Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-05-05

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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] Denktas: Giving Varosha to the Greek Cypriots will cause collapse of the negotiations

[02] Ozersay: The solution will be more difficult especially as long as agreement on the citizenship and the property delays

[03] Turkish Cypriot columnist: "We may ask for territory from the Greek Cypriots"

[04] Nami: Although Erolgu accepted the convergences, Anastasiades did not

[05] The self-styled foreign ministry on the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime

[06] Elcil: Turkey has an eye on Cypriot soil and natural resources

[07] EU candidate Birinci: My first address will be in Turkish

[08] ISAD has become a member of UEAPME

[09] Agia Eirini church has been turned into a pen

[10] An ancient tomb was found at occupied Keryneia

[11] Turkish Deputy stated that Cyprus is used as an excuse to block Turkey's EU bid

[12] New Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey: Work with us instead of attacking us

[13] Turkish PM hints at presidential run

[14] Kamalak re-elected as Felicity Party leader

[15] A 'sad' Press Freedom Day in Turkey

[16] Prosecutors seek the arrest of four persons on terror charges in May Day detentions

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Denktas: Giving Varosha to the Greek Cypriots will cause collapse of the negotiations

Denktas expressed the view that we are not close to a solution to the Cyprus problem and claimed that in spite of what he called as "flexible and constructive approach" of the Turkish Cypriot side, the Greek Cypriot side has allegedly not exhibited will for an agreement until now. "Their wish of renegotiating every issue from the beginning is an indication that they want to continue the existing situation", he alleged.

Denktas went on and argued that the issue of the rotating presidency in a possible federal Cyprus had been accepted by both sides years ago and alleged that the negotiations will be influenced negatively by the Greek Cypriot side's back stepping on this issue.

Furthermore, Denktas expressed the view that a "forcedly and hastily" reached agreement could cause negative consequences and that an agreement reached only for the sake of reaching an agreement "could have the fate of the 1960 Republic" and this will lead to a tragedy.

Denktas argued that the chapters on which problems will definitely be created are known and these are the territory and the property. He described as "natural" the discussion of the territory issue when the give and take process starts at the negotiating table, because "it will mean that all issues except the territory have been agreed". He argued, though, that the least possible people should be influenced by the result which will be reached in the territorial adjustments.

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources found in the southern sea of Cyprus, Denktas argued that the Turkish Cypriots are co-owners of Cyprus with the Greek Cypriots and therefore they are equal partners of all natural resources of the island, including the hydrocarbon resources. In case of a possible agreement, the hydrocarbon issue should be approached in the light of this reality, he argued.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay: The solution will be more difficult especially as long as agreement on the citizenship and the property delays

He alleged that all the sides of the problem and especially the Greek Cypriot side should see this. He argued that the Greek Cypriots do not want to change the method currently used in the solution of the problem, but in case of a failure of the process, changing this will also "become legitimate".

Referring to the importance of time in the solution of the Cyprus problem, Ozersay claimed that the solution will become more difficult as long as the agreement delays especially on the issues of citizenship and property. He added: "The Greek Cypriot side must see this. I do not say this to blame them, but we are in a period when we are entering into the second stage. I think that it will be possible for us to see these more clearly and test them".

Asked what was the meaning of informing the United Nations about the so-called agreement signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus as regards the "delimitation" of "their continental shelf' in the Mediterranean, Ozersay alleged that by this move they have reconfirmed that they see themselves authorised to sign such an agreement. He claimed that this was just a part of the procedure and alleged that the fact that Turkey cannot become a side of the maritime law agreement does not change the "reality" that Turkey has the same rights with the countries which are members of the agreement.

Ozersay alleged that there is a "relation of non-recognition" between Turkey and Cyprus and between "south Cyprus" and "the TRNC", as he described the government-controlled and the occupied area of the island. He argued that the disagreements in the sea will either be solved at the table or by interim formulas called "modus vivendi" with some temporary arrangements in a manner which will not cause the sides to recognize each other.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Cypriot columnist: "We may ask for territory from the Greek Cypriots"

"?Of course it is useful to add the following on this point: Wanting a solution is not tantamount to saying 'I want a solution'. And let us even go further. Saying that 'we want federation', is not tantamount to pursuing the target of the solution in a real sense?"

Referring to a statement made recently by an official of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to the Greek Cypriot press, Tugyan notes that this official had said that ten years have passed since the Greek Cypriot side voted "no" to the Annan Plan, many things changed since then, the issue of the territory has become more complicated and therefore "it is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to implement the practices it implemented during the Annan Plan period".

She goes on and writes: "What I understood from the statements conveyed to the Turkish Cypriot press through the translation of Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK) is that if the Cyprus problem is not solved in another 15-20 years, this time we could come to the point of asking for territory from the Greek Cypriots. Because even in the places included in the territorial adjustments, much more changes will happen by that day. In time that passes, the property and the territorial adjustments will become more complicated than they are now. And that day it will not be possible for us 'to implement' the practices 'we implemented' in the Annan Plan period in 2004.

