Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-11-06

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] CFA and KTFF sign an agreement to unify Cyprus football; KTFF wants changes in the agreement; Reactions by Turkish Cypriot politicians

[02] How the Turkish press covers the provisional CFA and CTFA

[03] Eroglu: if the latest Turkish proposal is not accepted by the Greek Cypriots the "exercise for a joint statement" must end

[04] Eroglu: the territory will be discussed only if agreement is reached on the other chapters; Ban Ki-moon will not prepare a solution plan

[05] Ertug supports Eroglu's statements and sa?d: Joint statement between the two sides not certain

[06] Bagis called on Cyprus to listen carefully to Fule

[07] Mayor of Prague is illegally visiting the breakaway regime

[08] European Court fines Turkey for torture under police custody

[09] Turkish foreign Ministry: Turkey welcomes opening of new Chapter in EU accession talks

[10] Bagis: Germany and France will kneel down and ask Turkey to be a member state of the EU one day

[11] CHP: Turkish PM aims to end mixed sex education; Erdogan stands behind remarks of male and female students cohabiting

[12] Norway's King in Turkey for first head of state visit; Turkey and Norway to step up efforts on energy ties

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] CFA and KTFF sign an agreement to unify Cyprus football; KTFF wants changes in the agreement; Reactions by Turkish Cypriot politicians

Havadis reports that according to the text, KTFF will become a member of CFA and the CFA will respond to this by recognizing KTFF's authority in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. KTFF will be the only authority in occupied northern Cyprus and the CFA will be an observer, notes the paper adding that if the general assemblies of KTFF and the CFA approve the text, KTFF will gain international representation.

The paper writes that the provision for the KTFF becoming member of the CFA has caused "serious reactions" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. "The reactions make KTFF's decision difficult", notes the paper adding that the text did not satisfy the KTFF. At the beginning, KTFF's chairman, Hasan Sertoglu did not want to enter into the meeting in Zurich, but FIFA's chairman promised him that before the meeting of KTFF's general assembly, changes will be made in the text and the status of the KTFF will become clearer.

Under the title "There is a signature, not an agreement", Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (06.11.13) reports that the provision for KTFF becoming member of the CFA caused problems. The paper writes that Sertoglu stated the following: "I do not accept this text. This text is not an agreement. This text cannot go to the general assembly in this form. I told Blatter that we could not take it in this form and our objections were accepted. In any case, if this text goes to the general assembly as it is, I will do whatever I can in order for not being accepted". Noting that the meetings will continue in the process which will follow, Sertoglu said that they have to hold many meetings not just one.

The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot side reacts especially because of article 1 and 4 of the agreement and says that it will try to change them.

Referring to the issue, the self-styled prime minister of the regime, Ozkan Yorgancioglu said he trusts the delegation of the KTFF and does not think that they will do anything wrong. "All their effort is to pave the way of our football. Therefore, I do not think that this is a very bad situation", he noted.

Commenting on the same issue, self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas said that the approach of applying for becoming a member of CFA could not be accepted and alleged that a lot of work is needed on the text in order for being changed. He noted that he was relaxed by Sertoglu's statement that the text could not be accepted as it is. "If the decisions that will be taken on the issue of football will influence politics, we will interfere. If the issue is only football, there is no problem", he said.

Meanwhile, Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), said that if the text [of the agreement] is the one which exists on UEFA's website, it could not be accepted. He noted that they sense that football could be put in front of the unsolved political problem of Cyprus and become a "role model".

Hasan Ercakica, former spokesman of the "presidency" during Mehmet Ali Talat's period, wondered what the Turkish Cypriots are doing at the negotiating table if they approve joining the CFA in this manner. He said: "I know that the Cyprus problem derives from the fact that the Turkish Cypriots do not accept to be administrated by the Greek Cypriot side and as a person who paid important prices for the solution and forced his family to also pay prices, I cannot accept entering under such administration".

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.11.13) refers to the issue under the title "A road map has been formed". In its sports pages, the paper writes that Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus, and the US and French Ambassadors to Nicosia called the Turkish Cypriot delegation to congratulate it after the signing of the document.

