Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-10-30

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CONTENTS

[01] Eroglu: Under the current circumstances it had become inevitable for the Turkish Cypriots to go their own way

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily: no reciprocal meetings without a joint statement

[03] Parliamentarian delegation from Kyrgyzstan meets with Yorgancioglu and Nami

[04] Turkish Cypriot politicians evaluate the effort for unifying the Cypriot football

[05] International Turkic Republics' Games might be held in occupied Cyprus

[06] Ajans Cyprus news website starts operating in occupied Cyprus

[07] New initiative by Turkish Cypriots businessmen to establish a new air carrier

[08] A Panama registered ship carried water pipes to the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] New headquarters of Grey Wolves opened in occupied Nicosia

[10] Marmaray tunnel officially opens on Turkish Republic's 90th anniversary

[11] Tens of thousands mark Republic Day with alternative rally in Ankara

[12] Erdogan: Latest EU progress report "more well-intentioned"

[13] Davutoglu visits US to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments

[14] A senior Israeli diplomat evaluates Israel's relations with Turkey

[15] Turkey and Japan signed formal agreement to build second nuclear plant in Sinop

[16] Facebook shuts BDP page for using "Kurdistan"

[01] Eroglu: Under the current circumstances it had become inevitable for the Turkish Cypriots to go their own way

Commenting on the Cyprus problem, Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side's insistence on pre-conditions was blocking the way for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations process. He added that the Turkish Cypriot side was working hard for the re-launch of the Cyprus talks.

He, however, argued that the Greek Cypriot side, which lacked the spirit of good will, was working against this goal, reportedly leaking details of the work being carried out to the press, and bringing pre-conditions to the table.

Eroglu stressed that under the current circumstances it had become inevitable for the Turkish Cypriots to go their own way.

Claiming that President Nicos Anastasiades was citing the economic crisis as a reason not to sit at the negotiating table, Eroglu said that the Turkish side had stated from the very beginning that it would give the Greek Cypriot side a reasonable timeframe to prepare for the negotiations. He added: "It has even taken 6 months for Mr. Anastasiades to appoint his Special Representative. The Greek Cypriot side's insistence on preconditions is blocking the way of the resumption of the negotiations process. They are trying to cram substantive issues into the joint statement. We have been telling them from the very beginning that it is our desire to have this joint statement, but that we are ready to resume negotiations without it as well".

Also touching upon the issue of the fenced off town of Varosha, Eroglu reiterated that the issue could only be taken up as part of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, a fact that had been reaffirmed recently by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule.

Underlining the need to restart comprehensive negotiations as soon as possible, Eroglu said that it was out of the question for the Turkish Cypriot side to accept pre-conditions put forward by the Greek Cypriot leader.

"Mr. Anastasiades has been giving his people the wrong message. The partnership to be established will be created from two founding states on the basis of political equality. We are saying that a solution is possible by the spring of next year and that talks cannot continue endlessly without a time table", he added.

Complaining that a date had yet to be set for the mutual visits of the special representatives to Ankara and Athens, Eroglu called on the Greek Cypriot side to start working towards a solution.

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily: no reciprocal meetings without a joint statement

According to the paper, the source, which wished to remain anonymous, said that this should not be perceived as a precondition for the visits to Athens and Ankara. This view expressed by the Greek Cypriot side, notes journalist Osman Kalfaoglu in Kibris, is derived from the wish of the Greek Cypriot side to see progress on the issue of the text of the joint statement that will launch the direct negotiations between the leaders.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Parliamentarian delegation from Kyrgyzstan meets with Yorgancioglu and Nami

Yorgancioglu told his interlocutors that they are very satisfied with the fact that students from Kyrgyzstan study in the illegal universities in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that the regime is heading towards becoming "a country of universities".

In his statements, Tursunbekov said that during the two days they are visiting the occupied area of Cyprus, they found out that many students from Kyrgyzstan study there and argued that this will play a significant role in the friendly relations between the two "countries".

He noted that they are following with interest the developments in the occupied area in Cyprus and added: "In Kyrgyzstan you have brothers who are rejoiced with your wellbeing and are sadden with your difficulties".

Moreover, Yeni Duzen reports that the same delegation visited also Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime. Nami told the Kyrgyz visitors that they want to develop their relations with Kyrgyzstan and that they are ready to offer any support in this direction.

According to a statement issued by Nami's "ministry", Tursunbekov also said that they wish to develop their relations with the breakaway regime.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkish Cypriot politicians evaluate the effort for unifying the Cypriot football

The paper reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime, said that they do not know what formula will come up and expressed their faith in the administration of their so-called federation. He noted that the "federation" consulted with his self-styled ministry, which explained to them the formula created in order to secure the Turkish Cypriot participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Nami said that they are approaching positively any initiative in which the "balance of political equality" will not be spoiled, the one side will not dominate over the other, the two sides will come closer to each other and the Turkish Cypriot football will open to the world. He expressed the view that such agreement will positively influence the meetings between the community leaders.

Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) said that his party will have no objection, if the Turkish Cypriot "federation" cooperates with the CFA and matches are played both in the government-controlled area and in the occupied part of the island and if in this sense the activities of the so-called Turkish Cypriot federation are held in the international arena. If the Turkish Cypriot "federation" holds its activities under the CFA, "this is something we oppose to", he added.

Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that this meeting must end positively and recalled that his party supported such a result when the issue had come onto the agenda in 2008. He noted, inter alia, the following: "In the 1960 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, the sports, education and health had been left to the administration of the communities. If we had established a football federation then, these problems would not have been experienced today. When we abandoned the Republic in 1964, these rights we had, were abolished. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots have rights in the Football Federation of the Republic of Cyprus. Therefore, we have to use this period as transitional period until an agreement is reached".

(I/Ts.)

[05] International Turkic Republics' Games might be held in occupied Cyprus

A meeting of the Olympic Committees of the Turkic Republics was held in Istanbul at presidential level, writes the paper. During the meeting possibilities for cooperation in the field of sports were examined. They also discussed the development of contacts in the field of sports between the breakaway regime and the above-mentioned Republics and the upgrade of the relations among their federations. Furthermore, they agreed on organizing camps and tournaments.

In his statements, Savim noted that the representatives of all countries exhibited a positive approach on the issue of organizing the games in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Noting that Savim is satisfied with his contacts, the paper reports that during his stay in Istanbul, he exchanged views with high ranking officials from Turkey, who participate in international sports organizations, as regards "models for opening to the world" and tactics of struggling against the so-called embargo allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ajans Cyprus news website starts operating in occupied Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[07] New initiative by Turkish Cypriots businessmen to establish a new air carrier

The businessmen said that after the closure of the "Turkish Cypriot airlines", inconvenience was created among the Turkish community living in the Britain. They argued that their aim of establishing this new airline, under the name "Kibris Airways", is to facilitate the British Turkish community to travel to Turkey and the occupied area of Cyprus with reasonable ticket fees.

[08] A Panama registered ship carried water pipes to the occupied area of Cyprus

The pipes will be used to connect the underwater pipeline, to be suspended under the sea channel, over land to the occupied village of Levconico reservoir.

The 190 meter long Panama registered Zhou Shan Ha? ship carrying its 10 thousand ton load docked at the occupied port of Famagusta on Tuesday.

According to information received the transportation of the pipes and its components will begin on Wednesday. The second shipment of pipes is expected to arrive in a month's time.

[09] New headquarters of Grey Wolves opened in occupied Nicosia

According to the paper, the Grey Wolves moved into an apartment evacuated by Tahsin Ertugruloglu's party, which has closed down. During the ceremony, they sacrificed a ram in the middle of the road in front of the "assembly" of the regime and shouted slogans such as "Nicosia plain is home of Grey Wolves", "Cyprus is Turkish and will remain Turkish", "We are soldiers of Turkes" [Translator's note: Alpaslan Turkes was the founder of the Grey Wolves] and "The Grey Wolves Movement cannot be prevented".

The headquarters were opened by Olcay Kilavuz, chairman of the Grey Wolves in Turkey. A speech was also delivered by Adem Yurdakul, chairman of the Grey Wolves in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Marmaray tunnel officially opens on Turkish Republic's 90th anniversary

The ceremony, which coincided with the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic, was attended by Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mahmud and a number of foreign civil servants.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Abdullah Gul said the government's vision and stability had made the realization of the Marmaray possible. "An environment of stability and trust established in recent year paved the way for the realization of large projects. In the upcoming period, definitely larger ones will come online," he said.

Erdogan also said the project was just the first of other giant transportation projects slated for Istanbul and Turkey.

The ceremony held on Republic Day only marked the opening of only a small part of the project that will be supported by 63kms of suburban lines.

Erdogan also noted the date of the inauguration ceremony was deliberately picked as the 90th anniversary of Republic. "We have never forgotten the road to the proclamation of the republic," he said.

Erdogan also said the Marmaray was not only connecting two continents but also realizing a century-old dream.

The idea of the tunnel was first floated by Ottoman sultan Abdulmecid in 1860, but technical equipment at the time was not good enough to take the project further.

"This project that was dreamed of 153 years ago, has been happily realized by our government," President Abdullah Gul also said.

