Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-01-14

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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] Eide says that the deadlock in the Cyprus negotiations harms the process

[02] Nami: Our priority is to establish a new partnership

[03] Eroglu: "I am the candidate that will protect the expectations, demands and rights of the Turkish Cypriots at the negotiating table"

[04] Ozersay said that the parameters of the Cyprus problem have changed through the years

[05] Eroglu met with foreign Ambassadors

[06] The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a press release regarding the Third Anniversary of the passing away of Rauf Denktas

[07] Columnist says that the Turkish side made no concession for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations

[08] 390 persons benefitted by the "immigration amnesty law"

[09] The system of "e-identity" will start in two months

[10] Protest by the workers of a firm which carries out construction works at the occupied Panagra dam, within the framework of the water transfer project

[11] LSD disease contracted animals in the occupied village of Genagra; So-called minister calls for joint action

[12] Davutoglu: Islam a European reality, it is there to stay; Turkey will continue to be a guarantor of Turks and Muslims in Europe

[13] The Turkish opposition on the Paris attack

[14] Erdogan signals no attendance to US summit if Netanyahu attends

[15] Turkish cleric laments reaction to Charlie Hebdo attack "while millions of Muslims massacred"

[16] "What's the meaning of Erdogan's 16 warriors?"

[17] Turkey multiplied its embassies in Africa during the last nine years

[18] Six and a half years jail sentence sought for ex-AK Party deputy over insulting Erdogan on Twitter

[19] Police raid Turkish daily publishing selection of Charlie Hebdo's new issue

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eide says that the deadlock in the Cyprus negotiations harms the process

Replying to a question, he said: "I think that now this situation started harming the process. We may see the negative developments of this during the next few months. Therefore, I think that this situation is an opportunity for the Security Council to call on all sides or the two sides to return to the table".

Asked about the report which he will submit to the Security Council, Eide noted that he will convey to the Security Council that the sides can make their bit for returning to the negotiating table, that they could exert more efforts and that in spite of the mutual concessions given on some issues, they could not lead the sides to return to the negotiating table.

According to Eide, a new development has happened lately and the discussion of the hydrocarbons issue at the negotiating table was accepted. He expressed the view that the proposal of President Anastasiades for discussing the hydrocarbons in a later stage of the negotiations is related with the Turkish Cypriot position that the map should be discussed later. He argued that with this proposal the map and the hydrocarbons are not related. Noting that the process will show how soon or later these issues will be discussed, Eide said that in case these issues can be discussed all these will be debated in a quick process and that it is not so "dramatic" what will be discussed during the first, third or fourth meeting. He further expressed the view that the Cyprus problem is a difficult problem, but not unsolvable and that this [settlement] depends on the two sides' will and devotion to the solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami: Our priority is to establish a new partnership

Speaking during the meeting, Nami alleged that the Cyprus problem completed the 50th year of its existence and that the negotiations for finding a solution to the problem have recently collapsed because President Anastasiades abandoned the table.

In his statements, Aydogan claimed that the Turkish Cypriots face many difficulties in expressing themselves at the international platforms and added that Turkey has always been supporting the "TRNC" in this process.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: "I am the candidate that will protect the expectations, demands and rights of the Turkish Cypriots at the negotiating table"

Speaking during the gathering organized by UBP in order to express support to Eroglu's candidacy, Eroglu referred to the so-called presidential elections which are to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus next April and said that he is the candidate that will transfer and support the demands, expectations and rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people" at the negotiating table.

Supporting that the "president" should be the leader of all "people", Eroglu alleged that he is the "voice of the people of the TRNC" and added that he will work very hard in order to win the elections from the first round.

Reminding of the fact that he is the one who sat at the negotiating table with both Christofias and Anastasiades, Eroglu pointed out that it is the "existence of the TRNC" which strengthened his hands at the talks. He continued and wondered how those who do not believe to their "state", who feel disturbed by the "existence of the TRNC", will protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people".

Alleging that it is President Nicos Anastasiades who has abandoned the negotiating table, Eroglu added that in spite of the fact that this is something which is seen by the whole world, still, some persons and especially the secretary-general of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) accuses him.

