Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-11-14

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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] Akca expresses concern over the money spent by Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of Cyprus

[02] Eroglu: "The whole world cannot ask Turkey why it recognizes the TRNC, in spite of UN Security Council's resolutions"

[03] Bozer: The territory is the main issue discussed in the negotiations

[04] Foreign journalists and politicians from FYROM illegally visiting the breakaway regime

[05] "Court" decides to deprive Kucuk of his powers as UBP president

[06] A new road in Rizokarpaso is constructed in the breakaway regime

[07] DAU volleyball team to participate in "EURO Roma 2012" championship

[08] KIBATEK International educational feat to take place in the breakaway regime next year

[09] Turkey warns of harsher response to Syria

[10] Nationalist Movement Party supports Erdogan's stance on death penalty

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akca expresses concern over the money spent by Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of Cyprus

The paper writes that Akca's statements caused concern especially among the "civil servants" and the trade unions. Many people have reportedly called Kibris, wondering whether the 13th salary will be paid, or how the "government" will pay their salaries.

Akca pointed out that the "state" is not investing in all fields at the moment, and recalled that investments in the fields of the airports and the ports as well as in the electricity and the telecom systems are not made by the "state", but by the private sector. He said that within the next period Turkey will not spend any money for investments in the above-mentioned fields in the occupied area of Cyprus, and argued that with this "transformation" the infrastructure of economic development there will be strengthened.

Akca said that they are concerned over the amount of money spent by Turkish Cypriots in the "south", as he described the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, while Turkey sends money to the breakaway regime. Citing surveys conducted by two universities, Akca noted that the Turkish Cypriots spend five times more money in the government-controlled area than the money spent by the Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of the island, even with the inclusion of the money spent in the casinos into this sum.

Akca claimed that he did not blame those who spend money in the government-controlled area of the island, but he look at the matter within the framework of the economic reality. He argued that there are two reasons for the Turkish Cypriots to shop in the free area of the island. The one, he said, is the fact that they spend money on imported products and not in Greek Cypriot products. According to Akca, this is an indication that some mistakes are committed in the "TRNC" on this issue. He said that the same imported products are cheaper in the government-controlled area than in the occupied area of the island, something which shows that the breakaway regime should re-examine the practices implemented in the imports, the function of the ports and the quality of the services. The other reason, according to Akca, is that the system in the government-controlled area of Cyprus provides a better guarantee for the products.

Meanwhile, the self-styled minister of finance, Ersin Tatar confirmed that Turkey's contribution to the current expenses "budget" of the breakaway regime will decrease, but added that there would be no problem in the payment of the 13th salary.

The paper reports that Turkey's contribution to the above-mentioned item of the regime's "budget" had been 600 million Turkish liras (TL) in 2009, decreased to 450 million TL in 2010, fell to 400 million TL in 2011 and reached 350 million TL in 2012. The amount has been further decreased in the "budget" for 2013 falling to 300 million TL.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: "The whole world cannot ask Turkey why it recognizes the TRNC, in spite of UN Security Council's resolutions"

In his statements during a meeting with a delegation of Turkey's War Veterans, Victims, Widows and Orphans' Association, Eroglu argued that the fact that they belong to a "state" recognized only by Turkey decreases their disadvantages comparing to the Greek Cypriots. He alleged: "However, thanks God, a powerful Turkey recognizes us and the whole world cannot ask Turkey the question why it recognizes the TRNC, in spite of the UN Security Council resolutions?"

Eroglu claimed that the world states would have seen realities more clearly and understand the "just cause" of the Turkish Cypriots, if they had been more realistic and decided taking into considerations the so-called realities in Cyprus and not the "lies" of the Greek Cypriots, who allegedly think nothing else than burying the Turkish Cypriots into mass graves and uniting Cyprus with Greece.

He reiterated the allegation that the so-called intransigence of the Greek Cypriots increases, because they have a protector such as Russia in the UN. He added that he is not very optimistic on the issue of reaching a solution in Cyprus, when he reads the statements made by the candidates in the presidential elections that will be held in February in the government-controlled area of the island.

