Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-03-08

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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] ABHABER publishes a statement by the European Commission on the honey issue

[02] Cyprus among the issues discussed during Davutoglu's contacts in the UK

[03] Turkish Parliament Speaker Cicek discussed in Finland the Cyprus problem

[04] German Green of Turkish origin wants the financial aid towards the Republic of Cyprus to be tied to island's political problem

[05] Turkey close to EU membership, says Swedish ambassador to Ankara

[06] Talat: "The Cyprus problem is a permanent poison"

[07] Tacoy and Ulucay go to Strasbourg

[08] So-called minister Ustel continues contacts in Berlin; he met with the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan

[09] 299 mosques and 323 religious officers in the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] A protest by Baraka

[11] Judiciary reform in Turkey bid sparks controversy

[12] Turkish army supports a four-dimensioned strategy on the Kurdish problem

[13] The position of women in Turkey: 366 women raped or abused while in custody in the last 16 years; rate of female engagement in workforce has decreased

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] ABHABER publishes a statement by the European Commission on the honey issue

"In January 2013, the Commission authorised the trade of honey across the Green Line.

Before trade could start, sample tests had to take place on the honey's compliance with EU standards on residue of pesticides and antibiotics. Those tests have now taken place in approved laboratories by independent experts appointed by the Commission, and will be repeated each year.

The authorisation to trade honey stems from a Commission Decision taken in 2007, for which the Republic of Cyprus voted in favour in the relevant committee, and is based on the Green Line Regulation approved in 2004.

The Commission underlines that it expects that trade will not be hindered and that there will be no blockages for the Turkish Cypriot honey production concerned.''

[02] Cyprus among the issues discussed during Davutoglu's contacts in the UK

Davutoglu talks addressed the Syria crisis, the Cyprus problem, Turkey's relations with the EU, and latest developments in Yemen.

Davutoglu separately met Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, and EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Catherine Ashton, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and United Nations Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar.

[03] Turkish Parliament Speaker Cicek discussed in Finland the Cyprus problem

During his visit in Finland, Cemil Cicek first met with his Finnish counterpart Eero Heinaluoma and later attended a luncheon hosted in his honor.

Following the luncheon Cicek and Heinaluoma held a joint press conference.

"We discussed bilateral relations. We had a chance to evaluate the point where Turkey is at in its EU relations," Cicek noted. "Turkey has certain expectations. We talked on the 2020 Izmir EXPO, summer Olympics and Cyprus problem," Cicek said.

"Finland is a country with which we would like to develop relations with in every field," Cicek underlined. "Finland supports Turkish membership in the EU and this is our aim," Cicek stressed.

"It was as if the friends met. We discussed the EU and economy with Mr. Cicek. We conveyed Finland's support to Turkey's EU membership," Heinaluoma stressed. Asked by a journalist if there has been a delay in Turkey's EU membership Heinaluoma underlined that "if a country fulfills the (EU) criteria, it has to reach the result desired."

In response to a question on Syria, Heinaluoma said that "unless more effective role is assumed, the incidents in Syria will not reach a solution".

Cicek and his parliamentary delegation later proceeded to the Finnish Presidential Residence. Cemil Cicek was received by the Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. Cicek's meeting with President Niinisto took place behind closed doors.

[04] German Green of Turkish origin wants the financial aid towards the Republic of Cyprus to be tied to island's political problem

"In the debate about financial help for Cyprus the question of reunification of the island does not figure, regrettably," Ozdemir alleged. "I believe this issue should be on the table as well as the need to reduce the banking sector, fight money laundering and end wage dumping," he said.

According to the paper, the Berlin government responded skeptically to ?zdemir's call. One official, who asked not to be named, said it "would introduce a political element into the talks which would be difficult to measure".

"The new Greek Cypriot president, Anastasiades, is someone we can really deal with," said ?zdemir. It was not clear whether Ozdemir's comments were a personal view or the party line but they have not been echoed by other Greens.

[05] Turkey close to EU membership, says Swedish ambassador to Ankara

Akesson told AA that Turkey had made significant reforms in last decade and was still making new reforms. They attached special importance to steps taken during preparation of the new constitution, which were important also for Turkey on its path to become an EU member, stated Akesson.

Akesson said that Turkey was important for EU in terms of politics and economy. "In this respect, EU needs Turkey and Turkey needs EU."

