Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-06-19

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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] Erk opposes to the appointment of negotiators in the Cyprus talks and to the discussion of Varosha prior to the comprehensive solution

[02] Talat says who the Greek Cypriot negotiator will be is not important

[03] The crisis within the DP-UG is assessed

[04] "Standing people" in occupied Cyprus support "standing man" demonstration in Turkey

[05] "Standing man" protest spreads across Turkey; reporters were detained

[06] Gul: Social media regulation must conform to EU norms

[07] UNSG calls for restraint for second time since start of Gezi protests

[08] Erdogan vows to increase police force

[09] Kilicdaroglu challenges AKP government to bring the police or troops

[10] Bahceli: The possibility of setting a trap for Erdo
an is very high

[11] Demirtas: Kurdish peace process is about to come to deadlock

[12] Germany and Netherland block opening of new chapter in Turkey's EU talks

[13] Taksim tension with the EU hits planned meetings

[14] Erdogan met with Hamas leader

[15] A pro-Erdogan rally in Cairo

[16] Key suspect of Hrant Dink murder case arrested

[17] Turkey looks to realize its huge shale gas potential

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erk opposes to the appointment of negotiators in the Cyprus talks and to the discussion of Varosha prior to the comprehensive solution

In a written statement issued yesterday, Erk alleged that as Turkish Cypriot side, they want the commencement of the negotiations at the level of the leaders with the aim of reaching a solution the soonest and added that "all sides concerned should know that we oppose to any kind of action and arrangement that would prolong the solution process".

Referring to the issue of the occupied fenced city of Varosha and proposals which relate its return with the opening of illegal Tumvou airport, Erk claimed: "It is necessary to once more underline that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution and it is not possible for it to be discussed outside of the comprehensive solution".

Erk alleged that bargaining for the opening of illegal Tymvou as a return for Varosha is "untimely", because the opening of the illegal airport is allegedly an international obligation, which should be "urgently" materialized independently from the negotiating process, as it is a so-called promise made by the international community to the Turkish Cypriots in 2004.

Erk claimed, having as starting point the so-called reality, that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution, choosing and sorting out some elements from a whole would be an approach that damages and prolongs the process, and makes the establishment of a whole impossible.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat says who the Greek Cypriot negotiator will be is not important

Noting that the Cyprus negotiations could recommence in October, Talat alleged that the Greek Cypriot press "instigates war" and that the media in the government-controlled area of Cyprus is generally "against peace". "Within this context, no one should be surprised that they declared Downer as persona non grata", he claimed.

Talat described as "instigating" views expressed by the Greek Cypriot side that the Greek Cypriots want to meet directly with Turkey and alleged that this approach "contributes to those who do not want a solution and it is an unacceptable instigating approach for those who want a solution".

Talat alleged that the Cyprus problem does not derive from the presence of the Turkish occupation army on the island and claimed that the existence of the Turkish army in Cyprus derives from the Cyprus problem. "The Cyprus problem will be discussed and solved between the sides on the island. Let the Greek Cypriot side not try to show as reality the world of its dreams", he alleged.

Referring to the Gezi Park incidents in Istanbul, Talat said that it was proved once more that nothing could be done without the people and described as "saddening" the use of force. Talat noted that it is not correct to reject criticism that comes from international institutions such as the European Parliament.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The crisis within the DP-UG is assessed

According to Kibris, the aim of these efforts is to avoid any influence of this crisis on the "vote of confidence" to the self-styled government which is expected to be held at the "assembly" this weekend. Twenty six "votes" are needed for the "government" to secure this "vote of confidence". The "coalition partners" have 27 "MPs" at the moment and if only Aslanbaba does not support the "government", the "vote of confidence" will be secured.

Ahmet Kasif, who is considered the leader of the "MPs" that abandoned the National Unity Party (UBP) joined DP-UG, said that they are trying to overcome this difficulty. He noted that they have been acting together with Aslanbaba and because of this a problem exists now on the issue of his candidacy. He said that they will evaluate the issue with Serdar Denktas, chairman of the DP-UG. Noting that there is no problem with his other colleagues [who joined the DP-UG after abandoning the UBP], Kasif said that they started this course together with Aslanbaba and they want to continue together.

Serdar Denktas told Kibris that he is not the one who decided not to accept Aslanbaba's candidature. He noted that this was decided by the delegates and the members of the party, adding that all of them should respect this decision.

