Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-06-04

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan claims that there are "foreign links" to Taksim protests

[02] Turkish PM gets into row with Reuters reporter over Taksim protests

[03] Gul: "Messages of protesters received"

[04] Clash between Gul and Erdogan opinion over the protests

[05] Kilicdaroglu calls Erdogan to apologize over protests

[06] First official death recorded in Gezi Park protests-1480 wounded

[07] USA and Germany warn their citizens about potential violence in Turkey

[08] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers continuing violence in Turkey

[09] Fethullah Gulen: Today we need kindness and balance

[10] NTV pays the price of the censor; its staff quits

[11] PKK terrorists clashed with Turkish army during withdrawal

[12] Serdar Denktas: violence used by police in Turkey is unacceptable

[13] Turkish Cypriots say Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution

[14] YKP accuses AKP of interfering in their domestic affairs

[15] Eroglu: "The new negotiation process will be the last change to reach a solution"

[16] The "2013 Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli Search and Rescue exercise" to be held in occupied area of Cyprus

[17] Preparations for "early elections" continue

[18] Kucuk accuses of Eroglu's actions as port-modern coup d'?tat

[19] The breakaway regime participated in Festival D'Anatolie in Paris

[20] Opera Days of TURKSOY to take place in the occupied Keryneia;

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan claims that there are "foreign links" to Taksim protests

"Our intelligence work is ongoing [to determine the foreign actors behind the protests]. It is not possible to reveal their names. But we will have meetings with their heads," said Erdo
an.

"Those who advise us to be moderate must themselves first come to moderation," he said, referring to the international reactions to the use of force against protests that have erupted in all corners of the country. Erdo
an claimed 160 police officers and 60 citizens were injured yesterday, saying the high number of injured police officers was a proof that it was acting moderately.

"There is 50 percent of [the country who voted for the ruling Justice and Development Party - AKP], and we can barely keep them at home [and prevent them from coming onto the streets for counter-protests]. But we have called on them to calm down," the prime minister also said.

"If necessary we will square accounts with them. We are determined in this and there are some visible evidences," said Erdo
an.

The country is already experiencing a "Turkish Spring" and will not give way to those who want to turn it into a winter, Erdo
an said, referring to the economic development that has benefited some during his rule.

Per capita income has reached $10,500 during the ruling party's tenure, he said, adding that this had made some "jealous."

[02] Turkish PM gets into row with Reuters reporter over Taksim protests

"Don't tell me that all of society [is supporting the protests], I will not believe it," Erdo
an told the reporter. "There might be extensions of ideological structures [behind the protests]. This might have gotten them to revolt. You have to see that. What haven't we done in this country that [led the protesters to] take such a step?" said Erdo
an.

Altayl1
also asked the prime minister whether more protesters were coming out onto the streets because he had underestimated their strength. Erdo
an replied, asking what he could do to moderate the protests. "If you can tell me [what to do], I'll do it," he said.

"There is 50 percent of [the country who voted for the ruling Justice and Development Party - AKP], and we can barely keep them at home [and prevent them from coming onto the streets for counter-protests]. But we have called on them to calm down," the prime minister said after Altayl1
said the people on the ground did not represent any single party and that they included students and housewives, unlike Erdogan's claims.

After the Reuters reporters said the people on the ground had demands about education and recent alcohol restrictions, Erdo
an said he had seen no demands about education and accused Altayl1
of misinforming her agency about the situation.

Before Altayli's question session with the Prime Minister, she had 195 followers on Twitter, but the number exploded to more than 54,000 shortly after the argument.

The protests were triggered last week when a group of people were exposed to gas and water cannon as they attempted to prevent the construction of a shopping mall in a park on Taksim Square.

[03] Gul: "Messages of protesters received"

"Democracy is not just about voting [someone into power]; the message [the protesters want to convey] has been received. What is necessary will be done," Gul said on Monday, speaking to a group of reporters in Ankara during a reception for a delegation from the 0
zmir Chamber of Commerce.

"These demonstrations have also tested Turkey's democracy. You can see in those countries where there is no democracy or supremacy of law, when we look at Middle Eastern countries, you can see the cost of them. Thankfully these were ended in Turkey before any irreparable pain was experienced," he added.

