Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-30

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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] Eroglu: Cyprus problem may be resolved by March 2014

[02] Nami meets with officials of international organizations; He addressed a meeting of the OIC; Reference to Cyprus in OIC's decision

[03] Atalay: "different options" may come onto the agenda if an agreement is not reached in Cyprus

[04] Turkish Cypriot columnist: the Turkish side forgets that in 1979 High Level Agreement it promised to return Varosha

[05] Agreements with two lobby firms in Washington for promoting the breakaway regime

[06] Self-styled minister of environment compared the "water transfer project" to the Turkish invasion

[07] More signs of the islamization of Turkish Cypriot community: The first Islamic hotel to be built in occupied Cyprus

[08] Erdogan announced details of "democratization package"

[09] Davutoglu met with Fule; Cyprus problem was also discussed

[10] Gul: Turkey's China deal on missile system not finalized

[11] Kilicdaroglu claimed that Gadhafi reportedly helped Turkey during Turkish military invasion to Cyprus in 1974

[12] Bahceli claimed that the AKP had assisted al-Qaeda in its efforts to gain influence in the region.

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: Cyprus problem may be resolved by March 2014

"We are planning to start negotiations intensively in October and get result from it." Eroglu told press members after meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, "As a Turkish side, we've stressed that we are ready to make result oriented negotiations immediately for a comprehensive solution."

Eroglu alleged: "Turkish Cypriot side wants to solve the problem and has proved this with the referendum, but Greek Cypriot side have shown they don't want to solve the problem by rejecting all the plans proposed so far."

"If Greek Cypriot side comes to the table in order to solve the problem, we will reach an agreement on the fundamental issues by the end of the year and on the details by January or February in 2014. Thus, we could resolve the problem completely in March with a referendum to be held in both sides," he told press members.

Claiming that Cyprus President Anastasiades was wasting people's time by bringing up the opening of the fenced off town of occupied Varosha, Eroglu emphasized that Turkey and the breakaway regime do not have an agenda like Varosha.

Replying to a question if they couldn't find a solution to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu noted that they would increase their investment in sectors like tourism and education, which bring in money to the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (28.09.13) reported that Eroglu, during his visit to NY, met also with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja at the office of the permanent representation of Finland to UN. No statement was issued prior or after the meeting. During the meeting, self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami and Eroglu's special representative Osman Ertug were also present.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 29.09.13), after completing his contacts in New York, Eroglu flew to Istanbul. On Monday, Eroglu will deliver a speech on "Cyprus of yesterday, today and tomorrow" at the Kemerburgaz University. When he completes his contacts in Istanbul, Eroglu will return to the occupied part of Cyprus on Monday night.

[02] Nami meets with officials of international organizations; He addressed a meeting of the OIC; Reference to Cyprus in OIC's decision

During the meeting, Nami said that they want to work actively in the OEC and strengthen their relations with the secretariat and the member-states of the organization. The paper recalls that the "TRNC" had participated last year as observer in OEC's meeting in Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, Kibris (29.09.13) reported that Nami addressed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Annual Coordination Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in New York. Nami said they hoped that the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem would resume in October and added that they expected from the member-states of the OIC, which are among the most important actors of the world, to allegedly "encourage" the Greek Cypriots to abandon what he called as "unacceptable demands" and "be more willing in the solution process".

Nami asked also all the OIC member-countries to "take more concrete steps" in the direction of lifting the so-called isolation allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.

Nami expressed his gratitude to the members of the organization because of their decisions and declarations that support "Turkish Cypriot people's just cause" and noted that the OIC's decisions and declarations call on the member-states to take concrete steps for ending the "unjust and inhuman isolation on the Turkish Cypriots" and for strengthening their solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots.

Reference to Cyprus is made in the decision adopted in the end of the meeting, writes Kibris adding that the decision said that the organization is in solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots. It also noted that it appreciates the "constructive efforts" of the Turkish Cypriot side for an agreement acceptable by both sides and expressed its disappointment because the last solution process launched in 2008, within the framework of the good offices mission of the UN Secretary-General, gave no results. It also expressed its support to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution on the basis of the founding power that is derived from "the two peoples", the political equality of the "two peoples" and the joint ownership of the island. Finally, the decision called on the member-states to strengthen their "active solidarity" with the so-called "Turkish Cypriot State".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Atalay: "different options" may come onto the agenda if an agreement is not reached in Cyprus

He went on and said: "However, if these efforts find no response and a solution based on partnership is not achieved, we cannot tolerate this matter to continue forever". Noting that "different negotiated solution options" could come onto the agenda in that case, Atalay argued: "Turkey will never allow for the Turkish Cypriots to be turned into a minority in a Greek Cypriot state. This should be well known".

