Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-06-10

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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] Erdogan threatened the Taksim Gezi Park demonstrators: "Patience has its limits"; Erdogan to his supporters: " Teach protestors a lesson in polls

[02] New York Times responded to Erdogan's criticism over Gezi Park ad

[03] 13th day of demonstration in Turkey continue; Ruling AKP to hold two mass rallies in Istanbul and Ankara next week

[04] Imrali talks continue without the participation of Deputy Sirri Surreya Onder; Ocalan applauded the Gezi park protests

[05] Eroglu on the political ties between Turkey and the occupation regime; He predicted that in ten years there would be two "states" in Cyprus

[06] Eroglu: "The only thing missing for the two people in Cyprus to live side-to-side is an agreement"

[07] Eroglu briefs the political parties on the 77-page Downer document

[08] Izcan says Cypriot property is given away to AKP supporters

[09] Turkey's MFA reacted against Pope Francis plans to attend 2015 anniversary, in Yerevan; Turkey summoned the Vatican Ambassador to Ankara expressing displeasure

[10] The breakaway regime has no idea about the number of "citizenships" it granted

[11] Turkish settlers living at occupied Gaidouras village want a mosque

[12] Three opposition parties in occupied Cyprus agreed on principles for the establishment of "interim government" until the so-called elections

[13] "Karpaz Gate Marina" opens in occupied Gialousa

[14] Two Turkish energy firms to export electricity to northern Iraq

[15] Unemployment in occupied Cyprus increased 18,5% during the first three months of 2013

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan threatened the Taksim Gezi Park demonstrators: "Patience has its limits"; Erdogan to his supporters: " Teach protestors a lesson in polls"

"Don't you see this? How can you attack my police? There are those who side with those swearing against the prime minister of this country. We are going to show patience, but patience has a limit as well. Those who hide behind the protestors should first learn what politics is," Erdo
an said, without giving any sign of concession on his plans to redevelop Taksim Square after the demolition of Gezi Park.

During a later speech, Erdogan asked the protesters once again to stop the demonstrations, adding that the government's patience was running out. "If you have a problem you can choose your representatives and convey them to my mayor, my governor or myself. But if you continue like this, I will be obliged to speak in a language that you understand. We will respond accordingly."

Erdogan held other two rallies earlier in the day, in Adana and Mersin, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. After holding a rally at the Esenboga airport on his arrival to Ankara, he also spoke at several rally points where hundreds were gathered to greet him.

"Are the people only those at Gezi Park? Aren't those who came to meet us at the Istanbul airport the people too? Those who are gathered now in Ankara; aren't they the people, too? Let the country see the real picture of Ankara and not of those who terrorized Ankara," Erdogan said during his speech at the airport, calling on the protesters to face off in local elections next year. "Instead of [occupying] Gezi Park or Kugulu Park [in Ankara], there are seven months [until the elections]. Be patient and let's face off at the ballot box," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also continued to claim that protesters were engaged in vandalism. "Rights and freedoms are not achieved with violence but within the law," he said.

He said that freedoms had been widened under the AKP government as under no party before. "Those [protesters] fear freedom of thought. Why? Because they have no thought. We don't fear it. In all of the Republic's history in terms of freedoms of thought and belief no other government has brought what our government has," he said, adding that he would not allow another coup to take place. "Everybody should know that today is not May 27, 1960. Today is not September 12, 1980. It is not February 28, 1997," he said, listing the dates of military interventions that had led to the fall of the government.

Erdogan has slammed once again the interest lobby, holding it as one of the parties responsible for the current demonstrations. "The interest lobby should better behave itself. This lobby exploited my people for years. We have shown patience for a long time. I am not saying this only for one bank or two but for all whoever making this lobby. Those who have started this fight against us, you will pay the price heavily."

"Those who tried to let the stock exchange collapse: Tayyip Erdogan has no money there, if it collapses you will also collapse with it. The moment we discover stock exchange speculation, we will ram it down your throat," he also said.

Erdogan also did not back down from his negative portrait of protesters, saying they had entered a mosque with beer bottles in their hands and attacked women wearing veils, as had been reported especially on social media over the last week. "They have entered the Dolmabahce Mosque with their beer bottles and their shoes on. They have insulted my headscarf-wearing daughters and sisters. And they haven't stopped at that," he said.

