Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-09

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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] Self-styled government reads its 50-page program at the "assembly"; What are the targets on the Cyprus problem

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily argues that the occupied fenced city of Varosha is expected to be returned by the end of the year

[03] The population in the occupied area of Cyprus increased by 11% within six years

[04] Nuremberg municipality reportedly establishing contacts with occupied Lefkosia municipality

[05] FYROM Saray municipality is participating in carob festival held in occupied Akanthou village

[06] Erdogan: Turkey willing to make ideal contribution for peace

[07] Main opposition leader slams Turkish PM over Syria

[08] Turkey sends more reinforcements to Syrian border, builds military base

[09] Survey: Majority of Turks against Syria intervention

[10] Erdogan said "disappointed" over IOC's decision

[11] Turkey police intervened in a group of protesters in Ankara

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Self-styled government reads its 50-page program at the "assembly"; What are the targets on the Cyprus problem

They said that their "basic vision is to create a sustainable economic and social structure" and noted that "the Turkish Cypriots' taking the decisions which concern them and their country by using their free will, is considered as primary condition of democracy for the government".

Some of the main points of the program are: submitting the amendments of the "constitution", upon which agreement will be reached, to "referendum" together with the "local elections" in June 2014, limiting the "legislative immunity", turning the "country into a single election area", lifting the ban on the "civil servants" for participating in politics, bringing an obligation to the "MPs" who resign from their parties to remain independent until the next "elections", making autonomous strategic "institutions" such as the electricity and the telecommunication "authorities", launching efforts to establish a new "airline" based on private-public partnership and establishing a reform group at "ministerial level" for the harmonization with the EU and the reform in the "public" administration.

Noting that it attaches great importance to the relations with Turkey and the EU, the program said that they would do whatever is necessary for the development and implementation of the Financial Aid Regulation, the development of the Green Line Regulation, the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation, the preparation of regulations which will secure free trade between the EU and the Turkish Cypriots, the development of their relations with the countries that are members of the Islamic Organization and other countries except for EU-member countries and establishing direct relations with all the countries of the area in the fields of economy, culture and sports.

Referring to the Cyprus problem and the foreign policy, the program said that they will follow a proactive policy aiming at "being united with the world so that the Turkish Cypriots to be able to make their voice heard in the world, their just demands and expectations to be correctly understood by the international community and take the place they deserve in the international field". The program noted that the "government" will follow a "constructive and productive" policy supporting the negotiating process held under the UN umbrella on the Cyprus problem and make every effort for reaching the target of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal solution based on political equality.

Noting that the "government" will be in close consultation with Turkey as regards the policies that will be followed in the negotiations, the program said that they will follow "an active policy in the direction of reaching a federal agreement which includes the equal sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot people, their political equality and the continuation of the guarantees".

"In case the negotiating process, which cannot continue being open ended, does not reach a positive result in spite of all our effort and good will, our government, which believes that the international community should make a new evaluation of the situation together with the two sides on the island, will mobilize all its possibilities for the Turkish Cypriots being united with the world", noted the program, adding that they will hold intensive contacts with representatives of foreign countries and institutions both inside and outside Cyprus, with the aim of lifting the so-called isolations. The program also said that they will intensify their efforts at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Council, the Islamic countries and the Turkic Republics.

The program noted that they will establish a new mechanism for granting the "citizenship" of the regime and, inter alia, secure a quota which will be determined for every year taking into account the "normal increase of population". It also said that they will give the right of applying for getting a "white identity card" to those who live in the occupied area for a period longer than five years. The holders of "white identity card", who live in the occupied area for a continuous period longer than five years, will have the right to apply for the "citizenship".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (07.09.13) referred to the issue under the title "Promise for radical reforms" and noted that the program of the CTP-DP "government" included the abolition of "temporary article 10 of the constitution", which regulates who has the power on security issues as regards defense and cooperation. The program also provides that the administration of the "central bank" will be appointed by the "competent authorities" of the "TRNC", the commanders of the so-called security forces and the "civil defense organization" will be "citizens" of the "TRNC" and the "police" will be bound to "civilian authority".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily argues that the occupied fenced city of Varosha is expected to be returned by the end of the year

"After an instruction from the USA to Turkey and from Turkey to Cyprus, the Turkish side started to prepare itself for the return of Varosha", claims Afrika adding that "Eroglu, who has informed his close circle regarding the issue, is in the mood of 'let us snatch whatever we can'".