Referring to the importance of the complex of buildings they constructed in occupied Mia Milia, Atalay claimed that this would be "one of the seals" of the Turkish Cypriots on the island, one of the "important signs" of their existence and one of the "facts which defend their land".

Moreover, Kibris reports that Atalay participated also in the ground-breaking ceremony of a mosque at illegal Near East University and the "University of Keryneia", and visited the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and the self-styled speaker of the "assembly" Sibel Siber.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkish Cypriot columnist: the Turkish side forgets that in 1979 High Level Agreement it promised to return Varosha

"?Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution. Agreed. However, in 1979 Denktas - Kyprianou summit, we had promised that we would open Varosha. For some reason no one remembers this today. This should be because it does not suit us.

Let this aside, would it be bad if the strong side made such a gesture during these days when the negotiations will be liven up again?

If we should start from somewhere, Varosha is the most appropriate place.

Furthermore, both sides will benefit from the investments that will be made in Varosha this period during which both sides' economy is in pitiful situation.

Does it make sense to maintain a dead city?"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Agreements with two lobby firms in Washington for promoting the breakaway regime

The paper writes that the regimes signed with two lobby firms in Washington, for promoting the "TRNC" in the USA for 12 months. The agreements took place with the initiative of the so-called representative of the breakaway regime in USA Ahmet Erdengiz. The name of the first firm is Herrick Feinstein Law Firm, in which ex-US Congressman, Mike McMahon is a partner. The other is Southfive the owner of which is Jason Epstein. The regime will pay Herrick Feinstein Law Firm, 200 thousand dollars and the Southfive firm 80 thousand dollar.

The paper also notes that the breakaway regime spends 280 thousand dollars, while the Republic of Cyprus spends 1.08 million for lobbying activities per year.

[06] Self-styled minister of environment compared the "water transfer project" to the Turkish invasion

Speaking during the meeting Bakirci referred to the "water transfer project", and stated that the water that will be transferred from Turkey to the breakaway regime will be a new freedom, for them, following the "Peace Operation of 1974" as he called the Turkish invasion to Cyprus.

[07] More signs of the islamization of Turkish Cypriot community: The first Islamic hotel to be built in occupied Cyprus

The news on the issue was published in the weekly Economist magazine in Turkey. According to the publication, the hotel which will have a 1.700-person bed capacity will be constructed by the Turkish Bulut Constructions firm which is known for undertaking various projects both in Turkey and in occupied Cyprus.

In statements to Economist magazine, Bulut Constructions chairman Temel Bult said that the project will cost around 250 million dollars and added that the hotel will be built in a 40 donum plot which "belongs" to the firm in occupied Agio Epiktitos village, in Keryneia. It is planned to be completed in two years, he said.

Bulut also said that a conservative hotel does not exists in Cyprus and claimed that there was a serious demand on the issue which their firm will meet, noting that there are great potentials in occupied Cyprus.

[08] Erdogan announced details of "democratization package"

Erdogan revealed the details of the much-anticipated democratization package at a press conference in Ankara.

The Prime Minister said they would remove a headscarf ban in public institutions, except for judges, prosecutors, police officers and army members, as part of an amendment to the law's fifth article.

Rights for Turkey's ethnic minorities were also a big part of the package. Education in different languages and dialects will be permitted in private schools, although the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) has long pushed for guaranteed mother-tongue education in public schools, according to reforms.

Erdogan promised to end penalties for the use of certain letters, such as "q," "w" and "x," which are used in Kurdish.

The legal obstacle against the names of villages, particularly ones whose appellations were originally non-Turkish, names will be eliminated, he said.

The student oath, which starts with the words "I'm Turkish, right, and hardworking," will no longer be read in primary schools, he said.

[09] Davutoglu met with Fule; Cyprus problem was also discussed

Some sources report that in the recent period Turkey and Europe made significant progresses on visa cancellation subjects and probably the negotiations will start in a short time.

Preparations for EU's Development Report about Turkey which will be released in October also discussed in the meeting. Davutoglu one more time stressed strategically importance of Turkey's membership for EU and said that Turkey is expecting the report to be balanced and to reflect progresses which made in many fields in Turkey.

Davutoglu and Fule also discussed Cyprus problem as well.

[10] Gul: Turkey's China deal on missile system not finalized

That purchase is not definite. There is a shortlist, and China is at the top of it. We should look at the conditions, but there is no doubt that Turkey is primarily in NATO. These are multi-dimensional issues, there are technical and economic dimensions and on the other hand there is an alliance dimension. These are being evaluated. Turkey needs a defence system," Gul said while on board a plane that was en route to Turkey.

