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

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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] Turkish Milliyet insists on publishing the names of villages the return of which has allegedly been asked by the Greek Cypriots

[02] Eroglu urges USA to convince Greek Cypriots to return to the negotiating table

[03] Nami will continue his efforts in Brussels to prevent the EP's report criticizing Turkey

[04] Bozkir due to Brussels for talks on Turkey-EU relations; he will meet with Nami

[05] Turkey's Foreign Ministry: Ankara will not increase tension

[06] Davutoglu to attend cooperation meeting in Greece

[07] Ertug: The Turkish navy vessels are in international waters

[08] The "council of Turkish Cypriot associations" in the UK sent a letter to Cameron

[09] Siber calls on the Turkish Cypriots to unite and undertake initiatives towards the EU as regards the issue of halloumi cheese

[10] Turkish warships and airplanes will again violate Cyprus' territorial waters and airspace for the UDI

[11] Efforts for the construction works of Rauf Denktas' statue at occupied Agios Amvrosios village to be finished by November 15

[12] A water treatment plant is constructed just under the Bellapais monument

[13] A Panama -flag ship arrived to the breakaway regime from Bulgaria carrying wheat

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish Milliyet insist on publishing the names of villages the return of which has allegedly been asked by the Greek Cypriots

According to the paper, the Greek Cypriots came with a list of all the territories they want back at the Cyprus talks, which were suspended last month. In the list, the Greek Cypriot side asks back the return of places, with historical, archaeological, cultural and religious importance for them. The proposal stresses that the percentage of the territory of the founding states with the population percentage of every community should be taken into consideration. An arrangement should be made in a way that "75% of the land will remain with the Greek Cypriot founding state and 25% of land with the Turkish Cypriot founding state". According to the proposal, Turkish Cypriot villages and properties, where it is possible, will not be included in the territorial adjustment.

The paper reports that according to the proposal, "the return of lands, which have special significance for the Greek Cypriots due to the high density of the Greek Cypriots who lived there before 1974 (that is Famagusta, Morphou) or because of their historical, archaeological (Salamis, Vouni, Soloi), cultural or religious importance (St. Varnavas monastery- Apostolos Andreas monastery) or special situation (Karpassia peninsula, the four Maronites villages)."

The paper also reports that in regard to the land that will remain under Turkish Cypriot administration, this will not influence negatively the emotional ties of the Greek Cypriots, especially those coming from this area.

According to the paper, the following places are requested:

"-Morphou and Syrianochori and the readjusted area which is extended towards west of Morphou including the relevant coast line.

-The return of at least 80% (nearly 24 thousand) of the displaced inhabitants of Famagusta. The majority of the Greek Cypriot inhabitants, who were living in the south part of the city before 1974. And this constitutes approximately 42.5% of the land of Famagusta municipality.

-The northwest part of Famagusta including St Varnavas monastery, Engomi, Stylloi, Limnia and Agios Sergios. This option guarantees the return of approximately 4.766 displaced persons. An obstacle may be the existing Lefkosia-Famagusta road, the alternative is to construct a new road, which will go around from four communities.

-The return of approximately 25 thousand Greek Cypriots from the villages of Great Mesaoria between Lefkosia and Morphou (Gerolakkos, Zodeia, Argaki, Filia, Katokopia, Akaki) and between Lefkosia-Famagusta (Mia Milia, Assia, Vatyli, Lysi, Kontea).

-The return of approximately 3 thousands displaced Greek Cypriots including the revival of properties in the northwestern part of Lefkosia and the buffer zone.

- Kythrea and three neighbouring communities (Neo Choria, Trachoni and Voni). This guarantees the return of 5.530 Greek Cypriot persons.

-Karpassia peninsula which includes Rizokarpaso, Yiallousa, Agia Triada, Vathylakas, Leonarisso, Lythrangomi, Koma tou Yialou, Melanagra, Vasili, Koilamenos, Agios Andronikos, Neta and Apostolos Andreas monastery including Agios Symeos. This means the return of 9.942 Greek Cypriots. This will readjust the length of the coast line."

[02] Eroglu urges USA to convince Greek Cypriots to return to the negotiating table

According to a statement issued by his "office" on Monday, Eroglu called on the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table unconditionally.

The letter comes after the Greek Cypriot side suspended talks in October in retaliation for Turkey's warship mission to monitor an oil-and-gas exploration activity in the Cyprus coast.

Eroglu termed the tension in the region as artificial, which served the Greek-Cypriot administration's political aims.

