Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-12-31

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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] Barbaros anchors off shore of occupied Famagusta port

[02] Izmir Chamber of Commerce: The production of halloumi-hellim cheese in Turkey harms the producers in the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] Siber discussed the hellim/halloumi cheese issue with the "KTSO"

[04] An impressive protest by Elcil during the discussions of "2015 financial year protocol"

[05] New investment in occupied Yialousa by Alarko Holding

[06] An increase in passengers and flights' traffic at illegal Tymvou airport

[07] Reaction statements over Erdogan's decision to chair the cabinet meeting

[08] Police detained 2 Turkish journalists for posting critical tweets against Erdogan's advisor

[09] Top judicial board suspended four prosecutors from their post over their involvement in 2013 graft probes

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Barbaros anchors off shore of occupied Famagusta port

According to the paper, no official statement was issued whether the vessel will leave or not from the island. Meanwhile, diplomatic sources say that many different circles are within an intense initiative for the resumption of the Cyprus talks and next the developments will come up with the stance of the Greek Cypriot leadership.

Kutlay Erk, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG), said that these developments are positive for the negotiation process, stressing that the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades should return to the negotiating table. He also said that he has some doubts about the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu. He is not sure if Eroglu will have an efficient talk when he goes to the negotiating table, since he is a "candidate".

On the other hand, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) Faiz Sucuoglu said that he does not know how to evaluate the situation. First, he said that the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades should return to the negotiating table, because there is not much time before the upcoming "presidential elections" in April 2015. Since the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is a "candidate", the time is limited, he added.

[02] Izmir Chamber of Commerce: The production of halloumi-hellim cheese in Turkey harms the producers in the occupied area of Cyprus

In a written statement issued by ITO, it is said that the halloumi-hellim was one of the most important topics of Demitas' illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus on 22 December. Demirtas noted that the halloumi producers in the occupied area of Cyprus are carrying out a "big struggle" to protect the name and the trade mark of this product. He added: "As Turkey we should also support this struggle. Producing hellim in Turkey, printing a map of Cyprus on it and selling it causes damage to the Cypriot producers. This is a trick. We must respect the labor of the Turkish Cypriot hellim producers. We will offer any kind of support to the Cypriot producers, including a legal initiative against this".

Pointing out that halloumi is the most famous and traditional product of Cyprus, Demirtas noted that more than 60 firms produce halloumi in the occupied area of the island and that 17 thousand persons earn their living from this product, starting from the milk producers until its marketing points.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Siber discussed the hellim/halloumi cheese issue with the "KTSO"

Speaking during the meeting, Siber said that the aim of her visit was to listen to the problems experienced by the "Chamber of Industry" and to exchange views on issues such as the ongoing efforts to register hellim as a product with protected designation of origin.

Expressing her desire to see developments in all sectors of the economy, Siber said that economic development naturally raises the quality of life in a society.

Drawing attention to the negative effects of the "isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriot "people" as a result of the non-solution on the island, Siber said that products such as hellim were common products produced and consumed by both communities.

She said that such issues should not be used by one community against the other for political purposes. "We saw how the issue of hydrocarbons has sparked a crisis. All these issues are related to confidence building measures. If the two communities respect the fact that products like hellim are common products, then this will have a positive impact on the negotiations to reach a settlement and building confidence between the two peoples", Siber said.

Also speaking, Ali C?ral?, chairman of the "KTSO: underlined the need to increase production and services in the "TRNC" so as to enable the "country" to stand on its own feet. "Our efforts are in this direction and our expectation from the government and parliament is to create an economy that can stand on its own feet", Cirali said.

(?)Cirali also thanked Sibel for being the first "parliamentary speaker" to take action on the hellim issue by sending letters to both EU and UN officials, which he added had been effective, as he alleged.

[04] An impressive protest by Elcil during the discussions of "2015 financial year protocol"

In statements during the meeting, Mungan said that their trouble is "the very serious debts about which the governments until today have not spoken and which they continuously cover up". "As of June we have a debt of 12 billion Turkish liras (TL)", he added pointing out that 7.5 billion TL is their debt to Turkey.

He admitted: "The country is turning into a country which can make no investments. And when it is turned into a country which can make no investments, no possibilities for new jobs are created, economy does not grow and because of the not growing economy, you lose the opportunity of increasing the taxes you collect".

Mungan noted that this is their most fundamental problem and first they should concentrate on this. He said that these debts should become payable and for this reason their income should be increased.

In statements during the meeting, Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot teachers' trade union (KTOS), argued that the "government" has no will and acts upon instructions. He said that he wanted to gift to Mungan the "underpants of the citizens". He showed underpants writing "the underpants of the citizens" and gave it to Mungan saying: "You want even the underpants of the citizens. Take it and hand it over to the AKP government".

Mungan did not accept Elcil's package.

(I/Ts.)

[05] New investment in occupied Yialousa by Alarko Holding

According to statements of Alarko Holding's CEO Ayhan Yavrucu, the project is still under development, but the plan is to build a hotel unit in occupied Yialousa at a "magnificent coast", as he stated. The hotel is going to cost between 80-100 million dollars and its first phase is expected to be completed in 2016.

[06] An increase in passengers and flights' traffic at illegal Tymvou airport

Ozcelik stated that there was an increase in traffic compared to last year, since in 2013 the illegal airport served 2,000,932 passengers and in 2014 it served 3,210,000 passengers. In addition, in 2013, 21,481 flights were conducted while in 2014, 25,000 flights were conducted. As he said there was a 15% increase in the flights' traffic and 10% increase in the number of passengers served. He also stated that there was an 8% increase of charter flights compared to previous years.