Earlier, the United States said on Sept. 28 that it had expressed serious concerns to Turkey over its decision to co-produce a long-range air and missile defence system with a Chinese firm under U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported yesterday.

Turkey, a member of the NATO military alliance, announced on Sept. 26 that that it had chosen the FD-2000 missile defence system from China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp, or CPMIEC, over rival systems from Russian, U.S. and European firms.

CPMIEC is under U.S. sanctions for violations of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Non-proliferation Act.

"We have conveyed our serious concerns about the Turkish government's contract discussions with a U.S.-sanctioned company for a missile defence system that will not be inter-operable with NATO systems or collective defence capabilities," a State Department spokeswoman said on Sept. 28. "Our discussions on this issue will continue," she said.

Some Western defence analysts have said they were surprised by Turkey's decision, having expected the contract to go to Raytheon Co, a U.S. company that builds the Patriot missile, or the Franco/Italian Eurosam SAMP/T.

The initial estimated contract price was $4 billion, but the Chinese offer stood at anywhere between $3 billion to $3.5 billion, although officials did not confirm any figure.

Turkey presently has no long-range air-defence systems. The $4 billion program, dubbed the T-LORAMIDS, is being designed to counter both enemy aircraft and missiles.

About half of Turkey's network-based air defence radars have been paid for by NATO, and are part of the NATO Air Defence Ground Environment. "Turkey can always decide to build a standalone system. But in that case, abstracting the air defence system from NATO assets would mean that Turkey will lose half of its radar capabilities," one defence analyst said earlier.

Turkey would need interface data to make its own air defence architecture interoperable with NATO assets, primarily data on the Identify Friend and Foe system. This is top secret and cannot be installed into any Chinese system.

[11] Kilicdaroglu claimed that Gadhafi reportedly helped Turkey during Turkish military invasion to Cyprus in 1974

"Main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has once again slammed the government's policies, mocking Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's repeated statements about his love for the green.

In a speech at an agricultural forum in the Thracian town of Luleburgaz today, Kilicdaroglu argued that Erdogan had 'betrayed' slain Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, saying the Turkish leader turned on his erstwhile Libyan ally just a few months after receiving a human rights award from the North African government.

'[Erdogan] received a $120,000 prize. He said he would distribute the money to relatives of slain soldiers. We asked him, to whom did you give the money? [There was no response],' the Republican People's Party (CHP) head told the crowd.

'Especially when it comes to dollars, he loves green,' Kilicdaroglu said.

Stressing that Gadhafi helped Turkey during the Turkish military's 1974 operation in Cyprus, Kilicdaroglu said Erdogan would not be able to export democracy if there was none at home.

'Don't trust those who have a culture of betrayal in their past. [Erdogan] has sold the worker, the villager, the shopkeeper. He declared himself the master. He is the master of the culture of betrayal, without a doubt,' he said.

Kilicdaroglu also slammed Erdogan for crying over the daughter of a Muslim Brotherhood politician shot during a crackdown in Cairo, but not doing the same for a Dutch citizen of Turkish origin who died during al-Shaabab's attack on a mall in Kenya.

'You should learn their acting. Are you solving the problems of the farmer? No, [you are telling stories about] religion. Turkey should get off that track,' he said, adding that the CHP would not use death for politics.

'I want every citizen who cares about the future of my country to do something: Convince someone who hasn't voted CHP during the last elections to vote CHP. Turkey needs to be repaired, to have a new face, a new government. A government that would lift it up to [the level of] modern civilization,' Kilicdaroglu said."

[12] Bahceli claimed that the AKP had assisted al-Qaeda in its efforts to gain influence in the region.

"Preparing a democratization package upon the consultations of Imral? [the island where Ocalan is serving a life sentence] and Kandil [the headquarters of the PKK] is an indication of the rotten political understanding of the Prime Minister. I wonder how many ruling party lawmakers know about the content of this package," MHP head Devlet Bahceli said during his party's meeting yesterday. "The one who divides Turkey in his mind is the Prime Minister."

Bahceli also announced the majority of his party's candidates for the upcoming local elections, launching its pre-election campaign under the headline, "Enough is enough."

In a long speech to party members, he strongly criticized the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and the pro-government media. Putting the much-anticipated democracy package at the core of his criticism of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bahceli said Erdogan would have to "pay the cost of his sins."

The MHP head also said the government's foreign policy was bringing about considerable security problems, suggesting that al-Qaeda had become established on Turkey's border with Syria as a result of the government's policies. He claimed that the AKP had assisted al-Qaeda in its efforts to gain influence in the region. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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