Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-01-13

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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: Parcel 9 in Cyprus' EEZ belongs to the Turkish Cypriots, not to Turkey

[02] Ertug criticized Christodoulides statements

[03] Merkel met with Davutoglu in Germany; Merkel: "We want to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem"

[04] Siber: "I desire a federal solution based on the Turkish proposal of 1977"

[05] Izcan: "Eroglu and AKP sacrificed the negotiations"

[06] KSP "presidential candidate" Mustafa Onurer

[07] The calendar for the "presidential elections" in April 2015

[08] Afrika continues publishing information of a crime committed in 1963

[09] Union of Development Bank has organized a seminar entitled "Financial Analysis and Forecast"

[10] Rauf Denktas' passing three years ago remembered in the breakaway regime

[11] Davutoglu discussed with Merkel the issue of terrorism and racism; Davutoglu: "Terrorism cannot be associated with religion"

[12] Erdogan accuses the West of hypocrisy over Paris attacks

[13] Ankara Mayor Gokcek: Mossad was behind Paris attacks

[14] Turkish court says slogans against Erdogan are slander

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami: Parcel 9 in Cyprus' EEZ belongs to the Turkish Cypriots, not to Turkey

In an interview with Havadis, Nami alleged that in spite of this, the Greek Cypriot side showed its "dominant stance" with the statement issued by President Anastasiades, whose decision not to return to the negotiating table was described by Nami as "an approach far from being sincere". Nami alleged that the above-mentioned statement blew up the so-called opportunity created with the "withdrawal" of the NAVTEX. Pointing out that the message given by the Turkish Cypriot side in that period was that the NAVTEX had ended and that they will not extent it as "a sign of good will", Nami claimed that if the Greek Cypriots were sincere they should have returned to the negotiating table within the period of one week during which there was no NAVTEX or any ship in the area.

Referring to the statement issued by President Anastasiades, Nami described it as an evaluation "far from stepping on the ground' and "lacking of good will". Nami accused the Greek Cypriots of "having an obsession as regards the hydrocarbons issue, of deterring a policy saying that they will not discuss this issue with the Turkish Cypriots and of putting themselves in a situation from which they cannot come out because of this. Expressing his view on every point of this statement, Nami alleged that the Greek Cypriot side chose to "relieve some internal circles" and not the negotiations, adding that this statement is unacceptable for the Turkish Cypriot side.

Nami further alleged that issuing a NAVTEX and waiting for one week of its extension was a decision jointly taken by the Turkish Cypriot side as a result of consultations between the "government", Turkey and the "presidency". Nami expressed his sorrow for the fact that a decision allegedly expressing the Turkish side's common will is presented as being a decision taken by Turkey. He added: "There is no such difference between us. In any case, Turkey does not claim any right on the parcel in question there. Turkey has absolutely no claim for rights on this parcel which we call parcel 9. We as Turkish Cypriots have. Under the agreements we made with Turkey, we told Turkey 'go and carry out explorations there on our behalf'. Has the Greek Cypriot side signed agreements now with international companies? And are these companies not carrying out the explorations? Which country owns the vessels which are carrying out explorations there? Is it the Republic of Cyprus? [?] And the Turkish Cypriot side is forced to carry out these activities with Turkey because we have no exploration vessels of our own. The NAVTEX issue is a similar one, because we have no right to issue a NAVTEX. Therefore, Turkey had to issue this on our behalf".

Meanwhile, in statements to illegal Bayrak television (12.01.15, online), Nami referred to the illegal visit which the Turkish Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will pay to the occupied area of the island tomorrow. He said that they will evaluate the recent phase of the Cyprus problem and the situation created after they issued a new NAVTEX. He noted that they will discuss the next steps which they will take, reiterating that their policy is that the negotiations should unconditionally resume.

Asked whether Cavusoglu will meet with the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide during his stay on the island, Nami replied: "I do not think so, there is no planned meeting".