[04] Ozersay said that the parameters of the Cyprus problem have changed through the years

Referring to the parameters of the Cyprus problem, Ozersay said that certain differences among the federation talks on 1970's and 1980's with the talks on federal partnership in the years of 2000 have started to be forming.

[05] Eroglu met with foreign Ambassadors

[06] The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a press release regarding the Third Anniversary of the passing away of Rauf Denktas

"We commemorate the late Rauf Raif Denktas, the founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, with respect and gratitude on the third anniversary of his passing away. The late Denktas devoted his entire life to the Turkish Cypriots' struggle for a dignified existence, and defended with great sacrifices the cause of the Turkish Cypriot people for rights, equality and freedom in a common bond of sentiments and ideals with motherland Turkey. Rauf Denktas exhibited an outstanding leadership in overcoming all challenges, and therefore occupies an exceptional place in history with his leadership and statesmanship qualities appreciated throughout the world. We respectfully commemorate once again the late Rauf Denktas and express our conviction that the Turkish Cypriot people's righteous struggle will lead to a just and lasting settlement in the Island and turn it into an area of peace, stability and prosperity in the region."

[07] Columnist says that the Turkish side made no concession for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations

Under the title "Concession", Tugyan reports, inter alia, the following:

"Anastasiades is currently accused by a significant part of the Greek Cypriot political parties of making a serious concession to the Turkish side. Even though this development described as 'concession' by the Greek Cypriot politicians has not been taken into consideration by Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot side, Anastasiades is said to have received a very big reaction because of this step he has taken. [?] Very well, what is this step? [It is] the statement of 5 January. The statement of 5 January has been made with an assurance given by the UN Secretary ? General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Eide before the NAVTEX issued by Turkey on 6 January, so that the NAVTEX was not issued.

One of the elements to which the Greek Cypriot side had been opposing for a long time was the discussion of the natural gas issue within the framework of the negotiations. [?] Anastasiades, however, with his written statement issued on 5 January, made a serious change of position on this issue and announced that all issues on which agreement was not reached could be discussed at the final stage of the negotiations together with the map. Natural gas is also included in these issues.

As a result of indirect bargaining with Turkey, Anastasiades had been told through the UN Secretary ? General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Eide that this statement would be received with satisfaction by Turkey and in case this statement was made Turkey would not issue a new NAVTEX. Having taken this assurance, Anastasiades accepted to bring to the negotiating table the natural gas issue, to the discussion of which they had been opposing until today, and announced this with a written statement on 5 January. However, contrary to this calculation, this statement could unfortunately not prevent the issuing of a new NAVTEX and was not enough for the resumption of the negotiations.

The latest proposal of the Turkish side on the hydrocarbons issue was the establishment of a joint committee on this issue. And yes this proposal was not accepted by the Greek Cypriot side. However, it would be useful not to forget that in a situation in which the climate is so tensed and the attitudes are so edged, no one will fully go back from his own position [?] If only one of the sides could put aside all its engagements and say 'I am sitting unconditionally in the negotiations'. However, [no one] is saying this and will not say it. Either we like it or not, diplomacy does not work like that. Therefore, in order for the reestablishment of the negotiating table both sides should be able to take some steps forward even if these steps do not a hundred per cent satisfy the other side and are small. This step taken by Anastasiades could most certainly be evaluated within this framework by the Turkish side as a good will initiative for the resumption of the negotiations. However, the Turkish side did not even find this worthy of being discussed and continued accusing the Greek Cypriot side with the same speed. Very well, what kind of step forward has the Turkish side itself taken for the resumption of the negotiations? Anastasiades is currently strongly criticized in the south part of Cyprus because of 'making a concession'. How about us? Where is our concession? There is no [concession]! There is no [concession], because we will not be able to take a step forward. We will always expect for the other side to come to our own line. We will wait a lot!"

(I/Ts.)

[08] 390 persons benefitted by the "immigration amnesty law"

The announcement explains that all those who want to take a working permission or continue to live in "TRNC" accordingly to the "legal regulations", can benefit from this "immigration amnesty law". Until now, 390 persons have been benefitted from this "law" and can live in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus according to the "legal regulations".