The rest of the Turkish Cypriot newspapers cover the issue under the following titles:

Volkan: Political Treason, KTFF entered under KOP, If you was not satisfied why you have signed it?

Yeni Duzen: Light of hope?

Afrika: We joined KOP

Kibrisli: Historic signature in Zurich!

Vatan: There is no result in Zurich, there is a 'draft-text'!

Bakis: KTFF became a member of KOP!

Star Kibris: The signatures were put, but?

Ortam: Let it be the beginning

Gunes (on page 7): KTFF became member of KOP

(I/Ts.)

[02] How the Turkish press covers the provisional CFA and CTFA

The headlines of the newspapers on the football agreement are as follows:

SABAH: A historic signature in Cyprus

HURRIYET: A historic reunion! The CTFA accepted to be member of the CFA

HURRIYET DAILY NEWS: Cypriot football unified with historic deal

MILLIYET: A "football" agreement in Cyprus. The paper reports that the chairman of the CTFA, Hasan Sertoglu, commenting on the provisional agreement, said the text of the agreement has not satisfied them, adding that it wouldn't be able to pass by the general assembly. Sertoglu also said: "We told them that the text should go under serious amendments. They also justified us."

RADIKAL: A football solution to the embargo in Cyprus. The paper reports that Sertoglu said that they went to Zurich and signed the agreement, because they had given their word to Blatter. However, he added, the text must be improved; otherwise it will not pass from the general assembly.

TARAF: Cyprus is united for the first time in football.

Today's Zaman: Greek and Turkish Cyprus agree on single football team

ZAMAN: An intermediary solution for the Cyprus football

[03] Eroglu: if the latest Turkish proposal is not accepted by the Greek Cypriots the "exercise for a joint statement" must end

In a written statement issued yesterday, Eroglu said that this is a critical week for the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that today he will meet with Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus. Eroglu said he agrees with Ban Ki-moon's message that the negotiations must resume from the point they had been left.

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side had turned the issue of the joint statement into a precondition for the commencement of the negotiations, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish side has submitted "many constructive and reconciliatory proposals" in order for a joint statement to be issued. He noted:

"We conveyed yesterday to the Greek Cypriot side through the UN our latest proposal in this direction. In case this is not accepted the exercise for a joint statement, which has been continuing for almost two months, must end. At the point we have come, we do not want to waste time. This is a test of sincerity. I want to once more make a call on the Greek Cypriot leader. Let us come to the table and continue the negotiations from the point they were left, making use of this opportunity in the days during which Mr Downer is on the island. For this reason, I have postponed my planned visit to London. The Turkish Cypriot side is ready to sit at the table immediately and it is sincere on the issue of finding a solution the soonest, in the first quarter of 2014".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu: the territory will be discussed only if agreement is reached on the other chapters; Ban Ki-moon will not prepare a solution plan

Eroglu said that there are six chapters in the negotiations and if anyone wants to add any other chapter, this should be discussed at the negotiating table. "An extra chapter could open only with our acceptance", he noted adding: "We are ready to discuss at the negotiating table all chapters which we believe that have not been discussed. That is, the six chapters have the issues of security, territory and property. We have negotiated on the property issue for a very long period of time and put forward our criteria. We have put forward our criteria on the territory issue and we said that 'only if agreement is reached on the other issues we will discuss the territory, because from the moment you open the territory issue for discussion, there will be unrest in the country. Why? Because people that will be relocated will come onto the agenda?"

Asked to comment on the issue of the single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international representation and the complains of the Greek Cypriot side that the Turkish stance changed on issues on which agreement had been reached, Eroglu said that the "partnership state" will of course, have a single international identity and a single identity and that it will have one citizenship and one seat at the UN. He went on and claimed: "It will be sovereign as well, but where it will be taking its sovereignty from? Now we are saying this: what is the solution we are looking for? A bi-zonal, bi-communal federal partnership state based on political equality, a federal republic. Now, if you say that these founding states will have no characteristics and that they will not give any power to the partnership state, then who is founding this partnership state we call federal Republic of Cyprus?..."

