were disconnected from national holidays. 'Wasn't he saying celebration won't be done in stadiums? There is no need to get permission to celebrate a holiday', Kilicdaroglu said.

Subtitle: 'Police can use force'

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), however, continued their criticisms against the CHP, and the organizers of the banned rally.

'The police can use force if they are obliged to. But if they used force unnecessarily, then the main opposition can investigate it', MHP's leader Bahceli told reporters. "We are living in a democratic country," he said.

AKP deputy chair Huseyin Celik accused the main opposition for following in the footsteps of 'marginal groups'. 'The party of Ataturk has become the wagon of marginal groups. They are the locomotive and the CHP is their wagon', Celik said in televised remarks broadcast on private TV channel Kanal 24.

'Turkey is transforming into a democratic republic from a bureaucratic republic. Those who don't want to give up their bureaucratic republican habits and those who cannot accept the transformation into a democratic republic are raising their voice', Celik said.

NGOs led by the Kemalist Thought Association (ADD) and the Turkey Youth Union (TGB) had called on people to gather in front of the old Parliament building in Ankara's Ulus Square to mark the 89th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish republic, but the Ankara governor's office last week denied permission for the rally, arguing that they received intelligence that some provocative actions may occur during the meeting.

The Governor's Office also banned the planed march towards Anitkabir, which is located about two kilometers away from the venue.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin inspected the rally area from a police helicopter".

[06] Erdogan comments on the incidents during the Republic's Day

"Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has attended The Republic Day reception in Cankaya Palace commented on events which took place during the celebrations earlier today, reported private television station NTV.

'There is no such thing that we didn't allow the rally. Mr. Kilicdaroglu celebrated last Republic's Day beside me, in the official celebrations. Why isn't this happening now? Why did he try to celebrate it in his own way this time while it was being celebrated in 8 different locations in Ankara? This is not an alternative celebration, this is a provocation', he said.

Erdogan has also criticized police and media.

'I didn't give an order to remove the barriers. Police didn't do its' job. 11 police officers were wounded and media who reported pepper gas and pressurized water, has not reported this', he said.

Erdogan who has also commented on Kurdish inmates conducting a hunger strike said intervention will be done when it is necessary.

'There is no one hungry there. Minister of Justice went there and observed the conditions. Everyone is eating everything', he added.

Erdogan who has attended the President's Republic Day reception for the first time with his wife Emine Erdogan, condemned those who didn't let them attend together until now".

[07] Turkish daily argues that Republic Day reception "marks normalization in civilian-military ties"

"Turkey experienced a first at this year's Republic Day celebrations as high-level state officials and high-ranking military commanders of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) attended a reception held by President Abdullah Gul at the Cankaya presidential palace in Ankara on Oct. 29 together with their spouses.

The reception marks a new era on the Turkish political scene as the balance in civilian-military ties took a new shape in favor of civilians.

Receptions held during national celebrations have become a hot issue since President Gul took office in August 2007. Generals in the military refused to attend presidential receptions with their spouses, as the president's wife, Hayrunnisa Gul, wears a headscarf, which sparked adverse reactions from the zealously secular military.

Official celebrations began earlier in the day as the official event took place at the Atat?rk Cultural Center following a ceremony at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum, and was attended by high-level state officials, military commanders and representatives of a number of political parties, including Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. First lady Hayrunnisa Gul also attended the official celebrations as a member of the official delegation for the first time.

President Gul held a reception at the Cankaya presidential palace in the evening. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the reception with his wife, Emine Erdogan, for the first time. Prime Minister Erdogan said those who had denied the prime minister the right to attend the receptions with his wife in the past, should be ashamed of themselves.

Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ozel and other top military commanders were all in attendance.

Invitations were reportedly sent to Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ozel and the commanders of the land, air and sea forces.

Main opposition CHP leader Kilicdaroglu did not attend the reception but instead chose to take part in another event held in 0
stanbul in order to celebrate Republic Day.

National Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli was present at the event. The reception also saw for the first time military commanders present at an official event along with pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) officials.

The manner of celebrating Republic Day -- which marks the anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic on Oct. 29 -- and other national days was changed after a directive was adopted by the Cabinet in May. According to the new directive, only one reception for Republic Day will be held at the Cankaya presidential palace. Celebrations held outside of Ankara will be organized by governors' offices in the various provinces. This event with spouses was initially planned for Victory Day celebrations on Aug. 30, but the reception was canceled as Gul, who was suffering from a recurring ear problem, was undergoing medical treatment at that time.

None of the commanders have attended any of the receptions held by President Gul and his wife since 2007 as they objected to the first lady wearing a headscarf. In order to avoid conflicts, the Presidency held two separate receptions for Republic Day in 2007, 2008 and 2009; one held during the day without spouses and one at night with spouses. If the commanders wanted to avoid shaking hands with the first lady in the reception line, they could attend the daytime reception. In 2010, the Presidency held only one reception at night, but the commanding members of the TSK did not attend due to another reception being held on the same day. In 2011, heavy losses, as a result of terrorist activities, led to the cancelation of all receptions in government institutions.

This year, Turkey celebrate? the 89th year of the republic. The Turkish Republic was declared on Oct. 29, 1923, following a war of independence led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk against the Allied powers in the aftermath of World War I". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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