Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-28

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] Talat: If the Greek Cypriots did not want a solution, they would not have invited me to Limassol

[02] Koenig: Solution in Cyprus is possible within this or next year

[03] More reactions to the incidents in Limassol during Talat's speech

[04] Sibel due to London for contacts with British officials

[05] The first stage of constructing the undersea water pipeline is completed

[06] International Cittaslow Organization's delegation is illegally carrying out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] "GAU" will host the CAUMME II 2014 symposium on October 2014

[08] Illegal DAU university programs accredited by FIBAA Foundation

[09] Turkey's internet authority blocks access to Youtube due to a leak of a wiretapped security meeting

[10] Reactions over the leaking of wiretapped security meeting

[11] Facebook ban next in line in Turkey?

[12] KONDA poll for Sunday's municipal elections in Turkey; AKP gets 46%

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Talat: If the Greek Cypriots did not want a solution, they would not have invited me to Limassol

Referring to the ultranationalist ELAM movement, which had caused incidents the night before yesterday during his lecture, Talat said: "These are not the Greek Cypriot majority. If the state takes measures, it is possible for them to be isolated and I think that this is a must for creating a culture of peace in Cyprus".

Talat noted that a great interest was exhibited for his lecture in Limassol and pointed out that the pro-peace persons were much more than those who oppose peace. He stated that the only positive aspect of ELAM's "shameful attack" will be the measures that will be taken by the Cypriot government. He also expressed the view that their conference was successful, that they gave the messages which they wanted to give and that these messages were understood.

He went on and said: "We discussed the opposite of what ELAM did. Our aim was to take a step for creating a culture of peace, for understanding each other. We achieved this. We completed the conference successfully. We understood once more that even though we use the same terms, we refer to different meanings. For example, when we talk about 'federation', the Turkish Cypriots understand this differently than the Greek Cypriots. These should be discussed by creating a common language. I would not say that the confidence building measures have been wrongly discussed in our country, but they could not be successful. This is due to the content. Because, in my view, the content of the confidence building measures must not be directed towards the substance of the Cyprus problem. For example, the opening of Varosha and the Tymbou airport. However, these are parts of the Cyprus problem. I have made other proposals so that these failures to be turned into successes. We discussed them within the scope of confidence building measures. For example, the opening of a common school in the buffer zone, it could be a university?"

When the journalist referred to ELAM's attack, saying that it is the first time that after such an attack, a Government Spokesman of the Republic of Cyprus stated that "we are ashamed" and expressing the view that "some mentalities are changing", Talat replied that this protest "was good in this sense" and added: "Actually this action could very easily be prevented. That is, the police in a very legal and legitimate manner should not have allowed these people to approach the building, because they were not coming to protest peacefully, they were trying to break the doors, they were aggressive. All these happened in front of the eyes of the police and the police did not interfere. Therefore, this caused a great sensitivity in the Greek Cypriot government".

Answering another question, Talat said that he is used to such incidents and added that he had come face to face with such protests by Turkish Cypriots in London in 2002, when the British police was forced to lead him out of the building through the back door. Another incident, he said, was experienced in the Turkish city of Trabzon, when all the reservations he had made in hotels were annulled. He noted that he was able to find a place to stay after interference by some politicians.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Koenig: Solution in Cyprus is possible within this or next year

According to the paper, he, inter alia, said that the Cyprus problem has reached the stage of a solution and that the US President Barrack Obama and Secretary of State, John Kerry are "closely interested" with the solution in Cyprus.

Noting that we are at the verge of the solution, Ambassador Koenig said that the Cyprus problem has been discussed for decades and added that "many views are ready that could help the sides in securing convergence on issues they could not agree". He went on and said that "a strong political will" seems to exist in both sides for doing this and "therefore it is possible to reach a comprehensive solution within this year or perhaps within the next year, but definitely within a period of time relevant to this".