"They were upset when I used the term 'marauder' [capulcu in Turkish, in English means plunderer]. If they are so upset they should look in the dictionary and see who is called a marauder. If they look at it, they will see how accurate the term the Prime Minister has used is. And those who support them also belong to this type", he said.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.06.13), speaking at a crowd of cheering loyalists at Adana airport, Erdogan said: "There are just seven months left until the local elections. I want you to teach them a first lesson through democratic means at the ballot box".

Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged his supporters to "teach a lesson" to the anti-gov't demonstrators.

Erdogan also stated that youth should be given a chance to make politics, and added that they were working on reducing the age of being elected to 18. "We brought three periods rule because we trust the youth. We reduced the age of being elected to 25. Besides, let me say that we were working on reducing the age of getting elected to 18," Erdogan said.

"Now, in several European countries, the age to elect and to be elected is 18. You give the 18-year-old the right to vote but not the right to be elected. We say electing is difficult and can reduce the age to 18 for candidacy. We are working on it".

AK Party on Saturday ruled out early elections. Huseyin Celik, Deputy chairman of the AKP founded by Erdogan just over a decade ago, said that local and presidential elections would be held next year as planned, and a general election in 2015.

"The government is running like clockwork. There is nothing that necessitates early elections," he told reporters after a meeting of the party's executive committee in Istanbul.

(?)

[02] New York Times responded to Erdogan's criticism over Gezi Park ad

"We publish this type of advertising because we believe in the First Amendment, which affords us the right to publish news and editorials, but just as important, guarantees the public's right to be heard," the New York Times said in a written statement to daily Hurriyet published on June 8.

"Our advertising department and our newsroom are completely distinct operations and the newsroom has nothing to do with the placement or acceptance of advertising messages," it also added.

The Prime Minister targeted the foreign media during a speech June 7, accusing foreign outlets of "running stories based on orders with ideological approaches."

The ad run under the title "What's happening in Turkey" supported the popular resistance following the protests in Gezi Park, while issuing several demands, such as the end of police brutality, the start of democratic dialogue and a freer media.

Commenting on the issue, EU Minister Egemen Bagis, chided the New York Times over its decision to publish the ad, saying: "When I read the New York Times answer with a mention to the First Amendment, I had tears in my eyes, I was really touched," Bagis told daily Hurriyet, adding that when he was lobbying in the United States, the broadsheet had refused to print an ad that said: "A systematic Armenian Genocide did not take place."

"They have made an incomplete statement. They should have said: "We only support the ads of advocacy groups that we want, on subjects that we want". "I experienced this personally when I lived in the United States. I saw how libertarian the American media was with concrete experiences," he said, adding that they never managed to print their ads on the Armenian or other issues.

"We were also a nongovernmental organization. We also wanted to express our freedom of thought. But, when it came to hear our voices, their ears went deaf. All the doors were closed. How come they have become so sensitive to a problem inside Turkey?", he added.

[03] 13th day of demonstration in Turkey continue; Ruling AKP to hold two mass rallies in Istanbul and Ankara next week

On the thirteenth day of anti-government demonstrations that have swept across scores of Turkish cities, police intervened to protesters who had gathered in the downtown Kizilay Square on last night.

Also, there were similar scenes overnight in Istanbul's working-class Gazi neighborhood, which saw heavy clashes with police in the 1990s.

The Gezi Park protests which started in reaction to a construction project in Taksim's Gezi Park in Istanbul turned into nation-wide demonstrations against the government. Three persons was killed, dozens more were wounded during clashes with police, while hundreds were arrested.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.06.13) reports that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has decided on June 8 to hold two mass rallies as a response to the protests that spread all across the country over the demolition of Gezi Park at the heart of Istanbul.

Following a meeting of the party's Central Decision and Executive Council (MKYK) in Istanbul on June 8, two "unity and solidarity" rallies have been scheduled next week.

A rally in Ankara will be held on June 15, and another one in Istanbul will take place on June 16. The party executives, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who have reportedly discussed extensively about the events that led the protests to grow, aim to call for unity and also shown their strength during the rallies.

Also, according to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.06.13) thirteen suspects in Turkey's Adana have been sent to court over accusations of provoking riots through their social media posts, according to Do
an news agency.

The suspects were accused of provoking protesters through posts on Twitter and Facebook during the Gezi Park protests in Ankara, and of organizing crowds to cause damage to their surroundings and throw stones at the police forces.

The suspects were detained on June 10 and were sent to court following medical examinations.

