Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-11-05

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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] Turkish MFA: "Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on Cyprus' natural resources as Greek Cypriots"; statements by Ozgurgun

[02] Erdogan stated that Turkey is ready to provide potable water and electricity to the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Bagis: "Turkey expects big push from EU in 2013"

[04] More on UBP crisis

[05] The crisis in self-styled Lefkosia municipality continues

[06] Crisis between the occupation regime and the USA on the restoration of the Armenian monastery in occupied Cyprus

[07] Former President of Pakistan visited Sheikh of Lefka in occupied Cyprus

[08] United Cyprus Party held contacts with the Turkish Communist Party

[09] The "Northern Europe Roadshow" tourism promotion event of the occupation regime in Scandinavian countries has finished

[10] More about Asil Nadir's case

[11] Giant sport complex to be built in western Keryneia

[12] Foreign Universities attended the "International Universities Search and Rescue Council's Coordination Committee meeting" in the occupied area Cyprus

[13] Kurdish students in occupied Cyprus demonstrated supporting the hunger strikers in Turkey

[14] Turkey to try Israeli officers over Mavi Marmara raid

[15] Erdogan brings back to Turkey's agenda the death sentence issue

[16] Bahceli re-elected MHP leader at party congress; Tatar represented the so-called government

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish MFA: "Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on Cyprus' natural resources as Greek Cypriots"; statements by Ozgurgun

The Turkish MFA underlined in the statement that disregarding such a reality and Greek Cypriots' continuation of one-sided provocative activities, was a situation unacceptable by Turkey and the "TRNC".

Turkish MFA's remarks came after the Greek Cypriots held a second (international) tender for the exploration of oil and natural gas in the island.

"Within this frame, Turkey strongly supports the statements made by the TRNC Foreign Ministry on November 2 (on the natural resources of Cyprus)", the MFA underlines.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (03.11.12), in a written statement, the so-called foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun pointed out that Turkish Cypriots are equal partners of the Greek Cypriots in the island and underlined that they have equal and inseparable rights on the natural gas resources.

Ozgurgun went on saying that despite of the warnings made in the past, the Greek Cypriot side is trying, as he said, to create fait accompli on this issue. Ozgurgun added that it is out of question to permit the rights of the Turkish Cypriots to be extorted.

Ozgurgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side, together with Turkey will continue with determination to take measures in order to protect their rights and interests.

[02] Erdogan stated that Turkey is ready to provide potable water and electricity to the Republic of Cyprus

Erdogan's remarks came during an opening speech of his political party's meeting in Kizilcahamam town of Turkish capital Ankara on Saturday. "We are making a call on Greek Cyprus from here. We can provide potable water to the Greek Cypriots if they need it. We can also provide them with electricity if they need it. We are saddened to see their conditions. They bring water to the Greek Cypriot administration in tankers and have to drink water with rust. They can avoid drinking water with rust and enjoy the clean water of Anamur if they desire," Erdogan stressed.

[03] Bagis: "Turkey expects big push from EU in 2013"

"Turkey should become an EU member before 2023. We don't have the intention to wait until 2023," Bagis told the Hurriyet Daily News, commenting on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call to the EU to make up its mind by 2023. "No one should expect that the Prime Minister will show patience until 2023. I am talking as someone who knows very well the Prime Minister," added Bagis.

(?)Bagis reiterated that the EU has lost its credibility among Turks by not lifting the visas, by pointing to the Cyprus problem as an obstacle to Turkey's accession while ignoring it when it came to "Greek Cyprus' membership", by not showing enough cooperation in the fight against [outlawed Kurdistan People's Party] PKK terrorism and by not inviting Turkey to council summits.

(?)

[04] More on UBP crisis

Kasif supports that the election of Kucuk as UBP chairman at the party's election congress held a few days ago, was not against the party's constitution since the vote difference between them was very small. Kasif supports that a second round of voting should have taken place.