The Turkish President also warned that illegal organizations and manipulative agitators might step in "after this point." He said: "Turkey is a country that believes in democracy, and where rules work and the supremacy of law and court rulings work. It's at Western standards." He also said different beliefs should be respected. "Everyone should feel free," the president said.

[04] Clash between Gul and Erdogan opinion over the protests

Speaking to reporters along with his Moroccan counterpart at a joint press conference, Prime Minister Erdo
an was asked about Gul's comments in which he said the message has been taken from the demonstrations. Erdo
an said he didn't make any sense of the president's remarks, declined to further comment on the issue.

News reports said Gul will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, who is leading the office of Prime Ministry in absence of Erdo
an, at the ?ankaya Presidential Palace on Tuesday to exchange views over the continuing protests across the country.

In addition, under the title "Erdo
an fails to get the point, Gul does", Murat Yetkin publishes the following commentary in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (04.06.13):

"Prime Minister Tayyip Erdo
an looked tense and tired during his Istanbul press conference before departing for Morocco on June 3. He got into row with reporters asking questions to him about the Taksim protest that has now spread across the country. They not only involve young protestors in street clashes with the police, but also drivers honking and flashing continuously, housewives inside and in front of their houses with a cacophonic band of pots and pans, and turning the lights of their houses on and off when the sun goes down.

In his four-day North Africa trip, Erdo
an is going to talk about the merits of democracy in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia [& ] Perhaps he will have to answer some questions about the state of democratic rights in Turkey. [& ]

Almost half an hour after Erdogan's departure, President Abdullah Gul made a statement, which was his second intervention in the incidents in 48 hours. The first was on June 1, when everybody started to have fears of bloodshed after another statement from Erdo
an. Gul's statement said he had held a telephone conversation with the prime minister, after which the police were withdrawn. In his second intervention, in contrast to what Erdo
an had said, Gul underlined the need for different lifestyles living alongside each other, and asked for the "moderation of all parties," which in theory included the prime minister himself. Gul also pointed out that the ballot box alone was not enough for a proper democracy. He also gave an appointment to Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), who had requested to talk with him about the issue.

The picture is becoming clearer with almost every hour. Erdo
an fails to get the point, but Gul does. Gul sees that the protests have no precedent in Turkish history, and are no more about claiming back a park in Istanbul's Taksim Square. They are about to turn into a fight for the lifestyles of a section of Turkish society that has tasted the secular and modern way of life and doesn't want to lose it.

Erdogan's insistence on getting his own plans implemented at all costs has turned a modest protest for a park into a nationwide social movement. The further toughening of his style will further politicize a social movement; that is what Gul is trying to avoid."

[05] Kilicdaroglu calls Erdogan to apologize over protests

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul for exchange of views, Kemal Kilicdaroglu called on Erdogan to apologize to people to end the protests.

Calling Erdogan an irresponsible leader, Kilicdaroglu stated that if police didn't use such excessive force, Turkey might not have come to the point where nationwide protests threaten social peace and stability in the country.

He also said his party is against resorting to violence by protesters.

[06] First official death recorded in Gezi Park protests-1480 wounded

The victim, 20-year-old Mehmet Ayvalitas, is the first confirmed death in protests that have engulfed the entire country.

A statement released by TTB accused the government of conducting a provocative agenda, citing several remarks of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an which claimed he was "barely holding back the 50 percent" of the country that voted for him from coming onto the street.

A car drove into the crowds, despite warnings, according to the statement, and subsequently caused Ayval1
ta
's death.

The hacker group RedHack also released a statement, saying Ayvalitas was a member, while implying that the killing was the intentional work of a fascist.

Republican People's Party (CHP) Sabahat Akkiraz extended her condolences on the Ayvalitas while describing him as a "martyr."

The TTB called on government to pull back all police forces, and release all those detained throughout the protests.

Over 1,480 people have so far been wounded in Istanbul, with five people in intensive care and two more in critical condition, the TTB said, adding that around 414 injuries have so far been recorded by Ankara's Doctors' Union, with 420 more in 0
zmir.

[07] USA and Germany warn their citizens about potential violence in Turkey

The embassy issued a warning letter for the attention of American citizens, reminding of the tension in the country that has been ongoing since last week.

