Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-05-29

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] Downer-Eroglu meeting; statements by Downer

[02] Eroglu reacted again against the so-called embargoes; he accused the Greek Cypriot side for delaying tactics

[03] Bozer evaluates the "election process" in the occupation regime; Changes on the "distribution of seats" at the so-called assembly

[04] Israeli and Russian interest for investments in the breakaway regime

[05] The occupation regime aims the hotels capacity to reach 50 thousands

[06] "GAU" organizes a summer school in Italy with the cooperation of Oxford Brookes University

[07] Teachers from Poland, Bulgaria and Latvia carry out contacts in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] Erdogan: "New alcohol law neither ban nor interference"; Disputes over the issue continue

[09] Opposition press in Turkey expresses fear over new conservative regulations imposed by AKP

[10] "Why kissing is bad (but rape can be just fine)"

[11] Turkey denies deadlock in Turkey-Israel compensation talks

[12] Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu quarrelled over the Reyhanl? attacked; Allegations that MIT delayed to take action

[13] BDP Deputy condemns practices of several types of violence and torture in Turkish prisons

[14] Raiser: "Huge projects show Turkey's 'attraction'"

[15] A groundbreaking ceremony for the 3rd Bosporus bridge to be held today in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Downer-Eroglu meeting; statements by Downer

The meeting also attended by the Eroglu's "special representative" Osman Ertug and members of the Cyprus Turkish side's negotiating team, focused on the details of the social event at which Eroglu and the "Greek Cypriot leader", as President Nicos Anastasiades, is called, will be coming together on Thursday, the 30th of May.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting which lasted for almost an hour, the UN Secretary's Special Adviser Alexander Downer said that it was up to the leaders' themselves to decide what they will talk about when they come together on Thursday.

He said that he was looking forward to the social event to be held at the residence of the UN Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim's residence in the UN buffer zone.

"While the Greek Cypriot side has been insisting that the nature of the dinner should be restricted to that of a social event, the Turkish Cypriot side is stating that aspects of the negotiations process could be taken up at the dinner", Downer added.

[02] Eroglu reacted again against the so-called embargoes; he accused the Greek Cypriot side for delaying tactics

The so-called minister of national education, youth and sports Mutlu Atasayan delivered also a speech at the forum.

Addressing the forum, Eroglu touched upon the "sporting embargoes" imposed against the Turkish Cypriot sportsmen, as well as the Cyprus issue.

Eroglu alleged that preventing the Turkish Cypriots from playing sports at international arenas and preventing the Turkish Cypriot youth from competing with their fellow peers around the world, is against human rights.

On the Cyprus problem, Eroglu supported that the Turkish Cypriot side had done more than its share for reaching a consensus based on the "realities" of the island.

He also said the Turkish Cypriot side with good will and constructive approaches is ready to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem without more delays.

He, however, alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to gain time with its delaying tactics, adding the following: "Since this is the situation in Cyprus, it does not suit modern society to punish the Turkish Cypriot youth under sporting embargoes" the President added and asked: 'Why is the world imposing embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot youth because we established our state as a result of Greek Cypriot intransigence?'."

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side and "motherland Turkey", as he described Turkey, are determined to reach an early solution to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu noted that "as it was also stated by high level Turkish officials, either we will reach a solution and make Cyprus a peace island, or we will accept that we cannot come to an agreement and announce this".

He also emphasized that he expects parties that are involved in the Cyprus issue to show the necessary understanding to the Turkish Cypriot side.

[03] Bozer evaluates the "election process" in the occupation regime; Changes on the "distribution of seats" at the so-called assembly

Bozer announced that the date of the general meeting on the "motion of no confidence" will be determined by the "parliament's chairmanship council".

He also said that the "draft law" to hold "early elections" on the 28th of July, will be voted on in "parliament" on Thursday and will be published in the "official gazette" on Saturday.