Meanwhile, in statements during a meeting with war veterans from Malatya, Eroglu argued that establishing the "TRNC" would not have been easy if the Turkish invasion of Cyprus had not been held in 1974. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriots paid a big price for becoming owners of a "state" and added: "We have a state which we deserve. Protecting, watching over this state continues to be the duty of all of us. Our aim is to leave to the future generations a TRNC with stronger foundations".

Eroglu expressed also the belief that the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots will be seen by the civilized countries and be lifted as a result of their [the Turkish Cypriots'] struggle.

Speaking at a ceremony for handing over medals to members of the terrorist TMT organization, Eroglu argued that their biggest strength is the existence of the "TRNC" and that he attends the negotiating table [for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem] as a "head of state". He also reiterated the allegation that their "state" exists even though it is recognized only by Turkey.

Moreover, yesterday Eroglu briefed also foreign journalists on the Cyprus problem. He reiterated that the Turkish side was ready to start negotiations, which will have a time limit, at a "new negotiating table" after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, in spite of the fact that the statements made by the presidential candidates did not give much hope. He argued that the important thing is for the mentality to change and alleged that the Greek Cypriots cannot prepare their community for a solution by electing mayors for places "which are located within the borders of the TRNC", as he described the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriots have no need for an agreement in Cyprus because they are members of the UN and the EU and the Turkish Cypriots are under so-called embargoes. He claimed that the UN and the EU should "encourage" the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of the solution, and arguing that the motivation of the Greek Cypriots is a must, he alleged: "Reconsidering the UN's decisions in the direction of not recognizing the TRNC, bringing them to a point of being reformed or lifting the embargoes will motivate the Greek Cypriots in the direction of the solution".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Bozer: The territory is the main issue discussed in the negotiations

In statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bozer claimed that the main issue discussed in the Cyprus negotiations is the territory and alleged: "There has been a migration. The Turks have migrated to the north and the Greeks to the south. A give and take should be held here, that is, the main issue discussed is the territory. An agreement is lacking on this point?"

Referring to the issue of natural gas and oil resources of the island, Bozer said that the whole world turned its attention towards Cyprus because of this issue. He described the Greek Cypriots as "egoists", because, he alleged, they want to be the sole owners of this wealth.

Bozer said that they could visit FYROM with a "parliamentary delegation". The chairman of FYROM's Turkish Democratic Party, Kenan Hasip invited Bozer to FYROM.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Foreign journalists and politicians from FYROM illegally visiting the breakaway regime

Ozgurgun brief the journalists about the Cyprus problem and alleged that the Turkish Cypriots "are forced to live under unlawful and inhumane embargoes as a result of the isolation imposed on the country".

In addition, Bayrak (13.11.12) also broadcast that the self-styled speaker of the "assembly" Hasan Bozer met with officials from FYROM who are also visiting illegally the breakaway regime for the celebration.

Bozer met with the Turkish Democratic Party MP Kenan Hasip and the head of the Turkish Women's Association Suzan Musli.

Hasip criticized the EU for not accepting the "Turkish Cypriot people", as he stated, into the European Union despite the Turkish Cypriot side voting in favor of the Annan Plan.

The head of the Macedonian Turkish Women's Union Suzan Musli for her part announced that she will be getting in contact with civil society organizations and women MP's and organizing a joint symposium.

[05] "Court" decides to deprive Kucuk of his powers as UBP president

After candidate Ahmet Kasif's application for an "interim order", the "court" decided today that an "interim order" should be issued and that Irsen Kucuk, current chairman of UBP and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, should be deprived of all his presidential powers in the party.

In statements to Kibris Postasi after the announcement of the decision, Zorlu Tore, "MP" with the UBP, expressed his satisfaction with the decision and added: "We are not regarded as winners yet. The important thing is to hold a second congress. I have faith in our justice".