He added that Sweden supported Turkey's membership bid and said, "Turkey's EU membership process has started in 2005. Sweden is very happy for it. We need to look forward and exert efforts to finish this process successfully. Turkey is preparing to become a member of EU and it has to fulfill other reforms, too, for the membership. One of the most important reforms is the latest studies on the new constitution. Turkey is very close to become a member of EU. We believe that Turkey's membership would contribute a lot to EU. The completion of Turkey's membership to EU is depended on new reforms and efforts. We support these and hope the process would conclude in a short time. Turkey means a lot for EU, both politically and economically."

Akesson said democracy, human rights and superiority of law are common values of the member countries of EU. "Now, there is a huge Muslim population in EU. So, the common values of EU member countries should not be correlated to religion."

[06] Talat: "The Cyprus problem is a permanent poison"

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Talat stated that the Cyprus problem is a permanent poison due to which Turkey's ties with the international community are being damaged, as he said.

Referring to Eroglu's latest statement that the non-agreement is also an agreement, Talat said: "Dervis' demand anyway, is this". Talat added that with this approaches there is a possibility for the negotiations to be blundered.

As regards President Anastasiades' election, Talat said that as he knows, Anastasiades will put forward the confidence building measures, adding that he does not know which these will be.

Replying to another question, Talat alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side need more the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Evaluating the rumors that the so-called foreign minister will be appointed as "negotiator" at the Cyprus negotiation talks, Talat said that this issue came up because of two reasons; because Anastasiades has stated that he will appoint another person to be the "negotiator" and second because of the dispute over the UBP congress and the possibility for revenge against Eroglu.

(AK)

[07] Tacoy and Ulucay go to Strasbourg

[08] So-called minister Ustel continues contacts in Berlin; he met with the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan

According to the paper, Ustel discussed with Carayev issues related to tourism, mutual charter flights, the participation of "north Cyprus" as the occupation regime is called to a tourism fair that will be organized in Azerbaijan, the cooperation between the two countries on theatre and the issue of the mutual tourists exchanged.

The ITB Berlin Tourism Fair will be open until the 10th of March, writes the paper.

Also, Ustel visited yesterday the "representation offices" of the occupation regime in Berlin where he met with the "representative" of the occupation regime in Berlin, Turgay Hilmi and his "undersecretary" Sahap Asikoglu.

In statements there, Ustel underlined the importance of Germany for the transferring of tourists in the "TRNC", as well as for trade.

Referring to the participation of the occupation regime in ITB Berlin Fair, Ustel said that the "ministry" participates at the fair every year. He added that the reflections of their participation to the fair were very positive, since, as he said, the number of charter flights, as well as the tourist stream were increased. Ustel went on and expressed also the belief that with the opening of their "representation office" in Berlin, the tourist stream will be increased more.

(AK)

[09] 299 mosques and 323 religious officers in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the announcement by the so-called religious affairs department, 299 mosques operate in the occupied part of Cyprus with 323 religious officers. The 233 religious officers are paid by the budget of the breakaway regime, while the 90 officers by the so-called Turkish embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[10] A protest by Baraka

According to a press release issued yesterday, Baraka argued that the "intergovernmental framework agreement on meeting the water requirement of the TRNC" between Turkey and the breakaway regime is an agreement that will drag them straight to slavery and to make them a province, and as a matter of fact the water that they will bring to their "country" will seize their will-power as well as to take away from them the independence on their production of agriculture goods.

[11] Judiciary reform in Turkey bid sparks controversy

The long-awaited fourth judicial package sparked controversy when it arrived in Parliament on March 7, but is not likely to satisfy the high expectations that have built up over time in its current state, particularly concerning the situation of convicts charged with membership to a "terrorist" organization.

The package's main amendments relate to creating propaganda for terrorism and terror organizations and the package does not currently allow for the release of detainees in cases concerning the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as their cases relate more to charges of membership in a "terrorist" organization rather than propaganda charges.

There is also no amendment in the package that might positively influence the situation of detained lawmakers, an issue that has concerned all three opposition parties as they each have at least one lawmaker behind bars.

Nonetheless, this is not the final phase for the 21-article package and it may well be changed in line with expectations at the commission-level debates by motions from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). Future actions by the ruling party concerning the package, are seen to be related to the resolution process, since it is assumed that the government might use the issue as a bargaining tool during the resolution process.

Apparently aware of such assumptions, AKP Deputy Chair and Spokesperson H?seyin Celik, told a press conference, didn't wait for reporters' questions in order to once more make it clear that the package is not at all related to the process, which aims to end conflict between security forces and the PKK.

