Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-10-29

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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] Akca: a just solution will be reached in Cyprus only if the "realities" are taken into consideration

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily: no date for the visits of the representatives of the leaders to Athens and Ankara is determined

[03] Eroglu: We want a partnership state based on two founding states

[04] Nami met with US Ambassador on the Cyprus problem

[05] Columnist unveils that the occupied part of Cyprus has become a colony of Turkey

[06] A delegation from Kirgizstan is illegally paying a visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] The distribution of "citizenships" has stopped; a protest by settlers

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist notes that the population in occupied Cyprus is increased in a planned manner by the Turkish side

[09] Alevis in occupied Cyprus protested against the economic protocol signed with Turkey and the enforcement of Sunni islam

[10] A symposium on natural gas problems in the Eastern Mediterranean

[11] Sertoglu: meeting with the Cyprus Football Association does not mean that the football on the island will be united

[12] Kasif argued that "TRNC" is crossing point of civilizations and not a gambling island

[13] CTP congress to be held on 8th of December- Caglar and Akansoy candidates for the party's leadership

[14] The walled city of the occupied part of Lefkosia will become pedestrianized

[15] Main opposition CHP vows to oppose veiled MP

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akca: a just solution will be reached in Cyprus only if the "realities" are taken into consideration

In his message on the occasion of the 90th anniversary from the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, Akca has argued that those who want solution should accept that the Turkish Cypriots have as many rights as the Greek Cypriots on the island and that the Greek Cypriots have never ruled the Turkish Cypriots in any period of the island's history.

Akca alleged the following: "Turkey believes that only by taking into consideration the realities on the island it will be possible to reach a just and lasting solution. Our joint effort will continue in the direction of protecting the rights and interests of our Turkish Cypriot brothers in the solution to be reached on the basis of the principles of political equality and bi-zonality".

Akca reiterated Turkey will continue providing with determination any support in order for the "TRNC's" [Translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] being able to develop and looking at the future with safety. He described as the "most concrete and current example" of this support the project of transferring water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with pipelines, which is expected to be completed in 2014.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily: no date for the visits of the representatives of the leaders to Athens and Ankara is determined

According to the paper, Eroglu alleged that the visit of Osman Ertug to Athens has created a concern in the Greek Cypriot side that the "TRNC" will be given the possibility for an opening to the world and therefore the date of the reciprocal visits could not be determined yet. Replying to a question during one of his meetings yesterday, Eroglu said that the view that these visits should have been held on 22 ? 23 October had been expressed, but this was not materialized. He noted that now the view that the visits could take place in the end of October has been submitted, but no date was determined. He argued that they are observing a "hesitation" in the Greek Cypriot side.

Meanwhile, Eroglu's representative, Osman Ertug told Kibris that they are constantly in contact with the UN on this issue and are sending messages to the Greek Cypriot side and Greece to determine a date for the visits. He argued that the "ball is in the Greek Cypriot side's court" and wished for the visits not to be suspended for November. He said that when the date is determined they could buy a ticket even at the last minute for travelling to Athens either through Larnaka or through Istanbul.

Ertug argued that the Greek Cypriot side should be asked about the reason for which the date of the visits has not been determined yet and alleged: "Our guess is that this is a part of the general delaying policy. They have some hesitations that the status of the TRNC will be upgraded and put some other conditions in order for the meeting to take place".

Ertug claimed that this worry is groundless because neither Greece recognizes the "TRNC" nor Turkey the Republic of Cyprus. He added that the meetings will have "symbolic meaning" and will not change the views of the aforementioned countries.

Moreover, the paper writes that the Greek Cypriot negotiator said that Ankara and Athens should coordinate in order for the meetings to be materialized and after that invitations will be sent to the sides. He noted that the Greek Cypriot side is ready and that the date depends on Ankara and Athens. According to the paper, Mavroyiannis said that the Greek Cypriot side prefers the meeting to be held before the end of October.

Finally, Kibris writes that a UN official, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the sides agreed on holding the visit on 31 October, but added that he does not know what developments happened since last Friday. "I do not know whether the date has been finalized", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: We want a partnership state based on two founding states

The head of HAK, Mustafa Ulas said they want a liveable federation to be established in Cyprus but noted that the Greek Cypriot leader had mentioned that the Republic of Cyprus could evolve into a federation.

"The Greek Cypriot leader is against two founding states", said Ulas and added that the single sovereignty and single citizenship accepted during former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat's term was also being rejected now.

Eroglu, for his part, said "we want a partnership state based on two founding states".

Drawing attention to the statement made by the Cyprus President Anastasiades that the Republic of Cyprus could evolve into a federation Eroglu said: "There is no such thing as a new founding state, it is not possible for us to accept this".