Replying to a question as regards the road map which the Turkish Cypriots will follow in case the negotiations enter into a deadlock, Eroglu said that this is discussed from time to time and added, inter alia, the following. "These issues are discussed at certain places. When we say that 'we cannot wait for another 50 years', [this means] that the Turkish Cypriot people have no patience and the belief of the Greek Cypriots that the two sides will meet under a common roof is decreased day after day".

Commenting on the view that "if the process fails the Turkish Cypriots should know what will happen with them", Eroglu noted, inter alia, the following: "Of course, saying that 'this is our alternative', while the negotiations are still going on, it could mean that 'Eroglu is trying to torpedo the process'. However, if we could not reach an agreement, we will sit and evaluate the situation in the circumstances that will exist then. However, now we are concentrated on sitting at the negotiating table and on solving the Cyprus problem within 3-5 months. We have local elections, but Turkey has local elections, presidential elections and afterwards parliamentary elections. That is, both north Cyprus and Turkey will be very busy with the elections. Therefore, if there is a will, we could finish these six chapters within 3-5 months. And will go to referendum?Which communities, which peoples will have the right for referendum? When you think of this, you will at any case find the meaning. If I have no self-determination right, I cannot take these people to referendum? We have stated let us take this issue to referendum and finish it in March-April. Of course, if there is no agreement, however, we will sit with our parliament and our motherland Turkey and see where we will go?"

Asked to clarify the Turkish view as regards the so-called "internal citizenship", Eroglu said, inter alia, the following: "Those who are now citizens of the partnership state will become citizens of the Turkish or Greek founding states. The Greek side says that only the partnership state should have citizenship, but what we say? Given that this will be a federation based on political equality; these people will also be citizens of our administration as we are a founding state. This is not only for us, but for the Greek Cypriots as well. That is, the Greek Cypriots who are citizens of the partnership state will be citizens of the Greek Cypriot founding state as well. This is what we call internal citizenship?"

Asked to comment on self-styled Prime Minister Yorgancioglu's statement that the so-called foreign minister Ozdil Nami should be attending the negotiating table, Eroglu said that he is the one who should decide on this issue and added that these things should not be discussed through the press. He noted that they inform the "foreign minister" on all issues through Osman Ertug, Eroglu's special representative. "He also briefs me on the meetings he holds, he sends me the minutes", he said referring to Nami.

Asked to comment on the possibility of a "Ban Ki-moon Plan", as the Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator has stated, Eroglu said he does not think that Ban Ki-moon will do such a thing.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ertug supports Eroglu's statements and sa?d: Joint statement between the two sides not certain

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Ertug said that because this is a very critical and sensitive period he does not want to make statements to the press so that his words are not understood wrongly.

He also said that he and Downer will continue to carry on with the duty they were given and that the works for issuing a joint statement between the two sides in Cyprus are continuing.

Asked to comment on Eroglu's statement that if the latest Turkish proposal is not accepted by the Greek Cypriots the "exercise for a joint statement" must end, Ertug said that this statement reflects the Turkish Cypriot side's "national" policy. Asked if he talked on this issue with Downer, Ertug did not reply.

[06] Bagis called on Cyprus to listen carefully to Fule

Claiming that the 95% of the coverage of these chapters are on issues that Turkey is being criticized, Bagis said: "We stressed that we have clear will to open these chapters. However, the Greek Cypriot administration, which prevents the opening of the chapters, should come to its senses and not jeopardize and mortgage the interests of Turkey, the EU and the 500 million of citizens of the EU member countries. On this issue, I hope that they would do what it is correct."

Noting that in case of a Cyprus settlement positive developments will also occur regarding Turkey's EU accession process, Bagis said: "Especially, as a result of the negotiations that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer is holding with the sides, a new plan will materialize until the end of the year which will be a correct version of the Annan plan, the emergence of Ban Ki-moon plan, which will be put to a simultaneous vote on both sides at the beginning of 2014 and envisages the foundation of a United States of Cyprus, a single sovereignty in the world, but each side will themselves determine the domestic affairs, based on a political equality on the island. This will also lift the obstacles of Turkey on chapters 14 and 16, which are being blocked for political reasons".

[07] Mayor of Prague is illegally visiting the breakaway regime

He said that they were working to become a sister municipality with the Agios Amvrosios "municipality" said that this was important for the two "countries" to learn about each others cultures.

