Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-07

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: The peace process will bring stability in Cyprus

[02] Cavusoglu: A lasting solution will be found this year in Cyprus

[03] Eroglu: The guarantees will be discussed at a meeting with the guarantors; the leaders will meet in the end of March or in April

[04] Nami: Cyprus is state policy for Turkey

[05] Self-styled deputies evaluated their contacts in Brussels

[06] The cost of living in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus for February was increased by 2.29%

[07] The EPBF to organize a European Championship in occupied Keryneia

[08] Turkish court rules on jailing of Basbug

[09] Special courts abolished as Turkish President Gul signs law

[10] Erdogan might shut down Facebook and YouTube

[11] Social media users and bloggers may face fines over alcoholic drink photos

[12] Green co-chair Ozdemir: Media censorship might drive Turkey apart from EU

[13] Ankara stands by Ukraine's integrity

[14] Sonar survey: Support for AKP slipped by 15%

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: The peace process will bring stability in Cyprus

Davutoglu met yesterday in Italy with his Greek counterpart, Evangelos Venizelos at the side-lines of an international conference on Libya. Asked by a Turkish journalist how the government crisis, which allegedly exists in the Republic of Cyprus, will influence the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Davutoglu replied:

"As you know, the cross visits were our common suggestion. We had decided this in New York in September. Both of us expressed our satisfaction with the realisation of these [visits]. And the developments are positive now. A government crisis is in question in south Cyprus [Translator's note: the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus]. In any case, when taking difficult decisions is needed, some political crises need also to be taken into consideration. In this sense, we believe that a peace process will bring stability and not crisis in south Cyprus and in the TRNC. We think that all these could be overcome without a crisis. In our meeting the political issue in south Cyprus did not come onto the agenda. We mostly discussed the negotiations".

Asked to comment on the information that US ships are heading towards the Black Sea, Davutoglu recalled the Montreux Convention regarding the regime of the straits of Bosporus, noting that the principles for ships passing from the straits are clear and Turkey implements these principles literally. "Everyone saw this in the war in Georgia", he argued claiming that "we have always respected the international law and especially when the issue is the straits and Turkey's sovereignty, we, on the one hand, do not give concessions from these and on the other, we implement the agreements which concern us and act on the basis of these agreements".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cavusoglu: A lasting solution will be found this year in Cyprus

Cavusoglu met yesterday at lunch organized by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) with the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

In his statements Cavusoglu alleged that Turkey "has done more than its bit" in Cyprus. He also said that when a lasting peace comes to Cyprus, both political stability will come up and very important opportunities from the point of view of economic growth. "And this will be in the benefit of everyone", he noted adding that "developments which will influence the Middle East countries and all countries around the Mediterranean will happen?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: The guarantees will be discussed at a meeting with the guarantors; The leaders will meet in the end of March or in April

Eroglu held separate meetings with delegations from the "Nicosia Friends' Association" and the "Culture and Solidarity Association" representing the settlers from Gaziantep.

In his statements, Eroglu noted that the chapters in the negotiations are known and have been discussed ever since. He argued that they will exert every effort to speedily examine all chapters except for the guarantees, and reach an agreement which will be satisfying to the Turkish Cypriot "people".

He argued that both sides must show will for an agreement at the negotiating table and lead the problem to a solution. He reiterated the allegation that negotiations on the Cyprus problem are held since 1968, that some texts for an agreement came up, but the Greek Cypriots rejected them and therefore this is the last chance.

Eroglu described as "injustice" the world's dealing with the Cyprus problem, while so many other problems exist.

Eroglu said that a meeting between the two community leaders is planned in the end of March or in the beginning of April.

Finally, he recalled that the negotiators are meeting every week and added that the demands started coming gradually to the table.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nami: Cyprus is state policy for Turkey

Nami expressed the hope the political crisis in Turkey will not affect the efforts for solution. He said that Greece, Turkey and Britain have a very important role to play and added that Cyprus is state policy for Turkey. Referring to the cross meetings Nami said that during the meetings the two sides got the chance to understand each other and no negotiations were conducted.

Referring to the negotiations, Nami said that the main differences between the two sides in Cyprus are focused in property, territorial arrangement, guarantees and security. He said that the two sides have strong opinion on these issues. "Very difficult negotiations are expected to take place on these issues", he stated.

Nami also said that the EU supports the solution and added that there is great interest from both the EU and USA for reaching a solution. He also said that according to a survey conducted in the occupied area of Cyprus, 58% of the persons asked, say "yes" to a solution. A similar survey was not conducted in the south, he stated.

[05] Self-styled deputies evaluated their contacts in Brussels

Evaluating their contacts to the "BRT", Tacoy said they held important contacts in Brussels.

Noting that the European Parliament is focused on its upcoming elections in May, Tacoy said those MPE's who support the Turkish Cypriots, did not behave warmly in order not to lose votes.

Saner, for his part, said that the Turkish Cypriot side's views on the joint declaration are welcomed by Brussels.

[06] The cost of living in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus for February was increased by 2.29%

According to the "DPO" the cost of living in the occupation regime for February was increased by 2.29% compared to the last month.