Referring to the report which Eide will submit to the UN Security Council, Nami said that they will demand for the experienced developments and what he called as "the truths and the realities" to be included in this report. He noted that they will also discuss the issue of the extension of UNFICYP's term of duty.

Referring to the statement of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regarding the Turkish NAVTEX as published in the Greek Cypriot press, Nami alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is always trying to use the press in order to influence the content of the reports. He alleged: "There are elements which both sides do not like. We have in any case shared these with the UN, but whatever they do they cannot cover the reality that they were the ones that abandoned the negotiating table".

Noting that the copy of the report which they possess writes that the NAVTEX has been issued by Turkey on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots and this is allegedly a big "deficiency", Nami claimed that the report should say that Turkey claims no rights on parcel 9, that all the steps it takes aim at protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and that the Greek Cypriots do not protect the Turkish Cypriot rights. "We think that no reference to these and presenting the issue as being a problem only between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot side is wrong and we asked for the correction of the mistakes", he alleged claiming that the report should include more clear expressions on the issue of the so-called isolations allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ertug criticized Christodoulides' statements

Christodulides had stated in the interview that the NAVTEX issued by Turkey was not aimed at protecting the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots and that it was not Turkey but the "Cypriot people" who paid the price for the absence of negotiations.

Ertug claimed that Christodulides must have in mind that there are two "peoples" on the island and that the "Greek Cypriot leadership had neither the right nor the authority to speak on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people".

He alleged that there would have been no such thing as the Cyprus problem had there only been one people on the island which shared the same views.

He also called on Christodoulidis " to respect the Turkish Cypriot peoples' separate identity, political structure, its equal sovereign rights as well as its special national and historical ties with Turkey".

Ertug also claimed that the reason why Turkey has issued a new NAVTEX was obvious. He said that "it was the Greek Cypriot side's insistence to resume hydrocarbon exploration activities unilaterally, its decision to abandon the negotiating table in response to the Turkish side's retaliatory moves, its refusal to return to the negotiating table and the preconditions it insists on being met in order to resume talks that had prompted Turkey to renew of the marine advisory".

"The whole world knows the realities and third parties whom we have met with are telling us that they do not approve of the Greek Cypriot side's withdrawal from the talks. The Greek Cypriot side's attempts to use our NAVTEX to cover their intransigence are pointless. Was it not Anastasiadis himself who announced on January 5th that he would not return to the negotiating table even in the absence of Turkey's NAVTEX which had expired on the 30th of December 2014? Christodulides's statements are clearly in contradiction with the facts" Ertug alleged.

He finally claimed that "it was not Turkey but the Greek Cypriot Administration which was forcing the Turkish Cypriot people to pay the price for the non-solution by having them suffer under isolation and international embargoes for the past 50 years".

[03] Merkel met with Davutoglu in Germany; Merkel: "We want to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem"

Replying to a reporters' question whether she changed her stance on the issue of Turkey's full membership to the EU, Merkel said: "I have not changed my mind. I support the continuation of the negotiation process and of course the full membership. I express hopes that these negotiations will continue. Still, the Cyprus problem is a big problem which stands in front of Turkey's EU bid. The solution of the Cyprus problem is in our agenda".

Also speaking, Davutoglu in response to a question about Turkey's EU accession, said that Turkey is part of Europe and that Turkey's Asian identity would not threaten its European identity, but would "add color to it".

He further argued that if Turkey was a member of the EU, it could be possible that terrorism would not appear in such extend.

(AK)

[04] Siber: "I desire a federal solution based on the Turkish proposal of 1977"

During a visit to the occupied Rizokarpaso village within the framework of her "election campaign", Siber stressed that there is a need for a leader, who is accepted by the whole community and not only by groups or parties.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Siber said that she wishes to reach a federal solution, which was a Turkish proposal and has been discussed since 1977 in the Denktash-Makarios talks. She added that the solution should carry the meaning that they should have their own identity abroad and will not mean that their rights will be represented by the Greek Cypriots. Siber noted that in every passing day the need for a permanent, viable solution is increased.