If you are sincere on the issue of solving the Cyprus problem, you will take measures in order for the implementations on the property and territory issues not to become more complicated every day that passes. However, let alone taking measures, in spite of the experience of 2004, you are giving the opportunity for the property and territory issues to become more complicated and you try again and again to get benefit from this complexity. It is obvious that we have started to forget the reality that the Greek Cypriots have also territory and property rights on this island. Because these people said 'no" in the referendum, do their rights over the island have automatically passed to us? Time is not something which could legitimize forever our illegal practices. If it is so, as I said above, one day we may come to the position of demanding territory from the Greek Cypriots for an agreement?"

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nami: Although Erolgu accepted the convergences, Anastasiades did not

Being a guest in a programme at private channel ADA TV, Nami evaluated the Cyprus problem and the negotiations.

Referring to the territory issue, Nami said that no map has been issued after the Annan plan, adding that those who claim the opposite are lying. Both Talat and Eroglu said that it's an issue that will be discussed at the end of the process.

[05] The self-styled foreign ministry on the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime

According to the statement, the Republic of Cyprus' reaction did not have any other meaning rather than "being a unilateral expression of will".

The self-styled foreign ministry also alleged that the Republic of Cyprus government should suspend the hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation works until an agreement is reached between the two sides. "The Turkish Cypriots also have the equal rights on the island's natural resources and they have every right to defend their interest. The Greek Cypriot government should understand that they don't have any right to oppose our attempts to defend our rights", the self-styled ministry claimed.

In the statement it was also mentioned that the "Delimitation of Continental Shelf in the Mediterranean" agreement which was signed on 21 September 2011 was a step taken in order to defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots after the Greek Cypriots started the drilling work in 19 September 2011 by "disregarding" the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] Elcil: Turkey has an eye on Cypriot soil and natural resources

According to Elcil the real intention of the Turkish officials is to get control of Cypriot soil. "Turkey's Cyprus policy which saw the military intervention to Cyprus supposedly to re-establish the Cyprus Republic's constitutional order turned into a complete colonization movement", he stated.

In his statement Elcil accused the Turkish governments for using the Turkish Cypriots and their rights arising from international agreements. "The Turkish governments who have been using us now have their eyes on our natural resources" said Elcil. He also reminded that Turkey's energy demand is increasing and due to this increasing demand, the Turkish government is doing everything to secure a share of the energy resources.

"In the light of this reality Turkey has an eye on the natural gas and petrol in Eastern Mediterranean and is trying to seize these natural recourses by using the Turkish Cypriots. An agreement on the Exclusive Economic Zone was signed in recent days between Turkey and the political system they established here and this agreement was submitted to the UN. This agreement which was signed by Turkey's puppets doesn't have any international validity. Therefore it just shows that Turkey is trying to violate valid international agreements and that their attitude regarding negotiations is not a genuine one."

The statement continues as follows: "The Cypriots have the only right regarding natural resources. But Turkey who acts as a regional jobber of imperialist powers added our natural recourses as part of their expansionist policies. It should be known that, the real intention of the ones who call us "ungrateful parasites" is to take our natural recourses and our land."

[07] EU candidate Birinci: My first address will be in Turkish

Birinci claimed that it is the first time that the Turkish Cypriot electorate will be voting for EP elections after the EU put pressure on the Greek Cypriot authorities and added: "All Turkish Cypriots were automatically registered as voters, making these elections the first time that Turkish Cypriots will vote this easily".

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriots were granted individual rights as EU citizens after Cyprus' accession to the EU, Birinci said that it wasn't easy to vote for EP elections as the Turkish Cypriots had to prove residency in order to be eligible to vote. "However this time around, those rules have changed and all Cyprus Republic ID holders who are above 18 will be able to vote".

"It is not the first time that the Turkish Cypriots are running for EP elections. But it is the first time that the Turkish Cypriots are able to vote this easily. So we decided to use this opportunity rather than dwelling on the barriers". Noting that she never considered an independent candidacy Birinci said that she would not run for the elections if there was no joint list. "What I am trying to do as a candidate is to give an important message. It is the first time in Cyprus history that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are running for the elections in a joint list. This has never happened even before 1974. Another important first is the fact that we have 50-50 gender equality in our group" added Birinci.

Birinci who worked at the European Parliament as the only Turkish Cypriot during Cyprus Republic's EU presidency term said: "During that period I met with members of the parliament. I witnessed that many young women from other EU member states were elected as MPs . So I thought why the same could not happen to a Turkish Cypriot woman? Therefore I decided to assume responsibility to become that woman. "This does not mean we will be dominated by the Greek Cypriots".

"Having Turkish Cypriots in the European Parliament will contribute to a solution as the joint list does not mean we will be dominated by the Greek Cypriots. Our candidacy is based on the political equality as indicated in related UN decisions. This election is a tool for formation of the bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality. We got together to do what leaders could not by becoming a united front" said Birinci.

[08] ISAD has become a member of UEAPME

[09] Agia Eirini church has been turned into a pen

According to the paper, the Greek Cypriot owners of the village had been informed that their village church had been restored, but when they went to the village, they found out that the church was a pen. Despite the conditions, they performed the religious ceremony in the middle of animal smell and under the supervision of the "police" of the breakaway regime.

