Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-01-02

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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] Eroglu: We wish 2014 to bring an agreement based on the existing realities on the island

[02] Cavusoglu: Greece supports Turkey's EU accession course in spite of the Cyprus problem

[03] Islamic education quietly spreads in the occupied area of Cyprus with Turkey's support

[04] Columnist assesses Eroglu's role in the "crisis" within the CTP-DP self-styled government

[05] Yildiz: Barbaros continues explorations in the Mediterranean outside the disputable areas

[06] Erdogan promises EU talks will speed up in 2014

[07] Turkish President Gul urges respect for rule of law

[08] Suspicious of arms shipment, theTurkish army stops truck bound for Syria

[09] Another AK Party Deputy, Hami Yildirim, resigns in protest

[10] Turkey hopeful of ties with EU during Greek presidency, High-level visits early 2014

[11] Erdogan to tour East Asian countries in first days of 2014

[12] Erdogan sues Today's Zaman journalist over critical tweets

[13] Senior AK Party member admits profiling of citizens in government, private sector

[14] Pro-Kurdish parties call for independence

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: We wish 2014 to bring an agreement based on the existing realities on the island

In a message for the New Year, Eroglu referred to the Cyprus problem and claimed that the Greek Cypriots submit such views that will eliminate Turkish Cypriot "people's" rights. He went on and alleged:

"We wish for our Greek Cypriot neighbours to revise their stance and 2014 to bring with it an agreement based on the existing realities on the island. As I have said many times, we have the necessary will for an agreement, which will be protecting our rights. Our Greek Cypriot neighbours should know that the Turkish Cypriot people will never accept to return to the pre-1974 period. Even in the conditions of 1963, the Turkish Cypriot people did not give concessions from their sovereignty, their freedom. Now, when they are under the roof of a state and the guarantee of motherland Turkey, they will absolutely not make any concession?"

Eroglu alleged that no one should try to deceive the Turkish Cypriots that all their problems will cease to exist with a solution to the Cyprus problem or that the reason of their problems is the Cyprus issue.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cavusoglu: Greece supports Turkey's EU accession course in spite of the Cyprus problem

In statements during a meeting with Lithuania's Ambassador to Ankara, Kestutis Kudzmanas, Cavusoglu referred to the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU and said:

"As you know there have been positive relations based on mutual trust in our bilateral relations with Greece. We have signed many agreements during the past few years. Especially during the recent visit of the Greek Prime Minister in Istanbul. Not only we, but all the EU states know the support offered from the very beginning by Greece to Turkey's EU accession process, in spite of the existence of the Cyprus problem. For this reason, during the Greek term presidency, the relations between Turkey and the EU and Turkey and Greece will develop in a more positive climate".

He also thanked the Lithuanian Ambassador for the fact that one chapter in Turkey's negotiations with the EU opened during his country's term presidency and added that Turkey expects more chapters to open during the Greek term presidency and afterwards. "In this manner we could gain a new acceleration for the relations between Turkey and the EU", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Islamic education quietly spreads in the occupied area of Cyprus with Turkey's support

In statements made to Yeni Duzen, the self-styled minister of education, Mustafa Arabacioglu said that no application has been submitted to his "ministry" for granting any "license". It is noted that the so-called embassy of Turkey in the occupied area of Nicosia has financially contributed in the connection of the plot of land on which the school will be built with the main road. Problems had been experienced on this issue and these have been solved with the allotment of a vacant plot of land to the foundation.

According to Yeni Duzen, well-known [Turkish] Cypriots are included among the founding members of the above-mentioned foundation, for which not much information could be found on the internet. A source from Turkey told the paper, that Adabilim schools belong to the SBK Education and Commerce Joint Stock Company, the headquarters of which are based in Konya. The president of the administrative council of the schools is a person named Durmus Aydogmus.

It is said that the foundation in the occupied area of Cyprus has direct relation with Adabilim schools, which include primary and secondary schools as well as lyceums. According to Yeni Duzen, the target of these schools is to "breed idealist generations" by offering lessons of "education on values", Koran, the life of Mohammed and basic knowledge on religion. The English, Arabic and Ottoman languages are taught in these schools.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Columnist assesses Eroglu's role in the "crisis" within the CTP-DP self-styled government

"?It is known that the 'permanent coalition partner of the government' in the TRNC is Turkey's Aid Delegation and the Turkish Embassy to Nicosia. It knows and says something on every issue.

