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

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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] Turkey's Plan B for Cyprus is reportedly a two-state formula

[02] Erdogan: there is no country named Cyprus

[03] Turkish Cypriot columnist: Erdogan knows very well that there is a country named Cyprus

[04] Fule hopes Cyprus talks resume as soon as possible

[05] Ertug claimed that the Greek Cypriot side moved "slightly" on the joint declaration issue

[06] Chairman of settler's association says that the occupation regime needs population

[07] Tension between Kurdish and Grey wolves students increased dangerously in occupied Cyprus

[08] A media forum of Turkish speaking countries in the occupied part of Cyprus

[09] Sertoglu: FIFA has accepted the "KTFF" as one of the two sides in Cyprus

[10] Akansoy and Yorgancioglu the only candidates for CTP leadership

[11] Cakici will not run for TDP's leadership again

[12] A rift within AKP

[13] Female and male students in same house fined for 'noise' in Aegean province

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkey's Plan B for Cyprus is reportedly a two-state formula

The source of the information for the news, which is signed by Bahar Bakir, is in Ankara, notes Halkin Sesi pointing out that according to the "new mentality", the options for one and two states in Cyprus will be negotiated. "The approach that solution will come out from the non-solution will come forward in Ankara's new policy", reports the paper adding that Ankara thinks that the parameters on the island changed with the natural gas found in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone and the water which Turkey plans to transfer to the occupied northern part of Cyprus with pipelines.

Ankara, continues the paper, is making the assessment that the Greek Cypriots, [Translator's note: as the Republic of Cyprus is described] will not be able to extract the natural gas and if they attempt to extract and use it, "a new partnership agreement with the TRNC [Translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] or discussing the two states will be needed". The paper reports that Ankara argues that Turkey is the only realistic alternative for transporting the gas to the world.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Erdogan: there is no country named Cyprus

Trying to explain his views on why Turkey is not accepted in the EU, Erdogan recalled that at his first term as Prime Minister, the EU member states were 15 and noted that 12 countries had been accepted as members all together then. He went on and alleged:

"However, they did not admit them because they were in harmony with the EU laws. They admitted them with a political decision. I will give you an example of this. One of them is south Cyprus. Pay attention! They do not admit it as south Cyprus. They admit it as Cyprus. There is no country named Cyprus. There is the local administration of south Cyprus. Because there is north Cyprus and a Green Line exists between them. Who is there at the Green Line? Security battalions established by the UN. Absolutely no country within the EU laws should experience security problems. That place has such an internal problem. How could you admit it? The decision is totally a political decision".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Cypriot columnist: Erdogan knows very well that there is a country named Cyprus

"The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan knows very well that there is a country named Cyprus. Do not listen to what he says that 'there is no' such country. What would he say? If he said that 'there is a country named Cyprus', would they not ask the man, would they not ask him 'what are you doing there?' 'What business do your 40 thousand troops have in a country named Cyprus?' 'Why your flag is waving in every corner?' 'Who are you and when the issue of Varosha comes onto the agenda, you can say, as if it was your property, that 'I will not give land in Cyprus even for the full membership'? 'How comes and your employees can behave there as 'Dominant Governors'? 'Why the balance of population is inverted every day that passes a little bit more in your favour?'

Would they not ask the man? Of course they would ask him. E, how could he say that 'there is a country named Cyprus'? Otherwise, he also knows very well that all these, which we have mentioned above, happen thanks to the existence of a country named 'Cyprus'. He knows that he is here by virtue of the guarantor right he acquired thanks to the Republic of Cyprus established with the London - Zurich Agreements.

And he knows very well how he turned his known guarantor right into a right for 'endless recreation'. Is it possible not to see that white flag which passed in front of him at the Mediterranean Games in Adana and at the European Youth Olympic Games in Trabzon? And not to know that this white flag belongs to that country named Cyprus? Is it possible? Is it possible not to see that the Turkey's teams which play football in the European Championships go to play matches in that country named 'Cyprus'? And not to know that the passports of Turkey, which are in the pockets of the groups of that teams, are stamped by the migration officers of that country named 'Cyprus'? Is it possible? Of course it is not possible.

However, how he could say that 'there is a country named Cyprus'? Otherwise, he also knows that there is such a country. Instead of saying that it exists and having the whole world shouting at him, he says 'it does not exist' and makes a handful of 'handmaids' like us shouting! Besides, who listens to our voice? Who understands our sorrow? Let us shout a little for this as well. Who cares? Have you not read Milliyet newspaper on Friday? It said that Ankara wants to conduct 'one last experiment' with a possible negotiating process. If nothing happens again, it said, it will launch an intensive diplomatic traffic for upgrading TRNC's status. I do not know how many times in New York Gul, Davutoglu and Eroglu determined a new road map to be followed on the Cyprus issue. It is said that they will get into action in the end of this process for which they give a deadline until March. It is said that Ankara told the Turkish Cypriot side that 'let a last experiment be conducted, it could not continue always like this, we will look for another solution, we will launch diplomatic traffic for a two state solution'.