[05] Izcan: "Eroglu and AKP sacrificed the negotiations"

According to Izcan, Eroglu and the AKP government are intentionally increasing the tension in an attempt to gain advantage in the "April presidential elections".

"Negotiations were sacrificed for the sake of the upcoming presidential elections in April. With this tension politics they are aiming to secure Eroglu's victory" said Izcan.

[06] KSP "presidential candidate" Mustafa Onurer

Mustafa Onurer has been announced as the candidate for the KSP party. An announcement was made at the "Turkish Cypriot Teachers Trade Union" (KTOS) this morning bringing the "total official candidate" to 5.

In the press conference, Onurer announced his party's vision and reasons for "candidacy".

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (13.01.14), speaking during the press conference, Onurer said that he will be KSP' candidate under the slogan: "Sovereign people, independent Cyprus".

Onurer said further that if he will be elected, the first thing he would do for this "country", is to terminate the ties with the imperialists. He added that a "state" cannot be an independent "state" if it does not have its own economy, army, police force, and fire services.

Onurer continue and said that as a candidate will exclaim KSP' "realities", will try to change the current structure with the power which derives from the "people" and also will struggle in order to create a "country" which its "people" will be able to dominante.

(AK)

[07] The calendar for the "presidential elections" in April 2015

According to the "election calendar", any complaint or objections regarding the "candidacies" should be filed by March 15.

[08] Afrika continues publishing information of a crime committed in 1963

Levent writes that after his recent articles on the issue, he received a lot of messages and that one of these messages came from a person who knew an eyewitness in that incident. The reader said that he knew a woman from occupied Mora village who died 6-7 months ago and lost her hand during this incident. According to the reader, this woman, who was named Mrs Novber, had told him the following on this incident:

"[?] I discussed once more with aunt Novber how this incident happened. She had come from the village to spend the New Year with her sister. Some information was spread that night that the Greek Cypriots would raid the houses. They thought that the major's house would be safe and 3-4 families, I think, were gathered there. When the armed Greek Cypriots raided into the house everyone hid in some places. Some crouched down behind an armchair and the spouse of the major in the toilet in the bathroom taking her children and the one and a half year old daughter of her sister between her legs. When they started raking with the guns, she put her finger in the keyhole of the door. (I did not understand why, maybe because of fear). The child was hid on the knee. [?] Because aunt Novber was hid on the hand they cut her hand from the wrist. The woman described me the incident as if she was living it that moment, in spite of the fact that many years had passed. When the soldiers were leaving the house, a child cried. They returned and raked again. According to what the woman said and I have never forgotten these words since the 1980's, 'the Greek Cypriot soldiers were speaking very well Turkish' [?]".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Union of Development Bank has organized an international seminar entitled "Financial Analysis and Forecast"

The Development Banks are hosting an international symposium for the 10th time within the framework of cooperation on education activities.

Bank managers from Turkey, Bangladesh, Iraq, Sudan and Azerbaijan as well as academics from e illegal universities are attending the 3 day seminar.

[10] Rauf Denktas' passing three years ago remembered in the breakaway regime

Illegal Bayrak (13.01.14) broadcast that speaking during a ceremony held at the illegal Keryneia university, Serdar Denktas stated that the Turkish Cypriots reached where they are today thanks to the state that was established due to Rauf Denktas' efforts.

[11] Davutoglu discussed with Merkel the issue of terrorism and racism; Davutoglu: "Terrorism cannot be associated with religion"

Speaking at a joint press conference held with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Monday, he urged everyone to refrain from associating terrorist organizations with any religion. Leaders from both countries have stated that they share the same stance in response to terrorism and Islamophobic attacks in Europe.

"Islam and terrorism cannot be uttered at the same time," Davutoglu said, noting that terrorist organizations that claim to conduct terrorist attacks in the name of Islam, kill more Muslims than non-Muslims. He continued, saying that the exploitation of religious sentiments by terrorist organizations would result in serious religious conflict.