The highest rise in the cost of consumer spending comparing to the previous month was experienced in food and non-alcohol drinks with 5.64% rise, followed by household utensils and home maintenance services by 2.74, transportation 2.63%, health sector 1.71% education 1.11% and e.t.c.

According to the "DPO" the cost of living compared to last December has increased by 4.43% and to the same month of last year by 14.58%.

(AK)

[07] The EPBF to organize a European Championship in occupied Keryneia

As the paper writes more than 250 athletes from 33 different countries are expected to participate in the championship.

The paper writes that in spite of the fact the "south Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the paper, is an official member of the EPBF, it has not registered yet to participate in the championship, as a type of a protest.

Translator's note: More about the event can be seen at the EPBF' website: http://epbf.com/european-championships/dynamic-billard-european-championships-forecast/

(AK)

[08] Turkish court rules on jailing of Basbug

Basbug's attorney filed a complaint to the Constitutional Court regarding the 'trial of Basbug's in a local court and his ongoing two-year imprisonment' but the appeal was rejected without being examined, according to Basbug's attorney.

The Constitutional Court said Basbug could not appeal to the highest appeal court (Yargitay) as the local court failed to complete legal procedure. So the decision is now with the local court which could decide on his release.

[09] Special courts abolished as Turkish President Gul signs law

The OYMs were discontinued by Parliament in 2012, but a provisionary article allowed courts to finalize pending coup plot cases, such as: Ergenekon, "Balyoz" (Sledgehammer), OdaTV and Poyrazkoy. From now on, the eight OYMs that convicted soldiers in mass trials in 2012 and 2013 will be abolished and their case files will be passed on to regular criminal courts.

[10] Erdogan might shut down Facebook and YouTube

"Some known circles immediately rebelled against this Internet law. We have done everything that we could do up to now, but there are some other steps that we can take after the [local elections on] March 30. We are determined; we won't let the Turkish people be sacrificed to YouTube and Facebook. Whatever step is necessary, we will take it in the most precise way, including shutting down [both websites] because those people incite any kind of immorality or espionage for the profit of these institutions. There is no such mentality of freedom," Erdogan said during a live interview on private broadcaster ATV late March 6.

Erdogan also said during the interview that he conveyed to U.S. President Barack Obama his complaints regarding Gulen.

"I said the person who is responsible for the unrest in Turkey lives in your country, in Pennsylvania. I said this clearly. 'I expect what's necessary,' I said. You have to take the necessary stance if some threaten my country's security," Erdogan said. "He looked at it positively. 'We got the message,' he said," Erdogan added.

Erdogan also said a Red Notice from Interpol may be sought for Gulen.

[11] Social media users and bloggers may face fines over alcoholic drink photos

Social media users and bloggers in Turkey will now have to think twice before uploading their pictures while casually toasting with friends or wishing each other.

After restricting the sale and promotion of alcoholic beverages, the government is now getting ready to chase down those who share pictures that may suggest advertising for alcohol brands.

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and especially blogs have become a refuge for alcohol companies to promote their products after all kinds of advertising, including sponsorship of cultural events, were controversially outlawed last year.

[12] Green co-chair Ozdemir: Media censorship might drive Turkey apart from EU

"EU membership is Turkey's right, but if a Minister's son and a porter are not equal in the country, then Turkey cannot enter the EU," Ozdemir said in a meeting of his party's Cologne branch on Wednesday.

Ozdemir also said if EU's standards against corruption were held in Turkey then the "Turkish Parliament would probably be left empty."

"The censorship and limitations on the freedom of expression is unfortunately setting Turkey apart from the European Union. ? If Turkey wants to be an EU member, then it needs to go through dramatic changes," Ozdemir said.

Indicating that there are no "single man" politics in Europe, Ozdemir said: "There is a single man in Turkey, and everything is in his hand. Universities and the media and the judiciary are in his hands. This is impossible. Even if that person was the world's best person, this sort of system would still end in corruption."

[13] Ankara stands by Ukraine's integrity

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is in Rome for the second round of the Libya support conference, discussed the situation in Crimea with chief diplomats of the Unite States, Italy, France, Germany and Britain. Noting that the most important principle is the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Davutoglu said: "If Ukraine disintegrates; this will not be limited to Ukraine only. It will have an impact on Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, everywhere."

On the same issue, the World Bulletin news portal (online, 06.03.14) reported that Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Jemilev, revealing the details of his meeting with Davutoglu last week in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, said that Davutoglu promised that Turkey would get involved if the Crimean Tatars came under threat.

[14] Sonar survey: Support for AKP slipped by 15%

SONAR Research Chairperson Hakan Bayrakci made an announcement in which he said: "During the previous elections, we were not in a position to say this. However, I can already say that the support for the AKP has slipped by 15%. As for the other pollsters, which show support for the AKP at 47%, I wish them all the best. I wonder how they are going to justify their forecasts once the elections results are revealed."

Bayrakci went on to say: "Support for the AKP has slipped between 10% and 15%. The AKP is likely to lose in municipalities where is running neck-to-neck with other parties. The CHP [Republican People's Party] is uncontested in the coastal areas; however, the MHP [National Action Party] will well exceed expectations in central Anatolia and the Black Sea region. The CHP has a 10% lead in Antalya. We will shortly be sharing our detailed survey results with the general public." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article