Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-01-30

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun describes as unacceptable UNSC resolution for extending UNFICYP's mandate

[02] Members of Istanbul's mafia are granted the "citizenship" even without visiting the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] Cicek accused the Republic of Cyprus for intransigent attitude at the Cyprus problem

[04] Toparlaniyoruz Movement is suing the self-styled police and the "ministry of interior" for the events during the Karpasia protest

[05] New organization by Turkish Cypriots who live in Britain

[06] Erdogan considers Turkey's membership to SGO, an alternative to the EU; Analysts and Intellectuals comment on Erdogan's remarks

[07] Turkey's Arinc calls Greece to review attitude on the issue of the reopening of Halki Seminary

[08] Data on the number of people died in Turkey from terrorist attacks during the last 30 years

[09] CHP's Deputy alleged that Turkey and the KRG have launched secret talks

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun describes as unacceptable UNSC resolution for extending UNFICYP's mandate

In a statement issued yesterday, Ozgurgun called on the UN Security Council to note the pro-solution stance allegedly exhibited by the Turkish Cypriot side until today and stop tarring the Turkish Cypriots with the same brush as the "intransigent" Greek Cypriot side.

Ozgurgun alleged that the mandate of the UN Peace-Keeping Force was extended within the framework of the consent of the Cyprus Government, the resolution "ignored the reality that the partnership Republic, which had been established in 1960 based on the political equality of the two sides, was demolished by the Greek side in 1963" and that since then the "two peoples" administrate themselves.

He argued that only this fact is enough for resolution to be entirely unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Members of Istanbul's mafia are granted the "citizenship" even without visiting the occupied area of Cyprus

Addressing the "assembly", Adem argued that all the "citizenships" granted during this period, except for some marriages, are "illegal" and "at choice citizenships". "They are doomed to being annulled", he added.

Referring to Nazim Cavusoglu, self-styled minister of interior and local administration of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Adem noted that Cavusoglu has said to Kibris TV that the number of the Turkish Cypriots has been reduced and they need more population for the army. He added: "Look, they have granted the citizenship to five thousand persons. How many of these five thousand persons have you made soldiers? If you have made even one you can spit in my face".

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (29.01.13) also refers to Adem's statements. According to the paper, Adem said that efforts are exerted to subdue the will of the Turkish Cypriot community by continuously distributing the "citizenship". He pointed out that there is "an army of unemployed people" in the occupied area of Cyprus and the number of these people is expected to increase this year.

Adem noted that the "government" of the regime carries out this issue together with the AKP government in Turkey, that this "shirt does not fit the Turkish Cypriots" and that even people who "vote" for the National Unity Party see this. He asked for a quota system to be implemented in every sector on the issue of the foreign workforce and serious controls to be held.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Cicek accused the Republic of Cyprus for intransigent attitude at the Cyprus problem

Cicek went on and asked for the strengthening of ties between Oman and Turkey in all fields, pointing out that Turkey's ties with Oman are based on brotherhood and friendship.

(AK)

[04] Toparlaniyoruz Movement is suing the self-styled police and the "ministry of interior" for the events during the Karpasia protest

Representatives of the Movement who participated in the protest filed a case against the slogans "plunderers, Greek Cypriots supporters, atheists" shouted during the events.

[05] New organization by Turkish Cypriots who live in Britain

According to the paper, the organization is supported by Baroness Meral Ece and by the self-styled representative of the breakaway regime to the UK, Oya Tuncali.

The aim of the new organization is to make the voice of the Britain-living Turkish Cypriots to be heard in a stronger and clearer way and to strengthen their political profile, writes the paper. The leader of the group is Fahri Zihni.

[06] Erdogan considers Turkey's membership to SGO, an alternative to the EU; Analysts and Intellectuals comment on Erdogan's remarks

As Turkey and the European Union have failed to make substantial progress in their accession talks, Erdogan once again brought the SCO issue onto the agenda, saying Turkey is seriously considering being part of the SCO, which he considers as an alternative at a time when the EU's future looks increasingly dim.

The SCO is a mutual-security organization which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The other countries, with the exception of Uzbekistan, had been members of the Shanghai Five, founded in 1996; after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members renamed the organization.

Speaking to reporters during a televised program on Kanal 24 late on Friday, Erdogan said Turkey is now seeking alternative options amid eroding hopes on the EU process with regards to the adamant opposition to Turkey's membership by a number of EU member countries.

However, analysts believe that organizations such as the SCO cannot be an alternative to the EU for Turkey.