"The Turkish navy vessels are in international waters," Eroglu claimed in the letter, explaining: "They are in defence of the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot side as one of the two equal stakeholders/partners in the island. In any event, the navigational telex (NAVTEX) issued in this respect does not overlap with the Greek Cypriot area of activity and the ships of the Turkish navy are in international waters. If there is a provocation, however, this was created by the unilateral attempts and activities of the Greek Cypriot side with regard to the hydrocarbon reserves around the island, to the exclusion of the Turkish Cypriot side."

[03] Nami will continue his efforts in Brussels to prevent the EP's report criticizing Turkey

Claiming that although they had been invited to take part in the congress last year they were not able to do so, Nami said that despite all of the obstacles reportedly placed by the Greek Cypriots they were able to attend the congress this year.

Nami alleged that during the speech he delivered at one of the panel discussions at the congress a representative from the Cypriot Energy Department left the panel which allowed those attending to see how the situation in Cyprus is.

"Due to this situation a variety of media organisations requested an interview which gave us the opportunity to express our views. We informed them that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights over the islands natural resources", Nami claimed.

Noting that in Israel there was a negative stance towards Turkey, he said that during the round table discussions they were able to feel the effects of this first hand. Nami also claimed: "No matter what agreement Israel reaches with bordering countries if it does not reach an agreement with Turkey it will not be able to sell its natural gas to Europe"

"In order to overcome the natural gas crisis both sides should stop taking unilateral steps", said Nami, and pointed to the importance of establishing a federal structure.

Touching upon his visit to Brussels Nami said that both Israel's and Cyprus' lobbying activities in Brussels should not be underestimated.

Explaining that on Wednesday and Thursday this week a vote will be held at the European Parliament Nami said that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to pass a report that criticises Turkey and calls for it to respect the Republic of Cyprus' sovereign rights.

"We held important meetings regarding this issue and tried to explain the Turkish Cypriot side's views but officials there did not show much interest" said Nami adding that they would return to Brussels tomorrow (Tuesday) and continue their efforts even if their chance of success is very little.

[04] Bozkir due to Brussels for talks on Turkey-EU relations; he will meet with Nami

Bozk?r is expected to discuss Turkey-EU relations with EU commissioners. This will be their first meeting after the new European Commission took office on November 1.

During his visit, Bozk?r will also deliver a speech at a conference titled "Reinforcing Public Administration Reform in the Enlargement Process" held by the EU Commission on November 12.

The Minister will also meet with self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami.

[05] Turkey's Foreign Ministry: Ankara will not increase tension

The paper reports that while tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean increased after statements from Turkish and Greek naval forces regarding rules of engagement to deal with the event of "a situation" over energy exploration, high level sources from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Ankara will not increase tensions while reiterating their support for "Turkish Cyprus". The waters of the Eastern Mediterranean are heating up since "Greek Cyprus" (editor's note: the Republic of Cyprus) announced the suspension of negotiations on reunification with "Turkish Cyprus" on Oct. 6 in protest of the presence of Turkish naval vessels in its exclusive economic zone.

Although it sounds like tension is rising, sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry remain calm and assure that Ankara will not increase tensions. "Our stance on this issue is very clear. Turkey is in favour of the continuation of peace talks and the idea of a two-state federal structure. However, [Greek] Cyprus procrastinates on the peace talks to gain time," a senior level officer from the Turkish Foreign Ministry commented while assuring Turkey's support for "Turkish Cyprus'" decisions on "Greek Cyprus'" exclusive economic zone. "It's quite normal to have new rules of engagement and it's not necessary to attribute any reason," the officer added regarding the announcement of the new rules of engagement by Turkish and Greek Naval forces. In the meantime, political sources in Ankara do not expect further escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and signal that negotiations via backdoor diplomacy channels are continuing in order to resume the peace talks on Cyprus. The recent statement regarding the second meeting of the Turkey-Greece High Level Cooperation Council that was announced on Monday afternoon supports this claim.

[06] Davutoglu to attend cooperation meeting in Greece

Davutoglu will co-chair the third Turkey-Greece High-Level Cooperation Council meeting along with his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras, the statement added.

[07] Ertug: The Turkish navy vessels are in international waters

Ertug claimed that the decision to leave the negotiation table was reached between Greeks and the Greek Cypriot side even before the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot side from the negotiation table and before the seismic searches of Barbaros went into operation and added: "The Greek Cypriot side undertook this action as part of a preconceived scenario and did so together with Greece. It was unwilling to enter into the next phase of the Cyprus negotiations, which involved give and take and mutual compromise".