Adana locals witnessed police intervention overnight as protesters attempted to march towards the Akkapu district, but faced police opposition on the way. Forces used TOMA vehicles and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

[04] Imrali talks continue without the participation of Deputy Sirri Surreya Onder; Ocalan applauded the Gezi park protests

Two deputies from the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) traveled to the island of 0
mral1
on Friday to meet with the PKK leader as part of ongoing talks aimed at resolving Turkey's long-standing conflict in the southeast. BDP Co-Chairman Selahattin Demirtas and the Deputy Chairwoman of the BDP parliamentary group, Pervin Buldan, set off for 0
mral1
from 0
stanbul.

In the message, read out by Demirtas at a press conference following the delegation's return to 0
stanbul, Ocalan also applauded the protests, against the government's reconstruction plan for Gezi Park in 0
stanbul but warned against attempts by ultranationalists and Ergenekon supporters among the protesters to hijack the demonstrations. Ocalan said he views the Gezi Park protests as meaningful and important. However, he said, democrats, revolutionaries, compatriots and progressive circles should not allow Ergenekon supporters and ultranationalists to dominate or lead the protests.

Speaking to reporters at the press conference, the two BDP members expressed their concerns over the government's possible interference in deciding who will be included in future delegations to 0
mral1
Island.

In response to a question on whether or not BDP Deputy S1
rr1
Sureyya Onder was prevented from joining the delegation by the government because of his leading role in the Taksim protests, Demirtas said in an evasive remark that the government should not interfere in the selection of the party's delegation.

Onder took part in many visits to the island as part of past BDP delegations, but his absence from the latest visit was interpreted by the media as government interference.

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have the final say over who can join the BDP delegation on visits to 0
mral1
Island.

The delegation was the sixth from the BDP to have gone to 0
mral1
to meet with Ocalan as part of the government-sponsored settlement process.

On Saturday, Demirtas said while in the province of Tunceli that Ocalan sends his best wishes to the people of Dersim and that there is a great opportunity for the people's movement in the Middle East, including Kurdish people and all those oppressed in Turkey. Demirtas said that thanks to long years of efforts, the Kurds are now a strong and organized people.

[05] Eroglu on the political ties between Turkey and the occupation regime; He predicted that in ten years there would be two "states" in Cyprus

(?)

Many in the "TRNC" have accused Ankara of meddling in favor of Kucuk, but Eroglu has refrained from any criticism of the Turkish government. This time, however, he openly talked of the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) open support for Kucuk and of "coldness" between him and the AK Party government, which he said was not of his making.

Asked during a meeting with a small group of journalists in his office in occupied Lefkosia at the weekend whether he had the impression that Ankara is behind Kucuk, he said, jokingly: "I have it if you have it," adding: "Yes, it exists. And it was not done secretly anyway."

On tensions between his "presidency" and the AK Party government, he said that official "reports sent to Ankara" appear to contain what his political rivals are saying about him, without elaborating on what these reports may contain.

He has not visited Ankara lately and has not been invited for such a visit in the near future, either. Further indicating tensions, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, who is in charge of "TRNC affairs", did not visit Eroglu during his last visit about two months ago to the "TRNC" and left the island after talks at the "prime ministry".

"Maybe it was a manifestation of his anger," Eroglu said of Atalay's decision not to meet him. "Maybe he was angry because I supported Ahmet Kasif [Kucuk's rival at the UBP convention]. I hope he is no longer angry now."

Eroglu, who was elected "president" in 2010 by defeating Mehmet Ali Talat, said Ankara's discontent with him may stem from his election win or his opposition against Kucuk. He said a publicist in charge of AK Party's election campaigns has worked with Talat, who worked in harmony with the Turkish government during his term, in his election campaign for the 2010 election. That same publicist also worked together with Kucuk during the "UBP convention" and called his cooperation with Kucuk a "revenge" on the "presidential election", according to Eroglu.

The political situation is so delicate that Eroglu avoids accepting invitations to visit from universities in Ankara because he expects political attacks at home if he goes to Ankara and does not meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul.

Underlining his resentment, Eroglu said perhaps he is making a mistake by not traveling to Ankara and lobbying for himself but, being in politics for four decades, he thinks trying to prove his loyalty to Turkey should not have been necessary. "I have been in politics for 40 years, everything I have said and I have done is out here. If Turkey has not understood me by now, it cannot do so from now on. ? Given my age and political standing, I find it inappropriate to fly to Ankara and tell people Eroglu is this and that," he said.

"I have no fight [with the Turkish government] and I do not see a reason to blame myself [for the tension], either," he said. "I was the president of UBP for 19 years. The UBP has raised a youth loyal to Turkey throughout this time."