Even though now it is sensed less, the 'army' also participates in the decision making and executing processes of the governments?

It is being seen that the presidential palace has an influence in many problems and crises, which the CTP-DP government is experiencing. President Eroglu has not signed some appointments that he did not want at the public service commission. He did not approve the name submitted by the government for the post of the director of the police. He did not openly took a side in the debate regarding the temporary employees, but it is a secret known by everyone that Eroglu interfered in this issue through the UG wing within the DP [Translator's note: by 'UG wing' the columnist means the members of the National Unity Party who joined the DP which afterwards was named DP-National Forces (DP-UG)].

It is highly possible that this kind of crises will continue. Eroglu has taken the control in the UBP, which he 'saved' from Irsen Kucuk. He intends of becoming the 'secret leader' in the DP through the 'UG' members. Bengu Sonya and other high ranking DP officials are annoyed by this situation, but Serdar Denktas gives the image that he is engaged with Eroglu.

It is highly possible that bigger crises will come up in the government by creating 'a pretext' on 'an appropriate moment' especially in the Cyprus problem. What was experienced during Ahmet Davutoglu's visit to Cyprus is a clue for this.

Because Eroglu's intention is to bring more closer the UBP and the DP until the presidential election is in April 2015, to keep the control in both parties in his hands, to force them to create alliances in the local elections which will be held in June this year and thus create the appropriate ground for him for next year?"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Yildiz: Barbaros continues explorations in the Mediterranean outside the disputable areas

Replying to a question regarding the explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean, Yildiz wished for the oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean to become "a pretext for peace".

He said: "I believe that a development in this manner will happen in 2014. Therefore, I have to say that our first preference both technically and politically is not to be in disputable areas when is not compulsory especially in 2014".

Yildiz noted that the vessel is in the Mediterranean and continues its work outside the disputable areas. He went on and claimed: "Of course, we have to build a structure [political] in which the gas in both Israel and in South Cyprus Local Administration to belong to the whole of Cyprus. We are exhibiting a consistent stance. As we say that the oil which is extracted in any area of Iraq belongs to the whole of Iraq, we say that the oil and natural gas which is extracted at any place of Cyprus belongs to the entire Cyprus".

Noting that we have to be constructive in 2014, Yildiz added: "We are seeing positive statements in South Cyprus Local Administration. I have to say that a positive response in the same manner is given by our side to these positive statements. We have to realize any energy value to be created in Cyprus by sharing it in a just manner and establishing its political feasibility. I wish for 2014 to be a year of gain in this sense".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Erdogan promises EU talks will speed up in 2014

"As the attempts [to establish a system] of tutelage get weaker, Turkey's will to carry out reforms gets stronger," Erdogan said in the pre-recorded speech broadcast on television channels on Tuesday evening. "2014 will be a year in which full membership talks with the EU and the democratization reforms will speed up. Political institutions' capacity to carry out reforms will increase in an atmosphere in which policies of fear, intimidation and abuse are dispensed with.", he stated.

[07] Turkish President Gul urges respect for rule of law

"We are a country which has been integrated with the world, which has harmonized with the European Union acquis to a considerable extent, which has become a center of attraction of investors and where capital flows liberally. In such a country, stability, trust and confidence in the future are determining factors," Gul said in a message posted on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey.

[08] Suspicious of arms shipment, the Turkish army stops truck bound for Syria

Acting on a tip, gendarmes stopped a truck that allegedly belongs to an aid organization on a road between K?r?khan and Reyhanl? near the Syrian border. A significant amount of ammunition and weapons were discovered, according to local reports.

When news reports appeared in the media, the Humanitarian Aid Foundation (IHH) strongly rejected any link to the seized truck in a written statement. The IHH said it has nothing to do with the truck. Launching a massive relief campaign on the same day, the IHH has sent dozens of trucks loaded with food, blankets and basic goods that are desperately needed for the displaced Syrian civilians battling tough winter conditions in makeshift camps in the Syrian side of the border.