[09] The system of "e-identity" will start in two months

[10] Protest by the workers of a firm which carries out construction works at the occupied Panagra dam, within the framework of the water transfer project

As the paper writes, the workers of the Kaynarca Construction Company protested for not taking their progress payments and stated that they will continue their protest actions until the two companies will pay them.

(AK)

[11] LSD disease contracted animals in the occupied village of Genagra; So-called minister calls for joint action

According to the paper, the so-called ministry of food, agriculture and energy held yesterday an extraordinary meeting with the participation of all the related organizations in order to examine the LSD disease spreading and to set up a road map.

According to the paper, speaking after the meeting, so-called minister Onder Sennaroglu said that the LSD disease will affect not only the "TRNC" but the whole island and thus he made a calling to "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, the EU and the international organizations to work together towards the direction of preventing the spreading of the disease.

(AK)

[12] Davutoglu: Islam a European reality, it is there to stay; Turkey will continue to be a guarantor of Turks and Muslims in Europe

"There is a settled persuasion that a solution can be found via accepting that Islam is a European reality," Davutoglu said, commenting on the hot debate over rising Islamophobia in Europe. "This was very clear in Mrs. [Angela] Merkel's speech today," he said, in remarks that came hours after a meeting with the German Chancellor. "However, I doubt how much of this persuasion has spread among some sections, especially among those with prejudices." "Islam is there to stay in Europe. Everyone sees this," he said, adding that today it is impossible to send back Muslims in Europe as if they are just temporary migrants.

In addition, Turkish daily Sabah (14.01.15) reports that Davutoglu has underlined Turkey's commitment to serve as a guarantor of the Turkish people living in Europe and Germany while speaking at AK Party's parliamentary group meeting which took place on Tuesday. He emphasized that Turkish and Muslim people living in Europe should not feel isolated or abandoned as Turkey will continue to protect and support them.

"We speak as Europeans when we speak in Europe, Asian when we speak in Asia and to the grandchildren of Sultan Fatih the Conqueror in the Balkans, the inheritors of a great legacy" he said.

[13] The Turkish opposition on the Paris attack

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (14.01.15) reports that Turkey's main opposition party Republican People's Party (CHP) has called on Islamic countries to adopt secularism in order to end the roots of terrorism, denouncing last week's deadly Paris attacks and stressing that "killing innocent people has nothing to do with Islam." "We are calling on the entire Islamic world: Please adopt secularism. It was described as sacrilege until yesterday, but secularism is the assurance of all faiths; it means no political interventions on people's religions," CHP head Kemal Kilicdaroglu told his parliamentary group on Jan. 13. "Secularism is the antidote to terror," Kilicdaroglu added.

Turkish daily Sabah (14.01.15) reports that Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, in a speech at the party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, said that Paris is not the only city where blood is being shed and called on EU leaders and the public to show the same sympathy when it comes to chaos in other regions. "Of course, we should share the pain of the Paris attack. But, it is our incontestable right to ask for the same sympathy from EU leaders for Kirkuk, Mosul, Gaza, Damascus, Baghdad, Tripoli, Sana and Mogadishu," said the MHP leader.

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (14.01.15) reports that the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-leader Figen Yuksekdag has blamed Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for hypocrisy vis-a-vis his reactions against violence committed inside the country and committed abroad. "Mr Davutoglu goes to the rally in Paris and expresses his political stance against terror. Mr Davutoglu joins rallies against mass murder gangs if it takes place in Paris. However, in Turkey, he sets the police on demonstrators who rally against these mass murder gangs. This is called hypocrisy in Turkish, I don't know what it is in French," Yuksekdag said.

[14] Erdogan signals no attendance to US summit if Netanyahu attends

Erdogan added that if an invitation is extended to Turkish officials, they would evaluate the summit's necessity, implying that he may not attend if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be present.

[15] Turkish cleric laments reaction to Charlie Hebdo attack "while millions of Muslims massacred"

"And we are watching the modern world. On the one side, 12 million have been massacred in the past 10 years in the Islamic world, which has been in severe pain. But last week in Paris, 12 people were brutally killed in a way that cannot be approved of by any Muslim. We saw that humanity, which did not speak up against the massacre of 12 million people, stood up against the murder of just 12 people. I should note that humanity should come to its senses immediately," Gormez said on Tuesday in Edirne.