Meanwhile, with the resignation of 8 so-called deputies from the UBP, the arithmetic of the Parliament has changed as follows:

The National Unity Party (UBP) has 22 seats, the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 14, the Social Democratic Party (TP) 3 and the Democrat Party (DP) has 2 seats in "parliament".

The 8 "deputies" who resigned from the UBP are now independent "deputies".

[04] Israeli and Russian interest for investments in the breakaway regime

The paper writes that Israel and Russian investors held contacts with firms in occupied Cyprus expressing interest in buying building plots and villas. The foreigners are interested for buying property in occupied Agios Amvrosios and its surrounded area where there are many unsold villas. The paper citing other sources also writes that investors show interest in buying property also in occupied Akanthou and occupied Vasileia villages.

[05] The occupation regime aims the hotels capacity to reach 50 thousands

Ustel made these statements during a meeting he had with the Mayor of Antalya Kemer Municipality Mustafa Gul who is holding contacts in occupied Cyprus.

Ustel said that the breakaway regime has for the time being a 20-thousand bed capacity but it aims to reach 50 thousands.

He also stated that the protocols signed with the encouragement of the Turkish "embassy" in occupied Lefkosia, charted flight from seventeen countries are conducted to the breakaway regime adding that this safeguards the flow of tourists.

[06] "GAU" organizes a summer school in Italy with the cooperation of Oxford Brookes University

The paper also reports that the workshop which will last 7 days during the summer school, will include field study researches, mapping techniques, design courses and presentation methods in cooperation with the local public. As a result an exhibition is to be organized with the support of Supino municipality and will be published via an electronic format.

[07] Teachers from Poland, Bulgaria and Latvia carry out contacts in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

During the meeting, Atasayan said that they, as "ministry", give fully support to KTOS' contacts abroad and they are also satisfied because foreign hosts visit "TRNC", and the NGO's in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus meet with international organizations.

Commenting on the cooperation with foreign teachers' trade unions and international institutions, Elcil said that this opening to abroad for the Turkish Cypriot community is important and they want the progress of this cooperation. He added that until now, 70 teachers have visited the occupied area through an exchange programme.

[08] Erdogan: "New alcohol law neither ban nor interference"; Disputes over the issue continue

"For days, there has been propaganda inside the country and abroad saying: 'Alcohol is banned in Turkey.' Before everything else, whoever says, writes and reports this, whoever spreads this inside the country and abroad is a liar, to say the least. We have not banned anything," Erdogan said in a speech delivered at a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group May 28.

Erdogan devoted a majority of his speech to the criticism levelled at his government for the alcohol regulations, saying the harsh measures neither constituted a ban nor an intervention into people's lifestyles.

"Nobody should turn alcohol into an identity issue. The regulation adopted [by the Parliament] is not an intervention into anybody's identity, ideology and lifestyle. Those who perceive this as such are mistaken. Those who say this have ulterior motives," Erdogan said.

"If you are going to drink [alcohol], then drink your alcohol in your house," he said, noting that the criteria for the consumption of alcohol in the public sphere were set. "If you will drink, drink. We are not against this. But we are not allowing this in certain places and at certain hours ? and within 100 meters of mosques and schools," he said.

The media also received its share of criticism from Erdogan for its stance on the issue, as he argued that some of the opponents were merely against the regulation because Islam prohibited the consumption of alcohol, meaning that they were against the dictates of Islam.

Erdogan also thanked the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for its support on the alcohol regulations.

But MHP leader Devlet Bahceli gave mixed signals on his party's stance on the alcohol ban, voicing somewhat ambiguous support for the ban May 28.

"As the Nationalist Movement Party [MHP], we naturally positively approach a regulation that will restrict the sale and use of alcohol. It should be known that our attitude never includes support for the AKP," Bahceli said, addressing his party's parliamentary group meeting.

"In this respect, while respecting the area of personal freedom, we agree that strengthening the spiritual, bodily and mental health of our future generations is an essential mission," Bahceli said, while noting that Erdogan's remarks about not wanting a "drunk and wasted" youth were an exaggeration.