Asked whether we are heading towards a solution, Koenig said that this depends on the Cypriots, that if there is a will for a solution, something which he believes that exists, the conditions in Cyprus are "very, very appropriate" for the sides reaching a solution. He argued that Turkey, which is allegedly partner of all Cypriots, both the Greeks and the Turks, offers "extraordinary support" to the Cypriots on this issue. "Many players from outside are trying to help you, but this depends on the Cypriots", he said.

Referring to the incidents in Limassol during a conference with the participation of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Koenig, who was in the conference room during the attack, said that the climate in the room was more encouraging than the incidents outside the building. He noted that there was not a consensus in the conference room, that different views and approaches as regards the future of the island existed, but Talat and the moderator of the discussion, journalist Kostas Yennaris did a very good job in discussing some views that had the character of a protest or a complaint and in directing the people to concentrate on the future.

(I/Ts.)

[03] More reactions to the incidents in Limassol during Talat's speech

Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (28.03.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu referred to the incidents during one of his meetings yesterday and said that the "Greek Cypriot government should have taken measures". "It is not possible to welcome such an attack", he noted arguing that an attack against a person who had been "president of the TRNC" during a period when efforts for reaching an agreement that will satisfy the "two peoples" are exerted, is "a very saddening incident". Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot security forces have not the power to prevent such incidents and argued that Greek Cypriots, who went to the occupied part of Cyprus for conferences, had not faced such attacks and "there is no one who thinks of carrying out such attacks".

Bakis reports also that the general secretary of the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG), Serhat Kotak argued that it is not possible pass over the incident by saying that "this is a handful of ultranationalists". In a written statement, he expressed the view that the attack will deteriorate the lack of confidence within "both peoples" on the island. The incidents, he alleged, showed us how careful we should be at the negotiating table. He claimed that the incidents are important from the point of view of the USA understanding what kind of bad results could be caused if "we are forced to an agreement which is not built on correct foundations and does not guarantee the communal and individual safety of the Turkish Cypriots".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi (27.03.14, online) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay posted a message on Facebook, saying he called UN Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim and expressed Turkish Cypriots' concerns over Wednesday night's attack.

According to the paper, Ozersay wrote: "I spoke to Chief of UN Mission and Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim on the phone. I expressed our demand from the Greek Cypriot authorities in which we ask for immediate action to be taken and the aggressors to be arrested; otherwise similar incidents will continue to occur. Deterrence is very important, if no legal action is taken against attackers, this will translate as an encouragement for future similar attacks. The belongings of Turkish Cypriots victims were unreasonably taken by the Greek Cypriot police (cameras etc) and should be returned immediately to the owners. We are following the issue in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs".

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (28.03.14) reports that, in a written statement, the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), Huseyin Ozgurgun argued that the "vital source" of ELAM is the Cyprus Church, which, allegedly, is also a main player in the Greek Cypriot political life. He argued that the efforts to deemphasize the incident by presenting it as an action of a small and not influential group are "thought provoking".

The general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Kutlay Erk issued a written statement noting that the attack of ELAM against Talat harms once more the feeling of the Turkish Cypriots for safety. He noted that such incidents are the source of the importance they attach to the security issues during the negotiating process. "The security forces in the south are insufficient to prevent this kind of incidents. The life safety of the Turkish Cypriots must be secured in any event", he added. Erk argued that the government of the Republic of Cyprus should treat ELAM as a terrorist organization and added that the perpetrators of the incidents in Limassol are seen on camera.

Finally, the chairmen of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and the United Cyprus Party (BKP), Cemal Ozyigit and Izzet Izcan said, in separate statements, that those who attacked Talat should be punished. Otherwise such incidents will be repeated, they argued.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Sibel due to London for contacts with British officials

According to an announcement by the "assembly", Siber will have meetings with British officials, NGO's, and civilians.