Speaking before Erdogan, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had called on everybody to dream of a high-speed train beginning in Tokyo and passing through Istanbul on the way to London, drawing praise from the audience and Erdogan.

"Tokyo, Beijing, Uskudar, London: Can it be? It can. The Marmaray is the project of all our brothers in Beijing, London and Tokyo," Erdogan said, responding Abe's call.

Abe also repeated his amicable messages that stressed the warm relations between Turkey and Japan, while speaking at the ceremony.

[11] Tens of thousands mark Republic Day with alternative rally in Ankara

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Workers' Party (IP) held a joint rally along with a number of civil society organizations including the Turkey Youth Union (TGB) and the Kemalist Thought Association (ADD) in order to mark the day in Tandogan Square, which is a couple of hundreds of meters away from Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey.

Anitkabir experienced one of its most crowded days as people carrying Turkish flags and posters of Ataturk flocked to the mausoleum before and after the celebrations.

CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu delivered a speech at the rally, giving a message of unity among opposition parties. "We will not split, we will be together. We will exalt the Republic by joining forces," he said.

He once again labelled Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a "dictator," vowing that "Republicans and revolutionists will not allow any dictator to rule Turkey. Our young people brought a dictator to his knees with the Gezi resistance. They took a dictator down a peg."

Emphasizing that the CHP was protecting "republican" values, Kilicdaroglu stressed that the first three articles of the Constitution, which define the characteristics of the Republic as a "democratic, secular and social state" while regulating the integrity of the state, the official language, the flag, the national anthem and the capital, are the "red lines" of his party through the ongoing negotiations for the new Constitution. The IP has at various times called on the CHP to "leave the table" at Parliament's Constitution Conciliation Commission, claiming that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is seeking to destroy republican values.

Throughout Kilicdaroglu's speech, onlookers enthusiastically chanted slogans such as "Government, resign," "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" and "Shoulder to shoulder against fascism."

IP Deputy Chairman Hasan Basri Ozbey also delivered a speech at the gathering. Demonstrators also chanted slogans such as "Either independence or death; fully independent Turkey," "The AKP will fall, not the Republic," and "We will win with resistance."

They also chanted the student oath in unison, in apparent protest against the government's recent move to abolish the oath, which used to be obligatory for primary school students to recite every morning. The student oath starts with the words, "I'm Turkish, I'm righteous, I'm hardworking," and ends with the phrase, "How happy is the one who says 'I am a Turk.'"

People at the rally expressed solidarity with the Gezi Park unrest, chanting the motto of demonstrations: "Everywhere is Taksim, everywhere is resistance." Six slain Gezi protestors were also commemorated, with all people at the rally shouting "here" when their names were announced.

[12] Erdogan: Latest EU progress report "more well-intentioned"

"It is not that there aren't [criticisms] that we disagree with. But our latest democratization package and the administrative steps that we undertook afterward have caused serious positive repercussions in the European Union," Erdogan said on Tuesday during a joint press conference in Istanbul with visiting Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta, a few hours after the opening ceremony of the Marmaray Tunnel.

This year's report, controversially released during the Feast of Sacrifice, praised the Kurdish peace bid and the latest democratization package, while criticizing the government's stance during the Gezi protests. In his initial comments after the release, Erdogan reacted sharply against the report, saying the EU should engage in self-criticism over its "unwilling" attitude in the accession process.

However, he said today (Tuesday) that he believed both France and Germany's stances would be more positive following this report, anticipating an official visit to Berlin shortly. "We are waiting for the formation of the Cabinet in [Germany]. [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel made an invitation, and we will discuss these issues during this visit," Erdogan said.

[13] Davutoglu visits US to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments

"During the visit, there will be meetings with officials from the White House, State department and US Senate. Bilateral ties and regional developments, including Syria, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, will be the main agenda for the two ministers. Davutoglu's visit is expected to last one and a half or two days," a Turkish official, who wished to remain anonymous, told Today's Zaman.

According to a report from the Turkish daily Aksam, Davutoglu's main topic for discussion with his American counterpart will be the Syrian civil war which has raged on Turkey's doorstep for more than two and a half years. The report says that the officials are expected to discuss the Geneva II conference and the future of Syria in an effort to prepare the ground for a smooth transition in the war-torn country.

The Aksam article noted that another issue Davutoglu is expected to discuss is Turkey's role as a mediator in Iran's nuclear talks. At the time of the recent UN General Assembly, Iranian President Hassan Rohani signalled that his country is ready to engage in nuclear talks with Western countries. Turkey and Brazil, both non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, tried to revive the stalled deal with Iran in an attempt to help the Islamic republic avoid new UN sanctions imposed due to its ongoing nuclear program in 2010.

