Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-12-17

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[01] Iran's Ahmadinejad cancels Turkey trip amid row; Turkish daily relates the cancelation with the deployment of Patriots to Turkey

[02] Turkey has reportedly proposes to Russia new Syria plan

[03] More statements by Bagis; he comments on the Republic of Cyprus' economic situation

[04] Kucuk stated that the occupation regime may provide economic assistance to the Republic of Cyprus

[05] Eroglu's contacts in Turkey; he called the UN and the international community to show the same sensitivity to the Turkish Cypriots with the sensitivity they shown for the Palestinians

[06] Logoglu accused the EU for disregarding the "sovereign rights" of Turkey and the occupation regime in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean

[07] TPAO successfully found oil or gas in one of every three wells it drilled; drilling in occupied Cyprus has been completed

[08] One more illegal arrestment by the so-called police; KTOS and KTOEOS organized a protest to express their reaction for the efforts to implement dress code to Turkish Cypriot teachers

[09] Izcan: "This is a product of a racist approach"

[10] UBP "court hearing" to be held on December 27

[11] Erdogan: "Konya Plain Project biggest investment after GAP"

[12] Turkish Parliament to 'restore honor' of hanged prime minister Menderes

[13] Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency fulfills over 800 projects in Afghanistan

[14] Babacan due to Britain

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Iran's Ahmadinejad cancels Turkey trip amid row; Turkish daily relates the cancelation with the deployment of Patriots to Turkey

Ahmadinejad's decision to cancel the trip to Konya, where he was supposed to have talks with Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, raised a number of questions as neither the Turkish nor the Iranian side made a statement on the reasons for the cancellation, suggesting the rift between the two is growing wider. "His cancellation is because an unexpected event appeared in his program, we have been told by Iranians," a Turkish diplomatic source said yesterday. The cancellation was confirmed by Iranian diplomats on the grounds that Ahmadinejad had other items on his agenda today.

Anatolia said the cancellation was also confirmed by Iranian diplomats on the grounds that Ahmadinejad had other items on his agenda today.

Erdogan and Ahmadinejad were set to discuss a number of issues, with their disagreement on Turkey's decision to deploy NATO Patriot systems on its soil expected to top the agenda.

On Dec. 15, Gen. Hassan Firouzabadi, Iran's armed forces chief said: "The Patriot [missiles] are threatening. Each one of them is a black dot on the map, [setting the stage] to create a world war," ISNA news agency reported him as saying.

"The Western countries seeking to deploy the missile batteries on the Turkey-Syria border are devising plans for a world war. This is very dangerous for everyone, and even for the future of Europe. A veteran military man and analyst can easily see this and predict the future."

Earlier, Tehran had openly criticized Turkey's decision to station NATO's early warning radar systems in the eastern province of Malatya, underlining that it regarded the decision as a threat to Iran's security. A senior Iranian official threatened to hit the station in the event of a Western coalition attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

NATO has approved Turkey's request for Patriot missiles to bolster its border defenses amid tensions with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S. have agreed to provide the missile batteries. But both Russia and Iran, the allies of the al-Assad regime, are opposed to the move. In August, Firouzabadi drew the ire of Ankara after he predicted the turmoil in Syria would spill into Turkey, whose government he accused of aiding the U.S. in achieving "belligerent objectives."

Also, last November, another top Iranian commander said Tehran would target NATO's missile shield in Turkey if it came under military attack. Iran's Foreign Ministry later moved to dismiss the remarks, saying they were the "personal views" of military commanders.

[02] Turkey has reportedly proposes to Russia new Syria plan

The proposal calls for President Bashar al-Assad to step down in the first three months of 2013 and for the transition process to be undertaken by the opposition National Coalition, which was recognized as the sole representative of Syrians by Arab and Western states last week, the Radikal newspaper reported.

The plan was discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on December 3 and Putin reportedly considered it a "creative formula," according to Radikal. Turkey, once an ally of the Damascus regime, has become a fierce critic of the bloody crackdown on a rebellion that has turned into civil war.

For its part Russia has been one of Assad's few allies, routinely blocking resolutions against his regime at the UN Security Council.

While Erdogan and Putin agreed to disagree on Syria during their talks this month, Putin has said that Russia's leaders were not "inveterate defenders" of the current regime in Syria.

Ankara, which has been tight-lipped on the new proposal, is seeking to deprive Assad of Russian and Iranian support, according to the Radikal newspaper.

The plan is likely to be turned down by Assad but it might change the course of the 21-month conflict due to the international community's support, Radikal said, noting that the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Russia and the United Nations have been debating the Ankara-led proposal over the past 10 day.

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[03] More statements by Bagis; he comments on the Republic of Cyprus' economic situation

Bagis spoke regarding Ireland's taking over the EU Presidency from the "Greek Cypriot administration" as he called the Republic of Cyprus and said that Turkey is prepared for Ireland's EU Term Presidency.