Of course, they could ask the man: '30 years passed since the declaration of the TRNC, if the formula of upgrading its status was in your pocket, I wonder why you waited for so long'. Anyway?!!!"

(I/Ts.)

[04] Fule hopes Cyprus talks resume as soon as possible

"The opening of a new chapter is a step taken in the right direction, but the other chapters must also be opened without further delay," Gul said, in reference to Chapter 22 on regional policy, opened last month after the European Commission's approval.

"We expect from EU leaders to have a visionary and strategic approach regarding Turkey's membership process," Gul said, expressing his appreciation of Fule's "constructive efforts" on the matter.

Gul also said Turkey should not be excluded from the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), emphasizing that the EU had responsibilities towards Ankara due to its membership of the Customs' Union.

For his part, Fule assured Gul that the European Commission held the same view as Turkey regarding tackling new chapters in the accession process.

"We have been making efforts to maintain a sustainable momentum in Turkey's accession process," Fule said. He also expressed his hopes that talks between Brussels and Turkey on a visa deal could start in the near future, and that the two parties in Cyprus would restart talks for a viable solution in the island as soon as possible.

Fule also met with opposition members and NGO representatives during his visit to Istanbul and Ankara.

Moreover, HDN (09.11.13), under the title "Ankara hopeful over new Cyprus peace bid", reported that Ankara has voiced hope for a comprehensive solution on the Cyprus dispute so that membership negotiations between the European Union and Turkey can get back on track.

"We hope comprehensive talks on Cyprus will be launched and so that the issue will no longer be a discouraging factor between the EU and Turkey," Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Nov. 8 at a meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule. The Turkish side has the determination to launch a process on Cyprus gathering together Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders while pursuing negotiations on the basis of earlier talks before reaching a solution through an international conference, Davutoglu said. A solution in the Cyprus dispute would not only bring peace to the island, but also pave the way for the EU to become a global actor with Turkey's accession to the union, he said.

"With Turkey's accession to the EU, a historical step will be taken that will influence the international agenda in various ways," said the Minister.

Fule, for his part, said the timing was right to launch Cyprus talks. "I'd like to express that we give full support to talks," the EU commissioner said, adding that he hoped the parties would use this "window of opportunity" to the fullest.

[05] Ertug claimed that the Greek Cypriot side moved "slightly" on the joint declaration issue

In a statement to "TAK" after an hour-long meeting with UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer, Ertug said that although the Greek Cypriots continue to persist on their "hard line", they again prepared and sent a draft of the joint declaration where he observed that they moved "slightly" in the text.

Noting that he had a constructive meeting with Downer, Ertug said that they, as the Turkish Cypriot side, brought up "bridging" proposals during the meeting.

[06] Chairman of settler's association says that the occupation regime needs population

He added that due to the "citizenship policy" followed by politicians during the last three years, around 100 thousand persons were forced to migrate from occupied Cyprus adding that the economic crisis influenced negatively the settlers. He went on and added that "the country needs population".

[07] Tension between Kurdish and Grey wolves students increased dangerously in occupied Cyprus

The paper reports that following the fight occurred between the two groups last week in occupied Famagusta, around 100 Kurdish students organised yesterday a protest in the occupied part of Lefkosia marching to the "Turkish embassy" and protesting against "police" behaviour during the fight. The protestors also called on the "police" to set the students arrested in Famagusta free.

Reporting on the issue, columnist Basaran Duzgun, writes in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (11.11.13) that years ago a whole village of Kurds living in occupied Monarga were sent back to Turkey over a night, adding that the same fate is waiting the Kurdish students involved in the incidents in Famagusta. He also writes this "ugly war", in which Turkish Cypriots are not involved is continuing in occupied Cyprus.

[08] A media forum of Turkish speaking countries in the occupied part of Cyprus

Director General of Press and Information Murat Karakaya told the AA reporter that Turkish speaking countries established a media forum portal. "The forum was so beneficial and all the participants were satisfied with the result," Karakaya added.

Forum's final declaration was also signed in the summit by the members of Turkish speaking countries.

[09] Sertoglu: FIFA has accepted the "KTFF" as one of the two sides in Cyprus

Sertoglu said he stands by the announcements he made before going to Zurich and added that "I had told everyone before I went to Zurich that this provisional agreement would emerge and asked everyone to put forward their views. There is no reason to panic".

"Whether or not I like or dislike the agreement doesn't matter. I told everyone that I would bring this agreement home. The owners of the Football association are the teams, clubs and directors", said Sertoglu before pointing out some important factors in the agreement.