On the other hand, self-styled prime minister, Sibel Siber told Kibris that she does not follow the developments within the DP-UG, adding that she would respect any decision to be taken during the "vote of confidence". Siber had lunch yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, who expressed his readiness to exchange views with her as well as to help and support her "government".

Finally, Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the other "coalition partner", the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said he did not want to comment on this "speculative information".

(I/Ts.)

[04] "Standing people" in occupied Cyprus support "standing man" demonstration in Turkey

(I/Ts.)

[05] "Standing man" protest spreads across Turkey; reporters were detained

G?rb?z, who was detained for a short period of time last night, was not back at the square but a mannequin was placed on the square to symbolically represent him. He was dubbed the "standing man" (duran adam) and reports on his solo act of civil disobedience had quickly spread on social media. Many people from other cities also joined the new protest wave, such as at Ku
ulu Park in Ankara.

Earlier, the Turkish Interior Minister Muammer G?ler had assured that the protest would not be subject to an intervention unless it began to constitute a menace against public order.

Meanwhile, as the security forces did not allow the public to enter Gezi Park, many people gathered in small parks all across Istanbul holding forums of discussion in the evening.

Yo
urt?u Park in Kad1
k?y's Moda neighborhood and Abbasa
a Park in Be
ikta
became the rally point of many citizens. The future of the protests was discussed in the forums that continued until late at night. Daily H?rriyet reported that a crowd of hundreds of people in the Abbasa
a Park made a silent demonstration standing still and without talking for minutes.

The protests over the demolition attempt of Gezi Park have entered its fourth after another massive police crackdown on the week-end that sparked huge outcry among the demonstrators. The security officers have not let anybody enter the park since.

Moreover, the paper reports that the Union of Turkish Bar Associations head Metin Feyzio
lu also declared that the standing man's act was not a crime according to the Turkish Criminal Code.

Though the detention of a man who stands still on pavement would have a provision in the Turkish Criminal Code, the policeman would at least be guilty of "malpractice" or "restricting freedom."

" Standing' does not constitute a crime by any means," he said, adding that there was no stance more democratic than this. "Humanity cannot find a more democratic type of protest," he said.

People across the country were quick to pick up the new protest, and hundreds of photos showing people standing still have been shared so far.

The protest spread across the country hours after G?nd?z's launch.

Meanwhile, HDN (19.06.13), under the title "'Alternative media' new target of Gezi operation", reports that some reporters working for ?zg?r Radio, Etkin news agency and daily At1
l1
m were detained as part of operations launched against Gezi Park demonstrations.

The Progressive Journalists Association (?GD) announced that at least eight journalists had been detained and many more had been exposed to police violence.

"As a part of this, general editorial coordinator Sedat ^
eno
lu of daily At1
l1
m and Selvi Co
ar of ?zg?r Radio were taken into custody after having their residences raided. It has been learned that the residences of the news editor of Etkin news agency, Derya Okatan, and ETHA editor and ANF reporter Arzu Demir were also raided," ?GD's announcement read.

?zg?r Radio news editor ?nder ?mer confirmed the announcement. "The Interior Ministry called the detained journalists terrorists. We journalists are not terrorists, we only struggle for the people's right to learn news," ?mer said.

?mer also mentioned the problem of the yellow press card, referring to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an's previous statements that most of the arrested journalists did not have a yellow press card last year. "A yellow press card cannot determine who is a journalist and who is not. Also, many journalists work without insurance. How can they obtain a press card?" he said. Yellow press cards, which are the state-issued official certifications for journalists, are provided by the Prime Ministry.

Meanwhile, 0
M? TV reporter G?khan Bi?ici was released yesterday after being detained on June 16. 0
M? TV news editor Hamza Aktan said his colleague had said Bi?ici was exposed to violence even though he had a press ID, adding that reporters aside from those in the mainstream media were always subjected to discrimination. Photographs of police officers harshly carrying Bi?ici were published on the media.

"In 2013, is the prime minister still the one who determines who is journalist? So, how could you follow freelance journalists and the share of citizens in such a process when the news spreads rapidly?" Aktan asked.

?mer said there had been unlawful practices with regard to the detainments of journalists. "There is no data on the locations of the detained ones," he said, adding that those having yellow press cards were also detained.

Also, daily Birg?n's news editor, 0
brahim Varl1
, said they were worried about the possibility that the pressure on alternative media employees could be more intense after the recent incidents. "They cannot tolerate the reporting of the facts and the alternative press," Varl1
said.

