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

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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] Electricity price increases cause reactions in occupied Cyprus

[02] Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots make peace process difficult

[03] Nami informed Turkish Cypriot trade unions on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

[04] Environmental organizations warnings: Pentadaktylos to be down to four fingers

[05] Othello castle and Arsenal Bastion in Famagusta are collapsing

[06] Turkey, Azerbaijan confirm political solidarity, energy cooperation

[07] Parties go on culture war with mixed-gender housing debate

[08] Turkish envoy summoned to Egyptian Foreign Ministry

[09] ECHR finds Turkey guilty of violating convention in village bombing

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Electricity price increases cause reactions in occupied Cyprus

According to Sennaroglu, they established that "KIB-TEK" sells electricity in prices under the cost and argued that the situation is derived from the fact that the former "governments" took no measures in the past two years in front of the increase of the fuel oil prices and dollar's exchange rate. He said also that the debts of the "public institutions and organizations" as well as of the "municipalities" will be rearranged.

According to the paper, Sennaroglu said that a price increase of 18.42% is considered for consumption of 250 kilowatts per hour (KW/h), but the increase in the electricity bill will be 13.63%. For consumption over 250 kW/h, the price will be increased by 25%, 28.85% and 29.23% respectively. According to the new rates the price per one KW/h will be 19.2 Turkish liras (TL). The new prices will come into effect as of Monday 18 November 2013.

The paper calls on the people not to pay the bills, noting that "state institutions" do not pay, "municipalities" do not pay, luxury hotels do not pay, "universities" do not pay and those who are "influential" do not pay.

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (13.11.13) reports that self-styled prime minister, Ozkan Yorgancioglu stated that they had no other alternative and asked from the people to show "understanding". "If there was no increase, the production would stop", he said.

The paper writes that the increase was like a "cold shower" for the people. Noting that the reaction of the community was very strong, the paper writes that many organizations made a call for "civil disobedience" and asked from the people not to pay the bills.

Referring to the issue, Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), said that the increase was an "injustice and unacceptable". He argued that "governing means producing solutions to the problems" and not forcing the people to pay the price.

Dev-Is trade union issued a statement noting that the "government" disappointed the workers and the laborers and asking for the withdrawal of the decision. Describing the increase as "irrational", the union protested against the Republican Turkish Party ? Democratic Party (CTP-DP) "government", noting that it is a "complete substitute" of the former UBP "government".

The trade union of "KIB-TEK's" employees (EL-SEN) also issued a statement noting that the solution to the problem is not making increases in the price of electricity, but collecting the debts from those who owe to "KIB-TEK".

The chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Izzet Izcan protested against the CTP-DP "government" and said that with the increases, the process of privatizing "KIB-TEK" has started.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (13.11.13) reports that Ali Cirali and Hurrem Tulga, chairmen of the Chambers of Industry and Tradesmen and Craftsmen respectively, also reacted against the increase.

Cirali said that the industrialists continue "fighting for their existence" and drew attention to the fact that electricity is an important input for industry. Noting that the price increases are very high, Cirali argued that with these increases they cannot compete with Turkey anymore.

Turlga said that the "government" did something "outrageous" and pushed both the tradesmen and the people to poverty.

Under the title "KIB-TEK is being privatized", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (13.11.13) cites information according to which, last week a delegation from Turkish Petroleum Company (TPIC), which meets the needs of KIB-TEK in fuel oil since 2009, had visited the administrators of the organization and Sennaroglu last week. According to the paper, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc's son, Ahmet Mucahit Arinc was also participating in the TPIC's delegation of experts. The paper writes that in his statements after the departure of the delegation, Sennaroglu "has created the picture" of KIB-TEK's privatization.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots make peace process difficult

In statements on the Cyprus problem during a meeting with a delegation from Turkey's Hotel Restaurant and Entertainment Workers Trade Union (TOLEYIS), Eroglu alleged that Greek Cypriot side's unwillingness to come to the negotiation table creates suspicion that it doesn't want an agreement. Eroglu claimed that it is not possible to say that the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution because they have allegedly rejected all the UN agreement texts until today.