According to the paper, the recent developments have proved that new alliances are emerging and the natural resources in the area may not work as an incentive to maintain peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A source close to diplomatic circles in Turkey told Today's Zaman that the nature of the alliance that was formed in Cairo over the weekend between Egypt, Greece and Greek Cyprus is clearly not well-intentioned and that it is an alliance against Turkey.

Ertug also claimed: "The reasons given for leaving the negotiations table in Cyprus are not real reasons. They do not provide justification for withdrawing from the table. Especially when the Greek Cypriot side says, on the one hand, that the hydrocarbon issue has nothing to do with the negotiations and on the other hand, it suspends the negotiations by citing the hydrocarbon issue as the reason. I think the contradiction here is quite obvious".

Ertug repeated that Turkey is actually acting on behalf of "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), in accordance with the agreement that has been signed between Turkish and "Turkish Cypriot authorities". "That area does not overlap with the Greek Cypriot area of activity and the ships of the Turkish navy are in international waters. There is no question of harassment. There is no question of any sort of aggression or provocation," Ertug alleged.

Ertug also stressed that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots agreed through the joint declaration of Feb. 11 this year that sovereignty of the island emanates equally from the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, so the Greek Cypriots are not the sole sovereign authority in Cyprus. He added: "Therefore they should not act alone. They have no authority or moral right to act alone and exploit the resources of Cyprus without the participation of the Turkish Cypriot side in this process from the beginning to the end, that is, from the decision-making to the exportation phase".

Ertug said that if the Greek Cypriots suspend their current drilling activity, then Turkish Cypriots will not have any reason to continue with their own search.

[08] The "council of Turkish Cypriot associations" in the UK sent a letter to Cameron

The "council" in the letters, stressed the need for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiation talks, pointing out that in case there is no possibility for the talks to be resumed, the UK should support the two-state model solution in Cyprus.

The "council" also demands from the UK to accept that the Turkish Cypriots have an equal status in the island and also to proceed to the lifting of the so-called embargoes, without any preconditions.

The "council" which represents 28 NGO's in the UK, met with officials of the Prime Minister's office, who conveyed the letter to Cameron.

The "council" underlines in the letter that the decision of the Greek Cypriot side to suspend the Cyprus negotiation talks, providing as an excuse Turkey's natural gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, is a disrespectful action and an indication that the Greek Cypriot side does not want an early solution of the Cyprus problem.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights in the natural resources of the island, the "council" asked both sides to suspend their drilling activities until a comprehensive solution is found on the Cyprus problem.

The letter stresses the need for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiation talks the soonest possible and without any preconditions, adding: "If no possibility is seen for the resumption of the talks, the UN should evaluate the existing situation in the island, and accept the existence of two separate states and two people".

(AK)

[09] Siber calls on the Turkish Cypriots to unite and undertake initiatives towards the EU as regards the issue of halloumi cheese

However, she added, after the registration, the approval of the "Greek Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture" is needed [Translator's note: This is how she describes the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Cyprus]. According to Siber, Turkish Cypriots should unite on this issue. Noting that with halloumi's registration this cheese could only be produced in Cyprus, she argued that the Turkish Cypriots should be united on the view that they should also be given the authority to licensing and to undertake initiatives towards the EU on this issue.

Referring to the same issue, self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that his "government" has become involved in the issue and promised to help the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of industry" to file lawsuits against nearly 70 firms in Turkey which produce halloumi.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Turkish warships and airplanes will again violate Cyprus' territorial waters and airspace for the UDI

According to a written statement issued by the so-called security forces command, the demonstration by the Turkish acrobatic airplanes known as "Turkish Stars" will take place on Saturday at 15.30 hours in occupied Keryneia. During the same day two vessels of the Turkish Naval Forces, TCG Gelibolu frigate and TCG Burakreis submarine will anchor at the tourist harbor of occupied Keryneia and will be open for the public to visit. Furthermore, the TCG Bora assault boat will also be open for visits at the occupied Famagusta port. Transportation to TCG Gelibolu frigate will be facilitated by a sea vehicle offered by the so-called security forces command.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Efforts for the construction works of Rauf Denktas' statue at occupied Agios Amvrosios village to be finished by November 15

In his statements, Tacoy said that the statue will be constructed at the round-about near the illegal Tymbou airport and added that efforts are exerted so that the statue is finished by November 15, which is the "31st anniversary" of the "establishment of the TRNC".

(AK)

[12] A water treatment plant is constructed just under the Bellapais monument

[13] A Panama -flag ship arrived to the breakaway regime from Bulgaria carrying wheat

According to the paper, the ship arrived at the illegal Famagusta Port on October 14. The examinations conducted in the cargo showed that the wheat was wet and that it carried various bugs. The ship is still anchored at the illegal port. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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