[06] Gul: Social media regulation must conform to EU norms

President Abdullah G?l has stressed that any planned regulation on social media should conform with European Union jurisdiction, while also expressing that Turkey's reformist spirit, inspired by its membership bid to the EU, should be kept alive.

Speaking to reporters yesterday at a reception hosted at the presidency on the occasion of the launch of the Project of Great Seljuk Heritage, G?l recalled remarks by Interior Minister Muammer G?ler, who said a study was being conducted in order to restrict social media in response to the ongoing Gezi Park protests.

G?l noted that he had no certain information on the government's plans concerning the issue. "For sure, these [regulations] should never lag behind the jurisdiction of European law in developed democracies, which we are aspiring to. Our criteria, our standards on this issue, our democratic legal standards; we are still making a lot of reforms. I'm sure that it [launching of reforms] will be restarted," G?l was quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency. "I do also believe that it should be restarted."

"In every field, including the economy, politics and law, we have to keep the reform process alive," he said, adding that a "reformist approach" should guide actions such as regulating social media.

Gul: The planned project in Gezi Park is suspended

In clearer remarks, G?l warned that Turkey's image, which had been built up over the course of 10 years, could be destroyed in a week, calling on the Gezi Park protesters to end their street demonstrations.

"You make efforts to create this image [of Turkey] over 10 years, but you can destroy it in a week," G?l said.

"It was important to listen to the objections to [projects in] the park. It was very important to open a dialogue. You have seen that the meetings took place and [the protesters] were listened to. The planned project [in Gezi Park] is suspended. It is clear that the messages were paid attention to," he added.

The President was also reminded of reactions against the government's choice for officially naming the third bridge to be built over the Bosporus after Ottoman sultan "Yavuz Sultan Selim." Selim is known in English as "Selim the Grim," and is sultan notorious for the mass slaughter of Alevis.

Declining to comment on whether the bridge's name could be changed, G?l expressed his concern over the Alevi people's sensitivity over the issue, adding that any large upcoming project could be named after 13th century Alevi mystic Hac1
Bekta
Veli in a move to heal this sensitivity.

[07] UNSG calls for restraint for second time since start of Gezi protests

[08] Erdogan vows to increase police force

"Within the authority the law provides, from now on, our police will not overlook any lawlessness; will continue to fulfil its duty. We will further strengthen our police. We will strengthen further in every way. So that we will increase the intervention power against these events," Erdo
an said on June 18 in a speech at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group meeting,

Regarding the widespread criticism of the police's vast use of tear gas, Erdo
an responded, "It is their most inherent right, they will. You will see that in the EU acquis communautaire. When you do not obey, the police use this authority."

Erdo
an took a step further in siding with the police. "What did they do? Did they shoot bullets? Use bullets? No," adding that the accusations of police violence were unfounded.

He also said they would be inquiring into who was behind the Gezi protests, arguing that it was all a massive conspiracy, prepared very professionally in collaboration with social media, companies, the interest rate lobby, media and some "internal traitors and external collaborators." He added that their true colors had now been revealed.

"It was prepared very professionally," Erdo
an said. "Social media was prepared for this, made equipped. The strongest advertising companies of our country, certain capital groups, the interest rate lobby, organizations on the inside and outside, hubs, they were ready, equipped for this."

Erdo
an slammed the opposition, saying they are hiding behind vandals' backs since they fell short on opposing within Parliament. Amid particularly slamming the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Erdo
an was harsh regarding the party's leader, Kemal K1
l1
?daro
lu, arguing that he was not worthy to fill the post. Erdo
an accused K1
l1
?daro
lu of acting like the head of a terrorist organization by calling on the police not to obey orders.

"From the public poll we have conducted, we have seen that those involved in Gezi Park events voted for the CHP by 76 percent and are their followers; 16 percent are from the BDP [Peace and Democracy Party]; 1.2 percent are from the AKP and 1.2 percent are from the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party]. This is the picture," Erdo
an said, adding the CHP was involved in the protests.

Erdo
an also spoke about his power showdown at his two recent rallies. "Have those who continuously ask us whether we got the people's message taken the message of hundreds of thousands in Sincan and over 1 million people in Kazl1
?e
me?"

Erdo
an did not skip slamming the labour organizations that went on a strike on June 17 to protest against the police violence over the previous weekend in Gezi Park, arguing that the strike was "unlawful." He once again implicitly pointed at Mehmet Ali Alabora, an actor who has openly supported the protests and been criticized repeatedly by the Prime Minister.