In statements during a meeting with a delegation from Turkey's Hotel Restaurant and Entertainment Workers Trade Union (TOLEYIS), Eroglu, referring to the Cyprus problem, alleged that Greek Cypriot side unwillingness to come to the negotiation table creates suspicion that doesn't want an agreement. Eroglu claimed that it is not possible the Greek Cypriot side to say that they want a solution because they have allegedly rejected all the UN until today.

Eroglu reiterated that they want to conclude the negotiations by April and to take the agreement to referenda.

The Chairman of TOLEYIS, Cemal Bakindi, for his part, said that they will remain in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus for 3 days for the seminars. He added that they have been trying to create a bridge between Turkey and "North Cyprus", adding that they have decided to carry out the seminars in the occupation area of Cyprus. He also argued that they want "TRNC" (Transl. note: breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) to be recognize by the whole world as an independent, adding that they full support Eroglu's policy.

Eroglu claimed that although they are under "embargoes", Turkish Cypriots have reached this point with the support of their motherland Turkey, which she is the only one recognizing them, claiming that one day the world would see that these "embargoes" are inhuman.

[03] Nami informed Turkish Cypriot trade unions on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

Nami stated that he exchanged views on the recent developments with the trade unions adding that the people's support will be needed in a solution; therefore the society must be informed on the developments.

On his part, chairman of Turk-Sen trade union Arsan Bicakli stated that this is the first time they are informed on the issue by the "foreign ministry", adding that in the past they were informed by the "presidency".

[04] Environmental organizations warnings: Pentadaktylos to be down to four fingers

Orhan Aydeniz, chairman of the "Cyprus Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats", stated that the situation is critical if action is not taken soon.

"There are currently 17 stones quarries operating across the Five Fingers mountains in an unorganized and unsystematic manner. Mountains and foothills are disappearing and it is impossible to rehabilitate", he said adding that we can continuity talking for the next 20 years over the issue, but soon no mountains will be left. "There will not be five or four fingers left in the mountain. There will be nothing", he stated.

On his part, "Greek Action Group" chairman Dogan Sahir, stated that stone quarry activities should stop immediately and action must be taken soon.

[05] Othello castle and Arsenal Bastion in Famagusta are collapsing

According to the chairman of the "Famagusta Initiative" Okan Dagli, the monuments need restoration urgently and added that the abandonment and neglecting of old monuments of Famagusta is continuing despite the warnings made.

[06] Turkey, Azerbaijan confirm political solidarity, energy cooperation

Speaking at a joint news conference with Aliyev on Tuesday, President Abdullah Gul confirmed Turkey's support for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is a "national issue" for Turkey as well.

"We reviewed big economic projects, [cooperation in the fields of] gas, energy and transportation. We also discussed the issue of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and liberation of Azerbaijan's occupied territories, which is a national issue for Azerbaijan and which we also view as a national issue," Gul told the press conference. "I believe this [liberation of Azerbaijani territories] will be realized eventually," Gul also said, adding that such a resolution in the long-standing conflict should come through diplomacy.

"Turkey is always by our side on this matter; it is on the side of justice. Azerbaijan's lands have been under Armenian occupation for many years," Aliyev said for his part. He said Azerbaijani people in the occupied lands were subject to ethnic cleansing. "It is not possible to make peace with such injustice," he said.

Aliyev said he and Gul discussed massive energy and transportation projects that connect the two countries, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

Aliyev is due to have talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday. Cabinet ministers from the two countries will also attend a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, which takes place as a joint meeting of the cabinets of the two countries.

[07] Parties go on culture war with mixed-gender housing debate

Opposition parties criticized Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for threatening liberal people's lifestyles, while the Prime Minister defended his stance.

Erdogan on Tuesday reiterated his opposition to mixed-gender houses shared by university students and said his government has the responsibility of preserving the values held by Turkish society. Speaking at his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan said he was not going to afford any opportunities to those who are lying in wait to see a rift in the AK Party.

On the other hand, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has called on parents to "ignore what the dictator says," referring to recent remarks by PM Erdogan targeting young men and women living together in mixed-gender student homes. Kilicdaroglu spoke at his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, criticizing Erdogan's recent anger at male and female university students renting apartments together.

