Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-11

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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] Nami holds contacts in Washington

[02] Eroglu: "Our state is our security"

[03] Ozersay: "Issues of derogation and EU primary law were brought into the agenda"

[04] Bryza: We could create a wonderful transformation in Cyprus by securing cooperation between Israel, Turkey and Cyprus in energy

[05] Another blow to the freedom of the press in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] An effort of the Turkish Cypriot leftist parties to form a union on left

[07] Peter Stano: Turkey needs now more than ever the EU

[08] Shot with tear gas canister during Gezi protests, 15-year-old Elvan dies

[09] Ergenekon suspects released amid chaos over legal authority between courts

[10] LDP leader requests EU observers for local elections in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami holds contacts in Washington

The Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs of the USA, Eric Rubin, the country's Ambassador to Nicosia, John Koenig, the "undersecretary" at the self-styled foreign ministry of the regime, Erhan Ercin, the "representative' of the regime in Washington, Ahmet Erdengiz and the "director" at the 'foreign ministry", Huseyin Ozel participated in the meeting between Burns and Nami.

Nami expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the US interest in the Cyprus problem continues in a period during which international problems and conflicts are on the agenda. He said they had the opportunity to see the determination of the USA to continue the dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side.

Replying to a question, Nami said that they discussed the positive influence of the solution of the Cyprus problem on the regional stability, the relations between the EU and Turkey and the EU and NATO, and on the cooperation in the region due to the efficient use of the hydrocarbon resources surrounding the island.

Nami argued that it is possible to reach a fair agreement based on the political equality of the two sides. He claimed that the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side, which had voted 'yes' to the Annan Plan, has not been materialized and alleged that using the argument that the Turkish Cypriot side must give more concessions in order to reach an agreement to which both sides will vote 'yes' "is not a correct approach".

Referring to the joint declaration, Nami argued that it includes "new elements" and therefore this opportunity should be used and not be wasted. He noted that with the joint declaration issues which had not been solved between the sides, such as the sovereignty, the citizenship and the equal status of the two states, have reached a result.

Nami said that taking steps which will bring the two communities closer to each other it would be useful, but noted that they told their interlocutors that these steps should be planned in a manner that will not disrupt the negotiations for finding a solution.

"We have put forward our expectations from the USA and the international community", he noted adding that "we drew attention to the importance of the role of the UN".

Nami said that during his visit in Washington he expressed their views on the Cyprus problem at various think tanks such as the Wilson Centre and the Atlantic Council. He said that he drew attention to the role of the solution in the regional cooperation. Nami gave also an interview to the Washington Times newspaper.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (11.03.14) refers to the issue under the title "America in action" and reports that Nami told its correspondent that it would be useful for the confidence building measures to be discussed in a manner that will facilitate the life of the two "peoples", but this must not influence the main elements of the comprehensive solution. On the contrary, he added, this should happen in a manner that supports and speeds up the comprehensive solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: "Our state is our security"

Eroglu said that the national policies on education should be updated according to the developing and changing conditions in the country and the world.

Referring to the Cyprus problem he reiterated the view that this is a "national cause" and added, inter alia, the following: "If we want to live freely as Turkish Cypriot people on these lands, if we want to administrate ourselves, we must know our recent history well?We must be proud of our history, of the struggle given by the generations before us and of what we have done together with motherland Turkey? Let no one worry about the future. We have our state which is your creation, the creation of our people?We must be aware of the fact that living freely and sovereignly on these lands could only be possible by correctly establishing our educational policies?"

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (11.03.14) refers to the same issue and reports that during Eroglu's address, representatives of trade unions of the employees in education (KTOEOS, KTOS and DAU-SEN) raised a placards saying "We do not want an education enemy to peace".

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.03.14), Eroglu argued that if the Greek Cypriot side wants a solution "the material is on the table". He went on and alleged, inter alia, the following: "?If they do not want, if they pursue a delay and if they have the intention to use the natural gas and the EU membership as trump card and think that 'when the day comes Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will be cornered and we will benefit', it will not be possible for us to reach anywhere? I wish that this time things are different and our Greek Cypriot friends will pave the way for peace and agreement with reasonable and rational proposals by taking into consideration the existing realities in Cyprus, and we will reach a result. The important thing is the will. The sides know each other's views well?

We asked for our negotiators to meet twice a week and the leaders every 15 days, but our interlocutors did not accept this. Surely they are not in a hurry. I wonder, are they waiting for something else? We do not know... Starting the give and take does not depend on us, but we are ready?

If our Greek Cypriot neighbours stay committed to the text of the 'Joint Declaration' without distorting it, without diversions, our job will be easier and this text will be turned into an instrument. Otherwise, the Turks of Cyprus might be forced to take new decisions?

It is known which political views I and Mr Anastasiades represent. When this is taken into consideration, it will not be possible not to agree with those who make interpretations such as that the signing of an agreement between Mr Anastasiades and me will give the feeling and the confidence that a lasting and viable peace has been secured and the 'yes' votes of the two peoples in the referenda will be increased?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay: "Issues of derogation and EU primary law were brought into the agenda"

Speaking to Turkish Cypriot news agency "TAK" about the meeting that was hosted by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Ozersay said that he also had separate meetings with the Ambassadors of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway to Cyprus. He added that apart from the meeting, he met separately with the German, French and the EU Ambassadors. He also discussed with officials from the British Embassy, Turkey's Ambassadors to the EU and NATO, as well as with the officials from the EU Commission the Cyprus talks and different issues related to the Cyprus settlement.

Moreover, Ozersay exchanged views with representatives of different sectors from the north and the south, who participated in the meeting.

Ozersay said that in general terms, during the meetings in Brussels, they discussed issues including derogations from the EU law as well as the EU primary law, adding that he briefed them on the Turkish Cypriot side's views.