Erdo
an also said that those who promised him to evacuate the Gezi Park in negotiation talks, referring to two delegations he met in order to settle the unrest, did not keep their promise.

[09] Kilicdaroglu challenges AKP government to bring the police or troops

"They are continually reinforcing the police. They are also saying that they could bring on the soldiers. Come either with your police or troops or with your pro-government circles. But we have to listen to whoever is demanding freedom in this country," Kemal K1
l1
?daro
lu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) said in his address to his party members in the Parliament. "You are the Prime Minister. You have to work to make people live and not to be killed. Could there be reinforcement forces for death?" he asked, calling on Erdo
an to stop polarizing and dividing the society. Those who attack the youth with the state's police and military force are the cowards of this country, K1
l1
?daro
lu added.

At last, the world has seen the "Turkish reality" over the Gezi Park incidents, according to K1
l1
?daro
lu, who said, "The eyes of the world are opened now. They saw the reality of Turkey. We told them about the pressure, that intellectuals and journalists are behind bars. They did not believe us." The world has seen the new Turkey under Erdo
an's rule and this has degraded not the credibility of Turkey but of the Prime Minister, said K1
l1
?daro
lu. "He is sociologist, psychologist, gynaecologist, astronaut... he knows everything. He also has expertise on a very important issue, he is a ventriloquist. If he would get one more point in the elections, he would become an aircraft engineer," he added.

[10] Bahceli: The possibility of setting a trap for Erdo
an is very high

"If some anonymous people are easily able to fly various and big flags and posters at a point which is very close to the platform where the Prime Minister is delivering his speech at the AKP's [the ruling Justice and Development Party] outdoor meeting, then the situation is serious," Bah?eli said, warning that in this case, "the possibility of setting a trap for the Prime Minister Erdo
an is very high."

"That's to say, if the anonymous people carrying posters, the hired flag carriers sneaked in right next to the Prime Minister by going beyond the security chamber, then red blooded conspirators will also be able to do it easily as well," Bah?eli said, speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his party.

The MHP leader noted that they would take legal action into the unfurling of the party's flag at the Justice and Development Party (AKP) rally in Ankara over the weekend.

"It shouldn't be disregarded that the people standing next to the Prime Minister, gathering around him and standing within arm's length have been seeking opportunity with bad intentions," Bah?eli said, without further elaborating.

"Are the ones, who are making a political tool out of the hanging of Menderes and the poisoning of ?zal preparing a setup for Erdo
an step by step in order to have him shot?" he asked.

[11] Demirtas: Kurdish peace process is about to come to deadlock

Demirtas noted also that the faith of their members to this process is being reduced and added: "If the party members who are in prison are not taken into consideration, if there are no democratic steps, we are also not there..."

Criticizing the use of brutal force by the police during the Gazi Park incidents, Demirtas referred also to the stance of Diyarbakir's attorney general's office during the interrogation for Roboski case, which concerns the death of 34 persons as a result of bombing by war planes. Criticizing the decision of the Diyarbakir's attorney general that this case goes beyond the area of its jurisdiction, Demirtas said that everyone, from the Prime Minister to the military commander, are responsible for this crime.

Replying to Erdogan's call on the opposition to "meet" him at the ballot box, Demirtas addressed to Erdogan and said: "Lift the threshold and let us meet there. You exert pressure on our party. You take aid from the treasury. Are you trying to deceive a child?"

(I/Ts.)

[12] Germany and Netherland block opening of new chapter in Turkey's EU talks

At a technical meeting of the member countries in Brussels, 25 of the 27 countries adopted a common position to open the negotiation chapter on "regional policy and coordination of structural instruments" on June 26, while Germany and the Netherlands opposed it.

EU sources close to the meeting said that the two states followed "the wait and see strategy" and evaluate the developments in Turkey to define their position.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) of the EU ambassadors will meet on Wednesday to talk about the opening of the new chapter.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 18.06.13) reports that Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives have rejected Turkish membership in the European Union in their German election programme, saying the country would "overburden" the bloc because of its size and economy.

[13] Taksim tension with the EU hits planned meetings

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin canceled his trip to Brussels on Wednesday, where he was set to participate in a conference on freedom of expression and media in the Western Balkans and Turkey.

The delegation from the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs also had to postpone its visit scheduled for this week as it could not secure any appointments from government officials.

Meanwhile, the European Union is set to decide this week whether to delay accession talks with Turkey. Negotiations on one chapter were expected to be opened by the end of this month, but Germany is trying to convince other members to postpone the meeting in a response to Ankara's crackdown on mass demonstrations, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. In order to avoid further confrontation with Ankara, technical difficulties could be shown as a reason for the delay.