[07] Reaction statements over Erdogan's decision to chair the cabinet meeting

In statements on the issue, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Haluk Koc said that an initial process in which Erdogan is partially taking over Davutoglu's duties and authority has begun and added that afterwards this practice will become permanent. "That is to say: a position called 'Prime President Minister' is being invented in Turkey," Koc said.

Supporting that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has turned out to be the state party and its key players have already engaged in a power game, Koc called on Davutoglu to use his weight as the Prime Minister and to not turn into a remote-control Premier. "You are now an impotent element. You just have your name. You have no effect or duty. These were all taken", Koc added.

Criticizing Erdogan for violating the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers, the CHP spokesperson said: "Does the Constitution tell him to grab the powers of the elected Prime Minister, or does it tell him to remove justice and abolish the media freedom? What does the Constitution say to you? You are not implementing what the Constitution says; you are disregarding it."

Deputy leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Sefkat Cetin in a written statement argued that Erdogan will grab the government's power by chairing the cabinet. "Erdogan is putting his intention to install the de facto presidential system in place by chairing the cabinet meeting," he stated. "The Republic of Turkey is neither Erdogan's nor Davutoglu's company. They have no luxury in handing over the powers given to them. The government will enter into the presidential tutelage if Erdogan chairs the meeting", Cetin said.

Also, Ertugrul Kurkgu, Mersin Deputy from the People's Democracy Party (HDP) slammed Erdogan's move to hold the cabinet under his chairmanship. Recalling that there was no extraordinary situation in the country for which Erdogan could convene the cabinet, Kurkcu said that this extraordinary situation was surely existent within the ruling party.

Kurkcu stressed that this power given to the President was even not used by former President Kenan Evren, who perpetrated the infamous 1980 coup d'etat.

Also speaking, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ar?nc following a loud and clear announcement by President Erdogan said: "I believe that a special importance will be attached to this meeting by the Council of Ministers, by public opinion and by the nation. No doubt, this meeting can be held," Ar?nc said, while speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting.

"Indeed, we find holding a meeting of the Council of Ministers as chaired by Mr President appropriate, in line with this provision of the Constitution," Ar?nc said, referring to Article 104 of the Constitution, which outlines the duties and powers of the President and which is the basis for Erdogan's argument and the justification for his intention. "Among the duties and powers relating to executive functions, the Constitution lists 'presiding over the Council of Ministers or calling the Council of Ministers to meet under his or her chairmanship whenever he or she deems necessary", Arinc added.

"We hope to get the use of this [meeting]", Ar?nc said, as he emphasized that Erdogan and Davutoglu have "made the decision together" to hold the January 19 meeting under Erdogan's presidency.

(?)

[08] Police detained 2 Turkish journalists for posting critical tweets against Erdogan's advisor

Kabas had criticized prosecutors for dropping a December 17 corruption and bribery investigation that implicated various high-raking state officials and Baransu had made critical comments on Twitter about an advisor of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish media reported on Tuesday that the police detained Kabas after searching her home and seizing her computer.

According to the reports, the prosecutors who dropped corruption and bribery charges against 53 suspects -- charges that forced four government ministers to step down following the exposure of a graft probe that shook the entire country when it went public on December 17 of last year -- filed a criminal complaint against Kabas over her tweet.

Police raided Kabas's home early on Tuesday upon a complaint by the prosecutors and detained her after a search of the house.

Speaking to the Radikal daily following her detention, Kabas stated that she was detained and her home was raided on charges of "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism." Kabas said that her iPad, computer and mobile phone were confiscated by the police officers who searched her home.

Posting successive tweets on Kabas's detention and the search conducted at her home, lawyer Celal Ulgen wrote that Twitter does not share its Twitter users' IP addresses or details about users' identities with Turkish police or intelligence, adding: "This is why the IT crime units found another way to deal with Twitter users. They issue search warrants against those who post tweets and they confiscate their computers and they conduct an investigation over the evidence [found on the computer]. If the tweet that is regarded as a crime is not posted via that confiscated computer, there is nothing they can do".

Journalist Baransu was also detained early Tuesday morning over a tweet he posted critical of Erdogan's advisor Mustafa Varank. Baransu was released pending trial after his testimony at the court that same day.

Speaking with Today's Zaman, Baransu said that he was detained after Varank filed a complaint against him over his tweet.

(?)

[09] Top judicial board suspended four prosecutors from their post over their involvement in 2013 graft probes

Ruling that their remaining in office would "harm the clout and reputation of the judicial power," the 2nd Chamber of the Supreme Judges and Prosecutors Board (HSYK) decided to suspend Zekeriya Iz, Celal Kara, Muammer Akkas and Mehmet Yuzgec on December 30.

In May, the 3rd Chamber of the HSYK gave the green light for the prosecution of Oz, Kara, Akkas and Yuzgec. Subsequently, the decision to open an investigation obtained the final approval of Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag. At the time, the Chamber also asked for the suspension of the four from their duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

Upon the completion of the investigation, a decision will be made on whether the prosecutors will be dismissed from their profession.

Speaking to reporters following the release of the decision, the head of the Second Chamber, Mehmet Y?lmaz, said the five members of the Chamber voted in favor of suspension, while two members objected.

Y?lmaz recalled that Article 77 of the Law on the HSYK stipulates that the board may suspend a judge or prosecutor, who is being investigated, as "a temporary caution", if it maintains that the continuation of his or her presence in office would harm the clout and reputation of the judicial power. In this case, the investigation has been completed, meaning the soundness of the investigation is not in question, but there is still "harm to the clout and reputation of the judicial power", Y?lmaz said.

"Our decision was made because the prosecutors didn't conduct the appropriate legal operations and didn't conduct impartial investigations that were also not in line with the Code on Criminal Procedure [CMK]," Y?lmaz told daily Hurriyet.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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