The Daily News has also learned that U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone has cancelled a trip to the U.S. due to the ongoing unrest in Turkey. He had been due to attend an American-Turkish Council meeting.

Meanwhile, the German Foreign Ministry has urged German citizens to stay away from demonstrations, according to German Embassy spokesman Peter Kettner.

Germany also called on Monday for calm and for dialogue in Turkey after days of clashes between anti-government protesters and police.

[08] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers continuing violence in Turkey

Under the title "Actions which entered into their 7th day in Turkey are dangerously escalating", Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (04.06.13) reports that the activities of resistance in Turkey which have been launched against the destruction of Gezi Park in Istanbul have been turned into actions for "democracy and freedom" with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people in many Turkish cities, such as Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Adana and Hatay. According to the paper, the masses have become angrier by Prime Minister Erdogan's "stubborn stance" and words such as "plunderers and marginal groups" and "drunkard" which Erdogan used for the protestors and those who drink alcohol respectively. Vatan writes that "political observers" underline that, in front of the insufficiency of the opposition, this issue "is escalating towards being a struggle for overthrowing the AKP and the mentality it represents".

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (04.06.13) reports that the incidents at Gezi Park dealt a blow to the Turkish economy as well. The stock market declined by 10% in Istanbul, the price of dollar increased to 1.89 [Turkish liras] and interest rates exceeded 6%. Those involved in tourism are afraid of cancellations of reservations, writes the paper adding that last night a 22-year-old man lost his life in hospital after being injured during the protests on the first day of the incidents.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (04.06.13) reports that Turkish Taraf newspaper's police correspondent, Emre Uslu reported that Prime Minister "Erdogan is giving the orders to the police" to act. Describing this statement as "shocking", the paper writes that the chief of Erdogan's security has even ordered [the police] to shoot in case the activists approached the prime minister's office. Asked to reveal the source of this information, Uslu replied that he did not make up this information and added that after that order, gendarmerie arrived to the area.

The paper reports that AKP's spiritual leader, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in America, warned Erdogan by saying "today we need kindness and stability".

Under the title "Abdullah Gul's difference", Afrika reports that while police violence escalated again yesterday at Gezi Park, a conflict between President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan came to light. Gul said that "the necessary message from the incidents has been received" and approached the issue with a milder manner, says Afrika adding that Erdogan, on the other hand, wondered "which message has been received" and "scolded" Gul.

According to the paper, Gul stated that democracy does not mean only elections and added: "Except elections, if different views, different situations and objections exist, there could be nothing more natural than expressing these things in various ways". Erdogan said he could not know which message Gul has received and added: "However, questions have been addressed to me regarding this issue and I said to the friends: 'which message have you taken?' They did not reply".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Fethullah Gulen: Today we need kindness and balance

According to the paper, Gulen said: "Such a period came that a virus of aggression has almost been spread all over and contaminated the believers?" Noting that believer Muslims are attacking other believer Muslims now, Gulen added: "However, even during such periods it is very important to walk in a balanced manner, to be able to preserve human attitude, to carry the spirit of dervishes and not raise hand against those who raise their hand [against you], to keep your mouth clean against those who contaminate their mouth with dirty things, not to bear teeth to those who bear teeth to you and be able to behave with kindness always".

Noting that when you respond to one bad thing with another bad thing, you could cause much worse incidents, Gulen said that the response to harm should not be harm and that "we need kindness, balance and harmony".

(I/Ts.)

[10] NTV pays the price of the censor; its staff quits

The channel, which elicited strong public reaction for refusing to cover the protest in the in the first days, was rocked with the resignation of his news chief Omer Faruk Aykar. The photographer Mehmet Turgut also quit making the programme for the channel. Dilara Eldas, who also worked at the news office, resigned. It is claimed that in case the channel does not change its broadcasting policy, then the resignations will continue, the paper reports.

The famous photographer Mehmet Turgut, who had a programme at NTV "Such and Such" (Falan Filan), cancelled his programme as a reaction.

On the same issue, Afrika reports that the workers at NTV came out of the building and participated in the demonstrations. Meanwhile, no employees remained at the news centre of the NTV channel.