Sibel will be accompanied by an "assembly delegation" from the 31st of March. The delegation will be consisting of the "deputy" of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG), Birikim Ozgur, the "deputy" of the Democrat Party ? National Forces (DP-UG), Ergun Serdaroglu, the "deputy" of the National Unity Party (UBP) Izlem Gurcag Altugra and the "deputy" of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Zeki Celer.

Siber and the delegation will return to the occupied area of Cyprus on 4th of April.

[05] The first stage of constructing the undersea water pipeline is completed

Eroglu said that on this stage, the construction of the undersea pipeline, is the most difficult and crucial stage of the project. He explained that a Dutch origin ship named "Fairplayer", which departed from the port of Tasucu Seka on 23rd of March, carried 14 pieces of anchorage blocks, which each one weights 220 tons to put on the ocean floor. 126 pieces of anchorage blocks will be needed to complete the construction of the undersea water pipeline. The Dutch ship will make in total 8 trips.

According to the written statement, the first block will be installed in 290 metre depth and the last block will be in 670 metre depth. Every trip will have a length of 9 days.

[06] International Cittaslow Organization's delegation is illegally carrying out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

As the paper writes, the delegation will carry out contacts with several "government and state officials" and NGO's. It will also inspect the cittaslow works in the "municipality of Agios Sergios".

Yesterday the delegation has met with the "speaker" of the so-called assembly, Sibel Siber and the so-called prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu while today is expected to meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu and afterwards to visit the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade, the "Turkish Cypriot's doctors union" and the "chamber of architecture".

Translator's note: "Cittaslow is a movement founded in Italy in October 1999. The inspiration of Cittaslow was the Slow Food organization. Cittaslow's goals include improving the quality of life in towns by slowing down its overall pace, especially in a city's use of spaces and the flow of life and traffic through them. More about the movement can be found in the website http://www.cittaslow.org/".

(AK)

[07] "GAU" will host the CAUMME II 2014 symposium on October 2014

CAUMME II, Architectural and Urban Research, Education, and Practice in an Era of 'Post-Professionalism,' is an international symposium organized by "GAU", Yildiz Technical University ? Turkey, and Qatar University ? Qatar. CAUMME II comes after the success of CAUMME I ? 2012 on "Global Impacts and Local Challenges" which was organized in Yildiz Technical University by Co-Chairs Prof. Dr Murat Soygenis of Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, and Prof. Dr Ashraf M. Salama of Qatar University, Doha.

[08] Illegal DAU university programs accredited by FIBAA Foundation

As the paper writes, FIBAA has accredited the undergraduate program studies of Tourism and Hotel Management and the post graduate programs on Tourism Management.

(AK)

[09] Turkey's internet authority blocks access to Youtube due to a leak of a wiretapped security meeting

The leaked recording features a confidential meeting between Turkey's intelligence agency chief Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Deputy Chief of General Staff Yasar Guler. The meeting was apparently about possible threats against a Turkish territory in Aleppo, Syria -- home to a symbolically-important tomb.

In a written notice it sent to TIB, the ministry said the content "poses an imminent threat against our national security." "It is important to restrict access to this website (Youtube) and others which may have the same content," the ministry said, designating links to fifteen videos on Youtube.

Turkey's Science, Industry and Technology Minister Fikri Isik said Thursday that shutting down the Youtube was "a precautionary measure and an administrative decision." He added that "the foreign ministry has made the necessary statement. There is nothing to say after that."

Ankara's Chief Prosecutor has launched an espionage investigation into the wiretapped security meeting. The investigation into the wiretapping of a meeting involving high level Turkish state authorities discussing the threats against Turkish territory in Syria will be run by the Office of Crimes Against the Constitution.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (28.03.14) argues that this is another form of pressure on media ahead of elections by the AKP government and writes that the Youtube ban comes only one day after the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) cancelled the nationwide broadcasting license of the KanalTurk television station.