However, as Kibris (04.11.12) reports, under the title "Fighting savagely: Kucuk did not wait for the decision of the court and on Saturday called on for a meeting for the election of UBP central administration. In addition, a mini crisis was created during the meeting since three "MPs" UBP, Zorlu Tore, Hasan Tacoy and Afet Ozcafer, who supported Kasif at the party's election congress were not given the right to speak at the meeting and as a result they left the meeting protesting against the way they were treated.

[05] The crisis in self-styled Lefkosia municipality continues

Illegal Bayrak (03.11.12) broadcast that some members of the "Municipal Council" from the main opposition Republican Turkish Party and the opposition Democrat Party handed in their resignations to their respective parties, protesting against the situation created in occupied Lefkosia.

Bayrak also broadcast that effort to clean up the streets in line with a decision taken by the "Council of Ministers" is continuing and broadcast statements by the self-styled District Officer of occupied Lefkosia Kemal Deniz Dana who said that they will complete work to clean up as soon as possible.

In addition, Kibris (05.11.12) reports that members of the trade union of the workers in occupied Lefkosia municipality (BES) will go to the so-called police and issue complain against the self-styled government for ordering the workers to stop the strike and go back to their works. BES stated that the "government" ordered them to go back to their works while they have not received their salaries and that this is against the "constitution". "No one works for free", BES stated.

[06] Crisis between the occupation regime and the USA on the restoration of the Armenian monastery in occupied Cyprus

The rights for the use of the Armenian monastery where given as the paper writes to the illegal Near East university (YDU) in occupied Cyprus, in order to turn it into a Turkology Institute.

However, as the paper writes, the Ambassador of the USA in "south Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, opposed to the construction of the institute, providing as an excuse the fact that "the conditions of the agreement were not followed". He also threatened that the support which was to be given in the future in the "TRNC" is to be suspended.

The paper continues and writes that some American officials, recalled the signing of the agreement with the General Directorate of the Vakif foundation in the "TRNC", which envisages the use of the monastery, which is known as "Lady Tyre Armenian church", after its restoration, for intercultural purposes.

The paper adds that together with the USA which evaluated as "unacceptable the transformation of the monastery to a Turkology Institute", the Armenian Diaspora in "south Cyprus" has also got into action. This issue continues the paper has been brought to the agenda as a priority issue, by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, during his latest visit to New York for the UN meeting. After returning to the island, Eroglu gave orders to Vakif Foundation to "find a solution to the problem".

The issue was discussed in a meeting of the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk with the Ambassador of the USA in Nicosia, John M. Koenig. Koenig has said that "Washington is watching closely the issue" and stressed also the need for a new tender to take place as regards the use of the monastery. According to the paper, Koenig has also conveyed to Kucuk the message that "it is not right for the Armenian monastery to be turned into a Turkology Institute".

Finally, the paper writes that a high rankly official has stated to Milliyet that the "Turkish Cypriot side does not have the luxury to fight with the USA" and wonder how logical it is a Turkology Institute to be opened in a Armenian landed property.

(AK )

[07] Former President of Pakistan visited Sheikh of Lefka in occupied Cyprus

According to the paper, Muserref who was escorted by his wife and two guards, visited Sheikh Nazim Kibrisi (Sheikh of Lefka).

He stayed at Port Cratos hotel and departed from occupied Cyprus on Monday.

[08] United Cyprus Party held contacts with the Turkish Communist Party

According to the paper, BKP delegation consists of the party's chairman Izzet Izcan and the party's organization secretary Andullah Korkmazhan visited "Sol" newspaper and held contacts with TKP members about the developments of the Cyprus problem and the Middle East.

[09] The "Northern Europe Roadshow" tourism promotion event of the occupation regime in Scandinavian countries has finished

"Northern Europe Roadshow" was launched in the Danish capital Copenhagen on the 30th of October and this followed promotion events in Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.

Tour operators in Scandinavian countries showed great interest towards the "TRNC's tourism" as they had the opportunity to seek ways of cooperation with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

Promotional films on the tourism potential of the "TRNC" were also screened during the events.