(I/Ts.)

[06] A new road in Rizokarpaso is constructed in the breakaway regime

According to the paper, the 8-9 Km road will pass from occupied Gialousa and Rizokarpaso villages and will end up to the Apostolos Antreas cape (Karpasia Peninsula).

The road is constructed with the finance of Turkey.

[07] DAU volleyball team to participate in "EURO Roma 2012" championship

The team will participate in the "EURO Roma 2012" championship.

[08] KIBATEK International educational feat to take place in the breakaway regime next year

According to the paper around fifty academicians from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Moldova ? Gagauzia , Poland, Kosovo, Bulgaria and the breakaway regime participated in the event.

The next KIBATEK feast will take place in the breakaway regime between 21-23 of March 2013.

[09] Turkey warns of harsher response to Syria

"We are giving the necessary response on the border and will not refrain from a much harsher response if necessary," said Erdogan while speaking at a parliamentary group meeting. "Nobody should play with fire or try to test Turkey's patience."

In addition, speaking in Rome on Monday evening, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey had formally protested the bombings close to its border to the Syrian government, saying the attacks were endangering Turkey's security. He said Turkey had also reported the incident to NATO allies and to the UN Security Council but added that the Syrian jet did not infringe Turkey's border. Turkey would have responded if it had, he said.

According to Today's Zaman (14.11.12) the Turkish President Abdullah G?l has warned against Syria using chemical weapons against Turkey and suggested that NATO's Patriot missiles could counter the threat.

In an interview with the Financial Times, G?l said it is no secret that Syria has chemical weapons and that Damascus has old Soviet delivery systems to deploy them. "So in case there is eventuality some sort of madness in this respect and some action is taken, contingency planning has to be put in place and this is something NATO is doing," he said.

[10] Nationalist Movement Party supports Erdogan's stance on death penalty

Devlet Bah?eli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), dedicated most of his parliamentary group meeting speech on Tuesday, to the capital punishment row. He clearly stated that the MHP would lend its full support if the prime minister's Justice and Development Party (AK Party) were to bring a bill to Parliament.

Turkey abandoned the death penalty in practice in 1984. In 2002, Turkey abolished the death penalty in peacetime as part of a package of reforms aimed at preparing the country for EU membership, and foreswore the practice in all circumstances, including times of war, in 2004. The death penalty was replaced by life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

"Now that the prime minister has made mention of it, he should immediately bring a bill to Parliament for reinstatement of the death penalty. The MHP will remain resolute to the very end and help the AK Party bring back the death penalty. Let me see if you [the prime minister] can!" Bah?eli exclaimed.

Bah?eli, however, expressed doubt that Erdogan and his government would go beyond words and take concrete steps to re-introduce capital punishment because, he said, the AK Party is unwilling to execute Abdullah ?calan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Erdogan has made several references to the death penalty this month, first raising the issue at an AK Party meeting, where he said the Turkish public was in favor of the reinstatement of capital punishment. He later spoke to journalists, citing the case of a Norwegian killer who received just 21 years' imprisonment for murdering 77 civilians and saying the death penalty is sometimes justified. "This may not be the case for political crimes, but it may be possible, for sure, to discuss [bringing back] the death penalty in connection with crimes of terror and causing the deaths of people," Erdogan remarked to members of the press on Saturday.

The last time a prisoner was executed in Turkey was in 1984. Prime Minister Adnan Menderes was executed along with two cabinet ministers in 1961, a year after an army takeover.

In addition, Today's Zaman newspaper (14.11.12) reports that the European Parliament has expressed concern over a growing debate about the possible reinstatement of capital punishment in Turkey, which was abolished for all circumstances in 2001.

Ria Oomen-Ruijten, EP's rapporteur on Turkey, said in a statement she sent to Today's Zaman, that abolition of the death penalty is one of the key aspects of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the EU can never accept the reinstatement of the death penalty in any member state, candidate member state or potential candidate state. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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