However, on his way back from a party rally in Adana over the weekend, Bahceli said the clandestine sale and consumption of alcohol could rise with a ban.

"A ban would create 1930s America," he said, arguing that illegal underground criminal organizations smuggling drugs and alcohol could emerge as a result of the law.

For his part, in response to questions from correspondents, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu said: "I would actually expect the AKP to entirely ban alcohol production in Turkey; why didn't they?"

[09] Opposition press in Turkey expresses fear over new conservative regulations imposed by AKP

The paper also writes that Turkey is moving step by step towards Seriat (muslim canonical laws).

In addition, Turkish daily Taraf (28.05.13) reports that following the forbids for drinking alcohol in public, the Turkish government is now issuing limitations regarding the selling of the emergency contraception pills without doctor's orders. The paper publishes statements by Turkish gynaecologists who stated that AKP's Victorian policy is a new attack to women's rights in Turkey.

[10] "Why kissing is bad (but rape can be just fine)"

"Two years ago, the Prime Ministry's department for family and social research carried out a survey of 5,765 students across Turkey only to find that half of them did not have friends from both sexes and 60% faced domestic violence. About the same time a city bus driver in Istanbul had violently kicked out a young couple who had kissed during the journey. The angry driver had shouted after them: 'This is not a sex bus!' Apparently, the pious Muslim driver thought babies were born after their parents kissed each other.

To protest against the incident, a group of maverick youths, all couples, launched a campaign to collectively take a bus on the same route and start kissing each other spontaneously. The 'collective kissing protest' on the bus sparked another protest campaign ? this time from a group of students from imam schools who vowed that 'they would not allow sex on the street.'

Last week, when about 200 Turks held a mass kissing protest at an Ankara subway station in response to a public announcement at the same station that had requested passengers 'to behave morally,' conservative religious groups attacked them with machetes, shouted religious slogans and injured some of the protestors. The metro incident in Ankara is merely a more violent repetition of the 'sex bus affair' in Istanbul. Apparently, with the newfound state/police power they arrogantly rely on, the conservative Turks will never learn to mind their own business.

What are the core values conservative Muslims defend? Human dignity and morals? In a way. In an extremely corrupted way. The same groups of 'sensitive Muslims' that are always on alert to get organized, beat and perhaps even kill kissing couples have never been seen to protest when, for instance, nearly 80,000 women faced domestic violence in the 18 months to August 2011 alone; or when violence against women rose 1,400% during their beloved Islamist government's first seven years in power. They never protested when men raped 102 women and 59 underage girls in 2011 alone.

I shall be more specific. Where, really, were the 'good Muslims' and their machetes with blood dripping for their holy cause when a prominent, 78-year-old Islamist columnist confessed to having sex with a 14-year-old girl because 'in Islam having sex with girls who reached puberty was allowed?'. Where were our Muslim guardian angels? Why did not a single conservative Muslim 'get offended and stand up' after the famous "Siirt affair?" Let me refresh memories.

In 2010, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's wife, Emine Erdogan told an audience of dignitaries: 'In our culture and civilization, which has a great historical background, family and motherhood are sacred.' Naturally, there was thundering applause. But ironically, only a few days before that speech, Turkey had been shaken by the news of alleged serial rapes in her native Siirt, including cases of adults raping minors and minors raping toddlers, and killing one.

The mayor of the same town said: 'This is a small town and almost everyone is related to everyone. We've closed the case after consultations with the governor, the police and the prosecutor.' And a cabinet Minister criticized the media for reporting rapes 'that had occurred a year ago.'

The Siirt affair was the microcosm of conservative Muslim Turkey where, for instance, young boys and girls dating or holding hands in public would be 'against honor.' So would miniskirts, tattoos, and earrings on young men, alcohol, pork, smoking during Ramadan and even letting a female's hair be seen by men. But raping minors and covering it up in collaboration with government authorities would not. Surely, reporting these incidents are also against our noble honor codes.

