Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-12-07

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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] He has a nerve; Sarcastic Bagis forgets the occupation in Cyprus and offers a "sheet anchor" to the Republic of Cyprus to overcome the financial crisis

[02] Cicek accused once more the EU and the international community for double-standard policy on Cyprus

[03] Turkish MPs: Cyprus is a key for Turkey's EU course

[04] Eroglu briefed the Italian Ambassador in Cyprus and an Azerbaijani Deputy on the Cyprus problem; Bozer met with Azeri MPs

[05] Ozgurgun: the economic crisis will not contribute positively to the solution of the Cyprus problem

[06] Tatar on natural gas and the economic memorandum of the Republic of Cyprus: Turkish Cypriots have rights on natural gas as well

[07] Gunsel comments on the Republic of Cyprus' decision to cease free of charge health services for the Turkish Cypriots

[08] EP's Budgetary Control Committee approves financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots after reportedly accepting their views

[09] Eroglu is accused of being unwilling to solve the Cyprus problem

[10] More statements by Talat on the Cyprus problem and economy

[11] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce approves the economic protocol signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime

[12] Turkey's Minister of Justice met with Fule in Brussels; Fule's spokesman stated the BDP Deputies should not be "excluded" from politics

[13] German cabinet approves Patriot missiles for Turkey

[14] The occupation regime along with other 30 countries participates to Growtech Eurasia Fair in Antalya

[15] Necati Sasmaz plans to built a luxury hotel and a film studio in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] He has a nerve; Sarcastic Bagis forgets the occupation in Cyprus and offers a "sheet anchor" to the Republic of Cyprus to overcome the financial crisis

Saying that the Turks helped those in need, he alleged that the Greek Cypriots have become a victim of their own actions. "The Greek Cypriot administration went bankrupt due to the deadlock in the island. The Greek Cypriots are suffering due to their policies of deadlock and spoiled attitude. Had the Greek Cypriots favored a solution, the whole island of Cyprus would have been one of prosperity and tranquillity. We will extend a helping hand if necessary," Bagis underlined.

"Just as Turkey provided 5 billion USD of loan to the IMF, we will consider helping the Greek Cypriots if they apply to Turkish Cypriot officials," Bagis also said.

[02] Cicek accused once more the EU and the international community for double-standard policy on Cyprus

Cicek received his Pakistani counterpart Haji Mohammed Adeel and a delegation accompanying him in his office.

Reminding that Adeel was in the "TRNC" before visiting to Turkey, Cicek added that the Cyprus problem was the longest standing dispute within the UN. Saying that despite the efforts of the "TRNC", the issue could not be solved due to the double standard attitude of Europe and the international community, Cicek thanked Pakistan for supporting a solution.

Cicek said Turkey and Pakistan were key countries in their regions.

Adeel said many projects in Pakistan were being undertaken by Turkish citizens.

The delegation paid a visit also to Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

[03] Turkish MPs: Cyprus is a key for Turkey's EU course

In statements during the meetings, CHP MP from Alexandretta (Hatay) area, Mevlut Dudu said they are MPs assigned by their parties with the duty of dealing with the Cyprus problem, which is very important both for their parties and their country. "Cyprus is in a key position for Turkey's EU target", said Dudu claiming that Turkey has neglected the Cyprus problem for some time now.

Dudu argued that "a new opening is needed" on the Cyprus problem and added that for this reason they wanted to be briefed by the Turkish Cypriot "officials" on this issue.

In his statements, MHP's MP Erkan Akca, said that Cyprus has always been a national cause for Turkey, noting that they are annoyed by the fact that the Turkish government "turned the Palestinian problem into its own problem by ignoring Cyprus". He underlined their bonds with the Turkish Cypriots and noted that they are always ready to offer their support to them.

Speaking during the meeting with the Turkish MPs, Bozer said he was glad with Palestine joining the UN, but at the same time he felt a pain and wondered why the Turkish Cypriots could not do the same. He argued that they were waiting for the Cyprus talks to resume after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and reiterated the Turkish view that no result could be achieved with open ended negotiations.

Addressing the Turkish MPs, Irsen Kucuk said that any kind of support from Turkey gives them strength. He argued that the Greek Cypriots exerted some efforts to interrupt the financial aid granted by the European Union to the "TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, but thanks to intensive backstage activities by the Turkish side this Greek Cypriot demand has been rejected.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu briefed the Italian Ambassador in Cyprus and an Azerbaijani Deputy on the Cyprus problem; Bozer met with Azeri MPs

Eroglu brief the foreign diplomats and dignitaries on the latest stage reached on the Cyprus Problem.

The so-called "special representative" of Eroglu, Osman Ertug and the "presidential undersecretary" Hasan Gungor were present at both meetings.

No statements were issued to the press before or after the meeting.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (07.12.12) Pashayeva, together with another MP from Azerbaijan, Musa Kasimli visited the "speaker" of the so-called assembly, Hasan Bozer who told them that "they are one nation and two states".