Referring to the Cyprus problem and the negotiation talks, Eroglu, inter alia said that solution would mean more talks for another 45 years, referring to futile efforts over the past decades to find a compromise formula for Turkish-Greek Cypriot co-existence in the island.

Asked about his projections on Cyprus for 10 years from now, Eroglu predicted that the negotiation process would have been called off and that there would be two states in Cyprus, one recognized internationally and the other recognized only by some states.

[06] Eroglu: "The only thing missing for the two people in Cyprus to live side-to-side is an agreement"

He stated that it could be the last chance that there are two leaders who are seeking a solution for the Cyprus problem and added that generations in Cyprus have changed and therefore and the future generations may not be as patience as us to hold talks for 45 years for the solution of the problem.

He went on and alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side is the side that has continued the negotiations for 45 years, always wanted solution and said yet to the (various) proposals. He also claimed that despite the Turkish Cypriots' good intentions, it was the Greek Cypriot side which became member of the European Union and the Turkish Cypriot side that faces the "embargoes".

"If there is no agreement, by all means we will advocate our stated", he stated.

[07] Eroglu briefs the political parties on the 77-page Downer document

In statements after the meeting, Eroglu said that he briefed the parties on the dinner he had had with President Anastasiades last week as well as on his meetings with Downer and the undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Eroglu described their meeting yesterday as "a good meeting during which meaningful views and proposals came to surface" and added that they would meet again when developments would exist.

The leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), Irsen Kucuk said that the issue which interested them the most was when the negotiations would commence and added that they found out from Eroglu that this could be left for October. He noted that they should discuss whether this 77-page document was the results of the inter-communal talks held in the past or the summary of the events with their positive and negative aspects.

The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG), Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that they have been briefed on the process both by Eroglu and by diplomats whom they met recently and that they shared their views with Eroglu. He noted that the first contact as regards the negotiations seems that could be held in September and added that all sides should prepare well until then. He expressed the view that when the negotiations start the Turkish side should submit proposals and develop initiatives.

Atay Ahmet Rasit, responsible for the Foreign Relations of the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG), alleged that President Anastasiades was exerting efforts to change the ground and the method of the negotiations and claimed that this was an effort to delay the solution. He reiterated the view of his party that the "sovereign political equality" of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey's guarantees is a prerequisite for them. He said that they oppose to every effort "to carry the Turkish Cypriot people back to the pre-1974 period" and within this framework they believe that the issue of occupied fenced Varosha and matters under the chapter of confidence building measures aim at "delaying and deflecting" the process.

The self-styled MP from the same party, Hasan Tacoy argued that instead of proposing the opening of illegal Tymvou airport in return for occupied Varosha, President Anastasiades should appoint a special representative for the negotiations. He alleged that many promises given by the world [to the Turkish Cypriots] had not been fulfilled and reiterated their support to Eroglu in the negotiations.

Finally, Cemal Ozyigit, general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that the Greek Cypriot side had convinced the UN on the issue of the commencement of the negotiations in September-October and criticized the fact that President Anastasiades has not appointed a special representative yet. He added that if there was a special representative some preparations could have been made at the level of special representatives. "On the one hand reference is made to a framework agreement until the end of the year, but we see no serious preparation for this", he argued. Referring to the opening of the port of Famagusta to international trade as a return for the transfer of occupied Varosha to its legal Greek Cypriot owners and afterwards the opening of illegal Tymvou airport for direct flights and the opening of Turkey's ports to Cypriot vessels, Ozyigit described all these developments as "one of the most important touchstones in the solution process".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Izcan says Cypriot property is given away to AKP supporters

Izcan argued that the four parties which are represented in the "assembly", in spite of their minor differences, are the same in their substantial and fundamental policies.

Izcan noted that "public properties" in the occupied area of Cyprus have been given away to supporters of Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), as a result of pressure exerted by the AKP.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkey's MFA reacted against Pope Francis plans to attend 2015 anniversary, in Yerevan; Turkey summoned the Vatican Ambassador to Ankara expressing displeasure

The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement on Saturday reacting to the statement by the Pope calling the Armenian claims of genocide for the 1915 events at the hands of the Ottoman Empire the "first genocide of the 20th century."

"What is required from the papacy is to contribute to world peace under the responsibility of the spiritual post it assumes instead of picking out hostilities from history," the statement said, expressing disappointment over the "one-sided" comments by the pope about an event in the past.