Child brides? They are fine. Buying brides? No problem. How many sheep is one 15-year-old girl worth? That will be up to the bargaining between the families. Violence toward women? Tradition. Killing your own daughter because she had been raped by a rascal? Family honor. Killing your own daughter because she had fallen in love with the boy from the neighborhood? Also a matter of family honor.

Kissing in public? We won't let you have sex on the street!"

[11] Turkey denies deadlock in Turkey-Israel compensation talks

A senior Turkish diplomat who spoke to Today's Zaman on condition of anonymity, denied a report published in Haaretz newspaper, which claimed that the Israel-Turkey reconciliation talks have hit an impasse over the scope of compensation.

According to the report, the two countries were deadlocked over the compensation issue, as Israel was prepared to pay $100,000 to each family, while Turkey demands that Israel pay $1 million to each family of the nine victims.

Haaretz quoted a senior official in Jerusalem saying despite three rounds of talks, the divisions remain. The senior Israeli official also noted that talks between the two states over compensation have made no progress, adding that there has been telephone contact between the two sides but no breakthrough.

The Turkish diplomat denied there was no progress in the talks, adding that the meetings with the two sides were still going on in a positive manner in order to reach a decision. "Since the very beginning of the compensation talks, there were reports claiming that Turkey and Israel disagree over the amount to be paid to the families of the victims. We give no attention to such negative reports," the diplomat said.

(?)

[12] Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu quarrelled over the Reyhanl? attacked; Allegations that MIT delayed to take action

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan overtly accused the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) of provoking people, while remaining vague about a game being played with sectarianism initiated by forces outside Turkey.

CHP leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu harshly criticized the government for the alleged failure to act on time concerning the attacks in Reyhanl?, the town on the Syrian border which was hit by two car bombings on May 11. This failure took place despite intelligence, K?l?cdaroglu said, quoting the exact date of the intelligence submitted by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan argued that certain forces were attempting to play a dangerous game in Hatay. "So much so that this game is being planned outside Turkey. With its extensions inside Turkey, it is being attempted by deceiving the citizens of the Republic of Turkey. Here, a political sectarianism is being created. This is a very dangerous game," Erdogan said.

He accused the opposition, primarily the CHP, of provoking Hatay and Turkey before anything was clear after the Reyhanl? incident. He noted that they knew that "very severe and very dangerous attempts for provocation" were taking place in the region and that they were closely monitoring it.

"Activities at the level of treason by some dark people in disguise as journalists, traders, and businessman have been detected in Hatay and they are being arrested and submitted to the judiciary. Unfortunately, contacts between these people and some deputies inside the CHP have been confirmed with evidence and documents. For example, the Hatay representative of a newspaper close to the CHP has been arrested with quite obvious evidence of espionage. In rallies, demonstrations in Hatay and its towns, the effects of these structures with roots on the outside [of Turkey] have been detected, especially in attempts of attacks against refugees," Erdogan said.

For his part, K?l?cdaroglu questioned the details about the attack. "When was the last time that MIT warned the officials?" he asked, and continued by saying: "Should I give the date? May 9, 2013. I am saying the date as well. I am asking you questions you cannot overcome. When I tell you 'You are the murderer of those 52 people', there are things I know."

(?)"The intelligence organization works to determine the vehicles, it has tracked them since April, it announces it to the concerned authorities; and they [government] are waiting. An explosion happens, 52 people lose their lives. Who is responsible: the CHP," K?l?cdaroglu said bitterly.

"MIT is not tied to any ministry. It is directly tied to you. It is giving you information. Now you get up [and say]. 'There is a lack of coordination among intelligence organizations,'" he said, adding that they knew that the intelligence organizations had made the last warning on the phone. K?l?cdaroglu argued that the intelligence had done its part, yet the government failed to perform its duty".

(?)