The official denied that Turkey has any desire to play a mediator role in the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program and said that Turkey will assist the talks only if one of the sides requests its help. "There seem to be no problems with the nuclear talks between Iran and Western countries. However, if they [Iran or other Western countries] wish Turkey to take part in the talks, Ankara is ready to support the talks in order to settle the problem. But it is certain that Turkey won't step forward by itself to be a mediator in the talks," the official said.

[14] A senior Israeli diplomat evaluates Israel's relations with Turkey

Israel wants to exploit the potential of bilateral cooperation with Turkey, not only in trade but also in security and strategy fields, Reuven Azar, head of the Middle East Bureau Centre for Policy Research at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, told Hurriyet Daily News last week.

"As the conflict in Syria escalated, we reached a common conclusion that we have to cooperate more, whether it will be in the security, intelligence or other areas, to jointly cope with threats. We find ourselves having common interests with partners. Some of these common interests haven't been realized and that is the common interest we have with Turkey," Azar said.

Another opportunity is cooperation on energy with countries like Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt, because of the findings in offshore Israel, Azar said reminding that the Israeli Supreme Court has recently approved the government's decision to export 40% of the natural gas found offshore of Israel.

Asked if Israel's feeling of loneliness in the region over a crisis in Syria has led the government to seek rapprochement with Turkey and therefore apologize for the Mavi Marmara killings, Azar said his country is not feeling alone, but he stressed his country's goal to restore ties with Turkey.

"General sense within the Israeli establishment, and especially in the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Turkey is a major player in the region, with which we have to engage. Turkey is not only a trading partner, but also a strategic partner. Many Israelis said they would like to restore that. There is a lot of sympathy towards Turkey in this country, in this government and in this building (the foreign ministry)," he said.

However, it has hesitations concerning "Turkey's financial and logistic support to Hamas," Azar, nonetheless, noted.

"There are many questions. Because we don't really know what is going to be future of the Turkish approach when it comes to the area and toward Israel. One thing that is very disturbing for us is the attitude toward Hamas," he stated, underlining that Hamas is an organization that is dedicated destruction of Israel.

"This organization is getting not only the sympathy of Turkey but also financial and logistic support from Turkey. It brings the question as to what extent you can put your eggs in the Turkish basket," he said.

"Because, think that energy cooperation is in the common interest of Turkey and Israel, but until now we haven't heard anything serious from the Turkish government," Azar said.

Israel seeks to reinstate an ambassador to Turkey as soon as possible before the concluding normalization talks, Israeli sources told Hurriyet Daily News. The Israeli government considers appointing the Head of European Division Ambassador Raphael Schutz to Turkey if both parties agree on mutual appointment. Ankara is eager with the normalization process with Israel and plans to appoint an ambassador to Tel Aviv after compensation talks for the Mavi Marmara incident is finalized.

[15] Turkey and Japan signed formal agreement to build second nuclear plant in Sinop

Abe came to Istanbul to attend the official opening ceremony of the Marmaray tunnel, which has also been built by a Japanese firm.

Erdogan told reporters during a joint press conference after the Marmaray's opening ceremony, that the nuclear plant would be built with the most developed technology.

"We know that it is impossible to say something like 'accidents will never happen.' Even if it is one in a million, such a danger, such an accident, might occur, and it is impossible to ignore this," Erdogan said, commenting on the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

"There is no investment without risks, in any field. But every firm, every company should take 100% security measures. The ideal thing is without a doubt to minimize the margin of error," he added.

"Moreover, I believe that Japan will put forward the most developed technology in the works that we will undertake together at the Sinop nuclear plant. This is necessary for both Japan and Turkey," the Prime Minister said.

[16] Facebook shuts BDP page for using "Kurdistan"

The party announced the shutdown, accusing Facebook of increasing censorship, which it said is a result of the company's constant cooperation with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

"Cooperation with the AKP, which discovered the value of social media during the Gezi Resistance days, Facebook is continuing without slowing down. As a result of this cooperation, our party's censorship on Facebook is gradually increasing. Facebook's censorship policy regarding our party is similar to the policy of pressure being assumed in the political field," said the BDP in a statement released yesterday.

Recalling that their Istanbul provincial branch's page was closed down days ago, the BDP said Facebook's motive for cooperation with the AKP was its desire to get more shares in advertisement opportunities in Turkey via opening an office here. The new page bans come only a month after BDP officials met with representatives from the social media company in London, after its official party pages were officially closed.

"The closure of our headquarters' page is the most concrete indication of this. Facebook cited use of the word 'Kurdistan' in a message posted on the page. The word 'Kurdistan' is a legitimate and legal word; however, Facebook's ban of this [word] is irrational," it said in a statement. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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