The Greek Cypriots criticized the fact that their culture has not been respected.

[10] An ancient tomb was found at occupied Keryneia

The "antiquity and museums department", which has started excavations since April 30, has brought to light different size of jugs, jars and containers, as well as, four skeletons.

[11] Turkish Deputy stated that Cyprus is used as an excuse to block Turkey's EU bid

Asked if the Republic of Cyprus is one of the EU member states that is blocking the opening of chapters for Turkey, and if the new round of negotiations in Cyprus will have a positive impact on Turkey's EU accession process, Bozkir said the following: "While we do view the new round of negotiations in Cyprus as a positive development, we have always tried to maintain a degree of separation between the Cyprus problem and Turkey's EU accession process. There is an effort to combine the peace process in Cyprus with the EU accession process. For example, for some chapters to open there was a suggestion to use Maras (Varosha) as a bargaining tool. To us, these issues are part of the Cyprus problem. In this aspect they can be negotiated and solved but cannot be accepted as part of Turkey's EU accession process." He went on and said the following: "It is not logical for Turkey's EU accession to be slowed on the grounds of Cyprus given that Turkey is a member of the customs union and has a trade volume of $200 billion with the EU. In this context we view countries that use Cyprus as an excuse as trying to prevent Turkey from joining the EU."

Bozkir also said that Germany, France, Austria and other countries have made it known they do not want Turkey as an EU member state. However, rather than risk their bilateral trade ties with Turkey by stating so outright, they fashion their objections as the Cyprus problem and obstruct the accession process. As soon as the Cyprus problem is resolved, the countries that do not support Turkey's membership of the EU will become clear."

[12] New Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey: Work with us instead of attacking us

"We have a common interest in both being interested in each other. But it is also true that there are some question marks about recent legislation," he told Hurriyet. "Even more than the legislation, a certain message is reinforcing a constant EU bashing. I know that EU bashing is, in a certain sense, part of the game, and this is the case in many of our member states too. But what is worrying here is that if the narrative becomes identified with systematic EU bashing, there is a threshold when it becomes very dangerous."

Manservisi also said the EU and Turkey must engage in "more cooperative work. "The obvious consequence is that the EU and Turkey must do more and not less together. It is in our interest," he said, acknowledging that Turkey had taken many important steps in recent years, citing developments in Cyprus, the Kurdish issue and the 1915 incidents.

[13] Turkish PM hints at presidential run

In a five-hour meeting to discuss election strategy, chaired by Erdogan, the party's executive board decided not to amend the three-term limit, an internal regulation which the Prime Minister himself has long publicly championed. Erdogan said in October he would run for the presidency if asked to do so by the party. The three-term limit also means high-profile figures such as Ali Babacan, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the economy, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag cannot be re-appointed.

In addition, Turkish Today's Zaman daily (04.05.14) reported that AKP decided on its strategy for the presidential election in August and will seek a plan to switch to a de facto presidential or semi-presidential system, which opposition parties have slammed as a move that will pave the way for dictatorship.

"This would lead to a de facto dictatorship," Faruk Bal, deputy chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), told Today's Zaman, noting that as per the Constitution, Presidents are not accountable for their acts before the law.

According to decisions reached by Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and senior members of the AK Party, Erdogan will run for President. Should Erdogan be elected president, a temporary Prime Minister -- though no name has yet been finalized -- will run the country for the next 10 months until the 2015 general elections, during which Erdogan will reportedly be de facto acting like a President in a Presidential system. Another part of the plan is to have Gul elected as leader of the AK Party following the 2015 general elections.

[14] Kamalak re-elected as Felicity Party leader

[15] A 'sad' Press Freedom Day in Turkey

43 journalists still in prison amid increasing pressure from the government, the Vienna-based International Press Institute's (IPI) National Committee in Turkey (BED) said in a statement on May 2, a day ahead of the holiday. Among the "bitter facts presenting a dark picture," BED listed the journalists fired from their jobs, wiretapped by police, targeted in campaigns of character assassination or forced into self-censorship, all because of their critical coverage. "Censorship, which has been intensified with court rulings and legal complaints, even leads to the removal of political speeches by opposition figures from news websites, although there is no doubt that they are newsworthy," the statement said. Turkey's Journalists Association (TGC) also criticized the country's stance against the freedom of expression, with 40 publishers and reporters behind bars.

But Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was adamant about Turkey's press freedom. "Press freedom in Turkey is freer than both countries called 'partly free' and countries called 'free.' We expect our journalists to reject this report," Davutoglu said.

[16] Prosecutors seek the arrest of four persons on terror charges in May Day detentions

A total of 171 people have been detained as part of the police crackdown on protesters on May Day in Istanbul. The governorship of Istanbul had announced it would not allow any rallies at Taksim Square, and intervened on the groups trying to march to the city centre with water cannons and tear gas. Some 11 of the 171 people were taken to the Anti-Terror Unit of the Turkish police on suspicions of terror. On May 4 a prosecutor sought the arrest for four people of the detained 11. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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