Speaking to reporters during the Helsinki leg of "Northern Europe Roadshow", the "undersecretary" of the so called ministry of tourism, environment and culture, Sahap As?koglu, said that their goal is to reach to 1.5 million tourists by the year 2018.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (03.11.12), in statements during the promotion event in Stockholm, the chairwoman of the "Turkish Cypriot Hotelier's Union", Ayse Dozmezler, gave information on the number of Swedish tourists who visited the occupation regime during between January-September, 2012, and said that a total of 1266 Swedish tourist travel to the occupation regime via the illegal Tymbou airport while 11.164 Swedish tourist came to the "TRNC" via Larnaka airport.

[10] More about Asil Nadir's case

Nadir was jailed for 10 years in August after being found guilty of stealing 28.8 million pounds from the company and its shareholders.

The Judge presiding over the case that tried at London's Old Bailey, gave Nadir two years to pay the compensation or face a further 72 months or six years in prison.

[11] Giant sport complex to be built in western Keryneia

According to the paper, the park, which will be located in an 50.000 square meter area west of Keryneia, will be consisted of a modern sport and greens area complex, with a cover area and fields for tennis, basketball and other sports. It will also have a botanic garden, WC and assisting offices. The new project is described by the paper as the first of its kind in occupied Cyprus.

[12] Foreign Universities attended the "International Universities Search and Rescue Council's Coordination Committee meeting" in the occupied area Cyprus

According to a statement made by the press office of the "International Universities Search and Rescue Council's Coordination Council", the meeting was to be start with an opening speech by the current President of the Council Prof. Dr. Huseyin Gokcekus.

As the paper writes, several universities from foreign countries will attend the meeting. Following are the universities: "The University of Lahore from Pakistan, the College of Advanced Technology Studies (CATS) from India, Azerbaijan State Economic University from Azerbaijan, Islamic University of Indonesia, the Uszelina Vistual University from Poland, the Kerman Medical University from Iran, the Tambov State Technical University from Russia and the Cannakale 18 March University from Turkey".

AK

[13] Kurdish students in occupied Cyprus demonstrated supporting the hunger strikers in Turkey

According to Afrika more than 1000 Kurdish students gathered in front of the "Turkish embassy" to occupied Lefkosia shouting slogans like "mass murderer Erdogan" and "stop the killings".

Various political parties, trade unions and organizations supported the action and also signed a manifesto which was read in Turkish and Kurdish about the demonstration.

[14] Turkey to try Israeli officers over Mavi Marmara raid

An indictment prepared by Istanbul Specially Authorized Prosecutor Mehmet Akif Ekinci last summer, seeks 10 aggravated life imprisonment sentences for each of the four Israeli top commanders, including the country's chief of General Staff, involved in a 2010 Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that left nine Turks dead.

The trial will start in the Istanbul 7th High Criminal Court on Tuesday.

The 144-page indictment mentions 10 "slain Turks," including Suleyman Soylemez, who was among those injured in the raid and who is still in a vegetative state. The document also mentions 490 victims and complainants, including 189 people who were injured in the attacks.

The indictment seeks 10 aggravated life imprisonment sentences for former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of General Staff Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Naval Forces commander Vice Adm. Eliezer Marom, Israel's military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin and Air Forces Intelligence head Brig. Gen. Avishai Levi.

Eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish American were killed when the Israeli Navy attacked an international aid flotilla trying to break an Israeli blockade of Gaza in May 2010. Following the attack, Israel's government set up the Turkel Commission, a commission of inquiry headed by Israeli Supreme Court Justice Jacob Turkel, to investigate the attack. Turkish leaders dismissed the Israeli investigation, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon repeated the demand for an independent investigation, stating that the Israeli investigation would not have international credibility.

Turkey also established an inquiry, which concluded, in contrast to the Israeli inquiry, that the Gaza blockade and the Israeli raid are illegal. After the Turkish inquiry, Turkey described the raid as a violation of international law "tantamount to banditry and piracy" and described the killings of activists as "state-sponsored terrorism." Concerning the Israeli inquiry, Turkey said its own commission that it was "surprised, appalled and dismayed that the national inquiry process in Israel has resulted in the exoneration of the Israeli armed forces."