Claiming that it is not possible to create a single nation with two separate peoples, Eroglu said: "When setting up a new federation this will be established by two founding states. These founding states will hand over a portion of their sovereignty to the central government. If you try to ignore the Turkish founding state and try to change the Republic of Cyprus to a federation this is something that the Turkish Cypriot people will never accept".

Reiterating that political will was necessary to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu claimed that the Cyprus Turkish sides' intentions towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem were clear and that they have proved this in the past many times. Finally, Eroglu accused the Greek Cypriot side of playing with time, by not returning to the negotiation table despite his call.

[04] Nami met with US Ambassador on the Cyprus problem

According to a statement released by the so-called foreign ministry, the two men discussed issues pertaining to the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on how to overcome the current stalemate on discussions on the draft joint statement as at the meeting which last for nearly two hours.

Conveying the Turkish Cypriot side's expectations regarding the role the US should be playing in the Cyprus negotiations process, Nami said that the two sides should overcome obstacles in the way of moving the process forward.

[05] Columnist unveils that the occupied part of Cyprus has become a colony of Turkey

"The 'new Turkey' would not understand, because it has long been aspiring to achieve what is a nightmare for most Turkish Cypriots. The 'old Turkey' was fully aware of such sensitivities, but reluctant to recognize and respect them because 'the interests of Turkey should always come first'. Unfortunately, even for most of the 'old Turkish Cypriots' who shared very strong bonds of gratitude towards the 'Motherland', defending Turkey's interests always came before defending Turkish Cypriot interests.

Greek Cypriots make almost identical claims when it comes to sheer propaganda but when asked to develop some empathy they just cannot understand the Turkish Cypriot psychology. Indeed, Turkish Cypriots are like that poor young Anatolian girl not only ruthlessly raped by an army of men assumed to have been there to 'protect' her, but the ordeal she was subjected to was kept secret to save the honour of the neighbourhood.

Talking to me in private, a former Turkish ambassador to northern Cyprus had confessed that throughout his tenure he felt like a British governor general at an island colony. Apart from the protests staged frequently by a handful of far-left Turkish Cypriots in front of the Turkish embassy, Turkish Cypriots took to streets en masse twice in recent years to condemn the bossy and indeed dictatorial attitudes of the Turkish government and the arrogant language used by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Turkish Cypriots. Still, the last thirty years or so of the British colonial rule on Cyprus was not that comfortable for the British governors.

When the European Court or such international bodies consider northern Cyprus government [Editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus] as an affiliate of Turkey ? I must say they are polite enough and avoid saying north Cyprus has become a colony of Turkey ? Turkish and Turkish Cypriot governments appear to have been irritated. Yet, how can a government not be subservient to the government of another country that might be providing at least a quarter of its budget and almost the entire investment budget? Can it, for example, continue flying its national carrier if and when its 'sponsor' says, 'Let the enterprises that lose money go bankrupt, such services can be handled by MY private sector!' Example? Turkish Cypriot Airlines became history. Its two slots at Heathrow were handed over to a Turkish company. Another Turkish private company is flourishing with around 30 weekly flights between Turkish Cypriot Ercan Airport [Editor's note: occupied airport of Tymvou] (also privatized and handed over to a Turkish company nourished lately with state tenders) and Turkish cities.

It may sound like a joke to Greek Cypriots and Cyprus watchers when - leftist or conservative, irrespective - in all spectrums of Turkish Cypriot politics, despite differences and nuances, there is a very strong urge for a settlement on the island. Why is that? What is the difference between, let's say, the 1970s and now, when an overwhelming majority of Turkish Cypriots have become so pro-settlement? Think of a people whose partners are dreaming of making them a privileged minority; a protecting 'Motherland' that has started to believe it is its right to blow the fiddle since it paid for it; and an international community applying all sorts of discriminative policies against Turkish Cypriots for this or that reason. Should these people lie down and enjoy being with either Turkey, Greek Cypriots, or who? Is it not wiser to be with the Greek Cypriots than becoming a lentil in the big Turkish soup?

Can Turkish Cypriots have any option other than being pro-settlement?"

[06] A delegation from Kirgizstan is illegally paying a visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

The Kirgizia delegation consists of Aksar Aimatov, chairman of the International Isikkol Forum, Chynybai Tursunbekov, Chairman of the Social Democrat Party of Kirgizstan, Omurbek Tekebaev, chairman of the Ancestors Party, Saidula Nyshanov, member of the central committee of the Ancestor Party, and Gulzada Ryskulova, a folklore artist.

During the meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Tursunbekov noted that many Kirgizian students are in the occupied area of Cyprus, adding that every year, they evaluate and examine the conditions of the countries where their Kirgizian citizens live.