Denktas said he was pleased to see Caldr and members of his municipal council in the breakaway regime.

He said that his ministry will do all it can to promote cooperation between the two municipalities.

[08] European Court fines Turkey for torture under police custody

The ECHR fined Turkey 20,000 euros for non-pecuniary damages and 2,000 euros for costs and expenses in the case of Mesut Deniz over his ill-treatment during detention.

Deniz, 38, currently in Ankara's Sincan prison, claimed that after his arrest on Oct. 5, 1999, the police subjected him to ill-treatment.

Relying in particular on Article 3 (the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 13 (the right to an effective remedy), the ECHR decided that Deniz had been subjected to ill-treatment while in police custody, that the authorities had failed to carry out an effective investigation into these allegations, and that he had therefore been denied the opportunity to claim compensation.

Deniz claimed that during custody the police tortured him, including giving him electric shocks, hanging him by his arms, beating him severely, twisting and squeezing his penis and making him lie on an icy surface, said the court in its explanation of the decision. Medical reports undertaken on the same day of arrest and during the following days all record a large number of injuries on Deniz's body.

An investigation was launched by a prosecutor in 2000, and a police officer was charged, but he was eventually acquitted in September 2007. Deniz attempted to appeal the decision, but the courts refused to allow him to do so because he had not made himself a civil party to proceedings. This refusal was upheld by Court of Cassation in May 2012.

Meanwhile, the European court also fined Turkey 7,000 euros in total for not properly investigating the allegations of torture that allegedly took place during the arrest of a minor in southeastern Turkey.

Cuneyt Ertus claimed that he was ill-treated by the police during his arrest in the province of Hakkari in 1993, at a time when he was 15. He was charged with attending a demonstration in support of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Ertus's parents filed a criminal complaint against the officers involved in the arrest, but the Hakkari public prosecutor decided not to bring criminal proceedings. An objection against this decision and a claim for compensation were both dismissed.

In a third case, the ECHR ruled for Turkey to pay 6,500 euros to Kamuran Tuzun for violation of Article 3 of the Convention under its procedural limb. Tuzun complained that during his arrest in May 2006 in Izmir, officers had hit his head with a weapon, and that he had been beaten with truncheons and guns. The public prosecutor decided not to issue proceedings against the officers, and Tuzun's objection to this ruling was dismissed in January 2007.

[09] Turkish foreign Ministry: Turkey welcomes opening of new Chapter in EU accession talks

Stating the importance of Chapter 22 for revitalization of the negotiation process after a 3 year interval, "the blockages on chapters that have been introduced with political considerations would also be lifted immediately and thereby all other chapters be opened to negotiations." Turkey emphasized its expectation.

It stated that "Turkey will decisively continue its work the path towards EU membership."

[10] Bagis: Germany and France will kneel down and ask Turkey to be a member state of the EU one day

Bagis told Germany's Zeit Online that Turkish economic performance has grown 6% on average in the past ten years and it is above average compared to the EU.

"The energy sources the EU needs are either in the north or the south of Turkey," he said. " If the EU does not want to cooperate with Turkey, it either needs to work with Russia or do with renewable energy resources."

Stating that the biggest obstacle before Turkey's EU membership was prejudice, Bagis stressed that the EU needs Turkey as much as Turkey needs the EU. When asked about the prejudice for which he blames the EU, Bagis said "They consider Turkey as a poor, unsettled Muslim country."

[11] CHP: Turkish PM aims to end mixed sex education; Erdogan stands behind remarks of male and female students cohabiting

"Male and female students do not even live in the same dormitories, they are already separated. But his [Erdogan's] main concern over this issue is not mixed sex dormitories; his real intention is to abolish mixed-sex education," Kilicdaroglu said on Nov. 5 in his address to his party's parliamentary group meeting.

He was commenting on Erdogan's recent remarks that triggered a strong public reaction, in which the Prime Minister condemned the practice of female and male students living under one roof, describing it as "against our conservative democratic character" and vowing to take measures.

Kilicdaroglu accused Erdogan of "misinforming" people about student dormitories, stressing that male and female students were already not accommodated in the same buildings in any state dormitories.