Ankara wants an official apology from Israel for the raid and calls for the lifting of the Gaza blockade but both demands have been rejected by the Israeli government so far. With tensions increased, Turkey has expelled the Israeli ambassador and suspended military agreements it had with the country.

[15] Erdogan brings back to Turkey's agenda the death sentence issue

Erdogan's remarks on November 3 came after he warned the hundreds of hunger strikers that their strike would not help in the release of Abdullah Ocalan, the convicted leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The strikers are demanding an end to the isolation of Ocalan, as one of their conditions.

'Don't turn this [strike] into blackmail,' Erdogan said at an annual meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). 'We will not release the terrorist chief just because you say so or resort to such an action.'

He then referred to the issue of capital punishment with regard to Ocalan. 'A death penalty was handed to a terrorist chief who was the cause of death for tens of thousands of people, but this country abolished the death penalty due to pressure from known places. He is now serving in Imral? because of the abolition of the death penalty,' Erdogan said. 'Right now a lot of people say in public surveys that capital punishment should be reintroduced, because the relatives of the dead are hurt while others enjoy themselves at kebab parties.'

Ocalan was captured in 1999 by Turkish agents in Kenyan capital Nairobi, brought back to Turkey, and sentenced to death. His death penalty was lifted as part of Turkey's campaign to join the EU and commuted to life in prison. Since then, he has been serving a life sentence on a remote prison on Imral? Island in the Marmara Sea".

Death penalty

The death penalty in Turkey was abolished in 2002 by a three-party coalition government led by the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Coalition partner the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) did not block the government in going ahead with the proposal, but did vote against it.

Apart from the MHP, the votes of all parties represented at Parliament were divided between "yes" and "no," while Prime Minister Erdogan - head of the-then 59 seat and only one-year-old AKP - was absent at the vote, as he was not yet a lawmaker at the time. As for today's Parliament, MHP Ankara deputy Zuhal Topcu, a senior advisor to MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, supported the idea of reintroducing the death penalty.

"The MHP particularly wants the execution of terrorist chief Ocalan. Today, the issue has come to this point because compromises have always been given. Today, hunger strikes have come onto the agenda because a compromise has been gained after every action," Topcu said.

A senior executive of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) refused to comment in detail on what Erdogan's remarks indicated.

[16] Bahceli re-elected MHP leader at party congress; Tatar represented the so-called government

Sunday's congress was the first with more than one candidate running for party leadership since 2003 and the first time delegates voted on alternative candidate lists to elect the members of the Central Executive and Steering Committee.

Ten candidates, including current party leader Devlet Bahseli, ran for the post of MHP chairman. The increase in the number of candidates is attributed to a call from Bahceli saying that anyone in the congress who wanted to run could do so. According to the MHP's lobby, emphasizing intra-party democracy, Bahceli had called for interested party members to run for the post of chairperson, stating: "Whoever wishes to do so can apply for candidacy. I promise this."

In his speech at Sunday's congress, Bahceli emphasized the importance as staying true to party values while increasing votes to come to power. He accused both the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) of bringing Turkey to the brink of disintegration with their policies over the past 10 years. He said the MHP remains as the only political party that still has a national stance, noting that a change in leadership of the party to get more votes would cause the MHP to make the same errors as the government and main opposition. "We will show that we can serve in the government staying ourselves, without giving up our principles, opinions and ideals, he noted".

Bahceli also criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's goals set for 2071. "There is no Turkish nation in these goals, there is no Turkey. The Turkish motherland doesn't exist in the 2071 target list of the Prime Minister. Erdogan's secret agenda is to see an Anatolia that has been sent backward by ethnic clashes, paralyzed by internal turmoil, where saying you are a Turk is a crime and the Republic is dead." He said the AK Party government is the fifth period of collapse in the past 1,000 years of Turkish states.

Also, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (05.11.12), the so-called minister of finance, Ersin Tatar has represented the "UBP government" at the MHP's congress. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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