Similarly, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) also called on Erdogan to apologize to university students and their families for his recent remarks implying that male and female students who share the same house are committing an immoral act. "The prime minister must definitely apologize to our innocent students and their families," Devlet Bahceli said at an MHP parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Today's Zaman (online, 12.11.13) reported that as reverberations continue from the government's plan to take action against mixed-gender student cohabitation, the Interior Minister emphasized that a right to privacy is guaranteed by law, saying that no one (police) can enter a house without a court ruling.

Speaking during a program aired on the private NTV channel late on Monday, Interior Minister Muammer Guler waded into the controversial issue in what seems to have been an attempt to clarify the government's position -- one which even caused a rift within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) -- and he refuted allegations of state intrusion into private lives.

"The protection of private life, the privacy of property and the home and individual rights are guaranteed by law. Those rights are protected by the Constitution, the universal norms and the state institutions that are responsible for the implementation of the law," Guler said in attempt to placate critics and defuse lingering tension over the issue.

[08] Turkish envoy summoned to Egyptian Foreign Ministry

Egyptian Foreign Ministry officials expressed their discomfort about remarks made by some top Turkish officials about the Cairo administration to Botsali, according to the information the Anadolu news agency received from sources at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo.

Sources said Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Hatem Seif el Nasr, who talked with Botsali at the Foreign Ministry, told the Turkish envoy that statements made by Turkish officials on Egypt amounted to "interfering in Egypt's internal affairs". It was not clear which remarks by Turkish officials the Egyptian officials were referring to.

Turkey recently called for a fair trial for ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who stood trial on Nov. 4 on charges of inciting murder during clashes last December outside the presidential palace that left at least 10 dead. In an address on Nov. 3, Erdogan talked about the events in Egypt, saying, "We witness brother killing brother." He added that the Rabaa sign, which has become a symbol of the anti-coup protesters' defiance, has become a sign that says "stop" to injustice in every corner of the world. "It is a sign to say stop to massacres and coups," Erdogan said.

Botsali was recalled to Ankara in late August for consultation but then returned to Egypt in early September.

Sending Botsali back to Egypt had been interpreted by observers as a change in Ankara's Egypt policy and possibly an attempt to revive diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Although the Turkish envoy was sent back to Cairo with Turkish Foreign Ministry officials saying that they had completed "consultations" with Botsali, the Egyptian envoy to Turkey, Abderahman Salah El-Din, will not return to Ankara in the short term. Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy had stated that Egypt expects Turkey to change its strong position on Morsi's removal before it will send its ambassador back to his post.

"The narrow party vision of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will push relations to a course Egypt was keen to avoid with the aim of preserving historical relations between the two countries," Egypt's Presidential Spokesman Ihab Badawi said on Nov. 7. He added that his country was now "reassessing" it relations with Turkey in light of recent "contradictory" messages from Turkish officials.

[09] ECHR finds Turkey guilty of violating convention in village bombing

The court ordered Turkey to pay more than 2 million euros in total in fines to the applicants.

The judgment was announced on Tuesday, the first day of a three-day visit by Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin to the European court in Strasbourg.

The judgment is significant because the case is similar to the Uludere bombing, in which 34 Kurdish villagers were killed in an airstrike by Turkish military jets in December 2011.

The ECHR on Wednesday announced its ruling in the case Benzer and Others v. Turkey, launched after the applicants alleged that Turkish jets bombed two villages in southeast Turkey in March 1994, killing more than 30 of the applicants' close relatives, injuring some of the applicants themselves and destroying most of their property and livestock. The court said although judgment was not final, it found Turkey guilty of violating Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights and a failure to comply with Article 38 (obligation to provide all necessary facilities for the examination of the case).

The court said Turkey should carry out further investigative steps into the incident to identify and punish those who gave the orders for the bombings.

The court ruled Turkey to pay the 38 applicants a total of 2,305,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages, and 5,700 euros to cover the trial costs and expenses. The two villages, Kuskonar and Kocagi, are in the southeastern province of Sirnak. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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