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Today's Zaman (28.05.13), the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), obtained tips that assailants were planning to stage a bomb attack in Hatay's Reyhanl? district approximately one month before the attack but passed the intelligence to the police force only a couple of hours before the attack, thereby not giving the police the opportunity to take precautions against the attack.

According to a report published by the Taraf daily on Tuesday, MIT intercepted several phone conversations between suspects believed to have been involved in the Reyhanl? bombings, which killed 52 people and wounded more than 100 others, long before the attacks took place. Fifty-one victims were pronounced dead shortly after the attack and one other died on Monday in the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

According to Taraf, the interceptions came back in April, which means about one month before the attack, but MIT passed the intercepted conversations to the Security General Directorate some 18 hours before the fatal attack. MIT's delayed action made it hard for the police to take measures to foil the attack, Taraf reported.

(?)

[13] BDP Deputy condemns practices of several types of violence and torture in Turkish prisons

Speaking at a news conference in Parliament, Kurkcu said: "Unfortunately, prisons have turned into houses of torture and rape for children. Turkey should take action and stand up for those children."

He said he would submit an application to the Justice Ministry for a report concerning the treatment received by minors aged between 13 and 17 in Sakran Prison in the Aliaga district of Izmir.

Kurkcu also noted that when similar incidents were discovered to have been taking place at the Pozant? Juvenile Detention Center last year, authorities described it as an isolated case. He added that the practices occurring in Sakran Prison, which is more modern and well equipped than the Pozant? Juvenile Detention Center, have turned it into a place just like Pozant? was then.

Kurkcu said that similar practices are also being used on minors in Antalya Prison. "We are faced with a big disaster that can no longer be hidden. Instead of watching the abuse of children in this way, Justice Ministry officials should opt to punish those who are responsible," he added.

[14] Raiser: "Huge projects show Turkey's 'attraction'"

Raiser stated that the companies, which made their bids, assumed that they could rise the necessary funding. "This is a large amount of money. I think it is good in many ways, because it reflects the attractiveness of the Turkish market. It is positive that Turkey is looking to moves like private financing for infrastructure," he said during the interview, after the meeting where a report titled "Turkey: Management of Labor Markets during Economic Volatility," prepared jointly by the Turkish Ministry of Development and the World Bank, held in Bahcesehir University in Istanbul.

Regarding the third airport project, for which a Turkish consortium won the tender with an offer to pay the state 22.1 billion euro (plus taxes) over 25 years starting from 2017, he said: "We have five Turkish companies. They will need to raise a lot of equity. That will be a challenge. But they have bid and we hope they will be successful", he said.

Raiser also noted that it was important for Turkey that these high profile international transactions be concluded successfully.

(?)

[15] A groundbreaking ceremony for the 3rd Bosporus bridge to be held today in Turkey

The construction of Istanbul's third bridge on the Bosporus, was tendered for last year, as part of the north Marmara motorway project's Odayeri-Pasakoy section. The tender was then awarded to a consortium consisting of the Turkish IC Ictas and the Italian Astaldi that submitted the bid with the shortest term of construction and operation.

The bridge is to be constructed under a build-operate-transfer model, in which private companies build the bridge and will have the right to collect tolls from vehicles using the bridge for a period of time before handing the bridge over to the state.

The consortium is expected to complete the construction of the bridge in 36 months, at a total cost of about $4.5 billion, after the contract is signed. "The bridge should be ready for use by the end of 2015," Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m had said earlier.

According to the Turkish Transport Ministry, the new six-lane bridge, which is expected to be about 1.3 km in length, will be built to the north of the two existing ones, between the Garipce district on the European side and the Poyrazkoy district on the Asian side. Unlike the two existing bridges, which only carry road vehicles, the new bridge will also include rail tracks.

Seven Turkish banks had agreed on supplying a total of $2.4 billion for 10 years of funding, Ibrahim Cecen, chairman of the IC Ictas company that was part of the winning consortium, announced on May 2013.

(?) EI/ http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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