The two MPs said that they love the occupied area of Cyprus very much and that they wrote books regarding the occupied area of Cyprus both in Turkish and Azeri languages.

[05] Ozgurgun: the economic crisis will not contribute positively to the solution of the Cyprus problem

Asked to comment on a statement allegedly made by President Christofias that the Republic of Cyprus went bankrupt, Ozgurgun pointed out to the electricity and water which will be transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of the island and expressed the hope that President Christofias will understand the benefits of this for Cyprus. "We do not want anyone to enter into economic straight, we are not happy for this", he argued noting that some economists said that the situation of the Greek Cypriots is worse than the situation in 1974.

Ozgurgun alleged that the economic crisis creates potential for reaching a just, lasting and viable solution. Moreover, he claimed that an agreement will have the capacity to solve a general crisis, that the Turkish Cypriots are in favor of an agreement and that the solution will secure economic development on the island.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Tatar on natural gas and the economic memorandum of the Republic of Cyprus: Turkish Cypriots have rights on natural gas as well

Tatar who made statements to Hurriyet on the declaration of President Demetris Christofias regarding the economic memorandum, stated that while the EU is making the "account book" for the Greek Cypriots, regarding their loans and incomes, must register that the Turkish Cypriots "have rights on these sources, to the natural gas as well".

He also stated that the economic crisis of the Republic of Cyprus will negatively influence the solution of the Cyprus problem.

[07] Gunsel comments on the Republic of Cyprus' decision to cease free of charge health services for the Turkish Cypriots

Over 50 million Euro worth services were presented the "citizens" of the "TRNC" during nine years starting from 2003. A yearly 5-6 million Euros were spent on the health services offered to the "TRNC citizens". Since the "Greek administration", as the Republic of Cyprus does not recognize the "state" of the "TRNC", the state hospitals of the Republic of Cyprus did not charge Turks who arrive from the "north" of the island for hospital costs. The Greek Cypriots will also ask more than 100,000 people from the "south" of the island to pay in exchange of the health services they receive.

Turkish Cypriots, on the other hand, have five "state" hospitals. If need be, they are referred to other hospitals in Turkey or the "Near East University Hospital". The "TRNC state hospitals" serve annually for 370,000 patients and carry out nearly 10,000 operations yearly.

In statements on the issue, the "chairman" of the illegal Near East University Board of Trustees Irfan Suat Gunsel, said that after this development, hard days await the Turkish Cypriots. According to Gunsel, the number of patients who go to the "southern" part of the island seeking medical treatment has decreased since 2010, when the "university's hospital" was opened. Gunsel added that the Turkish Cypriots do not need to leave their "country" for health services any more. He pointed out that a total of 6,000 "TRNC citizens" were referred to the "university hospital" from the "state hospitals", which decreases the number of patients who need to leave the "TRNC" for medical treatment.

(?)

[08] EP's Budgetary Control Committee approves financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots after reportedly accepting their views

According to the paper, the report has been shaped in the direction of the views of the Turkish Cypriots, as a result of efforts exerted by the so-called representation office of "TRNC" in Brussels, the so-called EU coordination center and three Turkish Cypriot so-called MPs - Hasan Tacoy, Ozdil Nami and Teberruken Ulucay.

In statements to ABHaber news website, the head of the "EU coordination center", Erhan Ercin, said that as a result of the voting, elements such as the continuation of the financial aid under five priorities including the infrastructure projects, like before, and the offering of this aid within a more structural framework in the scope of the multiannual budget of the EU were added into the report.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Eroglu is accused of being unwilling to solve the Cyprus problem

Yorgancioglu argued that in spite of the progress achieved during former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat's period, during Eroglu's period there was a regression in the Cyprus talks and the international climate, which had been in favor of the Turkish Cypriots, started to be turned against them.

Yorgancioglu accused Eroglu of hiding a Greek Cypriot proposal on the property issue, submitted during the Second Green Tree Summit, according to which "there was no need for the property owner to have the first say".

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (07.12.12), Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) also accused Eroglu and the UBP of not wanting a solution in Cyprus. Addressing the same meeting of the "assembly", Cakici referred, inter alia, to the natural gas and oil reserves in Cyprus's exclusive economic zone and alleged that the "TRNC" has also a right on these resources. He argued that they should defend these rights and the natural gas or oil should be transferred to Europe through Turkey. "An equal agreement" is absolutely necessary in Cyprus in order for this to happen, he said.

(I/Ts.)

[10] More statements by Talat on the Cyprus problem and economy

Talat stated that if the economic aid offered by Turkey is used wisely, the "government's" image will be repaired and no early "elections" will be held in the summer. However, he said that if the current situation continues in the breakaway regime, early "elections" will take place in the coming year.

Cementing on the forthcoming February elections in the Republic of Cyprus, Talat said that the United Nations made preparations for a possible win of DYSI chairman Nikos Anastasiades, who is possible to show a more flexible stance as regards the Cyprus problem; however he alleged that this many not be possible. He went on and added that Anastasiades is under the influence of the former President Glafkos Clerides, who was a great supported of the Cyprus problem solution.