"If there is good will then all problems can be solved," said Sertoglu and noted that much false information had been circulating in the press.

He also noted that he had not met with the Turkish Cypriot leader or with the so-called prime minister since returning to the island as he had been preparing for the press conference.

"There is no return from this road we will take what we need by force if necessary", said Sertoglu and added that they were aware of the problems that they would be forced to deal with once in Zurich.

"CFA is the only official collocutor of FIFA and UEFA and we wanted to see how we could collaborate with them. FIFA has accepted the KTFF as one of the two sides in Cyprus", said Sertoglu and noted that there were still some cloudy issues on the agreement and therefore it would not be possible to accept the agreement until everything has been clarified.

[10] Akansoy and Yorgancioglu the only candidates for CTP leadership

The Secretary General of the ruling Republican Turkish Party Asim Akansoy has officially announced that he will be running for the party's leadership. The current CTP leader, self-style prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and General Secretary Asim Akansoy are the only two candidates who are competing for the party leadership position. The deadline for applications ended at 5 pm on Friday afternoon.

According to the party's charter, all candidates must submit their official candidacies a month before the general congress.

Alongside the party leader, the party assembly members and the high advisory board members will also be elected. There are over a hundred candidates running for the party assembly member's position.

[11] Cakici will not run for TDP's leadership again

Cakici stated that he will not run for the position in the forthcoming election congress of TDP, committed to the promised he made prior to the "parliament elections" that if the party would not have increased its strength, he would resign.

[12] A rift within AKP

It was the first time Erdogan and Arinc have appeared in public together since last Friday, when Arinc called on the Prime Minister to explain the contradiction between them over remarks Erdogan made regarding mixed-gender student housing.

At a press briefing on Nov. 4, Arinc, who is also government spokesman, denied media reports that Erdogan had made remarks about male and female students sharing apartments and threatened government action against such housing on Nov. 3. Arinc vehemently denied the reports, calling them "false" and "ill-intentioned."

A day later, Erdogan confirmed that he had made the remarks in question, which were widely seen as an obvious intrusion into citizens' private lives.

In the wake of Erdogan's refutation of Arinc's remarks, many began to doubt the deputy prime minister's credibility, and many columnists wrote that they wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

Last Friday, Arinc complained in a televised interview that Erdogan's remarks on student housing had created a false impression of his own views among the public, and he asked the Prime Minister to solve the problem.

He said there was an "open contradiction between his and the Prime Minister's words" and claimed that he was not responsible for the situation.

"I am not responsible for the Prime Minister's remarks. I am not responsible for this situation. I am not only a Minister, I have my own weight. I should not be used up. I should not be ignored. I never want to be turned into the punching bag of some," said Arinc.

What saddened him most, he said, was that as someone who keeps tabs on the Prime Minister 24 hours a day, he expected the Prime Minister to follow up on what he had said, to pay attention to him and not contradict him.

According to a column by Deniz Zeyrek in the Radikal daily on Sunday, Arinc was driven by the Prime Minister's three-day silence on the discrepancy to publicly ask Erdogan to explain the contradiction.

Shedding light on the background of the Erdogan-Arinc row in his column, Zeyrek wrote that Arinc's disappointment intensified when, after a Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan disregarded his request to explain the contradiction between their remarks, putting Arinc in a difficult position.

According to Zeyrek, when Arinc appeared before the press on Nov. 4, he was completely unaware of Erdogan's remarks on student houses aside from a note warning him that he might be asked about the issue and informing him that the government had no plans to take action against mixed-gender housing.

Zeyrek said Arinc was not voicing his personal views and only shared the official line of the Prime Ministry. After Erdogan refuted Arinc's remarks the next day, Arinc asked Erdogan to explain the contradiction. Erdogan failed to do so, and Arinc waited until last Friday to publicly call on the Prime Minister to give an explanation.

[13] Female and male students in same house fined for 'noise' in Aegean province

Three female students sharing the same apartment in Manisa had two male friends as guests. Their house was raided by the police at around midnight. The students claimed that the police questioned them about whether it was a co-ed house or the male students were guests. Each of the five students was fined to 88 Turkish Liras for violating the law of misdemeanour on the grounds that they were making noise and there were complaints. The students claimed that they were not making noise and said that they were worried upon seeing the police at their door.

Rasim Ekmekciogu, one of the guest students at the house said they were not making any noise. "There were six police officers at the door. They asked for our ID. They asked who was living in that house and whether we were living girls and boys together... We were not making noise. Even if we made noise, why did they ask whether it was a co-ed house," said Ekmekcioglu.

Manisa Police Department, however, told daily Hurriyet that the fine was caused by the noise. "The fine was for the noise, not because it was a co-ed house. There was a complaint about the house. We are not interested in who lives where with whom, the police do not fine for no reason," said an official from the police department who wanted to remain anonymous. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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