The paper writes, inter alia, the following: "The return of Varosha will be the issue which will be urgently discussed at the very beginning of the negotiations that are expected to begin in October. The words of those who say that 'Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution' were left in suspense. The target is to reach a comprehensive solution through a step by step resolution of the various aspects. Just like it could contribute to the comprehensive solution, the opening of Varosha will be useful for the revival of the economy of both sides which are in crisis".

Afrika comments on the issue in its column "Letter from Afrika" under the title "Varosha is being opened on conditions like the convicted who is set free on conditions".

(I/Ts.)

[03] The population in the occupied area of Cyprus increased by 11% within six years

The biggest increase was observed in occupied Keryneia, where the population increased by 19.4%, as from 57.902 in 2006 it reached 69.163 in 2011. The following increase was observed in the population in the other occupied districts: occupied Nicosia 11.8% (84.776 in 2006 and 94.824 in 2011), occupied Famagusta 9.6% (63.603 in 2006 and 69.741 in 2011), occupied Morfou 2.6% (29.264 in 2006 and 30.037 in 2011) and occupied Trikomo 6.6% (21.099 in 2006 and 22.492 in 2011).

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nuremberg municipality reportedly establishing contacts with occupied Lefkosia municipality

Dr Norbert Schurgers, foreign relations director of Nuremberg municipality, who illegally visited occupied Cyprus last year for the opera days, is visiting again the breakaway regime these days and met with the "Lefkosia Mayor", Kadri Fellahoglu.

According to the paper, during the meeting Schurgers suggested the establishment of a good cooperation between his municipality and "Lefkosia municipality". Schurgers also stated that his municipality is sister city with Antalya municipality and therefore they are not strangers to the Turkish culture. On his part, Fellahoglu said that the basis for further cooperation was set during their meeting.

[05] FYROM Saray municipality is participating in carob festival held in occupied Akanthou village

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu said that he is very happy for the launching of cooperation between Akanthou "municipality" and Saray municipality, adding that this will be beneficial for the two "countries' .

[06] Erdogan: Turkey willing to make ideal contribution for peace

In statements during a press conference, Erdogan said that the world could not ignore the chemical attack in Syria which killed hundreds of people.

"It is clearly impossible for whoever is a mother or father to forget the lifeless bodies of little children. But those who do not appreciate the compassion that a mother or father feels, turn a blind eye to such graphic scenes. If there are still politicians, both in Turkey and around the world, who can ignore the situation (in Syria), it is a reflection of their share in human compassion," Erdogan said.

Regarding Turkey's role in a possible military operation in Syria, Erdogan said: "We would strive for the ideal contribution that Turkey can make in a process intended to achieve peace."

[07] Main opposition leader slams Turkish PM over Syria

K1
l1
cdaroglu said no leader on Turkey's soil had stated the will to be part of an intervention against a Muslim country since the first crusade.

"Look at the history of 900 years. No leader has used this sentence since the first crusade - the sentence in which he [Erdogan] said that they were ready to launch a military attack against a neighbouring Muslim country," the CHP leader said, addressing his party assembly on Sept. 8.

The criticism came after Erdogan said last week that Turkey was ready to participate in an international coalition led by the U.S. against Syria over alleged use chemical agents on civilians by the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Such statements go beyond "willing to be a contactor" and have nothing to do with moral, religious or national values, K1
l1
cdaroglu said, criticizing the Prime Minister for "lacking principles."

"Saying,  I'm ready for any coalition' really means,  I'm ready to be a triggerman,'" said K1
l1
cdaroglu. He stated that Erdogan owed an apology to the Turkish people and accused the government of forming policy "based on hate and revenge."

Meanwhile, citing a recent report by the Journalist's Association of Turkey, the CHP head also touched on the issue of journalists fired due to pressure by the government.

"Who is the biggest media boss?" he said, referring to Prime Minister Erdogan and accusing him of "deciding who will be fired, appointing chief editors, and seizing media groups."

[08] Turkey sends more reinforcements to Syrian border, builds military base

The Turkish military dispatched additional units to Suruc, in the southern province of Sanliurfa, on Saturday. Semi-trailer trucks loaded with armoured vehicles and tanks were sent at midday from a command post in Gaziantep, and the Tugay military division in Sanliurfa was relocated to the nearby village of Mursitp1
nar, which borders Syria.

Last week other military convoys travelled to the southern provinces of Kilis and Hatay, also bordering Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkey has begun constructing a military base on Kel Dagi, a hill in Hatay facing Syria's western province of Latakia, to house the military units that have been transported to the border district of Yayladagi. The military base, which includes infantry accommodation, is situated close to the town of Ras al-Basit, a coastal city of Latakia, where Syrian air defences shot down a Turkish aircraft last year. This incident forced Ankara to take a tougher stance against Damascus, although relations with its once-close ally were already worsening since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad broke out in March 2011.