While the demonstrations were continuing, the channel employees called the NTV managers to broadcast live their protest. Upon an intensive request, the management accept to broadcast the protest.

Turkish daily Today's Zaman (03.06.13) reported that in Istanbul, thousands gathered outside the NTV news station's office in Maslak. NTV, like many other major outlets, refused to cover the protests in the first two days. When clashes were at their height in Taksim Thursday night, NTV was showing an unrelated documentary. The station also reported on the story, saying: "There are protests against the media. There are also protests against us." The crowd outside the office dispersed after NTV's live coverage ended.

[11] PKK terrorists clashed with Turkish army during withdrawal

The Turkish military said in a statement that there were two bursts of gunfire in Uludere in S1
rnak province just after noon (0900 GMT) and a Turkish Cobra attack helicopter was subsequently sent to the area.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants began leaving Turkish territory in small groups nearly a month ago in a bid to end a conflict which has killed more than 40,000 people in almost 30 years of fighting.

They are withdrawing to Iraqi Kurdistan, where several thousands of their fighters are based, under a plan agreed by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and Turkish officials.

"A group of terrorists opened fire and, as a result of the shooting, one gendarmerie sergeant was slightly wounded by the one of the stones ricocheting off the ground," the army said.

A spokesman for the PKK, deemed a "terrorist group" by the United States, the European Union and Turkey, said he had no details of the incident, but warned the army to refrain from "provocative actions".

"I do not believe it will affect the withdrawal," Roj Welat said, adding that in recent days, Turkey had flown drones and warplanes over PKK positions.

(?)

[12] Serdar Denktas: violence used by police in Turkey is unacceptable

In statements made to the paper Denktas said: "There are those who criticize me because I remained silent and those who say that I am afraid, because I did not speak. First of all, the issue is Turkey's internal matter and I wish for its solution the soonest peacefully. Of course, I do not remain unresponsive to the incidents in Turkey. I am saddened, but I do not want to make judgments from afar".

Denktas went on and described as "unacceptable" the violence implemented by the police against the people and added that "the voice of the people must be heard, because being opposed to the people causes negative results".

He noted: "My party and I are watching the incidents with great sorrow. The Democratic Party is against every kind of violence and it will not change this attitude from now on. The AKP government must listen to the voice of the people. A way of reconciliation should be found".

Referring to some statements accusing his party of being afraid to criticize the incidents in Turkey, Denktas described them as "ridiculous" and added that DP has never been a party that implements censorship, noting that their paper [Translator's note: DP's newspaper is Bakis] publishes the incidents. He argued that those who should be ashamed are the CTP and its media because the party's spiritual leader was going around all television stations until yesterday stating that the AKP is the best and that he would vote for the AKP if he were in Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[13] Turkish Cypriots say Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution

Ertug claimed: "Varosha has for a long period now been a part of the comprehensive solution. This news is a lie and was brought up deliberately. The aim is for drawing the attention to other directions". He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to make everybody to forget that it is allegedly not sitting at the negotiating table. He claimed that it is not Fule's duty to mediate on this issue and argued that the effort to involve the EU Commissioner in this issue is thought provoking.

Meanwhile, the president of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ozkan Yorgancioglu has said that officially they received no information saying that Fule is undertaking such initiative. "We are seeing this issue as part of the comprehensive solution", he noted adding that the negotiations will start within a couple of months and that the important thing is to carry out negotiations that will lead Cypriots to a result on this issue.

Moreover, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Serdar Denktas has said that a few months ago his party had submitted a proposal regarding the discussion of the issue of Varosha separately and the opening of the city for settlement under the administration of the breakaway regime. He alleged that the issue of illegal Tymvou airport should be assessed within the scope of the customs union and be discussed together with the "Direct Trade Regulation" and the so-called deficiencies of the "Green Line Regulation" of the EU. He alleged that the return for Varosha is not only illegal Tymvou and the direct flights.

Finally, Kibris publishes also a statement made to the paper by George Makropouliotis, EU Commission's representative in Cyprus, who said that the return of Varosha is a part of the negotiations held between the two communities with the aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the UN. Reiterating the support of the Commission to the UN-led process, he noted that the EU is ready to upgrade the level of this support and strengthen it, if the sides ask for this. He noted that during his recent address to the European Parliament, Mr Fule had expressed his views regarding confidence building measures and the necessary concessions for carrying the solution process forward and for the advantages which the reunification will bring to the two communities.