A Turkish intellectual and writer, Mehmet Altan, considers Erdogan's remarks to be lacking political consciousness. "First of all, the SCO's most important feature is that it lacks democracy, whereas the EU is a democratic organization. Erdogan's remarks should be considered as giving up on efforts to democratize Turkey and shifting to an organization which lacks democracy but prefers dictatorship," Altan told Today's Zaman.

Turkey has made quite a number of democratic changes to its legal and bureaucratic structure in recent years. And with most Turkish people using the EU as a reference point with regards to the democratic steps that the country should take, analysts oppose the SCO being presented as an alternative to the EU.

Erdogan added: "If we get into the SCO, we will say goodbye to the European Union. The SCO is better -- much more powerful. Pakistan wants in. India wants in as well. If the SCO wants us, all of us will become members of this organization."

Altan considers Erdogan's remarks as "very dangerous." "Consider an organization where all the members lack democracy. So it seems like Erdogan wants to move towards dictatorship. The SCO is the most serious opposition to NATO. On the one hand, you are a NATO member but on the other, you want to become a member of an anti-NATO organization. This attitude has the potential to change the balance in the world," said Altan, adding that Erdogan's statements were very contradictory.

Meanwhile, Faruk Logoglu, a Deputy chairman of Turkey's main opposition the Republican People's Party (CHP), wrote on his Twitter account, "[The Justice and development Party] AKP, which considers Shanghai Five as an alternative to the EU, underestimates Turkey's future and foreign policy interests."

Turkey was accepted as a dialogue partner by the Shanghai Five at its annual summit in Beijing on June 7, 2012.

According to Ozdem Sanberk, President of the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), Erdogan is serious about his remarks. "I don't think he was bluffing when saying that Turkey is seriously considering the SCO. Turkey's remarks may lead to a great strategic change in the world order because a NATO member country, Turkey, will become a member of an anti-NATO bloc, which also includes Russia and China," Sanberk told Today's Zaman.

This is not the first time that Erdogan has raised this issue. Right after his visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin back in July, Russian and Turkish media reported on this same issue, despite denials by Turkish authorities who said: "Erdogan was joking when he asked Putin if they would accept Turkey as a member of the Shanghai Five."

However, Sanberk believes that although Erdogan is quite serious in considering the SCO as a strategic alternative, both China as well as Russia would not consider Turkey's membership unless both countries face a serious crisis with the US. "In my view, it is unlikely for Turkey to take part in an alliance which is against NATO," said Sanberk.

For some analysts, Erdogan's call may also be interpreted as a "veiled" signal to the EU that Turkey is not obliged to the EU and has alternatives. "Erdogan's remarks show that Turkey has many alternatives to the EU. But Turkey is still continuing its efforts in the EU accession process. I don't think that Turkey will consider the SCO unless it faces serious problem in its EU track. If it becomes definite that Turkey will not become an EU member, Turkey will start to consider its alternatives, which one is the SCO," former Foreign Minister Yasar Yak?s told Today's Zaman.

When asked to clarify whether the Shanghai Five is an alternative to the EU, Erdogan said: "The Shanghai Five is better and more powerful and we have common values with them."

In response to the question of why doesn't Turkey bid goodbye to the EU now, Erdogan said that the country has a relationship with the EU and without first finding alternatives and laying the groundwork to bid goodbye to the EU, it would be too risky. "Thus, we need to prepare the groundwork first," said Erdogan.

Erdogan also said in the interview, that Turkey has not yet given up on the EU process. "[Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator] Egemen Bag?s makes his presentation on [Turkish-EU] relations at every Cabinet meeting. He regularly travels throughout Europe," said Erdogan, citing the government's continued interest in the EU despite the pessimistic atmosphere.

(?)

Some analysts think that Erdogan's remark was no more than muscle-flexing for the EU. According to Nuzhet Kandemir, Turkey's former Ambassador to Washington and a prominent foreign policy commentator, Erdogan's remarks also aims to send an important message to the EU that Turkey has many other alternatives. "Turkey was considering taking part in the SCO a long time ago but this desire was never at the expense of the EU. The SCO was never considered as an alternative to the EU. I consider his statements as strategic. Indeed, being a member of the SCO may bring economic benefits but giving up on the EU process will seriously harm Turkey's interests," said Kandemir.

(?).

[07] Turkey's Arinc calls Greece to review attitude on the issue of the reopening of Halki Seminary

"We consider the question [of the theological school's reopening] from the viewpoint of the Lausanne Treaty and religious freedom. But, while we are working for the religious rights of minorities, what is happening in Greece saddens us. The word 'Turkish' in the name of many associations has been forbidden, despite rulings from the European Court of Human Rights," said Ar?nc in a press conference after a Cabinet meeting.