[16] "What's the meaning of Erdogan's 16 warriors?"

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan undertakes his own myth-making project, as seen in the controversial dress show of the 16 warriors in the Presidential palace. His goals, however, seem like these will be more difficult to attain than similar projects by Ataturk several decades ago.

Turkish social media went into overdrive on Jan. 12 after President Erdogan welcomed Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in the Presidential palace with actors dressed in knightly attire, ostensibly representing the military costumes of the 16 states founded throughout history by Turks. Some social media users slammed the show as "ridiculous," while others defended it as a historical panorama of "our forefathers."

The Presidential guards command headquarters had reportedly suggested the show during the term of Abdullah Gul, but his successor, Erdogan, became the first President to agree to stage it. [?]

Clearly, Erdogan plans and acts to show that he still rules the country, as well as the government and the ruling party that he left behind ? on paper.

[?]

After moving out of the Presidential mansion of Ataturk to a gargantuan complex that he ordered built, Erdogan has apparently started to build myth-making narratives that fit his political and historical vision, just like modern Turkey's founder once did. [?]

Ataturk's nationalist myth-making overwhelmingly succeeded in the building of the Turkish nation-state in the 1920s and the 1930s. Although scientifically problematic on several areas (cf. the Sun Language Theory that claims Turkish was the forefather of all the languages in the world), Ataturk's myth-making projects on many other levels were well-conceived and carefully built at a time when international conditions were also ripe for them.

Erdogan's first "myth," on the other hand, was frowned upon and even mocked by many people, not just because the military dress show looked farcical due to its rather shoddy implementation. The Islamist/imperialist theory that it is trying to build is also awfully outdated on a global scale.

[?]

Politics, after all, is a specter, just like seen in the military dress show at the Presidential palace. Political theory, on the other hand, requires a deep, intellectual labor.

Shrugging off such criticism, Erdogan will almost surely continue trying to invent traditions for the New Turkey's ideological myth-making. However, unlike those by Ataturk, these attempts are more likely to fail given the present conditions in Turkey and the world, as well as the poorly conceived and badly performed nature of President Erdogan's first ventures in myth-making.

As such, the show of "Erdogan's 16 warriors" might only have a legacy as lasting as that of the steppe nomads."

[17] Turkey multiplied its embassies in Africa during the last nine years

About 15 opened in the last few years. The red Turkish flag flies, for instance, across Mogadishu where Turkish firms are playing the lead role in post-war construction. In 2005, the number of Turkish embassies in the continent was 12.

[18] Six and a half year jail sentence sought for ex-AK Party deputy over insulting Erdogan on Twitter

The indictment against Isbasaran indicated that it has been technically confirmed that the Tweets in question were posted from a cell phone and tablet that belong to Isbasaran before these were deleted. Isbasaran was arrested on Dec. 8, 2013, after posting offensive tweets about the President. While he was being brought to the courthouse by police officers following his detention at the police station that same day for "insulting" Erdogan on Twitter, a group of AK Party supporters attacked Isbasaran.

[19] Police raid Turkish daily publishing selection of Charlie Hebdo's new issue

Police cars were sent to the printer of the daily in Istanbul early on Jan. 14 and halted trucks to prevent the distribution of the Jan. 14 edition. The distribution was eventually allowed after the prosecution made sure that cartoons representing the Prophet Muhammad were not included in the selection.

The editor-in-chief of the daily, Utku Cak?rozer, stated earlier that they had decided not to publish a cartoon on the cover featuring the Prophet Muhammad in tears holding a "Je suis Charlie" banner, in reference to solidarity protests with the magazine. "When preparing this selection, we have been attentive to religious sensitivities as well as freedom of belief, in line with our editorial principles," Cak?rozer said via Twitter Jan. 13. "We didn't include the cover of the magazine after a long deliberation."

Despite the daily's decision not to publish the most controversial cartoons, police extended security measures in the surroundings of its offices in Istanbul's central Sisli neighborhood.

An employee of daily Cumhuriyet told the Hurriyet Daily News on condition of anonymity that the newspaper had received hundreds of death threats. " TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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