[09] Another AK Party Deputy, Hami Yildirim, resigns in protest

Yildirim, the party's Burdur Deputy, announced his resignation in a press conference on Tuesday. With Yildirim's resignation, the number of AK Party seats in the Parliament group dropped from 327 to 320 in two months and the number of independent lawmakers rose to 12. Yildirim slammed what he called a campaign of "insults" and "defamation" against Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen and the Hizmet movement, criticizing the government's description of Hizmet as a "gang."

Three Deputies -- Erdal Kalkan, Ertugrul Gunay and Haluk Ozdalga -- left the party on Friday, continuing a string of resignations that started in November and has reached seven Deputies. Earlier this week, former Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin "jumped ship" as well, citing disagreements over a number of issues, including the party's stance of the recent corruption scandal.

[10] Turkey hopeful of ties with EU during Greek presidency, High-level visits early 2014

"We are hopeful about the Greek presidency. Greece has been supporting the Turkish accession to the EU for a long time. We have already expressed our expectations to Greece for the opening of more chapters and for accelerating the negotiation process," a senior Foreign Ministry official told the Hurriyet Daily News.

"The momentum gained in recent weeks should be continued with the opening of more chapters. We should avoid another period of stagnation in accession talks," the official said.

With the coming of 2014, Turkey-EU ties will witness an exchange of high-level visits that are expected to give more opportunities to accelerate the accession process, writes the paper. One of the most important visits will be carried out by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Brussels on Jan. 21, making his first trip to the EU capital since 2009. This will be followed by French President Francois Hollande's visit to Turkey on Jan. 26, making him the first French leader to pay a state visit since 1992. Ankara expects that Hollande will announce the removal of a French veto on some chapters during the visit. President Abdullah Gul is also expected to go to Italy on Jan. 28, while there are also plans for Erdogan to go to Germany in early February.

[11] Erdogan to tour East Asian countries in first days of 2014

Erdogan will be traveling from Jan. 5-11. A delegation of Ministers, Deputies and high-level officials is expected to accompany the Turkish Prime Minister on his visits, most likely including Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as well as new Cabinet appointees European Union Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci.

Turkey and Japan signed an agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant in the city of Sinop, during the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's October visit to Turkey. Turkey's relations with Singapore, another stop on the Prime Minister's tour, have been intensifying as bilateral economic initiatives have gained momentum in recent years.

[12] Erdogan sues Today's Zaman journalist over critical tweets

Erdogan's lawyers said in a petition they submitted to Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office that Zeynalov's tweets constitute a "blunt assault on Erdogan's honor and reputation and his personal rights."

[13] Senior AK Party member admits profiling of citizens in government, private sector

Sending messages on New Year's Eve on his Twitter account, Parliament's Constitutional Commission head and AK Party Deputy Burhan Kuzu claimed that "an intelligence report that was submitted to the Prime Minister detailed a parallel structure within state," adding that some 2,000 people's names are listed in that report.

Kuzu's acknowledgement was the first admission explaining how Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has replaced hundreds of police officers and other government employees in rushed decisions without any justification against the background of massive corruption investigations launched by prosecutors in Istanbul which implicated senior members of the government and their close relatives.

Kuzu also admitted that the government foiled other possible investigations against his government in 42 provinces.

[14] Pro-Kurdish parties call for independence

Addressing 10,000 people during the commemoration, BDP Co-chairman Selahattin Demirtas stated, "If a Kurd has a Kurdistan, then there won't be any more Roboski [Uludere] massacres." Aysel Tugluk, co-chairwoman of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), a group affiliated with the BDP, also said that the DTK will oppose those who were responsible for the Roboski massacre by continuing the struggle for freedom.

These statements came after the government acknowledged that there are no longer funerals held for martyrs, a fact that is mainly the result of the settlement process launched on March 21. At the same time, people living in eastern Turkey have stated that the period that began with the end of armed conflicts in the region is one of historic significance. However, sources in the region who have spoken to Today's Zaman have said that the government is already losing this control over the eastern part of the country. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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