Referring to the Republic of Cyprus' economic crisis, he said: "the economic crisis in the Greek Cypriot administration was not surprising", adding that If the Annan plan had been approved in 2004, Cyprus could have been a country with high welfare standards such as Kuwait, US, Norway or Sweden.

Bagis also said: "Those who have invested in the Greek Cypriot banks should re-consider as the crisis can affect them as well. Before it is too late it is in their best interest to trust Turkish banks that possess stability and trust for the future."

He also mentioned about the presidential system and stated it was the most appropriate system for Turkey.

[04] Kucuk stated that the occupation regime may provide economic assistance to the Republic of Cyprus

Kucuk said also the following: "to date, the Greek Cypriots have not made any demand to the TRNC for economic aid. Greek Cypriots have been suffering from economic problems for the past two years. Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration have been affected by the global crisis more than most of other countries," Kucuk stressed.

"When the Greek Cypriots had a need for electricity, I had reminded them that we could provide electricity to them. A few days later, they made such a request from us and for almost nine months we provided electricity to the Greek Cypriots," Kucuk noted.

"Despite giving certain assistance, the EU could not be a remedy for the Greek Cypriots. Had they not been the current term president of the EU, Greek Cypriots' economic problems would have been greater. Greek Cypriots have a major economic problem," Kucuk underlined. "If we can reach an agreement as the two sides in Cyprus, the support we receive from motherland Turkey would be distributed to the whole population of Cyprus and will benefit both sides," Kucuk stated.

"When one looks at the economic problems of both the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece, he can see that military expenditures and their investment on weapons had a role," Kucuk also said.

[05] Eroglu's contacts in Turkey; he called the UN and the international community to show the same sensitivity to the Turkish Cypriots with the sensitivity they shown for the Palestinians

As the paper writes, during his visit to Uskudar, Eroglu visited the "Uskudar Youth Center" and met with the mayor of Uskudar, Mustafa Kara.

In statement there, Eroglu said, inter alia, that their main goal is to protect their "state", as he said.

Referring to the strong ties between Turkey and the occupation regime, Eroglu stressed the importance of young people to the development of these ties.

In his turn, the mayor of Uskudar, Mustafa Kara expressed pleasure for Eroglu's visit and asked from Eroglu to grant them a plot of land in the "TRNC" so that to built there a youth center.

Also, speaking during the conference organized by the Association of Civil Society Organizations of the Islamic World, Eroglu referred to the Palestinian cause and said that the Turkish Cypriots as Muslims consider the Palestinian cause as their own.

Eroglu called also the UN and the whole world to fulfil its obligations towards the Turkish Cypriots and expressed hopes that they would show the same sensitivity for the Turkish Cypriots as the sensitivity shown for the Palestinian people.

Eroglu called also the Islamic diplomats who serve in positions in international organizations as well as several NGO, to support the efforts exerted for the Turkish Cypriots for the lifting of the "embargoes".

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu alleged that the Cyprus problem has not been created by the Muslim Turkish Cypriots and also added that they are not the ones who sustain it.

Referring to the elections to take place on February in the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu said that until today 6 Greek Cypriot leaders have changed and no change was made on the policy forwarded by the Greek Cypriot side on the Cyprus problem. He expressed the hope that the 7th leader to be elected will follow a road that will open the way for the solution.

Reiterating that the Turkish Cypriot side is the side which is in favor of the solution of the Cyprus problem, Eroglu underlined the need for not wasting time and accused the Greek Cypriot side for supporting the continuation of the current status quo. "They are at ease because they were unfairly recognized by the international community, and with political maneuvers they unilaterally became members of the EU", Eroglu stated, expressing hopes that the world would see one day the "realities", as he said.

AK

[06] Logoglu accused the EU for disregarding the "sovereign rights" of Turkey and the occupation regime in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean

Commenting on the conclusions of the EU General Affairs Council which were published on December 11, Logoglu alleged that strong warnings were made to Turkey which aimed on issues related to Turkey's national interest towards the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.

Logoglu alleged that the warnings made to Turkey through the final conclusions show that the EU totally disregards the "sovereign rights" of Turkey and the "TRNC" on the issue of the oil and natural gas resources in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Logoglu continued and said that the CHP supports the "sovereign rights" of Turkey and the "TRNC" in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean and added that these "rights" are indispensable.

Logoglu accused also the AKP government in Turkey for implementing wrong policies on this issue.

AK

[07] TPAO successfully found oil or gas in one of every three wells it drilled; drilling in occupied Cyprus has been completed

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has successfully found oil or gas in one of every three wells it drilled in 2012, figures have revealed.

The company drilled 57 wells, 11 of which had oil and six with gas. TPAO had planned to drill 54 on-shore wells and two offshore wells in 2012, according to data obtained from the Energy Ministry. It finalized the drilling of 57 wells while seven of them are still in the drilling process.

Officials will continue work to find hydrocarbon in nine wells. The company conducted eight oil inspections in Southeastern Anatolia and three gas inspections in Thrace.