Eroglu said that due to the flow of Kirgizian students in the occupied area of Cyprus, it is important also to increase the relations between Kirgizstan and the breakaway regime, adding that Kirgizstan is a friendly country. Eroglu conveyed to them the Turkish side's views on the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (29.10.13) reports that the delegation from Kirgizstan met also with self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of economy, tourism, culture and sports Serdar Denktas.

According to a press release by the so-called ministry of economy, the aim of the visit of the delegation is for political and cultural bonds be cultivated between Kirgizstan and the breakaway regime.

During the meeting with Serdar Denktas, Tursunbekov said that the students and citizens, who study and work in the occupied area, will continue to work for the "North Cyprus" when they will return to their country.

Denktas, for his part, said that they think that it will be very beneficial to open an office of Kirgizstan in the occupied area of Cyprus, which will assist the increase of students and tourists from Kirgizstan.

Furthermore, the delegation met also with the so-called TRNC assembly speaker Sibel Siber. During the meeting, Siber said that approximately 2,000 students study in the "universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Tursunbekov, for his part, said that their delegation consists of members of the three political parties of the coalition government of Kirgizstan.

[07] The distribution of "citizenships" has stopped; a protest by settlers

He also said that they will grant "citizenships" only to the children and their spouse of those who have been granted "citizenship" before or through a marriage.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 28.10.13) reported that self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, addressing the "parliament" Monday morning, said that the "government" has prepared a "draft law" in order to remove confusions and arbitrariness over the issue. He added that the issue will be brought to the agenda of the "parliament" in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Yeni Duzen newspaper (29.10.13) reports that the "culture and solidarity association" of the settlers coming from Alexandretta, made yesterday a protest in front of the "interior ministry" due to the stop of granting "citizenships" until the new "draft law".

Bertan Zaroglu, chairman of the "association", asked the "ministry" to grant the "citizenships" to those people, whom the procedures have already been completed. He also protested to this new "draft law", adding that it cannot be applied to the old applications for granting "citizenship".

[08] Turkish Cypriot columnist notes that the population in occupied Cyprus is increased in a planned manner by the Turkish side

"?The governments of Turkey themselves and their followers here in the period after the establishment of the TRNC have pursued a policy on the population on the island. Because the number of the population was seen as an element that strengthens the sides during the bargains at the table [Translator's note: during the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem]. There was a need for getting close to the population of the Greek Cypriots which, as population, have been much more than the Turkish Cypriots. This policy, which was not clearly expressed at the beginning, in time has started becoming so evident that it is now expressed publicly. The Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan says 'either you have babies or we will send you away'?"

The columnist writes that an important part of those who have come to settle in the island were not able to accommodate themselves with the life here and notes that "different kinds of roads and cities" have been created in a "country as big as one palm of a hand", as if "there were two different countries".

Referring to a research held in 2009, the columnist writes that 17% of the children in the occupied area of Cyprus were hungry, 40% were nourished in an unhealthy manner, 39% were addicted to alcohol and drugs and 26 % could not even find a place to play.

"An important part of these children are children of families who are either waiting for citizenship or have acquired the citizenship but could not secure adequate living conditions", reports the columnist noting that "if almost half of the population in one country is formed by new citizens, this means that a problem exists in that country. If only during a pre-election period eleven thousand new voters occur, this means that there is a problem"?

(I/Ts.)

[09] Alevis in occupied Cyprus protested against the economic protocol signed with Turkey and the enforcement of Sunni islam

Tuncer Ozbahadir, the chairman of the Cyprus Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, stated that they are against the enforcement of the economic protocol and of the Sunni Islam by Turkey noting that there are 190 mosques in occupied Cyprus and only 130 schools. He also said that they are against the compulsory Quran lessons at schools, which must be stopped immediately and added that the associations demands the religious lessons to become a selective subject at schools as before.

[10] A symposium on natural gas problems in the Eastern Mediterranean

The issues of natural gas in Cyprus and water from Anamur were discussed at the symposium.

Addressing the panel discussion titled "Petrol and Natural Gas Problems in the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey", Dimag Caginer, head of the "Cyprus Turkish Economy Association", briefed them on the economic situation of the breakaway regime and added that their aim was to create an economic policy and strategy towards the "TRNC".

Ergun Olgun, former undersecretary of the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and member of the "Cyprus Turkish Economy Association", addressing also the symposium, outlined the possible economic outcomes if a solution is found in Cyprus. He said economic developments will take place on both sides and economic cooperation between businessmen may also develop once a solution has been found to the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, Professor Dr Ozay Mehmet from the Carleton University in Canada gave a presentation titled "North Cyprus water market and water balances in the Mediterranean". Dr Mehmet argued that water is as important as petrol and natural gas. He also added that natural gas could also be traded for water.