According to the Lausanne Treaty, Greeks and other religious minorities should enjoy equal rights with Turkish citizens.

Turkish media reports have recently indicated that the reopening of the Halki Seminary is once again on the table. The Education Ministry and Turkey's Higher Education Board (YOK) have accelerated work for its reopening upon the instructions of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, daily Hurriyet reported today.

Without denying the reports and acknowledging the Greek community's need of more ecclesiastics, Ar?nc emphasized the government's discomfort regarding the attitude of Greece toward the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, in the north of the country.

Highlighting that Greece did not respond positively to the needs of muftis, Ar?nc added that Prime Minister Erdogan would be calling his Greek counterpart to speak about the issue before heading to Qatar on Monday evening. "Greece has taken the right to appoint muftis and teachers from the hands of the Turkish community. Our Foreign Minister [Ahmet Davutoglu] told them [at the time]: 'Would you like us to appoint the [Greek] Patriarch?' stating that this attitude was unfriendly," he said.

The Supreme Court decided in 1971 that all higher education facilities had to be connected to a state university. The Halki Seminary, located on Heybeliada Island [Halki] in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul, was considered a "private higher education facility" at the time, and so had to be tied to a state university or a state seminary in order to stay open after the ruling. As the patriarchate was unwilling to associate the school with a Turkish university, the seminary was closed down.

According to Hurriyet's report on January 28, the government was searching for a formula that would allow the Seminary to function as a professional school. An alternative formula would be to change the necessary article in the Constitution. However, such a change would pave the way for other minorities, such as Armenians and Jews, as well as Muslim Turkish citizens, to open their own religious schools, says the report.

[08] Data on the number of people died in Turkey from terrorist attacks during the last 30 years

The report states that most of the casualties were between 14 and 25 years old, and it is also says that 386,360 people in 14 provinces have been forced to leave their homes. Some 187,861 of those who were forcibly displaced have returned home, due to a rehabilitation project launched in 1999.

Based on the sources of terrorism experts, the report says more than 11,795 soldiers and police officers have been killed in conflicts, while according to the police directorate 22,049 militants were killed in the same period.

The report also touches on the profiles of the militants who retreat to the mountains between Turkey, Iraq and Syria. According to the statistics, 88% of the militants are men, while 50% become involved in these groups between the ages of 17 and 20. The youngest person to become a member of an outlawed group was nine-years-old, while the oldest person was 42-years-old. The youngest militant to die was 14-years-old, and the average time that a militant spends in the mountains is 6.9 years.

[09] CHP's Deputy alleged that Turkey and the KRG have launched secret talks

"The secret deal has not yet been finalized and the parties are discussing a critical article", C?ray said, adding that he had unconfirmed information about the details of the critical article, thus he would not elaborate on what that article consists of for now.

Iraq's central government in Baghdad and the Arbil-based KRG are locked in a widening dispute over control of oil revenues, oilfields and territory that is fraying the country's uneasy federal union. The feud between Baghdad and the Arbil-based KRG enclave, which has run its own regional administration and armed forces since 1991, has escalated since the KRG began signing oil deals last year with major companies Exxon Mobil and Chevron to develop fields.

Baghdad insists the central government has the sole constitutional right to export oil, while the KRG says its right to grant contracts to foreign oil firms is enshrined in the Iraqi Constitution, which was drawn up following the 2003 invasion that ousted Dictator Saddam Hussein.

The KRG began exporting its own very light oil, or condensate, independently to world markets in October 2012 via truck to a Turkish port, where it was sold through an intermediary. The central government describes the transaction as "oil-smuggling."

"Iraq's central government entitles the KRG to 17% of oil products refined in Iraq, but the secret deal between Turkey and the KRG aims to transfer all northern oil revenue to Arbil", C?ray said.

"The recent political crisis between the Baghdad government and Arbil administration is an outcome of the secret agreement", C?ray also claimed. "These developments could lead to very dangerous results. Divisions within Iraq as well as Turkey could occur. The [Turkish] government is playing a very dangerous game. The government's recent talks with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the PKK and security forces had actually been launched to secure 'appropriate conditions' for the deal", C?ray also claimed.

The CHP lawmaker issued a parliamentary question to Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu about the alleged secret deal.

Arguing that an offshore company was founded by Turkey as part of the secret agreement, C?ray asked Davutoglu whether companies whose owners are close to the Turkish government would be shareholders in the offshore company.

"If aforementioned deals come into force, a de-facto dissolution within Iraq will be inevitable. Has Turkey's foreign policy, which advocates the integrity of Iraq, changed?" C?ray asked. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article