The CHP leader devoted almost his whole speech to women's freedoms, stressing the various times that he said his party had defended the equality of women and men, in contrast to Erdogan, who he once again labeled as "dictator."

"Violence against women increased 1400 percent over the past 10 years. Who is responsible for this? If we ask the dictator, it's the responsibility of the CHP. But the CHP wholeheartedly believes in the equality of women and men," Kilicdaroglu said.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) aims to "decrease women's participation in social life," according to the CHP head. "They have revoked women's rights step by step. Women should liberate themselves from a mentality that aims to lock them in the house," he said.

Kilicdaroglu added that women who previously voted for the AKP should resist the government's interventions into their lifestyles.

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman newspaper (06.11.13) reports that Erdogan on Tuesday stood behind remarks reported on Monday in which he spoke highly critically of male and female students cohabiting, a day after a government spokesman firmly denied the comments.

"I never deny anything I speak as I am a characteristically different politician," Erdogan said addressing his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies on Tuesday.

Stating that he is against the idea of both sexes staying in the same dormitory on the grounds that it falls contradictory to his "democratic and conservative" line, Erdogan said: "We never permitted female and male students to stay in the same dormitory and never will. The inefficiency of such system in which both sexes share same dormitory is also accepted by global education psychology. The works to separate the dormitories of both sexes is ongoing now, 70 percent of which has been completed. In some regions students stay at houses, where there is a lack of room in dormitories. We receive intelligence on what goes on in these houses. The governor's offices are intervening in this. Why are you feeling uneasy about this?" he asked, referring to criticisms in the media over his statements.

[12] Norway's King in Turkey for first head of state visit; Turkey and Norway to step up efforts on energy ties

Interior Minister Muammer Guler welcomed the Norwegian monarch at Ankara's Esenboga Airport on Nov. 4, the arrival marking the first head-of-state-level visit between the two countries since 1926, when bilateral diplomatic relations were first formed.

"In addition to being an oil and gas producer, Norway also has significant technological know-how and experience in the field of renewable energy," said a president's office spokesperson, adding that in this regard, King Harald V will participate in the opening ceremony of the "Turkish-Norwegian Partnership in the Field of Renewable Energy Resources Forum" in Ankara on Nov. 6.

The King will meet with representatives of the business community in Istanbul on Nov. 7, on the last day of his visit.

In addition, Today's Zaman (06.11.13) reports that on the same day that Chapter 22, one of the chapters that Turkey needs to fulfill for full membership in the European Union, was officially opened to negotiation, President Abdullah Gul said the Turkish nation may want to take the same path as the Norwegians, who in two referendums voted against becoming a part of the EU.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Norwegian King Harald V on Tuesday, Gul called on the EU countries not to block the EU negotiations and said today's issue is to conclude the EU negotiations successfully. But then, after the completion of negotiations, he said, the Turkish nation may lose its will to enter the EU after fulfilling the required conditions, like the Norwegians, as a public referendum is needed to become an EU country.

Finally Hurriyet Daily News (06.11.13) reports Turkey and Norway have stepped up efforts to boost bilateral ties especially in energy and in cooperation on developments regarding the Middle East as King Harald V of Norway made the first ever head of state visit to Ankara.

"We strongly pay attention to our relations, particularly in the energy sector," President Abdullah Gul said yesterday at a joint press conference with King Harald V.

President Gul stressed that there was potential to cooperate in energy with Norway, citing that the country obtained 95 percent of its electricity from hydroelectricity, and that it also possessed the richest gas reserves of the world.

The President said that they also discussed developments in the Middle East and Syria, and decided to increase cooperation.

"Norway has soft power. Despite having a small population, it makes a significant contribution to solving global problems. In this respect, it has a strong reputation among the international community," Gul said.

"Turkey and Norway have the same values and ideals since both have been NATO members for years," he added.

The energy ministers of both states signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in energy.

The King, for his part, underlined that partnerships in economy with Turkey would make rapprochement easier between the two countries.

Norway aims to increase its cooperation and investments in Turkey on the area of marine and his country seeks opportunities in fishing, the King said. Investments of Norwegian companies in Turkey on hydro-energy worth to $1 to 2 million, he added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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