[11] Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce approves the economic protocol signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime

Evaluating the protocol KTTO stated that it contains many views and measures that were prepared by the Chamber some time ago and which were conveyed to the "government".

On the contrary, the chairman of the KAMU-SEN (Public Servants Trade Union), Mehmet Ozkardas criticized the protocol and noted that many "MPs" have no knowledge about its contents before it was signed.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (07.12.12) reports that many other trade unions and organizations in occupied Cyprus, such as the Turkish Cypriot Construction Materials Traders Union, (ITB) and the Free Workers trade Union condemned the protocol.

[12] Turkey's Minister of Justice met with Fule in Brussels; Fule's spokesman stated the BDP Deputies should not be "excluded" from politics

Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, Ergin criticized slow progress in Turkey's accession talks, adding that certain EU members tried to introduce extra criteria in the opening of policy chapters. "The scanning process ended in 2006. It has been six years and we still did not receive post-scanning reports on a number of chapters," Ergin, said complaining over EU's slow work on Ankara's accession negotiations. "But, we still are determined to continue our path toward membership", Ergin added.

Ergin thanked Fule over the EU official's efforts to add momentum to the talks under 'the Positive Agenda' initiative with Turkey, adding that "fruitful work" had been done in chapters on judiciary and basic rights and freedoms.

Fule, on his part, thanked the Turkish Minister for his efforts in Turkey's EU process.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Today's Zaman (06.12.12), during Ergin's visits to Brussels, the European Union made it clear that pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Deputies should not be "excluded" from politics, referring to the raging debate on whether or not the immunity of those Deputies should be lifted, leaving them open to prosecution.

Peter Stano, spokesman for Stefan Fule said that Parliamentary immunity should apply to all Deputies on a non-discriminatory basis. Referring to the commissioner's line that the Kurdish issue and problems in Turkey's south-east could only be overcome through the contribution of all democratic forces, Stano said the EU was not in favor of exclusion of some Deputies from Parliament or politics.

Stano's remarks came on the heels of a heated debate in Turkey over whether to deprive 10 BDP Deputies, who are accused of maintaining ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), of their Parliamentary immunity. The issue intensified after the release of a video showing BDP deputies and terrorists from the PKK chatting and hugging one another along a highway in Semdinli, a district of the south-eastern province of Hakkari.

"The European Commission recalls that its consistent line has always been that the solution to the Kurdish issue and to all the problems in the south-east can only be attained through the widest possible contribution of all democratic forces, and not through their exclusion. The issue of parliamentary immunity is currently being discussed in the Constitutional Reconciliation Committee working on a new constitution. Clearly, immunities must apply to all on a non-discriminatory basis," read the full text of Stano's statement.

(?)

[13] German cabinet approves Patriot missiles for Turkey

Germany's cabinet, which gathered on Thursday in capital city Berlin, decided to send German soldiers who will be using Patriot missiles in Turkey. Up to 400 German troops will be on duty as part of a NATO mission.

Along with the Patriot deployment and providing troops, the approval includes the use of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS).

The cabinet's decision is pending for the voting of the Germany's parliament. The parliament will meet on December 14.

Meanwhile, the German Defense Minister Thomas De Maiziere said on Thursday that they did not want the clashes in Syria to spread to Turkey.

Speaking at a press conference with the German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle following a meeting of the German cabinet on Patriot systems and sending them to Turkey, Maiziere stressed that Germany would send two Patriot batteries to Turkey along with 350 personnel.

Minister Westerwelle, in his part, underlined that the Patriot system was only for defensive purposes. Warning Syria not to utilize chemical weapons, Westerwelle noted that "in case Syria used chemical weapons, a new situation would arise in the United Nations."

[14] The occupation regime along with other 30 countries participates to Growtech Eurasia Fair in Antalya

The Growtech Eurasia fair, predicted to draw over 70,000 visitors and 630 participants from over 30 countries over the four days of the event, introduces the latest innovations in agricultural machinery and other products used in the industry from new and existing brands, and includes international representatives that display their products in an effort to enter the Turkish market or to find buyers from nearby countries.

Some of the participating countries at the fair are Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, the "TRNC" and Russia in addition to Hungary, Egypt, the US, Belgium, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Jordan, Austria, Kuwait, the UAE, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Georgia, Algeria and Bulgaria.

[15] Necati Sasmaz plans to built a luxury hotel and a film studio in the occupied area of Cyprus

As the paper writes, Vatan wrote the other day that Necati Sasmaz who was also granted with the title of "honorary envoy", arrived some days ago with his private jet in the occupied area of Cyprus and has launched works to settle down.

According to the paper, Necati Sasmaz is a person who is strongly supported by the so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture. Necati Sasmaz and his accompanied team inspected the areas of the occupied Karpassia in order to choose one of the areas for the building of the film studio, writes the paper.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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