(I/Ts.)

[14] YKP accuses AKP of interfering in their domestic affairs

According to the announcement, it is claimed that the occupied airport of Tymbou ("Ercan") was given as an offer to a businessman from the Black Sea with Erdogan's instructions. It also writes that the discussion about the privatization of the occupied port of Famagusta should be interpreted within this framework.

YKP also criticized the fact that a "TRNC citizenship" was granted to Ertugrul Gunay, MP with the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP), adding that they are doing favours for AKP.

Finally, YKP said that the solution of their problems goes through the solution of Cyprus problem.

[15] Eroglu: "The new negotiation process will be the last change to reach a solution"

Speaking during his meeting with the newly elected "board of directors" of the "Black sea Culture Society" today (yesterday), he said that reaching a just solution to the Cyprus problem, was his primary duty, adding that the delay in the re-launch of the Cyprus negotiations process was causing people to lose hope towards a settlement.

Eroglu stated also that the "TRNC people" were giving him the support he needed at the negotiating table.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriots' determination strengthened his hand at the negotiating table, he expressed the view that the new process will be a 'last chance' and that the delay in the re-launch of the talks were causing people to lose hope towards a settlement. "If we use this opportunity well, the settlement to be reached could be lasting. We need a strong settlement, one that will safeguard Turkey's interests, if this is to happen" he added.

For his part, the "chairman" of the "Black Sea Culture Society" Turan Buyuky1
lmaz extended his organization's full support to Eroglu.

[16] The "2013 Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gonyeli Search and Rescue exercise" to be held in occupied area of Cyprus

The exercise will be conducted with the participation of "civilian and military units" from Turkey and the "TRNC" and will take place off the coast of occupied Famagusta in the eastern Mediterranean within the occupation regime's "territories and territorial waters".

A part of the exercises will be open to the press.

[17] Preparations for "early elections" continue

According to the schedule, the "TRNC high electoral council" announced today the number of "deputies" from each of the 5 districts. The distribution of "deputies" according to the districts is as follows.

Occupied Lefkosia 16, occupied Famagusta 13, occupied Keryneia 10, occupied Morfou 6 and occupied Trikomo 5.

While the deadline for political parties to nominate their candidates is the 18th of June, all candidates will submit their applications on the 21st of June.

Voters will head to the "ballots" on Sunday, the 28th of July to elect members of the 50 seats at the so-called Parliament.

[18] Kucuk accuses of Eroglu's actions as port-modern coup d'?tat

Recalling that Eroglu is the "president" of all the people and the most essential principle of the "president" is the neutrality, Kucuk said that the Turkish Cypriots will not turn a blind eye to this postmodern coup d'?tat and will not show any tolerance.

[19] The breakaway regime participated in Festival D'Anatolie in Paris

According to a press release by the self-styled ministry, the so-called director of the department promotion and bargaining Dervis Gezer attended the festival and carried out contacts. The breakaway regime had its own kiosk in the festival.

[20] Opera Days of TURKSOY to take place in the occupied Keryneia;

Thirteen soloists from nine countries will perform works, including famous classical operas, along with operas from their own countries of origin. Among the soloists will be Azerbaijan's Sabina Vahabzade; Kazakhstan's Aslima Maktagulova, Halid Nuraliyev and Elana Filinkova; Kyrgyzstan's Kunduz Kar1
ppayeva; Uzbekistan's Rahim Mirzakamalov, Turkey's Bar1
S YanC and Nona Tsutsk1
r1
dze; "northern Cyprus" Tugrul Enver Tore; Tatarstan's Rigina Valieva and others.

The concerts will take place in the Black Sea provinces of Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon in Ankara, Istanbul and Kyrenia.

The 16th Opera Days of TURKSOY will be dedicated to famous Kazakh composer Mukan Tolebayev within the framework of "2013 - the Year of Mukan Tolebayev." Throughout the 16th Opera Days, a photography exhibition featuring TURKSOY's activities will also be open. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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