The Turkish government has started working on what measures to take if the EU were to decide to postpone the meeting, the H?rriyet Daily News has learned. One possible reaction could be the postponement of a Turkey-EU joint parliamentary commission meeting that was supposed to take place on June 26.

The visit by the Committee on Foreign Affairs was scheduled long before the Gezi Park protests. But the members could only get appointments from the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

While the visit has been cancelled, H?l?ne Flautre, who was supposed to be in the delegation as the chair of EU-Turkey mixed parliamentary commission, decided to come to Turkey. She is expected to meet Istanbul Governor H?seyin Avni Mutlu.

[14] Erdogan met with Hamas leader

Israel's Jerusalem policies were expected to top the agenda of the meeting, according to Hamas' International Relations official Usame Hamdan. Hamdan also said the construction of Israeli settlements and Israel's "imposition policies" aimed at the Palestinian economy would also be discussed during the meeting. Another topic to be discussed was the gap still existing between the two main Palestinian representatives, Hamas and Fatah, he added.

"Turkey's role in the Middle East and the world is crucial," Hamdan told Anatolia news agency.

Erdo
an's upcoming visit to Gaza was also expected to be discussed with the visiting Palestinian officials. The Turkish Prime Minister had repeatedly expressed his intention to go to Gaza in May, but had to postpone it for his critical visit to Washington DC on May 16.

There is still no fixed date for his planned visit to Gaza, with Turkish officials expressing their intention to realize the visit after reconciliation is achieved between Hamas and Fatah.

[15] A pro-Erdogan rally in Cairo

Gathering before the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, Egyptians voiced their trust in Turkish PM Erdogan and his government upon Taksim Gezi Park incidents, unfurling Turkish and Egyptian flags.

Demonstrators also hold banners that read in Turkish "Egyptian people thank Turkey for standing beside us in the reconstruction of Egypt after the revolution," "Thanks Erdogan" and "Erdogan-Morsi are brothers."

Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Ihab Najib said that Turkey had become a regional and international power thanks to Erdogan's and Turkish people's "great achievements."

Najib pointed out that Taksim Gezi Park incidents were not the same as those prior to the Egyptian revolution, saying, "we respect peaceful demonstrations but we made the Egyptian revolution to make Egypt like Turkey, even better than Turkey."

They also chanted slogans like "Greetings to Erdogan", "Egypt-Turkey hand in hand", "Does the attack target Erdogan or Islam?"

[16] Key suspect of Hrant Dink murder case arrested

Ersin Yolcu's arrest was carried out after the Supreme Court reversed the judgment on his release from jail. Yolcu is now again being held in Trabzon's Bah?e?ik prison, pending the second trial.

[17] Turkey looks to realize its huge shale gas potential

"Many have said there is huge potential of shale gas reserves in Turkey, specifically in the Central Anatolian cities of Ankara, Konya and Nev
ehir, although it is not feasible to give accurate figures about the reserves before the completion of our exploration activities. We have already undertaken a series of shale gas exploration activities around Turkey, for example we have been drilling below 3,000 meters with Shell in the eastern city of Diyarbak1
r, and planning such activities in the Thrace Basin," Turkish Energy Minister Taner Y1
ld1
z said yesterday during the share and operations transfer ceremony of the 600 megawatt (MW) Seyit?mer thermal power plant.

Shell and Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) began exploring for shale gas in the eastern province of Diyarbak1
r's Sar1
bu
day-1 natural gas field in September 2012.

The Southeast Anatolia Basin in southern Turkey and the Thrace Basin in western Turkey have active shale oil and gas exploration underway by TPAO and several international companies, according to the latest report by the U.S.-based Energy Information Agency (EIA), as reported by daily H?rriyet. There may also be shale gas resources in the Sivas and Salt Lake basins. However, only limited reservoir data are available for these two lightly explored basins, the report said.

The EIA estimated that the Dada
Shale in the Southeast Anatolian Basin and the Hamitabat Shale in the Thrace Basin contain 163 trillion cubic feet (tcf) (4.6 trillion cubic meters) of risked shale gas in-place, with 24 tcf (651 bcm) as the risked, technically recoverable shale gas resource. In addition, they estimate that these two shale basins also contain 94 billion barrels of risked shale oil in-place, with 4.7 billion barrels as the risked, technically recoverable shale oil resource. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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