"Following the terrorist shooting in Norway in 2011, we never thought of this as 'European terrorism' or 'Christian terrorism,' nor have we identified racist attacks against Turks in Germany as 'German' or 'Christian' terror," Davutoglu emphasized.

Stressing that there are over 3 million Turkish people living in Germany, Davutoglu described these people as serving as a bridge between the two countries, and said that Turkey and Germany should take joint action against Islamophobic attacks against mosques and Muslims.

Davutoglu highlighted that Turkey takes great effort to protect its 911-kilometer-long border. "We support every kind of intelligence not to accept foreign fighters", he said, adding that Turkey hosts 35 million tourists every year and only prohibits entry to individuals when it receives intelligence from the relevant country that they should not be admitted to the country. He explained that Turkey has deported 1,500-2,000 people and put restrictions on a further 7,000 people from entering the country in order to prevent terrorism.

Davutoglu also said that he was proud to be a part of the unity rally in Paris on Sunday, in which he walked side-by-side with others to commemorate the victims of the Paris attacks. He added that Turkey expects the same kind of sensitivity from Europe when there is terrorist activity in Turkey.

During the question and answer session, Merkel said that Islam is part of Germany and everyone who respects the German law is respected by the country. She emphasized that as Chancellor, she represents everyone in Germany, regardless of their ethnic, national or religious backgrounds and identities.

"We have many Deputies who are originally from Turkey and we should also support interfaith dialogue among different religions," Merkel said, adding that it is important for Muslims to express a solid stance against terrorism.

Merkel said that she will join a rally for an "open and tolerant Germany," called by Muslim leaders on Tuesday in Berlin, alongside participating German Ministers.

The two leaders also addressed the issue of Iraq during the conference. "Turkey and Germany have similar ideas about the newly formed government in Iraq," Merkel said, and added that Turkey is exerting great efforts to host Syrian refugees.

[12] Erdogan accuses the West of hypocrisy over Paris attacks- He condemned Netanyahu for participating in Paris march

Speaking alongside visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan said the West's hypocrisy is obvious. "As Muslims, we've never taken part in terrorist massacres. Behind these lie racism, hate speech and Islamophobia," Erdogan said. "Please, the administrations in those countries where our mosques are attacked need to take measures." "Games are being played with the Islamic world, we need to be aware of this," said Erdogan, who traces his political roots to a banned Islamist movement, he stated. Erdogan did not attend the Sunday march, though Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu participated.

In addition, Erdogan condemned Netanyahu for participating in Paris march. Erdogan questioned why Netanyahu was participating in the march and even "waving hands" while he committed "state terrorism by killing 2,500 persons in Gaza. "As if people in platforms are impatiently waiting for him to wave hands," Erdogan said, adding that it is difficult for him to understand how Netanyahu is not ashamed of participating in the march.

[13] Ankara Mayor Gokcek: Mossad was behind Paris attacks

Gokcek attended the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Golbasi youth branch fourth ordinary district congress on Sunday and mentioned the terrorist attacks in France. He said Israel was annoyed with the Lower House of the French parliament for voting for the recognition of a Palestinian state and with France's vote in favor of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution calling for the same recognition. "Israel certainly doesn't want this sentiment to expand in Europe. That's why it is certain that Mossad was behind these kinds of incidents. Mossad enflames Islamophobia by causing such incidents," Gokcek said.

He claimed that after the Paris attacks, around 50 mosques and some Muslim individuals had been targeted but such incidents were not reported on by the international media. "Palestine being recognized as a state is why these [attacks] have taken place," he concluded.

[14] Turkish court says slogans against Erdogan are slander

Elifhan Kose was sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in prison and denied probation, unlike many similar cases. In its reasoning for the length of the jail term, the judge said "the offense of slander is outside the limits of freedom of speech as defined by the Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights."

"The perpetrator's right to freedom of speech and the victim's fundamental rights to honor, respect and religion conflict here. It is clear that an action that aims to slander and has no connection to the declaration of an opinion or thought cannot be regarded as freedom of speech. The criticism cannot be made if it harms the people's rights to honor and respect," said the reasoning of the court. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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