Articles 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terror Law (TMK) and Article 220/8 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which are all related to creating propaganda for terrorism and terror organizations, were amended in a way that limits the scope of propaganda crime. Yet, amendments are not sufficient for the release of KCK convicts.

Human rights defenders as well as executives from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), have argued that most of the detainees in the KCK case were arrested because they expressed dissenting opinions or attended demonstrations. The BDP maintains that there is no charge of violence against them.

A considerable number of KCK case detainees are also members of the BDP. While noting their law commission was still examining the package, BDP deputy Parliamentary Group Chair 0
dris Baluken didn't hide his disappointment.

"Before everything else, Article 314 of the Turkish Penal Code [concerning membership of an armed organization] is not mentioned at all. Most of our friends in jail are being tried with reference to this article," Baluken said. The BDP's ^
1
rnak deputy, Hasip Kaplan, was harsher in his criticism of the judicial reforms package. "This package, which has been much advertised, is empty."

Instead of expanding freedom of expression, the package brings heavier clauses to limit this freedom, Kaplan said. "In its current form, the package does not make any contribution to this process and, furthermore is introducing new penalties that would lead to completely forbidding politics," he said.

If the reform package is adopted there will no longer be a statute of limitations for crimes of torture. The package also includes an amendment that anticipates the retrial for cases subjected to examination by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe since June, 15, 2012.

[12] Turkish army supports a four-dimensioned strategy on the Kurdish problem

During the workshop they underlined the necessity of continuing the armed struggle with what they called "terror" and they adopted a four dimensioned solution strategy prepared by the Wise Men Centre for Strategic Studies (BILGESAM). The four dimensions are:

1) Democratization: This includes strengthening of the "feeling of belonging" of the Kurdish citizens, facilitating the use and the teaching of the Kurdish language, meeting people's expectations on the issue of the place names in the area, increasing the quality of the public services in the area etc.

2) International dimension: This includes maintaining the army's ability for cross border operations, developing a strategy regarding the organization's (PKK) existence and activities in Europe and often issuing statements saying that Turkey expects other countries to show the same sensitivity on the issue of "terror".

3) Socioeconomic and cultural dimension: This includes changing the excessive nationalistic elements in the school books, developing a common history consciousness, preaching in the Kurdish language in some places, improving the physical conditions in the schools, increasing the productivity of the agricultural organizations in the area by reforming these organizations etc.

4) Security dimension: Extinguishing the PKK in the area, ending the so-called separatist activities, exerting efforts in other dimensions simultaneously with carrying out the armed struggle with the "terrorists", conducting surgical strikes against the PKK based on intelligence, preventing the financing of the organization from the area etc.

(I/Ts.)

[13] The position of women in Turkey: 366 women raped or abused while in custody in the last 16 years; rate of female engagement in workforce has decreased

The major part of the complaints was filed by women living in the East and Southeast of Turkey. According to the report, 45 of the victims are between 10-18 years.

A total of 159 trials have been opened following the complaints since the foundation of the legal office in 1997, however a large number of women refused any legal procedure by fear. 28 of these cases were concluded at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and 16 other cases are pending trial.

The report also points the police as the most important responsible of most of the abuse. 266 assaults are reported to have been perpetrated by police officials, 96 by army or gendarmerie forces officers and 17 by special forces.

Leman Yurtsever, one of the lawyers for the legal office, emphasizes that the number of complaints only reflect the tip of the iceberg, as number of women still prefer not to report the abuses because of psychological barriers.

According to the report, a 14-year-old girl was the victim of an honor killing by her family members after being rape. Another woman's family has made a declaration of death and pursues her. Two women have committed suicide while another woman died from her wounds following the sexual and physical torture inflicted by the security forces.

In addition, the paper also writes that despite the steps taken to improve the gender equality in labor force in Turkey, the rate of female engagement in workforce has decreased 10 percent, United Nations official Zahidul Huque says.

In Turkey, although internationally commendable steps have been taken regarding gender equality over the last 10 years, female participation in the labor force has decreased 10 percent, according to a United Nations official.

The labor force participation rate for women, which was 40 percent in 2000, decreased to 27 percent in 2012 and in early 2013 has been less than 30 percent, the United Nations Gender Thematic Group Chair in Turkey and United Nations Population Fund representative for Turkey, Zahidul Huque, told the H?rriyet Daily News in a recent interview. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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