[11] Sertoglu: meeting with the Cyprus Football Association does not mean that the football on the island will be united

In statements to Anatolia news agency, Sertoglu argued that the Turkish Cypriot clubs have come to the point of collapsing due to the so-called embargoes and added: "Either the Turkish Cypriot football will be abandoned to its own faith, or an opening will be made. In case there is no agreement, many clubs will close down within 3-5 years and only 1-2 will remain standing".

Sertoglu argued that the meeting that they will have with the CFA does not mean that the football on the island will be united. He alleged that their actual aim is to secure representation of the "Turkish Cypriot football federation" at the international field.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Kasif argued that "TRNC" is crossing point of civilizations and not a gambling island

Kasif claimed that the "TRNC" was preparing to make serious investments in air and sea transport as well as information technologies infrastructure.

He argued that transforming the "TRNC" into one of the most important transit hubs in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, was their greatest goal. Touching upon the issue of maritime transportation, Kasif added that the ports in the occupied part of Cyprus should be ready for a possible solution to the Cyprus problem.

"We need to become a harbour island, an important stop in the Eastern Mediterranean", said Kasif, adding that they had launched work to solve the current problems being experienced at the occupied port of Famagusta.

"Ships from all over the world will be arriving at Famagusta as and when a settlement is reached. We must be prepared and more presentable. Famagusta port is our only 'international' port. That is when the 'TRNC' will become important economically. We just don't want to have a port where containers are stored", he said.

According to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 25.10.13), Kasif participated in the top high technology fair in Eurasia region, CeBIT Eurasia and CeBIT Synergy Summit, which were held in Istanbul.

[13] CTP congress to be held on 8th of December- Caglar and Akansoy candidates for the party's leadership

Speaking on the issue, the General Secretary of the CTP-BG Asim Akansoy said that the congress will be held without any problems adding that a controversial congress would harm both the party and the people. Akansoy said the congress which had been postponed for 5 months due to the early "elections" in July will be held on this date.

He also touched upon the importance of a more powerful CTP "for the establishment of a sustainable system".

Stating that anyone who desires could be a candidate for the party leadership, Akansoy said "there are not just three people but there are many who could be the leader of the CTP. In any case, we should carry out the congress process with good sense and composure."

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper, (29.10.13) reports that Akansoy will run for the position of the party's chairman in the forthcoming congress. The paper also writes that Omer Kalyoncu and Ferdi Soyer will not be candidates noting that this gives an opportunity to new party members.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper, (29.10.13) reports that Mehmet Caglar "MP" with CTP will also be a candidate for the CTP leadership at the congress.

[14] The walled city of the occupied part of Lefkosia will become pedestrianized

The "department manager for projects of the municipality" Ali Guralp said they aimed for the "Asmaalt? and Arasta area" to gain its former glory by closing the area off to traffic and rejuvenating the area.

He said the project was being carried out in cooperation with the deputy prime ministry and ministry of economy, tourism and sports, tourism organizations, vakiflar administration, regional tradesmen and residents.

Guralp said just like the Ledra Street in the government-controlled area of Cyprus a similar atmosphere will now be existent in the occupied part of Lefkosia, as well.

On the 29th of November when the area becomes pedestrianized a three day celebration will be held in the area.

[15] Main opposition CHP vows to oppose veiled MP

"If they enter Parliament's General Assembly wearing headscarves, we will open a procedural debate due to a violation of Parliament's internal regulations. We will voice our objections before the eyes of the people, regardless of whether they will be accepted or not. We will use all of our rights originating from internal regulations. We have reached an agreement on this issue with our chairman [Kemal Kilicdaroglu]," CHP deputy parliamentary group chair Engin Altay told reporters yesterday after an hour-long closed-door meeting with Kilicdaroglu.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers Sevde Beyazit Kacar, Gulay Samanci and Nurcan Dalbudak have all separately announced that they will soon come to the General Assembly meetings at Parliament wearing headscarves. All three are among the female AKP deputies who recently performed the annual Hajj.

A debate on whether Parliament's internal regulation permits access to deputies wearing headscarves erupted after the government's abolition of a headscarf ban for female public servants as part of the recently announced "democratization package."

Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously said Parliament's internal regulations did not include any clause stating that deputies could not enter Parliament with their headscarves on.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) will not react against deputies with headscarves as both party leaders have already made clear that they would not object to their presence.

There is no consensus within the CHP on the idea of headscarves lawmakers, with some lawmakers having previously announced that deputies must be allowed to wear headscarves, while another strong neo-nationalist wing, within the party is known to be fiercely against such a move. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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