Coast guard boats off the shore of Hatay's Samandag district, the place where the explosives used in the Syria-linked Reyhanli blast that killed 53 and injured many in May were initially transported, keep a sharp outlook for the country's naval security.

Over the weekend, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) also stationed anti-missile defence systems, including radar equipment, in a police station in the Ceylanpinar area of Sanliurfa to protect against Syrian threats.

The anti-missile defence system and radar were reportedly posted on the border to counter the threat caused by continuing clashes between the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a Syrian political offshoot of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and the al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front. These defense systems monitor the Syrian border 24 hours a day.

Turkey scrambles F-16s over Syrian threat

Turkey has scrambled F-16 jets after "movements" were reportedly spotted on the Turkish-Syrian border.

It was not immediately clear whether there was an unusual aerial movement near the Turkish-Syrian border. Turkey's private Ihlas news agency reported that the Turkish jets are fully armed and have been ordered to fire if Turkish airspace is violated.

The report noted that a number of Turkish jets took off from Diyarbak1
r air base in southeastern Turkey and headed towards the Syrian border on a reconnaissance mission.

On Saturday night a mortar shell landed close to the Turkish-Syrian border, near Reyhanli in Hatay. The mortar round fell by the Syrian border gate of Bab al-Hawa, opposite the Turkish border gate of Cilvegozu in Reyhanli, leaving many injured. After the incident, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and emergency teams moved to the scene. The injured victims were taken to the Reyhanli State Hospital, according to the Ihlas news agency. Panic ensued among residents of Reyhanli, causing people to pour towards the Cilvegozu border gate, where security measures have been tightened and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

[09] Survey: Majority of Turks against Syria intervention

In Turkey, 72% of respondents to the Transatlantic Trends 2013 survey, which was conducted by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), said their country should stay out of Syria, up 15% points from last year, while only 21% ? down 11% points ? favoured intervention.

The respondents were told that there had recently been discussion about intervening in Syria, where the government has been using military force to suppress an opposition movement. They were then asked whether their government should stay out completely or intervene.

Apart from Turkey, 11 European Union member states were surveyed: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as the United States. Polling was conducted between June 3 and June 27.

In a separate question on recent developments in North Africa and the Middle East, respondents to the survey were asked to choose between two propositions: "stability is more important even if it means accepting non-democratic governments" and "democracy is more important even if it leads to a period of instability." A majority in Europe, 58%, and a plurality in the United States, 47%, preferred democracy over stability.

A majority of Turkish respondents, 57%, preferred democracy in North Africa and the Middle East, 25% said they preferred stability, while 18% said they did not know or refused to answer.

[10] Erdogan said "disappointed" over IOC's decision

Speaking after the International Olympics Committee (IOC) members voted for Tokyo to host 2020 Olympics, Erdogan stated that the IOC decision to choose Tokyo over Istanbul, reminded him of its previous decisions for Athens and London.

"I have been disappointed that a country, which had hosted the Olympics before, has been elected," he said.

He noted that Turkey, with its Istanbul 2020 bid via the motto "Bridge Together", hoped for "something different" at this time in the voting for 2020 Olympics.

"Istanbul is a city where different cultures and civilizations meet, connecting the continents of Asia and Europe. With several investment projects, due within the framework of the 7-year program, the existing investments in Istanbul, both as infrastructure and superstructure, were far enough to meet the requirements of hosting the Olympics," he added.

Turkish Premier Erdogan stated that "We should respect the result," stressing that running in the final voting is also a great success for Turkey.

"Turkey is a country that successfully hosted a number of international sports events. The Committee has made such a decision as, probably, they thought that we are not yet ready," he further said. Erdogan concluded that the sole target of Turkey is now to achieve better results in the Olympics and increase the number of the medals from now on.

Istanbul has lost out to Tokyo on late Saturday at the final voting by International Olympic Committee convened in Argentinian capital Buenos Aires to decide the city to host 2020 Olympics.

[11] Turkey police intervened in a group of protesters in Ankara

The Mamak Mosque and Cemevi is planned to be a first in Turkey, but a group opposing the project blocked the path to the ceremony and built a barricade.

The group did not disperse, despite police calls, and threw stones at the Alevi Cem Foundation's bus, reports said. Riot police then used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the group.

Labor Minister Faruk ?elik, President of Alevi CEM Foundation 0
zzettin Dogan, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ankara deputy Sinan Ayg?n, and a number of Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies attended the ceremony.

The project, which is the first of its kind in modern Turkish history, is expected to be completed within a year and opened in the Alevis' holy month according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

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