[10] Reactions over the leaking of wiretapped security meeting

"[?] The said meeting was held to assess the risks and threats created by the fighting in Syria in general, to discuss the measures that may be taken against these risks, and to review within this context the threats against the Suleyman Shah Saygi Sentry Post, which is located on homeland territory inside Syria. Discussions among relevant state institutions to defend a piece of the homeland that is threatened by certain terrorist groups are a natural activity that falls within the primary responsibilities of the state. Turkey's full determination to defend the Suleyman Shah Saygi Sentry Post against any attack and to take the required resolute steps, if necessary, to protect the Suleyman Shah Saygi Sentry Post and the safety of our personnel assigned there was affirmed at the said meeting. [..]", was noted at the statement.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.03.14) reported that Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed leaked spying on a security meeting and described it as an act of "immorality, villainy, abjectness, and ignominy" during an election rally in southeastern province of Diyarbakir.

Speaking to the press in Turkey's central Anatolian province of Sivas, Turkey's Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said spying on a security meeting between senior Turkish officials was "counter-intelligence against the state," adding it was unacceptable and the Turkish judiciary will take action concerning the issue.

[11] Facebook ban next in line in Turkey?

According to the news report on Turkish Star TV, the Turkish Department of Telecommunication has applied for the authorization of the ban.

If the reports are true, in couple of days Turkish internet users might encounter a court order instead of their account when trying to log in to their Facebook profiles.

The bans on social media have affected some of the Turkish Cypriot internet users whose service providers were late to sort out technical issues. Since then the communication "authorities" have repeated their position and said "TRNC is an independent state, governed by its own laws".

[12] KONDA poll for Sunday's municipal elections in Turkey; AKP gets 46%

With a margin of error of [plus or minus] 1.8%, KONDA projects the AKP [Justice and Development Party] to win 46% of the vote, the CHP [Republican People's Party] 27% of vote, the MHP [Nationalist Action Party] 15% of the vote, the BDP [Peace and Democracy Party] 7% of the vote, and other parties to win 5% of the vote.

Tarhan Erdem, Chairman of the Management Board of KONDA Arastirma, disclosed the results of a survey that was conducted [on 22 and 23 March] through face to face interviews with 3,067 respondents in 173 quarters and villages of 33 province centers. Below are the results published on KONDA's website (http://konda.com.tr).

Erdem, said that KONDA evaluated the survey's results as follows:

1. The voter share of the AKP has declined from more than 54% in early 2012 to 46% 24 months later. Let us recall that numerous poorly-managed critical developments occurred in the last two years, including the process of drafting a new constitution, the Syria crisis, the Gezi Park incidents, the 17 December operation, and the solution process.

2. One of the primary reasons for the present picture is the failure of the CHP and MHP to renounce their romantic narratives of the past and to formulate coherent programs in the face of the economic and administrative actions of the AKP after the general elections of 2002.

3. The results of the polarization between secular and religious-conservative lifestyles were seen in the general elections of 1977. The leader of the ruling party at the time found this useful politically. This polarization has grown and survived to this day. This initial split along the secular-conservative axis turned into a rift between support for and opposition to the AKP after the elections of 2011 without moving away from its original axis. Every development--political or not--that has occurred since the fall of 2013 has been viewed, interpreted, opposed, or supported within the context of this polarization. This rift has corroded our social fabric and has turned most of the public into its prisoners.

4. The preferences that are being expressed today must not be interpreted as an "approval" or "excusal" of corruption. A review of the KONDA Barometer Reports of the last three months will show that 77% of the people find the charges of corruption that led to the 17 December events credible.

5. A large proportion of the people is convinced that it has been belittled and rejected by "secularists" and "opponents of the AKP" for a long time. These people also do not see any signs that such discrimination will end if they abandon their positions and cross over to the other side.

6. Those who do not vote for the AKP, regardless of their affiliation and opinions, must know that they are the majority and must try to get to know the "AKP voter." They must understand that they cannot accomplish anything without understanding the needs and aspirations of the AKP or by disregarding the actions of the AKP. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

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