[04] Bryza: We could create a wonderful transformation in Cyprus by securing cooperation between Israel, Turkey and Cyprus in energy

The paper covers an exclusive interview by Bryza under the title "The USA does not want problems" and reports that Bryza said that geopolitical factors and NATO are the reasons which led America to take action in the Cyprus problem. He noted that NATO's structure could not be considered to be "fully healthy" as long as there is no peace between Greece and Turkey, which have a key importance for the alliance's south wing.

Bryza reiterated the view that "if you examine the area, the policies in the area, the relations of Israel with the Arab countries and natural gas' export costs, the most reasonable method is building a pipeline from Israel, or more correctly, from Israel and Cyprus to Turkey".

Bryza went on and said, inter alia, the following: "Think of the geopolitical picture which the cooperation on the issue of energy will create. Think of the magnificent transformation which this will create. There will be an outstanding result?"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Another blow to the freedom of the press in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper writes that the punishment of up to seven years in prison is included among those provided in the "law" for "crimes committed through the press". The "law" caused reactions by press organizations and it is criticized because it will push the press to implement self-censorship.

The chairman of the journalists' union (KTGB), Huseyin Guven said that this "law" includes articles which prevent the journalists from freely executing their profession and abolish the right of not disclosing their source.

The chairman of the "Media Ethics Council", Dr Suleyman Irvan noted that the "law" in its current form makes investigative journalism impossible. "It is not possible for us as journalists to accept this", he said.

The general secretary of the journalists' trade union (BASIN-SEN), Canan Onurer argued that for the sake of political interests effort is exerted to disrupt the freedom of the press and the right of the journalists to take information and use a source.

The "law" provides, inter alia, that a person who discloses the content of a communication among people without acquiring the consent of all the sides that participated in the communication will be considered as having committed a serious crime and will be punished with up to five years in prison and pay a fine. Committing the same crime through the press or the social media will be punished with up to six years in prison and a fine. The "civil servants", who find out such information from a decision given by a "court" and disclose it, will be punished with up to six years in prison or pay a fine. The same crime will be punished with up to seven years in prison if committed through the press.

(I/Ts.)

[06] An effort of the Turkish Cypriot leftist parties to form a union on left

According to the paper, Kutlay Erk, the General Secretary of CTP-BG and Mehmet Harmanc? General Secretary of TDP met last night over dinner. It was reported that the possibility of collaboration for local elections was evaluated, during the dinner.

Speaking to the paper, Hakan Kuntay, member of the central committee of CTP, said that the general secretaries of the parties exchanged views regarding the politics, the Cyprus problem and the "local authorities", adding that an important meeting was held from the point of a social dialogue between the two parties.

Cemal Ozyigit, leader of TDP, said that they are ready to exhibit any kind of political will in order to have a wide base cooperation of the leftist parties.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 11.03.14) reports that another election collaboration has been formed among TDP and two parties outside the "parliament", BKP (United Cyprus Party) and YKP

(New Cyprus Party). Baraka Culture Centre may also join to the partnership.

Abdullah Korkmazhan, General Secretary of BKP stated that they were holding official and unofficial meetings with TDP and YKP for the past two weeks, adding that the committees are discussing collaboration and union of forces and the meetings are close to be completed.

YKP's Organizing Secretary Murat Kanatl? said for YKP the process of union on left has begun in last October, adding: "In Nicosia we will join the elections as YKP so we will have a separate list as we couldn't agree on Nicosia with TDP. But the platform of groups against the regime which is being formed will be ready to stand together soon".

[07] Peter Stano: Turkey needs now more than ever the EU

Noting that there is no possibility that Turkey's accession process will be slowed down by the EU, Stano said: "The EU has repeatedly said that Turkey needs now more than ever Europe and the EU accession process. The best way to introduce Turkey to the EU standards is through a reliable accession process."

[08] Shot with tear gas canister during Gezi protests, 15-year-old Elvan dies

Berkin was on his way to buy bread on the evening of June 16 when he was hit at close range with a tear gas canister fired by riot police in Istanbul's Okmeydani neighbourhood.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 11.03.14) reports that the mother of Berkin, Gulsum Elvan, said: "It is not Allah who has taken my son away. It is [Prime Minister] Tayyip Erdogan."

The family has repeatedly slammed officials for protecting the perpetrators and announced that they would be starting a legal process at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), as no effective domestic investigation had been carried out over the last seven months. The officers who took part in the crackdown that cost Elvan's life are still on duty.

[09] Ergenekon suspects released amid chaos over legal authority between courts

A total of 20 suspects were released by rulings in separate courts, including journalist Tuncay Ozkan, alleged gang leader Sedat Peker, retired Col. Levent Goktas, retired Col. Dursun Cicek and Prof. Yalcin Kucuk.

The releases were made possible with the change in the country's anti-terrorism laws, which reduced the maximum pre-trial detention period from 10 years to five years. The lawyers applied to the Istanbul 21th High Criminal Court for the releases, instead of the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court, after Parliament recently abolished the special authorized courts.

The Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court, which handled the Ergenekon trial, rejected this decision, saying Parliament did not have the authority to abolish the special courts and adding that an application to the Constitutional Court had been filed for the annulation of the legal arrangement. It also claimed, as the court that dealt with the case, that it still maintained authority on deciding about the detentions of the convicts. Meanwhile, the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) slammed the Istanbul 13th Criminal Court for "extorting authority."

[10] LDP leader requests EU observers for local elections in Turkey

Despite growing concerns regarding election security in the country amid a large, ongoing government corruption investigation, Turkey has not issued an invitation to any international institutions to monitor the upcoming local elections on March 30. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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