The statement also mentioned that Antonio Lucibello, the Vatican ambassador in Ankara, had been summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Friday, during which the Turkish side expressed its displeasure over the statement, calling the pope's remarks last week "unacceptable." "The importance of the Vatican avoiding taking steps that could irreparably affect our bilateral relations was emphasized," the statement also said, mentioning the foreign ministry's message to Lucibello.

"The first genocide of the 20th century was that of the Armenians," Pope Francis was quoted as saying during his meeting with three Armenian religious functionaries who visited him at Vatican on June 3.

Meanwhile, during an official opening ceremony of the Armenian embassy in the Vatican last week, Pope Francis also stated that he wants to hold a religious ceremony in Yerevan during the 2015 ceremony, which would mark the 100th anniversary of the so-called "genocide."

The Pope's view on the 1915 events was already known before as he had said the killings of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire as the "gravest crime of Ottoman Turkey" in 2006 while he was a cardinal in Argentina.

"The pope's statements are one-sided," said a Turkish official, who declined to be named, speaking to Today's Zaman. "It is not the papacy's authority to state an opinion on the Armenian claims of genocide, which should actually be commented on by historians and lawyers after examining the historic facts," the official said.

The official stated that no discussion has yet been made on whether the Pope's expected visit to the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul would be rejected after his remarks. Pope Francis, who assumed his post in March this year, is expected to meet with the Fener Patriarch as part of a traditional visit, just as his predecessors have done in the past.

[10] The breakaway regime has no idea about the number of "citizenships" it granted

The paper citing information writes that the "government" of Irsen Kucuk has granted the "TRNC citizenship" to 7.500 persons since it came to power on May 2010. The paper also notes that Kucuk granted the "TRNC citizenship" to 520 persons last May.

Commenting on the issue, Cavusoglu said that the citizenship was granted to those who applied and met the criteria. "I do not know to how many persons citizenship was distributed", he said.

[11] Turkish settlers living at occupied Gaidouras village want a mosque

According to Kibris, the settlers complained that they pray in a church and demanded the construction of a mosque in the village. They also expect the distribution of around 100 plots of land in order to build houses outside the village.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Three opposition parties in occupied Cyprus agreed on principles for the establishment of "interim government" until the so-called elections

The National Unity Party (UBP) did not participate in the meeting.

According to Kibris Postasi the three parties gave a signal that they reached an agreement on the issue. The chairman of CTP Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that they agreed on principles and that they will meet again tomorrow to determine the name of the person who will act as the interim prime minister.

The chairman of DP Serdar Denktas said that they did not discuss any names today but they met with good intentions.

The chairman of the TDP Mehmet Cakici criticized UBP for not participating in the meeting and added that the three parties will meet again tomorrow morning.

[13] "Karpaz Gate Marina" opens in occupied Gialousa

The CEO of the marina and representative of the partners, Liza Singer recalled that they had started the construction of the marina eight years ago and that when they were looking at the map then the "coast of the whole country", as she described the occupied Cypriot coasts, seemed like a military zone. She argued that after long-lasting efforts they achieved to turn the coasts of the occupied northern part of Cyprus into a free zone for the yachts and to rearrange the maps.

(I/Ts.)

[14] Two Turkish energy firms to export electricity to northern Iraq

The deal, which was signed between the companies and northern Iraq's semi-autonomous government in Erbil, would see Kartet supply 200 megawatts (MW) a year to northern Iraq, while Akas was given the right to export 1 billion kilowatt hours of power (Kwh) annually to the region.

The export deal is part of a broader energy partnership between Turkey and northern Iraq that has increasingly angered Iraq's central government in Baghdad. This year, Erbil began exporting crude oil to Turkey by truck, a deal which earned a harsh rebuke from Baghdad. Baghdad has also criticized Erbil for signing an energy agreement with companies independently of the Iraqi capital. Often those deals have been made for territories that are disputed between Erbil and Baghdad.

Kartet supplied electricity to border towns in Iraq up until 2008 when payment issues and security concerns led the company to stop its exports. The EDPK's decision is the first go-ahead from Ankara on energy exports and comes after Iraq's long civil war left much of the country bereft of dependable power and woefully under-invested. Kartet said last month that its electricity exports could help about 1 million Iraqis obtain access to power.

[15] Unemployment in occupied Cyprus increased 18,5% during the first three months of 2013

The paper writes that the numbers of unemployed persons is 1.153.

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

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