The drilling of the Turkyurdu-1 well in the occupied area of Cyprus that began on April 26 has also been completed. The geological information acquired from this survey is expected to enlighten other on-shore and offshore drilling, the paper writes.

[08] One more illegal arrestment by the so-called police; KTOS and KTOEOS organized a protest to express their reaction for the efforts to implement dress code to Turkish Cypriot teachers

As the paper writes, the occupation regime, illegally and without having any "court ruling", has forbidden Besim Baysal from exiting the occupation regime through all the crossing points, "ports and airports". The so-called police proceeded to the arrestment of Baysal at Agios Dometios crossing point while he was trying to cross with his family to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, in order to visit a doctor.

In statements on the issue, Besim Baysal said that the responsible for this ban is the so-called Turkish embassy in occupied Cyprus. "This process is a result of the orders given by Turkish embassy and Turkey's military bureaucracy", he said.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (15.12.12) reported in its front page on the protest organized on Friday in front of the so-called embassy of Turkey in occupied Cyprus, by KTOS and KTOEOS trade unions.

As the paper writes, the protesters gathered in front of the "Turkish embassy" wearing black sheets with the aim to protest and express the reactions towards the efforts exerted by Turkey to implement its policies in Cyprus. The protesters were also opposed to the efforts exerted by the so-called ministry of education in occupied Cyprus to impose a dress code to the school teachers in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The protesters were holding placards writing slogans such as "AKP, follower of Sharia, Collaborator UBP", [Translator's note: Sharia is Muslim's religious law].

AK

[09] Izcan: "This is a product of a racist approach"

Commenting on the bill, Izcan said that this is a product of a racist approach. He also said that the Turkish Cypriots are equal partners in the Republic of Cyprus and added that they are ready to appear in international courts if the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are violated.

Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (16.12.12) reports in its front page on the issue under the title: "Anastasiades who supported "YES" [Translator's note: means at the Annan Plan referendum in 2004] turn out racist".

AK

[10] UBP "court hearing" to be held on December 27

However, whether or not the case will be heard at the "Lefkosia district court" will depend on the "Supreme Court's" ruling on an "appeal" filed by the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk concerning the jurisdiction of the "court", will be announced on the 20th of December.

Kasif disputed the outcome of the General Congress, arguing that Kucuk had failed to gain an absolute majority of the votes and that according to the UBP charter, a second round of voting had to take place.

Earlier, "Lefkosia district court" approved an "injunction" suspending by Kucuk's authorities as leader of the National Unity Party.

Kucuk filed an appeal at the "Supreme Court" against the injunction, arguing that the "Lefkosa district court" did not have the authority to try the case.

The "Lefkosa district court" will decide whether or not to include members of the UBP Council in the court hearing at a meeting to be held on Monday the 17th of December.

[11] Erdogan: "Konya Plain Project biggest investment after GAP"

Erdogan attended a mass inauguration ceremony in central Anatolian province of Konya on Sunday.

Blue Tunnel and Bagbasi Dam projects are also among the mass investments which were inaugurated with the ceremony.

Erdogan said that 1.1 million hectares of soil would be irrigated, 1.5 million people would have potable water, and 3 billion kilowatt/hours of energy would be produced annually when Konya Plain Project is fully completed. "Thanks to investments which were made within the scope of Konya Plain Project, Konya basin will have a total of 649 million cubic meters of water", noted Erdogan.

The project is comprised of 14 irrigation, three potable water and one energy investments.

[12] Turkish Parliament to 'restore honor' of hanged prime minister Menderes

Parliament's Petitions Commission has looked into the case files from the trials of Menderes held in the post-coup period, responding to a request from Burhan Asri Apayd?n, a lawyer from the Menderes family. The case files comprise thousands of pages and are currently being examined by the commission, which will submit a detailed report on its findings. There are plans to adopt a law to restore the honor of the former prime minister.

A group of legal experts will be conducting the bulk of the examination of the case files which were retrieved from the state archives. It is highly likely that the General Assembly will adopt a resolution to declare the ruling to execute Menderes null and void and to restore the honor of Turkey's ninth prime minister.

Menderes was executed by a decision made by the Supreme Justice Council, a judicial body operated under the parts of the National Unity Committee, the post coup d'etat executive authority.

[13] Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency fulfills over 800 projects in Afghanistan

TIKA officials told AA that the agency had been undertaking projects in order to develop education, health, capacity improvement and economic infrastructure in Afghanistan.

The number of projects TIKA fulfilled in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012 is 114.

Among TIKA's projects, there are construction of 162 classes, an education center, five health clinics, a nurse training center as well as the repair of a hospital and some health organizations.

In 2013, TIKA will open three orphanages, four markets, 30 water wells, and a maternity hospital in Afghanistan.

[14] Babacan due to Britain

Babacan will hold meetings with the leading names of investment and finance circles in London.

He will return to Turkey on Tuesday.

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